Truth About Hegseth Smears and Leak Firings, and Shocking Details of Ellen Greenberg Case, with Steve Bannon and Nancy Grace | Ep. 1054
Apr 22, 2025
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Steve Bannon, former White House Chief Strategist and host of Bannon's War Room, delves into the internal conflicts impacting Pete Hegseth's Pentagon role, discussing leaks and media manipulation. Nancy Grace, legal commentator and author of 'What Happened to Ellen?', reveals shocking details regarding the unsolved case of Ellen Greenberg, whose suspicious death was dismissed as suicide. Grace advocates for renewed investigation amidst new legal developments in other high-profile cases, making a compelling case for justice and accountability.
The podcast reveals internal Pentagon conflicts leading to personnel firings, indicating challenges in executing a cohesive foreign policy under Secretary Hegseth.
Steve Bannon discusses the divided Republican factions regarding military intervention strategies, highlighting tensions between non-interventionist and hawkish viewpoints.
Nancy Grace sheds light on the unsolved Ellen Greenberg case, advocating for a re-opening of investigations amid public misconceptions surrounding her death.
Deep dives
The Leaks at the Pentagon
The podcast discusses significant leaks from the Pentagon regarding potential military actions, raising questions about the security and management within the department. A specific leak revealed that the White House directed plans for increasing U.S. troop presence in Panama, aiming to reclaim the Panama Canal. Following this incident, the Department of Defense initiated an investigation into the leaks, leading to the firing of several aides close to Secretary Hegseth. The podcast suggests that the leaks may have originated from those opposed to Hegseth's vision for the Pentagon and hints at a broader internal conflict over foreign policy direction.
Controversy Surrounding Pete Hegseth
The podcast highlights the ongoing media scrutiny of Pete Hegseth, focusing on the aftermath of the personnel changes at the Pentagon. The firings of senior staffers, including those with long-standing relationships with Hegseth, have led to claims of dysfunction within the department, with some ex-aides suggesting that Hegseth's leadership is in disarray. The podcast suggests that these negative portrayals in the press may be rooted in retaliation from those who lost their positions, aiming to undermine Hegseth's credibility. It emphasizes the external pressures Hegseth faces as he attempts to implement his agenda amidst conflicting viewpoints regarding military intervention.
Challenges of Non-Interventionist Policies
The podcast explores the tension between different factions within the Republican Party regarding military intervention, particularly in relation to Iran. Caldwell's non-interventionist stance is contrasted with the more hawkish views represented by others, including President Trump, who remains open to potential military action. The conversation points out that Caldwell's experiences in Iraq may have influenced his views, leading to internal disagreements about U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. This division underscores a broader ideological battle within the party, as members navigate the complexities of modern geopolitical challenges.
Investigation Integrity Under Scrutiny
The discussion raises critical concerns about the integrity of the investigations surrounding the alleged leaks and subsequent firings at the Pentagon. The podcast suggests that the failure to properly identify leakers, coupled with questionable decisions such as the use of polygraphs, may reflect deeper issues within the Pentagon's investigative processes. There are uncertainties about whether the investigations were genuine or if they served as a facade to silence dissenting voices. The hosts emphasize the importance of accountability and transparency in maintaining the trust of both military personnel and the public.
Caldwell's Defensive Position
Caldwell's position following his termination is marked by a fervent denial of any wrongdoing, as he claims not to have leaked sensitive information. His statements draw attention to his contrasting views on foreign policy, suggesting he diverges from mainstream Republican ideologies. The podcast notes the complexities of Caldwell’s situation as he navigates being labeled as an alleged leaker while advocating for a non-interventionist approach. This juxtaposition raises questions about the future of similar ideologies within the Republican Party amidst a more hawkish leadership.
The Pentagon’s Internal Conflicts
The podcast outlines how internal conflicts within the Pentagon could impact foreign policy and military readiness. The notion that opposing views could be leaked to the media suggests a rift that may hinder operational effectiveness. The emphasis on differing approaches to interventionism highlights significant strategic divides, potentially affecting decisions on troop deployments and engagements abroad. This disarray, as described in the episode, poses critical questions about who truly has influence over U.S. military actions and the broader implications of these leadership struggles.
Megyn Kelly begins the show by addressing the breaking news about the effort to push Pete Hegseth out as Defense Secretary, what's really behind his firing of his top staffers after a leak investigation, one of those fired now speaking out on Tucker Carlson's show and what he's implying about Hegseth, and more. Then Steve Bannon, host of Bannon's War Room, joins to discuss the intra-MAGA fight at the center of the Hegseth Pentagon tension, why the leakers may have wanted to get the information out publicly, the various "America First" factions in the movement today, the Democrats’ strategy behind embracing Kilmar Abrego Garcia, how it’s really all about delaying Trump and his ability to take more aggressive actions, the media spin and manipulation about his real story, AOC's potential to become a major national player, and more. Then Nancy Grace, author of "What Happened to Ellen?" joins to discuss the shocking and unsolved story of Ellen Greenberg, how she was stabbed 20 times but her death was ruled as a suicide, why Grace is determined to ensure the case gets re-opened, PA Gov. Josh Shapiro's involvement in the case, the newest details about the Bryan Kohberger case, why his defense team is pushing to be able to say Kohberger is on the autism spectrum and has OCD, whether the prosecution would accept a guilty plea, and more.
