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Steve Bannon's Rise in conservative media

Steve Bannon has been one of the most controversial and influential figures in conservative, hard-right media for the last decade. His media career began well before he was hands-on in media, as Bannon was responsible for some significant investments in the entertainment industry. In 2007, Steve Bannon was a founding board member of Breitbart. In 2012, Steve Bannon took the reins after the death of founder Andrew Breitbart. Under Bannon’s leadership, the outlet embraced a more aggressive, nationalist tone, becoming a central platform for the conservative right.

Bannon’s media savvy and willingness to push provocative narratives helped Breitbart grow rapidly, particularly during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. His role in shaping the outlet’s editorial direction made it a powerful voice in conservative politics, rallying support for then-candidate Donald Trump. Bannon's influence extended beyond traditional media, utilizing social platforms and viral content to amplify populist and anti-establishment messages.

In 2016, Bannon transitioned from media to politics, serving as Trump’s chief strategist for a short stint. During this period, Time Magazine issued its February 2017 edition featuring Steve Bannon titled Is Steve Bannon the Second Most Powerful Man in the World? Whilst this was intended to be a detraction, it highlighted the prowess of Steve Bannon's ability to capture the masses. After leaving the White House in August 2017, he returned to the media sphere with renewed intensity. Realizing the shift in how people communicate, Bannon seized the opportunity to converse via the podcast format that saw the birth of his latest project. In 2019, he launched the War Room podcast, a media juggernaut that blends political commentary and hard-line nationalism. The show is a no-holds-barred platform where no topic is too sensitive, making War Room the epitome of freedom of speech in modern media. The War Room podcast has attracted a significant following and helped cement Bannon’s status as a global figure in conservative-right-leaning media.

Despite legal controversies and bans from major social platforms, Bannon remains a key player in shaping conservative discourse both in the U.S. and abroad. Following a January 2021 War Room Podcast with Rudy Giuliani based on Election Fraud in the 2020 presidential election, the War Room channel was banned on YouTube. Steve Bannon's media career has proven that content, charisma, and controversy are paramount to marketing in the digital age.