THE WAR ROOM WITH STEPHEN K. BANNON (EP. 5172)

Date: February 26, 2026
Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Steve Bannon
Notable Guests: Raheem Kassam, John Solomon, Cleta Mitchell, Nino Rodriguez, Larry Schweikart, McCabe, Brian Glenn

Overview

This episode of The War Room centers on urgent national and global issues facing the United States in 2026, including the rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI), deep state machinations, election integrity battles, U.S.-Cuba tensions, escalating cartel violence in Mexico, and the resurgence of American values through the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement. Renowned guests provide analysis, scoop, and advocacy rooted in a framework of “saving the country,” while pointing out threats both technological and political. President Trump’s upcoming visit to Corpus Christi and Texas politics are also previewed.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AI War Games and the Risks of Rapid Acceleration (04:00–11:20)

• Topic: AI deployed in military scenarios, society-wide infiltration of autonomous agents, existential risks
• Key Guests: Raheem Kassam

Summary:

• Military strategist from King's College led 21 AI-executed wargames. In 95% of cases, AI went nuclear dramatically quicker than human-controlled simulations.
  • Steve Bannon (04:35): “95% of the time the artificial intelligence goes nuclear relatively quickly ... double or triple with humans.”
• Kassam warns the acceleration is imminent: “This is a new moment … but it’s faster than everything relatively that came before it.” (05:35)
• Everyday technology (doorbells, cars, media, AI journalism) will soon be suffused with AI agents acting autonomously.
• Private and government sectors are introducing AI with little oversight. “If you’re not an accelerationist, essentially they want to shove you off the conversation.” (07:50)
• Notable Quote:
  • Raheem Kassam (08:46): “I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t let you jeopardize the mission. The mission is too critical to allow a human to intervene and interfere here. That’s what these things are doing, right?”
• Kassam argues even those who want to opt out will struggle to do so.
  • “You’re gonna have to get off the grid entirely. … There ain’t enough land. There ain’t enough bunkers for all of us.” (09:14–09:56)
• Concludes with near-term urgency:
  • Steve Bannon (10:21): “And you’re saying this inflection point is within the next year … not five years away.”
  • Raheem Kassam (10:30): “Think about the things they aren’t telling us about this stuff. And there’s your answer.”

2. Election Integrity, DOJ Collusion & ‘Patriots vs Hatriots’ (11:21–17:54 & 23:25–32:35)

• Topic: Breaking news on deep state activity, Fani Willis–DOJ collusion, ongoing ballot access court battles, Georgia as battleground
• Key Guests: John Solomon, Cleta Mitchell

Summary:

• John Solomon highlights new evidence DOJ and Biden White House coordinated with Georgia’s Fani Willis to “double jeopardy” charge Trump supporters (13:00–15:30).
  • DOJ funneled an exclusive, non-competitive $2 million grant to Fani Willis’ office as she prosecuted Trump, allegedly ensuring resources to tie up legal opposition.
  • John Solomon (14:48): “It looks just like Tammany Hall, Chicago-style politics. … It’s a pretty, pretty clear case of what’s going on.”
• Investigation indicates weaponized use of the FBI post–Crossfire Hurricane and political targeting of Trump associates.
  • John Solomon (16:45): “We’re headed into stuff that’s going to make J. Edgar Hoover turn in his grave and blush.”
• Cleta Mitchell addresses ongoing court case: 2020 absentee ballots in Fulton County, GA.
  • Fulton County ordered 1.6 million absentee ballots from Runbeck after deadline and without envelopes—raises suspicion of illegitimate ballots. (25:00–27:10)
  • Ballots display signs of tampering (pristine, not folded; digital date changes).
  • Cleta Mitchell (30:35): “We need the Justice Department fighting with every ounce of energy, killer instinct. … If these bad guys succeed … all the records that proves the theft, the fraud, the incompetence … It all starts here.”
• Overarching theme: Democrats cannot win unless they “cheat” through illegal ballots and legal maneuvering.

Notable Quotes:

• Steve Bannon (28:40): “We gotta rip the scab off in Georgia and let the whole nation and the world see what went on here. … The Democratic Party cannot win elections unless they cheat.”
• Cleta Mitchell (30:35): “We cannot afford to lose this. … It all starts with Fulton County.”

3. Mexico Cartel Escalations & American Tourist Warning (41:38–46:28)

• Topic: Cartel violence, recent gunfight near Cuba, drone strike decapitations, U.S. tourist safety
• Key Guests: Nino Rodriguez, McCabe

Summary:

• McCabe: Gunfight one mile off Cuba leaves Americans dead or captured. Unclear motives—possible anti-Castro operatives trying to disrupt U.S.-Cuba talks (37:00–41:00).
  • “Versailles Bakery” crowd (old Miami anti-Castro hardliners) possibly trying to scuttle peace overtures.
• Nino Rodriguez, Texas podcaster, warns this is not the time to visit Mexico:
  • “We are at war with the cartels. … They control everything in Mexico.” (41:38)
  • Cautions that a drone strike likely killed a cartel head–cartels will strike back, possibly using hostages and escalating violence to undermine Trump administration.
  • Explicit warning: “This is the time to get out. … Sit this one out, man. … This is basically a Nino travel advisory.” (45:11)
  • Steve Bannon (46:01): “You’re saying it’s a battlefield. Don’t walk on a battlefield unless it’s necessary.”

4. MAGA, American Renewal, & The Stakes of 2026 (Throughout)

• Topics: President Trump’s leadership, value of “Patriots vs Hatriots” frame, Texas politics, American renewal, faith
• Key Comments:
  • President Trump adopting “Patriots vs Hatriots” as the 2026 frame; Republican establishment and grassroots unified as in Virginia’s 2021 parental rights movement. (12:25)
• Preview of Trump’s Corpus Christi visit: Focus on energy policy, inspiring GOP turnout as Texas becomes the next battleground for MAGA.
  • Brian Glenn (54:13): “The Democrats are really representing here, but … the harder core Trump base does not like voting early. They’re going to show up on Tuesday; this trip to inspire the people down in Corpus Christi couldn’t be more timely.”
• Repeated advocacy: “This election is about saving this country from that Marxist jihadist mob.” (29:10)
• “The Calvary has arrived and we will never back off.” (31:35)

5. AI, History, and the “Law of Unintended Consequences” (46:47–48:59)

• Key Guest: Larry Schweikart
• Analysis of American history’s twists, with AI as a new unpredictable force:
  • Four possible AI futures: Skynet/Terminator, Matrix, human control, or machine self-limiting.
  • Irony theme—“How many times we thought one thing would happen and something totally different happened.”
  • Larry Schweikart (48:12): “Barack Obama … was being referred to as … a transformational president. No, that would be Donald Trump, who’s transformed this country more in five years … than any president since FDR.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bannon’s opening rally cry:

  • “This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies because we’re going medieval on these people.” (02:46)

• Raheem Kassam on AI:

  • “You won’t reach out to me to book me on this show. Your malt bot will reach out to my malt bot and see if I’m available.” (08:46)

• John Solomon on DOJ/Fani Willis collusion:

  • “It looks like the old Boss Hogg way of doing business or Tammany Hall…” (15:18)
  • “We’re headed into stuff that’s going to make J. Edgar Hoover turn in his grave and blush.” (16:45)

• Cleta Mitchell on Georgia ballots:

  • “We just want to make sure that we have those, that we are able to look at them. But they are desperate to get them back.” (27:54)

• Nino Rodriguez on Mexico:

  • “This is not, you know, this is the year of action for Trump … He’s going to take these cartels out and that’s what … he’s going to do. … The cartels will fight back.”
  • “Go at your own risk. … This is basically a Nino travel advisory.” (45:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:00 – AI war games and rapid escalation discussion with Raheem Kassam
• 11:21 – John Solomon: Deep state, DOJ, and Fani Willis reporting
• 23:25 – Cleta Mitchell: Georgia ballot legal battle
• 41:38 – Nino Rodriguez/McCabe: Cuba shooting, Mexico cartel violence, and tourist advice
• 46:47 – Larry Schweikart: AI, the law of unintended consequences, modern history
• 53:42 – Brian Glenn: Preview of Trump in Corpus Christi, Texas politics

Guest Resources & Social Media

• Raheem Kassam: thenationalpulse.com, raheemkassam.substack.com, Truth Social
• John Solomon: justthenews.com, @jsolomonReports
• Cleta Mitchell: @CletaMitchell, @EIWatchdogs, electionintegritynetwork.org
• Nino Rodriguez: @ninoboxing (X), NinosCorner on YouTube, Ninoscorner TV
• Larry Schweikart: Wild World of History/Politics; Truth Social, Substack
• Brian Glenn: @brianglenntv, Instagram

Tone & Style

The conversation is urgent, combative, and charged with pro-MAGA populism. Bannon and guests employ direct warnings, moral clarity, and vivid language (“dying regime,” “ripping the scab off,” “medieval on these people”) to mobilize listeners against perceived existential threats—from AI to ballot integrity to cartel violence—and to rally support for President Trump and the MAGA agenda.

Final Notes

• This episode is a blend of political strategy, investigative updates, national security warnings, and cultural commentary, all through an “America First” perspective.
• Essential theme: 2026 is a pivotal year for American sovereignty, security, and freedom—confronting both old enemies (deep state, DOJ corruption) and new existential risks (unleashed AI, cartel militarization). MAGA remains, in the hosts’ view, the front line against these converging threats.