Steve Bannon on Elon Musk and the Battle for Trump's Ear

[@BenLewis1]

This is one of the most insightful news pieces I've seen in a long time.

[@michaelcutestory]

thank you for inviting Mr. Bannon and having a meaningful conversation! This is how you do it!

[@raquetdude]

He wouldn’t exist if Sanders had won it appears lol

[@jenniferpickner3796]

I don't much like Bannon or agree with him broadly, but you can't say he's not interesting. And very skilled at articulating his messaged. Very well conducted interview.

[@taylorlayton4508]

agreed, and i think he is a little (lot?) more principled and consistent than much of the MAGA movement.

[@RubyJustin-c3m]

What don't you agree about? He seemed spot on.

[@Soul-assasin93]

He’s one of the most effective propagandists of our time. He uses a left-wing populist critique of the system to convince people to support a more extreme version of that same system. Most of what he says, he doesn’t actually believe, and if you think he does, you’ve been duped. His critique of right-wing oligarchs is directly stolen from left-wing economist Yanis Varoufakis, who wrote Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism. Peter Thiel and Steve Bannon are close allies who worked together on the 2016 campaign. They share a similar vision for an anti-democratic version of the United States. This isn’t the first time Steve Bannon has pretended to oppose the very people he’s working with. If he were genuinely concerned about these tech oligarchs, he’d be talking about Peter Thiel’s CIA-backed company, Palantir, which mines our data and is developing algorithms for pre-crime and mass AI surveillance of the American people. Instead, Bannon is out here warning MAGA about transhumanism, lol. He’s just playing the role of controlled opposition to keep MAGA from walking away. Trust me Bannon doesn't want MAGA "doing their own research" this time lol.

[@ReneeFlategraff-kx2lh]

@@RubyJustin-c3m because he is purposely grooming his responses to be palatable to the audience he is speaking with

[@55cook]

@@RubyJustin-c3m His anti immigration position and the fire hose strategy of throwing out a bunch of 💩 to combat the moderates and Leftist are his worst positions. I could live with his tax position.

[@patrickevans8482]

Great interview & insight into Bannon's thinking.

[@1butterontoast]

I’m a bleeding heart liberal and after Kamala lost I realized I have to listen to the voices on the right to try and figure out how we got to this point in time. Thanks for making this conversation palatable.

[@raincadeify]

Kamala lost and now you have a taste for boot leather? Maybe you should delve into what the political class (including Kamala/Biden) has done to bring us to this point. I've yet to meet a liberal with a backbone. It's not the time to listen to reprobates like Steve Bannon to gain enlightenment. The corruption in our system has opened the door wide for the Steve Bannons of the world, not the other way around. Steve Bannon has not interest in making things better, unless it involves your credit card, cuz I think he's still taking donations to build that wall. You don't need to understand more, you need to fight for what the Democrats used to call their platform.

[@MediaRepositoryHF]

23:55 Bernie Sanders went on the record in 2016 and 2024 saying that he was against open borders and even criticized the H1B visas

[@plumlogan]

The specific reason I stopped paying attention to Bernie in 2016 was because part of his stump speech was that without immigrant agriculture labor the price of milk was going to go up. No kidding? Getting off drugs is painful. So is disentangling your economy from exploiting cheap Brown labor. Bernie wasn't willing to do that, and he did invoke racism and xenophobia counter his critical

[@Oaky]

Literally - Bernie has a harder stance on H1B Visa's than most of the MAGA GOP team today. He's closer to the far right on this topic lol

[@krishereagain]

I distinctly remember him saying that because I thought, "Oh no...Bernie! Don't say that! You're going to be accused of being anti-immigration by the Corporate Dems who continue to fight you every step of the way."

[@paulvalentine4157]

are you really a Bernie simp? it doesn't matter what's on record, matters on your votes and alliances, and he is a straight Biden Boi

[@krishereagain]

@@paulvalentine4157 What's with the name-calling?

[@helencahn7293]

If Trump is kind-hearted, I wish he would show it. I don't believe things because someone says the opposite of what is on display.

[@sammiller9855]

The oligarchs, the titans of capital, are not left wing, Bannon. They are hypercapitalists.

[@elbarca223]

Yes, they are. They also implemented DEI when it was fashionable. Now they are with Trump.

[@BDub793]

They are when it comes to social issues. They love the idea that you can pick and choose identities like putting on a change of clothes. Not only does it make you a rootless, replaceable cog in the machine, but they can also sell you an entire wardrobe of clothes.

[@raincadeify]

Bannon is confused about what "left" is. He is anti-state and pro dictator.

[@Honcho69able]

I think the fact that their transhumanist views are of the extreme left must have gone over your head. These people obviously made their money in a capitalist world. If you haven't noticed you either have to be a capitalist or work for capitalists in order to live in this world. Just because you participate in a capitalist system does not necessitate you being of the Right.

[@jannichi6431]

Worse, South African Apartied raised. Peter Theil got them rolling. Sach boys describes a few activities. ❤️‍🩹

[@weebleman6]

Real time populist double speak, calling the same people both feudalistic oligarchs & far left extreme progressives. He just want to use all the words to attract as much support from all sides as possible. It's not bipartisanship, its manipulation.

[@thesilkpainter]

At least ONE here gets it! Thank you!!!!’❤

[@Cristofah]

Because you have a very limited understanding of politics. The “far left” as we know it today, are completely devoid of class politics. They are not even the left. They are a fascist suicide cult.

[@Cristofah]

Capitalism is a progressive economic system. It needs to constantly revolutionize society to suit its demand. The “progressive left” are bourgeois opportunists.

[@Cristofah]

For some reason I’m not allowed to call out your bootlicking without my comments being deleted, but modern leftism is progressive not revolutionary. It wishes to “progress” further into the bowels of capitalism.

[@stillherenow500]

If you want to hear double speak, listen to Patel in Congress yesterday. He even denies his own history, which is in the public record and well known by covering up with BS. If he is approved, get ready for the Stasi. It will be on all of us.

[@AndreS_22246]

Really enjoyed that thanks. Not quite sure what to make of it yet, but full marks for having him on 👍

[@koolap681]

I was glad too. But his vision of country and nation is very esoteric. Too many nuanced words and quite frankly Quixotic. He's too smart for his own good, that's why he courts goofy billionaires with nothing else better to do with their time and money than to 'slay' imaginary windmills.

[@SK-om6tt]

Interesting to listen to him. Good on the NYT for having him on. Tech oligarchs and their view of the world is a problem.

[@brian5001]

It's a very bad idea to trust this opus dei acolyte

[@zaradaneshvar3904]

I’m a democrat but some of what this guy is saying makes sense.

[@hereigoagain5050]

Works well if you're a white male who wants to live in the 1950s.

[@EchoBravo370]

This is why Trump is winning over the working class

[@humanbeing5300]

That’s because he is truly for the working class like the Democrats used to be before Carter. Clinton was the first right of center Democrat or neoliberal globalist Democrat whatever you want to call it.

[@neurojitsu]

Great job of navigating us through Bannon's worldview, and the mutual respect was refreshing - it's a side of Bannon that not all interviewers manage to bring out. Despite my visceral recoil in disgust at the mere thought of Trump as a human being, I can see what he and his fellow MAGA puppet masters saw in Trump as a disruptor whose only loyalty (usefully to them) is to himself: the perfect tool for their project. I actually appreciated hearing Bannon say that "this is a whole of society decision" that we have to think through collectively, and his depiction of the economic and financial system, and techno-feudalism, and the power imbalances and plight of working people is all spot on analysis that sums up well our moment in history. The gap between the progressive left of politics - such as Bernie Sanders and AOC - is one of societal values and vision - ie a humanist end game - rather than over economic analysis, and it's a shame this wasn't explored. Bannon is an apologist for inexcusable racism and white supremacist nationalism from a small segment of his supporter base, and I think that not picking him up on this does the discussion a disservice. Morals matter, and civilisation depends on the rule of law over rule of the jungle. Moreover, Bannon's embrace of gladiatorial competition over collaboration is part of the problem diagnosis that he seems to overlook: the sort of society that raises people to climb to the top at other's expense is not only caused by economic forces, but also societal/cultural ones. A conversation for another time perhaps...

[@thesilkpainter]

Mutual respect? Bullshit Bannon owned the reporter.

[@CarlosIowa]

Capitolism, Socialism, Communism ... all Economic Systems. All of them work depending on the stage a nation is in. First World? Third World? All are damaged to the point of failure when greed, racism or religion take hold in society ...

[@Cristofah]

You’re a fascist and you don’t even realize it. When you talk of “collaboration” you mean class collaboration. The actual left is dead. The new left is a fascist death cult.

[@Cristofah]

@neurojitsu you’re a fascist and you don’t even realize it.

[@Firstofhername007]

@@thesilkpainter can you calm down? Ppl are tired of screaming at each other.

[@yeshua_base64]

Finally, someone brings up transhumanism in the NYT.

[@jakebarnes28]

I'm a stay tuned just to learn what that is. Thanks man.

[@raincadeify]

@@jakebarnes28 Just another rabbit hole. You're being entertained to death.

[@Honcho69able]

​@@raincadeifyeh Freudian projection

[@theodoreotoole7208]

Bannon does over 20 hours a week on air not counting interviews like these. For those drawing complex conclusions from an hour long interview, its like reading a few words on the back cover of a book and acting as though you have some wisdom to share. It was an interesting interview. Thank you Ross & NYT. Ready for part 2.

[@Ryan-wf6ib]

I love Steve.

[@humanbeing5300]

I agree with Bannon more than Trump. Bannon is the real working class warrior.

[@Jason-t7f1t]

💯

[@peterquibell9773]

You thought Trump was working class. I've got a bridge to sell you.

[@peterquibell9773]

Trump has really fooled you. Tax cuts for the rich. You are intelligent enough to know the buyer pays the 10% - 25% tarriff. Trump gets the money back from you by tarrifs.

[@humanbeing5300]

@@peterquibell9773 no I don't but most working class do just look at the demographic data of his voters. Working class abandoned Democrats (and Democrats largley abandoned them). The Irony is Republican economic policy has never been pro working class.

[@raincadeify]

@@humanbeing5300 Can someone be for the working class if it's only white people they want in the loop?

[@user-dv1fp1gj7v]

Tech monopolies ARE Godless. He's absolutely right.

[@ChrisDennis-dp3md]

Is a hardcore nationalist and populist akin to Mussolini?

[@royzlatanestevez9843]

Whatever you think about Bannon, his analysis is sharp. And he does not bend or bow or become corrupted, he sticks to his values and what he thinks is right.

[@TTV5]

He is the embodiment of corruption. He claims to be a populist, but every project he's ever run is funded by the Mercer family and other billionaires. The government is more bought and paid for than ever, in no small part thanks to his work.

[@vinista256]

LOL-are you serious? The dude is a windbag. And despite his love of “the populace”, he has no problem at all taking advantage of the most gullible and pocketing their money. He’s not a populist. He’s an aspiring counter-elite.

[@c.a.savage5689]

You're aware that he's an anarchist, right?

[@NPC8474]

@@c.a.savage5689 Huh?

[@c.a.savage5689]

@@NPC8474 an·ar·chist ˈa-nər-kist. -ˌnär- Synonyms of anarchist. 1. : a person who rebels against any authority, established order, or ruling power. For example, Steve Bannon.

[@EM2theBee]

I've never listened to Steve Bannon but he has some valid points about balancing the budget. That doesn't mean I don't think he's a far right extremist though.

[@jajajjajjaajjaa]

I forgot NYT was so elitist. We gotta balance that budget guys. Why don’t we talk it out of the baby billionaire baby boomers perfected the exploitation of the working class. Tax the rich they will be just fine

[@samyueldanyo8679]

He is an expert in manipulation getting one to say but/however is the point to get the foot in.

[@m3tamonk3y4]

​@samyueldanyo8679 A charismatic and compelling communicator. Also a dangerous propagandist and far-right extremist. He was one of the central architects of MAGA.

[@raincadeify]

@@m3tamonk3y4 Some people love being deluded by him though. Go figure.

[@jasontysoe138]

Great interview. Never liked Bannon and his politics, but it's great to hear about his roots and a deeper analysis of his positions... not sure he understands that the tech bro billionaires have hi-jacked his guy.. who knew his guy was a transactional pragmatist

[@David_Lloyd-Jones]

Transhumanism?

[@Firstofhername007]

Transactional pragmatist, predator, all around cry baby. And let’s not forget the greatest showman.

[@plumlogan]

Most people did - especially the MSM who regularly had him on their shows before 2015

[@jenniferflynn6575]

Everyone. Absolutely transparent. He is drunk in proximity to power.

[@sidauthur7836]

​@plumlogan yeah remember when he was on the view and said he would be dating his daughter if he wasn't related to her.

[@myintmyat2697]

good job hosting steve bannon

[@borp4740]

One of the best podcasts of the year from you guys

[@snowdoq]

Lol never thought I’d be agreeing with Bannon on so much

[@valk5045]

Populists are really good at showing what you should complain about. Not so good at getting to solutions. And because so little real life problems are getting resolved, the populists are winning.

[@MIKAEL212345]

populism is a helluva drug

[@MickLeonardJD]

What a fantastic interview. It’s grownup. Would be nice if other media followed suit.

[@IndigoBellyDance]

Steve Bannon always looks like he drinks too much

[@andrewbaumann2661]

I think he looks great for someone twice his age

[@IndigoBellyDance]

@ 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MH-iq6eo]

You can't be in trump world unless you're a degenerate addict. They all snort lines off the resolute desk together.

[@lechep]

He looks a bit like an older John C. Calhoun

[@drewmalone]

he honestly has a ben franklin look to him; drinking too much is an american tradition

[@codyking3113]

Steve Bannon is a brilliant guy-like him or not

[@TS-vk2qc]

He's a cultist and zealot who's drank the Ko*laid. He's brilliantly ignorant.

[@Ryan-lx3ki]

I’m a socialist…….and at this point I’m with bannon and I really think the populist/anti-establishment left and right gotta come together get a non-2party pres, stop the MIC, fix campaign finance and THEN we can battle it out over taxes, schools, healthcare and culture shit. It’s that or a revolution after economic collapse, and then we’ll all be working together anyways

[@koolap681]

"Gotta come together" ??? Well put! .. But Hippie Barf! How many times have you heard phrases like "common ground" or "mutual consensus." The nation is now divided and ruled by .001% who are neither Republican or Democrat. That's the bitter reality. I suggest you play Bob Marley's "Legend" fire up a hooter and think of the good times that will never come. Our country is done pal.. end of story.

[@hannah1111]

Please keep interviewing him and others in the Trump circle. We need to understand their thinking, their strategies, and the inside dynamics of the Trump world. I saw the title and had dreaded listening to the interview; and it’s disturbing listening to Bannon. But knowledge is power. Bannon’s concerns for the working class seem real, but his thinking is so flawed and his faith in Trump is delusional.

[@jajajjajjaajjaa]

I call bs on him supporting the middle class. He talks populist but his actions say, meh.

[@michaelfragnito4199]

Your elitist beliefs are what will keep the MAGA movement in power until the Dems develop their own version of MAGA. You guys need to wake up. James Carville sees it, but can’t really admit it.

[@goa9034]

Top 1 🤡 post

[@shellymelly1828]

He’s not in the circle lol

[@raincadeify]

How can you possibly think Bannon has "concerns for working people"? Are you taking his word for it, whole cloth, without learning anything about what he has said and done when not trying to reel in disillusioned liberals? Do you know what trump pardoned him for? He's another fake populist like trump and vance. Dig a little deeper.

[@MrMustafaQadri]

I laboured through this out of a genuine interest in understanding his perspective. But wow if this is MAGA's great intellectual, the village has really lost it's... Some salient points but how does destroying public institutions and services actually help US nationals? There is very little actual logical rigour or consistency here.

[@continuousminer]

They want to purge them of their entrenched ideological opponents. Pretty obvious stuff.

[@maniswil2]

He's the more common man. Land and Yarvin are doing the heavy lifting.

[@jameslongsworth]

He should have voted Kamala for intellect

[@DcapTNT]

This is an eye opening discussion imo. Please do more of this.

[@alexfinnegan1592]

The more people talk between ideologies the better . Bannon is basically right on many of the big issues. And he was way ahead of the curve

[@koolap681]

Dude... All I can say is ...beware of anyone who has all the answers..

[@alexfinnegan1592]

@ I didn’t say he’s 100% right on everything. I said basically right on many things. When there’s someone like that who the establishment wants you to believe is just some alcoholic, racist, criminal. It means that individual is on to something.

[@raincadeify]

🙄

[@113zorba]

The irony of MAGA delivering the country to the oligarchs is hilarious.

[@eqjase]

Not going to lie, I like Bannon.

[@thesilkpainter]

🤮

[@eqjase]

@ you may barf, but hear me out. Turn a few dials, adjust a few settings on Bannon and you have a Bernie style populist. And to me, that is the answer to Trump. Or the dems can lose the next decade of elections, that’s possible too.

[@EchoBravo370]

@@eqjase Bannon has said he is FOR universal health care

[@raincadeify]

@@eqjase You're so misinformed that, short of spoon-feeding you all the info you've managed to ignore in the last 9 years, I don't know how I can help. I could give you a long list of ways Bannon is nothing like Bernie Sanders, or you could inform yourself on what white nationalism is and why Bannon has been taking trips to Hungary to form fascist connections, or what a Catholic conservative thinks about women's rights, or how so many of them would prefer a country with a strong leader who prefers "order" to liberty. Also, they haven't convicted Bernie of ripping off his supporters and he would never get a pardon from donald trump if he did. And there are SO MANY other ways..

[@jro6979]

He’s the real deal. Gotta love Bannon.

[@deltatrader72]

Bannon is the epitome of I'll say one thing and do another.

[@opengrapefruit1534]

Steve Bannon is an interesting dude

[@barbbaran7589]

I am so happy you had Steve Bannon on you have him talking about subjects he has not been pushed on

[@sheilamesick5964]

Steve Bannon has his finger on the pulse of what’s going down.

[@myintmyat2697]

would like to hear more opposing views from the other side like bannon

[@hereigoagain5050]

Love that Steve is proud of his middle-class background, father's union work, land-grant university education, Navy service, etc. yet works tirelessly to burn-down the ladders that he climbed out of Norfolk suburbia.

[@BellePal]

Love that he slipped in HBS as if that weren’t ELITE.

[@carolinemaybe]

He uses that in the same way he uses the pens on his shirt. It’s his schtick.

[@raincadeify]

It's exactly what I would emphasize if I was talking to a roomful of low info liberals. Notice what the degree he chose and what he did with it. This guy is all about the USD.

[@raincadeify]

@@carolinemaybe 💯 Some people just sit around and wait for the tv evangelists and Steve Bannons of the world to take their money.

[@BrooklynZue]

This is how discussions on politics and ideology should be conducted. The ubiquitous echo chambers are exhausting and lead to greater polarization. NYT, keep it up. We need the exchange of ideas, not to pick one or the other, but to synthesize NEW approaches that could lead us all to a better future.

[@Secretary.of.Education]

Just for the record, Bernie was never pro- H1B visa...he brought it up in 2016...and brought up the same stance a couple weeks ago

[@VirginiaBronson]

Bannon’s got good ideas, but then ends up at the wrong conclusion lol. Also struck that he never answered what tangible things are going to get done for the average Joe in this administration besides immigration. Disappointing

[@Alchemy_01]

It’s infuriating because he is so blind to the fact that Trump is part of that oligarch circle yet he’s so spot on about Elon and the other tech billionaires.

[@VirginiaBronson]

@ exactly

[@VV-er3zg]

@@Alchemy_01exactly. At everything he says I just keep thinking and how exactly is trump against this beyond being good at saying what people want to hear?

[@paulvalentine4157]

what is the wrong conclusion?

[@VirginiaBronson]

@@paulvalentine4157 the wrong conclusion is that Trump is willing to implement any policies that would actually be good for your average Joe. Trump will instead engage in chaotic disruption, tax cuts for the rich, deregulate big tech and AI, etc.

[@MTheory77]

Feudalism is a right-wing ideology, bro.... Techno or otherwise.

[@Cristofah]

You’re stuck in bourgeois thinking comrade. Capitalism is permanently revolutionary. It constantly desires to revolutionize the means of production and therefore the relations of production.

[@MTheory77]

@Cristofah and you want to be a serf...

[@Cristofah]

@@MTheory77 I didn’t say that. I’m merely telling you the results of a progressive economic structure that capitalism is.

[@msb1230]

He made some valid points regarding oligarchy and low wages for American workers, but then offers no sensible plan or solutions that can be practical. Just unclear statements regarding government, taxes, capitalism, humanism. That's an issue I have seen with some populist movements in general - high in reaction, low in sustainable solutions for people.

[@DcapTNT]

I think he is quite honest to admit his mistakes and shortcomings while managing the campaign: make concessions with republicans and neocons, lack of experience and roadmaps, and the huge gap between their targets and how to get their. Also the admission that he is no leader and have to follow the leader of their movement who is a moderate. So they gonna figuring things out as they go and Americans will have to take it as it is.

[@redsparowe5412]

Steve "He's just gonna say he won. But he didn't actually win." Bannon.

[@redsparowe5412]

“We’re the platform for the alt-right.” -Steve Bannon, July 2016 The connection between Breitbart and Elon's hitler salute is a straight line.

[@MH-iq6eo]

Bingo, you guys have it exactly right. While these dums dums are waxing philosophical about transhumanism blah blah blah, they are actually building the structural framework for a fascist America. Notice how quickly with the nazi salutes and the Hitler promotion all over the place? This is a full court press.

[@pauldoherty2487]

Oligarchs on the left…fookin ridiculous…

[@danielb833]

Ross, I think this would blow up if you had Steve on weekly. I would tune in for the entertainment value.

[@kabuki7038]

For real. If the Times really wanted to cause headaches for Trump's administration they should be putting Bannon on a megaphone.

[@raincadeify]

@@kabuki7038 You guys are all guppies. Careful, here comes your mama.

[@kabuki7038]

@ The worst part about your reply is I can't even tell why you're upset. Which side are you on here?

[@RubyJustin-c3m]

This was an excellent interview. The interviewer knew how to find the line and the issues.

[@letsrelaxwithtexts2114]

Dudes with strong convictions like this are rare

[@raincadeify]

You know about the crime trump pardoned him for, lol? His convictions don't extend beyond his wallet.

[@Ciudadana_Cero]

Opening media to diverse perspectives is a significant step in the long and challenging process of depolarization. No more frivolous moralization bravo! 🎉

[@HakWilliams]

Isn't The Heritage Foundation really in charge of Trump?

[@Liquidmuse3]

How would that be, do they give him money?

[@BellePal]

They wrote the playbook he is clearly using. Duh

[@tritondriver1]

How does anyone fight Billionaires? Come On - Hell , Clarence Thomas got an RV. Politicians are bought. Here's $10 million for each of you to see it " Our Way "

[@deltatrader72]

Very well done interview. You exposed the layers, sadly the manipulated masses won't hear this or recognize the power play if they do hear this.

[@jameslongsworth]

First time people have actually listened to Steve

[@raincadeify]

Uh no. Speak for yourself if you're coming in late.

[@hereigoagain5050]

We need H1B visas because our public education is generally terrible, and high school graduates can't count to 11 if they have their shoes and pants on much less solve differential equations. The GOP has worked tirelessly to undermine public education, to privatize it, and to destroy teacher unions.

[@ahopefiend1867]

Not true. H1B works for cheap and works extra for free in the hopes of getting a green card. Companies love that and would rather hire a H1B with a couple years of work experience. There is no doubt that they work hard, but they are ultimately preferred because of the cost savings.

[@jajajjajjaajjaa]

Calm down. Most of these aren’t geniuses.

[@sotript]

​@@ahopefiend1867 I think the truth is most companies do not care about immigration status and just hire the right fit. They have well built immigration practices because it increases their pool of candidates to tap into. Removing H1Bs from the pool may help in the short run in increasing wages, but will hurt in the long run as it decreases overall productivity due to reduced output and competition.

[@goa9034]

H1B 75% Indians Yeah great educational system 🤡🤣 And who has been in charge of public education in USA? Your left buddies

[@Saganism]

The NY Times finally waking up to smell the coffee. It's a welcome move.

[@MH-iq6eo]

Oh, no more fake news? As long as they say what you want to hear, they're legitimate. If not, just keep crying fake news, right? Trump and his ilk have poisoned this country at a cellular level.

[@raincadeify]

Really? You've got to be kidding, both that NYT is "woke" and that being "woke" would be platforming fraudsters, as though they are serious thought leaders.

[@luismanuel2612]

After Trump's victory , I have been listening to Bannon, trying to understand all the MAGA madness and how the left can regain the political initiative.

[@MomoCho11]

“Atheistic 11 year old sci-fi d&d guys”… perfectly describes those Silly Valley oligarchs.

[@eddievalentinelives]

This was great!

[@joiedevie3901]

Interesting. This sounded like Bannon and Yanis Varoufakis have the same techno-feudalist lexicon.

[@maniswil2]

Cut from the same cloth.

[@imalloutagum6083]

Terrible though he may be, he's an effective propogandist and he is self aware of that fact. He has admitted as much in other media.

[@bernardzsikla5640]

At 36:20ish he starts talking about cutting a trillion dollars off of the annual budget. The biggest part of that is social security and healthcare. I would like to know how he intends to sell that to American citizens.

[@archigoel]

Musk made the Space X rocket for 1 billion, which US govt couldn't even do for $40 billion. First thing, which everyone magically forgets -- efficiency or using money, and right policies and incentives. Just with THAT alone, can have 2-10X results with SAME resources, or maybe 2-3 times results with 50% less money.

[@Cristofah]

You do realize that healthcare companies like Medicare spending? It lets them rip off Americans easier. The government isn’t your friend. It works for the economic forces of society, the capitalist class

[@dylanreece7991]

And defense, which definitely could be halved.

[@Artur258456]

He actually says at some point that the budget of the DoD should be cut

[@goa9034]

Pre Covid was 5T Not that complicated

[@hereigoagain5050]

"Trump," "Washington and Lincoln," and "moral clarity" (1:04) weaved together. Steve is an amazing propagandist.

[@HoshKosh-e4p]

Laughable at best. It’s not just that what Bannon says and claims to fight for & against is way removed from what Trump does. Being himself in pockets of billionaires like Guo Wengui, what Bannon does is so disconnected from what he talks.

[@arcana_mystery]

Stevo looks like he hittin the ol ozempic needle😂❤😮

[@immanny85]

Elites this, elites that, he’s 12:30 in and he’s mentioned his Harvard Business School credentials THREE TIMES already

[@maniswil2]

He's giving his bona fides so he doesn't look like he's just a butthurt madman. He's one of them and he sees it, he's done it, and he can properly put it together.

[@plumlogan]

It's one thing for a plumber or an accountant with a degree from ASU to talk about elites. It's different when you incubated with them.

[@nndlchModi]

I was thinking the same

[@hereigoagain5050]

How can you tell a HBS grad at a dinner party? He or she will tell you.

[@plumlogan]

@@hereigoagain5050 Same way you can tell a vegan at a gem show

[@attackofthewindmills]

24:07 popular statement Bannon and "hang on" is brilliant especially when you tried not to react. I like the interview. Bannon just needs to be just as tough as the host and not bend over his ass to Trump of which Miller Patel and ect -they have all signed over their respect for themselves for their master With Bannon it's tough because he is the creation of the Trump echo chamber. Now that we did our part it's time that Bannon do the same on his show. If not then I will write him off as a no longer a truth teller but shit seller Trump did two things-1 He allowed Elon to disrupt Congress. -2 He froze funds that would affect the greater population and each people would be suffering for the most part due to one person. Wrong, to do, it's on a grand level. I voted for Trump and he's violated the implicit contract that he has with people like me Bannon, I wouldn't be surprised we aren't loyal to party and you lost our trust and we will be politically motivated to have a different Democrat party- and they are much more agents of change by seeking to change internally. First, you don't subvert the constitution checks and balances- and so I say, imagine how Trump will be kissing our a** if he wants to address things realize that when Trump got inaugurated he become the administrative state. His team is going to do the same things but for themselves. What I see is worse. The dismantling can only be done within the checks and balances. If you can't honor the constitution then you don't belong. The reason this administrative state is here is because they are now in place to make it easier. You and the administrative start relies on the same thing: violation of the constitution in order to subvert seperation into 3 branches

[@krishereagain]

Come on, Steve..."they admire his clarity." 1:04:00

[@rrseitz1306]

yeah..no sh*t....over.....

[@Turdnado]

How does he not see that Trump is part of the oligarchy...

[@psycoloco1113]

Is not that he doesn't see him as part of the oligarchy is that he sees him as a useful tool to demolish the establishment. Trump is a symptom and sadly he was able to capture a lot of the attention of the middle class.

[@raincadeify]

He's not against the concept of a rich dude ruler in a stateless country. Don't be fooled. Bannon has double-speak down.

[@personofinterest8731]

I tried to not like Bannon. Failed. He's a beast!v

[@gracelloyd3758]

I hate that I agree with like 62% of what this dude is saying.. I just don’t follow how Trump and miller bring about his populistic, colorblind, working man goals. Trump is literally an elite and surrounding himself with the elite. So did Bannon just get got?

[@jajajjajjaajjaa]

It’s all talk. Bannon is broke and needs the billionaire. He’s a sellout like everyone on trumps tteam

[@louisrasky8143]

Would love to see debate between Bernie and bannon

[@wwatman]

Sane washing can't begin to describe an interview in which, lying, racism, misogsny, vulgarity, and the opinions of hundreds of co-workers are neglected in a discussion about Trump.

[@humanbeing5300]

Biden bruised Elon's ego multiple times by excluding him from certain events and commissions he should have been a part of. This was a factor in his radicalization, he also felt like he was unfairly persecuted by Biden's SEC. When he saw the writing on the wall that Trump was going to win, he had to make sure he had a seat at the table.

[@onemysore6120]

He looks like a time traveler who dressed based on The Future clumping American art as “Founding Fathers” & “Dilbert” in its training course.

[@jannichi6431]

Bannon looks good since release. Looking forward to his clean, clear outspoken voice. Andreesen used to be okay, like Silicon Bros. Whole new person on Lex's show last month. (2.5+ hours).

[@matador677]

Ross and Bannon are two very different people personality wise. It’s great seeing interviews like this. Now I want to see Jonah Goldberg interview AOC.

[@josephfarruggio8138]

Pretty clear from this interview that Bannon is auditioning for an appointment in the Trump administration.

[@shellymelly1828]

Scammer is mad he’s out of the scam circle lol

[@Martini_GP]

So many great points here by Steve but at the end he bowed to the leader. This is a cult

[@EchoBravo370]

All political parties are cults

[@MatthewKanwisher]

Steve is a great guest, what interesting points about the transhumanist and tech feudalism

[@tjmaloney9594]

Bannon is a smart and interesting dude. There's holes in his arguments and logic but this Ross Douthat fellow couldn't keep up with him. How did he not do his research on techno-feudalism before this interview? Not exactly a brand new concept

[@anem0nia]

Please invite him back every week, he's a truly unique voice

[@lesvoguer3756]

First time I hear bannon come across as reasonably intelligent

[@jonaltschuler2024]

I disagree with almost everything Steve Bannon stands for, but this was quite entertaining. He is spot on with his stance on Musk and the other oligarchs.

[@Liquidmuse3]

I dunno if Bannon’s a Christian, but his mocking of the tech bros for being child-like in wanting to live forever when the other alternative is a fairytale heaven is rich.

[@raincadeify]

He's a conservative Catholic like Vance, Coney-Barret and others in trump's orbit rn.

[@jennysteves]

Genius manipulator. Are wise political leaders and strategists even possible? We seem caught in an inescapable catch-22 because we’ve made the economy our god.

[@gcmlrd12]

As he defends the Church I reminded of the second yoke that binds the world Worker. The promise of a better life in a new world of Eternity. I hope that telescope has given a better understanding of eternity. Billions of years should be enough for a lifetime.

[@lindagarland5223]

Insightful conversation that exposes how Bannon really thinks. Finally, things to agree with in our difficult times.

[@raincadeify]

You think Bannon has now let you know how "he really thinks"? Did you donate the wall scam?

[@Stoddardian]

Anyone who admires Julius Evola is my friend.

[@Legacy4HI]

incredible and not expected here. 10/10 convo. steve is truly a strategist even if I donrt agree w most points

[@phenomz28]

I did not know Steve Bannon supported anti-trust. Just earned an upvote from a hardcore liberal.

[@raincadeify]

That just means he's anti corporation. Not anti the 1%. Project 2025/Curtis Yarvin/Peter Theil talks about dividing the country up among the richest into "districts" that would be ruled by one oligarch.

[@GymMusic-xq4nu]

I knew Eugene Debs. Eugene was a populist friend of mine. Steve Bannon, you're no Eugene Debs.

[@jejuislandtrekker8113]

Great interviewer. Enjoyed it!

[@kathleenpalof3677]

“They’re (Musk, Andreessen) not with us” …yes yes yes!

[@RMDweller97]

Please ask Mr. Bannon why, then, Trump wants to do away with DEI. Wouldn't this be a good way to allow hardworking people a chance to get a shot at higher income careers? Why wouldn't he support low-cost loans for students to attend vocational schools and colleges?

[@gskills55]

Everyone in the comments is saying they agree with Bannon and he made a ton of good points. Can someone give me like one point he made that was good? This dude rambles like a coke addict and forms only a semblance of a coherent thought for every 50 sentences that come out of his mouth. The rest is him recounting all the times that he told "them" the thing that happened before it was gonna happen and that he was right about everything. I'm more impressed with the interviewer for making it seems like they were having an actual conversation. I feel like I'm going crazy.

[@tonioinverness]

1. People like Bannon are not conservatives, they are right populists. To this day, I keep hearing journalists in left-leaning media talking about the conservatives are doing this and the conservatives are doing that. No, the conservatives aren't doing jack squat! It's the populists. Many of them truly don't know the difference. 2. Mainstream/left-leaning media made very little attempt to understand the Trump phenomenon in 2016-2020. Most efforts to "understand" Trump voters were safaris trying to pathologize and diagnose Trump voters. That's very different. 3. The tech oligarchs are not "on the right". Whether you like them or not, it does not strain credulity to believe that they are not committed ideologues, but are economic opportunists. 4. Much of the right populist backlash came from various economic failures of the neoliberal status quo. You may agree or disagree with the form that the backlash took. But it was a reaction TO SOMETHING, not just a random spirit that came along and possessed people's souls. 5. Calling out the tremendous damage done by the Bush administration on the working class. I could go on from there, but you only asked for one point. Does he have a rambly speaking style? Absolutely. Does a rambly speaking style mean that you can't make good points? No, it does not.