THE WAR ROOM WITH STEPHEN K. BANNON (EP. 5024): Boxing Day Special
Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Raheem Kassam (guest-hosting for Stephen K. Bannon)
Air Date: December 26, 2025
Notable Guests: Daniel Sir (Center for American Rights), various on-the-ground voices
Main Theme:
A reflective, wide-ranging Boxing Day special in the War Room tradition, featuring recollections, on-the-ground reporting, memorials, and critical examination of the populist movement, changes in media, and the ongoing battles for American values and media freedom.
EPISODE OVERVIEW
Raheem Kassam, a founding member of the War Room, helms this Boxing Day edition from outside the U.S. Capitol. Rooted in tradition, the special offers an update on the populist right-wing movement in the U.S. and the UK, pays tribute to major figures and events of the year—most notably, the assassination of Charlie Kirk—and dives deep into the changing landscape of conservative media and activism.
The episode blends personal reflections, live reporting, interviews, and candid thoughts on strategy and unity, all paired with the movement's core message: restoring American greatness and fighting spiritual, not just political, battles.
KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS
1. The Significance of Boxing Day and Movements in Transition
- (03:55–08:00)
- Raheem Kassam reflects on Boxing Day’s tradition of charity and giving back, tying its spirit into the current moment for the populist/nationalist movement.
- Acknowledges stepping away from the public eye due to personal health and a desire to reconnect with grassroots and ground realities.
- “The Boxing Day specials allow me to catch you up on what’s going on a little bit here behind the scenes, a little bit of what’s going on in the media world.” (Raheem Kassam, 04:57)
2. Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: Reflection and Memorial
- (11:42–17:20)
- Kassam somberly recounts hearing of Charlie Kirk’s assassination while returning from the UK, describing the impact Kirk had on the movement and his personal sense of duty to cover it with dignity.
- Argues that internal squabbling is undignified, and that unity should be prioritized per Kirk’s philosophy.
- "There are demonic forces at work here in the world... Charlie would have wanted us to work together, not apart, not separately, not hating on each other, not screaming at each other to fix those things." (Raheem Kassam, 12:56)
- Brief sound clips from the memorial in Phoenix, with appearances by J.D. Vance and Donald J. Trump.
- “Ours was not a great country, but the greatest, most exceptional nation that has ever existed... This is not a political war, it’s not even a cultural war, it’s a spiritual war.” (Stephen K. Bannon & Raheem Kassam, 14:43–14:57)
3. Populism in the UK: Reporting from the Reform Party Conference
- (21:29–33:22)
- Kassam takes listeners “behind the scenes” at the UK Reform Party conference, interviewing Nigel Farage’s allies and attendees.
- Offers transatlantic insights: what happens in the UK as a “mother country” matters to the US right.
- “The Conservative Party are dead, deservedly, deservedly served and they will not be forgiven... Mass migrations, illegal immigrants crossing the channel, sky-high taxes and much else.” (Reform Party Speech, paraphrased by Kassam, 32:00)
- Notable interviews for an on-the-ground feel: Andy Wigmore (“Nigel talks the language that they think of but cannot actually articulate... it’s just an incredible, incredible lift to watch.” – 32:04) and Alex from Wales, a War Room fan commenting on conference growth.
4. Charity in Action: Tunnel to Towers 5K
- (37:05–50:10)
- Raheem runs the annual Tunnel to Towers 5K, honoring 9/11 first responders and raising $20,000 this year.
- Offers listeners/“viewers” a mile-by-mile account, underscoring the importance of giving back and patriotism: "You can't really get all that much more patriotic than that, can you?" (Raheem Kassam, 38:30)
- Describes both the physical challenge and the symbolism of emerging from the tunnel to crowds honoring fallen heroes.
- “There are people in far better shape than me who are struggling. It’s the heat, it’s the closeness to humidity. It’s the uphill nature of it. You can’t just rock up here.” (Raheem Kassam, 43:32)
- Connects the charitable spirit of the run to Boxing Day’s themes.
5. State of Media: Conservative Battle for the Airwaves
- (53:49–61:32)
- Annual Boxing Day assessment of the media landscape, reflecting on how the likes of Breitbart London helped shift narratives around Brexit, and how conservative movements can challenge entrenched institutions.
- Introduction of Daniel Sir, Center for American Rights, to discuss the broadcast cap limiting local media growth due to outdated FCC regulations.
- Sir: “It’s the people, frankly, who don’t share our values as conservatives... who are benefiting from the current rules because it’s essentially handicapping the competition.” (Daniel Sir, 58:04)
- Kassam presses for action: “What can War Room listeners do to help break the stranglehold?” — Sir directs to americanrights.org/liftthecap, advocating free markets for broadcasters.
- “Frankly, I think it’s often a matter of business interests... if there are folks who are heavily invested in the cable industry, maybe this isn’t good for them…” (Daniel Sir, 59:50)
6. Movement, Unity, and Closing Thoughts
- (61:32–end)
- Focus on unity, direct action, and overcoming regulatory and cultural obstacles.
- Kassam places himself “on your side” in the movement to reform media (“I will happily declare myself on your side as well.”, 61:32).
- Episode ends with a call to spiritual resolve and coordinated activism, nodding to both the tradition of Boxing Day giving and the fight for narrative control in the 2026 election cycle.
MEMORABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS
-
On the state of the movement:
“I think a lot of the noise that we’re hearing at the moment is a little undignified and a lot of you will have some problems with me saying that... that’s not what I think that conference was ever about. I don’t think that was what Charlie was ever about.”
– Raheem Kassam, 12:30 -
On the nature of the struggle:
“Ours was not a great country, but the greatest, most exceptional nation that has ever existed in the history of all of mankind and that it’s worth fighting for, it’s worth defending, it’s worth preserving... this is not a political war, it’s not even a cultural war, it’s a spiritual war.”
– Stephen K. Bannon & Raheem Kassam, 14:43–14:57 -
On Farage and UK populism:
“Nigel talks the language that they think of but cannot actually articulate and he’s absolutely nailed it... definitely something that is going to send this lot away with a spring in their step.”
– Andy Wigmore, 32:04 -
On the old vs. new media:
“The reality is that more Americans tune in to the evening news at like five or six o’clock on their local TV news than any watch a big cable show like the Five, for instance. And so really how Americans learn about what’s happening in their communities, it starts with local news.”
– Daniel Sir, 56:13
TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS
- Boxing Day and Movement Reflection: 03:55–08:00
- Charlie Kirk’s Memorial & Unity Message: 11:42–17:20
- J.D. Vance & Trump at Memorial: 15:11–17:20
- Reform UK Conference Coverage: 21:29–33:22
- Tunnel to Towers 5K and Charity: 37:05–50:10
- Media State and Local Broadcasting Policy: 53:49–61:32
- Call to Action and Wrap: 59:50–end
EPISODE TONE & STYLE
The mood is both somber and fiercely resolute—tying loss and reflection (Charlie Kirk, the crossroads of the movement) with a fighting ethos. Kassam’s candid, sometimes wry commentary balances reportorial detail with personal insight and call-to-action for activism. The episode reflects deeply on tradition, the cost of internal division, and the enduring need for strategic unity, all while emphasizing spiritual stakes beyond politics.
TL;DR
This Boxing Day War Room special, led by Raheem Kassam, weaves reminiscence, tribute, on-the-ground reporting, and urgent commentary—moving from the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk, through the pulse of UK populism, to a critical look at conservative media battles in America. Through recurring themes of charity, courage, and unity, the show underscores the movement’s crossroads and calls listeners to action, warning that the battle for America’s soul is ultimately a spiritual one.