Deepening divisions within the MAGA movement have burst into public view as a key ally of former White House strategist Steve Bannon launched a scathing social media attack on Vice President JD Vance.
Social Media Sparring Over Minnesota Fraud Cases
The conflict centres on the unfolding Minnesota fraud cases, where prosecutors allege billions in federal funds for state-run programmes were stolen. The cases, involving many Somali American defendants, have become a political flashpoint. President Donald Trump has labelled Minnesota a "hub of fraudulent money laundering activity" and claimed Somali immigrants "ripped off that state."
On Saturday, Vice President Vance weighed in, stating the situation "is a microcosm of the immigration fraud in our system." This prompted a sharp rebuke from Grace Chong, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Steve Bannon's media company. Chong dismissed Vance's statement as "word salad" in a post on X.
Bannon Enters the Fray
The dispute escalated when Vance shared a video by YouTuber Nick Shirley about the fraud case, praising him for doing "far more useful journalism" than 2024 Pulitzer Prize winners. Steve Bannon responded directly to this post on the conservative platform Gettr. A screenshot of his comment was shared by Chong on X.
"Nick is a Patriot but American Citizens must NOT depend on the media —DoJ/FBI Joint Task Force with DHS /HHS/State Dept should have been deployed months ago so now we can perp walk or deport," Bannon wrote.
Chong re-shared Bannon's comment, adding a photo of Vance with the caption: "We are going to do f****** nothing." In another post, she demanded: "Where is the DOJ/FBI Joint Task Force??"
A Broader Pattern of Republican Infighting
This public spat is part of a wider pattern of Republican infighting that has intensified in recent weeks. Notably, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a staunch Trump ally, is preparing to resign next month after falling out with the president and her party over several issues, including the investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a New York Times profile published on Monday 29 December 2025, Greene outlined the start of her break with Trump. She highlighted his remarks at the September memorial service for conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, where Trump said, "He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them... That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don't want the best for them."
Greene told the Times: "That was absolutely the worst statement... It just shows where his heart is." The public criticism from Chong, a high-profile Bannon staffer, against Vice President Vance signals that these internal fractures are now affecting the core leadership of the MAGA movement.
The Independent has contacted Vice President Vance's office for comment.
