According to Axios, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon is “laying the groundwork” for a possible campaign by discussing staffing with allies and setting up a political action committee.
Bannon has also been making appearances at GOP events in key early-primary organizing circles. Axios pointed to his attendance at Colorado and Georgia Republican Party events as a sign he may be building relationships with local activists who play a major role in primary politics.
Still, Axios framed the effort as something bigger than one candidate’s ambitions.
“The MAGA godfather isn’t serious about becoming president — that’s not the point,”
Axios reported.
Instead, the outlet said Bannon has told allies he wants to pressure Republicans to embrace a clearer “America First” vision — including non-interventionist foreign policy, economic populism, and opposition to Big Tech.
Matt Gaetz weighs in
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) described Bannon’s political brand in blunt terms, telling Axios:
“The Bannon campaign will merge the foreign policy of Rand Paul with the tax policy of Elizabeth Warren.”
A “nontraditional” campaign model
Axios also reported that Bannon’s associates “envision a nontraditional campaign” that could be run largely from his Capitol Hill podcast studio, avoiding the typical early-state grind of rallies in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Bannon denies it — and says his focus is Trump
Bannon isn’t publicly embracing the idea. He reportedly told Axios the entire notion was:
“bullsh*t,”
and said he’s focused on supporting a third term for Trump — “despite the Constitution’s two-term limit on presidents.”
Meanwhile, Trump is already signaling 2028 succession plans
While Bannon talks about “America First” leverage in 2028, President Donald Trump has also been dropping hints about what he wants the post-Trump Republican bench to look like.
In recent comments reported by multiple outlets, Trump has pointed to Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the next generation of Republican leadership — and suggested they could be a dominant force heading into 2028.
