History of Steve Bannon in Timeline
Stephen Kevin Bannon is an American media executive and political strategist who served as the White House's chief strategist during the initial seven months of Donald Trump's presidency. His tenure ended when Trump dismissed him. Bannon's career includes serving as the executive chairman of Breitbart News and holding a board position at the now-defunct data-analytics firm Cambridge Analytica.
1931: Influence of Traditionalism and Quadragesimo Anno
Steve Bannon's political ideology has been shaped by the principles of traditionalism, a school of thought popularized by René Guénon, which posits that ancient religions hold spiritual truths under threat from Western secularism. Bannon combines these traditionalist views with elements of Catholic social doctrine, particularly the concept of subsidiarity as outlined in the 1931 papal encyclical Quadragesimo Anno. This principle advocates for political matters to be handled by the most localized and least centralized authority capable of doing so.
1934: Nuremberg Rally
The Nuremberg Rally, a large-scale Nazi Party rally that served as a platform for propaganda and showcasing Nazi power, took place in 1934. Leni Riefenstahl's film, "The Triumph of the Will", documented this event.
1935: Release of "The Triumph of the Will"
Leni Riefenstahl's propaganda film, "The Triumph of the Will", a powerful piece of Nazi propaganda that documented the 1934 Nuremberg Rally, was released in 1935.
November 27, 1953: Birth of Steve Bannon
Stephen Kevin Bannon was born on November 27, 1953 in Norfolk, Virginia.
1971: Graduates from Benedictine College Preparatory
Steve Bannon graduates from Benedictine College Preparatory in Richmond, Virginia.
1973: Publication of "The Camp of the Saints"
The controversial novel "The Camp of the Saints" by Jean Raspail, a book that Bannon has repeatedly referenced and which depicts a dystopian scenario of Western civilization being destroyed by Third World immigration, was published in 1973.
1976: Graduates from Virginia Tech
Steve Bannon graduates with a bachelor's degree in urban planning from Virginia Tech.
1977: Begins Service as a Navy Officer
Steve Bannon begins his service as an officer in the United States Navy.
1977: Start of Navy Service
Steve Bannon begins his service in the United States Navy.
1980: Deployed to Persian Gulf
Steve Bannon is deployed to the Persian Gulf for Operation Eagle Claw.
1983: Completes Service as a Navy Officer
Steve Bannon completes his service as an officer in the United States Navy.
1983: End of Navy Service
Steve Bannon completes his service in the United States Navy.
1983: Receives Master's Degree from Georgetown
Steve Bannon earns a master's degree in national security studies from Georgetown University.
1985: Earns MBA from Harvard
Steve Bannon receives his Master of Business Administration degree with honors from Harvard Business School.
1987: Relocates to Los Angeles
Steve Bannon relocates from New York to Los Angeles to help expand Goldman Sachs' presence in the entertainment industry.
1988: Birth of Bannon's Daughter Maureen and Subsequent Divorce
Steve Bannon and his first wife, Cathleen Suzanne Houff, had their daughter, Maureen, in 1988. The couple divorced sometime after Maureen's birth.
1990: Launches Bannon & Co.
Steve Bannon, alongside colleagues from Goldman Sachs, establishes Bannon & Co., a boutique investment bank.
1991: Start of Hollywood Career
Steve Bannon starts his career as an executive producer in Hollywood.
1991: The Indian Runner Release
In 1991, Bannon produced Sean Penn's directorial debut film, "The Indian Runner," marking his foray into Hollywood.
1993: Acting Director of Biosphere 2
Bannon assumes the role of acting director for the Biosphere 2 project in 1993.
1993: Becomes Acting Director of Biosphere 2
While still managing Bannon & Co., Bannon takes on the role of acting director for the Biosphere 2 project in 1993.
April 1995: Bannon's Second Marriage and Birth of Twin Daughters
Steve Bannon married his second wife, Mary Louise Piccard, a former investment banker, in April 1995. Their twin daughters were born just three days after their wedding ceremony.
1995: Leaves Biosphere 2 Project
Steve Bannon leaves his position at the Biosphere 2 project in 1995.
January 1996: Domestic Violence Charges
In January 1996, Bannon faced charges of domestic violence, battery, and dissuading a witness after being accused of abuse by his then-wife, Mary Piccard. The charges were dropped when Piccard did not appear in court.
1997: Dissolution of Bannon's Second Marriage
Mary Louise Piccard, Bannon's second wife, filed for the dissolution of their marriage in 1997, marking the end of their two-year marriage.
1998: Bannon & Co. Acquired
Société Générale purchases Bannon & Co., the boutique investment bank founded by Steve Bannon.
1999: Titus Release
Bannon further cemented his role as a film producer in 1999 with his work on Julie Taymor's film "Titus," a Shakespearean adaptation.
2002: The Firm, Inc. Partnership (Start)
Bannon partnered with Jeff Kwatinetz at the film and television management company, The Firm, Inc. in 2002.
2003: The Firm, Inc. Partnership (End)
Bannon's partnership with Jeff Kwatinetz at The Firm, Inc. ended in 2003.
2004: In the Face of Evil Release
Bannon directed and produced a documentary titled "In the Face of Evil" about Ronald Reagan in 2004.
2005: Goldman Sachs Investment in Internet Gaming Entertainment
Bannon secured $60 million in funding from Goldman Sachs and other investors for Internet Gaming Entertainment (IGE) in 2005.
2006: Goldman Sachs Investment in Internet Gaming Entertainment
Bannon secured investment from Goldman Sachs for a company called Internet Gaming Entertainment in 2006.
2006: Bannon's Third Marriage
Steve Bannon entered into his third marriage with model Diane Clohesy in 2006.
2007: Development of "Destroying the Great Satan: The Rise of Islamic Fascism in America"
In 2007, Steve Bannon wrote and developed a script for a documentary film titled "Destroying the Great Satan: The Rise of Islamic Fascism in America." The film's narrative centered on the premise that Muslims were actively attempting to take control of America.
2007: Co-founds Breitbart News
Steve Bannon co-founds the far-right website Breitbart News.
2007: Destroying the Great Satan: The Rise of Islamic Facism Treatment
Bannon penned an eight-page treatment for a documentary titled "Destroying the Great Satan: The Rise of Islamic Facism (sic) in America" in 2007.
2007: Affinity Media CEO (Start)
Bannon became CEO of Affinity Media (formerly Internet Gaming Entertainment) in 2007.
2008: Expresses Anger over Lack of Accountability for Wall Street
Following the 2008 financial crisis, Bannon expressed strong criticism of the bailouts provided to big banks. He felt angered by what he perceived as a lack of accountability for Wall Street's role in the crisis, believing that this fueled populist anger and movements like the Tea Party.
2008: Economic Crisis
The 2008 economic crisis had a significant impact on global markets and influenced political discourse. Bannon spoke about its influence on the Tea Party movement in 2011.
2008: Disillusioned with George W. Bush
Upon returning from Asia in 2008, Bannon expresses disillusionment with the George W. Bush administration, comparing it to the Carter administration.
2009: Divorce from Diane Clohesy
Bannon's third marriage, to Diane Clohesy, ended in divorce in 2009 after three years of marriage.
2010: Fire from the Heartland: The Awakening of the Conservative Woman Release
Bannon produced the film "Fire from the Heartland: The Awakening of the Conservative Woman" in 2010, delving into conservative politics.
2010: Generation Zero Release
Bannon released the film "Generation Zero" in 2010, further exploring his perspectives on societal and economic issues.
2010: Inflammatory Statements About Islam
In 2010, Steve Bannon made several controversial statements about Islam. He stated his belief that Islam was not a religion of peace but rather one of submission, criticizing former President George W. Bush for previously calling Islam a religion of peace. He also compared contemporary Islam to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime, stating that it was "something much darker." Furthering his rhetoric against Islam, Bannon expressed his opposition to Sharia law and those who adhere to it, stating that they were not welcome in the United States. He extended this accusation to U.S. newspapers, labeling them as "Sharia-compliant." Bannon also accused European elites of permitting an "Islamic invasion" and argued that governments were failing to adequately address the rapid growth of Islamic fascism.
2011: Affinity Media CEO (End)
Bannon stepped down as CEO of Affinity Media in 2011 after a 4-year tenure.
2011: Liberty Restoration Foundation Speech
Bannon delivered a speech at the Liberty Restoration Foundation in Orlando, Florida in 2011. His speech covered topics such as the 2008 economic crisis, the Troubled Assets Relief Program, and their influence on the Tea Party movement.
2011: The Undefeated Release
Bannon produced the film "The Undefeated" in 2011.
March 2012: Breitbart News Executive Chairman (Start)
Bannon assumed the role of executive chairman of Breitbart News LLC in March 2012 after the death of its founder, Andrew Breitbart.
2012: Government Accountability Institute Co-founding
Bannon co-founded the Government Accountability Institute, a tax-exempt organization, in 2012.
2012: Release of "The Hope & The Change"
Bannon's documentary film, "The Hope & The Change", was released in 2012. The film's opening sequence intentionally mirrored the aesthetics of Leni Riefenstahl's Nazi propaganda film, "The Triumph of the Will".
2012: Occupy Unmasked Release
In 2012, Bannon produced the film "Occupy Unmasked," which provided a critical perspective on the Occupy movement.
2014: Criticizes Wall Street at Vatican Conference
At a Vatican conference in 2014, Bannon publicly criticized Wall Street for its role in the 2008 financial crisis.
2014: Speech at the Vatican and Views on Islam
In 2014, Steve Bannon delivered a talk at a small conference held at the Vatican, where he spoke about the historical conflict between the Judeo-Christian West and Islam. He expressed his belief that their forefathers were right to resist Islam's influence, keeping it "out of the world." Bannon also stated his view that the historical resistance against Islam led to the establishment of the Church in the West. Bannon reportedly believed that Putin's Russia and Trump's America were united by their Christian faith in opposition to the Islamic State and "radical Islamic terrorism." During Bannon's time in the Trump administration, he and Stephen Miller played key roles in developing Executive Order 13769, which banned travel to the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries. Bannon has also been associated with the counter-jihad movement.
2014: Bannon's Vatican Conference Speech
In 2014, during a speech at a Vatican conference, Bannon made a reference to Julius Evola, a controversial figure associated with Fascism and the Traditionalist School, highlighting his interest in these ideologies.
2015: Government Accountability Institute Salary Reported
In 2015, it was reported that Bannon received between $81,000 and $100,000 annually for his work at the Government Accountability Institute, where he reportedly worked 30 hours per week.
2015: Bannon's Alignment with American Renaissance
According to a former Breitbart writer, Bannon, in 2015, stated that the alt-right publication American Renaissance, known for its white nationalist views, was "fighting the same fight" as him.
2015: Expresses Opposition to Syrian Refugee Resettlement
In 2015, during a radio appearance, Steve Bannon expressed strong opposition to the idea of resettling any refugees from the Syrian Civil War in the United States.
2015: Reflects on Operation Eagle Claw
In 2015, Steve Bannon reflects on the impact of the failure of Operation Eagle Claw, suggesting it shifted his political views towards a strong admiration for Ronald Reagan.
March 2016: Bannon Expresses Admiration for Evola's Work
In March 2016, Steve Bannon publicly stated his appreciation for any writing that referenced the works of Julius Evola, an Italian writer known for his influence on Benito Mussolini and the Traditionalist School.
August 14, 2016: Bannon Joins Trump Campaign
One year prior to his resignation, on August 14, 2016, Bannon joined then-presidential candidate Trump's campaign.
August 2016: Departure from Government Accountability Institute
Bannon left the Government Accountability Institute in August 2016.
August 17, 2016: Donald Trump Presidential Campaign CEO Appointment
Bannon was appointed as the chief executive of Donald Trump's presidential campaign on August 17, 2016. He left his positions at Breitbart, the Government Accountability Institute, and Cambridge Analytica to assume this role.
November 15, 2016: Democratic House Representatives Letter Urging Bannon's Removal
On November 15, 2016, 169 Democratic House representatives sent a letter to Trump urging him to rescind Bannon's appointment, citing Bannon's "ties to the White Nationalist movement."
2016: Russian Interference in the 2016 United States Presidential Election
Russia interfered in the 2016 United States presidential election.
2016: Breitbart Described as Platform for Alt-Right
In 2016, Steve Bannon describes Breitbart News as "the platform for the alt-right".
2016: "Darkness is Good" Quote
In 2016, Bannon, responding to criticism, stated "Darkness is good: Dick Cheney. Darth Vader. Satan. That's power." The quote drew significant media attention.
2016: Becomes CEO of Trump Campaign and Senior Advisor
In 2016, Bannon became the chief executive officer of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and was appointed chief strategist and senior Counselor to the President.
2016: Bannon Compares Himself to Thomas Cromwell
Following the 2016 election, Steve Bannon, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, compared his influence on Donald Trump to that of "Thomas Cromwell in the court of the Tudors."
2016: Voices Concerns Over Legal Immigration Levels
During a 2016 radio appearance, Bannon articulated his stance on immigration. While he deemed illegal immigration "horrific," he considered legal immigration to be the core issue, stating that its levels were "scary" and had "overwhelmed" the country.
2016: Cambridge Analytica Involvement in 2016 Election
Cambridge Analytica, a data-analytics firm with ties to Bannon, was allegedly involved in using illegal tactics to target American voters during the 2016 election.
2016: Breitbart News as Platform for Alt-Right
Bannon declared Breitbart News "the platform for the alt-right" in 2016, reflecting a significant shift in the website's editorial direction.
January 2017: Bannon's Controversial NSC Appointment
In January 2017, Steve Bannon, alongside the chief of staff, was designated as a regular attendee to the National Security Council's (NSC) Principals Committee. This decision, a departure from previous formats, drew criticism from members of past administrations and was labeled "stone cold crazy" by Susan E. Rice, Obama's former national security advisor.
February 2017: Michael T. Flynn Resigns as National Security Advisor
In February 2017, Michael T. Flynn resigned from his role as National Security Advisor after misleading the Vice President about a conversation with the Russian ambassador to the United States.
February 2017: Time Magazine Features Bannon as "The Great Manipulator"
In February 2017, Time magazine featured Steve Bannon on its cover, labeling him "the Great Manipulator." The accompanying article posed the question: "Is Steve Bannon the Second Most Powerful Man in the World?", highlighting Bannon's perceived influence within the White House.
April 2017: Cambridge Analytica Stake Sale
Bannon sold his stake in Cambridge Analytica in April 2017 when he joined the Trump administration.
April 2017: Bannon Removed from NSC Role
In early April 2017, Steve Bannon was removed from his position on the National Security Council (NSC) as part of a reorganization by National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster. While Bannon reportedly opposed his removal and threatened to resign, the White House denied these claims.
August 4, 2017: Bannon Submits Resignation from White House
Bannon submitted his resignation from his position in the White House on August 4, 2017.
August 18, 2017: Breitbart News Executive Chairman Return and Subsequent Removal
Breitbart announced that Bannon would return as executive chairman on August 18, 2017, following his time at the White House.
October 2017: Meeting Guo Wengui
In October 2017, after departing from the White House, Steve Bannon initiated a friendship with exiled Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui.
October 2017: Bannon Returns to Breitbart News, Maintains Contact with Trump
In October 2017, Bannon returned to Breitbart News as executive chairman and reportedly maintained contact with Trump.
October 2017: Bannon Announces Plans to Challenge Republican Senators
Bannon announced his plan to support primary challenges against six incumbent Republican senators in the 2018 elections.
December 12, 2017: Moore Loses Election, Bannon's Reputation Questioned
Roy Moore lost the Alabama Senate election on December 12, 2017, leading to questions about Bannon's political instincts.
2017: Warns Trump Against Gun Control After Las Vegas Shooting
Following the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, amidst discussions on gun control, Bannon strongly cautioned President Trump against any policy shifts in that direction. He believed such a move would provoke severe backlash from Trump's base, going as far as saying it would be the "end of everything" and would be received even more negatively than an immigration amnesty.
2017: Opposes Nuclear Arsenal Upgrade and Supports Iran Deal Withdrawal
In 2017, Bannon expressed opposition to any plans for upgrading the United States' nuclear arsenal. He strongly advocated for the U.S. to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and voiced support for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's handling of the diplomatic crisis with Qatar that year.
2017: Introduction to Jeffrey Epstein and Image Rehabilitation Efforts
According to Michael Wolff, Bannon was introduced to Jeffrey Epstein in 2017, and was involved in efforts to improve Epstein's public image.
2017: The Movement Founding
Bannon founded "The Movement," a populist organization, in 2017 to promote right-wing populist groups, particularly in Europe.
2017: Bannon Supports Roy Moore in Alabama Senate Race
Bannon supported Roy Moore in the 2017 special Alabama Senate election, even after multiple sexual misconduct allegations against Moore surfaced.
2017: Supports Roy Moore's Senate Campaign
Steve Bannon supports Roy Moore in the 2017 United States Senate election in Alabama.
2017: Opposition to Shayrat missile strike
In 2017, while serving as White House chief strategist, Steve Bannon opposed the Shayrat missile strike, ultimately losing the internal debate on the matter to Jared Kushner.
2017: Expresses Views on Afghanistan and North Korea
In 2017, Bannon supported Erik Prince's proposal to deploy private military contractors in Afghanistan instead of the U.S. military. In the same year, he stated his belief that there was "no military solution" to the crisis with North Korea.
January 7, 2018: Bannon Expresses Regret and Support for Trump After "Fire and Fury" Fallout
On January 7, 2018, following the public release of excerpts from "Fire and Fury," Steve Bannon expressed regret for his delayed response to the controversy and reiterated his support for Donald Trump and his agenda. He also clarified that his earlier remarks regarding a campaign meeting were directed at Paul Manafort, not Donald Trump Jr.
January 9, 2018: Breitbart News Executive Chairman Resignation
Bannon resigned from his position as executive chairman of Breitbart News on January 9, 2018.
January 2018: Bannon and Trump's Relationship Fractures Following "Fire and Fury" Publication
The release of Michael Wolff's book "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" in January 2018, led to a significant rift between Steve Bannon and Donald Trump. The book attributed numerous controversial statements to Bannon, leading to public attacks and accusations between the two.
January 2018: Disavowed by Trump and Leaves Breitbart
Following the publication of Michael Wolff's "Fire and Fury," which included criticisms Bannon made of Trump's children, Bannon is disavowed by Trump and subsequently leaves Breitbart in January 2018.
January 2018: Trump Publicly Attacks Bannon After "Fire and Fury" Release
After excerpts from "Fire and Fury" became public in January 2018, Donald Trump publicly disavowed Steve Bannon, accusing him of "losing his mind" and making various disparaging remarks about him.
January 2018: Bannon's Ideological Allies
A January 2018 report in The Guardian suggested that Steve Bannon's ideology aligned with individuals such as Stephen Miller, Tucker Carlson, Benny Johnson, Raheem Kassam, and Matthew Boyle, the latter two having been his protégés at Breitbart.
February 2018: Bannon's Views on Election and Media
In a February 2018 interview with Michael Lewis, Steve Bannon shared his perspective on the election and the media. He believed that anger and fear drove people to vote and that the real opposition wasn't the Democrats but the media, advocating for a strategy of overwhelming them with information.
March 2018: Address to the French National Front
In March 2018, Steve Bannon delivered a speech to the French far-right political party, the National Front (NF), at their party congress. In his address, which has been characterized as a "populist pep talk," Bannon encouraged NF members to embrace accusations of racism, xenophobia, and nativism, urging them to "wear it like a badge of honor." He expressed confidence that their movement was gaining strength while their opponents weakened, stating that "history is on our side and will bring us victory." Bannon's remarks received a standing ovation from NF members. However, critics voiced concerns that Bannon was normalizing and encouraging racist views.
July 2018: Encouragement of Boris Johnson to challenge Theresa May
In July 2018, Steve Bannon urged Boris Johnson to challenge then-Prime Minister Theresa May. Bannon had known Johnson for a year and was "very impressed" with him. Reports indicate that Bannon and Johnson were in private contact during Bannon's visit to Britain, and they had previously communicated via text message while serving as White House chief strategist and British foreign secretary, respectively.
August 2018: Bannon Advises Jair Bolsonaro's Campaign
Bannon met Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of Jair Bolsonaro, in August 2018 and became an informal advisor to Bolsonaro's presidential campaign in Brazil.
August 2018: Consulting Contract and GTV Media Group
In August 2018, Bannon secured a $1 million consulting contract with a Guo-linked company. Later, in early 2020, Bannon and Guo collaborated to raise millions for "GTV Media Group".
October 31, 2018: Senate Intelligence Committee Investigates Bannon
On October 31, 2018, Reuters reported that the Senate Intelligence Committee launched a "wide-ranging" investigation into Steve Bannon's activities during the campaign. This included his potential knowledge of contacts between Russia and campaign advisors George Papadopoulos and Carter Page, and his role in Cambridge Analytica.
December 2018: Launch of "We Build the Wall" Fundraising Campaign
Bannon, along with Brian Kolfage, launched the "We Build the Wall" fundraising campaign in December 2018, purportedly to support the construction of a border wall.
2018: Launch of "The Movement" to unite populist parties in Europe
In 2018, Steve Bannon announced plans for a new political operation aimed at uniting European populist parties before the 2019 European Parliament election. This project, "The Movement," was to be based in Brussels, with Bannon planning to spend half his time in Europe.
2018: Defense of Trump's ties to Putin and Advocacy for Traditionalism
In 2018, Steve Bannon defended then-President Trump's ties to and praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing a belief that traditionalists view Russia as an ally. He stated his belief that Putin's support for traditional institutions and nationalism resonated with certain groups globally. Bannon met with Russian ideologue Aleksandr Dugin to promote closer U.S.-Russia relations and traditionalist philosophy.
2018: Michael Lewis Publishes Bannon Quote in "The Fifth Risk"
In 2018, Michael Lewis published a quote from Steve Bannon in his book "The Fifth Risk", highlighting the Trump transition team's lack of preparation for the next administration. The quote, made during the transition period, revealed a concerning lack of readiness and concern.
2018: Campaign Support and Potential Campaign Finance Violations
During the 2018 election campaign, Bannon flew on Guo Wengui's private jet to support Republican congressional candidates, potentially violating campaign finance laws by accepting contributions from a foreign national.
2018: Bannon's Efforts to Maintain Republican Control of the House
Bannon used his group, Citizens of the American Republic, to help maintain Republican control of the House of Representatives in the 2018 election.
2018: Release of Pro-Trump Documentary
Bannon released the pro-Trump documentary "Trump @War" through his production company, Victory Films, in 2018 to rally Trump supporters before the midterm elections.
2018: Bannon Plans Right-Wing Academy in Italy
Bannon announced plans in 2018 to establish a right-wing academy in Italy with the Dignitatis Humanae Institute.
2018: Bannon Expresses Fascination with Mussolini
Bannon, in a 2018 interview, revealed his fascination with Benito Mussolini, particularly admiring his perceived virility, fashion sense, and popularity with women.
February 2019: Eduardo Bolsonaro Joins Bannon's Movement
Eduardo Bolsonaro joined Bannon's organization, the Movement, as the South American representative in February 2019.
March 14, 2019: Ross Questioned on Census Citizenship Question and Conversations with Bannon
During a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing on March 14, 2019, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross faced questions about his discussions with Steve Bannon regarding the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 census. Ross was accused of being "complicit" in attempts to suppress minority voting rights and of perjury related to these conversations.
March 2019: Bannon Meets with Jair and Eduardo Bolsonaro
Bannon met with both Jair and Eduardo Bolsonaro in Washington, D.C. in March 2019.
April 23, 2019: Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Census Citizenship Question
On April 23, 2019, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments concerning appeals against lower court rulings that blocked the inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2020 census.
August 2019: Bannon Praises Trump on CNBC
In August 2019, Bannon appeared on CNBC and praised Trump as a "great leader as president" and "amazing campaigner", to which Trump responded favorably, calling Bannon "one of my best pupils".
October 2019: War Room: Impeachment Launch
Bannon started co-hosting the daily radio show and podcast "War Room: Impeachment" in October 2019, offering advice to the Trump administration on countering the impeachment inquiry.
November 2019: Bannon Testifies in Roger Stone Trial
Steve Bannon provided compelled testimony in the federal criminal trial of Roger Stone in November 2019. His testimony contributed to Stone's conviction on charges of lying to Congress and witness tampering.
2019: Continued efforts to unite European populist parties
Steve Bannon's organization, "The Movement," aimed to unite populist parties across Europe leading up to the 2019 European Parliament election.
2019: Wolff's "Siege" Quotes Bannon on Trump's Business Practices
Michael Wolff's 2019 book "Siege" included quotes attributed to Steve Bannon, where Bannon allegedly made comments about Donald Trump's business practices, suggesting they were potentially criminal in nature.
2019: Bannon's War Room Launch
Bannon started hosting his own show, "Bannon's War Room," on various platforms, including Real America's Voice, in 2019.
2019: Bannon Attempts to Build Global Populist Movement
Bannon toured Europe in 2019, aiming to create a network of right-wing populist-nationalist parties.
2019: Bannon's Right-Wing Academy Project in Italy Fails
The Italian government revoked the Dignitatis Humanae Institute's rights to use the former monastery for Bannon's planned academy in 2019.
February 2020: Private Jet Travel and Campaign Finance Concerns
In February 2020, ProPublica revealed that Bannon had flown on Guo's private jet during the 2018 election campaign, raising concerns about potential violations of U.S. campaign finance laws.
June 3, 2020: Declaration of a "New Federal State of China"
On June 3, 2020, Steve Bannon and Guo Wengui participated in proclaiming a "New Federal State of China," aiming to challenge the existing Chinese government.
July 10, 2020: Trump Commutes Roger Stone's Prison Sentence
On July 10, 2020, President Trump commuted Roger Stone's federal prison sentence. Stone had been convicted on charges of lying to Congress and witness tampering.
August 2020: Senate Intelligence Committee Raises Concerns About Bannon, Kushner, and Trump Jr.'s Testimony
In August 2020, members of the Senate Intelligence Committee expressed concerns to the Department of Justice that Steve Bannon, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr. may have misled them during their testimonies related to the Russia investigation.
August 2020: Fundraising Investigation
In August 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported that federal and state authorities were investigating the fundraising activities of Bannon and Guo's GTV Media Group.
August 2020: Arrested for "We Build the Wall" Fraud
Bannon, along with three others, is arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering in connection with the We Build the Wall fundraising campaign in August 2020.
August 2020: Arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud and Money Laundering
In August 2020, Steve Bannon was arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering related to the "We Build the Wall" fundraising campaign.
August 20, 2020: Bannon Arrested, Stone Comments on "Karma"
Steve Bannon was arrested on August 20, 2020. In response, Roger Stone remarked, "Karma is a bitch. But I am praying for him."
November 5, 2020: Calls for Beheading of Fauci and Wray
On November 5, 2020, Steve Bannon used his webcast to call for the beheadings of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading infectious disease expert, and FBI Director Christopher Wray. He suggested displaying their heads on pikes outside the White House as a warning to those who opposed Trump. This led to his removal from various social media platforms and other services: Facebook and YouTube deleted the video, Twitter permanently banned his account, and Mailchimp disabled his newsletter. The following day, even his lawyer, who was defending him in a separate fraud case, dropped him as a client.
November 2020: Twitter Account Suspended
Bannon's Twitter account is permanently suspended in November 2020 following his suggestion that Anthony Fauci and Christopher Wray be executed.
November 2020: Promoting Li-Meng Yan's COVID-19 Claims
In November 2020, The New York Times reported that Bannon and Guo Wengui had promoted Li-Meng Yan and her controversial claims about the origins of COVID-19.
2020: Skepticism towards Qasem Soleimani assassination
Steve Bannon expressed skepticism about the 2020 assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, publicly questioning the necessity and timing of the action while also warning about potential negative repercussions for working-class Americans with family members serving in the military.
2020: War Room: Pandemic Begins
Bannon started the podcast "War Room: Pandemic" in 2020, broadcast from his Capitol Hill townhouse, which he claimed Trump watched and cited in conversations.
2020: Census Citizenship Question Controversy Continues
The controversy surrounding the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 census continued.
January 9, 2021: YouTube Removes Podcast Channels
On January 9, 2021, after Rudy Giuliani appeared on Bannon's "War Room" podcast and accused Democrats of stealing the election, YouTube removed both the "War Room" channel and another channel associated with Bannon, "Trump at War - A Film by Stephen K. Bannon", citing violations of their terms of service.
January 20, 2021: Receives Presidential Pardon
On his last day in office, January 20, 2021, President Trump pardons Bannon for his involvement in the We Build the Wall fundraising campaign.
February 2021: Subpoenas Issued in "We Build the Wall" Case
In February 2021, as part of a state-level investigation into the "We Build the Wall" campaign, subpoenas were issued to Wells Fargo Bank and GoFundMe, where accounts for the venture were held.
May 2021: Fraud Case Dismissal
In May 2021, the fraud case against Bannon related to the "We Build the Wall" campaign was dismissed by Judge Torres, citing Trump's pardon.
May 24, 2021: Trial Date Set in "We Build the Wall" Case
In May 24, 2021, A trial date was set in the "We Build The Wall" Case.
September 23, 2021: Subpoenaed by the U.S. House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack
On September 23, 2021, the U.S. House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack subpoenaed Steve Bannon, demanding his appearance on October 14. Bannon's legal team informed the committee that he would not comply.
October 2021: Held in Contempt of Congress
Bannon is found in contempt of Congress in October 2021 for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the January 6th committee.
November 12, 2021: Indicted on Two Criminal Contempt Charges
On November 12, 2021, following his refusal to cooperate with the January 6 committee, a federal grand jury indicted Bannon on two counts of criminal contempt: one for failure to produce documents and another for refusing to testify.
April 2022: Appeal Regarding Failure to Testify Rejected
In April 2022, an appeals court rejected Bannon's appeal challenging his refusal to testify before the January 6 committee.
July 2022: Convicted of Contempt of Congress
In July 2022, Bannon is convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress following a jury trial.
July 18, 2022: Trial for Contempt of Congress Begins
The trial against Steve Bannon for contempt of Congress began on July 18, 2022. The jury selection was finalized on the following day. Bannon chose not to call any witnesses or testify in his defense.
July 22, 2022: Found Guilty of Contempt of Congress
On July 22, 2022, the jury returned a guilty verdict on both charges of contempt of Congress against Steve Bannon. This conviction was hailed by Bennie Thompson and Liz Cheney, chair and vice chair of the January 6 Committee respectively, as a victory for the rule of law. The Justice Department emphasized that Bannon had chosen loyalty to Donald Trump over legal compliance and stressed that no one is above the law.
August 2022: Indictment on State Charges in "We Build the Wall" Scheme
In August 2022, Bannon faced indictment in New York on state charges of money laundering, conspiracy, and fraud connected to the $25 million "We Build the Wall" scheme.
September 2022: Charged with Fraud in New York
Bannon faces charges in New York state court related to fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, all stemming from the "We Build the Wall" campaign, in September 2022.
October 2022: Sentenced for Contempt of Congress
Bannon is sentenced to four months in prison and fined $6,500 in October 2022 for contempt of Congress.
October 21, 2022: Sentenced to Four Months in Prison for Contempt of Congress
On October 21, 2022, Judge Nichols sentenced Steve Bannon to four months in prison and a $6,500 fine for contempt of Congress. Judge Nichols dismissed Bannon's arguments, including a claim of executive privilege, and stated that the sentence was intended to deter similar crimes.
November 4, 2022: Appeals Conviction and Sentence
On November 4, 2022, Steve Bannon filed an appeal against his conviction and sentence. He remained free pending the appeal, and his sentence was put on hold.
January 2023: Bannon's Lawyers Argue DOJ Improperly Searched Communications
In January 2023, Bannon's lawyers argued that the Department of Justice had improperly accessed his private communications during their investigation. This led to a delay in his appeal hearing, which was originally scheduled for October 12 but was pushed back to November 9 at the DOJ's request due to the unfortunate passing of a government lawyer's son.
February 2023: Bannon's Podcast Identified as Spreading Misinformation
A Brookings Institution study in February 2023 found that Bannon's podcast contained a high proportion of false, misleading, and unsubstantiated statements.
July 2023: Legal Bill Dispute and Court Order
In July 2023, Bannon was ordered to pay the remaining balance on an $850,000 legal bill from Davidoff, Hutcher & Citron LLP, who had represented him in legal cases related to contempt of Congress and the "We Build the Wall" scheme.
December 2023: Advocates for Arming and Training Children in Firearms
In a controversial move, Bannon advocated for arming and training children in the use of firearms. Speaking at Turning Point USA's America Fest in December 2023, he suggested integrating gun classes into school curricula for self-defense against bullies.
May 10, 2024: Conviction Upheld by Appellate Court
On May 10, 2024, the appellate court unanimously upheld Steve Bannon's conviction for contempt of Congress.
May 27, 2024: Original Trial Date in "We Build the Wall" Case
May 27, 2024, was the original trial date set for Bannon's state charges related to the "We Build the Wall" scheme.
July 1, 2024: Prison Reporting Date
Unless the appeals court intervenes, July 1, 2024 is set as the date for Bannon to report to prison.
September 23, 2024: Rescheduled Trial Date in "We Build the Wall" Case
September 23, 2024, is the rescheduled trial date in the state case against Bannon concerning the "We Build the Wall" project.