Real America’s Voice: "The War Room with Stephen K. Bannon"

Episode #4858 | October 17, 2025

Episode Overview

On this episode of The War Room, host Stephen K. Bannon and a lineup of guests dissect the current state of politics, culture, and economics through the lens of the MAGA and populist-nationalist movements. Key focus areas include the shifting political balance in Texas, the impact of renewable energy and AI data centers on American utilities, the evolving Soros family influence, free speech threats, and major geopolitical developments surrounding the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia. Throughout, the panel voices concerns about establishment Republican complacency, Democratic influence in red states, and intensified grassroots efforts to drive realignment.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Coalition-Building and the Changing Face of MAGA (01:25–04:28)

• New Allies in 2024 and Beyond:
  Stephen K. Bannon highlights how the MAGA movement is expanding, bringing in allies like Nicole Shanahan, Bobby Kennedy, and the Parents Rights movement, even including those originally uncomfortable with Trump.

  “Moms or these groups are amazing…I'm glad they're in Florida. No need to come to Texas because Texas is fine, right? No teachers union, best education.” – Bannon (01:25)

• Reality Check on Texas Education:
  Despite Texas's reputation, guests challenge the "no teacher union, best education" myth. State Rep. Harrison reveals dismal proficiency rates and union influence.

  “Only 24% of Texas eighth graders are proficient in reading. Only 23%…we're spending $19,000 per kid per year…Not even a quarter are proficient…” – Rep. Harrison (02:30)
  “It’s a myth that Texas doesn't have teacher unions…your money is going to indoctrination…” – Rep. Harrison (02:52)

Notable Quote:

“A massive chunk of elected Republicans in Texas…literally endorsed by Randy Weingarten.” – Rep. Harrison (03:48)

2. Populist Nationalism vs. the Global Elite (04:28–09:49)

• The Incursion into Globalist Forums:
  Steve Cortez recounts his “managed” appearance at the Toronto Global Forum, likened to Davos, representing U.S. populist-nationalist perspectives to a skeptical, globalist audience.

  “I was sent out with a minder…babysit this populist nationalist crazy man from the US.” – Cortez (04:53)

• Warning to Globalists:
  Cortez insists populism in America is here to stay, describing a binary choice between leftist populism (“bullets, guillotines and appropriation”) and MAGA-style nationalism (“prosperity…families can thrive on one single income”).

  “Populism is either gonna be the populism of the left…or it's gonna be the populism of the right…We're not going back to…the so called free trade era in which American workers got completely abused…” – Cortez (06:53)

Notable Quote:

“This is no phase. This is an era. It is a new era in America.” – Steve Cortez (07:48)

3. The Soros Family’s Evolving Influence (10:07–14:18)

• The 'Apprentice' Rises:
  Matt Palumbo, author and Soros biographer, details Alex Soros’s ascension to the head of the Open Society Foundations (OSF) and his increasing role since 2015.

  "He'd been learning from his father…accompanying him on trips all around the world…In 2023, Alex Soros took over the OSF…" – Matt Palumbo (10:40)

• Old Guard Still Pulling Strings:
  Despite the handover, George Soros remains politically active, notably in fast-tracked media acquisitions before the 2024 election.

  "He is still manipulating…even through his hedge fund, he's still pulling the strings politically." – Matt Palumbo (12:42)

4. The Renewable Energy & AI Data Center Controversy (16:04–34:33)

a. Soaring Electric Bills and Data Centers

• Grassroots Frustration:
  Pushback against data centers is surfacing in elections, especially in Virginia and New Jersey, with both parties scrambling to respond to rising costs and community concerns.

  “Average bills have jumped over 10%...some seeing increases beyond 20%...Lawmakers…placed the blame on data centers…” – Segment Intro (16:04)

b. Market Forces and Renewable Energy

• Panelist Perspective:
  Some posit that high prices, like those seen with eggs, will eventually self-correct as new power generation enters the market. Others are less optimistic.

c. 'Scam on Top of a Scam' – The War on Net Zero

• Dave Walsh's Critique:
  Bannon and former energy executive Dave Walsh argue the rate hikes stem more from expensive and unreliable renewables, not just AI demand. Renewable adoption is driven by bipartisan political donor influence.

  “The problem…mass adoption of very costly renewables…We've already seen 40 to 45% rate increases…because of the massive adoption of expensive, expensive renewables…" – Dave Walsh (20:49)

d. Utilities and Political Donors

• Utility companies and their political action committees are cited as major forces behind pro-renewables policy—even in red states like Texas and Florida.

  "Florida…regulated utilities…wind up in full control of energy policy…because they're major donors…cap ex involved with these plans is 5–6 times more than basic gas power." – Dave Walsh (25:50)

Notable Exchange:

“How did we have two MAGA states…the reddest populations…going down this path?...It's got to be some deal here with lobbyists.” – Bannon (30:39)

e. Water Wars and Data Center Growth

• New ballot propositions and subsidies are facilitating the transfer of Texan and Arizonan water resources to support burgeoning tech data centers, raising alarms about long-term sustainability.

  “Trying to take over the state government…to take over the water supply…I was told we gotta get the water to these AI and tech data centers.” – Rep. Harrison (41:02)

5. Free Speech, Lawfare, and Lindell’s Smartmatic Battle (37:12–39:44)

• Mike Lindell’s Dilemma:
  Following his court loss in a defamation suit brought by Smartmatic, Lindell discusses the international scandal surrounding the voting machine company and warns about the chilling effect on political speech.

  “The judge ruled that I'm guilty of defamation and MyPillow is also guilty by association. You can't make this up.” – Mike Lindell (37:43)

• Pressing the Appeal:
  Lindell frames the situation as a free speech battle:

  “If I don’t appeal this…the ramifications…none of us will ever be able to use our free speech to question a government private contractor again.” – Lindell (39:13)

6. Texas: The Red State Turned Blue by Its Politicians? (40:03–43:28)

• Disconnect Between People and Government:
  Bannon and guests suggest that, outside the pro-life issue, Texas is now governed like a blue state, with “establishment Republicans” acting as Democrats.

  “Besides life, which Texas is great on, the rest of the government's a kind of a blue government…” – Bannon (41:02)

7. Global Affairs: U.S., Ukraine & Russia – The Zelensky Visit (43:28–46:29)

• Trump, Putin, and Zelensky:
  Ben Harnwell reports on a surprise two-hour Trump-Putin phone call and upcoming U.S.-Russia-Hungary negotiations. Zelensky’s hopes hinge on U.S. willingness to supply Tomahawk missiles—Trump reportedly resists depleting U.S. stockpiles.

  “President Trump said…‘we can't deplete our current country’…that's going to be a significant obstacle to President Zelensky’s objective…” – Ben Harnwell (44:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Texas Education:

  “It's not a Republican Democrat split in Texas. It's freedom vs. tyranny…a massive chunk of elected Republicans…endorsed by Randy Weingarten.” – Rep. Harrison (02:52–03:48)

• On the Populist Era:

  “This is no phase. This is an era. It is a new era in America.” – Steve Cortez (07:48)

• On Renewable Energy Policy:

  “Every time it gets hot or cold [in Texas], people don’t know if we're going to have power. We literally institute California style rolling blackouts.” – Rep. Harrison (29:40)

• On Smartmatic Legal Battle:

  “How can you defame a criminal organization?” – Bannon (38:16)

• On the Disconnect in Red States:

  “Texas is MAGA as can be…and the government…is a blue government…” – Bannon (41:02)

• On Free Speech and Contractors:

  “If I don’t appeal this…the ramifications…none of us will ever be able to use our free speech to question a government private contractor again.” – Mike Lindell (39:13)

• On Utility and Water for Tech Oligarchs:

  “The Texas government’s going to make my constituents and 30 million Texans foot the bill [for water for AI data centers].” – Rep. Harrison (41:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Time | |------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Opening: MAGA coalition and Texas politics | 01:25–04:28 | | Texas education woes and teacher unions | 02:30–04:07 | | Steve Cortez at Toronto Global Forum | 04:28–09:49 | | Soros family influence (Matt Palumbo) | 10:07–14:18 | | Data centers, energy bills, and AI | 16:04–34:33 | | Texas/Florida renewables policy debate | 25:07–34:33 | | Legal battle: Lindell & Smartmatic | 37:12–39:44 | | Texas politics: MAGA vs. blue government | 40:03–43:28 | | Zelensky’s U.S. visit & Ukraine crisis | 43:28–46:29 |

Episode Tone and Style

The episode is energetic, combative, and deeply skeptical of the political and economic establishment. Speakers display a sense of urgency and frustration, especially around issues of grassroots empowerment, establishment capture, and what they perceive as elite hypocrisy—especially in red states like Texas and Florida. They champion free speech, alarm over lawfare, and the need for MAGA-aligned grassroots to actively reshape the political class.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This War Room episode is a vibrant, at times incendiary, exploration of the paradoxes within populist politics, red-state governance, renewable energy economics, and international intrigue. Through candid exchanges, the hosts and guests challenge assumptions about party loyalty, economic policy, and elite influence, underlining the necessity for a truly grassroots-driven, MAGA-aligned transformation of American political power—starting with Texas and reverberating across the nation and globe.