Far-right influencer Steve Bannon, who previously served as President Donald Trump’s chief White House strategist, is planning to launch a 2028 presidential bid, according to two insiders who spoke with Axios.
Axios reporter Alex Isenstadt was told by “two people familiar with [Bannon’s] thinking” under the condition of anonymity that Bannon – who Axios referred to as the “MAGA godfather” – intends on launching a presidential bid, but was not “serious about becoming president.”
Instead, Bannon hopes to “shape the debate” in an effort to pressure 2028 GOP candidates to “embrace an ‘America First’ agenda,” the outlet reported Saturday.
“The Bannon campaign will merge the foreign policy of Rand Paul with the tax policy of Elizabeth Warren,” said former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Axios reported.
When asked by Axios, however, Bannon fiercely denied that he was considering a 2028 presidential run, calling the claim “bull----.” Instead, Bannon said he intends on fully supporting a third presidential run for Trump, and in spite of the Constitution strictly forbidding it.
"We don't have a country if we don't get every ounce of fight and energy from President Trump – you can drive a Mack Truck through the 22nd Amendment – and that's exactly what I intend to do in order to save our country,” Bannon told Axios.
One of the insiders, however, refuted Bannon's denial, telling Axios that his overt support for Trump serving a third term was the biggest “tell” that he intended on launching a 2028 presidential bid.
“When Trump doesn't end up running, he'll reluctantly say he must carry the mantle," the insider told Axios.