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 Bannon is an American media executive, political strategist, and former investment banker. He is known for his role as White House chief strategist in the Trump administration's early months and his prior position as executive chairman of Breitbart News. Bannon also served on the board of Cambridge Analytica. He is a controversial figure associated with right-wing populism and has been involved in various political and media ventures.
January 1996: Bannon Charged with Domestic Violence
In early January 1996, Steve Bannon was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence, battery, and dissuading a witness after his then-wife, Mary Piccard, accused him of domestic abuse. The charges were later dropped when Piccard did not appear in court.
December 12, 2017: Moore Loses Election
On December 12, 2017, Roy Moore lost the election in what had been considered a safe Republican seat. Subsequently, Steve Bannon's reputation as a political strategist came into question among Republican commentators.
2017: Roy Moore Lost Senate Election
In 2017, Roy Moore, despite Bannon's support, lost the United States Senate election in Alabama to Democrat Doug Jones, questioning Bannon's reputation as a political strategist.
December 2018: GoFundMe Campaign Launched
In December 2018, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to collect donations for the We Build the Wall fundraising campaign, marketed to support the building of a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.
2019: Rights to Monastery Revoked
In 2019, the Italian government revoked the Dignitatis Humanae Institute's rights to use the former Trisulti Charterhouse monastery, due to failure to meet operational criteria and financial obligations.
August 2020: Arrested on Federal Charges
In August 2020, Bannon was arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering related to the 'We Build the Wall' campaign.
August 2020: GTV Media Group Under Investigation
In August 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported that fundraising for GTV Media Group, a company Steve Bannon and Guo Wengui launched, was under investigation by federal and state authorities.
August 20, 2020: Bannon Arrested
On August 20, 2020, Bannon was arrested.
February 2021: Manhattan DA Issues Subpoenas
By February 2021, the Manhattan district attorney had issued subpoenas to Wells Fargo Bank and GoFundMe, which had provided accounts for the "We Build the Wall" venture.
May 2021: Fraud Case Dismissed
In May 2021, Judge Torres dismissed the fraud case against Steve Bannon, following the precedent of criminal cases being dismissed after presidential pardons, despite Bannon not pleading guilty.
May 24, 2021: Trial Date Set
At a preliminary hearing on August 31, U.S. district judge Analisa Torres set a trial date for May 24, 2021.
2021: Refused to comply with subpoena
In 2021, Bannon refused to comply with a subpoena issued by the Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, the U.S. House of Representatives committee investigating the 2021 United States Capitol attack.
July 2022: Convicted on Contempt of Congress
In July 2022, Bannon was convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the January 6th Committee.
August 2022: Bannon Indicted on 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; Bannon claimed the charges were politically motivated.
September 8, 2022: Bannon Surrenders to Authorities
On September 8, 2022, Steve Bannon surrendered to authorities in connection with the New York state charges against him.
September 2022: Charged in New York State Court
In September 2022, Bannon was charged in New York state court on counts of fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy in connection with the 'We Build the Wall' campaign.
October 2022: Sentenced to Prison
In October 2022, Bannon was sentenced to four months in prison and a $6,500 fine for contempt of Congress.
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, after he only partially paid the bill.
May 27, 2024: Original Trial Date
The trial was originally expected to start May 27, 2024, however it was postponed to September 23, 2024.
September 23, 2024: Rescheduled Trial Date
The trial was originally scheduled for 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.
December 9, 2024: Trial Date Assigned to New Judge
Due to an ongoing conflict, Bannon's case was reassigned to Judge April Newbauer who later rescheduled it for December 9, 2024.
February 11, 2025: Bannon Pleads Guilty
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: Pleaded guilty to one count of fraud
In February 2025, Bannon pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and was sentenced to three years of conditional discharge.
February 25, 2025: Rescheduled Trial Date at Bannon's Request
At Bannon's request, Newbauer again rescheduled it for February 25, 2025.
2025: Bannon Pleads Guilty
In February, 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, without any prison time or restitution.
