Latest news with #StevenBannon
Politico
7 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
A GOP divide is growing over Trump's redistricting play
These strange divisions underscore the complex political dynamics of the president's latest power play. It's become a loyalty test that could boost Republicans' chances of keeping their trifecta in Washington, but one that also carries significant electoral risk for several of their own members in Congress and potential for broader voter backlash. Trump's team is barreling forward, bullish about having more opportunities to redraw maps across the states than Democrats and brushing off concerns as primarily coming from members whose seats are at risk. Administration officials and allies are working to fire up his base by noting that Democrats have already gerrymandered several states in their favor and have limited moves left to play. And MAGA online influencers like Steven Bannon and Charlie Kirk are encouraging their fans to jam Greg Abbott's phone lines so the Texas governor ratchets up pressure on quorum-breaking Democrats to return and let Republicans pass a new congressional map. But even that is showing some limits. 'Redistricting is not really an ideological exercise as much as a self-interest exercise,' California-based GOP strategist Rob Stutzman said. 'The safer you are and enjoy being in the majority, the more your self interest is 'lets see Texas get scrambled and if we sacrifice some colleagues from blue states, in California and New York, so be it.'' But for those more vulnerable Republicans, 'this poses a substantial risk to your career,' Stutzman said. And that's why some are reflecting at least a 'growing private sentiment of 'is this really worth it?'' A person familiar with the White House's thinking on redistricting and granted anonymity to describe it said 'we expect to have great success everywhere' if California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democratic governors attempt to retaliate. 'All of these members, they should just remain calm because they'll still be members,' the person said of the Republican lawmakers airing concerns. In Congress, House GOP leaders are trying to bridge the divide between the White House's 'maximum pressure' campaign to pad their majority, and the swath of GOP members who fear the gambit may backfire. Senior House Republicans have advised some rank and file GOP members to keep their concerns to private conversations, and not air criticisms in public.
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Steve Bannon calls for special prosecutor to investigate ‘all' Epstein documents
Steven Bannon wants President Trump to hire a special prosecutor to dig deeper into the Jeffrey Epstein files after the former White House chief strategist was accused of having ties to the convicted child sex offender. Speaking with The Telegraph to refute the allegations, Bannon called upon Attorney General Pam Bondi to step aside and allow for an independent investigator to delve into the case. 'The attorney general, I believe, needs to go to the court and ask for a complete unsealing of all the files–and answer Tom Fitton's Judicial Watch lawsuit and release of all the documents,' he said. Earlier this week, a leaked FBI and Department of Justice memo revealed that 'no incriminating client list' exists for the disgraced financier and confirmed that he died by suicide despite a conspiracy theory peddled by MAGA that he was murdered in his New York prison cell in August 2019. Bannon, Trump's former chief strategist, suddenly became embroiled in the Epstein scandal after Musk claimed he featured in the notorious 'list', while responding to a tweet about Bannon filming Epstein for a documentary that never surfaced on television. '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?' asked Roger Stone, a long-time political strategist and former ally of Trump on X. 'Why would he coach Epstein for his 60 Minutes appearance?' he continued. He was commenting on a Business Insider article that claimed Bannon filmed Epstein for 15 hours. Musk responded to the claim, writing: 'Bannon is in the Epstein files.' Just a few weeks earlier, Musk launched a fiery attack on Trump, igniting a weeks-long feud, as he now teases the idea of launching his own political party in the U.S. 'Time to drop the really big bomb,' Musk posted on X in June. '@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!' Former Trump attorney Alan Dershowitz said Thursday that he knew the names of those on Epstein's supposed 'client list' regardless of the DOJ and FBI's dismissal of the international sex trafficking ring. 'I know the names of the individuals. I know why they're being suppressed. I know who's suppressing them,' he said on The Sean Spicer Show. 'But I'm bound by confidentiality from a judge and cases, and I can't disclose what I know,' he added, claiming that he was once falsely identified. Author Michael Wolff told The Daily Beast podcast that 'Bannon and Epstein were very close' and believes he was the last person to hear from the convicted pedophile. Epstein was said to have died by suicide in a New York City jail cell on August 10, 2019. His injuries were found to be consistent with suicide by hanging, the New York Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988 or visit to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you. In the UK, people having mental health crises can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@
