War Room Battleground EP 849

On The Ground From Utah; Redistricting Fight In Indiana
Date: September 15, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon | Guests: Phil Lyman, Alex DeGrasse, Dr. Bradley Thayer

Episode Overview

This episode centers around two key themes:

• The aftermath and investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, featuring firsthand insight from eyewitness Phil Lyman.
• Grassroots conservative mobilization in Indiana to influence the state's redistricting process, described as a pivotal moment for the MAGA movement. The episode weaves together concerns about domestic extremism, alleged official obfuscation, grassroots activism, and growing skepticism toward establishment narratives, especially as it relates to leftist organizations and establishment Republican leadership.

1. Eyewitness Account: Utah Valley Shooting & Charlie Kirk Assassination

Guest: Phil Lyman (former Utah gubernatorial candidate, eyewitness)
Segments: [00:11]–[08:04], [23:44]–[26:18], [34:01]–[41:44]

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Eyewitness to Chaos:
  Phil Lyman describes the moment a loud bang rang out as he approached a Utah Valley University building. His initial reaction was confusion, then realization as chaos broke out among a crowd of college students.

  • “As soon as you start seeing the chaos, it's like, okay, this is a gunshot…a lot of those kids…were running for their lives and they were screaming.” (Lyman, [02:40])

• Strange Reactions from Some Witnesses:
  Lyman notes peculiarity in a group’s reaction to the shooting; some students, notably two young women, were “disdainful” and did not flee.

  • “She was just talking to her friend, and she's looking at these fleeing kids…And she said, go fuck yourselves…there was some disdain there.” (Lyman, [02:40-03:32])
  • Lyman questions why certain clusters appeared unafraid or detached, hinting at possible foreknowledge: “It was noticeable…that some of them were not taking cover.” (Lyman, [06:13])

• Official Narrative Under Scrutiny:
  Lyman expresses skepticism about the official theory that the shooter disassembled a rifle while escaping, and about AI-enhanced suspect imagery:

  • “You couldn't take that apart, assemble it on the roof, and then take one shot and expect it to be anywhere near the target…” (Lyman, [24:31])
  • “They used AI to enhance the picture…I was like, oh, that looks a lot more like Tyler Robinson than the original. In fact, it looks like two different people.” (Lyman, [24:31])

• Frustration with Law Enforcement and State Leadership:
  Lyman reports sharing videos with the FBI but feeling the investigation is lacking transparency or urgency.

  • “I've sent all my video footage to the FBI…stuff is not adding up.” (Lyman, [07:18], [07:40])
  • He criticizes Utah’s leadership (Governor Cox) for what he perceives as weak or anti-Trump positions, and for stifling dissenting questions:
    • “In Utah…We were the first state out there embracing dei, embracing illegal immigration.” (Lyman, [36:33])
    • “This is what I've gone through for so long in Utah…How dare you ask that question?…They said: don't question the government.” (Lyman, [40:39])

Notable Quotes

• On the Moment of Shooting:

  "I’m here with a bunch of college kids, and I’m an old dude, and I’m going to go out there and if there’s a shooter, I want to stop him from shooting somebody else…It was a strange thing to say to a group of what I would think would be your peers and have a little bit of empathy for them."
  — Phil Lyman ([02:40])

• On Official Story Doubts:

  "Even if you even bump the scope on an old .30-06 like that, you're going to be off. You couldn't take that apart, assemble it on the roof, and then take one shot and expect it to be anywhere near the target?"
  — Phil Lyman ([24:31])

2. Skepticism of the Official Investigation

Segment: [20:56]–[24:31] (Michael Savage Clip + Discussion)

• Guest Clip: Michael Savage questions FBI explanations, expressing disbelief at the technical feasibility of the killer disassembling and reassembling a rifle on the run:
  • “We saw a video of a person jumping off the roof…there was no rifle in his hand…Mauser does not break down very easily…Are you stupid?” (Michael Savage, [20:56])
• Bannon/Lyman Response: Both share suspicion; Bannon relays that the FBI claims the gun was dropped before the jump, which neither he nor Lyman recall seeing.

3. Indiana Redistricting: Grassroots Mobilization

Guest: Alex DeGrasse (Elise Stefanik’s chief strategist, organizer in Indiana)
Segments: [09:56]–[18:47]

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Massive Grassroots Energy:
  DeGrasse describes an energized Indiana MAGA base, with over 500 people in attendance at a strategy session:

  • “People were fired up…over 500 who showed up on a Saturday for…strategy sessions.” (DeGrasse, [09:56])
  • “The grassroots is not going to take it anymore.” (DeGrasse, [10:28])

• Redistricting as National Bellwether:
  Bannon frames Indiana’s 9-0 redistricting fight as a “litmus test…for the maximization strategy and also the Trump movement.” (Bannon, [09:39])

  • DeGrasse emphasizes importance of citizen pressure on state reps to ensure a 9-0 map, not an 8-1 compromise.

• Establishment Republicans vs. Grassroots:
  DeGrasse criticizes the Indiana GOP establishment as obstructive and insufficiently MAGA, drawing battlelines for future GOP primaries.

• New York Leftward Shift as National Warning:
  DeGrasse discusses the Democratic Party’s consolidation behind a “Marxist” candidate in New York, warning of establishment capitulation and radical policy threats.

  • “Getting rid of private health care, government owned grocery stores, ending the police as we know it…It’s really alarming. People should be scared for what's coming from the modern Democrat Party.” (DeGrasse, [13:32])

Notable Quotes

• "Charlie obviously would have wanted us to be there…this could…determine everything. Obviously in the House...Indiana certainly has, I think, some issues with the kind of Mitch, Daniel, Mike Pence [wing]. It really is a big battle, tectonic battle for the direction of the party."
  — Alex DeGrasse ([10:28])

• "These people are ruthless and they're going after the Kathy Hochuls of the world, Steve. I mean, these people are gearing up to devour their own."
  — Alex DeGrasse ([13:32])

4. Designation of Antifa as a Terrorist Organization

Segments: [16:08]–[18:47], [43:43]–[49:09]

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Trump Administration Response:
  Trump considering formally designating Antifa as a terrorist organization, which would enable more aggressive financial and legal action.

  • “It’s something I would do…if you give me, I would do that 100%...We have some pretty radical groups and they got away with murder.” (Trump, [44:04])

• Legal and Strategic Implications:
  Both Bannon and Dr. Bradley Thayer stress the importance of official recognition in order to deploy counterterrorism tools (e.g., RICO statutes) against extremist networks, alleged financial backers, and their “dark money.”

  • “Terrorism is the use of violence…in pursuit of political goals. That’s what Antifa is doing…advancing their political objective of overthrowing the constitutional republic.” (Dr. Thayer, [45:09])
  • Bannon asserts that major Democratic donors, media personnel, and international actors could face exposure: “There’s going to be some media folks rounded up in this. Oh, yeah, wait for it...”

• Controversy over Financial Networks:
  DeGrasse and Bannon highlight the movement of funds through nonprofits and left-aligned political groups, frequently referencing Soros and the Working Families Party.

5. Broader Themes and Memorable Moments

A. Mistrust in Institutions and Leadership

• Strong criticism and suspicion toward government authorities and mainstream narratives (e.g., FBI, Utah Governor Cox).
  • “They don't want real truth tellers…They don't want me near them. They don't want real truth tellers.” (Michael Savage, [20:56])
  • “How dare you ask that question?…They said: don't question the government.” (Phil Lyman, [40:39])

B. Call to Action for Grassroots Engagement

• Repeated urging for listeners to organize, contact lawmakers, and question official stories:
  • “We just need the information…Warren posse looking to go to work, looking to do something…People want to support Charlie’s work and drive the task and purpose of Turning Point more forward.” (Bannon, [11:57])

C. The Legacy and Impact of Charlie Kirk

• Outpouring of support and reflection for the slain conservative leader, with Lyman and Bannon framing Kirk as a martyr whose message—and the reaction to his murder—is galvanizing the youth and grassroots.
  • "Charlie wanted to have a major impact...The tragedy...was the 3,000 innocent children, mostly innocent children, college-age kids...who witnessed something really, really traumatic." (Lyman, [35:32])

6. Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies because we're going medieval on these people.”
  — Steve Bannon ([00:11])

• “You couldn't take that apart, assemble it on the roof, and then take one shot and expect it to be anywhere near the target?”
  — Phil Lyman ([24:31])

• “Are you stupid? Are you that dumb? The man jumps off the roof. There’s no rifle there. Oh, it’s in his backpack. I just told you, moron, that this rifle doesn’t break down that easily.”
  — Michael Savage ([20:56])

• “The grassroots is not going to take it anymore. Right?…This is so important, important for President Trump. Everyone’s engaged here, so I’m optimistic…”
  — Alex DeGrasse ([10:28])

• “Terrorism is the use of violence or the threat of violence…especially against civilians, in pursuit of political goals. And that’s what Antifa is doing…”
  — Dr. Bradley Thayer ([45:09])

7. Timestamps for Key Segments

• Eyewitness Account: Shooting Reaction & Official Narrative Critique
  [00:11]–[08:04], [23:44]–[26:18], [34:01]–[41:44]

• Skepticism of Official Story (Michael Savage Commentary)
  [20:56]–[24:31]

• Indiana Redistricting, National State of Play
  [09:56]–[18:47]

• Designation of Antifa; Counterterrorism Strategy
  [16:08]–[18:47], [43:43]–[49:09]

8. Where to Find the Guests

• Phil Lyman: @phil_lyman on X (Twitter)
• Alex DeGrasse: @degrasse81 on X, Truth, Getter
• Dr. Bradley Thayer: @BradThayer on X, Getter

Summary in a Nutshell

• The episode delivers a visceral, emotionally charged account of the Utah Valley University shooting and the aftermath, featuring direct challenges to the official account and calls for full transparency.
• Grassroots conservative activism is depicted as surging, particularly in response to perceived establishment GOP inertia and rising leftist influence in state and national politics.
• The killing of Charlie Kirk is heavily framed as a galvanizing moment for youth and the MAGA base, while skepticism toward both law enforcement and institutional narratives is central.
• There is a sustained push for the formal designation of left-wing extremist groups as domestic terrorist organizations, viewed as essential not only for justice but for salvaging the republic’s future.

This detailed summary captures the major themes, quoted passages, and key moments of War Room Battleground EP 849, enabling anyone to quickly grasp the major developments, tone, and calls to action discussed in the episode.