Podcast Summary: Bannon’s War Room - Episode 4587: The Truth Behind The New NYC Mayor; Wake Up Call For 2026
Release Date: June 25, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Guest: Senator Eric Schmidt, Missouri
Expert Contributor: Alex De Grasse
1. Commemorating the Korean War's 75th Anniversary
Stephen K. Bannon opens the episode by reflecting on the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, highlighting the ongoing tensions and the enduring legacy of the conflict.
Stephen K. Bannon [00:02]: "Once the enemy positions are pinpointed, the unit maneuvers to concentrate its fire and saturate the area."
Bannon provides a historical overview of the United Nations' military strategies during the war, emphasizing the determination to eliminate Communist forces and secure Seoul.
2. NATO's Enhanced Defense Commitment
Timestamp: [04:00]
Guest: Senator Eric Schmidt
The discussion shifts to NATO's recent commitments under President Trump's leadership. Senator Schmidt praises Trump's success in persuading NATO allies to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP—a significant rise from the previously unmet 2%.
Stephen K. Bannon [04:00]: "President Trump finally got NATO to step up to the plate for a meaningful defense. 5% of GDP."
Senator Eric Schmidt [06:12]: "We're moving away from this sort of neoliberal, neoconservative view of the world... the 21st century is going to be defined by who wins this great competition, us or China."
Schmidt elaborates on the necessity for Europe to bolster its defense capabilities amidst the rising influence of China, highlighting the importance of rebalancing trade and defense strategies post-Cold War.
3. The 12-Day War and U.S. Foreign Policy
Timestamp: [08:16]
Guest: Senator Eric Schmidt
The conversation delves into the recent 12-Day War, presumably involving Iran and the Middle East. President Trump declared a decisive victory, asserting complete obfuscation of Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Senator Eric Schmidt [08:16]: "Look, we're not getting dragged into some long, protracted conflict in the Middle East. The American people don't want that."
Schmidt commends Trump's strategic restraint, emphasizing the importance of using overwhelming force only when national interests are at stake, and critiques the long-standing U.S. role as the "cop on the beat" globally.
4. Judicial Challenges and the Rule of Law
Timestamp: [11:19]
Guest: Senator Eric Schmidt
Addressing the judiciary, Schmidt raises concerns about judges defying Supreme Court orders, particularly in deportation cases. He underscores Missouri's role in strengthening the rule of law through significant court victories against vaccine mandates and student loan forgiveness.
Senator Eric Schmidt [11:48]: "These leftist district court judges, these real activist judges... they're making their way up the court system... the law is on our side."
He remains optimistic about President Trump's ability to influence judicial appointments, aiming to counteract what he perceives as leftist overreach within the judiciary.
5. Election of the New NYC Mayor: A Political Earthquake
Timestamp: [22:09]
Expert Contributor: Alex De Grasse
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing the unexpected election of a new mayor in New York City, described as a fusion of neo-Marxism and jihadist ideology. This "red-green merger" poses a dire threat to the Judeo-Christian West.
Alex De Grasse [22:09]: "He’s leading a movement... communist psychopath has hundreds of thousands of followers now that are mobilizing and they're ready for a throwdown."
De Grasse commends the sophistication of the new mayor's campaign, likening it to successful social media-driven campaigns like those of Trump, Salvini, and Bolsonaro. He warns of the mayor's potential to disrupt traditional political structures and his extremist policy proposals, such as converting grocery stores into government-run entities.
Alex De Grasse [23:45]: "He did a horrible campaign... he's selling crazy prescriptions. But they brought the new voters in, they registered new voters, they turned out low propensity voters."
6. Implications for Future Elections: The Rise of Far-Left Candidates
Timestamp: [25:46]
Expert Contributor: Alex De Grasse
De Grasse highlights the broader implications of the new mayor's victory, suggesting it signals a nationwide trend towards far-left, jihadist, and neo-Marxist candidates within the Democratic Party.
Alex De Grasse [26:56]: "The heart and pulse of the Democrat party is sort of into the far left. That's where the energy is."
He underscores the urgency for Republicans to respond effectively, emphasizing the need to combat this shift to protect American values and prevent the implementation of radical policies.
7. The Role of Social Media and Grassroots Movements
Timestamp: [36:51]
Expert Contributor: Alex De Grasse
The episode examines the critical role of social media and grassroots voter registration in the election of the new mayor. De Grasse credits the campaign's ability to mobilize new and low-propensity voters as key to their unexpected success.
Alex De Grasse [36:51]: "They registered new voters, they turned out low propensity voters. They did all the fundamentals."
He likens the mayor's campaign strategy to that of successful populist leaders, emphasizing the need for strategic countermeasures to address the evolving political landscape.
8. Future Political Strategies and Republican Mobilization
Timestamp: [38:01]
Expert Contributor: Alex De Grasse
De Grasse calls for a strategic reevaluation within the Republican Party to address the rise of extremist candidates and the shifting dynamics within the Democratic electorate.
Alex De Grasse [38:01]: "If you're an establishment Democrat across the country, you should be very worried because it's very clear that the heart and pulse of the Democrat party is sort of into the far left."
He advocates for robust opposition research and targeted campaigning to effectively challenge and defeat far-left candidates in future elections.
9. Concluding Remarks: Preparing for the 2026 Political Landscape
Timestamp: [45:34]
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
In his closing remarks, Bannon ties together the discussed themes, emphasizing the convergence of military, political, and economic crises. He calls for vigilance and preparedness as the U.S. navigates these turbulent times, particularly with the looming 2026 elections.
Stephen K. Bannon [45:34]: "We're in a fourth turning now. ... we have to pay attention."
Bannon reiterates the importance of understanding the debt ceiling, the role of the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency, and the need for strategic economic planning in the face of emerging global challenges.
Key Takeaways
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NATO's Increased Defense Spending: President Trump's leadership led to NATO allies committing to 5% of GDP in defense spending, a significant policy shift aimed at countering China's growing influence.
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12-Day War Outcome: The U.S. achieved a decisive victory, dismantling Iran's nuclear capabilities without prolonged engagement, showcasing effective military strategy and restraint.
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Judicial Overreach Concerns: There is growing unease about activist judges undermining the rule of law, with optimism that presidential influence can realign the judiciary.
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New NYC Mayor's Election: The surprising victory of a far-left, extremist candidate in NYC signals a potential nationwide trend towards radical politics within the Democratic Party.
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Social Media's Role in Modern Campaigns: Effective use of social media and grassroots voter engagement were pivotal in the election of the new mayor, highlighting a shift in campaign strategies.
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Need for Republican Response: The rise of extremist candidates necessitates strategic mobilization and opposition research within the Republican Party to safeguard traditional American values.
Notable Quotes:
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Stephen K. Bannon [04:00]: "President Trump finally got NATO to step up to the plate for a meaningful defense. 5% of GDP."
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Senator Eric Schmidt [06:12]: "The 21st century is going to be defined by who wins this great competition, us or China."
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Alex De Grasse [22:09]: "They hate the Judeo Christian west so much. [...] they'll divide up the carcass later."
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Senator Eric Schmidt [11:48]: "These leftist district court judges... the law is on our side."
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Alex De Grasse [38:01]: "The heart and pulse of the Democrat party is sort of into the far left."
This episode of Bannon’s War Room provides a comprehensive analysis of current geopolitical tensions, shifts within major political parties, and the implications for future elections. Through insightful discussions with Senator Eric Schmidt and expert Alex De Grasse, the podcast underscores the urgency for strategic political responses amidst evolving global and domestic challenges.
