Stephen Kevin Bannon, born November 27, 1953, is a multifaceted American individual who has had a diverse career spanning media, politics, and finance.
Initially, Bannon worked as an investment banker before transitioning to the world of politics. He served as the chief strategist in the White House during the early stages of President Donald Trump's term, playing a significant role in shaping the administration's policies.
Prior to his White House stint, Bannon held the position of executive chairman at Breitbart News, a prominent right-wing news organization. He also served on the board of Cambridge Analytica, a data-analytics firm that was involved in various political campaigns.
In August 2020, Bannon was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering in connection with the We Build the Wall campaign. The defendants allegedly used donated funds for personal gain, rather than allocating them towards building a wall on the US-Mexico border.
Bannon pleaded not guilty to the charges and was later pardoned by President Trump before his trial date. However, his legal troubles did not end there.
In October 2021, Bannon was held in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack. He was subsequently indicted on two criminal charges of contempt of Congress.
Bannon's trial took place in July 2022, during which he was convicted on both counts. The conviction carries a minimum sentence of 30 days to a maximum of one year in prison, as well as a fine ranging from $100 to $100,000.
In a separate case, Bannon was charged with state-level money laundering and conspiracy counts in New York related to the We Build the Wall campaign. On September 8, 2022, he turned himself in to authorities, having previously been spared from federal prosecution due to a pardon by President Trump in 2021.
