Steve Bannon Criticizes GOP Plan for ‘Massive Tax Cuts for Billionaires,’ Highlights Rift Over Spending Priorities

Right-wing influencer Steve Bannon claimed on Tuesday that Republicans in control of Congress are preparing to push “massive tax cuts for the wealthy and for the billionaires.” During an interview with Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) on his show, Bannon criticized current priorities in government spending and urged a significant restructuring instead of catering to the ultra-wealthy.

“[DOGE co-chairs] Vivek [Ramaswamy] and [Elon] Musk came to you guys the other day, and it turned out to be an open mic night with, hey, there’s a university in my district that does salamander research,” Bannon said, referencing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). “Talking about people and talking about these little programs, you’re not going to get there.

That’s just the typical thing that’s been talked about on talk radio and these shows for decades.” Bannon, a former aide to Donald Trump, doubled down on his opposition to the current defense spending bill, arguing it reflects a “neocon perspective on an American empire.”

“Every member of what they call the cardinals’ appropriations bill, particularly what they call those guys on the Armed Services Committee, you watch, every one of them wants increased defense spending,” Bannon asserted.

“They want to get to a trillion dollars as quickly as possible, and they’re going to vote for massive tax cuts for the wealthy and for the billionaires and corporations. Watch it.” Rep. Roy agreed with Bannon’s critique, signaling his concern over unchecked spending. “You and I agree on that,” Roy responded.

“Which is why I support moving the border reconciliation package and why I said in a meeting yesterday that I’m not going to agree to all of these massive tax cuts unless and until we talk about what we’re going to do on spending cuts, spending restraint, and restructuring the entirety of government.”

Roy added that powerful interests in Washington remain resistant to meaningful change. “The powers that be don’t want to do that,” he said. Bannon’s comments highlight growing tensions among conservative factions, as populist voices within the GOP push back against traditional Republican policies on tax cuts and defense spending.

The exchange underscores a broader divide within the party over fiscal priorities and the influence of corporate interests, setting the stage for an internal battle as Republicans navigate their agenda.