Podcast Summary: Bannon's War Room Battleground EP 934
Episode Theme:
Saving Texas and How to Push Back Against Islamic Takeover
Date: January 27, 2026
Host: Steve Bannon (War Room)
Key Guests: Mike Lindell, Frank Gaffney, Byron Henry, Jeff Davis, Mark Hall, Dan Fluette
Overview
This episode centers on fears regarding the influence of Islam and Sharia law in Texas, focusing on efforts to legislate against Sharia, shut down Islamic enclaves, and counteract what the hosts call an “Islamic takeover.” The discussion weaves in national and international implications, political mobilization for upcoming Texas primaries, concerns about Islamic charter school networks, and broader themes of national sovereignty and cultural identity.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Framing the Threat
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Opening Statements (00:21–01:20):
- Frank Gaffney and Steve Bannon set the tone by alleging coordinated Islamic efforts to undermine Western civilization, specifically citing enclaves in Texas and other states.
- Steve Bannon: "We purge any attempt to impose Sharia law in Texas." [00:46]
- Frank Gaffney: "They are not coming. They are already here." [00:49]
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The narrative posits Texas as a battleground for the preservation of American and constitutional values against Sharia law.
2. The Texas Ballot Initiative on Sharia Law
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Sharia Law as a Ballot Issue (01:01–01:16):
- On March 3rd, a proposition on prohibiting Sharia law will be on the Texas Republican primary ballot.
- Byron Henry (Collin County GOP Chair): "The United States Constitution and Sharia are fundamentally at odds with one another." [01:05]
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Implications:
- The conversation ties Texas’ direction to the fate of the nation and world.
3. Mike Lindell’s Perspective and Gubernatorial Platform
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Lindell's Agenda (02:42–06:16):
- Lindell describes Minnesota as a "trojan horse" for Islamic influence, referencing labor disputes and past firings at Cargill related to Muslim prayer breaks.
- Promises to ban Sharia law on day one if elected governor:
- "I'm going to ban Sharia law. The first day I'm in Governor." [02:48]
- Disdain for inclusion of minority religious practices and public religious symbols (e.g., satantic statues).
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Also references grievances about voter engagement and urges listeners to visit his campaign website.
4. Broader Mobilization and Bannon’s National Strategy
- Building a National Movement (06:27–07:34):
- Bannon emphasizes that the Texas effort has inspired activism in other states (Arizona, Oklahoma, Minnesota).
- Bannon: "For the first time, people are saying... it may be the most major problem." [07:23]
5. Frank Gaffney’s Deep Dive on Sharia and American Constitutionalism
- Ideological Framing (07:34–11:06):
- Gaffney brands Sharia as "toxic, demonic, and anti-constitutional."
- Praises Bannon for making open discussion possible; claims Americans have been “terrorized” into silence.
- Key Quote: "We will not submit, and we will not be terrorized into being remaining silent until we are forced to submit. This is a breakthrough moment." [09:30]
- Focuses on the Texas GOP ballot wording: “Texas should prohibit Sharia law.”
6. Collin County: Ground Zero for the Fight
- Local Impact and Epic City/Meadows (11:06–19:59):
- Byron Henry discusses demographic changes in Collin County, influx of immigrants, especially from Islamic nations, and the formation of religious enclaves.
- Raises alarm over “Epic City” (renamed Meadows)—a proposed Islamic-majority subdivision with community resources allegedly directed towards religious institutions.
- "Epic City is really the first documented attempt to basically put all the pieces together... basically attempt to create a large, thousand-plus resident enclave that's basically defined by Islam." [16:19]
- Stress on using legal, strategic, and financial means to halt such projects; urges urgent legislative action outside regular sessions.
7. Grassroots Response and Organizational Mobilization
- Community Engagement (22:04–25:42):
- Byron Henry: Inbox “overwhelming,” filled with emails about Sharia and Islamic organizations.
- Plans for GOP standing committee on “threats to American values, including Sharia law.”
- “Prop 10”—the ballot proposition—is a focus for upcoming meetings and the Lincoln Day Gala.
8. The National Ripple: South Carolina GOP Concerns
- South Carolina Perspective (35:54–40:52):
- Jeff Davis (Greenville County GOP Chair): Concerns that issues seen in Texas will soon hit South Carolina.
- Notes influx of conservatives from blue states, and fears similar Islamic influx.
- Expresses concern over open primaries enabling “infiltration” of Republican races by non-Republicans.
- Jeff Davis (Greenville County GOP Chair): Concerns that issues seen in Texas will soon hit South Carolina.
9. Charter Schools and The Gulen Movement
- Filmmaker Mark Hall on "Killing Ed" (41:59–49:47):
- Describes exposure of the Gulen movement, a Turkish Islamic group running charter schools in Texas—now operating more than 80 schools, getting public funds.
- "They were operating charter schools, receiving tens of millions of dollars of our tax bonds here in Texas to operate schools." [43:15]
- Alleges teaching staff came via H1B visas, often for non-teaching roles.
- Details ties to companies providing services (catering, construction, curriculum)—raising financial and ideological alarms.
- Mark Hall: "It is a cult and it is a threat. Make no mistake about it." [52:06]
- Describes exposure of the Gulen movement, a Turkish Islamic group running charter schools in Texas—now operating more than 80 schools, getting public funds.
10. Calls to Action and Resources
- Information Dissemination and Next Steps (49:47–52:49):
- Listeners encouraged to watch "Killing Ed" (available for free at WarRoom.film) and visit resources such as “BanSharia.com”.
- Guests share social media, links for staying updated.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Frank Gaffney: "Not all Muslims subscribe to it, but those that don't are called apostates, and that's a capital offense under Islam." [07:46]
- Steve Bannon: “As Texas goes, so goes the nation. As the nation goes, so goes the world. Are you prepared to fight for this state? Are you prepared to fight for your country?” [01:20, 32:20]
- Mike Lindell: "Minnesota was the trojan horse for this catastrophe, that this takeover." [02:48]
- Byron Henry: “Epic City is really the first documented attempt to basically put all the pieces together... to create a large, thousand-plus resident enclave that's basically defined by Islam.” [16:19]
- Mark Hall: "They were operating charter schools, receiving tens of millions of dollars of our tax bonds here in Texas to operate schools... the largest concentration of their schools, taxpayer funded schools are here in the state of Texas." [43:15 / 47:15]
- Frank Gaffney: “It is a cult and it is a threat. Make no mistake about it.” [52:06]
- Byron Henry: “It is the number one issue on my plate as the Collin County Chairman of the Republican Party. It is number one." [22:31]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:21–01:20 – Introductions, framing the episode's main claim: Islamic infiltration/threat to Texas.
- 02:48–06:16 – Mike Lindell’s anti-Sharia platform & critiques of Minnesota’s experience.
- 07:34–11:06 – Frank Gaffney delves into Sharia law and American values.
- 11:38–22:04 – Byron Henry details local impact, Epic City/Meadows enclave, and the county’s response.
- 22:04–25:42 – Grassroots and organizational strategies (GOP committees, Prop 10).
- 35:54–40:52 – Jeff Davis (Greenville, SC) discusses nationalization of the issue.
- 41:59–49:47 – Mark Hall on the Gulen movement's charter schools “Killing Ed” film.
- 49:57–52:49 – Resources, film viewing, and final thoughts.
Additional Resources Shared
- WarRoom.film – Watch Mark Hall's "Killing Ed"
- BanSharia.com – Information clearinghouse on Sharia law threat
- Mark Hall: @MarkHallFilm | @KillingEdFilm (X/Twitter)
- Byron Henry: @ByronKHenry | @CollinGOP (X/Twitter)
- Frank Gaffney: @FrankGaffney (X/Twitter)
- Greenville County GOP (SC): greenvillegop.com
Tone and Language
- The episode maintains a sense of urgency and mission, with impassioned exchanges, battle metaphors, and proudly combative stances towards what the hosts call the Islamic threat. Frequent references to patriotism, faith, and “the fight” set a martial, mobilizing tone.
Summary Takeaway
This episode is a rallying call for War Room’s audience to see Texas as the front line in a national and religious culture war, with broad implications for law, education, and policy. It criticizes both political leadership and legal structures seen as enabling Islamic influence, and urges legislative, organizing, and informational responses to “prohibit Sharia law.” The hosts and guests see themselves as breaking a “taboo” by discussing these topics and encourage nationwide resistance modeled on the Texas example.
