Undercurrents

James Billot: Steve Bannon told me Elon Musk is a parasite

Feb 18, 2025
James Billot, a journalist from UnHerd, shares his eye-opening experiences after interviewing Steve Bannon in his War Room studio. Bannon slams Elon Musk, calling him a 'parasitic illegal immigrant,' and discusses his contentious relationship with the tech mogul. The conversation dives into the power dynamics of the MAGA movement and the influence of Bannon's podcast on Republican grassroots. Billot also explores the ideological rift within Trumpism, highlighting tensions between populism and techno-libertarianism, especially in the context of U.S.-China relations.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Interview Location

  • James Billot interviewed Steve Bannon at Bannon's DC townhouse studio, formerly Breitbart's headquarters.
  • Bannon, familiar with UnHerd, invited Billot despite claiming the publication wasn't "with him."
INSIGHT

War Room's Power

  • Steve Bannon's "War Room" podcast, broadcast from his townhouse, holds significant influence, especially among Republican congressmen.
  • The show's listeners organize calls that can flood congressional offices, impacting political decisions.
INSIGHT

Bannon's View on Musk

  • Steve Bannon views Elon Musk with animosity, labeling him a "parasitic legal immigrant" and an agent of Chinese influence.
  • Musk, despite his tendency to respond online, has been relatively quiet about Bannon's attacks.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app