Steve Bannon Quietly Positions for Potential 2028 Presidential Bid, Sources Say
Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist under President Donald Trump and a prominent voice in the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement, is laying the groundwork for a possible run for president in 2028, according to a new report from Axios published on January 10, 2026.
Two people familiar with Bannon’s thinking told Axios that the 71-year-old podcaster and political operative is making preliminary moves toward a campaign. However, the sources emphasized that Bannon is not serious about actually becoming president. Instead, his apparent goal is to influence the Republican primary debate and pressure potential 2028 GOP contenders to fully commit to an “America First” agenda.
Bannon envisions a highly unconventional campaign strategy, one centered on his Capitol Hill-based “War Room” podcast studio rather than traditional retail politics. This would mean forgoing large rallies and grassroots events in early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire, relying instead on his daily platform to shape narratives and mobilize supporters.
The report highlights Bannon’s private criticisms of Vice President JD Vance, widely viewed as the current frontrunner for the 2028 Republican nomination. Bannon has reportedly questioned Vance’s toughness and readiness to lead the populist wing of the party. Allies see this positioning as a deliberate effort to challenge Vance and other emerging figures in the GOP field.
One colorful description from a Bannon ally, Rep. Matt Gaetz, suggested the hypothetical campaign would blend “the foreign policy of Rand Paul with the tax policy of Elizabeth Warren”—a nod to its potential mix of isolationist tendencies and populist economic ideas.
When confronted by Axios, Bannon adamantly denied any plans to run, dismissing the notion as “bullsh*t.” He insisted his focus remains on advocating for a third term for President Trump in 2028, despite the clear prohibition in the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two elected terms. Bannon has repeatedly pushed this idea in recent years, including vague references to “a plan” for circumventing term limits, though constitutional scholars overwhelmingly consider such a path legally impossible without a formal amendment.
This is not the first time speculation about a Bannon candidacy has emerged. Earlier reports from outlets like Politico (March 2025) and Daily Mail (August 2025) noted private discussions and Bannon’s reluctance to fully rule out the possibility, often met with his blunt retort: “Trump 2028.”
The latest Axios scoop has already sparked chatter on social media, with users sharing the article, debating its implications for MAGA dynamics, and tying it to broader questions about the future of the Republican Party post-Trump.
At 71, with a history of legal challenges—including a prison sentence for contempt of Congress—Bannon faces significant hurdles in any serious electoral pursuit. Analysts view this development more as strategic maneuvering: a way to maintain influence within the populist right, keep the “America First” flame burning, and ensure the next generation of GOP leaders aligns with his vision.
As the 2026 midterms conclude and the 2028 cycle begins to take shape, Bannon’s reported moves add another layer of intrigue to what promises to be a competitive and ideologically charged Republican primary. Whether this evolves into an actual campaign or remains a podcast-driven pressure tactic, it underscores the ongoing battle for the soul of the post-Trump GOP.
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