Why Steve Bannon Will Lose His Fight Against Elon Musk

Bannon’s ideological purity does not mesh with Donald Trump’s plans for his legacy.

Author

Anthony Constantini
January 17, 2025

What’s happening: Steve Bannon, who served as Senior Counselor to President-elect Donald Trump in his first administration, recently called newfound Trump ally Elon Musk a “truly evil person.” Bannon also said he’d “get [him] kicked out” by the inauguration.

  • Fighting over visas: Bannon’s ire stems from Musk’s support for H-1B visas, with Bannon saying Musk had lost the debate. Trump, however, backed Musk’s position, not Bannon’s.

  • Reality check: Bannon is talking tough, but his influence in Trump’s orbit is weak. Bannon’s presence in Trump’s orbit is so rare that even his shaking hands with Trump last month garnered attention.

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