Bannon's War Room – Episode 4787: Trump Speaks In Chequers (September 18, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this high-stakes episode, Steve Bannon hosts a special edition of War Room focused on President Donald Trump’s visit to the UK Prime Minister’s country residence, Chequers, culminating in a historic joint press conference with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The episode weaves together domestic political developments—including the fallout from the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the Trump administration’s moves against left-leaning organizations—with sweeping discussions on US-UK relations, global security, energy policy, migration, free speech, and the growing role of AI. The episode captures real-time reactions, analysis, and the complete exchange between Starmer and Trump, highlighting shifting alliances and contentious policy fronts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Crackdown on Left-Leaning Groups and Antifa Designation

• The episode opens with breaking news on the Trump administration’s plans to investigate prominent liberal organizations like the Open Society Foundations and the Ford Foundation, ostensibly for their alleged role in fueling unrest after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

  • "[Trump] will label Antifa as a major terrorist organization, although current law only allows this designation for foreign groups." ([00:00], News Anchor)
  • Bannon frames Kirk’s murder as part of a “vast conspiracy,” advocating for sweeping use of federal power against protest groups and their purported networks. ([03:13], Bannon)
  • Political commentators challenge the move as legally and historically unfounded:
    • "If you want to introduce this way of dealing with your enemies... you're going to reap the whirlwind sooner or later." ([01:32], Political Commentator)

• Bannon escalates, suggesting full use of state power for surveillance and prosecution:

  • "You designate terrorist organization. Then all kind of good things happen. You start subpoenaed telephone records, text messages [...] this is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies because we're going medieval on these people." ([06:00], Bannon)

2. Media Fallout: Jimmy Kimmel’s Removal

• Jimmy Kimmel’s show is canceled after controversial comments on the Kirk assassination. Bannon and Trump celebrate the decision as a victory over “fake news,” claiming Kimmel lacked talent and spread misinformation.
  • "Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings more than anything else. And he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk." ([54:50], Trump)
  • Starmer and Trump both use the moment to reflect on freedom of speech, with Starmer condemning Kirk’s murder and reaffirming the UK’s commitment to free expression. ([55:09], Starmer)

3. US-UK AI and Nuclear Energy Tech Partnership

• Starmer and Trump announce a $400 billion US-UK deal focused on nuclear power and advanced technologies, marking a reset in the “special relationship.”

  • "We've renewed the special relationship for a new era...with a new agreement...confirming our status as the first partners in science and technology, ready to define this century together." ([10:30], Starmer)
  • Trump frames the deal as a landmark that will make the UK a global tech leader and secure access to US-made AI, quantum computing, and nuclear power.
    • “We have also just signed a historic technology prosperity deal, one of a kind, to ensure our countries lead the next great technological revolution side by side.” ([21:45], Trump)

• Both leaders emphasize mutual investment, the creation of thousands of jobs, and the role of energy security.

  • “This tech partnership has the power to change lives...ensure that technologies like AI, Quantum and others amplify human potential, solve problems, cure diseases, make us richer and freer, strengthen the cause of democracy, not tyranny.” ([10:30], Starmer)
  • Trump underscores a resurgence in American economic strength, crediting his administration’s tariffs and deregulation. ([21:45], Trump)

4. Press Conference Highlights (Chequers Joint Q&A)

Foreign Policy and Conflict

• Middle East: Both leaders discuss steps towards a roadmap for peace in Gaza, prioritizing hostage release and humanitarian aid.
  • "We need aid to get into Gaza at speed. And so it's within that context of a plan for peace..." ([30:10], Starmer)
  • “Well, simply, I want the hostages released now, right now. Not one, two [...] But we want it to end. We have to have the hostages back immediately.” ([30:40], Trump)
• Ukraine & Russia:
  • Starmer: “Putin has shown his true face...mounting the biggest attack since the invasion began...we have to ramp up [pressure on Putin].” ([10:30], [42:27])
  • Trump laments failed negotiations, claims personal disappointment with Putin, but distances US from direct consequences while pressing for lower global oil prices as leverage. ([39:03], Trump)
    • “If the price of oil comes down, Putin's gonna drop out. He's gonna have no choice.” ([59:25], Trump)

Migration and Domestic Policy

• US Border: Trump touts “zero illegal crossings” and claims millions of removals, linking border control to national security.
• UK Migration: Starmer highlights new return agreements, especially with France, but admits challenges.
  • "There's no silver bullet here...we have had a record number of returns, over 35,000 now since we came into office.” ([35:44], Starmer)
• Energy Policy:
  • Trump: “We don't do wind because wind is a disaster or it's a very expensive joke, frankly. And we got our energy prices way down.” ([37:39], Trump)
  • Starmer defends a mixed energy approach, with ongoing North Sea oil alongside renewables, aiming to cut bills pragmatically. ([35:44], Starmer)

Free Speech and Social Policy

• Both leaders are asked about arrests for social media posts in the UK and limits on free speech.
  • Starmer: “Free speech, it's one of the founding values of the United Kingdom and we protect it jealously and fiercely and always will.” ([45:06], Starmer)
  • Trump and Bannon press the UK on alleged free expression constraints—Starmer insists on a nuanced approach balancing harm and freedom.

Antifa as a Terrorist Organization

• Trump urges crackdown on Antifa as a terrorist group; Starmer sidesteps, saying the UK will make its own decisions.
  • "Would you consider doing something like that in your country?" ([46:33], Trump, question)
  • Starmer: “We obviously will take decisions for ourselves.” ([46:43], Starmer)

TikTok, AI, and US-China Technology Policy

• Trump signals a major forthcoming deal forcing TikTok into American hands, citing its value for youth engagement and electioneering.
  • "TikTok has tremendous value. The United States has that value in its hand because we're the ones that have to approve it." ([49:53], Trump)

Investigation into Biden, "Auto Pen" Pardon Controversy

• Trump alleges widespread leadership failures and illegal actions by the prior administration, specifically referencing the “auto pen” and destruction of records about congressional pardons. ([46:56], Trump)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Designating Antifa

• Steve Bannon on strategy against Antifa:

  "You designate terrorist organization. Then all kind of good things happen. You start subpoenaed telephone records, text messages...And then we ought to round up the media types are working with them as accessories. This is doable. And if you want to avoid a civil war, it needs to be done today. Use the powers of the state. We happen to be in charge." ([06:00])

On Free Speech in the UK

• Starmer:

  "Free speech, it's one of the founding values of the United Kingdom and we protect it jealously and fiercely and always will…I'm all for free speech. I'm also protecting children from things that will harm them, paedophiles, those that peddle suicide, which had a terrible consequence for individual, particularly teenagers. And so that's the balance we strike." ([45:06-45:40])

Trump on UK-US Relations and History

• Trump:

  "The bond between our countries is like no other anywhere in the world. The United States and the United Kingdom have done more good on this planet than any two nations in human history." ([20:20])

Economic Boast

• Trump on investment:

  "We have more than $17 trillion...being invested in the country, which is not only a record, but if you compare $17 trillion to the last year of the Biden administration, they did $250 billion." ([21:45])

Migration

• Trump:

  "We had millions of people flowing in totally unchecked, totally unvetted from the Biden administration...They came from prisons, they came from mental institutions, they were gang members, they were drug dealers." ([33:25])

• Starmer:

  "We have had a record number of returns, over 35,000 now since we came into office. That's the highest number for the best part of 10 years." ([35:44])

Oil Price and Russia

• Trump:

  "If the price of oil comes down, Putin's gonna drop out. He's gonna have no choice...we produce more oil than anybody else in the world. We're doing a lot." ([59:25])

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Opening & Political Context: [00:00-03:13]
• Bannon: The Case for Crackdown [03:13-06:00]
• Media & Kimmel Coverage: [04:25, 08:47, 54:50]
• AI, Tech, and Nuclear Partnership Announced: [07:38-16:30]
• Starmer’s Opening Statement (Chequers Press Conference): [10:30-16:30]
• Trump’s Opening Statement: [20:20-28:47]
• Palestine, Israel & Hostage Policy: [28:47-32:44, 53:40-54:26]
• Ukraine & Putin: [38:53-44:13, 57:37-59:25]
• Free Speech & Social Policy: [44:22-46:25, 54:26-55:09]
• Antifa & Terrorist Designation: [46:33-46:43, 62:00 (recap)]
• TikTok Negotiations: [49:34-51:51]
• Energy Policy & North Sea: [35:44-37:39]
• Mandelson/Epstein Question: [57:27-57:37]
• Final Takeaways & Analysis by Bannon: [60:38-62:38]

Tone & Language

• The episode maintains a combative, urgent, and sometimes incendiary tone—especially from Bannon and Trump. Starmer is pragmatic and diplomatic but direct in defense of liberal democratic norms. The joint presser swings between celebration of Anglo-American ties and hard-nosed political self-justification.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand the dramatic intersection of US domestic politics, the future of Anglo-American leadership, and the evolving world order in 2025. It is characterized by a deep polarization between executive power advocacy and liberal constitutionalism; by monumental economic and technological promises; by tough questions on authoritarianism, energy, migration, free speech, and the prospect of further global conflict. The joint press conference provides firsthand insights into the priorities, personalities, and ideological lines shaping the next phase of US-UK relations and global geopolitics.