Challenges Faced by Steve Bannon: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Steve Bannon's life and career.

Stephen Kevin Bannon is an American media executive, political strategist, and former investment banker. He gained prominence as the executive chairman of Breitbart News, a far-right news and opinion website. Bannon served as the White House Chief Strategist for the first seven months of Donald Trump's presidency, playing a key role in shaping Trump's nationalist and populist policies. After leaving the White House, he continued to promote right-wing political movements both in the United States and internationally. Bannon has been a controversial figure due to his association with alt-right ideologies and his role in shaping divisive political narratives.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

November 15, 2016: Democratic Representatives Urged Trump to Rescind Bannon's Appointment

On November 15, 2016, 169 Democratic House representatives, led by David Cicilline, urged President-elect Trump to rescind his appointment of Steve Bannon, citing his ties to the White Nationalist movement.

October 2017: Bannon Plans Primary Challenges Against Republican Senators

In October 2017, Steve Bannon announced plans to sponsor primary challenges against six of the seven incumbent Republican senators in the 2018 elections. He outlined that candidates must pledge to vote against Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader and end the Senate filibuster to earn his support.

December 12, 2017: Moore Loses Election; Bannon's Reputation Questioned

On December 12, 2017, Roy Moore lost the Alabama Senate election in what was considered a safe Republican seat. Subsequently, Steve Bannon's reputation as a political strategist was questioned by Republican commentators.

2017: Bannon's Opposition to the Shayrat Missile Strike

During his time as White House chief strategist in 2017, Steve Bannon opposed the Shayrat missile strike, but was overruled by Kushner.

2017: Roy Moore Lost the 2017 United States Senate Election in Alabama

In 2017, Bannon's reputation as a strategist was questioned when Roy Moore, despite Bannon's support, lost the United States Senate election in Alabama.

October 31, 2018: Senate Intelligence Committee Investigation of Bannon's Activities

On October 31, 2018, Reuters reported that the Senate Intelligence Committee was conducting a wide-ranging investigation of Steve Bannon's activities during the 2016 campaign.

November 2019: Gave evidence in the federal criminal trial of Roger Stone

In November 2019, Steve Bannon gave evidence in the federal criminal trial of Roger Stone. Stone was subsequently convicted on all charges.

2019: Rights to Monastery Revoked by Italian Government

In 2019, the Italian government revoked the Dignitatis Humanae Institute's rights to use the former Trisulti Charterhouse monastery. The government cited that the lessee failed to meet operational criteria and didn't fulfill financial obligations regarding concession fees, maintenance, and security expenses.

August 2020: Bannon arrested on federal charges

In August 2020, Steve Bannon was arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering in connection with the We Build the Wall fundraising campaign.

August 2020: Senate Intelligence Committee Believed Bannon May Have Misled Them

In August 2020, members of the Senate Intelligence Committee told the Department of Justice (DOJ) that they believed that Steve Bannon, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr. may have misled them with their testimony about the Russia investigation.

2020: Arrested on Federal Charges

In 2020, Bannon was arrested on federal charges related to the "We Build the Wall" fundraising campaign for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering.

2020: Bannon's Skepticism About Soleimani Assassination

In 2020, Steve Bannon expressed skepticism regarding the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, questioning its necessity and potential to exacerbate military issues, while also warning that escalation with Iran could undermine Trump's support.

February 2021: Manhattan DA issues subpoenas related to "We Build the Wall" venture

In February 2021, the Manhattan district attorney issued subpoenas to Wells Fargo Bank and GoFundMe, which had provided accounts for the "We Build the Wall" venture.

May 2021: Fraud case against Bannon dismissed

In May 2021, Judge Torres dismissed the fraud case against Bannon, following the precedent of criminal cases being dismissed after presidential pardons, stating that the pardon was valid and dismissal of the indictment was "the proper course".

May 24, 2021: Trial date set for Bannon

On May 24, 2021, a trial date was set by U.S. district judge Analisa Torres, following a preliminary hearing on August 31, for the case involving Steve Bannon. Prosecutors had revealed collecting a large amount of emails and data from devices and online storage.

September 23, 2021: House Committee Subpoenas Bannon

On September 23, 2021, the U.S. House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack subpoenaed Steve Bannon, ordering him to appear on October 14.

November 12, 2021: Bannon Indicted on Contempt Charges

On November 12, 2021, Steve Bannon was indicted by a federal grand jury on two criminal contempt charges: one count of not providing documents, and one count of not testifying.

April 2022: Bannon's Appeal Rejected

In April 2022, an appeals court rejected Steve Bannon's appeal regarding his failure to testify before the January 6 Committee.

July 2022: Convicted of Contempt of Congress

In July 2022, Bannon was convicted and sentenced to four months in prison and a $6,500 fine for contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with a subpoena from the January 6 House select committee.

July 18, 2022: Bannon's trial begins

On July 18, 2022, Steve Bannon's trial began, with the jury being finalized the next day.

July 22, 2022: Bannon Found Guilty on Both Charges

On July 22, 2022, the jury found Steve Bannon guilty on both charges of contempt of Congress.

August 2022: Bannon Indicted on New York State Charges

In August 2022, Steve Bannon was indicted on New York state charges of money laundering, conspiracy, and fraud related to the $25 million "We Build the Wall" scheme.

September 8, 2022: Bannon Surrenders to Authorities

On September 8, 2022, Steve Bannon surrendered to authorities regarding his case.

October 21, 2022: Bannon Sentenced to Prison

On October 21, 2022, Judge Nichols sentenced Steve Bannon to serve four months in prison and pay a $6,500 fine for contempt of Congress.

November 4, 2022: Bannon Appeals Conviction and Sentence

On November 4, 2022, Steve Bannon appealed his conviction and sentence; he remained free pending appeal, with his sentence put on hold.

January 2023: Bannon's Lawyers Argue Improper Search of Communications

In January 2023, Steve Bannon's lawyers argued that the DOJ had improperly searched his private communications.

July 2023: Bannon Ordered to Pay Legal Bill

In July 2023, Steve Bannon was ordered to pay the remaining balance of an $850,000 legal bill to Davidoff, Hutcher & Citron LLP, the law firm that represented him in cases for contempt of Congress and the "We Build the Wall" fraud scheme. The firm had sued Bannon for the unpaid amount.

May 10, 2024: Appellate Court Upholds Bannon's Conviction

On May 10, 2024, the appellate court unanimously upheld Steve Bannon's conviction, and the DOJ filed a motion to lift his stay of sentence.

May 27, 2024: Original expected trial start date postponed

The trial was originally expected to start May 27, 2024, however it was postponed to September 23, 2024, because the judge in that case, Juan Merchan, was also overseeing the Trump "hush-money" case and was unavailable at that time.

June 6, 2024: Judge Orders Bannon to Report to Prison

On June 6, 2024, Judge Carl Nichols granted the motion to have Bannon report to prison by July 1, and it was decided he would go to Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury.

July 1, 2024: Bannon Reports to Prison

On July 1, 2024, Steve Bannon reported to the low-level security Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury in Danbury, Connecticut.

September 23, 2024: Trial Postponed

On September 23, 2024, Steve Bannon's trial was postponed because the judge in that case, Juan Merchan, was also overseeing the Trump "hush-money" case and was unavailable at that time.

October 2024: Released from Federal Prison

In October 2024, after losing his appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, Bannon surrendered to a federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, where he was imprisoned from July to October 2024.

December 9, 2024: Bannon's case rescheduled due to conflict

On December 9, 2024, due to an ongoing conflict, Steve Bannon's case was reassigned to Judge April Newbauer who later rescheduled it.

February 11, 2025: Bannon pleads guilty to one state felony count of a scheme to defraud.

On February 11, 2025, Bannon "pleaded guilty to one state felony count of a scheme to defraud in the first degree and was sentenced to a three-year conditional discharge."

February 2025: Bannon Pleaded Guilty to Fraud and Received Sentence

In February 2025, Bannon pleaded guilty to fraud and was sentenced to three years of conditional discharge.

February 2025: Bannon Pleads Guilty to Felony Count

In February 2025, Steve Bannon pleaded guilty to one state felony count of a scheme to defraud in the first degree and received a three-year conditional discharge, without any prison time or restitution.

February 25, 2025: Trial date rescheduled again at Bannon's request

On February 25, 2025, at Bannon's request, Newbauer again rescheduled the trial date.

June 2025: Bannon Opposes U.S. Involvement in Iran-Israel War in June 2025

In June 2025, Steve Bannon opposed U.S. involvement in the Iran-Israel War, cautioning Trump about trusting Israeli intelligence and the risks of striking Iran.