Steve Bannon asserts that Donald Trump will stay a powerful presence past his second term and is transforming the United States in historically significant ways
According to former adviser Steve Bannon, in an interview with the Financial Times, US President Donald Trump is reshaping America and is poised to remain a dominant force far past his second term. Bannon drew parallels between Trump’s historical significance and that of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
During the interview, which was published on Friday, Bannon forecast that Trump would not only seek a third term in 2028 but would also secure victory. While acknowledging the constitutional limit of two terms for presidents, Bannon offered no legal explanation for his prediction, yet maintained that Trump is a “world-historic” leader.
“Trump’s not going anywhere,” Bannon stated. “He’ll be present in your thoughts for an extended period.” Bannon characterized Trump as the third transformative figure in US history, following Washington, who established the republic, and Lincoln, who “preserved it.” Trump, he contended, is currently orchestrating the nation’s “rebirth.”
Bannon, who was the president’s chief strategist early in his initial term, has consistently championed Trump’s political legacy through his podcast and public engagements.
These comments to the Financial Times emerge amidst increasing conjecture regarding Trump’s plans for 2028. Despite the 22nd Amendment prohibiting a third presidential term, Trump’s campaign merchandise store recently started offering ‘TRUMP 2028’ and ‘Rewrite the Rules’ items. These products have intensified rumors concerning a potential effort to prolong his time in office.
Trump has dismissed this notion, stating he will not pursue reelection. “I believe we will have four years, and I think four years is ample time to achieve something truly spectacular,” he remarked. Although he admitted that “many people” have encouraged him to run once more, he expressed a preference to transfer power to “a great Republican.”
Trump has not formally endorsed a successor, yet he has named Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of a wider group of prospective candidates.
Notwithstanding Trump’s public statements, his administration continues to encounter significant opposition and repeated impeachment efforts from Democratic legislators. Last month, his directive for mass deportations sparked unrest in multiple Democratic-governed cities, such as Los Angeles, leading to the deployment of National Guard and Marine units. California officials have disputed the lawfulness of this military deployment, labeling it unconstitutional.
Amidst the political upheaval, a recent YouGov survey indicated that 40% of Americans consider a civil war to be somewhat or very probable within the next ten years. The poll also highlighted pronounced partisan and racial disparities in outlooks regarding a potential conflict.