Steve Bannon fires warning shot to Trump over midterms: 'There is a massive lack of enthusiasm among the base'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Independent

Sunday 08 February 2026 16:18 EST


Steve Bannon has warned President Donald Trump and the Republican Party that there is a “massive lack of enthusiasm” among the MAGA base heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Bannon, Trump’s former adviser during the first administration, complained that Republicans were “running for the hills” over current negotiations on the Department of Homeland Security funding to avoid a shutdown.

“Step up and do something,” Bannon said on a recent episode of his War Room podcast. “You have a massive lack of enthusiasm among the base because they're sitting there going, ‘I'm just not feeling it right now.’”

He cited polling suggesting Republicans could be in trouble come November, based on findings from some of “our best pollsters,” referring to conservatives Rich Baris and Mark Mitchell.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/steve-bannon-trump-2026-midterms-b2916322.html

[Puppyjive]

1. MAGA is losing because no one likes them

We have ended our friendships with our maga friends. Their moral compass is pointing in the wrong direction and we want nothing to do with them. No more drama! Feels great!

[BumRushDaShow]

3. You notice how the media will bury the term "enthusiasm gap" when it comes to the GOP

but for Democrats, they fall all over each other to ensure that narrative is spread far and wide. At least Bannon broached the subject.

[COL Mustard]

7. If I were a Republican

I sure wouldn’t be enthusiastic about the crap we’re seeing from Washington.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. Some of them

are STILL on the lunkhead "But give him more time" train.

[orangecrush]

17. I hope he gets a lot of time

Like life without parole.

[Scrivener7]

6. MAGA has that problem with being pure evil. It's only a feature to about 37%.

[BidenRocks]

2. He is pummeling a deceased equine.

[Bluetus]

19. "lack of enthusiasm among the base" translated ...

A significant part of "the base" has decided they aren't part of "the base" anymore.

And many of the rest are in that foggy zone where they are saying "This isn't what I voted for", even though this is EXACTLY what they voted for. What they really mean is, "When I voted for that, I had no ideas that anything could go wrong."

Either way, Bannon is imploring Trump to jack up his evil personality. Hopefully Trump will follow Bannon's advice. The more Trump says, the better.

[Chasstev365]

4. So what? Trump is not being crazy enough for the base? Great strategy Jabba, I mean Steve.

[FakeNoose]

5. Is this because Republicans are in disarray?

Will they ever actually say that? They never hesitate to say it about Democrats....
On the other hand, Steve Bannon can fuck right off.
As soon as we win back Congress, (and the White House in 28) Bannon goes to prison.

[Dr. T]

8. I thought we were living in a conservative utopia.

What's wrong? It doesn't look so good now that they've got what they always wanted?

[Jack Valentino]

26. I HAVE notably seen headlines stating 'Republicans in civil war' !

[NCDem47]

10. Sorry Steve...Grandpa ain't going to help you or the Republicans this time.

It's so obvious that Trump has literally and figuratively run out of steam.

No way can he hit any kind of trail to rally support for his "policies" or R candidates.

Even then...they all know. He's a liability and NOT an asset anymore.

[Jack Valentino]

27. but he's an even bigger ASS than ever before !

[Herself]

11. The problem only exists if the midterm elections are held.

stevie is acting like a nervous elk.

[Mz Pip]

12. Posting racist memes

The base loves that crap. Violent detentions seem to turn MAGA on too. Trump even got stupid at the prayer breakfast.

If that didn’t help fire up the base, WTF will he do next?

[sop]

13. Trump and his henchmen know their MAGA base is "running for the hills."

Their only response will be to ratchet up the hate and violence, hoping it sets off enough civil unrest so they can shut down voting in key areas.

[travelingthrulife]

14. Oh no, Steve! Does that mean you finally land your pustule laden carcass in jail?

That would be a shame.

[NBachers]

15. CHEAT HARDER! It's the only way they can win.

[Ol Janx Spirit]

16. This is the problem with winning elections based on lies that you have no way...

...of wishing into reality--like lowering prices on day one.

Combine that with the lies that you just outright contradict--like no more foreign wars and reigning in government spending--by doing the opposite and you really do set yourself up to be a disappointment to all but your most rabid fans.

Throw in abandoning a few things your base has fought tooth and nail their whole lives for--like the Second Amendment and states rights--and they will understandably become demoralized.

Meanwhile, do a bunch of things that the rest of the country is going to hate--like deport innocent people, shoot American citizens in the street, and enrich yourself through your position of power--and you really invite a political tsunami onto your shores.

Luckily there isn't an obvious foe out there at the moment to start a war with that would not be seen as a transparent attempt to stir up trouble to gain favor as a "wartime president"--but that could change.

Let's hope that Bannon is really really disappointed come November 4th.

[twodogsbarking]

18. How is this piece of shit still allowed to roam free. He should be in the bone orchard.

[live love laugh]

20. Bannon needs to go.

[Wonder Why]

21. The Pig's followers need to get a brain, not just lose enthusiasm for him. Otherwise, they'll be back all too soon.

[Martin68]

23. They need a heart, too. And a shitload of courage.

[Martin68]

22. Music to my ears: "a massive lack of enthusiasm among the base"

[Fiendish Thingy]

24. Wait, WHAAAT?!?!

Just last week Bannon assured us all that Trump had the midterms in the bag, because he was going have ICE agents at every polling place (a physical impossibility) to stop all those non-caucasians from voting.

Now he’s panicking that his ultra incompetent overlord is going to fuck up Republican chances in the election…

So, does that mean he was just trolling us libs (or at least the Doomers amongst us who ate it right up) with his threats last week?

[MW67]

25. Never fear Bannon

Donnie knows just what to do, reignite the culture wars and fire up the base with a racist video one week, then go total apeshtt over the Superbowl halftime show at the beginning of the next ,again with the ol fav ,racial animosity, ( big one two punch one , the Obama's, two ,Spanish speaking latinos) Greatest hits stuff, (just like having a right wing talk show host as President, Steve, only more of a ripoff and liar) this should really fire up the base and work out well for the 38 percent ( or less) of them that are still going for this bs, the slow motion trainwreck has begun, enjoy, I sure am

[fujiyamasan]

28. Meh one pedo giving advice to another

How many times was that pile of shit in the Epstein files?

I’m sure his next piece of advice would be to embrace being a pedo. I’m sure that’s part of their strategy. Megyn Kelly was just early in her justification a few weeks ago. They’ll all come around saying the same thing