Steve Bannon, the outspoken right-wing podcaster, is once again taking aim at figures within Donald Trump’s circle whom he perceives as obstructive to the America First agenda. In his latest critique, Bannon has turned his attention to former CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
During a Monday morning episode of his ‘War Room’ podcast, Bannon didn’t hold back. He demanded Ratcliffe’s removal, accusing him of disseminating ‘bald-faced lies’ concerning the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Bannon’s comments reflect his ongoing frustration with certain members of Trump’s team.
Bannon further alleged that Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration’s chief hostage negotiator, receives misleading information from the CIA. “Witkoff is briefed three times a day by the CIA, and they lied to him,” Bannon asserted, expressing distrust in the intelligence provided to Witkoff by the agency.
‘This is not a this is not some marginal mistake in intelligence. He sat right there. They told they lied to him three times a day,’ Bannon continued. ‘Hamas doesn’t want to do, never going to do the deal,’ Bannon implored, while continuing to criticize the agency, adding that the intelligence was skewed. ‘That’s the Mossad talking. That’s Netanyahu talking,’ Bannon charged.
The podcaster then argued that Ratcliffe should ‘resign today,’ for providing false information. The Daily Mail has reached out to the CIA for comment on Bannon’s remarks. Bannon’s latest criticism comes as the peace deal negotiated by the Trump administration between Hamas and Israel is hanging on by a thread after the breach of a ceasefire this weekend.
Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz also piled on criticism about the deal after news broke of the ceasefire breach Sunday, posting on X that ‘Bibi is now actively sabotaging Trump’s peace deal. And Trump knows it.’ Bannon additionally criticized Trump’s ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, calling him a ‘clown ambassador’ as well as an ’embarrassment.’
President Trump visited Israel last week, hours after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023, part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. After the breach of the ceasefire, about 44 individuals were killed, per data shared by local hospitals.
The strikes came after Israel accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire by attacking its troops. The momentary resumption of the conflict was the most serious challenge yet to the tenuous U.S.-backed ceasefire deal. Israel later said it had resumed enforcing the agreement.
