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's chief strategist for the first seven months of Donald Trump's presidency, playing a key role in shaping Trump's nationalist and populist agenda. After leaving the White House, he continued to promote right-wing political movements both in the United States and internationally. Bannon's career has been marked by controversy, due to his association with alt-right ideologies and his promotion of nationalist policies.

Sections (5)

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

January 1996: Domestic Abuse Allegations

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.

November 15, 2016: House Representatives Urge Rescinding Bannon's Appointment

On November 15, 2016, 169 Democratic House representatives urged then president-elect Trump to rescind his appointment of Bannon, citing Bannon's ties to the White Nationalist movement. Bannon denied being a white nationalist, identifying as an "economic nationalist."

2017: Roy Moore Lost Senate Election

In 2017, former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice 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.

October 31, 2018: Senate Committee Investigation

On October 31, 2018, Reuters reported that the Senate Intelligence Committee was conducting an investigation into Bannon's activities during the 2016 campaign, including his knowledge of contacts between Russia and campaign advisors.

2019: Rights to monastery revoked

In 2019, the Italian government revoked the Dignitatis Humanae Institute's rights to use the former Trisulti Charterhouse monastery.

August 2020: Arrested on Federal Fraud Charges

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

August 20, 2020: Indicted on fraud and money laundering

On August 20, 2020, Steve Bannon was indicted along with three others on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering related to the "We Build the Wall" fundraising campaign.

November 5, 2020: Bannon Calls for Beheadings on Webcast

On November 5, 2020, Steve Bannon called for the beheadings of Anthony Fauci and Christopher Wray on his webcast, leading to his ban from various social media platforms. Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter removed his content, and Mailchimp disabled his newsletter.

January 9, 2021: YouTube Removes Bannon's Podcast Channel

On January 9, 2021, YouTube removed Steve Bannon's War Room podcast channel, and another one called "Trump at War – A Film by Stephen K. Bannon", citing a violation of their Terms of Service.

February 2021: Manhattan DA Subpoenas Banks in "We Build the Wall" Probe

In February 2021, the Manhattan District Attorney issued subpoenas to Wells Fargo Bank and GoFundMe, seeking information related to accounts used for the "We Build the Wall" venture.

May 24, 2021: Trial Date Set

On May 24, 2021, the trial date was set for the fraud case against Steve Bannon.

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 for failing to provide documents and testify before Congress.

2021: Refusal to Comply with Subpoena

In 2021, Bannon refused to comply with a subpoena issued by the Select Committee on the January 6 Attack.

April 2022: 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 on Contempt of Congress Charges

In July 2022, Bannon was convicted on both counts of contempt of Congress in a jury trial.

July 18, 2022: Bannon's Trial Begins

On July 18, 2022, the trial of Steve Bannon began.

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. Officials stated he chose allegiance to Donald Trump over compliance with the law.

August 2022: Bannon Indicted on New York State Charges

In August 2022, Steve Bannon was indicted on New York state charges including money laundering, conspiracy, and fraud related to the $25 million "We Build the Wall" scheme. Bannon claimed the charges were politically motivated and linked them to George Soros.

September 8, 2022: Bannon Surrenders to Authorities

On September 8, 2022, Steve Bannon surrendered to authorities.

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 and Fine

In October 2022, Bannon was sentenced to four months in prison and a $6,500 fine.

October 21, 2022: Bannon Sentenced to Prison

On October 21, 2022, Judge Nichols sentenced Steve Bannon to four months in prison and 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, remaining free pending the appeal.

January 2023: Lawyers Argue DOJ Improperly Searched Communications

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

May 10, 2024: Appellate Court Upholds Conviction

On May 10, 2024, the appellate court unanimously upheld Steve Bannon's conviction.

May 27, 2024: Trial Postponed

On May 27, 2024, Steve Bannon's trial was originally expected to start, but it was postponed because the judge in the case was also overseeing the Trump "hush-money" case and was unavailable.

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

On June 6, 2024, Judge Carl Nichols granted the motion to lift Steve Bannon's stay of sentence and ordered him to report to prison by July 1.

July 1, 2024: Bannon Reports to Prison

On July 1, 2024, Steve Bannon reported to the Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury in Connecticut, to begin his sentence.

September 23, 2024: Case Reassigned

On September 23, 2024, Steve Bannon's case was reassigned to Judge April Newbauer due to an ongoing conflict.

October 29, 2024: Released from Federal Prison

On October 29, 2024, Bannon was released from a federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, where he had been imprisoned since July 1, 2024.

December 9, 2024: Trial Rescheduled

On December 9, 2024, Judge April Newbauer rescheduled Steve Bannon's trial.

February 11, 2025: Bannon Pleads Guilty

On February 11, 2025, Steve 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

In February 2025, pursuant to an agreement with prosecutors, Bannon pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and was sentenced to three years of conditional discharge.

February 25, 2025: Trial Rescheduled Again

On February 25, 2025, Judge April Newbauer rescheduled Steve Bannon's trial at Bannon's request.

2025: Pleaded Guilty

In February, 2025, Steve 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.