Podcast Summary: Bannon's War Room – Episode 4822

Title: Securing The 2026 Midterms; Plan To Win 26, 28, And Seize 30
Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Guests: Matt Boyle (Breitbart), Alex DeGrasse (MAGA/redistricting strategist)

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode provides an insider’s look at Republican and MAGA movement strategy for the 2026 midterms, with an eye toward not just winning, but expanding conservative control in 2026, 2028, and setting up for a decisive advantage after the 2030 Census. Host Steve Bannon convenes experts Matt Boyle and Alex DeGrasse to cover the redistricting battlegrounds, messaging, and the perceived threats from the Democrat party—framing it as a national, existential contest between two radically different visions for America. The urgency centers on redistricting maneuvers at the state level as foundational to electoral outcomes, with a call to action for grassroots mobilization.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Patterns and Urgency of the Moment

• Bannon argues that Democrats wield government shutdowns to their advantage by driving public attention to policies, but claims shutdowns can actually create opportunity for Republicans by highlighting issues like the border wall and illegal immigration (03:00–05:30).
• Lessons from previous cycles (2013, 2018 government shutdowns) suggest public opinion becomes more fluid, allowing opposition message penetration.

2. The Centrality of Redistricting

• DeGrasse is lauded for his success in 2022’s "redistricting awakening" (06:45), credited with helping Republicans win the House.
• Bannon stresses redistricting in the next "three or four months" as critical for securing 2026—“2026 is going to be won in the next three or four months. Now, now, now.” (06:10)

“It must happen now. If it does not, we’re going to lose the midterms. And their first action, Hakeem Jeffries... is the impeachment of Donald Trump.” – Stephen Bannon (07:22)

• The state-level dealmaking and corruption in places like Tallahassee and Albany are highlighted as impediments, with a call for transparency and grassroots vigilance.

3. The Democrat Response and Impeachment Threat

• Both sides are seen as trying to “checkmate” each other—Boyle asserts this isn’t a “normal” pendulum swing midterm, but a historically rare moment where Republicans can expand despite historical trends (08:35–10:30).
• Democrats, if they regain control, are expected to “grind the Trump revolution to a halt,” with Hakeem Jeffries positioned as leading impeachment (06:20).

4. The Long Game: 2030 Census and Counting Illegal Immigrants

• Boyle makes the case that maintaining control through 2026 and 2028 leads to decisive redistricting after 2030, removing illegal immigrants from apportionment, which currently benefits Democrats:

“The federal government currently counts illegal aliens in the apportionment of congressional districts. It’s like modern day slavery.” – Matt Boyle (12:29)

5. On-the-Ground Redistricting Battles – The “Gross 21” Seats Needed

DeGrasse outlines a state-by-state “master list” with seat gains necessary for a Republican majority:

• Texas: +5
• Florida: +4
• Ohio: +3
• Indiana: +2
• Missouri, New Hampshire, Kansas, Nebraska, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina: +1 each
  (23:10)

“This is maximalist… This is the maximum we have to do this because... Look what they’ve done in New York and look what they’re doing in California.” – Bannon (23:10)

• California stands out; DeGrasse suggests Republican turnout is key due to millions of Trump voters (25:07).
  “If everyone gets out, we win. They don’t have the numbers, okay?” – Alex DeGrasse (25:07)

• In New England, despite a strong GOP base, Republicans are locked out (“25-to-nothing” on House seats) due to aggressive “smash mouth” Democratic tactics (23:44).

6. California and Newsom’s Tactics

• Prop 50 ballot initiative is highlighted as a high-stakes anti-Trump, anti-GOP play by Gavin Newsom, using the issue to build his own presidential case. GOP must counter with high presidential (Trump) turnout (26:15–27:19).

• DeGrasse: “Newsom is running this not about redistricting… This is all anti-Trump. If you hate Trump, you come out and vote for this and I’m gonna help get him impeached.” (26:43)

7. Democrats’ Social Policy, Illegal Immigration, and Health Care

• Segment centers on Democrats wanting to expand health care to undocumented immigrants—disputed public messaging on Medicaid provisions (31:19–35:24).

• Boyle: “The modern Democrat Party is built to serve illegal aliens. The modern Republican Party [is] supposed to serve American workers and American families.” (35:04)

• DeGrasse cites a 1,400% increase in emergency Medicaid for illegal immigrants in New York over five years under Biden (37:53).

8. Strategy: Grassroots Mobilization and Accountability

• Direct call for grassroots pressure on state lawmakers, with DeGrasse encouraging “peaceful, nice” communication but being willing to “crush these people” politically if obstruction persists (18:00-21:00).
• Holding “the RINO establishment” accountable for any less-than-maximalist redistricting; “Let them say we’re bad people—we don’t give a damn. We’re here to save our country.” – Bannon (36:00)

9. The Stakes—Existential Framing

• This episode repeatedly frames candidates on the left as radical and existentially dangerous—"French Revolution stuff” and “neo-Marxist jihadist,” with references to violence and the Kirk assassination, justifying maximalist political struggle (27:40, 41:33).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bannon on stakes:
  “Ask yourself, what is my task and what is my purpose? If that answer is to save my country, this country will be saved.” (00:33)

• Boyle on making history:
  “If you look at the map and you look at the numbers… This can be one of those moments in American history that we look back on…” (11:06)

• DeGrasse on grassroots:
  “Grow the posse, get more people, educate fellow grassroots people on why this has to happen.” (19:21)

• On California:
  DeGrasse: “Come on, folks. I think they've got more Trump voters than anywhere else in the country, okay? If everyone came out that voted for Trump, we win this by 15 points, okay?” (25:07)

• On Democrats and illegal immigrants:
  Boyle: “The modern Democrat Party is built to serve illegal aliens… That’s what this is all about.” (35:24)

• Bannon on GOP priorities:
  “If we don’t get to the gross number 21… We’re here to save our country.” (36:00)

• DeGrasse on New York crisis:
  “Emergency Medicaid funding in New York State due to Biden's open border crisis. It's a 1,400% increase in six years.” (37:53)

• Boyle on threat level:
  “If you’re a Republican and you know the left wants to kill you, right?... This is a war, you are under attack and you need to be prepared and you need to go fight these guys. And by fight, what I mean is win the political wars…” (41:33)

Key Timestamps

• 03:00–05:30: Bannon revisits history of government shutdowns as political opportunity.
• 06:10–07:40: Urgency around redistricting, link to 2026 midterms and Trump impeachment threat.
• 08:35–12:29: Boyle on history, the possibility of breaking the “midterm curse,” and the importance of 2030 Census.
• 17:28–24:20: DeGrasse details bull’s-eye states for redistricting gains (“Gross 21”), importance of California, grassroots state-level action.
• 31:19–35:24: Discussion on Medicaid/healthcare for undocumented immigrants, Democratic messaging, Boyle’s critique.
• 37:53: DeGrasse cites Medicaid spending jump in New York as example of policy crisis.
• 41:33: Boyle frames current politics as “war,” references violent attacks, calls for Republicans to “fight.”

Flow and Tone

The dialogue is assertive, combative, and hyper-focused on specific winnable tactical battles. Frequent historical analogies and war-like metaphors shape the urgency and the “this is it” atmosphere. The show largely avoids policy nuance in favor of a hardline, movement-building approach.

Summary Takeaways

• Redistricting is treated as pivotal—possibly the difference between party extinction or dominance.
• The "Gross 21" seats must be secured for a safe majority.
• California is a looming battleground, with turnout being the key.
• There is sharp opposition to Democratic policies on immigration and social programs, perceived as existential threats.
• Listeners are urged to take direct grassroots action, especially at the state legislative level.
• The fight extends beyond 2026 and 2028, aiming for a structural advantage in 2030 and beyond.

Contact for Guests:

• Alex DeGrasse: @Degrasse81 (X/Twitter, Truth Social, Getter)
• Matt Boyle: @Moyle1 (X), @RealMattBoyle (Truth Social), articles at Breitbart.com