Steve Bannon Secretly Plots to Sabotage JD Vance’s 2028 Ambitions: Report

Steve Bannon, the former Trump White House strategist who has refused to fade from the political spotlight, is reportedly laying the groundwork for a long-term power play that could reshape the 2028 Republican presidential primary—and potentially derail Vice President JD Vance’s ambitions in the process.

While Bannon publicly insists he has no intention of running for office himself, multiple allies, former associates, and political insiders describe a deliberate, behind-the-scenes effort to ensure that any post-Trump GOP nominee fully embraces his hardline “America First” ideology.

In interviews with several sources familiar with Bannon’s thinking, a consistent picture emerges: Bannon views himself as the guardian of the MAGA movement and is unwilling to allow it to drift toward moderation, establishment compromise, or what he sees as watered-down conservatism. His strategy, they say, is not necessarily to become the candidate, but to become the kingmaker—or, if necessary, the king-breaker.

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Public Denials, Private Maneuvering

Bannon has repeatedly dismissed speculation about his own political ambitions. When asked directly about 2028, he told reporters earlier this year: “That’s bullsh*t.” He has framed his ongoing activities—hosting the daily War Room podcast, organizing high-profile conferences, and building grassroots networks as purely supportive of President Trump and the broader movement.

Yet those close to him paint a different picture. According to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, Bannon is quietly cultivating influence across the conservative ecosystem with an eye toward the post-Trump era.

His recent all-day “Save Texas from Radical Islam” conference, along with frequent appearances at events like Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, are seen by allies as deliberate efforts to energize and organize the base in ways that can be directed toward specific candidates—or against them.

“Bannon isn’t just keeping the fire alive,” one longtime associate said. “He’s building an army that he can deploy in 2028. Whether he runs or not, he wants to be the one deciding who carries the torch.”

Vice President JD Vance, widely viewed as the early frontrunner for the 2028 GOP nomination, appears to be a particular focus of Bannon’s concern. While Vance has positioned himself as a loyal Trump heir, some insiders say Bannon views him with suspicion—questioning whether Vance’s ties to Silicon Valley donors, his more measured rhetoric on certain issues, and his relative youth make him susceptible to “establishment” drift.

“Bannon sees Vance as too cozy with the tech billionaires and too willing to play nice with the old-guard Republicans,” one source familiar with Bannon’s thinking said. “He’s not convinced Vance will stay true to the full America First agenda—economic populism, non-interventionism, and the culture war without apology.”

Bannon has not publicly criticized Vance, but his allies say the former strategist is already working to build alternative power centers within the movement—media platforms, donor networks, and activist groups that could be used to challenge or pressure Vance if he veers off course.

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Building the Infrastructure

Bannon’s recent activities appear designed to expand and solidify his influence:

The War Room podcast has become a daily rallying point for the base, frequently hosting Trump allies and promoting hardline positions. High-profile gatherings like the “Save Texas from Radical Islam” event draw thousands of activists and serve as recruiting grounds. More so, Bannon continues to build alternative media infrastructure, positioning himself as a central node in the conservative information ecosystem.

These efforts, sources say, are not merely about keeping Trump’s agenda alive—they are about creating leverage for the post-Trump era. By controlling access to the base and shaping the narrative, Bannon aims to ensure that any 2028 candidate must pass through his approval or risk facing sustained opposition.

Critics within the broader conservative movement warn that Bannon’s maneuvering could backfire. Some see his refusal to step back as a sign of personal ambition disguised as ideological purity. Others worry that his confrontational style—already evident in past feuds with figures like Ben Shapiro could fracture the coalition Trump built.

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For Vance, the challenge is clear: maintain absolute loyalty to Trump’s legacy while navigating a movement that contains powerful voices like Bannon who may not fully trust his intentions.

Whether Bannon ultimately chooses to run himself, anoint a successor, or simply act as a veto-wielding kingmaker, his current efforts signal that the battle for the soul of the post-Trump GOP has already begun. And in that battle, few figures carry more weight—or pose a greater potential threat to JD Vance’s ambitions than Steve Bannon.