In a blistering rebuke aired on his “War Room” podcast, former White House strategist Stephen K. Bannon reportedly criticized Republican lawmakers for what he described as a lack of political courage in backing President Donald J. Trump’s budget proposal.
As tensions rise ahead of a pivotal House vote, Bannon called on Republicans to shift from defense to offense, warning that failure to rally behind Trump’s agenda could have long-term political consequences.
“This is the moment,” Bannon said. “Offense, offense, offense. Sell it like your life depends on it.”
He argued that the Republican Party’s message discipline was collapsing, and that leaders had failed to present Trump’s budget as a populist, pro-growth plan.
Instead, he claimed, too many lawmakers were retreating in fear of Democratic attacks, leaving the bill vulnerable to internal sabotage.
The legislation, branded by Trump as his “big, beautiful bill,” includes a series of tax cuts, immigration enforcement enhancements, and defense spending increases.
The Senate narrowly approved a revised version after an all-night session, but the House remains divided.
Some conservative members have balked at the Senate’s adjustments, arguing they deviate from prior spending agreements and breach fiscal red lines. Centrist Republicans, meanwhile, have voiced concern about Medicaid rollbacks and other politically sensitive cuts.
With Republicans holding a narrow House majority, just a few defections could derail the bill. Speaker Mike Johnson has been engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations in an effort to shore up support before a potential floor vote later this week.
The deadline carries added urgency for Trump, who has pressed for final passage before July 4, framing the bill as a cornerstone of his second-term policy platform.
Bannon’s intervention appears aimed at galvanizing the party’s base and pressuring wavering lawmakers.
He suggested that those opposing the bill were at risk of being challenged in Republican primaries, echoing past threats from Trump’s political orbit. “We’re not playing games anymore,” he said. “Get in line or get out of the way.”
As Republicans huddle in closed-door meetings and weigh amendments, the outcome remains uncertain.
What is clear is that the internal rift has deepened, and the party’s ability to unite behind Trump’s priorities is being tested in real time.
For Bannon and others in Trump’s camp, the message is unambiguous: push forward with conviction—or be prepared to answer for the consequences.
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