WarRoom Battleground EP 831: Trump Meets With Heads Of EU; Keeping American Independence Cont.

Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Steve Bannon (WarRoom.org)
Key Contributors: Jack Posobiec, Brian Glenn, (with appearances/reports on President Trump, President Zelensky, and European Leaders)

Episode Overview

This historic episode centers on President Trump's rare August summit with major European leaders and the implications for U.S. involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, electoral integrity in the U.S., and U.S.-EU relations. The hosts break down the “security guarantees” discussion between the U.S., European powers, Ukraine, and Russia. There is also significant discussion on Trump’s new push against mail-in ballots and election machines, and the ongoing transformation of enforcement agencies like the FBI under the Trump administration.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Historic White House Summit with European Leaders

• [01:00] Jack Posobiec explains the rarity and significance: “Just to have the European leaders do anything in August... they're kind of chapped... President Trump’s working seven days a week.”
• World leaders present: Zelensky (Ukraine), Macron (France), Stubb (Finland), Meloni (Italy), Starmer (UK), Mertz (Germany), Ursula von der Leyen (EU Commission), Mark Rutte (NATO).
• [01:58] Trump’s social media message highlights security guarantees for Ukraine, coordinated by European countries with U.S. support—not direct U.S. military deployment.

2. Security Guarantees for Ukraine, Not NATO Troops

• Trump emphasizes a shift: no promise of U.S. troops, but coordination. Bannon: “No American troops. Doesn’t sound like we’re an active participant."
• [04:10] Bannon: "Any scenario for the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine is categorically unacceptable for Russia and is fraught with a sharp escalation."

3. Trump’s Planned Direct Diplomacy

• Trump facilitating a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky, followed by a trilateral with Trump himself.
• [05:55] Bannon: “First meetings Putin and Zelensky, which Zelensky would never said that would happen…”
• Brian Glenn: “This is...something new we have not seen...a direct meeting between the leader of Ukraine and the leader of Russia.”

4. Russian and European Reactions

• [09:44] The “coalition of the willing” (some EU/NATO members) will handle the guarantees, with Poland opting out.
• Russians remain wary—security guarantees from the EU might still sound like NATO expansion.

5. Broader Ukraine-Russia Context

• Prof. Mearsheimer cited for context: West has long viewed Ukraine as launching pad for pressure or regime change in Russia.
• Massive loss figures cited: over 950,000 Russians, close to a million Ukrainians dead or wounded; high civilian toll.

6. U.S. Domestic Policy: Mail-In Voting and Electoral Integrity

• [34:53] — 37:49 Trump, in the Oval Office, announces intent to ban mail-in ballots via executive order and calls for a return to hand-counted paper ballots.
• Full quote:

  "Mail in ballots are corrupt...We’re going to start with an executive order...to end mail in ballots…we’re the only country in the world...that uses it because of what’s happened, massive fraud all over the place. The other thing we want to change are the machines...paper ballots are very sophisticated...we would get secure elections." (Trump, [35:06])

• Trump says Republicans must act or the country is lost: “If that answer is to save my country, this country will be saved.” ([00:43])

7. Federal Intervention in Sanctuary Cities and Border Security

• Federal “takeover” of sanctuary cities like DC as template.
• Plan for comprehensive deportations across all institutions—schools, jails, hospitals.

8. Major Pentagon and DOJ/FBI Appointments

• Breaking news: Missouri AG Andrew Bailey to co-deputy director of FBI with Dan Bongino ([31:47])
• Indication of ongoing pro-Trump restructuring of federal enforcement apparatus.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

On U.S.-EU-Ukraine Diplomacy:

• [02:53] Bannon:

  “...We’re already to now a coordination and not troops...At least it looks like it.”

• [05:55] Bannon:

  "First meetings Putin and Zelensky, which Zelensky would never said that would happen. Now he’s going to get them two together. After that meeting...we will have a trilat which would be the two presidents plus myself, that’s the President of the United States, Donald Trump talking again."

On U.S. Election Integrity:

• [35:06] Trump:

  "Mail in ballots are corrupt...We’re going to start with an executive order...we’re the only country in the world...that uses it because of what’s happened, massive fraud all over the place."

• [36:35] Trump:

  “If you have mail in voting, you’re not going to have many Democrats get elected. That’s bigger than anything having to do with redistricting, believe me. And the Republicans have to get smart. We’re not going to have a country.”

On Media Bias and Political Warfare:

• [45:41] Bannon:

  “It has nothing to do with facts. This is just pure information warfare. I’m glad we curated for people because it’s sickening. ...It’s just nothing but pure, unmitigated hate, nastiness from the hosts, and you don’t learn anything.”

On Breaking the Tension in the Room:

• [40:17] Brian Glenn:

  “It was a very tense moment up until that point. I think I was even getting a little bit of mean mugging from Zelensky’s crew...But it was a funny moment. I think we do have a suit sponsor coming up, by the way, so that’ll be great.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:00] — Historic White House summit; European leaders join Trump in August.
• [04:10] — Russia’s response to NATO troop discussions.
• [05:55] — Details of planned Putin-Zelensky/Trump trilateral.
• [12:52] — Brian Glenn: Context and history of Western/Russian perception of Ukraine.
• [14:33] — Claims about Zelensky’s $300B reparation ask, $100B weapons deal proposal.
• [34:53] — Brian Glenn questions Trump/Zelensky in Oval Office; suit banter and election integrity detailed.
• [35:06] — Trump’s extended remarks on mail-in ballots and ballot machines.
• [40:17] — Brian Glenn reflects on tension-breaking and mood in Oval Office.
• [44:06] — Trump’s “America First” dovetails with European security guarantee versus U.S. troop involvement.
• [31:47] — FBI leadership change: Andrew Bailey joins Dan Bongino as co-deputy director.

Memorable/Energetic Exchanges

• [34:53-35:06] Brian Glenn compliments Zelensky’s suit, prompting good-natured repartee. Zelensky: “You see, I changed. Maybe yours is much better.”
• [35:06] Trump pivots to deeply criticize mail-in ballots and declares the start of an executive order to ban them.
• [36:46-37:49] Trump: “I said for a long time at rallies, you need borders and you need free and fair elections. Those two things. Otherwise, you don’t have...”
• [40:17-41:27] Brian Glenn and Bannon break down the effect of Trump’s extended remarks and the significance of the moment.

Conclusion and Outlook

• The summit marks a pivot in U.S. foreign policy: facilitating negotiations and reducing talk of direct military intervention.
• Trump’s hardline, immediate push against mail-in voting signals preemptive action for the next election cycle.
• The episode closes with notable domestic reshuffles (FBI) and a broad assertion: “President Trump stood tall today. Not a better song if you need exorcism than Billy Joe Shaver. The late, great Billy Joe Shaver. Get thee behind me, Satan.” ([49:47])
• The tone remained combative, patriotic, and skeptical of mainstream narratives, with hosts emphasizing U.S. sovereignty and electoral reform.

Socials:

• Jack Posobiec: Human Events Daily on X, Truth Social, Getter, Telegram
• Brian Glenn: @Brian on Truth Social; Brian Glenn TV on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

“Ask yourself, what is my task and what is my purpose? If that answer is to save my country, this country will be saved.” — Steve Bannon [00:43]