Elon Musk’s recent incendiary claim that Steve Bannon is destined for a long prison stint has fueled tensions and reignited political sparring, sparking heated discourse across the board.
At a Glance
- Elon Musk has publicly claimed that former Trump strategist Steve Bannon is “going back to prison” for a long time.
- The attack followed Bannon’s suggestion that the U.S. government should consider nationalizing Musk’s company, SpaceX.
- The feud is a proxy battle in the larger, ongoing conflict between Musk and President Donald Trump over a massive tax-and-spending bill.
- The infighting highlights a deep ideological rift between the populist and libertarian wings of the conservative movement.
Musk and Bannon’s Heated Discord
A new front has opened in the ongoing political war between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, with the tech billionaire now in a direct public feud with former Trump strategist Steve Bannon. On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Musk took to his social media platform, X, to declare that Bannon is “going back to prison, and for a long time.”
Elon Musk:
“Steve Bannon is going back to prison. This time for a long time.” pic.twitter.com/4jscBXO4mY
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) July 1, 2025
Musk’s incendiary comment was a direct response to Bannon’s recent attacks on his “War Room” podcast. Bannon, who recently served a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress, has been blasting Musk for his opposition to President Trump’s signature “One, Big, Beautiful Bill.” The feud escalated when Bannon suggested that the U.S. government should consider nationalizing SpaceX due to its reliance on federal contracts.
A Proxy War for Trump
The public sparring between Musk and Bannon is a proxy war for the larger conflict between Musk and the President. As detailed by The New York Times, Musk has fiercely opposed Trump’s legislative package, calling it a “disgusting abomination” that would add trillions to the national debt.
In response, Trump has threatened to cut the lucrative government contracts that are vital to Musk’s companies. Now, Bannon, acting as a loyal lieutenant, has taken up the fight, while Musk is firing back directly at the controversial podcast host.
A Battle for the American Right
The high-profile infighting exposes a deep and growing ideological rift on the American right. It pits the “America First” populism of the Trump-Bannon wing against the more libertarian, fiscally conservative principles espoused by Musk. A former confidant of Musk, Philip Low, recently warned that the billionaire is on a mission to “do everything to damage the president,” according to Fox News.
The public clash between three of the most influential figures on the right is more than just a battle of egos. It is a high-stakes struggle for the soul of the conservative movement and the future direction of the Republican party, with profound implications for the nation’s economic and political landscape.
