Bannon's War Room – Episode 5235: Grassroots Fight Back Against RINO Candidates

Date: March 21, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode focuses on growing grassroots resistance within the Republican Party against so-called “RINO” (Republican In Name Only) candidates, exploring current primary battles, the influence of MAGA-aligned voters, debates over policy direction, and the intersection of domestic and international issues facing the conservative movement.

Overview

Stephen K. Bannon leads a fast-paced, issue-packed Saturday episode, highlighting political insurgencies in Republican primaries, the push for election integrity, the confrontation between grassroots activists and establishment GOP leaders, and urgent debates over technology, war, healthcare, and US national security. Featured guests include campaign advisors, Senate Republicans, tech policy experts, and authors spotlighting U.S.-China tensions and the moral stakes of current politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Grassroots vs. GOP Establishment: Texas & South Carolina (00:53–09:06)

Texas – Paxton vs. Cornyn

• Polling Momentum: Steve Bannon highlights new polling showing Attorney General Ken Paxton with a strong lead over Senator John Cornyn, attributed to negative ads backfiring and increasing MAGA base loyalty.
• Quote: “The more Cornyn puts out this money for these negative ads, really trying to destroy Ken Paxton, the more the grassroots base and the MAGA base turns against him.” – Steve Bannon (02:26)

South Carolina – Graham’s Vulnerability

• Lindsey Graham Under Pressure: Recent polls reveal Graham is below 50%, risking a June 9 runoff.
• Guest Insight: Paul Dans (campaign advisor) asserts that local dissatisfaction is peaking:
  • “The number one thing that people will say about Lindsay is bless his heart, but it’s time for him to go... this primary runoff... is inevitable.” (06:36)
• Problem for Incumbents: Voters attach Senate inaction and lack of “America First” priorities to long-serving incumbents like Graham and Cornyn.

Primary System Dynamics

• Runoff Mechanics: South Carolina’s rules mean candidates under 50% face a runoff, giving grassroots challengers an opening as MAGA coalesces.
• Prediction: “In a runoff, the grassroots, the separation becomes real. The grassroots has one person to focus on...” (07:30)

2. Senate Debates: Election Integrity, Border Security & Save America Act (09:34–25:33)

John Thune & Senate Republicans (09:34–13:25)

• Election Security: Thune decries Democratic opposition to photo ID voter requirements and stricter citizenship verification.
  • “Only citizens ought to vote in American elections... it’s overwhelmingly popular with the American people.” – John Thune (09:37)
• Border Security: References to “10 million illegal immigrants” and Democrats accused of prioritizing open borders.

Real-Time Legislative Battles

• Weekend Showdown: Tuberville pushing amendments on sports and transgender issues; Republicans preparing for protracted debates and filibusters.
• Behind the Scenes: GOP Senators (Mike Lee, et al.) pushing for rare “standing filibuster” and substantial legislative test—first attempt in decades.

Emphasis on Voter ID & Election Law

• Bannon’s Framing: “President Trump... keeps hammering: voter ID and no mail-in ballots.” (25:05)

3. China, Technology Threats, Espionage, & AI Policy (26:02–46:40)

China’s Strategic Aggression

• Espionage Highlight: Jan Jekielek details Chinese Communist Party (CCP) acquiring advanced Nvidia chips via U.S. front company, warning of national security implications.
• Quote: “The CCP is the mack daddy of bad guys.” – Steve Bannon (26:44)
• AI as a Threat Vector: Jan argues U.S. is giving away its AI advantage too easily, risking CCP dominance—“If China under the Communist Party runs AI... we’re going to have the worst kind of mindset.” (28:11)

Tech Oligarchs and U.S. Policy

• “Suicide Mission?” Bannon questions the collusion between U.S. tech titans and Chinese interests, calling it “a suicide mission.” (27:54)

“Kill to Order” – Book Release

• Jan Jekielek’s Book: Exposes CCP’s depravity—forced organ harvesting, tech ambitions, global impact.
• Push for Awareness: “We have to understand who we’re really dealing with. And this is what this book explains.” – Jan Jekielek (29:08)

4. AI Governance Showdown: White House vs. GOP (34:38–46:40)

National Policy Framework (“Tech Amnesty”)

• Joe Allen's Breakdown: The Biden administration’s newly released framework is described as a handout to Big Tech, offering immunity over liability, copyright, and free speech for AI systems rather than humans.
• Key Critique: “It is a transhuman future... they want to build machines that replace your work.” – Joe Allen (49:22)

Preemption and State Rights

• States explicitly cut out, with federal preemption recommended—a reversal of the “federalism” conservatives often seek.

Republican Counterpoints

• Mark Beale on Contrasting Proposals: GOP Senator Marsha Blackburn offers a detailed 291-page children’s protection/AI bill, while the White House proposal is “a head-scratcher.”
• Duty of Care: “We cannot become China to beat China. That's unacceptable. We have to figure out the American way.” – Mark Beale (45:39)

Broader Theme

• Central Battle: Technology governance, AI personhood, and American identity. Bannon: “The real fight for control of this country... is right here.” (46:17)

5. Medicare & Healthcare Advocacy (13:25–21:01)

Chapters (Medicare Advisors)

• Kobe Bloomfield Gans explains misaligned Medicare incentives and pitches his company’s “honest broker” approach to saving Americans money.
• Testimonial Highlight: “Gloria from Florida saved $2,100 just on her prescriptions.” (16:02)
• Motivation: “It’s not actually illegal to do what's right for the consumer. You just don’t do that.” – Kobe Bloomfield Gans (17:47)

6. U.S. Military—Middle East Tensions & Grassroots Patriotism (51:47–54:49)

Immediate Tensions

• Special Operations on Standby: Marine and Naval task forces moving toward Iran's Carg Island, with the potential for direct action against nuclear material.
• Military Voices: Concerns about “another endless war”—most troops not enthusiastic about escalation. “Most of the guys I talk to are not enthusiastic... most guys voted for no more wars.” (53:37)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "This is the primal scream of a dying regime." – Steve Bannon (00:03)
• “The more Cornyn puts out... negative ads... the more the grassroots base... turns against him.” – Steve Bannon (02:26)
• "It's time for [Lindsey Graham] to go." – Paul Dans (06:36)
• "Only citizens... ought to vote in American elections." – John Thune (09:37)
• “It is a transhuman future... they want to build machines that replace your work.” – Joe Allen (49:22)
• “We cannot become China to beat China. That's unacceptable.” – Mark Beale (45:39)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Texas/South Carolina Primaries: 00:53–09:06
• Senate Save America Act & Election Law: 09:34–25:33
• China/AI/Book Discussion: 26:02–34:15
• AI Policy Debate: 34:38–46:40
• Medicare/Healthcare: 13:25–21:01
• U.S. Military/Iran Escalation: 51:47–54:49

Memorable Moments

• Primal Scream Open: Bannon’s opening—“This is the primal scream of a dying regime” (00:03)—sets a defiant tone.
• Insistence on Grassroots Power: “The separation becomes real. The grassroots has one person to focus on.” (07:30)
• Tech Policy Showdown: Joe Allen’s warning about “a profoundly anti-human” policy approach was both dramatic and central to the episode’s message on technology.

Resources & Calls to Action

• Jan Jekielek’s “Kill to Order”: killtoorder.com (Book on CCP crimes and AI)
• Mark Beale: @Arkbeal on X (Twitter) | TheAIPN.org
• Joe Allen: humansfirst.com | jobot.xyz
• Chapters (Medicare): Call 845-WAR-ROOM for advice
• Grassroots Campaigns: Find candidates at pauldans.com

Summary:
This episode vividly captures the ongoing insurgency within the GOP, as grassroots forces challenge entrenched establishment figures, push for “America First” policies, and elevate election integrity, anti-CCP sentiment, and technology governance as front-line issues. With candid, sharp-edged debates and unapologetic rhetoric, Bannon and guests paint a picture of a Republican Party in transformation and a nation at a crossroads on war, technology, and sovereignty.