Steve Bannon has asserted that Donald Trump “is going to prison” unless “we” secure victory in the 2028 presidential election.
Trump’s former White House chief strategist made these remarks on Thursday during an episode of his War Room podcast.
Trump is the first former U.S. president to be convicted of a felony. If he were to be imprisoned after serving a second term in the White House, it would mark an unprecedented moment in American political history, one that would likely face strong opposition from his supporters.
During his War Room podcast, Bannon stated: “God forbid we don’t win in 2028 President Trump is going to prison just like Bolsonaro in Brazil.”
In February, Brazil’s chief prosecutor filed charges against former President Jair Bolsonaro on five counts, including attempting to orchestrate a coup following his electoral defeat to Lula da Silva in 2022.
Earlier this week, a panel from the Brazilian Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Bolsonaro’s case should proceed to trial. Bolsonaro has adamantly denied any wrongdoing.
Bolsonaro maintained a close relationship with Trump and was frequently referred to as the “Trump of the Tropics” by various media outlets.
Bannon further predicted that Trump could face a third impeachment attempt if Republicans fail to retain control of the House following the 2028 midterm elections.
Trump has previously been acquitted in two impeachment trials—one in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and another in 2021 for inciting an insurrection during the January 6 Capitol riot.
Trump was awaiting sentencing after being convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in May 2024 when he secured his second presidential election victory in November 2024.
Steve BannonAdditionally, the president faced charges related to the mishandling of classified documents and allegations that he unlawfully sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election results—both on a national level and specifically in Georgia. Trump has denied wrongdoing in all three cases.
Following Trump’s election victory, Special Counsel Jack Smith dropped the federal cases involving classified documents and election interference, while the Georgia case was postponed until after his presidency.
In the falsifying business records case, Trump received an unconditional discharge, meaning he was not subjected to any fines or imprisonment.
Bannon has previously stated that Trump should seek a third term in 2028, despite the 22nd Amendment prohibiting any individual from serving more than two terms.
Bannon has argued that this restriction only applies to consecutive terms, though mainstream constitutional scholars reject this interpretation.
Upon his inauguration on January 20, Trump issued pardons for nearly all individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on Congress by his supporters. However, a select few had their sentences commuted, meaning they were released but not fully pardoned.
Steve Bannon stated: “We are kidding ourselves if we don’t think Democrats are pulling all stops out to stop President Trump, to take the House through any means necessary, to impeach Trump, start the impeachment process in the first weeks of 2027 and God forbid we don’t win in 2028 President Trump is going to prison just like Bolsonaro in Brazil.”
“People are sitting around still with the glow of November 4 and all the inauguration and all the balls, we’re at war. And the things that happened over the past 72 hours if you don’t understand we’re in political warfare you’re sure not awake.”
The 2026 midterm elections will serve as the first major electoral challenge for Trump’s second administration, providing insight into the political standing of both Republicans and Democrats ahead of the 2028 presidential race.