Bannon’s War Room – Episode 4948

Date: November 24, 2025
Main Themes: Radicalization in Brazil as a warning for the US; debates over US security guarantees for Ukraine; threats to constitutional order and the US military; American political unrest and shifting public opinion on Israel; legislative and geopolitical turmoil.

Episode Overview

This episode of Bannon’s War Room centers on two major topics:

1. The political persecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, which Bannon and guests argue foreshadows similar tactics being used against conservative leaders in the US.
2. The complex US debate over providing security guarantees to Ukraine amid ongoing war, with criticism of both the Biden and Trump administrations regarding US foreign and military commitments.

Additional discussion threads include domestic legal threats to the US military’s constitutional role, warnings about left-wing radicalism, the transformation of US political parties, and changing American public sentiment about Israel following the conflict in Gaza.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US Security Guarantees for Ukraine: Real or Illusion?

Segment: 00:00–01:38

• Guests debate whether any "rock solid" American security guarantee for Ukraine is feasible or credible, citing inconsistencies and shifting policies under both Biden and Trump.
• Quote:

  "There's no such thing as a rock solid American security guarantee. This is an administration that tariffs its friends."
  — Speaker A (00:17)

• Questions about the legal process for such guarantees arise, specifically regarding potential Senate approval and the absence of binding arms supply clauses.

2. Presidential Powers and the Constitution

Segment: 01:38–05:33

• The group reviews scenarios about the US President employing military force domestically (e.g., sending troops into US cities), observing that the Supreme Court would almost certainly block actions against American citizens while supporting foreign interventions.
• Recent changes in military legal oversight (removal of the Judge Advocate General layer) mean commanders lack clear legal guidance, raising alarm about the risk of unlawful orders.
• Quote:

  "You cannot follow illegal orders, or else you will put yourself—this is not optional... You’ve sworn an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, which means our legal system."
  — Speakers B/E (04:50–05:06)

3. The Lawful vs. Unlawful Orders Debate and Partisan Rhetoric

Segment: 05:33–06:35

• The conversation focuses on accusations that Trump supporters encourage commanders to refuse lawful orders, a point the guests vehemently deny, asserting they highlighted only illegal orders.
• The dangers of partisan attacks potentially undermining military morale and legal authority are raised.
• Quote:

  "We wanted to start a conversation... about the dangerous rhetoric this president is using and the threats that he’s made to use our military in an unlawful way."
  — Speaker F (05:45)

4. Ukraine’s Fate and Western Guarantees

Segment: 06:35–08:36

• The show criticizes both the Biden and Trump stances, arguing that even the Biden administration knew Ukraine would have to surrender territory and never truly guaranteed NATO membership.
• Skepticism is expressed regarding the value and enforceability of "tripwire" agreements involving American contractors.
• Quote:

  "Contractors mean American troops. Anyway, we’ll get into all that."
  — Stephen Bannon (08:48)

5. Situation in Brazil: Bolsonaro’s Imprisonment & Parallels to the US

Segment: 10:26–13:41, 16:47–25:55

a. Eduardo Bolsonaro’s Testimony

• Eduardo Bolsonaro (Jair Bolsonaro’s son) details his father’s conviction and sentencing (27 years) based on accusations of plotting a “Disney World coup” while he was actually in Florida, drawing a direct parallel to January 6 in the US.
• He claims Bolsonaro is in de facto house arrest, heavily surveilled, and alleges that Judge Alexandre de Moraes aims to “kill Jair Bolsonaro in jail” through denial of basic protections and rights.
• Quote:

  "They convicted him to 27 years in jail... Alexandre de Moraes wants to kill Jair Bolsonaro in jail. This is his goal."
  — Eduardo Bolsonaro (10:26–13:41)

b. Action and Warnings for MAGA & the US

• Eduardo warns US listeners: political persecution tactics used in Brazil are a “virus” that could spread to the US if the MAGA movement loses. He advises aggressive use of US legal and financial tools (e.g., Magnitsky Act) to sanction Brazilian officials complicit in political repression.
• Quote:

  “It’s the same virus that we have in United States, in Brazil and some other places in the world. The difference is that in Brazil we have less antibodies.”
  — Eduardo Bolsonaro (18:44–22:29)

• He notes that persecution targets not only leaders, but also ordinary supporters, aiming to silence dissent.

c. Bannon’s Framing

• Bannon draws comparisons to Trump’s own legal issues, warning that "the same playbook" is being used by radicalized judiciaries globally to destroy political opponents.
• Quote:

  “This is exactly what’s happened. The same playbook they’re running on Bolsonaro that they sentenced one of the best men and greatest leaders in the world… to 27 years in prison, folks, for being in Orlando, Florida, when you had this civil protest in Brazil about a stolen election.”
  — Stephen Bannon (16:47)

6. Geopolitical Analysis: Latin America, Terrorism, and US Engagement

Segment: 27:50–35:31

• Announces impending designation of the Muslim Brotherhood and elements in Venezuela as terrorist organizations, potentially setting the stage for US covert or direct military action in Latin America.
• Discussion includes how radical “judiciaries” are paired with Marxist politicians to destroy opposition, with parallels drawn between Lula and US leftwing leaders.

7. Debate Over US Military Obedience and Sedition Accusations

Segment: 34:02–34:58

• Deliberates whether recent calls—framed as urging military to resist unlawful orders—amount to sedition, especially with 14,000 Marines near Venezuela.
• Quote:

  “They’re basically messaging the military to disobey orders from President Trump. Now, they sugarcoated it in illegal versus legal orders as if they had any idea what that meant... It’s sedition or close enough that deserves some kind of accountability.”
  — Jim Rickards (34:02)

8. The Future of the Ukraine War: A Stalemate, or Russia’s Victory?

Segment: 35:31–42:45

• Jim Rickards claims "the Russians won the war," criticizing US and Western refusal to acknowledge realities on the ground and predicting any further US involvement will only serve to make it “Trump’s war.”
• Strong recommendation to accept Russian terms or simply pull out, as alternatives are either fruitless or catastrophic.
• Quote:

  “I have news for you. That’s how we’re going to end the war. That’s the only way you’re going to end the war. The Russians won... so why should the Russians concede anything? They shouldn’t.”
  — Jim Rickards (35:31)

• Warning that Trump's legacy could be destroyed, just as Vietnam destroyed LBJ, if he “owns” the conflict through new security guarantees.

9. Shifts in US Politics: GOP Infighting, Legislative Crisis

Segment: 30:05–33:16

• Reports of turmoil and impending retirements in the GOP, attributed to frustration over the Trump-aligned Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership.
• Noted failures in GOP efforts to pursue “permanent” policy change, legislative reform, and redistricting.

10. Dramatic Change in US Public Opinion on Israel and Gaza

Segment: 44:43–51:33

• Pollster Richard Barris presents data showing US sympathy for Israel has collapsed, especially among “America First” voters under 50, with many now viewing Israel's actions in Gaza as “genocide.”
• Barris says these shifts signal the right must adapt to new generational views or risk losing its future.
• Quote:

  "Young America First — and by young, I mean under 50 — if you are under 50 and you identify as America First, you think what’s happening in Gaza right now is a genocide."
  — Richard Barris (45:09)

• Barris forecasts it will be impossible to resurrect prior levels of pro-Israel sentiment among younger generations, arguing that social media has bypassed traditional narrative control.
• Quote:

  “Gaslighting doesn’t work the way it used to work... We want to wash our hands and deal with our own problems.”
  — Richard Barris (49:19, 51:08)

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• “You cannot follow illegal orders, or else you will put yourself—this is not optional... You’ve sworn an oath to protect and defend the Constitution.” (Speaker B/E, 04:50–05:06)
• “Alexandre de Moraes wants to kill Jair Bolsonaro in jail. This is his goal.” (Eduardo Bolsonaro, 13:00)
• “It’s the same virus that we have in United States, in Brazil and some other places in the world. The difference is that in Brazil we have less antibodies.” (Eduardo Bolsonaro, 22:00)
• “The Russians won. So why should the Russians concede anything? They shouldn’t.” (Jim Rickards, 36:10)
• “If Trump doesn’t get out [of Ukraine], he risks turning this into his Vietnam.” (Jim Rickards, 40:36)
• “Young America First [under 50]… think what’s happening in Gaza right now is a genocide.” (Richard Barris, 45:40)
• “Gaslighting doesn’t work the way it used to work.” (Richard Barris, 49:40)
• “We want to wash our hands and deal with our own problems.” (Richard Barris, 51:08)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• 00:00–01:38: Security guarantees for Ukraine and their limits
• 01:38–05:33: Constitutional military issues; military legal advice stripped
• 05:33–06:35: Lawful vs. unlawful military orders; political rhetoric dangers
• 06:35–08:36: Ukraine, NATO debate, and Western "tripwire" guarantees
• 10:26–13:41: Eduardo Bolsonaro details father’s arrest, “Disney World coup,” and risks
• 16:47–25:55: Bannon and Eduardo Bolsonaro on Brazilian repression and its parallels to US politics; sanctions discussion
• 27:50–30:05: Expansion of Marxist-influenced judiciary and risk of similar events in US
• 34:02–34:58: Jim Rickards: “Seditious Six” messaging to military and accountability
• 35:31–42:45: Ukraine war analysis—options, Russian victory, and US political consequences
• 44:43–51:33: Richard Barris on polling—US pro-Israel shift, the Gaza effect, MAGA demographic generational split

Conclusion

This episode paints a dire picture of global and domestic politics, warning listeners that judicial weaponization, electoral manipulation, and radical leftist influence are threatening not only Brazil but could soon imperil American conservatism and constitutional order—unless the MAGA movement and its allies act decisively. Simultaneously, it addresses hard truths about US foreign policy stalemates as well as changing attitudes among the younger right, especially regarding Israel and American military involvement overseas.

For more in-depth segments or to follow Eduardo Bolsonaro’s campaign, listeners are directed to @bolsonarosp on major alt-social platforms.