Podcast Summary: Bannon’s War Room, Episode 4771
"Next Man Up; Bolsonaro Sentenced To Prison"
Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Guests: Jack Posobiec, Peter Navarro, Paulo Figueroa, Donald Trump (call-in), Julia Vargas Jones
Episode Overview
This emotionally charged episode of Bannon’s War Room centers on a critical series of shocks reverberating through the MAGA movement and international politics:
- The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
- Stephen K. Bannon’s own looming 123-day prison sentence
- The sentencing of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to prison amid claims of a politicized, sham trial
The hosts and guests dissect the ongoing campaign against MAGA leaders, frame these events as evidence of a broader assault on populist movements, and reflect on both the resilience (“antifragility”) of their cause and the personal legacies of those targeted. International developments are tied back to the struggle at home, particularly with respect to Brazil and the global order.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Assassination of Charlie Kirk and Political Violence
- A Somber Reckoning:
The episode opens with grief and anger at the assassination of Charlie Kirk, with comparisons drawn to other political assassinations in American history (JFK, Lincoln, MLK, Robert Kennedy).
Peter Navarro: draws a direct parallel:"What she's doing is she's trying to get out the visual and the idea of assassinating Donald Trump. This is where this is headed." (02:17)
- Line Has Been Crossed:
Jack Posobiec and Steve Bannon repeatedly argue that America has crossed into an era of political violence, warning of further escalations and calling for immediate action and unity within the movement.
Jack Posobiec:“It feels like a line was crossed yesterday. And are we going to be the country that continues to work out our differences through discussion… or have we now moved to the era of Luigi Maggione?” (49:04)
2. “Next Man Up”: Resilience and Movement Philosophy
- Antifragility as Core Strength:
Navarro references Nassim Taleb’s “Antifragile” as a philosophy for MAGA, positioning setbacks, targeting, and even violence as paradoxically energizing the movement.
Navarro:“You take one out, 100 more appear… It only actually makes us stronger.” (02:32)
“There are unique organizations, movements… that actually get stronger the more pressure and opposition is applied.” (03:50) - Succession and Legacy:
Bannon reflects on his prison sentence and the “Next Man Up” doctrine, underscoring preparation and continuity when leaders are removed. He commends Charlie Kirk’s impact, particularly his “haunting” final appearance filling in for him before Bannon’s incarceration.
Bannon:“This is a 20 year project to take our country back. A lot of us are not going to be around in a couple of years. President Trump is 78…” (01:17)
“We’re not going to lose if we don’t quit.” (12:30)
3. Charlie Kirk’s Influence and Death
- Tributes and Impact:
Both the personal and political impact of Kirk’s work is discussed. Bannon and others credit him with behind-the-scenes support for international causes, particularly support for Bolsonaro and confrontation with Lula’s regime in Brazil. Paulo Figueroa:“Charlie was not only an American patriot, though he was obviously one with unmatched intensity... he was also one of the fiercest defenders of the American First creed... Without Charlie, Brazil would never have reached the point of securing sanctions against Alexander Moraes and other justices.” (30:52)
- Public Reaction
Deep frustration is expressed at reactions from the left, particularly academics and media, with Bannon branding their responses as “unhuman.”
Bannon:“What other words could you possibly use to describe the action celebrating the actions of what happened to Charlie yesterday?” (50:45)
4. Bolsonaro Sentenced to Prison – Parallels with Trump
- Trial Context & Reaction
Julia Vargas Jones reports (23:48) extensively on the verdict against Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly plotting a coup, comparing Brazil’s January 8th to the U.S.’s January 6th. The court’s process is derided as a “kangaroo court” by Bannon and Figueroa. - No Appeal, Political Motivation:
Bolsonaro is described as being subject to political prosecution, drawing a direct parallel to efforts against Trump.
Figueroa:“They did to President Bolsonaro what they wanted to do with President Trump. So the case against Bolsonaro is almost a copy and paste of the lawfare used against Trump.” (34:02)
“He’s being judged by a panel of just five justices... three are openly conflicted judges... It’s a kangaroo court.” (35:49) - Sanctions, Amnesty, and U.S. Role:
The panel discusses the role of U.S. tariffs and sanctions in response; Figueroa advocates further sanctions against those who convicted Bolsonaro and highlights a push for a Brazilian congressional amnesty bill as Bolsonaro’s only way out.
Figueroa:“The only way out is that the Brazilian Congress is set to discuss an amnesty bill, which would pardon not only President Bolsonaro, but everyone... since 2019.” (39:17)
5. Broader International and Geopolitical Context
- BRICS “Rio Reset” and Threat to U.S. Dollar
Bannon discusses the coming “Rio Reset” at the BRICS summit (15:00), framing moves to de-dollarize global trade as existential threats to U.S. power.
Bannon:“The Rio reset in July marks a pivotal moment when BRICS objectives move decisively from a theoretical possibility towards an inevitable reality.” (15:00)
- Tying Back to Domestic Struggles
The episode repeatedly loops global occurrences back to the MAGA movement’s struggle, asserting that anti-populist targeting is a worldwide phenomenon.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Movement Resilience:
“You take one out, 100 more appear… It only actually makes us stronger.”
– Peter Navarro (02:32) -
On Political Violence:
“This is the primal scream of a dying regime.”
– Steve Bannon (06:15)“It feels like a line was crossed yesterday.”
– Jack Posobiec (49:04) -
On Charlie Kirk’s Legacy:
“People don’t understand how much Charlie did… People don’t understand the grand chessboard that Charlie was involved in on a regular basis…”
– Jack Posobiec (37:09)“Charlie Kirk, as fine a young man as you could ever have. As someone in his twenties… what he accomplished, you have to really go back to the revolutionary generation...”
– Steve Bannon (12:30) -
On Bolsonaro’s Trial:
“It’s a kangaroo court… He has no connection with any assassination attempt. This is absolutely preposterous and ridic.”
– Paulo Figueroa (34:02–35:49)“This is a death sentence for President Bolsonaro.”
– Jack Posobiec (38:24) -
On The Persistence of The Movement:
“We’re not going to lose if we don’t quit.”
– Steve Bannon (12:30)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00–07:00: Movement under assault; Bannon, Posobiec, Navarro discuss targeting of MAGA leaders and “Next Man Up” philosophy
- 07:06–15:00: Reflection on Bannon’s prison term, Charlie Kirk’s influence, and organization resilience
- 15:00–23:48: Discussion on global threats, BRICS, dollar reserve status; breaking news of Bolsonaro’s sentence
- 23:48–26:14: CNN’s Julia Vargas Jones reports on Bolsonaro’s conviction
- 26:22–42:56: Roundtable with Paulo Figueroa on Bolsonaro’s trial, connections to U.S. politics, MAGA interventions, and legislative prospects in Brazil
- 45:06–53:59: Investigations into Kirk’s assassination, possible motives/ideological signals, and reflections on the climate of political violence
Overall Tone & Takeaways
The episode is somber, defiant, and urgent. The hosts and guests see themselves and their movement under existential threat, connecting disparate global developments through the lens of political targeting and deep state machinations. The conversation is steeped in references to history, movement philosophy (“antifragility”), and personal legacy, especially in light of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Bottom line:
For those not listening, this episode provides insight into how the War Room’s circle processes crisis, focusing on resilience, legacy, and escalating conflict both domestically and abroad.