Steve Bannon

Steve Bannon
Born	(1953-11-27) November 27, 1953 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Media executive, political strategist, commentator, former investment banker
Years active	1977–present
Known for	White House Chief Strategist for Donald Trump, executive chairman of Breitbart News

Stephen Kevin Bannon (born November 27, 1953) is an American figure known for his roles as a media executive, political strategist, commentator, and former investment banker. He held the position of White House chief strategist during the initial seven months of President Donald Trump's first term before his departure. Bannon previously served as executive chairman of Breitbart News and has been the host of the War Room podcast since 2019.

From 1977 to 1983, Bannon was an officer in the U.S. Navy and subsequently spent two years working as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. In 1993, he took on the role of acting director for the Biosphere 2 project. Between 1991 and 2016, he acted as an executive producer for 18 films in Hollywood. In 2007, Bannon co-launched Breitbart News, which he characterized in 2016 as "the platform for the alt-right." During the mid-2010s, he held the position of vice president at Cambridge Analytica, a data analytics firm implicated in the unauthorized collection of Facebook user information for political campaigns including those of Trump and Brexit, playing a part in the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data controversy.

In 2016, Bannon was appointed CEO of Trump’s presidential campaign and after the election became chief strategist and senior counselor. He pushed an anti-establishment agenda and frequently found himself at odds with Republican establishment members like Reince Priebus and Jared Kushner. Upon his exit from the White House after eight months, he returned to Breitbart but left in 2018 following criticism related to Trump’s family. Afterwards, Bannon positioned himself against the Republican establishment and endorsed insurgent candidates during primaries. His strategic influence diminished after Roy Moore’s defeat in the 2017 Alabama Senate race despite Bannon's endorsement. He expressed intentions to create a global populist movement infrastructure and backed national populist conservative groups worldwide, including establishing a network of far-right organizations across Europe.

In 2020, federal authorities arrested Bannon on charges involving conspiracy, mail fraud, and money laundering connected to the We Build the Wall fundraising effort, accused of misappropriating funds meant for constructing a U.S.–Mexico border wall. He pleaded not guilty but was granted a pardon by Trump prior to trial; nevertheless, state-level charges were filed in New York. In February 2025, Bannon admitted guilt to fraud charges and was sentenced to three years of conditional discharge. Additionally, he faced indictment for contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with a subpoena from the January 6 committee; following his conviction in July 2022, he received a sentence of four months imprisonment and a monetary penalty. After losing his appeal at the Supreme Court, Bannon served his prison term at a federal facility in Danbury, Connecticut from July through October 2024.

Early life and education

Stephen Kevin Bannon was born on November 27, 1953, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Doris (née Herr), a homemaker, and Martin J. Bannon Jr., who worked as an AT&T telephone lineman and held a middle management position. Raised in a working-class household that supported the Democrats, labor unions, and the Kennedys, Bannon is of Irish and German heritage, with much of his maternal family residing near Baltimore.

He completed his secondary education at Benedictine College Preparatory, a private Catholic military high school located in Richmond, Virginia, graduating in 1971. Following this, he attended Virginia Tech, where he served as president of the student government association. During summer breaks, he worked at a local junkyard.

In 1976, Bannon obtained a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from Virginia Tech College of Architecture and Urban Studies. While serving in the Navy, he earned a master’s degree in national security studies from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in 1983. Later, in 1985, he graduated with honors from Harvard Business School with an MBA.

U.S. Navy

From 1977 until 1983, Bannon held the position of officer in the United States Navy, beginning his service as a surface warfare officer on a destroyer within the Pacific Fleet. Subsequently, he was appointed special assistant to the chief of naval operations at the Pentagon, where his responsibilities included coordinating communications among senior naval leaders and preparing reports detailing the global status of the Navy fleet. During this tenure, he attained a master's degree in national security studies from Georgetown University.

In 1980, Bannon was assigned to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Eagle Claw amid the Iran hostage crisis. He later reflected that the unsuccessful outcome of this mission influenced his political shift toward staunch Reagan-era conservatism, a stance further solidified by the events of the September 11 attacks. Regarding his naval service, Bannon remarked, "My political views began during my military tenure when I witnessed firsthand the failures under Jimmy Carter. I became an ardent admirer of Reagan and remain so. However, my disillusionment with the establishment intensified after returning from managing companies in Asia in 2008 and observing that George W. Bush had faltered as severely as Carter. The nation was in turmoil."

Investment banking

Following his naval career, Bannon entered the investment banking sector at Goldman Sachs, specializing in Mergers and Acquisitions. In 1987, he relocated from New York to Los Angeles to aid Goldman Sachs’ expansion into the entertainment industry. He stayed for two years and departed holding the title of vice president.

Media and investing

In 1990, Bannon co-founded Bannon & Co., a boutique investment bank concentrating on media ventures. The company represented Westinghouse Electric during the sale of Castle Rock Entertainment, facilitating its acquisition by Turner Broadcasting System, owned by Ted Turner. Rather than accepting a conventional advisory fee, Bannon & Co. acquired equity stakes in five television productions, including Seinfeld, which was then in its third season. Bannon continues to receive royalties from Seinfeld syndication. In 1998, Bannon & Co. was purchased by Société Générale.

Earth science

While overseeing Bannon & Co. in 1993, Bannon assumed the role of acting director for the earth science research initiative Biosphere 2 located in Oracle, Arizona. Under his guidance, the project's emphasis transitioned from human space exploration to investigating environmental issues such as pollution and climate change affecting Earth. He departed from this position in 1995.

Entertainment and media

Throughout the 1990s, Bannon ventured into entertainment as a Hollywood executive producer, contributing to eighteen films including The Indian Runner (1991) directed by Sean Penn and Titus (1999) directed by Julie Taymor. Between 2002 and 2003, he collaborated with executive Jeff Kwatinetz at management firm The Firm, Inc..

In 2004, Bannon produced the documentary In the Face of Evil, during which he met author Peter Schweizer and publisher Andrew Breitbart, who compared him to Leni Riefenstahl within the context of the Tea Party movement. His other film projects include Fire from the Heartland: The Awakening of the Conservative Woman (2010), The Undefeated (2011), and Occupy Unmasked (2012).

In 2006, Bannon secured funding from Goldman Sachs for Internet Gaming Entertainment (IGE), which later rebranded as Affinity Media following litigation. He served as chairman and CEO from 2007 through 2011.

In 2007, Bannon developed a documentary treatment titled Destroying the Great Satan: The Rise of Islamic Fascism in America, cautioning against institutional appeasement of jihadists seeking to establish an Islamic republic. In 2011, he addressed the Liberty Restoration Foundation on topics including the 2008 financial crisis, the Troubled Assets Relief Program, and their connections to the Tea Party movement, referencing his films Generation Zero (2010) and The Undefeated.

Breitbart News

Bannon was among the original board members who helped establish Breitbart News in 2007, a website known for far-right news, commentary, and opinion pieces. According to Time magazine, the platform has disseminated content that includes racist, sexist, xenophobic, and antisemitic themes connected to the alt-right movement. Bannon characterized Breitbart’s ideological composition as a blend of libertarians, Zionists, conservative members of the LGBTQ community, opponents of same-sex marriage, economic nationalists, populists, and a minor alt-right faction. He asserted a strict policy against tolerating racial or antisemitic beliefs.

Following the death of founder Andrew Breitbart in 2012, Bannon assumed the role of executive chairman at Breitbart News LLC. During his tenure, the site adopted a more nationalist perspective and increasingly aligned itself with alt-right viewpoints. In 2016, Bannon described the outlet as "the platform for the alt-right," highlighting its opposition to the entrenched political establishment. Former editor Ben Shapiro criticized Bannon for placing greater emphasis on backing Donald Trump than adhering to Breitbart’s original mission.

After departing the White House, Bannon resumed his position as executive chairman in August 2017. However, his status was challenged by Breitbart’s ownership due to his distancing from Trump. He resigned in January 2018 amid internal conflicts. Reportedly, billionaire backers Robert and Rebekah Mercer pressured Bannon to leave because of his estrangement from Trump and concerns regarding his impulsive conduct and expenditures related to travel and security.

Bannon also served as host of Breitbart News Daily, a radio program broadcast on SiriusXM Patriot satellite radio.

Other media activities

In 2005, Bannon obtained $60 million in investment from Goldman Sachs and other sources for Internet Gaming Entertainment, a Hong Kong-based enterprise that employed low-paid Chinese workers to play World of Warcraft for accumulating in-game gold. This virtual currency was then exchanged for items sold to players for real-world money.

While some gamers appreciated IGE's services, others considered it cheating, which sparked backlash and anti-Chinese sentiment. Blizzard Entertainment eventually terminated accounts used by these gold farmers. IGE also faced a class action lawsuit alleging that its practices diminished players' enjoyment of the game.

Although IGE ultimately failed commercially, Bannon developed an interest in the game's online community, describing its participants as "rootless white males" wielding considerable influence. Through Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos, whom he recruited, Bannon recognized this group's political mobilization potential. In 2017, he noted that many individuals entered politics through Gamergate before becoming Trump supporters.

Since 2019, Bannon has hosted Bannon's War Room on Robert J. Sigg's Real America's Voice network as well as various podcast platforms and radio outlets, thereby broadening his media reach and impact.

Government Accountability Institute

Bannon co-founded and served as executive chair of the Government Accountability Institute, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization active from 2012 until his exit in August 2016. He played a key role in facilitating the release of senior Editor-at-large at Breitbart News Peter Schweizer's book Clinton Cash, which attracted widespread media attention. The institute focuses on investigating allegations of corruption, crony capitalism, and misuse of taxpayer funds primarily involving the Democratic Party, relying on sources such as tax records, flight manifests, and foreign government documents. Although officially nonpartisan, its activities have included promoting conspiracy theories about political figures like Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. Between 2012 and 2015, Bannon earned an annual salary ranging from $81,000 to $100,000 while reportedly working approximately 30 hours per week.

Cambridge Analytica

Bannon held the position of vice chairman on the board of Cambridge Analytica, a data analytics company predominantly owned by the Mercer family, who also have joint ownership of Breitbart News. The firm was accused of employing unlawful methods to influence American voters during the 2016 election cycle. Former employee Christopher Wylie claimed that Bannon supervised the acquisition of Facebook data utilized for voter targeting purposes. Wylie characterized the enterprise as a "psychological warfare instrument." Bannon received compensation exceeding $125,000 for his involvement with Cambridge Analytica. His equity stake, estimated between $1 million and $5 million, was divested when he joined the Trump administration in April 2017.

The Movement

In 2017, Bannon established The Movement, a populist entity aimed at supporting right-wing European factions opposing the European Union's governance and political framework. The organization is notably critical of George Soros's Open Society Foundations; Bannon referred to Soros as "evil but brilliant." The Movement employs ten full-time personnel, with Mischaël Modrikamen, leader of Belgium's People's Party, serving as executive director. It has garnered commendations from leaders such as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Luigi Di Maio, head of Italy’s Eurosceptic M5S party.

Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign

On August 17, 2016, Bannon was named chief executive officer of Donald Trump's presidential campaign, stepping down from his roles at Breitbart, the Government Accountability Institute, and Cambridge Analytica to assume this position. Shortly after his appointment, campaign chairman Paul Manafort was removed.

Following Trump's electoral victory, on November 13, Bannon was appointed chief strategist and senior counselor to the president-elect. His selection drew criticism from groups including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Council on American–Islamic Relations, Southern Poverty Law Center, Senate minority leader Harry Reid, and certain Republican strategists due to alleged racist or antisemitic remarks associated with Breitbart News. Conversely, several conservative Jewish leaders defended Bannon against claims of antisemitism; these included Ben Shapiro, David Horowitz, Pamela Geller, Bernard Marcus of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Morton Klein, the Zionist Organization of America, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, and initially Alan Dershowitz—who later condemned Bannon’s prejudiced comments toward other communities. The ADL stated it had no evidence of antisemitic statements made by Bannon. He described French National Front politician Marion Maréchal-Le Pen as "the new rising star."

On November 15, 2016, U.S. Representative David Cicilline spearheaded a letter signed by 169 Democratic House members urging President-elect Trump to revoke Bannon's appointment due to his connections with white nationalist circles and Breitbart’s alleged xenophobic content. Bannon rejected the white nationalist label, instead identifying as an "economic nationalist."

In his first interview following the election outside of Breitbart on November 18, Bannon remarked: "Darkness is good: Dick Cheney. Darth Vader. Satan. That's power," a statement that attracted significant media coverage.

In a late-November interview with The New York Times, Trump defended his decision to hire Bannon, asserting he would not have done so if he believed Bannon held racist or alt-right views.

Bannon explained to BBC Newsnight that his responsibility was to "recalibrate" the campaign after it lost direction. He stressed the importance of portraying Hillary Clinton as a "guardian of a corrupt and incompetent establishment" to secure pivotal states but minimized claims that he alone was responsible for Trump's win.

On October 31, 2018, Reuters reported that the Senate Intelligence Committee was conducting an extensive inquiry into Bannon's campaign activities. This investigation included examining his potential awareness of contacts between Russian operatives and campaign advisers George Papadopoulos and Carter Page, along with his connection to Cambridge Analytica.

Presidential transition

In 2018, Michael Lewis cited a remark attributed to Bannon from the period of the Trump transition team, emphasizing a notable deficiency in readiness during the handover process, as recounted in Lewis's work The Fifth Risk.

National Security Council

In January 2017, President Trump signed a memorandum authorizing Bannon and the White House chief of staff to regularly participate in the National Security Council's Principals Committee, marking a departure from established procedures. This adjustment, which excluded military leaders from the committee, was met with criticism from former officials such as Susan E. Rice, who described it as "stone cold crazy." White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer defended Bannon's inclusion by referencing his Navy background.

Although granted this access, Bannon did not attend any NSC principals meetings. Instead, he collaborated with Jared Kushner to form the Strategic Initiatives Group within the NSC. The group's progress was hindered by obstacles including members like Sebastian Gorka failing to obtain required security clearances. Bannon also attempted to bring Michael Pillsbury into this effort.

Donald Trump's presidency

Following his inauguration, Trump appointed Bannon as his chief strategist, a newly established position conferring counselor status nearly on par with the chief of staff. This Executive Office role did not require Senate approval. Breitbart News editor Julia Hahn joined Bannon at the White House as his aide and special assistant.

In an interview after the election, Bannon likened his influence with Trump to Thomas Cromwell’s role in the Tudor court. Soon after the inauguration, he labeled the media "the opposition party," reflecting his aggressive stance toward press relations.

Bannon and Stephen Miller were instrumental in drafting Executive Order 13769, which limited travel and immigration from seven nations and halted Syrian refugee admissions. According to The Economist, both saw Vladimir Putin as a nationalist partner opposing cosmopolitanism.

In February 2017, Bannon appeared on the cover of Time magazine under the title "the Great Manipulator," underscoring his perceived sway within the White House.

During a 2019 congressional hearing, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross was questioned about including a citizenship question on the 2020 census after consulting Bannon, who directed him to immigration hardliners Kris Kobach and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Critics accused Ross of attempting voter suppression; Ross maintained it was in response to Justice Department requests.

Reports surfaced that Bannon sought to undermine National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster by leaking information to alternative media figures such as Mike Cernovich. The administration later granted Bannon an ethics waiver permitting communication with Breitbart editors, effectively preserving his editorial influence.

In Trump's final moments in office, Bannon received a presidential pardon, described as "a significant leader in the conservative movement" known for his political savvy.

Bannon was removed from the National Security Council in April 2017 during a reorganization led by McMaster, whom Bannon had helped appoint. His NSC position was intended as a counterweight to Michael Flynn, who had resigned earlier that year. With Flynn’s departure, Bannon’s role was deemed unnecessary. Although reports claimed he threatened resignation over his dismissal, both he and the White House denied this. He attended just one NSC meeting.

Investigation into Russia

Steve Bannon underwent several interviews with Robert Mueller during the probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, including inquiries about Roger Stone's interactions with WikiLeaks. In November 2019, Bannon provided testimony under subpoena at Roger Stone's federal criminal trial, asserting that Stone served as WikiLeaks' conduit to the Trump campaign. This testimony played a role in Stone's conviction on charges of congressional falsehoods and witness intimidation. On July 10, 2020, President Trump commuted Stone’s prison sentence. Following Bannon’s August 2020 arrest, Stone remarked, "Karma is a bitch. But I am praying for him."

In August 2020, members of the Senate intelligence committee alerted the Department of Justice (DOJ) that they suspected Bannon, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr. may have provided misleading testimony during their appearances related to the Russia inquiry.

Exit from the White House

Bannon’s service in the White House concluded on August 18, 2017, shortly after the violent events of the August 11–12 Charlottesville Unite the Right rally. While numerous political figures condemned the white nationalist violence, President Trump uniquely assigned blame to "many sides," a perspective reportedly shaped by Bannon’s influence. The NAACP called on Trump to remove Bannon, describing him as a "symbol of white nationalism" who amplified such ideologies within the administration.

Reports revealed that White House chief of staff John F. Kelly requested Bannon’s immediate resignation rather than terminating him outright. However, Bannon stated he had submitted a two-week resignation notice on August 4, 2017, intending originally to serve one year since joining Trump's campaign on August 14, 2016, but extended his tenure due to the Charlottesville situation.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced: "John Kelly and Steve Bannon have mutually agreed today would be Steve's last day. We appreciate his service and wish him well." On that same day, Breitbart News confirmed Bannon’s return as executive chairman. Despite leaving his official role, Trump reportedly maintained personal contact with Bannon, reaching out to him directly when chief of staff Kelly was unavailable. By October 2017, The Washington Post verified that their communication remained frequent.

Statements in Michael Wolff's books

Michael Wolff’s January 2018 release, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, attributed several provocative remarks to Bannon, which contributed to a rift between Bannon and Trump. The book quoted Bannon describing Ivanka Trump as "as dumb as a brick"; characterizing the Trump Tower meeting involving Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort as "treasonous"; and forecasting that Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller would cause Donald Trump Jr. to "crack like an egg on live television". Additionally, Bannon cautioned that investigators were likely to discover money laundering tied to Kushner family business loans from Deutsche Bank.

In Wolff’s 2019 book Siege, he depicted Trump as vulnerable due to operating what appeared to be a semi-criminal enterprise, quoting Bannon saying, "I think we can drop the 'semi' part." Bannon anticipated that probes into Trump's financial dealings would lead to his political demise, asserting that Trump would be revealed not as a billionaire but merely "just another scumbag" with significantly less wealth than claimed.

Relationship with Donald Trump

In January 2018, after excerpts from Fire and Fury were published, Trump publicly distanced himself from Bannon, asserting that he "lost his mind" after departing the White House and criticizing him in several statements. Trump tweeted that Bannon had "cried when he got fired and begged for his job" and mockingly dubbed him "Sloppy Steve," a reference to Bannon's untidy appearance. On January 7, 2018, Bannon expressed remorse over his delayed reaction, reaffirmed his "steadfast" loyalty to Trump, and commended Donald Trump Jr. He clarified that his contentious comments were aimed at Manafort rather than Trump Jr., a point disputed by the book’s author.

Although Trump publicly disparaged him, Bannon maintained a connection with the former president. In August 2019 during a CNBC interview, Bannon lauded Trump as an "exceptional leader" and a "remarkable campaigner"; Trump responded by calling Bannon "one of my best pupils" and affirmed that he remained a "huge Trump supporter." In 2018, Bannon produced the pro-Trump documentary Trump @War through his company Victory Films to rally supporters ahead of the midterm elections and help preserve the Republican majority in the House. Starting October 2019, he co-hosted War Room: Impeachment, a daily radio show and podcast offering strategic counsel to the Trump administration amid the impeachment inquiry.

In 2020, Bannon launched the podcast War Room: Pandemic from his Capitol Hill residence; reports indicated that Trump watched the program and referenced specific interviews during conversations with Bannon. A February 2023 Brookings Institution analysis found that among 36,603 episodes from 79 prominent political podcasters, Bannon’s podcast contained the highest share of false, misleading, or unverified statements.

Republican Senate primaries

Bannon actively pursued primary challenges against incumbent Republican senators whom he considered insufficiently aligned with Trump's agenda. In October 2017, he announced intentions to support primary opponents against six of the seven sitting Republican senators up for reelection in 2018. He required candidates to commit to opposing Mitch McConnell’s role as Senate majority leader and to abolishing the Senate filibuster. Through his dark money group Citizens of the American Republic, Bannon sought to bolster Republican control of the House in 2018 but declined to reveal donor identities or fundraising specifics.

He was credited with aiding Roy Moore's victory over incumbent Luther Strange in Alabama’s 2017 Senate primary despite Trump's endorsement of Strange. After sexual misconduct allegations emerged against Moore, Bannon continued backing him and questioned the validity of those claims. When Ivanka Trump criticized Moore’s campaign, Bannon retorted by referencing allegations involving Donald Trump himself.

Moore was defeated in the December 2017 special election for a traditionally secure Republican seat, prompting skepticism among GOP analysts regarding Bannon's effectiveness as a political strategist.

Work abroad

After departing the White House in August 2017, Bannon sought to establish himself as "the infrastructure, globally, for the global populist movement." He traveled across Europe aiming to forge alliances among right-wing populist-nationalist parties aspiring to governmental power. His engagements included parties such as the Dutch Party for Freedom, Austria's Freedom Party, UK Conservative Party, Swiss People's Party, UK Independence Party, Flemish Vlaams Belang, Belgium’s People’s Party, Germany’s Alternative for Germany, France’s National Rally, Italy’s League and Brothers of Italy, Hungary’s Fidesz, Sweden Democrats, Poland’s Law and Justice, Spain’s Vox, Finland’s Finns Party, the pan-European identitarian movement, Republika Srpska’s Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, Italy’s Five Star Movement, and Israel’s Likud.

Bannon regarded these movements—alongside figures like Japan's Shinzo Abe, India’s Narendra Modi, Russia's Vladimir Putin, Saudi Arabia's Mohammad bin Salman, China’s Xi Jinping, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Donald Trump—as components of a worldwide nationalist wave. Nevertheless, his attempt to unite far-right European parties achieved limited progress; some groups cited ideological disparities or organizational shortcomings. Right-wing populists failed to make substantial gains in the 2019 European Parliament elections.

He supports Italy’s Dignitatis Humanae Institute—a conservative Catholic organization—for which he designed a leadership training program aimed at cultivating right-wing activists. In 2018 he announced intentions to found a right-wing academy at the former Trisulti Charterhouse monastery alongside British associate Benjamin Harnwell. However, in 2019 Italian authorities revoked the group’s rights to use the site due to unmet contractual obligations and unpaid fees.

In August 2018, Bannon met Eduardo Bolsonaro and acted as an informal advisor during Jair Bolsonaro’s successful presidential campaign in Brazil that year. Eduardo subsequently joined Bannon’s organization The Movement as its South American representative in early 2019. Later that year Bannon met both Jair and Eduardo Bolsonaro in Washington.

Following his White House exit in October 2017, Bannon developed a close partnership with exiled Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui. Guo provided Bannon with a $150,000 loan and contracted him for $1 million in consulting fees starting August 2018. Together they raised hundreds of millions through private offerings for GTV Media Group in early 2020; federal authorities later investigated these fundraising activities. Guo lent Bannon use of his private jet for travel supporting Republican candidates during the 2018 election cycle—a practice raising potential campaign finance law concerns due to foreign involvement.

On June 3, 2020, Bannon and Guo announced creation of a "New Federal State of China," an initiative aimed at overthrowing China’s government. Promotional aircraft displaying banners flew over New York City.

In August 2020 federal prosecutors charged Bannon and others with defrauding donors involved in a crowdfunding campaign intended for constructing a U.S.-Mexico border wall. After Bannon’s arrest, Guo distanced himself from him and resigned from Guo Media’s board.

Later in 2020 The New York Times reported that Bannon and Guo promoted Li-Meng Yan’s disputed assertions that COVID-19 was artificially engineered. They facilitated her travel to the United States and appearances on conservative media platforms despite scientific consensus rejecting her research.

On January 20, 2021, China imposed sanctions on Bannon along with 27 other former Trump officials for actions considered interference in China’s internal matters. These sanctions prohibit their entry into China and restrict business dealings within Chinese jurisdictions.

Treatment of colleagues

Ben Shapiro, a former writer for Breitbart News, recounted deliberately avoiding interactions with Bannon due to concerns over his volatile temperament, recalling instances where Bannon shouted and swore at staff members. Descriptions from colleagues often labeled Bannon as "egomaniacal" and "Machiavellian," with some alleging that he belittled employees and suggested they were replaceable. Several ex-staffers also accused him of attempting to undermine their career opportunities beyond Breitbart. On the other hand, some praised Bannon’s leadership style as generous, loyal, and supportive, highlighting occasions when he personally covered certain expenses.

In his memoir, White House advisor Jared Kushner depicted a contentious relationship with Bannon, involving threats and accusations of leaking confidential information. Kushner asserted that Bannon "single-handedly caused more problems" for him in Washington, employing underhanded tactics and exacerbating the complications surrounding the Russia investigation.

Bannon partially settled an $850,000 legal bill owed to Davidoff, Hutcher & Citron LLP related to his contempt of Congress case and the "We Build the Wall" fraud probe. After the firm initiated a lawsuit, a court mandated in July 2023 that Bannon pay the outstanding amount.

Connection to Jeffrey Epstein

Journalist Michael Wolff reported that Bannon was introduced to Jeffrey Epstein in 2017, who subsequently facilitated connections between Bannon and some of Epstein’s associates. Collaborating with Ehud Barak and attorney Reid Weingarten, Bannon sought to rehabilitate Epstein’s public reputation. Later reports indicated that Bannon prepared Epstein for a 60 Minutes interview which ultimately did not occur. Bannon acknowledged recording 15 hours of interviews with Epstein but denied coaching him for additional interviews, stating the footage was intended for an unannounced documentary about Epstein.

Dismissed 1996 domestic violence charges

In January 1996, Bannon faced misdemeanor charges of domestic violence, battery, and witness tampering after his then-wife, Mary Piccard, accused him of abuse. Police reports from Santa Monica documented visible injuries on Piccard’s wrist and neck. These charges were dismissed when Piccard failed to appear in court. In her divorce filing, Piccard alleged threats from both Bannon and his attorney aimed at discouraging her testimony; these claims were denied by Bannon’s legal counsel.

2020 federal fraud and money laundering indictment

On August 20, 2020, a federal grand jury charged Bannon alongside three others with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, each offense carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment. Prosecutors contended that Bannon, Air Force veteran Brian Kolfage, and others misappropriated funds raised through the We Build the Wall campaign—a private initiative aimed at financing a border wall between Mexico and the United States—contrary to representations made to donors.

The fundraising effort operated via a GoFundMe campaign launched in December 2018. Authorities allege that Bannon utilized a nonprofit organization under his control along with a shell company to divert campaign funds for personal benefit, including payments exceeding $1 million directed to himself and Kolfage for expenses such as credit card bills and travel costs. Law enforcement sought asset seizures from Bannon’s nonprofit Citizens of the American Republic as well as affiliated groups connected to Donald Trump.

Bannon was apprehended by U.S. postal inspectors near Connecticut aboard a luxury yacht owned by Chinese expatriate Guo Wengui. He entered a not guilty plea and was released on a $5 million bond with conditions including surrendering his passport and travel restrictions. Following the indictment, Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr. publicly distanced themselves from Bannon despite prior support for his fundraising activities.

During a preliminary hearing on August 31, 2020, a trial date was scheduled for May 24, 2021. Prosecutors revealed having secured extensive email evidence across multiple devices and accounts after executing search warrants earlier in the year.

In February 2025, Bannon entered a guilty plea for one state felony count of scheme to defraud in the first degree. He received a three-year conditional discharge without incarceration or restitution requirements.

Trump's Pardon

In the final hours of his presidency, just before midnight on January 19, Donald Trump granted pardons to 144 individuals, among them Steve Bannon. The White House made the list public shortly after, at 12:50 a.m. on January 20.

By May 2021, Judge Torres dismissed the fraud charges against Bannon, recognizing the presidential pardon as legitimate and deeming dismissal the appropriate action. Although Bannon never admitted guilt, Torres observed that accepting a pardon might be interpreted as an acknowledgment of culpability. She further remarked, "If there be no guilt, there is no ground for forgiveness."

Indictment in New York State, 2022

Since presidential pardons only apply to federal offenses, Trump's pardon did not shield Bannon from state-level prosecution. By February 2021, the Manhattan district attorney had subpoenaed Wells Fargo Bank and GoFundMe for documents connected to the fundraising effort. In August 2022, Bannon faced indictment in New York on charges including money laundering, conspiracy, and fraud related to the $25 million "We Build the Wall" campaign. Bannon dismissed these allegations as politically driven and connected to financier George Soros, asserting that he and Trump would continue their legal battles.

Bannon surrendered on September 8, 2022. The trial was initially scheduled for May 27, 2024, but was postponed to September 23, 2024, due to Judge Juan Merchan’s involvement in a separate Trump-related case. The matter was reassigned to Judge April Newbauer, who rescheduled it for December 9, 2024. At Bannon’s request, the trial was further delayed until February 25, 2025. On February 11, 2025, Bannon entered a guilty plea to one count of first-degree scheme to defraud and received a three-year conditional discharge.

Conviction for Contempt of Congress and Imprisonment in 2022

On September 23, 2021, the U.S. House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack issued a subpoena requiring Bannon’s appearance on October 14. His attorneys informed the committee in advance that he would refuse to comply. Following his nonappearance, the House voted to hold him in criminal contempt and referred the case to the Justice Department. On October 19, the nine-member committee unanimously approved this action; subsequently, on October 21, the full House passed it by a vote of 229–202—with all Democrats and nine Republicans supporting.

A federal grand jury indicted Bannon on November 12, 2021, charging him with two counts of criminal contempt: failure to produce documents and failure to testify. He surrendered three days later to FBI agents and pleaded not guilty while being represented by defense attorney David Schoen. Released pending trial without bail but under conditions such as reporting his whereabouts and travel restrictions, Bannon’s appeal against his failure-to-testify charge was denied by an appellate court in April 2022.

Before trial commenced, Bannon offered testimony which U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols dismissed as a last-minute effort to evade responsibility. His requests for trial delays citing negative publicity from televised hearings were rejected. He wrongly asserted that Trump had invoked executive privilege over his testimony and documents and threatened to subpoena prominent Democrats as witnesses; these defenses were denied by Nichols who suggested Bannon consider a plea agreement.

Trial proceedings began on July 18, 2022; jury selection concluded the following day. Bannon chose not to call witnesses or testify in his own defense. On July 22, the jury convicted him on both counts. Committee leaders Bennie Thompson and Liz Cheney hailed the verdict as a triumph for the rule of law and affirmed their investigative efforts. Prosecutors from the DOJ stated that Bannon prioritized loyalty to Trump over obeying legal obligations and had openly defied American democratic principles.

On October 21, 2022, Judge Nichols sentenced Bannon to four months imprisonment along with a $6,500 fine aimed at deterring similar offenses; this was less than the DOJ’s recommendation of six months and a $200,000 penalty. Although Bannon appealed on November 4, he remained free pending appeal with his sentence stayed. In January 2023, his attorneys challenged alleged improper DOJ searches into his private communications.

Because of a government attorney’s family emergency, Bannon’s appeal hearing was postponed from October 12 to November 9, 2023; he did not attend but was represented by Schoen. On May 10, 2024, the appellate court unanimously upheld his conviction; four days later DOJ requested lifting the stay on his sentence requiring him to begin serving time.

Judge Nichols ordered Bannon on June 6 to report by July 1 unless intervened upon by a full appeals court. Due to another ongoing case in New York State, he was assigned to Federal Correctional Institution Danbury—a low-security prison in Connecticut—rather than a minimum-security facility as hoped. On June 26, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Republican efforts would seek court intervention for Bannon but filed no official briefs.

Bannon submitted an emergency petition to the U.S. Supreme Court on June 21; it was denied on June 28. He reported to Danbury prison on July 1 where he stayed in a specialized veterans’ housing unit according to his federal prison consultant Sam Mangel. He was released on October 29 becoming the second official from the Trump era incarcerated for contempt related to defying a January 6 Committee subpoena after Peter Navarro.

Social media restrictions

On November 5, 2020, Bannon publicly advocated for the execution of Anthony Fauci and FBI director Christopher Wray, declaring he intended to display their severed heads outside the White House as a deterrent to officials opposing Trump. That same day, Facebook and YouTube took down the video, Twitter permanently suspended his account for promoting violence, and Mailchimp deactivated his email newsletter service. The next day, Bannon lost his legal representative who was defending him against federal fraud allegations.

On January 9, 2021, Rudy Giuliani appeared as a guest on Bannon's War Room podcast, accusing Democrats of election fraud in the 2020 presidential race and holding them responsible for the Capitol breach. Shortly after, YouTube removed both the podcast channel and another titled "Trump at War – A Film by Stephen K. Bannon" due to violations of its Terms of Service.

Political beliefs

Bannon describes himself as both a populist and nationalist. His ideological framework draws inspiration from Lebanese-American writer Nassim Nicholas Taleb, neoreactionary blogger Curtis Yarvin, conservative thinker Michael Anton, and philosopher Edmund Burke. The Guardian notes that his views align with personalities like Stephen Miller, Tucker Carlson, Benny Johnson, Raheem Kassam, and Matthew Boyle—the latter two having been mentored at Breitbart.

Despite his August 2020 arrest on federal conspiracy charges linked to the We Build the Wall initiative, Bannon highlighted in a 2018 discussion with journalist Michael Lewis that his political approach relies heavily on harnessing anger and fear to energize voters through slogans such as "Drain the Swamp," "Lock Her Up," and "Build the Wall." He asserted that the primary adversary was not Democrats but the media, advocating for overwhelming them with disinformation.

Specific policy positions

Identifying as an economic nationalist, Bannon supports curtailing immigration and imposing trade restrictions with China and Mexico. While some have labeled him a white nationalist, he denies this characterization. He champions downsizing the federal bureaucracy and advancing the "deconstruction of the administrative state."

In May 2025, Bannon voiced opposition to a bipartisan effort aimed at broadening anti-BDS legislation targeting boycotts against Israel.

Paris climate accord

Bannon was a staunch opponent of the Paris climate accord and played a significant role in convincing Donald Trump to withdraw from it during his presidency.

Immigration policy

Bannon calls for reducing both legal and illegal immigration into the United States, perceiving immigration as a threat to national sovereignty. He has criticized the dominance of Asian and South Asian executives in Silicon Valley, arguing this trend weakens "civic society." In 2015 and 2016, he opposed Syrian refugee resettlement and described current legal immigration levels as "scary," asserting that immigrants have "kinda overwhelmed the country." On his podcast, he urged "MAGA shock troops" to back Trump's extensive deportation initiatives both publicly and within government circles.

Additionally, Bannon acted as chairman of We Build the Wall, a private organization that financed and initiated construction of segments of the U.S.–Mexico border barrier.

Economics

Bannon describes himself as an economic nationalist and has voiced criticism of crony capitalism, Austrian economic theories, and Ayn Rand’s objectivist approach to capitalism. While generally endorsing free-market principles, in May 2025 he characterized his group as Neo-Brandeisians and expressed support for Lina Khan’s leadership at the Federal Trade Commission. He advocates increasing the federal income tax rate to 44% on earnings exceeding $5 million, with the revenue intended to finance tax reductions for the middle class, alongside backing a trillion-dollar plan for infrastructure development.

In 2014, Bannon condemned Wall Street’s conduct during the 2008 financial meltdown and opposed government bailouts for major banks, attributing their lack of responsibility as a catalyst for populist uprisings such as the Tea Party movement. He has commended Democratic figures like Ro Khanna, Sherrod Brown, and John Fetterman for their populist economic policies, particularly regarding corporate offshoring. Khanna has returned the favor by supporting Bannon’s advocacy for higher corporate taxes and his resistance to unchecked globalization and automation.

Gun control

During nationwide discussions on gun violence and gun control, Bannon has championed expanding access to firearms, underscoring the importance of the Second Amendment. Following the 2017 Las Vegas massacre, he cautioned former President Trump against endorsing gun control measures, warning that such actions could alienate his core supporters and describing them as potentially catastrophic. Additionally, Bannon stirred debate by suggesting that firearm training be incorporated into school programs, proposing that children learn gun safety and self-defense techniques to protect themselves from bullies.

Foreign policy

Bannon expresses skepticism toward U.S. military engagements overseas, opposing increased involvement in Afghanistan, Syria, and Venezuela. Regarding Afghanistan, he supported Erik Prince’s plan to utilize private military contractors as an alternative to deploying American troops. He maintains that "there is no military solution" to the 2017 North Korea crisis.

He has criticized U.S. allies in Europe, the Persian Gulf, South Korea, and Japan as dependent "protectorates" reliant on American defense commitments without sufficient self-reliance, urging NATO countries to fulfill the 2% of GDP defense spending benchmark. Bannon stands against modernizing the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal. He is a strong proponent of withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal and backed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the 2017 Qatar diplomatic crisis.

While serving as White House chief strategist, Bannon opposed the 2017 Shayrat missile strike in Syria but was overruled by Jared Kushner in internal discussions. He expressed doubts about the necessity of the 2020 assassination of Qasem Soleimani, cautioning that escalating tensions with Iran might erode President Trump’s support among working-class voters.

Identifying as a "proud Christian Zionist," Bannon supports Israel and maintained close connections with Trump donor Sheldon Adelson. He opposed renewed efforts toward Middle East peace initiatives. Bannon labeled Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a "terrorist" and proposed transferring West Bank territory to Jordan and Gaza to Egypt.

In June 2025, Bannon voiced opposition to U.S. involvement in the Iran–Israel War. Before American strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, he advised Trump that Israeli intelligence could not be fully trusted and warned that bunker-buster bombs might fail, highlighting risks to U.S. forces stationed in the region. After Israel violated ceasefire agreements, Bannon declared Israel "not an ally" of the United States and disparaged commentator Mark Levin by dubbing him "Tel Aviv Levin." Furthermore, he called for an inquiry into Fox News over its pro-Israel reporting, suggesting possible foreign influence behind its coverage.

China

Bannon considers the United States to be already engaged in an active "hot war" with China, especially in the realms of information and economic conflict. He expresses concern over China's growing dominance throughout Asia, foreseeing a worldwide cultural confrontation and advocating for a direct challenge to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Bannon forecasts a military clash between the U.S. and China in the South China Sea within the coming decade, highlighting China's creation of artificial islands—functioning like fixed aircraft carriers equipped with missile systems—as a major security threat.

In Chaos Under Heaven, Josh Rogin depicts Bannon as a leading figure among officials aiming to hasten the CCP's collapse by promoting economic nationalism, encouraging the return of manufacturing jobs, and safeguarding domestic industries despite the drawbacks of free trade. Bannon likened the CCP to historical fascist regimes, branding its members as criminals who must be confronted accordingly, frequently using the phrase "CCP delende est." While serving in the White House, Bannon allied with trade advisor Peter Navarro, whose aggressive stance on China shaped Trump administration policies with Bannon’s backing.

United Kingdom

Initially endorsing groups such as the British National Party (BNP) and English Defence League (EDL), Bannon later shifted his support to the UK Independence Party (UKIP). He encouraged Boris Johnson, whom he had known since 2017 and admired, to mount a challenge against then-Prime Minister Theresa May. During his 2018 visit to the UK, Bannon maintained private communications with Johnson, exchanging messages while Johnson served as British foreign secretary and Bannon as White House chief strategist.

Europe

Bannon defended President Trump's relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, viewing Russia as an ally for nationalist traditionalism. He believes Putin champions traditional institutions and national sovereignty instead of a "pan-European Union." In 2018, Bannon met with Russian far-right thinker Aleksandr Dugin in Rome to advance U.S.-Russia ties and promote Traditionalist conservatism. He advocates for cooperation with Russia in opposition to China.

That same year, Bannon revealed plans to establish a political initiative aimed at uniting populist parties across Europe before the 2019 European Parliament election. This effort was headquartered in Brussels, where he devoted half of his time to European political activities. He founded The Movement to link far-right organizations throughout the continent.

Bannon supports various European right-wing populist and national conservative parties, including Hungary's Fidesz, France's National Rally, Spain's Vox, the Dutch Party for Freedom, Alternative for Germany, Italy's Northern League, Austria's Freedom Party, Sweden Democrats, Danish People's Party, Flemish Vlaams Belang and New Flemish Alliance, Poland's Law and Justice, as well as the Swiss People's Party.

Islam

In 2007, Bannon wrote a script for a documentary titled Destroying the Great Satan: The Rise of Islamic Fascism in America, portraying Islam as attempting to dominate the United States. By 2010, he asserted that "Islam is not a religion of peace. Islam is a religion of submission," criticizing former President George W. Bush for describing Islam as peaceful. Bannon has characterized contemporary Islam as "something much darker" than Adolf Hitler and Nazi ideology, stating, "If you're Sharia-compliant ... we don't want you here," while accusing U.S. media outlets of being "Sharia-compliant." He claimed that European elites are permitting an Islamic invasion and warned that conflict with Islamic fascism is escalating faster than governments can control.

At a 2014 Vatican conference, Bannon commended the Judeo-Christian West for its historical resistance against Islam, crediting it with preserving Western institutions. He reportedly views Putin's Russia and Trump's America as Christian allies combating both the Islamic State and "radical Islamic terrorism." During his tenure in the Trump administration, Bannon contributed to drafting Executive Order 13769, which prohibited entry from seven predominantly Muslim countries. He has been associated with the counter-jihad movement.

Transhumanism and Emerging Technologies

Bannon characterizes transhumanism as an extreme ideology championed by what he calls "the technocratic elite," accusing technology leaders of leveraging sophisticated gene editing, robotics, and implants to manipulate humanity and undermine religious faith. He argues that proponents of transhumanism pursue eternal life at the expense of spiritual doctrines. This perspective aligns with his anti-vaccine stance and mirrors viewpoints expressed by Alex Jones. In conversations with podcast guest Joe Allen, Bannon voices opposition to AI, drawing inspiration from "The Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski. On his podcast, he self-identifies as a Luddite and cautions that Homo sapiens may soon be supplanted.

Ideological Foundations and Influences

Benjamin R. Teitelbaum's War for Eternity examines Bannon's worldview, which fuses radical traditionalism, paleoconservatism, and mainstream conservative thought in the United States. His ideology is often described as nationalist and right-wing populist; Bannon himself labels his beliefs as conservative while rejecting the label of white nationalist.

During a 2018 event hosted by the French National Front (NF), Bannon delivered a populist address urging attendees to embrace terms like "racist" or "xenophobe" proudly, asserting that their movement was gaining momentum. This speech attracted criticism for seemingly legitimizing racist attitudes.

Bannon extensively references the Fourth Turning theory by Neil Howe and William Strauss, which predicts cyclical surges in populism, nationalism, and authoritarian governance worldwide. This theory served as a foundation for his film Generation Zero.

He has acknowledged the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita alongside the Chinese strategic classic The Art of War as significant influences. Bannon also holds Russian neo-fascist Alexander Dugin in high regard, who advocates Eurasian traditionalism; he describes himself as an admirer of Dugin’s The Fourth Political Theory. Nevertheless, Bannon has encouraged Dugin to reject anti-American sentiments and Sinophilia. Furthermore, he commends Brazilian traditionalist Olavo de Carvalho as a prominent conservative thinker.

Paleoconservatism and Controversial Allegations

Bannon expresses admiration for paleoconservative commentator Pat Buchanan and favors academic columnist Walter Russell Mead. In a 2014 address at the Vatican, he referenced Julius Evola, an Italian writer linked to Nazi ideology who influenced Benito Mussolini’s fascism and the Traditionalist School—a far-right worldview opposing modernity and egalitarianism. Bannon’s interest is rooted in Evola’s Revolt Against the Modern World along with René Guénon’s writings. In 2016, he conveyed appreciation for any mention of Evola. Concerning Vladimir Putin, who is influenced by Dugin (an Evola disciple), Bannon highlighted Traditionalism’s endorsement of nationalism. He has also positively cited French anti-Enlightenment thinker Charles Maurras. Bannon frequently references the contentious French novel The Camp of the Saints (1973), which portrays immigration from developing countries as a threat to Western civilization. He embraces what BBC News described as Savitri Devi’s cyclical interpretation of history as a battle between good and evil. In 2018, Bannon expressed fascination with Mussolini, noting his masculinity and style. A former Breitbart journalist reported that in 2015 Bannon stated alt-right magazine American Renaissance was “fighting the same fight” as him. He admires German Conservative Revolutionary philosopher Martin Heidegger, praising his “ideas on the subject of being.”

German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, renowned for Nazi propaganda cinema, influenced Bannon’s approach to filmmaking; he once dubbed himself the "Riefenstahl of the GOP." His 2012 documentary The Hope & The Change deliberately emulated Riefenstahl's The Triumph of the Will (1935). Bannon has shown interest in philosopher Henri Bergson’s concept of élan vital and economist Joseph Schumpeter’s notion of creative destruction. His initial exposure to traditionalist philosophy came through reading George Gurdjieff, which he later discussed with Dugin during a meeting in Rome.

At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February 2025, Bannon concluded pro-Trump remarks with a gesture some interpreted as a Nazi salute. This incident followed a similar salute by Elon Musk at Trump’s inauguration. The episode prompted National Rally leader Jordan Bardella to withdraw from his scheduled CPAC appearance, citing Bannon’s “Nazi ideology” hand gesture.

Personal life

Bannon has experienced three marriages and subsequent divorces and is the father of three grown daughters. His first wife was Cathleen Suzanne Houff, with whom he had a daughter named Maureen in 1988 before they separated.

In April 1995, he wed Mary Louise Piccard, a former investment banker; their twin daughters arrived just three days following the ceremony. Piccard initiated divorce proceedings in 1997. During the separation, she accused Bannon of making antisemitic comments regarding her educational choices for their children, claims that his spokesperson refuted by stating both girls attended the Archer School.

From 2006 until their divorce in 2009, Bannon was married to model Diane Clohesy.

His brother, Chris Bannon, works as a television producer.

Filmography

Bannon’s involvement in various films and documentaries includes roles as producer, writer, director, or actor:

Year	Title	Role	Details
1991	The Indian Runner	executive producer
1999	Titus	co-executive producer	adaptation of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus, featuring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange
2004	In the Face of Evil: Reagan's War in Word and Deed	director, co-producer, writer	inspired by Peter Schweizer's 2003 book Reagan's War
2005	Cochise County USA: Cries from the Border	executive producer
2006	Border War: The Battle Over Illegal Immigration	executive producer
2007	Tradition Never Graduates: A Season Inside Notre Dame Football	executive producer
2010	Generation Zero	director, producer, writer	based on William Strauss and Neil Howe’s 1997 book The Fourth Turning
	Battle for America	director, producer, writer
	Fire from the Heartland: The Awakening of the Conservative Woman	director, producer, writer
2011	Still Point in a Turning World: Ronald Reagan and His Ranch	director, writer
	The Undefeated	director, producer, writer	documentary focused on Sarah Palin
2012	Occupy Unmasked	director, writer
	The Hope & The Change	director, producer, writer	documentary exploring former Barack Obama supporters
	District of Corruption	director, producer
2013	Sweetwater	executive producer
2016	Clinton Cash	producer, writer	adapted from Peter Schweizer’s book Clinton Cash
	Torchbearer	director, producer, writer	featuring Duck Dynasty figure Phil Robertson
2018	' 'Trump @War	' director, writer	' includes appearances by political personalities such as Corey Lewandowski, Pete Hegseth, and Erik Prince
2019	' 'American Dharma	' actor
2019	' 'Claws of the Red Dragon	' executive producer
' 2019	' 'The Brink	' actor

See also

• Mueller Report
• Russian involvement in the 2016 Brexit referendum
• Timeline of Russian meddling in the 2016 United States elections
• Russian meddling in the 2016 United States elections
• Unhumans

External links

• Indictment for federal fraud and money laundering

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