THE WAR ROOM WITH STEPHEN K. BANNON — SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 (EP. #4781)

Podcast: Real America’s Voice / iHeartPodcasts
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Steve Bannon
Special Guests & Featured Voices: Donald Trump, others

Overview

This episode tackled an extraordinary moment in current events, focusing heavily on the aftermath of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, political violence in America, U.S. efforts against narcotics and terrorism, and President Trump’s response to a host of domestic and foreign policy issues. The tone oscillated between anger, urgency, and moments of reflection, as Bannon and his guests called for action against left-wing extremism, legislative change, and a continued focus on “American values.” The episode also included extended remarks from President Trump during a White House press gaggle before his state trip to the UK.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Retaliation and the State of the FBI Judiciary (01:41–03:26)

• Allegations of Political Retaliation:
  Steve Bannon highlighted stories of FBI whistleblowers who reportedly suffered for exposing perceived political bias within the Bureau, including naming names — Dina Perkins, Jeffrey Veltri, Timothy Dunn.

  • “You're watching the War Room. This is the Senate Judiciary Committee grilling of Cash Patel, the FBI Director.” (01:41 – Steve Bannon)

• Whistleblower Experience:
  Bannon emphasized concerns of due process violations and described efforts to remove supposedly corrupt leadership from the FBI as “responsible leadership.”

2. Narcotics & International Law Enforcement — Venezuela & China (03:52–06:17)

• Venezuela as a Narco-Terror State:
  Discussion covered U.S. military action against drug trafficking boats and indictments against Venezuelan officials.

  • “Do you believe that Maduro runs a narco terrorism state in Venezuela?” (04:14 – Steve Bannon)
  • “A large portion of the cocaine that exits out of South America...its origination point is in Venezuela.” (04:23 – Interviewee)

• China’s Role in Fentanyl Crisis:
  Both the U.S. and Chinese companies are implicated for fentanyl precursors. The U.S. has begun working more directly with Chinese and Indian authorities to stymie illicit flows, but Bannon and Trump underscore it’s too soon to declare real progress.

  • “Precursors are made in China.” (05:38 – Steve Bannon)

3. Trump White House Press Gaggle: Responses to Key Issues (07:13–15:33)

Israel and Hamas (07:13–08:16)

• Hostage Crisis:
  Trump warned Hamas about using hostages as human shields:

  • “If they do that, they're going to be in big trouble.” (07:17 – Donald Trump)

• Relationship with UK Royalty:
  Trump showcased his rapport with King Charles and anticipated a historic state visit at Windsor.

  • “My relationship is very good with the UK and Charles, as you know, who's now king, is my friend.” (08:25 – Donald Trump)

TikTok/China (10:16–10:59)

• Resolution on TikTok Ban:
  Trump claimed a deal had been reached, citing intergenerational pressure from parents to keep the app available and a looming call with President Xi.
  • “We have a deal on TikTok. I've reached a deal with China.” (10:19 – Donald Trump)

Trade, Tariffs, and Wealth (11:06–14:07)

• Defending Tariffs as Policy:
  Trump asserted that tariffs, particularly on autos and foreign goods, have made the U.S. “the richest country in the world,” pending a Supreme Court decision.
  • “If we win that case, our country will be by far the richest country anywhere in the world.” (12:30 – Donald Trump)
• Wealth Accusations:
  Trump dismissed concerns over him doing business in office, emphasizing his children run the businesses and touting the construction of a massive government ballroom he says will be funded by himself.
  • “That is going to be the greatest ballroom anywhere in the world... And I'm paying for it. I'm paying for it.” (16:00 – Donald Trump)

Venezuela, Immigration, Borders (15:33–16:27)

• Border Security & Deterring Venezuela:
  Trump combined issues of narcotrafficking and immigration, claiming Venezuela is “sending prisoners” and he has achieved “zero” illegal entries in latest figures.
  • “Stop sending people from your prisons into our country. They're sending their prisoners.” (15:35 – Donald Trump)
  • “Nobody has ever done on the border like I've done.” (16:24 – Donald Trump)

Ukraine and Hostility Toward Russia (16:27–17:05)

• On Zelensky and Putin:
  Trump stated bluntly that Zelensky would need to make a deal and that European nations must stop buying Russian oil.
  • “Zelensky is going to have to make a deal. And Europe has to stop buying oil from Russia.” (16:29 – Donald Trump)

4. The Charlie Kirk Assassination & “Crackdown on the Left” (38:24–47:55)

Emotional Reactions and Blame Assignation

• Calls for Action:
  Bannon, Trump, and their circle called for the designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization and hinted at expanding RICO prosecutions against leftist groups, using Kirk’s murder as justification.

  • “It’s something I would do, yeah. We have some pretty radical groups and they got away with murder.” (40:10 – Donald Trump)
  • “You have to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization. Let's get on with it.” (50:09 – Steve Bannon)

• Media Complicity & Conspiracy Theories:
  Regular jabs at mainstream media for “spinning” the Kirk murder as a lone wolf event, with Bannon hinting at a deeper, coordinated plot involving money trails, Discord channels, and organized ideological networks.

Social Commentary

• Division, Empathy, and Culture War:
  Explicitly adversarial discussion about empathy, with Bannon and Trump expressing disdain for showing compassion to political enemies, linking this to mainstream attitudes toward race, policing, and “cancerous ideologies.”
  • “He died disrespecting black people, so I don't care about him at all. The world is a better place without him.” (38:56 – Donald Trump)
  • “There's a social cancer, a cancerous ideology that has spread throughout this country...” (41:08 – Steve Bannon)

Counterpoint on Political Violence

• Host/Analyst Response:
  Co-hosts and guests cited Cato Institute data showing that violence is not unique to one side and objected to narrowing terrorism designations to only left-wing actors, noting the legal and moral peril in expanding domestic terrorism laws.
  • “First of all, there is no authority under U.S. law to designate domestic organizations as terrorist organizations. Foreign terrorist organization — the criteria starts number one: foreign.” (32:12–38:24, unnamed guest/analyst)

Discussion of Shooter’s Motives & Identity

• Transgender Issues:
  The roommate of Kirk’s alleged shooter — currently transitioning — became a point of focus, with hosts expressing skepticism and hostility toward both the suspect’s identity and the “California influx” into Utah, blaming social-emotional learning initiatives and shifting demographics for violence and political change.
  • “He's a dude. Not some. Don't give me the transition. He's a guy, okay? He's a guy. A perverted, demented guy.” (46:08 – Steve Bannon)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |---------|-----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:41 | Steve Bannon | “You're watching the War Room. This is the Senate Judiciary Committee grilling of Cash Patel, the FBI Director.” | | 07:17 | Donald Trump | “If they do that [use hostages as shields], they're going to be in big trouble.” | | 10:19 | Donald Trump | “We have a deal on TikTok. I've reached a deal with China.” | | 12:30 | Donald Trump | “If we win that case, our country will be by far the richest country anywhere in the world.” | | 16:29 | Donald Trump | “Zelensky is going to have to make a deal. And Europe has to stop buying oil from Russia.” | | 38:56 | Donald Trump | “He died disrespecting black people, so I don't care about him at all. The world is a better place without him.” | | 40:10 | Donald Trump | “It’s something I would do, yeah. We have some pretty radical groups and they got away with murder.” | | 41:08 | Steve Bannon | “There's a social cancer, a cancerous ideology that has spread throughout this country...” | | 46:08 | Steve Bannon | “He's a dude. Not some. Don't give me the transition. He's a guy, okay? He's a guy. A perverted, demented guy.” | | 50:09 | Steve Bannon | “You have to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization. Let's get on with it.” |

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–01:41: Opening and introductory advertisements (skipped)
• 01:41–03:26: FBI whistleblowers, Judiciary Committee focus
• 03:27–06:17: Venezuela, China, Fentanyl, legal and law enforcement strategies
• 07:13–17:05: Trump White House gaggle; rapid-fire on foreign and domestic policy
• 38:24–47:55: Kirk assassination, crackdown rhetoric, emotional commentary, conspiracy claims
• 50:09–50:58: Calls for designating Antifa, political takeaways
• 57:37: Outro/ads (skipped)

Tone and Language

The language throughout was combative, urgent, and often accusatory, matching the high passions of the underlying events. Bannon’s hosting style was partisan and rhetorical, interweaving calls for legislative and executive action with mocking asides and references to mainstream media and opposition politicians. Trump’s remarks in the press gaggle were characteristically self-promoting, improvisational, and veering between policy and anecdote.

Summary & Takeaways

• The episode was dominated by the assassination of Charlie Kirk and its political fallout, with hosts and guests demanding an escalated legal and institutional response to left-wing extremism (especially Antifa).
• Bannon and Trump argued the U.S. government (and the Republican Party in particular) must be more aggressive in rooting out what they characterize as domestic terror networks and international threats, particularly regarding immigration, narcotics, and ideological opponents.
• The legal, moral, and factual basis for designating domestic groups as terrorist organizations was challenged by legal analysts, but Bannon dismissed these arguments in favor of political urgency.
• The episode underscored a deep skepticism toward mainstream narratives, a pattern of linking criminal or violent incidents to broader ideological foes, and a readiness to dismiss claims of lone-wolf actors in favor of conspiracy frameworks.
• Listeners were left with a sense of siege, determination, and the anticipation of further action — both in terms of legal crackdown and the ongoing “culture war.”

Note:
This summary omits all advertisements, unrelated show plugs, and peripheral content to focus solely on the substance of the episode as requested.