Podcast Summary
Podcast: Bannon’s War Room
Episode: 5004 - Building American Independence Through Tariffs; Populism Fights Back In Germany
Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Guests: Steve Stern, Julie Kelly, Jake Seawolf, Luke Niferatos, Dr. Peter Navarro, Marcus Frohnmeier (AfD), Mike Lindell
Overview
This episode delves into the twin themes of American economic sovereignty, with a focus on the use of tariffs and industrial policy, and the rising tide of populist politics in Germany as embodied by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). The episode also offers reaction and activism around alleged political persecution in Colorado, ongoing debates around election integrity, and the anticipated address from former President Trump.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Colorado Political Controversy and Grassroots Action
[00:52–05:40]
- Stephen K. Bannon and Steve Stern discuss perceived federal targeting of Colorado as retaliation for the imprisonment of Tina Peters, a “gold star mother”. Bannon frames federal relocations (e.g., atmospheric science research, Space Force assets) as punitive and urges grassroots pressure on Colorado’s governor and secretary of state.
- Steve Stern lays out a coordinated campaign:
- Major phone banking effort directed at Governor Polis
- Election integrity call with notable participants (Cleta Mitchell, Steve Gruber, Joe Hoft)
- Plans to amplify the campaign internationally, suggesting broad populist resistance
Notable quote:
“Every federal dollar spent in Colorado ought to be removed until Tina Peters ... is brought out of that prison.” – Stephen K. Bannon [03:00]
2. Preparedness as a Populist Virtue
[06:12–09:32]
- Jake Seawolf (My Patriot Supply) connects self-reliance and traditional familial roles with prepping, emphasizing being willing to “live for your children” by ensuring security in uncertain times.
Notable quote:
“You would die for your country ... What about giving to us so your kids can live?” – Bannon [09:34]
3. Jack Smith’s Testimony; DOJ Actions and Impeachment Frustration
[09:34–14:31]
- Julie Kelly reports on former special counsel Jack Smith’s closed-door testimony:
- Kelly criticizes the lack of public hearings; frames Smith and his team as political operatives
- She unpacks new details on FBI internal disputes over the Mar-a-Lago raid, arguing there was no real probable cause from FBI’s own field office
- Frustration voiced about the lack of progress on impeaching Judge Boasberg regarding the legal pursuits against Trump and allies.
Notable quote:
“The American people, after being forced to spend at least $50 million on that criminal pursuit ... are entitled to see this scumbag front and center.” – Julie Kelly [09:59]
4. Marijuana Executive Order: Populist Pushback
[16:35–19:37]
- Luke Niferatos (Parent Activist): Reports rumors about insiders (including Bobby Kennedy) influencing Trump’s possible executive order to normalize marijuana, framing the move as being pushed by industry CEOs against the advice of the administration.
- Calls for listeners to voice opposition and stresses belief that legal marijuana will not resolve societal issues and is a political ploy rather than policy.
Notable quote:
“Marijuana is no treatment for Trump Derangement Syndrome at the midterms. Let’s deliver for the American people with the economy, with the things that matter.” – Luke Niferatos [19:11]
5. Tariffs and Economic Sovereignty: ‘The Trump Trade Template’
[19:46–27:48]
- Peter Navarro discusses Mexico joining the US in imposing tariffs on China, echoing Trump’s “global tariff wall” to defend against mercantilist trade practices:
- Navarro frames this as the success of a coordinated global populist movement
- Calls out China’s lack of a social safety net as a problem fueling trade imbalances
- Draws historic parallels and highlights Financial Times coverage as validation
Notable quotes:
“President Trump, we’re not doing this alone. This is a global push.” – Peter Navarro [21:02]
“It’s extraordinary ... a communist country ... has virtually no pension or healthcare benefits for their people. It’s absurd.” – Navarro [21:25]
“People got to be patient with the Trump agenda. It’s a Main Street agenda.” – Navarro [22:40]
6. The German Populist Surge: AfD’s Marcus Frohnmeier
[30:00–43:44]
- Marcus Frohnmeier (AfD Vice Chairman, Bundestag) gives a firsthand account of the populist surge in Germany:
- AfD’s rapid growth, now polling strongest in Germany; party founded in 2013
- Details establishment backlash: surveillance, ballot exclusion, and attempts to delegitimize AfD as “anti-democratic”
- Points to mass migration (post-2015) and elite policies eroding German culture and economic strength as primary drivers
- Frohnmeier draws a direct line between AfD and US MAGA populism, calls for transatlantic cooperation
Notable quotes:
“They really try to forbid and bend [ban] AfD just because we are quite successful. … What we face in Germany at the moment is really something I would not any longer describe as a democracy.” – Marcus Frohnmeier [36:25]
“For them, we’re a competitor and they try to fight with whatever they can. … Even using a domestic intelligence service against the AfD.” – Marcus Frohnmeier [35:17]
7. Economic Impact & Elites vs. Populism
[37:33–41:00]
- Discussion on why the German elite embrace globalist policies and mass migration against the wishes of working- and middle-class Germans.
- Bannon asserts that demographic and political momentum will eventually force the establishment to confront AfD electoral success, questioning whether the “deep state elite” would accept an AfD victory.
Notable quote:
“They steal the voice of millions of people in Germany because they cannot be part of a democratic process.” – Marcus Frohnmeier [41:15]
8. Looking Ahead: Trump’s Anticipated Address and Election Integrity
[47:40–50:10]
- Mike Lindell shares hope for Trump’s national address to focus on hope, security, combating fraud, and lowering costs.
- Emphasizes election integrity as the foremost issue for all Americans, regardless of party.
Notable quote:
“I think you’re gonna find out everyone in this country, I don’t care if you’re Democrat or Republican, you want secure elections.” – Mike Lindell [49:20]
Memorable Quotes
- “Every federal dollar spent in Colorado ought to be removed until Tina Peters... is brought out of that prison.” – Stephen K. Bannon [03:00]
- “You would die for your country ... What about giving to us so your kids can live?” – Bannon [09:34]
- “The American people ... are entitled to see this scumbag front and center.” – Julie Kelly on Jack Smith [09:59]
- “President Trump, we’re not doing this alone. This is a global push.” – Peter Navarro [21:02]
- “For them, we’re a competitor... Even using a domestic intelligence service against the AfD.” – Marcus Frohnmeier [35:17]
- “It’s a Main Street agenda. Main Street’s going to hear from the boss tonight.” – Peter Navarro [22:43]
- “They steal the voice of millions ... because they cannot be part of a democratic process.” – Marcus Frohnmeier [41:15]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [00:52–05:40] – Colorado “retaliation”, Tina Peters activism
- [06:12–09:32] – Preparedness and family security (Jake Seawolf)
- [09:34–14:31] – Jack Smith’s testimony and DOJ/FBI controversy (Julie Kelly)
- [16:35–19:37] – Marijuana executive order & activism (Luke Niferatos)
- [19:46–27:48] – Tariff policy and global anti-China coordination (Peter Navarro)
- [30:00–43:44] – German populism, AfD, and democratic crisis (Marcus Frohnmeier)
- [47:40–50:10] – Trump speech preview & election integrity (Mike Lindell)
Tone & Style
- Aggressively populist, consistently framing discussion as a contest between “the people” and elites
- Frequent use of emotionally charged language ("scumbag," "poison dwarf," etc.)
- Calls to action (phone campaigns, website visits, etc.)
- Emphasis on alternative media and international solidarity among populist movements
Conclusion
This episode offers a look at a globalized vision of populism, connecting American issues (tariffs, election integrity, grassroots activism) with parallel movements in Europe, particularly Germany's AfD. The discussion is anchored in a rhetoric of elite betrayal and grassroots resurgence, tying together fears about migration, sovereignty, and political persecution. The coming Trump speech is positioned as a pivotal moment for the movement.