Real America’s Voice: THE WAR ROOM WITH STEPHEN K. BANNON (EP. 5166)

Date: February 24, 2026

Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Notable Guests: Elizabeth Mitchell (Daily Signal), Mike Howell, Natalie Winters, Tony Lyons

Episode Overview

This episode of "The War Room with Stephen K. Bannon" is a high-energy prelude to the State of the Union Address, with Bannon and guests dissecting the political landscape, the ongoing immigration crisis, and the explosive debate over AI regulation. Through passionate and at times combative commentary, the show explores key issues defining the American political right: border security, the role of technology, internal opposition ("the enemy within"), and the health crisis facing the nation. The episode is marked by Bannon’s unapologetic style, calling for decisive action and rejecting mainstream narratives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The State of the Union & Political Tensions (00:00–08:50)

• Bannon opens by criticizing mainstream media and the Democratic Party for avoiding President Trump’s State of the Union. He predicts "a lot of heckling" and little decorum from Democrats:

  "I don't think there's gonna be much decorum tonight." (01:35, Stephen Bannon)

• Focus on the legacy of "angel moms"—families of those killed by undocumented immigrants—and their central role in Trump's rise.
• Bannon details the importance of immigration for grassroots Republican activism, referencing key figures (Matt Boyle, Tony Lee, Julia Hahn) and pivotal events.
• Emphasizes Trump’s unique connection with "the people":

  "He listened to their stories… That's the power of Trump. That's what people relate to." (07:00, Stephen Bannon)

2. Artificial Intelligence, State vs. Federal Power, and the DeSantis-White House Clash

Guest: Elizabeth Mitchell, Daily Signal
Key Segment: 08:51–18:54

The Political Battle over AI Regulation

• DeSantis is described as a "hedgehog", digging in deep on state-level AI regulation despite federal pushback.
• The White House is alleged to be actively discouraging Florida’s proposed "AI Bill of Rights," which focuses on child safety and banning AI-generated explicit content involving minors.
• Mitchell notes:

  "The White House has called the Florida Speaker of the House ... and encouraged him to oppose this Florida AI Bill of Rights." (11:00, Elizabeth Mitchell)

Federal Frameworks & Industry Influence

• Bannon and Mitchell discuss confusion and lack of transparency about a national AI regulatory framework.
• The tech industry, via firms like Andreessen Horowitz, is argued to have significant sway in shaping policy and stalling state-led safety moves.
• Contradictions in Trump’s advisory team are highlighted, with some (e.g., David Sachs) previously supporting child protections but now opposing state initiatives.

DeSantis’ Legislative Struggle & Next Moves

• Despite DeSantis' power, the Florida House is bottling up the bill — a testament to the intensifying battle between state autonomy and centralized federal oversight.
• Outlook: DeSantis likely to continue pressing the issue.

3. Immigration: Mass Deportation, Special Interests, and Policy "Phase Two"

Guest: Mike Howell
Key Segment: 19:03–29:30

The "Mass Deportation Coalition"

• Howell explains the formation of a coalition to support Trump’s promise of "the biggest deportation operation in American history."
• Critiques special interests (e.g., realtors, Big Ag) and "RINOs" for undermining enforcement:

  "From the Realtors, if you keep deporting our illegal labor, we will turn South Texas blue..." (19:50, Mike Howell)

• Details a strategic shift ("Phase Two") — moving from focusing on deporting only criminal undocumented immigrants to mass removals, emphasizing the scale:

  "There’s only about 500,000–700,000 criminal illegal aliens. ... The operation has to expand." (22:10, Mike Howell)

Self-Deportation and Policy Levers

• Howell urges policies that make staying in the U.S. untenable for illegal immigrants (e.g., debanking, workplace enforcement), driving "self-deportation."
• Sets a tough tone for expectations at the State of the Union:

  "Illegal immigration is destroying the United States of America ... expect millions of deportations in years to come." (27:24, Mike Howell)

4. Tech, Border Security, and National Security

Guest: Natalie Winters
Key Segment: 29:31–38:38

CBP One App & Foreign Influence

• Winters’ investigative report reveals the biometric backbone of the CBP One immigration app was built by "iProve," a UK company staffed with former British government and Ministry of Defense officials:

  "British intelligence was part of the contract to build this thing and that was never disclosed..." (33:38, Stephen Bannon paraphrasing Winters)

Globalism, the “Enemy Within,” and Accountability

• Warns of foreign and domestic interests colluding to "make America unlivable."
• Calls for a harder line on “the enemy within” and for Trump to move from rhetoric to action:

  "We don't need the Select Committee on China that puts out a lot of strongly worded statements. ... I care about the actions." (37:13, Natalie Winters)

5. Health Crisis, Big Pharma, and Information Control

Guest: Tony Lyons (Make America Healthy Again/MAGA coalition)
Key Segment: 39:04–47:15

• Lyons urges Trump to make ending America’s chronic disease epidemic a centerpiece of the State of the Union:

  "You can't have a powerful country, you can't have a great country unless you have a healthy country." (40:01, Tony Lyons)

• Highlights years of government and industry misdirection and the need for "forbidden," revolutionary books to inform and empower the public (Gavin de Becker’s Forbidden Facts, Jan Jekalik’s Kill to Order).
• Promotes an upcoming nationwide health tour and exposé on Big Pharma, Big Ag, and their influence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bannon on Trump’s Authenticity:

  "He listened to their stories. You see the impact it had on him... That's what people relate to..." (07:00)

• Elizabeth Mitchell on White House Tactics:

  "The White House has called the Florida speaker of the House... and encouraged him to oppose this Florida AI Bill of Rights." (11:00)

• Mike Howell on Policy Shift:

  "Phase one was the Trump administration’s focusing on a small subset of criminal illegal aliens... That phase should end... Now's the time to put the pedal of the metal." (22:50)

• Natalie Winters on CBP1:

  "This company [iProve] ... was responsible for the orchestration of the 10 million-plus illegal alien invasion... It's a national security threat from the start." (31:30–32:40)

• Tony Lyons on Public Health:

  "In a time of deceit, telling the truth becomes a kind of a revolutionary act." (44:27)

• Natalie Winters, on need for accountability:

  "We don't want more Benghazi commissions... We need actual accountability, not just more talking points." (37:13)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Opening & State of the Union Setup: 00:00–08:50
• AI Regulation Debate w/ Elizabeth Mitchell: 08:51–18:54
• Mass Deportation Plan w/ Mike Howell: 19:03–29:30
• CBP1, Border Security & Globalism w/ Natalie Winters: 29:31–38:38
• Make America Healthy Again w/ Tony Lyons: 39:04–47:15
• Closing Promotions/Ad Reads: (Skipped per guidelines)

Summary Flow and Tone

The episode blends Bannon’s combative, urgent rhetoric ("primal scream of a dying regime") with deep-dives from investigative journalists and advocates, all united in their critique of elites, federal bureaucracies, and globalist actors. Discussions are fast-moving, densely packed with references, and colored by a sense of impending crisis—urging immediate action.

The tone is unapologetically populist, with recurring calls for "real accountability," skepticism of industry and government motives, and absolutist framing of national challenges as existential. The contributors blend reporting, advocacy, and polemical opinion, offering insider details alongside strategic recommendations for Trump’s policy and re-election message.

For Further Information

• Elizabeth Mitchell (Daily Signal):
  • Read her work at The Daily Signal or follow on X: @theeliz.
• Mike Howell:
  • "Mass Deportation Coalition" info at X: @phase2deport
• Natalie Winters:
  • Investigative Substack: Natalie G. Winters
• Tony Lyons:
  • Details on health initiative and recommended books at major retailers

This summary captures the essential debates, arguments, and personalities from the episode, offering a comprehensive resource for those who missed the show but want the core insights, memorable commentary, and timestamps to key segments.