Latest news with #Bannon
Economic Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Steve Bannon dragged into Epstein scandal? Democrats threaten explosive subpoena
What's in the Epstein footage Steve Bannon holds? Live Events Why are Democrats stepping up their investigation into Epstein? Could Trump be pulled back into the spotlight? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel 's shadow continues to loom over Washington, and Donald Trump's former strategist Steve Bannon has been caught in the crossfire. Top House Democrats are pressing for answers, requesting access to previously unreleased footage related to Epstein's final days. With new subpoenas looming, political pressure is building on the House Oversight Committee are considering issuing a subpoena to Steve Bannon, who reportedly has 15 hours of unreleased footage of Jeffrey Epstein. As lawmakers step up their investigations into Epstein's ties to powerful figures, they are also pressuring the DOJ, Epstein's estate, and potential whistleblowers to reveal hidden Bannon and other individuals with ties to Jeffrey Epstein will "absolutely" be subpoenaed by him and his fellow lawmakers, according to the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, as per a report by the Daily 2019, before the disgraced financier was arrested on trafficking charges, the former Trump White House strategist reportedly possessed approximately 15 hours of unreleased video footage of Epstein, according to Epstein's brother to Jeffrey Epstein's brother, the two were collaborating on a documentary aimed at repairing his reputation. A two-minute teaser for The Monsters: Epstein's Life Among the Global Elite has since been made public by Bannon, who claims that the five-part series will premiere early in the upcoming Robert Garcia (D-CA) was asked in an interview with MSNBC if lawmakers looking into the Epstein scandal had Bannon 'in their sights' and if they intended to subpoena another individual, such as financiers in New York City, who allegedly had a relationship with Epstein. "Are lawmakers planning to visit Capitol Hill, seek to have others testify, or subpoena other people?" host Antonia Hylton top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee said that they are "absolutely" going to subpoena people who are linked to Epstein. When MSNBC asked Garcia if he was in their sights, he specifically mentioned Bannon's going on break in August, the committee voted to ask the Department of Justice for Epstein's sealed files. Garcia says they are also going after Epstein's estate, whistleblowers, and wealthy people who are known to have ties to are looking for a 2003 birthday book that supposedly has a rude drawing by Donald Trump in it. This is one more piece of evidence that they think could help them understand Epstein's complicated web of connections to powerful Trump is still under scrutiny because he has been friends with Epstein for a long time, even though he says he banned him from Mar-a-Lago. People say the former president is very angry that the scandal keeps coming up, especially among his MAGA supporters who want full transparency and the release of Epstein's alleged "client list."The Justice Department recently sent out a memo saying that Epstein killed himself and that there was no verified client list. This was in response to conspiracy theories. But a lot of people aren't happy. This case could come back to Trump, especially if Bannon's footage shows anything else, since subpoenas are looking for new evidence and famous names."All of it is on the table," Rep. Garcia said plainly. The Epstein story is far from over, and it may be entering its most politically charged chapter yet, with Bannon, Trump, and an unreleased documentary all reportedly worked on a documentary about Epstein and has unreleased footage from before his House Democrats say "everything is on the table," including a possible subpoena for Bannon and others associated with Epstein.
Yomiuri Shimbun
a day ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
MAGA Leader Steve Bannon Says ‘1st Island Chain' Set by China Is Major Strategic Focus for U.S., in Interview
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump's former close aide Steve Bannon told The Yomiuri Shimbun that the United States should not intervene in the affairs of Europe and the Middle East. Bannon, who is referred to by CNN as the leader of the president's Make America Great Again movement, also said the area that the Chinese military calls the 'first island chain,' which includes Japan and Taiwan, is a major strategic focus for the United States, and efforts should be made to deny China's influence. The first military strategic defense line stretches from the East China Sea south of Kyushu to the Philippines and the South China Sea. The Chinese military regards the area from the Ogasawara Islands to Saipan and Guam as the 'second island chain.' China set the lines to prevent U.S. military intervention in the event of contingencies in the Taiwan Strait and other areas. The MAGA movement is led by Trump's core supporters who are known for their restrictive stance on U.S. intervention in other countries. 'We're adamantly opposed to the Ukraine war because it's on the Eurasian landmass where we have no vital national security interest,' Bannon said during a phone interview. He added that Ukraine is 'trying to inexorably get us drawn into that war.' Regarding the situation in the Middle East, he said: 'We're so opposed to a regime change war in the Middle East really conjured up by Israel…. The United States will be sucked in for 25 years.' Drawing on the experiences of the United States' military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, which turned into quagmires, Bannon appeared to believe that Washington should avoid being forced to bear long-term burdens through the involvements. In contrast, Bannon demonstrated strong hostility toward China. Bannon served as an officer of the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet from 1977 to 1980 and engaged in the patrolling of the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. He said he thinks the possibility is high that China will invade Taiwan in 2027, when Beijing is said to be aiming to acquire the capability to invade Taiwan. 'I think 2027 is a very dangerous year unless Japan, the United States and [South] Korea start acting in unison as allies,' he said. While stating that the United States should withdraw from large-scale military deployments in Eurasia, he emphasized the country should have expeditionary force capabilities. He said that the capability to end combat quickly 'is the type of thing that we want our money to go into.' Regarding Trump's strategy toward Russia, Bannon said it was to do the reverse of what former U.S. President Richard Nixon did, when he normalized the United States' diplomatic relations with China to hold in check the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Bannon believes that Trump is focused on getting a rapprochement with Russia despite his frustration with Moscow. He said it is important to pull Russia out of China's orbit. 'If the United States is not successful at that, we're going to have a century of conflict,' he said. Bannon said the United States will face even greater challenges if China and Russia become closer. Bannon said that he shares these views with Trump. Regarding policy toward China, Bannon said: 'I'm full on for decoupling immediately [from the Chinese economy]. And then, let the Chinese people do the work of overthrowing them.' However, he said that Trump does not support this policy.
Yomiuri Shimbun
a day ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
In Yomiuri Shimbun Interview, Bannon Says U.S. Should Intervene in Taiwan Contingency; Former Trump Adviser Supports Intervention to Protect Chip
WASHINGTON — Steve Bannon, former chief strategist to U.S. President Donald Trump in his first administration, believes that the U.S. military should intervene if China launches a military invasion of Taiwan. 'I think the United States ought to be upfront and adamant that any assault on Taiwan will be repelled,' Bannon, 71, told The Yomiuri Shimbun in a telephone interview on July 22. Bannon wields immense influence over core supporters of Trump, known as MAGA. Although he does not hold a post in the second Trump administration, Bannon maintains close ties with Trump. Bannon said MAGA is 'not isolationist' and 'not anti-war.' 'We're non-interventionist in areas that are not … vital,' he said. Bannon argued that the United States should not get involved in Russia's aggression against Ukraine or conflicts in the Middle East. However, 'Taiwan,' he said, is 'totally different.' On top of its geopolitical importance, Taiwan has 'the chip factories, and the ability to run an advanced industrial economy depends upon those factories. 'The defense of Taiwan, [and] the defense of our allies in South Korea and in Japan, are in the vital national security interests of the United States.' When asked about Trump's focus on maintaining good relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Bannon said: 'He [Trump] doesn't want any more warfare. He would love to come to some sort of agreement to make sure there could never be an invasion of Taiwan.'Steve Bannon Bannon served in the U.S. Navy before graduating from Harvard Business School and working at a major investment bank. He later became an executive at a conservative media outlet. He then served as an executive director of Donald Trump's presidential campaign in the final stages of the 2016 election. Since leaving the administration, Bannon has remained active in politics through his popular conservative program 'Bannon's War Room,' supporting Trump.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
The staggering Dundee United and Barcelona truth from 1987 as Tannadice legend spells out modern era financial boom
There has been a major shift in the prize money on offer at the elite level - a much different situation than four decades ago Eamonn Bannon glanced over the programme from Dundee United 's famous triumph over Barcelona recently - and his eyes almost popped out at what he was reading. His old chairman pleading poverty over the cost of a Euro quarter-final against the La Liga giants at the Nou Camp. If ever words emphasised the seismic changes in European football in the past four decades not least the eye watering TV megabucks now swirling round the elite level then it was those penned by George Fox ahead of United's 1987 UEFA Cup clash with the Catalan giants. A last eight tie where Jim McLean 's Terrors dumped Barca home AND away on their incredible run to the final no less. Those kind of results might seem like fantasyland for United supporters nowadays. But the chance to enter a millionaires' playground is very real even if United are only in the third tier Europa Conference League. And that, says Bannon, is why nobody will be turning their nose up at a trip to face the Luxembourg minnows Una Strassen on Thursday. If Jim Goodwin 's side can finish the job on the minnows, United will stand two qualifying rounds away from a lucrative place in the league phase - worth an estimated £5million. Bannon said: 'This is massive for as club like Dundee United. It's great to see them back in Europe. European football now is a great money-spinner for clubs. 'Someone recently showed me the match day programme from when we played Barcelona in 1987. A two-legged tie that remains one of the highlights of Dundee United's entire existence. 'But I was amazed by what I read. In it was an article written by the chairman George Fox, who was an accountant. 'And all he talked about was how much the game was costing the club! It's incredible. 'It's probably one of the highlights of Dundee United's entire history yet all his focus was on how it was costing the club money for this and costing the club money for that. 'That was reality back in those days, These trips didn't come at a financial loss - but not far off it. There was a little bit of TV money but nothing like you see now. 'Look at Hearts, they got something like £6 million last season from the Conference League without getting to the knockout stage. 'Relatively speaking, it's huge money compared to what it used to be. So it's well worth it. 'That's got to be the target for United. That's where the money is. Hibs are trying to do similar things. 'Just try and qualify and then you're guaranteed six games in the Conference League. It brings an awful lot of money into the coffers.' Meanwhile, Bannon reckons the Tannadice club's first ever starting XI without a Scot is a sad reflection on the country's youth system. Jim Goodwin sent out a side with no home grown players in Thursday's 1-0 Europa Conference League qualifying win against Luxembourg side Una Strassen. It's the first time in United's history they've not had even one Scot in the line-up for a competitive game. And Bannon said: 'Those days are long gone. I don't think we'll be seeing that again. 'You can go back to the Lisbon Lions team that were all born within 60 miles of Glasgow. 'But teams have moved on, football has moved on. 'I don't find it sad. I don't mind the fact there's foreign players coming into this country. 'But what is sad is that we're clearly not producing our own players. 'I remember four or five years ago watching Arsenal against Chelsea in the Premier League and of the 22 starting players there wasn't a single Englishman. 'It's unfortunate but it's just an indication of where football is going. 'Basically because we're not producing our own talent unfortunately they are having to bring in players from all over the world. 'It's an open market now and I think clubs see value in players from certain countries abroad. 'Money usually drives this. These players will come here because Scotland is paying more money than where they were.' Bannon became accustomed to reaching the latter stages of European competitions with United under McLean in the 80s. He was part of the Terrors side that stormed to the semi final of the European Cup in 1984 - only to throw away a 2-0 first leg lead over Roma in a bad-tempered and controversy-laced 3-0 defeat in Italy. Roma director Riccardo Viola later admitted his club gave French referee Michel Vautrot £50,000 ahead of the second leg in which the Italians progressed to the final where they lost on penalties to Liverpool. But more than 40 years on Bannon doesn't share McLean or his team mates' sense of grievance, not entirely anyway. He said: 'It was the heat more than anything that caught us out. 'We actually played in the afternoon for some bizarre reason. It was absolutely roasting, It felt like 40 degrees although it was probably 30. 'They were a good side. I don't remember the referee doing anything crazy. I think they were just looking for an insurance policy if things didn't work out. 'I was getting fouled a lot and not getting a lot of joy. But apart from that, I don't really remember anything glaring. 'We should have actually beat them more than 2-0 at Tannadice. That was our big mistake. We were all over them. 'If we'd made it three or four, then maybe it'd be different. Ifs, buts and maybes. 'They were up to every trick in the book ahead of the second leg. They had scooters going round our hotel at three in the morning. 'They did all that crazy stuff. They accused us of being on drugs because we were so good at Tannadice! That was the headlines all over the paper. 'They weren't very sporting-like, let's put it that way.' Incredible memories. But that's all they are. However, should United progress past Una Strassen on Thursday they could face a rematch with Rapid Vienna - the Austrians they dumped on away goals in the quarter final of that European Cup run in '84. Both sides can only dream of their previous Euro status these days. But Bannon, now running a Guest House in Edinburgh, insists that doesn't mean United fans can't dream of packing their suitcases for another memorable Euro journey. He said: 'I was talking to a Dundee United supporter a couple of nights ago. He was talking about going over to Vienna if they make it, just for old times' sake. Places like Vienna are nice places to visit. Beautiful architecture, a nice city. 'The days of reaching semi finals and finals are gone, unfortunately. But there's so much value to European competition for clubs like United and it would be great to see them go on a wee run.'
New York Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Inside Jeffrey Epstein's cozy relationship with Steve Bannon — and what's really on his 15 hrs of tapes interviewing him
By 2017 Jeffrey Epstein was a social pariah. Even his right-hand woman, Ghislaine Maxwell, attempted to reinvent herself as a charity boss and was careful to no longer be pictured with the convicted sex offender. But as an avalanche of reports uncovered more lurid details of Epstein's world of questionable financial dealings and proclivities for sex with underage girls, he had one regular visitor at his huge townhouse at East 71st street — Steve Bannon. Conspiracy theorist and media provocateur Bannon felt he could help the disgraced money man improve his image, sources say, despite how laughable that may have seemed. 7 Jeffrey Epstein backed the 'Me Too' movement in a clip from interview footage taken by Steve Bannon in 2019 and obtained by The Post. It certainly didn't hurt that Epstein could add him to his payroll — Bannon had recently fallen foul of President Trump by criticizing his family in a book and abruptly left his position as chief strategist at the White House. This resulted in his deep-pocketed benefactors cutting him off. Bannon ultimately collected some 15 hours of footage of Epstein, to prepare him to go on '60 Minutes' or another prime-time television show to save his reputation in 2018. 'He told me he has like 15 or 16 hours of videotape of Jeff,' said Epstein's brother Mark in an interview with NBC earlier this month, adding he had met with Bannon after Epstein's death and asked to see the tapes. 'He was trying to help Jeff rehabilitate his reputation.' 7 Steve Bannon recorded more than 15 hours of interviews with Jeffrey Epstein in 2019 for a documentary that was never released. Bloomberg via Getty Images Previous reports have confirmed the tapes were of Epstein preparing to bolster his reputation, but in the clamor to release government files on Epstein — who was found hanging in his Manhattan prison cell in August 2019 as he awaited trial over sex trafficking charges — many are wondering why Bannon has not been compelled to release the tapes. In a bid to hype up what he has, earlier this year Bannon was hawking the tapes as a documentary, saying he had hoped to get Netflix involved and call the show 'The Monster'. '[Epstein's] a product of the elite,' he said on the Jimmy Dore show in February. 'Everything that's been put out about him is not exactly the truth. I hours of interviews that I think will be pretty shocking, about how this guy came from nowhere to go to the absolute highest levels of global elite and who he knew and who he financed. 'He was one of the leading underwriters of scientific experiments in the world, a lot of that is dealing with a thing called Transhumanism.' 7 Jeffrey Epstein in a clip from Bannon's documentary footage. 7 The interviews that Steve Bannon recorded with Jeffrey Epstein took place at the billionaire pedophile's mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Christopher Sadowski 7 MAGA loyalists are demanding that government files related to Jeffrey Epstein be released by the Trump administration. Epstein partied with numerous bold-face names, including the President Trump in the 1990s and early aughts. Getty Images Bannon did not return The Post's request for comment Friday. Only one clip of the footage has ever been released, which was obtained by The Post. In the video Epstein somewhat unbelievably claimed to be a 'firm believer and supporter' of Time's Up, the anti-sexual harassment organization that emerged during the #MeToo movement. 'I made my living from old thinking. But the future is for the way women think,' says Epstein in the clip. Bannon – apparently playing the role of a hard-nosed interviewer – counters from off-screen that Epstein's claim was just 'a sop' to excuse 'all of the depravity you've done against young women.' 'No, I've been — I've always believed that women will be, in fact, be able to take over,' Epstein responds in the clip, adding 'I'm a firm believer and supporter of 'Time's Up.'' Bannon, a film producer, former investment banker at Goldman Sachs and executive one-time chairman at media company Breitbart, had more in common with Epstein, a former math teacher who also had a brief stint on Wall Street, than most. 7 Another rarely-seen close-up of Epstein from the footage Bannon collected. Victory Films/The Monsters 7 Bannon speaking in New York in 2024 shortly after he was released from prison following his sentence for contempt of Congress. Robert Miller Although the first reports of their association only date back to 2017, it is possible they knew each other much longer. 'The War Room' host Bannon's activities with Epstein have been questioned by other political strategists. 'Why would Bannon meet with Jeffrey Epstein both at his New York home and in Paris after Epstein was convicted on sex crimes in Florida?' said Roger Stone in an X post earlier this month. 'Why would he coach Epstein for his 60 minutes appearance?' Darren Indyke, Epstein's longtime personal attorney and an executor of his estate, did not return a request for comment Friday.
