Steve Bannon, the former White House strategist, has launched a furious tirade against Republican complacency following Virginia’s recent redistricting, which he claims will hand Democrats up to four additional House seats in the midterms. Speaking on his War Room programme, Bannon warned that the GOP is at risk of losing power nationally if it fails to mobilise its base.
Bannon criticised what he called a 'consultant lobbyist crap' culture that avoids energising voters, directing particular ire at figures such as Glenn Youngkin, the former Virginia governor defeated by Democrat Abigail Spanberger. He claimed the state had been 'turned over' and that it would take 'a decade' of grassroots work to recover.
The redistricting follows a broader pattern of partisan map-drawing, which began when Donald Trump urged Texas to redraw its maps in 2021. Bannon alleged that Democrats are 'infesting' rural Virginia and accused Governor Spanberger of running a 'colour revolution' trained by the CIA – claims for which no evidence was provided.
Bannon also attacked Senate Republicans John Cornyn, Lindsey Graham and John Thune as 'scumbags', arguing they have given voters nothing to fight for. He dismissed suggestions that Trump shares blame, stating the president is too busy with global affairs to micromanate campaigns.
Concluding his monologue, Bannon urged viewers to write down his warning: 'We ain’t going to be in power!' The outburst underscores deepening divisions within the GOP ahead of November’s elections.
