Steve Bannon, the former strategist for Donald Trump, found himself teaching a civics class to inmates at Danbury Federal Correctional Institution. Serving a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress, Bannon decided to make the most of his time behind bars. He believed that everything important about business and politics could be learned from The Godfather, the classic movie series by Francis Ford Coppola.
Dressed in his khaki prison uniform, Bannon gathered around 50 inmates each Tuesday afternoon in a plain room. These were not just any inmates; they were a mix of drug dealers, fraudsters, and even a convict from the January 6th Capitol riot, all of whom had a strong admiration for Trump. As Bannon stood at the front of the class, he passionately circled keywords on the whiteboard and shared his thoughts on American society, using lessons from The Godfather to illustrate his points.
Bannon explained how the movie depicted a corrupt world, using Michael Corleone’s dealings to show how government works in real life. He emphasized that America was founded on principles similar to those of the Roman Republic, warning about the dangers of powerful leaders. Some inmates surprisingly expressed that they thought having a king might be better because it would “get things done.” Bannon, however, challenged their thinking by referencing the Capitol riot, asking if that was what they really wanted for America.
In this prison classroom, Bannon acted more like a celebrity than a convict. He flattered his audience, claiming they were smarter than 95% of Americans. He shared his opinions on everything from money and politics to pop culture. For instance, he argued that money is not courageous and that the wealthy aren’t taxed enough. He even described watching Fox News as similar to watching professional wrestling—entertaining but not very serious.
One of the interesting moments during class occurred when a foreign-born inmate shared his thoughts on immigrants, suggesting that many come to America to work hard, unlike some Americans who might be “lazy.” This sparked a lively discussion among the inmates about work ethics and the challenges they faced in their lives.
Bannon also talked about the current political climate, using humor and anecdotes from his past experiences. He claimed that he had a direct line to Trump and expressed confidence in Trump’s chances in the upcoming 2024 election. As he spoke, it became clear that he was relishing the attention and influence he held, even in prison.
Despite the serious topics, Bannon maintained a sense of bravado. He even handed out certificates of attendance to his students, proudly signing each one with a flair, as if they were special awards. The inmates seemed to appreciate the validation, and Bannon encouraged them to see themselves as important members of society, even while behind bars.
As his release date approached, Bannon reveled in his status as a political figure, hinting at plans for his future and teasing his audience about his impending return to the outside world. The class initially meant to help inmates reintegrate into society, turned into a platform for Bannon to share his views and rally support for Trump.
In this unusual setting, Steve Bannon became more than just an inmate; he became a teacher and a charismatic leader, drawing connections between the lessons of The Godfather and the realities of American politics, leaving his students—and the outside world—intrigued by his bold ideas and controversial perspectives.
