Podcast Summary: Bannon's War Room - Battleground EP 796: Rio Reset; Voting Starts IN NYC For New Mayor
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Guests: Philip Patrick, Jackie Toboroff
Introduction
In Episode 796 of Bannon's War Room, host Stephen K. Bannon delves into pressing geopolitical and domestic issues impacting the United States and the broader global landscape. The episode, titled "Rio Reset; Voting Starts IN NYC For New Mayor," features insightful discussions with Philip Patrick of Birch Gold Group and Jackie Toboroff, analyzing the implications of the upcoming BRICS summit and the contentious New York City mayoral race.
Gold Reserves and Strategic Importance
Philip Patrick opens the discussion by highlighting the significant gold holdings of the United States, Germany, and Italy. He emphasizes the strategic importance of these reserves and the geopolitical maneuvers surrounding them.
"It's worth reminding that central banks hold their gold reserves not in ETFs, not in paper versions, but in physical gold bullion."
— Philip Patrick [02:22]
Patrick explains that the U.S. holds approximately 8,000 metric tons of gold, with Germany and Italy holding $245 billion worth in New York City. This concentration of gold in a geopolitical hub like New York is raising concerns among European nations about the security and accessibility of their reserves.
"There is a direct correlation between growth in money supplies and growth in gold."
— Philip Patrick [04:26]
He further discusses the increasing global interest in physical gold, especially as central banks reconsider the safety of their reserves amid potential financial crises. Patrick underscores the shift from mutual financial trust to direct control over vital strategic assets, signaling a broader trend of financial decentralization.
BRICS and the Rio Reset: Challenges to the US Dollar
The conversation shifts to the upcoming BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, dubbed the "Rio Reset." Philip Patrick sheds light on the BRICS nations' ambitions to challenge the dominance of the US dollar as the world's primary reserve currency.
"This was never going to come out as a formal announcement. I don't think the BRICS or China today want to go head to head with the United States."
— Philip Patrick [06:42]
Patrick explains that the BRICS bloc—comprising China, Russia, India, and Persia—is seeking to establish a more efficient and faster financial service system to compete with the Western-dominated financial infrastructure. This move aims to capture market share by offering superior services rather than directly confronting the US financial system.
"We're seeing a reversion to the norm whenever the value of currency is up in the air, countries turn to gold."
— Philip Patrick [05:43]
He anticipates that the Rio Reset will mark a pivotal moment, accelerating the decline in global demand for the US dollar and elevating the importance of diversifying assets into tangible investments like gold.
NYC Mayoral Race: Potential Radical Shift
Jackie Toboroff provides a comprehensive analysis of the New York City mayoral race, highlighting the emergence of an Islamist Democratic Socialist candidate poised to challenge Governor Cuomo in the Democratic primary.
"This is going to be a big presentation. Do you think he's saying, 'I want to have plausible deniability' or...?"
— Stephen K. Bannon [06:42]
Toboroff delves into the demographics voting for the radical candidate, noting a strong divide between older, minority voters favoring Cuomo and younger, educated white liberals supporting the challenger, Zoran Mamdani.
"The top 50% of taxpayers pay nearly 100% of personal income tax. These people have threatened to leave."
— Jackie Toboroff [14:43]
She underscores the economic frustrations driving voters toward radical candidates, citing issues like rising crime, ineffective governance, and controversial policies targeting educational institutions. Toboroff posits that while Cuomo maintains substantial support among key demographics, the insurgent candidate's appeal among certain white liberal segments could signal a significant shift in NYC's political landscape.
"We have to secure our election so these four years are not in vain. Actually two years."
— Stephen K. Bannon [16:35]
President Trump's NATO Summit and Middle East Conflicts
The episode transitions to an analysis of President Trump's involvement in the recent NATO summit in Europe and his handling of Middle Eastern conflicts, particularly the tensions between Israel and Iran.
Taj Gill, a former Navy SEAL and contractor associated with CENTCOM, offers a ground-level perspective on the complexities of military interventions and regime changes.
"Peace is not going to come easy, Steve. Nobody, nobody wants peace. There's no money in peace."
— Taj Gill [33:20]
Gill criticizes the military-industrial complex and highlights the inherent challenges in achieving lasting peace through foreign interventions. He draws parallels with past regime changes in countries like Afghanistan and Libya, emphasizing the chaotic aftermath and the rise of extremist factions.
"President Trump's very adamant. The end of the 12 Day War."
— Steve Bannon [27:03]
Bannon recounts President Trump's efforts to broker ceasefires and reduce conflicts, particularly referencing the 12-day war and subsequent missile strikes against Iran. However, Gill remains skeptical about the feasibility of sustained peace, citing the deep-rooted interests of various power blocs that benefit from ongoing conflicts.
"Regime change is not easy. It's not great."
— Taj Gill [36:51]
Military Insights: Challenges of Regime Change
Taj Gill elaborates on the difficulties of orchestrating successful regime changes, drawing lessons from historical interventions.
"Regime changes are messy. Look at Libya. We took out Muammar Gaddafi and it's chaos."
— Taj Gill [38:21]
He stresses that the removal of entrenched regimes often leads to power vacuums, resulting in instability and the rise of insurgent groups. Gill argues that the vested interests within the military-industrial complex perpetuate conflicts to maintain financial gains, making genuine peace elusive.
"Trump has got a big fight ahead of him trying to bring these wars to a close."
— Taj Gill [38:48]
Gill acknowledges Trump's attempts to negotiate peace but warns of the systemic obstacles posed by internal and external forces resistant to change. He underscores the persistent cycle of conflict driven by economic incentives tied to warfare.
Electoral Security and Voting Machines
Throughout the episode, Stephen K. Bannon emphasizes the importance of securing elections to prevent manipulation and fraud, particularly criticizing the use of voting machines.
"We have to secure our election so these four years are not in vain."
— Stephen K. Bannon [16:35]
Bannon advocates for the adoption of paper ballots and hand-counted votes to ensure election integrity, citing vulnerabilities in the current electronic voting systems. He underscores the necessity of grassroots support and vigilance to safeguard the democratic process.
Conclusion
Episode 796 of Bannon's War Room presents a multifaceted analysis of contemporary geopolitical shifts and domestic political dynamics. From the strategic significance of gold reserves and the challenges posed by the BRICS-led Rio Reset to the volatile landscape of New York City's mayoral race and the intricate web of military interventions, the episode underscores the complex interplay of economic, political, and military factors shaping today's world. Hosts and guests collectively stress the urgency of proactive measures to secure national interests and ensure the integrity of democratic institutions.
Notable Quotes:
-
Philip Patrick:
"There is a direct correlation between growth in money supplies and growth in gold."
[04:26] -
Jackie Toboroff:
"The top 50% of taxpayers pay nearly 100% of personal income tax. These people have threatened to leave."
[14:43] -
Taj Gill:
"Peace is not going to come easy, Steve. Nobody, nobody wants peace. There's no money in peace."
[33:20] -
Stephen K. Bannon:
"We have to secure our election so these four years are not in vain."
[16:35]
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights presented in Bannon's War Room Episode 796, providing listeners and readers with a detailed overview of the critical issues addressed during the broadcast.