It looks like the next Republican presidential race could be far more chaotic than expected.
Behind the scenes, former Trump strategist and conservative media heavyweight Steve Bannon is reportedly laying the groundwork for a bold — and controversial — run for president in 2028.
And if it happens, it could ignite a dramatic internal war within the very movement he helped create.
A Potential Face-Off Between Bannon and Vance Could Split the MAGA Base
According to insiders, Bannon is seriously exploring a 2028 presidential bid — a move that would set him on a collision course with Vice President JD Vance, who many believe is already prepping his own campaign.
Vance is widely seen as Trump’s likely heir, and the former president has even suggested recently that Vance would be a top contender to carry the MAGA torch after him.
But a Bannon vs. Vance primary wouldn’t just be a typical political contest — it could trigger an all-out identity crisis within the MAGA movement itself, pitting its founding architect against its current frontrunner.
Inside Bannon’s Thinking and Early Campaign Moves
While Bannon hasn’t made anything official yet, sources close to him say he’s been quietly seeking political advice and gauging reactions from trusted allies.
One insider revealed Bannon has made dismissive comments about Vance’s readiness for a national campaign.
“Love him… but Vance is not tough enough to run in 2028,” the source said Bannon has told people in private conversations.
For now, Bannon is staying quiet publicly — he declined to comment to the Daily Mail.
Vance’s camp, on the other hand, didn’t respond at all.
Bannon’s Influence and CPAC Numbers Hint at Serious Ambitions
It’s no secret that Bannon is more than just a political commentator.
As the host of his influential War Room show and a longtime MAGA strategist, he still has a strong foothold in conservative media and grassroots circles.
Back in February at CPAC, JD Vance was voted the favorite for the 2028 Republican nomination with 61 percent support — but Bannon came in second with a respectable 12 percent, signaling that a solid chunk of the base is still listening to him.
And it’s worth remembering: Bannon played a key behind-the-scenes role in shaping Vance’s Senate campaign in Ohio, helping him sharpen his “America First” image.
One GOP insider even said Bannon essentially created the political persona Vance now wears so comfortably.
Floating Third-Term Talk and Hinting at Unreleased Epstein Footage
In true Bannon fashion, he’s also stirring controversy in other directions.
For years, he’s teased the idea that Trump should somehow seek a third term — despite the clear constitutional two-term limit.
He hasn’t offered much in the way of legal rationale, only referencing vague “options.”
Even Trump himself admitted this week that, while he’s tempted, he’s probably not going to try for a third run — at least not in the way Bannon hints at.
And then there’s the Epstein angle.
Bannon is reportedly sitting on about 15 hours of never-before-seen footage of Jeffrey Epstein, filmed in 2019 for a never-completed documentary.
Epstein’s brother has said the footage was originally intended to help “rehabilitate” Epstein’s reputation before his death in jail.
Whether Bannon ever plans to release those tapes remains unclear.
But one Republican source close to him suggested that the footage could become a strategic “weapon” in the 2028 race — held in reserve and possibly used for leverage if Bannon jumps in.
A MAGA Civil War on the Horizon?
It’s early days still, and Bannon hasn’t made any public announcements.
But if he does decide to run, his candidacy could redefine — or tear apart — the MAGA movement from within.
What started as a political revolution built around Donald Trump could evolve into a high-stakes contest between its past and future, its founder and its heir.
Either way, 2028 is already shaping up to be anything but predictable.
