Podcast Summary

Podcast: Bannon’s War Room
Episode: 5032: China Conducts Naval Practices Against Taiwan; Wakeup Call For America
Date: December 30, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon

Episode Overview

This episode centers on escalating global threats, focusing on China’s aggressive naval exercises near Taiwan as a sober warning to America, the implications for U.S. national security, border and immigration policy under the Trump administration, election integrity controversies in Georgia, and concerns about Islamist influence in Texas and other states. The host, Steve Bannon, features expert guests including Captain James Fannell (US Navy, Ret.), Rosemary Jenks (IAP Action), Garland Favorito, Glenn Story, and Todd Wood, who offer insights on these critical issues. The tone is urgent, combative, and focused on mobilizing the MAGA base to action.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. China’s Naval Exercises—A Wakeup Call

Main Segment: [11:57]–[25:04]
Guest: Captain James Fannell (US Navy, Ret.)

• Nature and Scale of Exercises:
  • China conducted a significant and unprecedented military exercise around Taiwan, involving over 130 aircraft and dozens of ships, with a notable number crossing the median line into Taiwanese airspace—a move regarded as escalatory.
  • Captain Fannell describes these actions as not mere exercises but “rehearsals” for a potential blockade or assault on Taiwan.
  • New amphibious landing capacities position Chinese forces closer than ever before—within 12 nautical miles of Taiwan’s coast.
• Targeting the U.S. and Allies:
  • The drills explicitly simulate attacks not only on Taiwan but also potential strikes on U.S. and Japanese military assets in the region.
  • Chinese state media is clear: these naval maneuvers serve as a direct warning to “external actors” (i.e., America and Japan).
• Strategic Implications:
  • Bannon emphasizes the difference between the Taiwan situation and conflicts in Ukraine or the Middle East, calling the defense of Taiwan vital to U.S. economic and strategic interests (e.g., semiconductor production).
  • Fannell cautions that losing Taiwan would allow China to project power deep into the Pacific, undermining the global position of the U.S. Navy and threatening the free world.
• US Response – The Golden Fleet:
  • President Trump’s announcement of the “Trump class battleship” and the new “Golden Fleet” reflects an understanding that rebuilding naval capacity is key to countering China.
  • “President Trump…unveiling of the Trump class battleship and… the Golden Fleet. He clearly understands there’s an issue here, and …the US Department of War needs to be recalibrated to focus on what’s most important—which is the People’s Republic of China.” — Captain Fannell, [20:17]
• Notable Quote:
  • “They are not just focused on attacking Taiwan or blockading Taiwan. They’re focused on attacking the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, and our counterparts from Japan… This is a very serious statement.” — Captain Fannell, [13:27]

2. U.S. Immigration and Border Policy

Main Segment: [02:57]–[09:27]
Guest: Rosemary Jenks (IAP Action)

• Safe Third Country Agreements:
  Jenks details the Trump administration’s renewed efforts to cement international agreements with “safe third countries” (countries to which asylum seekers can be returned without fear of persecution), citing their effectiveness in deterring unlawful border entries.
  • “A lot of people think the idea of safe third countries is actually part of international law. It is not.” — Rosemary Jenks, [02:57]
  • New deals are being negotiated with countries “further away” like Eswatini, Palau, Uganda, as activist judges in the U.S. block more direct action.
• Congressional Accountability:
  • Bannon laments that most Republicans campaign on border security but act in the interests of donors who profit from cheap labor.
  • Jenks encourages listeners to consult IAPAction’s congressional scoring system to hold politicians accountable based on actual votes and legislative action, “not just what they say.”
• Call to Action:
  • “It's time to set them aside and for Congress to actually look at what is in America's interest.”— Rosemary Jenks, [06:24]
• Resource:
  • iapaction.com for congressional immigration accountability

3. Issues of Islamization and Security within the U.S.

Main Segment: [29:36]–[35:12]
Guest: Glenn Story

• Recent Terror Arrest in Texas:
  • The FBI arrested John Michael Garza Jr., a 21-year-old Texas resident, for attempting to support ISIS with bomb materials and funding ([28:29]).
  • Glenn Story warns the threat of Islamic extremism is growing in Texas, paralleling developments in places like Minnesota and Europe.
• Religious Freedom vs. Sharia Supremacy:
  • Story clarifies support for religious freedom, but warns of groups he labels “Sharia supremacists” attempting to implement unconstitutional laws.
  • “When you start encroaching on the Constitution… that's where we have a problem with it.” — Glenn Story, [30:46]
• Upcoming Activist Event:
  • Patriot Mobile hosts an event on January 9 in Grapevine, TX, aiming to educate Texans on the “Islamization” issue.
  • Info: patriotmobile.com/savetexas

4. Election Integrity and Georgia Controversy

Main Segment: [26:14]–[38:52]
Guests: Garland Favorito, Todd Wood

• Wall Street Journal Editorial:
  • Bannon and guests respond to a WSJ editorial criticizing claims of widespread 2020 election fraud in Georgia, accusing the Journal of repeating “lies” about “clerical errors” in ballot reporting.
  • Favorito insists missing tabulator tapes for 315,000 ballots in Fulton County is “not a clerical error”—it’s decisive evidence of irregularities.
  • “315,000 ballots—no signed tapes…is not a clerical error.” — Garland Favorito, [35:49]
• Allegations of “Smurfing” in Campaign Finance:
  • Todd Wood discusses FEC complaints regarding suspicious campaign donations to Raphael Warnock, claiming money laundering through small-dollar donations.
• Demands for Action:
  • Bannon and guests express frustration with legal processes, call for U.S. Marshals to secure ballots, and urge the conservative base to keep fighting.
  • “I am tired of playing by the rules. It's been five years. I think we need action in Georgia.” — Garland Favorito, [38:18]

5. Ukraine, NATO, and U.S. Military Engagement Abroad

Main Segment: [40:28]–[45:27]
Guest: Todd Wood

• U.S. Troops on the Russia-Ukraine Contact Line?:
  • Reports suggest the new Polish government (Donald Tusk) is advocating for U.S. boots on the ground in Ukraine as part of security guarantees—a move Bannon and Wood see as deeply provocative and dangerous.
  • “European allies want American troops on the line, a forward line of troops in Ukraine. That is unacceptable to the MAGA base.” — Todd Wood, [44:13]
  • Warns risk of “false flag” events could drag the U.S. into major conflict.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bannon, Opening Riff:
  "This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies because we're going medieval on these people." [00:02]
• Captain Fannell, on China’s Intent:
  “This is a rehearsal… The Chinese Communist Party is unleashing the People’s Liberation Army … focused on attacking the United States Navy, the United States Air Force and our counterparts from Japan…” [13:27]
• Bannon, on Republican “Cheap Labor” Motives:
  "Every Republican in a primary…runs as hardcore… seal the border… but they don’t act like that… they act like they're an adjunct of the Chamber of Commerce." [05:42]
• Glenn Story, on Religious Freedom:
  “I believe in the freedom of religion … But I will say this. When you start encroaching on the Constitution in trying to implement a law that's unconstitutional, that's where we have a problem with it.” [30:46]
• Garland Favorito, on Georgia Ballots:
  “315,000 ballots, no signed tapes…is not a clerical error…” [35:49]
• Todd Wood, warning on Ukraine:
  “They want our forces on the ground over there so they can get us involved in some kind of incident…all of a sudden you’ve got a massive war with Russia.” [44:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:57] – Rosemary Jenks explains safe third country asylum policies
• [06:24] – Cheap labor lobby influences GOP border policy
• [11:57] – Captain Fannell dissects PLA naval maneuvers around Taiwan
• [13:27] – Fannell: PLA exercise aimed at U.S. and Japan
• [20:17] – Analysis of strategic necessity for a powerful US Navy and “Golden Fleet”
• [35:49] – Garland Favorito rebuts Wall Street Journal on Georgia election issues
• [44:13] – Todd Wood on the dangers of U.S. troops stationed in Ukraine

Resources & Links Shared

• Congressional Immigration Scorecard: iapaction.com
• Patriot Mobile Event (TX): patriotmobile.com/savetexas
• Todd Wood’s outlets: CDM Press & georgiarecord.com
• Captain Fannell’s Article: "Damn the Deep State’s Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead for America’s Golden Fleet" at American Greatness

Conclusion

This episode delivers a sweeping, alarmed view of threats facing the U.S. at home and abroad—urging conservatives to confront Chinese aggression, demand real immigration reform, resist perceived Islamization, and challenge the electoral “status quo.” The host and guests stoke a sense of urgency and action, encouraging the MAGA base to stay vigilant and mobilized in 2025.