Reports are swirling that longtime Trump ally and former White House strategist Steve Bannon may be quietly preparing for a possible 2028 presidential run.
According to a report from Axios, sources familiar with the situation claim Bannon has begun laying early groundwork that resembles campaign planning. That includes exploring the creation of a political action committee and privately speaking with allies about who could potentially assist if a campaign were to move forward.
Bannon has also made appearances at Republican Party events in recent months in states such as Colorado and Georgia. Political observers note that these stops are often important for building relationships with grassroots organizers who play a key role during presidential primary contests.
However, those close to Bannon say the bigger objective may not be winning the White House outright. Instead, the goal appears to be shaping the Republican Party’s direction and forcing future candidates to fully embrace an “America First” agenda. That platform reportedly includes a non-interventionist foreign policy, economic populism focused on American workers, and aggressive opposition to Big Tech influence.
Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz described the potential effort as blending restrained foreign policy with populist economic ideas — a combination that would sharply contrast with establishment Republicans.
Sources also suggest Bannon would run a highly unconventional campaign. Rather than traditional rallies in early voting states like Iowa or New Hampshire, allies envision a media-driven strategy centered on podcasts, digital platforms, and direct messaging to conservative voters.
Publicly, Bannon has dismissed talk of a presidential run, calling the speculation false and saying his focus remains firmly on supporting President Donald Trump. Bannon has repeatedly argued that the Constitution’s presidential term limits could be challenged under certain legal interpretations.
Bannon has also confirmed he is collaborating on a forthcoming book examining whether President Trump could constitutionally serve another term. The book is expected to be released later this year and is already generating debate within conservative legal circles.
President Trump, who turns 80 this summer, is already the oldest president ever inaugurated. Some political insiders believe that if Trump ultimately decides not to run again, Bannon could position himself as a reluctant successor to carry forward the movement’s core principles.
For now, no official campaign has been announced. But among grassroots conservatives, the conversation about 2028 is clearly gaining momentum — and Steve Bannon’s name is firmly in the mix.