Podcast Summary: Bannon's War Room Episode 4276: Disaster In Ukraine Release Date: February 18, 2025

1. Declining US Support for Ukraine

Harry Entin opens the discussion by highlighting a significant shift in American public opinion regarding US support for Ukraine. He presents a trend where support has surged from 7% in February 2022 to 41% in February 2025. Notably, 62% of Republicans now believe that US support for Ukraine is excessive, marking a stark contrast to sentiments three years prior. Entin reflects on the change in public displays of support, such as Ukrainian flags in backyards, illustrating the broader shift in American attitudes.

Harry Entin (00:00): "Back In February of 2022, it was just 7% up like a rocket ship... now in February of 2025 to 41%. And the clear majority of Republicans... 62% of Republicans say that the U.S. support for Ukraine is too much."

2. Waning Confidence in President Zelensky

The conversation progresses to discuss the diminishing confidence in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Entin cites polling data indicating that confidence in Zelensky's ability to handle world affairs has plummeted from 72% in 2022 to 48% in 2024 among Americans. This decline is even more pronounced within the Republican base, where the majority express skepticism about Zelensky's leadership.

Harry Entin (00:37): "Zelensky will do the right thing when it comes to world affairs... by 2024, just 48% of Americans say that they're confident that Zelensky will do the right thing."

3. Public Sentiment on a Negotiated Peace Deal

The panel explores American support for a negotiated peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Harry Entin references a poll where 78% of Americans support the idea of such a peace deal, contrasted with only 16% opposition. However, he questions the relevance of the poll, as Ukraine was not present at recent negotiations in Saudi Arabia.

Harry Entin (01:52): "The vast majority of Americans... 78% say that they support this idea versus just 16% opposed."

Ben Harnwell concurs, suggesting that generic peace questions tend to garner high support, but specifics—like Ukraine having no involvement—might yield different results.

4. Political Dynamics and Criticism of the Republican Establishment

Steve Bannon and Ben Harnwell critique the Republican establishment's ongoing support for Ukraine, despite public sentiment shifting towards disengagement. They reference bipartisan support among Republican leaders, such as Senator Roger Wicker and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who continue to advocate for involvement in Ukraine.

Ben Harnwell (05:14): "The Republican establishment is not there... it's the warmonger established order of the United States."

5. European Union's Struggle with Funding Ukraine

The discussion shifts to the European Union's challenges in sustaining financial support for Ukraine. Philip Patrick elaborates on Germany's critical stance, highlighting Chancellor Olaf Scholz's acknowledgment of the need to alter Germany's constitution to permit increased borrowing for Ukraine aid. This marks a significant departure from Germany's historical aversion to deficit spending, rooted in its past experiences with hyperinflation and totalitarianism.

Philip Patrick (05:14): "Olaf Scholz has said that in order to circumvent this, the next government after the elections on Sunday will probably need to declare a state of emergency."

Ben Harnwell views this development positively, stating that Europe's recognition of the financial strain underscores the urgency of reducing US involvement in Ukraine.

Ben Harnwell (10:38): "I believe this is healthy. They are treating it as an emergency because it is an emergency."

6. Legal Battles Involving Elon Musk and Data Access

A significant portion of the episode delves into ongoing legal proceedings concerning Elon Musk and his access to data from various federal agencies. Dr. Sean explains that Judge Tanya Chutkan is grappling with whether Musk's role violates the Appointments Clause, potentially leading to a Supreme Court battle. The lawsuit seeks to prevent Musk from accessing sensitive data that could influence federal employee and program decisions.

Dr. Sean (23:16): "Judge Chutkan sounded extremely skeptical about the need for a temporary restraining order... she could deny the motion... and set a schedule for a preliminary injunction."

7. Turmoil in the Gold Markets and the Bank of England

The episode transitions to economic concerns, particularly focusing on the gold market and the Bank of England's recent liquidity crisis. Philip Patrick and Steve Bannon discuss the Bank's inability to meet a 14-day delivery requirement for gold, labeling it a technical default rather than a solvency issue. They express apprehension over the Bank's actions, such as emptying vaults and soliciting gold loans from foreign nations, which could signal deeper financial instability.

Steve Bannon (37:41): "What this tells me though, I think it's a reminder that gold is almost uniquely a physical asset first and foremost, not just a financial asset."

Philip Patrick further elaborates on the disparity between physical and paper gold, emphasizing the risks of relying on intangible assets in volatile markets.

Steve Bannon (38:25): "Gold as a financial asset only really works as long as everyone agrees they don't really want gold. Right? They want to speculate on its price moves."

8. Auditing US Gold Reserves and Transparency Concerns

The panel addresses calls for auditing US gold reserves, particularly in light of Elon Musk's push for transparency. Steve Bannon critiques the US government's longstanding resistance to external audits of Fort Knox, questioning the rationale behind withholding such information if there is nothing to conceal.

Steve Bannon (45:54): "The fact that they've been resisting an audit for decades here in the United States is in on itself, very concerning."

9. Implications of the Gold Delivery Failures

Steve Bannon warns of the potential fallout from the Bank of England's difficulties, drawing parallels to banking crises where physical assets couldn't back paper claims. He underscores the precariousness of the gold market's reliance on physical delivery amidst increasing demand and geopolitical tensions.

Steve Bannon (48:21): "If you can't hold it in your hand, it isn't real. And we're starting to feel the effects of that."

10. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Rosemary Gibson discusses the looming threat of tariffs affecting the pharmaceutical industry, particularly medications sourced from China. She emphasizes the critical need for domestic preparedness in healthcare supplies to mitigate potential disruptions caused by escalating US-China tensions.

Rosemary Gibson (52:31): "All of our medications, virtually 100% of them come from overseas and most of those come from China."

Notable Quotes

• Harry Entin (00:00): "Back In February of 2022, it was just 7% up like a rocket ship... now in February of 2025 to 41%."

• Harry Entin (00:37): "Zelensky will do the right thing when it comes to world affairs... by 2024, just 48% of Americans say that they're confident."

• Steve Bannon (38:25): "Gold as a financial asset only really works as long as everyone agrees they don't really want gold."

• Rosemary Gibson (52:31): "All of our medications, virtually 100% of them come from overseas and most of those come from China."

Conclusion

Episode 4276 of Bannon's War Room provides a critical examination of the evolving geopolitical landscape surrounding the Ukraine conflict. It underscores the shifting American public opinion, the complexities of international alliances, and the economic vulnerabilities tied to gold reserves and pharmaceutical supply chains. The episode calls for increased transparency, strategic realignment, and domestic preparedness in the face of global uncertainties.