Bannon is not happy.
Steve Bannon, former senior adviser to President Donald Trump, didn’t mince words when discussing Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg during an interview on ABC’s This Week. When asked about Zuckerberg’s involvement with the Trump administration and his prominent role in the upcoming inauguration, Bannon boldly called Zuckerberg a “criminal.”
Bannon’s criticism was rooted in the belief that tech giants like Zuckerberg had tried to exert undue influence over the 2020 election. He referenced the controversial “Zuckerbucks”—the millions of dollars Zuckerberg funneled through a nonprofit to fund election administration, which Republicans argue disproportionately benefited Democrat-leaning areas. Bannon was adamant that these funds were not as nonpartisan as Zuckerberg had claimed.
“I want Zuckerberg to be properly adjudicated,” Bannon declared. He expressed his desire to see the 2020 election scrutinized in a way that would hold figures like Zuckerberg accountable. “I want to see this done in a systematic way,” Bannon explained. “Either through a House investigation or preferably a grand jury and special prosecutor.” His calls for accountability were clear: if wrongdoing was found, those responsible should be held to account.
Bannon made it clear he wasn’t necessarily advocating for the Justice Department under President Trump to act immediately but pushed for Congress to take the first step. If they failed, he suggested, the appointment of a special prosecutor would be the next logical course. While Bannon stopped short of explicitly calling for a criminal prosecution of Zuckerberg, his comments suggested he believes that a thorough investigation is essential to preserve the integrity of American elections.
Bannon’s remarks came after Zuckerberg was seen meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and making a substantial donation to Trump’s inaugural fund. These actions have led many conservatives to view Zuckerberg with skepticism, and Bannon’s comments only heightened concerns that the tech mogul may flip on conservative values when it’s politically expedient for him.
For Bannon, the fight isn’t just about holding Zuckerberg accountable; it’s about restoring trust in American democracy and ensuring that Big Tech’s influence over elections is properly investigated. “When it’s convenient for him, he will flip,” Bannon warned, underscoring his mistrust of Zuckerberg’s motives. With Trump’s inauguration around the corner, Bannon’s remarks signal a call for conservatives to stay vigilant and demand transparency from all corners of the political system, including Big Tech.