Podcast Summary: Bannon’s War Room

Episode: WarRoom Battleground EP 759: How The VOA Silenced Alternative Media, CO Legislation Forces Gender Affirmation On Parents
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Produced by: WarRoom.org

Introduction

In Episode 759 of Bannon’s War Room, host Stephen K. Bannon delves into two critical and contentious topics shaping the American socio-political landscape: the silencing of alternative media by the Voice of America (VOA) and the controversial Colorado legislation mandating gender affirmation on parents. The episode features insightful discussions with political commentators Tina Deskovitz and Michael Pack, shedding light on institutional biases and legislative overreach.

Section 1: Silencing Alternative Media – The VOA Controversy

Steve Bannon opens the discussion by criticizing mainstream networks for allegedly deceiving the public, setting the tone for a deep dive into media manipulation. He introduces Michael Pack, a seasoned filmmaker and former senior vice president of television programming at Public Broadcasting, who shares his experiences with the VOA.

Key Points:

• Institutional Bias at VOA: Michael Pack recounts his tenure at Public Broadcasting under President George W. Bush's administration, highlighting the introduction of conservative voices like the Wall Street Journal editorial report and the Tucker Carlson Show. However, these initiatives were short-lived as the established order resisted and eventually ousted key figures, including Pack.

  Michael Pack [10:01]: “They decided not to air it. They felt it was too pro-military. Even though it's really not. It's a very fair look at the battle told from the point of view of the people who fought it.”

• Challenges in Reforming VOA: Pack explains the systemic issues within the administrative state, emphasizing the pervasive bias among the top 2,000 managers at agencies like USAGM (formerly VOA). He argues that the entrenched liberal ideology makes meaningful reform nearly impossible.

  Michael Pack [21:23]: “They hate Donald Trump, hate him. So what can you do with this kind of bias? You can't.”

• Failed Legal Reforms: When attempting to address violations of VOA’s charter, such as airing biased political ads favoring Biden during the 2020 election, Pack faced immense resistance. His efforts to enforce neutrality were thwarted by biased court rulings, underscoring the difficulty in combating institutional bias.

  Michael Pack [19:10]: “What does it tell you? It tells you that not only are these people totally biased, but they cannot be changed. They fight it. They resist it.”

• Need for Reinvention: Pack advocates for a complete overhaul of international broadcasting to align it with current foreign policy goals, suggesting alternative methods to promote American values without relying on the flawed existing structures.

  Michael Pack [25:05]: “We have to reinvent international broadcasting. We can't simply fix these institutions.”

Notable Quote:

Steve Bannon [11:38]: “The Republicans were running this city, right? Bush, they came and said, hey, this done. The established order in the city come and say, hey, PAC is. And look at Michael Pack, he's not some fire-breathing radical.”

Section 2: Colorado Legislation – Parental Rights and Gender Affirmation

Tina Deskovitz, representing Moms for Liberty, brings forth the ongoing battle in Colorado regarding a bill that significantly impacts parental rights in matters of gender affirmation for children. The legislation has ignited fierce debates and widespread opposition from conservative groups.

Key Points:

• Bill Overview: The proposed Colorado bill mandates that custody be awarded to parents who affirm their child's gender identity. It also criminalizes practices like deadnaming and misgendering, categorizing them as civil rights violations.

  Tina Deskovitz [33:19]: “The bill, it does a number of things that are shocking in its original form. They did strip it last night of a section of the bill that actually awarded custody to the parent that affirmed the gender.”

• Public Opposition: The legislative process has seen unprecedented opposition, with hundreds of individuals, including minors, testifying against the bill. Grassroots organizations like Moms for Liberty have mobilized extensively to counteract the bill's passage.

  Tina Deskovitz [34:46]: “She brought her in to speak out against her father who will not affirm her gender identity because she has changed her gender.”

• Impact on Families: The bill is criticized for its potential to divide families, as seen in testimonies where children are compelled to side with one parent over the other based on gender affirmation. This creates an environment of hostility and familial disruption.

  Tina Deskovitz [35:41]: “It makes deadnaming and misgendering categorize it as a civil rights violation. It takes this gender identity craze to a whole new level by bringing in teeth into the bill that will harm families, divide families.”

• Statewide and National Implications: Deskovitz warns that Colorado could set a precedent, leading other states to adopt similar measures. The legislation's sanctuary status also complicates interstate legal proceedings regarding custody.

  Tina Deskovitz [37:17]: “If Colorado can do it, other states can do it. One of the other things this bill does, Steve, is it makes Colorado a sanctuary state.”

Notable Quote:

Steve Bannon [39:03]: “The people on the other side that lost don't take it as a loss. They are dug into this transgender ideology and all the ideology associated with this issue on the other side is... it's a way of being.”

Section 3: International Politics and National Security

Steve Bannon shifts focus to broader international issues, particularly President Trump's aggressive stance against Iran and the implications for global geopolitics.

Key Points:

• Trump’s Iran Policy: Bannon discusses President Trump's decision to eliminate Iranian oil imports completely, aiming to economically strangle Persia (Iran) and trigger significant geopolitical shifts.

  Steve Bannon [02:15]: “President Trump came out and said, hey look, how about this? No oil comes out of Iran. None, zero. Not a barrel, not one barrel.”

• National Security Council Changes: The administration's reorganization of the National Security Council reflects a more hawkish approach, with new staffing focused on countering Persian influence and oil supply disruptions.

• Judicial Challenges: Bannon highlights the ongoing legal battles against President Trump, including a 36-page opinion by a Texas federal judge attempting to permanently ban actions under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This legal maneuver is seen as part of a broader attempt to undermine Trump's policies.

  Steve Bannon [04:28]: “It's a federal judge. We're in this judicial, you know, insurrection or coup d'etat and we're going to get on with it.”

• Supreme Court Involvement: Anticipating a showdown at the Supreme Court level, Bannon predicts a protracted legal battle extending into June, marking a significant anniversary of Trump's rise to prominence.

  Steve Bannon [06:10]: “We're in for a fight now. People just got to hunker down. This is why you're the tip of the spear.”

Notable Quote:

Steve Bannon [26:07]: “All 10 million have to go. They have to go. You can see right now how hard they're going to fight. They're doing this as a delaying tactic.”

Conclusion

Episode 759 of Bannon’s War Room provides a compelling examination of media bias within the Voice of America and the legislative assault on parental rights in Colorado concerning gender affirmation. Through spirited discussions and firsthand accounts, the podcast underscores the challenges faced by conservative voices in combating institutional and legislative adversities. Bannon’s forthright analysis serves as a rallying call for listeners to remain vigilant and proactive in defending their ideologies against what he perceives as systemic oppression.

Notable Quotes Compilation:

1. Steve Bannon [00:05]: “This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies because we're going medieval on these people.”

2. Michael Pack [10:01]: “They decided not to air it. They felt it was too pro-military. Even though it's really not.”

3. Steve Bannon [11:38]: “The Republicans were running this city, right? Bush, they came and said, hey, this done.”

4. Tina Deskovitz [34:46]: “She brought her in to speak out against her father who will not affirm her gender identity.”

5. Steve Bannon [39:03]: “They are dug into this transgender ideology and all the ideology associated with this issue on the other side is... it's a way of being.”

6. Steve Bannon [26:07]: “All 10 million have to go. They have to go.”

Note: This summary intentionally omits advertisement segments and non-content sections to focus on the core discussions and insights presented in the episode.