Podcast Summary: Bannon's War Room, Episode 4936

Date: November 18, 2025
Episode Title: Texas Courts Thwarting Trump's Redistricting; Islamic Takeover Of Texas
Host: Stephen K. Bannon (plus guest hosts and analysts)

Episode Overview

This episode addresses major breaking news and issues at the intersection of politics, law, and national security. The main focus is on:

• The federal court's decision to block Texas' Republican-favored redistricting map and its implications for upcoming elections and Trump's agenda.
• Governor Abbott's proclamation targeting CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) and the Muslim Brotherhood in Texas, alleged as victories against "Islamic incursion".
• Developments in AI regulation, specifically a congressional move to block states from passing their own AI laws, with urgent calls to action for the audience.

The episode features analysis from Texas Rep. Brian Harrison, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, and expert commentary on issues ranging from Islamic influence in Texas to US-Israel policy tensions and tech regulation.

Key Discussion Points

1. Texas Redistricting Ruling: High Political Stakes

(00:00–09:24)

• Court Ruling:
  A three-judge federal panel blocked Texas's new congressional maps, citing "overtly racial" gerrymandering and ordering a return to the 2021 maps for 2026 elections.

  • “The state of Texas tried to redraw the maps, add five more seats, and now a federal judge has said, no, you can't…they are saying that the redistricting effort…was overtly racial in its gerrymandering…” (A, 00:00)

• Implications:

  • If upheld, the decision gives Democrats an advantage and may stymie Trump's legislative agenda post-2026.
  • Texas plans to appeal directly to the Supreme Court due to the three-judge panel format.

• Reaction & Analysis:

  • Brian Harrison:

    • Condemns the decision as "a massive, massive legal breaking news," blaming both Obama and Trump appointees.
    • Calls the ruling politically and legally wrong, denying the racial gerrymandering charge.
    • Urges Texas GOP to be proactive with contingency plans — including drawing even more favorable maps if forced.
    • "If we're not allowed to go on the current maps, we should redraw maps...don't just add five seats, let’s add six...eight seats." (B, 05:58)

  • Bannon:

    • Laments weak Republican leadership in Texas and nationwide, crediting activists for forcing action.
    • Frames the legal battle as decisive for the fate of Trump’s potential return and congressional majority.

2. Abbott’s Anti-CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood Proclamation

(09:24–11:31)

• Governor Abbott’s Declaration:

  • Issues a proclamation targeting CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood, barring them from owning or purchasing property in Texas.

• Conservative Reaction:

  • Brian Harrison:
    • Frames the proclamation as a long-demanded conservative victory, “but words without action are meaningless.”
    • Warns that enforcement is key, or it’s just “empty rhetoric.”
    • "This is a victory that people have been calling for...But words without action are meaningless.” (B, 09:24)

3. Debate: Islamic "Takeover" Narrative in Texas

(11:31–14:44)

• Bannon’s Claim:

  • Portrays demographic and infrastructural changes (e.g., new mosques in Dallas) as evidence of an “Islamic invasion.”
    • “There’s been 48 mosques opened in Dallas, in the Dallas area in the last 24 months. Two a month.” (C, 12:46)

• Co-host/Rabbi Wolicki:

  • Argues that global Islam is ascendant, likens developments in Texas to Europe, and links certain Muslim politicians to religious-political extremism.
    • “Islam is ascendant. And there's no game plan to push back on it. And it's a real problem. I mean, this is…I'm worried for America.” (D, 12:58)

• New York City Politics:

  • Panelists discuss Ugandan-born New York City politician Zohran Mamdani, characterizing him as linked to “Twelver Shiite” Islam and hostile to Trump.
    • “He's the most dangerous politician in this country, full stop. There's no second." (C, 14:01)

4. Israel, the 20-Point Plan, and U.S. Leverage

(14:44–27:24)

• Israel/Palestine Deal:

  • Debates details of the latest UN Security Council resolution, which allegedly adopts but alters Trump’s 20-point plan.
  • Main critique: the International Stabilization Force (ISF) is now responsible for “disarming Hamas,” a scenario the panel claims is unworkable.
    • “Suddenly in this UN Security Council resolution, it's the job of the International Stabilization Force to disarm Hamas...the chances…are zero.” (D, 23:31)

• Critique of Netanyahu's Government:

  • Argues Israeli sovereignty is undermined by dependence on US security guarantees and political pressure, asserting Israel must take decisions independently even if it means losing US support.
    • “Israel needs to be sovereign and needs to be independent and needs to be able to actually do what we need to do.” (D, 27:08)

5. AI Regulation and State Rights

(29:06–44:57; Joe Allen segment)

• Google’s Gemini 3 Release:

  • Brief news of Google’s AI “Gemini 3” surpassing competitors in key benchmarks.
    • “The technology is without a doubt advancing at a rapid clip, and number two, it is not going away.” (F, 31:12)

• Congressional Fight over AI Moratorium:

  • Reports that a 10-year preemption on state AI laws may be snuck into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
  • Key figures (Ted Cruz, Steve Scalise) pushing for preemption: would prevent states from enacting online child safety, age verification, and social media restrictions.

• Expert Guest: Tim Estes

  • Warns that the special interest “super PACs” (David Sacks, Mark Andreessen, Peter Thiel) are pushing for federal dominance to bypass state protections, harming children and creators in favor of Big Tech profits.

    • “Republicans are supposed to be against child sacrifice. And whenever you want to find evil in this world, look where they're sacrificing the children.” (E, 36:03)

  • Calls War Room audience to action:

    • Contact House/Senate Armed Services Committee Republicans; block any stealth AI moratorium bill.

• Action Steps & Key Targets (40:06):

  • Mike Rogers (AL), Rob Whitman (VA), Scott DesJarlais (TN), Trent Kelly (MS), Don Bacon (NE), Jack Bergman (MI).
    • “We put the moratorium in the ground before we can definitely do it again.” (F, 40:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Texas Redistricting

• "This is not just a Texas story. This...will impact the entire United States of America and potentially be the...deciding factor as to whether President Trump gets four full years...or is stymied with impeachment and non-stop oversight..."
  — Brian Harrison (B, 07:17)

• "If we're not allowed to go on the current maps...don't just add five seats, let’s add six...eight seats."
  — Brian Harrison (B, 05:58)

Islamic Influence/Policy

• "Islam is ascendant. And there’s no game plan to push back on it...I'm worried for America. You see what’s happening in Europe, it's coming here."
  — Rabbi Pesach Wolicki (D, 12:58)

• "Governor Abbott really did do this, and the words are right. But words without action are meaningless.”
  — Brian Harrison (B, 09:24)

Israel & US Leverage

• "The chances that Jordanian, Egyptian or some other Arab country...going in and taking weapons away from Hamas are zero...now Israel's in a worse position..."
  — Rabbi Pesach Wolicki (D, 23:31)

• "Israel needs to be sovereign and needs to be independent and needs to be able to actually do what we need to do."
  — Rabbi Pesach Wolicki (D, 27:08)

AI Regulation

• "This is about, are you pro-human or pro-company? ...Republicans are supposed to be against child sacrifice. And whenever you want to find evil in this world, look where they're sacrificing the children."
  — Tim Estes (E, 36:03)

• "They will switch sides to what side serves them...There's no guarantee they're going to be loyal to any agenda."
  — Tim Estes (E, 38:45)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Event | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Texas court's redistricting decision | | 04:16 | Brian Harrison: Legal and political implications | | 09:24 | Abbott's proclamation on CAIR/Muslim Brotherhood | | 12:46 | Mosques in Dallas, “Islamic invasion” claim | | 14:44 | Debate on US-Israel policy, "sovereignty" | | 29:06 | AI news: Google’s Gemini 3 and NDAA moratorium | | 32:10 | Guest: Tim Estes on tech regulation/lobbying | | 40:06 | House Armed Services Committee action call |

Further Resources

• Brian Harrison Twitter: @BrianEHarrison
• Rabbi Pesach Wolicki: Israel 365 YouTube Channel; X/Twitter @RabbiPW
• Tim Estes Twitter: @Westes; LinkedIn EstesAI

Summary

This episode emphasizes the high political stakes of the Texas redistricting battle, viewing it as a proxy for national power struggles and the fate of Trump's legislative agenda. It blends concerns over alleged Islamic expansion in Texas with debate on U.S.-Israel relations and sovereignty, then pivots to urgent warnings about AI regulation—portraying Big Tech as an existential threat and rallying listeners to pressure lawmakers against ceding state control. Notable are the episode's apocalyptic, combative tone and its frequent direct calls to political action.