Bannon warns Hegseth's answers could cost GOP
Steve Bannon speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, U.S., February 20, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
March 09, 2026
MAGA influencer Steve Bannon criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on his Monday broadcast for dismissing questions about whether Iran posed an imminent threat during a "60 Minutes" interview. Hegseth told CBS reporter Major Garrett that discussion of an imminent threat was "silly and academic." Bannon, while praising Hegseth's confirmation efforts, said the messaging was problematic and insisted the administration must be "serious" about explaining the threat rationale. Bannon argued Americans won't accept short-term pain without a clear justification and warned that people will "start losing" support. He directly contradicted Hegseth, stating there was "not an imminent threat" before the war began. Bannon called for improved messaging from administration officials, emphasizing the need to convince the public of the war's necessity rather than dismissing their concerns.
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