Podcast Summary: Bannon’s War Room, Episode 5027
“WarRoom Saturday Special: The Patriot's History Of America cont.”
Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Guest: Larry Schweikart (historian, author of “A Patriot’s History of the United States”)
Overview:
This episode of War Room centers on the ongoing evolution and interpretation of American history, particularly as presented by Larry Schweikart in his landmark work, A Patriot's History of the United States, and his forthcoming updates. The conversation explores challenges in teaching and writing contemporary history, foundational principles of American society, historical ironies of the 21st century, the enduring impact of civic and Christian traditions, concerns over rapid technological change, and the rise of homeschooling as a vital educational movement.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Making and Updating of Patriot’s History
0:52, 01:39
- Schweikart discusses the genesis and ongoing updates to A Patriot’s History of the United States, noting a commitment to keep the work current, especially as major publishers lost interest in new editions.
- He has written two new chapters (23 and 24) covering 2018–2025 and makes them available for free to interested readers.
“I decided, well, I'm going to write two more chapters that will bring everything up to 2025 and make them free available to anyone who emails me.” (01:39)
Historical Irony in the 21st Century
- The century is described as rich in irony: beginning with the “Y2K bug” and closing its first quarter with “the China virus.”
- Schweikart argues that while Obama was supposed to be the transformative president, it’s Trump who fundamentally altered the era.
“Obama was supposed to be the transformative figure... Trump is the one that has transformed the first quarter of the 21st century.” (03:20)
2. The Challenge of Writing Modern History
04:05, 04:49
- Bannon notes the difficulties inherent in chronicling contemporary history versus events already granted historical perspective.
- Schweikart explains the paradox: centuries past lack sources, but the modern era is overwhelmed with information, demanding historians apply the “law of significance” to discern what truly matters.
“The challenge for writing history in the last 10 years is you're deluged with sources. You just have so many... So you have to apply the law of significance.” (05:56)
3. Bias and Ideology in American History Education
04:49, 09:11
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Schweikart critiques the leftward skew of mainstream textbooks, citing persistent myths (e.g., railroads and government aid) and the minimization of America’s strengths.
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The book’s aim: offer an “unbiased” narrative and introduce the “four pillars” of American exceptionalism (Christian tradition, English common law, free-market capitalism, and belief in private property).
Memorable quote:
“We don't believe in my country right or wrong, but we do believe that my country is not always wrong, as almost all these other textbooks did. They dwelled on America's faults and minimized all of America's successes.” (10:15)
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Unique aspects of their approach include:
- Balanced perspective on America’s faults and achievements
- Economic history (Schweikart’s specialty)
- Emphasis on religious and political traditions shaping uniquely American institutions
4. The Foundational “Covenant” of American Identity
23:26, 25:11, 30:35
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A philosophical discussion on whether America is governed by a grand theory of history or by unique historical circumstances.
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Schweikart asserts U.S. exceptionalism, rooted not in cycles of empire but in a divine “covenant with God,” as symbolized in the Mayflower Compact.
“I believe America has a special type of dispensation... American history is not typical of that of many other empires or nations.” (23:26)
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Bannon pushes further, having Schweikart restate:
“You believe that the United States was founded in a compact between its beginning citizens and God. That was actually a covenant.” (24:56)
Schweikart: “Yes, yes. The Mayflower Compact was not just a covenant with each other, but a covenant with God...” (25:11) -
The Compact’s three tenets: loyalty to the king, equality of all (including non-Puritans), and election of leaders—establishing foundational American values.
5. Immigration, National Identity, and Social Change
32:15, 33:28
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Bannon and Schweikart examine how mass immigration, especially from non-Christian backgrounds, along with advances in communication (post-iPhone), has changed the nation’s spiritual and cultural fabric.
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Schweikart notes both the erosion and resilience of the Judeo-Christian underpinning—citing possibilities of revival but recognizing dramatic generational and cultural shifts, especially since 2000:
“Gene Twenge... finds a massive generational gap right after the introduction of the iPhone, and just stratospheric increases in loneliness...” (34:07)
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Schweikart credits Trump as the only major political figure adept at navigating the contemporary communications and cultural landscape.
6. Technology, the Singularity, and Institutional Crisis
35:15, 36:09, 39:25
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Bannon raises profound concerns about accelerating technological change—the “Singularity”—and its impact on human history.
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Schweikart speculates on AI futures (Skynet, Matrix, or enlightened self-limitation) and recognizes the structural inadequacy of current political institutions to keep pace.
“Congress is on the verge of being structurally irrelevant. They're getting to the point where they cannot remotely move fast enough to deal with today's problems. And that's why Trump has issued so many executive orders.” (39:25)
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Further, he notes unresolved questions of resource needs (energy, water) that AI and technology will create—problems the current political class is unprepared to meet.
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Schweikart suggests the Democratic Party as currently structured may be “going extinct” given its failures to adapt.
7. Homeschooling and Renewed Approaches to Education
44:42, 45:13
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Bannon highlights the homeschooling boom as traditional education faces crisis.
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Schweikart attributes his book’s popularity among homeschoolers to its patriotic and Christian-friendly perspective, lack of anti-American bias, and rich materials. He notes COVID lockdowns accelerated the trend.
“I think we're the number one homeschool curriculum in history out there. I could be wrong, but I think we are. So it's become a giant market. It's almost quadrupled in the last three or four years.” (45:13)
Notable Quotes & Moments
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On Historical Irony:
“For example, we start off with a virus, the Y2K bug, that turned out not to be anything because the business people took it seriously. And we pretty much end the first quarter century…with another bug, the China virus." (03:15 - Larry Schweikart)
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On American Exceptionalism:
“This nation was built on a Christian, mostly Protestant religious tradition... So we had a great deal of, of practice in resisting government.” (10:55 - Larry Schweikart)
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On Technology’s Disruption:
“Gene Twenge...finds a massive generational gap starting Right after the introduction of the iPhone, and just stratospheric increases in loneliness, in ideation of self-harm, in suicide, all that kind of stuff. So we have seen a shocking shift in the communication structure and the entire culture of communications since really the year 2000.” (34:07 - Larry Schweikart)
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On Institutional Obsolescence:
“Congress is on the verge of being structurally irrelevant. They're getting to the point where they cannot remotely move fast enough to deal with today's problems.” (39:25 - Larry Schweikart)
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On Homeschooling’s Ascendance:
“I think we're the number one homeschool curriculum in history out there... It's almost quadrupled in the last three or four years. Some estimates say there's 20 million homeschoolers out there right now.” (45:13 - Larry Schweikart)
Timestamps for Segments
- Opening Theme & Introduction........................................[00:02–00:44]
- Discussion: New Chapters for Patriot’s History......................[00:52–04:05]
- Challenges of Writing Modern History & Textbook Bias...............[04:05–06:39]
- Impact and Reception of Patriot’s History..........................[06:39–09:11]
- Explaining the Book’s Unique Approach (4 Pillars, Economics)........[09:11–12:11]
- The 21st Century, Trump, and Historical Irony.....................[13:10–14:19]
- Grand Theory of History & The American “Covenant”..................[23:26–30:35]
- Mayflower Compact and Founding Principles..........................[25:11–28:03]
- Immigration, National Identity, Generational Shifts................[32:15–35:15]
- The Singularity, Technology, Institutional Breakdown...............[35:15–41:34]
- Homeschooling Boom & Curriculum....................................[44:42–46:44]
- Final Plugs, Closing Music.........................................[46:47–end]
Resources & Further Information
- Larry Schweikart’s Website (Books, Curriculum, Videos):
- Preorder Schweikart’s Next Book:
- America in the 21st Century (releasing February 2026)
- American Biography (June 2026)
Tone and Style
The conversation is candid, combative at times, and rooted in a blend of populist patriotism, deep historical reflection, and unease about the pace of social and technological change. Bannon drives the interview with urgency and skepticism of mainstream narratives. Schweikart offers both scholarly and personal insights, maintaining accessible language and empathy, especially toward those feeling left behind by cultural shifts.
Conclusion
This episode offers a sweeping look at the American past and present through the prism of patriotic history, highlighting how foundational beliefs, the rise of Trump-era populism, technological upheaval, and educational reform are shaping (and reshaping) national identity. Schweikart’s approach resonates especially with those seeking a clear-eyed, tradition-affirming account of the nation—one that addresses both achievements and failings but seeks above all to ground them in a deeper spiritual and philosophical covenant.