Podcast Summary: Bannon’s War Room, Episode 4762
Title: Gain Of Function Economy; Trump Speaks At The Religious Liberty Commission
Date: September 8, 2025
Host: Steve Bannon (WarRoom.org)
Overview
This episode of Bannon’s War Room focuses on two central themes. The first half is devoted to U.S. foreign policy, global trade, and the “Gain of Function Economy,” with special emphasis on the actions taken by the Trump administration against China and the BRICS coalition. Steve Bannon and Dr. Peter Navarro unpack recent economic and geopolitical developments, discuss tariff policies, and respond to critics accusing the Trump administration of "authoritarian economics."
The latter half features President Donald Trump’s live address at the Religious Liberty Commission from the Museum of the Bible. Trump, joined by prominent faith leaders and administration officials, champions religious liberty, school choice, traditional gender norms, and a renewed emphasis on faith in American life, reflecting on legislation and personal narratives to energize a Christian conservative base.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Foreign Policy & the 'Gain of Function Economy'
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Geopolitics and the BRICS Alliance
- Concerns over the shifting balance of global power, highlighted by China’s recent military parade and strengthened ties with Russia and other regional powers.
- Anxiety over the increasing unity and anti-U.S. sentiment among BRICS, along with efforts to challenge the U.S.-led international order and dollar hegemony.
- Quote:
"A toxic combination of tariffs, hostile rhetoric and ideological demands is moving many of the world's pivotal states away from America and towards China. It may be the greatest own goal in modern foreign policy."
— Dr. Peter Navarro, 00:44
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Tariffs, Trade War, and De-dollarization
- Navarro outlines the administration’s approach: steep 50%+ tariffs on China, tough negotiations with India and other countries, and countering unfair trading practices.
- Claims that although BRICS unites against the U.S., internal tensions and conflicting interests will limit their effectiveness.
- The shift to gold as a result of global “de-dollarization,” with gold prices surging past $3,600.
- Quote:
"The bottom line is none of these countries can survive if they don't sell to the United States. And when they sell...they're like vampires sucking us, our blood dry."
— Dr. Peter Navarro, 07:13
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Sanctions and Energy Diplomacy
- Navarro and Bannon discuss enforcing sanctions on India, Russia, Iran, and Venezuela to limit China’s access to energy and counter Beijing’s rise.
- Quote:
"If we just implement the sanctions...the Chinese Communist Party essentially has zero energy, and then you can bring them to the table a little bit easier."
— Steve Bannon, 11:17
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Distrust of China
- Navarro asserts that China continually violates agreements, referencing the failed 2019 U.S.-China trade deal and the COVID-19 pandemic origins.
- Emphasizes that negotiation with China always requires “trust but verify squared.”
- Quote:
“Can you trust the Chinese Communists? No. Full stop."
— Dr. Peter Navarro, 15:27
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Restructuring the Global Trade System & ‘Authoritarian’ Critique
- Bannon and Navarro respond to claims of “Peronism” and “strongman economics,” arguing the U.S., as a dominant economy, can successfully use tariffs for national benefit.
- They highlight improvements in U.S.-EU, Japanese, and Southeast Asian trade relations.
- Quote:
“Every other country in the world...would laugh at Denmark. They're not laughing at Donald John Trump. They're working with Donald John Trump.”
— Dr. Peter Navarro, 27:38
2. Domestic Policy, Law & Order, and Authoritarianism Debates
- Law and Order in D.C.
- Navarro and Bannon praise Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., arguing crime rates have plummeted.
- Responds to critics labeling the administration “authoritarian” by emphasizing public safety and order.
- Quote:
“If the left wants to call that something bad, I encourage them to keep doing it because they're going to get their friggin’ ass kicked at the polls.”
— Dr. Peter Navarro, 25:53
3. Personal Narratives & Legal Battles
- Navarro’s Imprisonment and New Book
- Navarro promotes his new book, I Went to Prison So You Won’t Have To, discussing the experience of “lawfare” and the defense of executive privilege.
- Argues ongoing legal battles are about preserving constitutional boundaries for future advisors, not just personal vindication.
- Quote:
"If they can come for Steve Bannon, if they can come for Peter Navarro, if they can come for Donald Trump, they can come for all of us."
— Dr. Peter Navarro, 29:40
4. President Trump at the Religious Liberty Commission
[Key segment: 37:37–90:00]
A. Trump’s Opening Remarks (37:37–44:00)
- Expresses gratitude to faith leaders and praises the work of the Religious Liberty Commission.
- Stresses that American greatness is rooted in faith, suggesting national revival coincides with growing religiosity.
- Quote:
“When faith gets weaker, our country seems to get weaker. When faith gets stronger, as it is right now...good things happen for our country.”
— Donald Trump, 38:19
- Quote:
B. Vigorous Defense of Religious Liberty
- Trump vows to always defend religious freedom and Judeo-Christian values.
- Criticizes Sen. Tim Kaine for rejecting the idea that rights come from the Creator.
- Emphasizes that religious voices—especially Christian ones—deserve to be restored in the public square.
C. Faith, Schools, and the ‘Woke Agenda’
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Announces new Department of Education guidance to protect student prayer and religious expression in public schools.
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Tells the stories of two students facing institutional pushback for expressing their faith—Hannah Allen (Texas, student prayer) and Shay Encinis (California, religious objection to gender curriculum).
- Quote:
“To support students like Hannah, I’m pleased to announce this morning that the Department of Education will soon issue new guidance protecting the right to prayer in our public schools.”
— Donald Trump, 52:59
- Quote:
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Celebrates the rollback of “radical gender ideology,” bans on chemical/surgical transition for minors, and the official policy that “there are only two genders.”
D. Trump’s Faith Testimonies and Policy Review
- Describes uplifting religious voices by repealing the Johnson Amendment, allowing clergy to speak freely on politics.
- Recounts support for faith schools and parents’ rights, as well as punitive actions against universities for anti-Christian or anti-Semitic bias.
- Touts major civil rights settlements with universities and ongoing Title IX investigations.
E. Law and Order, Crime, and Urban Renewal
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Blames crime waves on lenient policies, highlights successes in making D.C. “safe” and pledges similar efforts for Chicago and Los Angeles.
- Quote:
"Right now, we went from...the most violent city...into a totally safe zone. It’s called a safe zone city. There’s no crime...We are a safe city."
— Donald Trump, 70:00
- Quote:
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Outlines plans for urban beautification and infrastructure improvements.
F. Call for National Prayer and Celebration (80:17–88:00)
- Secretary Scott Turner discusses “America Prays” – a mass initiative to have at least 1 million people praying weekly for the nation until the July 4, 2026 “Super Centennial.”
- Delivers a prayer rededicating the nation to God, with bipartisan and multi-denominational overtones.
G. Final Trump Reflections
- Declares the beginning of a “golden age of America,” attributing recent progress to renewed faith and his administration’s policies.
Notable Quotes & Moments
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On BRICS and Trade Tensions:
"Let's see what happens. But I don't see how the BRIC alliance stays together since historically they all hate each other and kill each other."
— Dr. Peter Navarro, 07:13 -
On Crime & ‘Strongman Economics’:
“They’re calling what President Trump and you and the team and Scott and the team over at the White House and Treasury are doing is Peronism. That basically you’ve got strongman economics…”
— Steve Bannon, 24:24 -
On School Prayer:
“To support students like Hannah, I'm pleased to announce this morning that...the Department of Education will soon issue new guidance protecting the right to prayer in our public schools. And this is total protection. Thank you, Hannah. Great job. See what you did, Hannah?”
— Donald Trump, 52:59 -
On Repealing the Johnson Amendment:
“We want to hear from you. I don't want to hear from a lot of people. I hear from too many people. You're the people we respect...And I've given you voices back.”
— Donald Trump, 58:11 -
On National Prayer:
“What if 1 million people prayed for our country every single week between now and next July 4th?...Think about the miracles that would take place over the next year.”
— Scott Turner, 82:00 -
On Urban Safety:
“Crime's down 87%. I said, no, no, no. It's more than 87%. Virtually nothing.”
— Donald Trump, 69:51
Important Timestamps
- 00:44: Navarro opens with analysis on the failures of U.S. foreign policy and the rise of China-led alliances.
- 06:03: Navarro analyzes the internal contradictions of the BRICS coalition.
- 08:01: Detailed discussion of tariffs, trade deals, fentanyl, and India’s relationship with Russia.
- 15:27: Navarro asserts complete distrust in the “Chinese Communists.”
- 24:53: Debate about "Peronism" and the administration’s strongman approach to economics.
- 29:28: Navarro promotes his new book on imprisonment and constitutional lawfare.
- 37:37: Trump addresses the Religious Liberty Commission at the Museum of the Bible.
- 52:59: Trump announces new school prayer guidelines, celebrates student religious expression.
- 70:00: Trump discusses getting D.C. crime under control and details plans for urban revitalization.
- 80:17–88:00: Scott Turner introduces the "America Prays" initiative; leads group prayer.
- 87:54: Trump declares a "golden age of America."
Summary
This episode weaves together economic populism, national security, and Christian conservatism to paint a picture of an assertive, faith-driven America under Trump’s second term. Foreign policy discussions revolve around economic warfare, rising global alliances against U.S. hegemony, and the shifting mechanics of international trade. Domestically, the show highlights a law-and-order crackdown, support for traditional values, and aggressive measures to rollback what Trump and his allies consider radical progressive reforms.
Trump’s speech—equal parts policy and revival meeting—stakes out religious liberty as a core pillar of American identity and turns school prayer, anti-woke initiatives, and personal stories into rallying cries. Throughout, the tone is energetic, combative, and deeply rooted in the populist, America First worldview.
For further analysis and access to Dr. Navarro's writings:
- peternavarro.substack.com
- Twitter/X: @RealPNavarro | Truth Social: PeterNavarro
This summary covers the core content of the episode; non-content sections (ads, generic promotions) are omitted as requested.