Steve Bannon Pleads Guilty in ‘We Build the Wall’ Fraud Scheme, Faces Criticism from Wall Street Journal

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Alexis N. Crockett
February 14, 2025
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7 minutes read

(AP/File)

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon, a key figure in Donald Trump’s first administration, has pleaded guilty to fraud charges in a New York state court, drawing sharp rebukes from across the political spectrum—including the conservative editorial board of The Wall Street Journal.

Bannon admitted Tuesday to orchestrating a scheme that misled MAGA donors who contributed to the private fundraising initiative “We Build the Wall.” The project, which promised to help construct a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border, ultimately served as a vehicle for siphoning off funds, according to prosecutors.

In a scathing editorial titled “How Steve Bannon Fleeced MAGA Donors,” The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board lambasted Bannon’s actions, emphasizing how he exploited grassroots supporters for personal gain.

“Grandstanding as a populist, Mr. Bannon raised millions from concerned plumbers and truck drivers and retirees, and then secretly siphoned off money,” the board wrote. “Maybe he thinks MAGA stands for Make America Grift Again.”

Bannon originally faced similar fraud charges in federal court in 2020 but avoided prosecution after Trump granted him a last-minute pardon before leaving office. The editorial board took aim at this decision, stating: “Mr. Trump’s pardon message called Mr. Bannon ‘an important leader in the conservative movement,’ and it didn’t even attempt to grapple with the charges or justify invalidating them.”

Prosecutors detailed how Bannon and others behind the fundraising effort misrepresented their intentions, convincing ordinary citizens to contribute, despite some expressing doubts about online campaigns. “Some donors to We Build the Wall said, ‘they did not have a lot of money and were skeptical about online fundraising campaigns.’

But because they trusted the cause, ‘they were giving what they could,’” the Journal noted. Bannon’s plea deal with New York state prosecutors ensures he will avoid jail time if he remains out of legal trouble for the next three years.

His sentencing marks another chapter in the ongoing legal battles surrounding Trump’s former allies, as scrutiny intensifies over past financial dealings linked to the MAGA movement. While Bannon continues to maintain a prominent presence in right-wing media, this latest development adds to the growing controversy surrounding his political and financial activities.