Trump Is a “Moderate” Who People Will “Pine” for in “Future Years”: Bannon

William FurneyNov 17, 2023

Minute Read

Donald Trump’s former main man — currently battling to stay out of jail — says the ex-president is not the radical strongman some people think he is but, rather, is a “moderate” politician.

‘Fond Trump Memories’

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And, says Trump’s onetime chief strategist, Steve Bannon, one day people will look back at the Trump era fondly and miss the former president.

False 2020 Election Claim

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Bannon was appearing on Showtime’s The Circus, a documentary series, when he repeated his former boss’ baseless claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen when Trump lost to Joe Biden.

MAGA Longevity

Bannon suggested that Trump’s campaign slogan that blossomed into a full-blown movement, Make America Great Again (MAGA), would endure.

“This movement is going to go on long after Donald Trump. It’s only going to get more powerful and broader. Even if a Democrat was to win there’s no compromising,” he said.

‘Pining for Trump’

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He continued: “President Trump is a moderate in our movement. You are going to pine in future years that you wished Donald Trump was around.”

For and Against

Not everyone agreed with Bannon’s assessment of Trump. Writing on X, formerly called Twitter, a man simply named as Joe said: “Bannon is implying that Trump is a moderate in the alt-right movement, when in reality, Trump’s candidacy and presidency were seen by many as a galvanizing force for the alt-right, and he was embraced by some of its more extreme elements.”

‘Hats Off’

Another X user, Solvix, praised Bannon for speaking out. “Steve Bannon is the best spokesman for our movement — it isn’t Trump, it’s America FIRST. Hats off to Steve and team for all their hard work!!!”

‘More Like Bannon’

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Still another person on X, agreed, saying: “I wish we all had the fight in us that Steve Bannon does. He helps the MAGA movement more than anyone. He tells it clearly, truthfully and in a way that’s easy to understand. We need more just like him!”

Bannon Legal Trouble

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Bannon, 69, is appealing in federal court a conviction accompanied by a four-month prison term for contempt of Congress, and a fine of $6,500. It stemmed from a subpoena he ignored to appear before a House select committee investigating rioting at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Capitol Attack

Following Trump’s loss to Biden in the 2020 election, the outgoing president called on his supporters to protest the election result at the US Capitol. Thousands of MAGA followers gathered at the heart of American democracy on January 6, 2021, as Biden was being confirmed the winner. But clashes with police and security officers broke out and five people were killed. More than 1,000 people were arrested and many have been convicted and jailed.

Bannon Appeal Argument

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Lawyers for Bannon said in a court filing that their client’s constitutional rights were violated and that the House subpoena was not valid in the first place.

‘Acting According to the Law’

Bannon’s legal team said in the court filing that he “was barred from putting on any evidence or argument that he believed he responded to the subpoena in the only way the law permitted, once executive privilege was invoked and that he acted in the manner his experienced lawyer directed him that he had to act as a matter of law.”

Second Trump Presidency?

Trump may be back in the White House if he becomes the GOP nominee for the 2024 election and beats what looks likely to be President Biden as the Democratic choice. Trump is far ahead of his Republican rivals in national nomination polling, and he is leading Biden in five of six crucial swing states.

Trump Campaign Derailment?

But Trump’s chances of setting foot in the Oval Office again hinge largely on the outcomes of four indictments he has been hit with, over the 2020 election outcome, classified documents and alleged hush money payments. If Trump were convicted and received prison sentences, it could scupper his presidential hopes.

New York Trial

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Trump also faces the real prospect of losing control of his Trump Organization and its many prized assets, including Trump Tower in Manhattan. At an ongoing civil trial in New York City, a judge has ruled that fraud was committed by the company overvaluing its assets to get favorable loans, and he revoked several of its business licenses as a punishment. New York Attorney General Letitia James wants Trump banned from doing business in New York and has requested a fine of at least $250 million.