Stephen Bannon thinks GOP could gain 50 House seats if they focus on critical race theory

Former President Donald Trump's one-time chief strategist Stephen Bannon believes the GOP has a chance to pick up 50 House seats in the 2022 mid-terms if they focus heavily on bashing critical race theory during campaigns, he told Politico.

"I look at this and say, 'Hey, this is how we are going to win.' I see 50 [House Republican] seats in 2022. Keep this up," Bannon said. "I think you're going to see a lot more emphasis from Trump and [Florida Gov. Ron] DeSantis on it. People who are serious in 2024 and beyond are going to focus on it."

Bannon's confidence seems to stem in part from his belief that the backlash against the academic theory, which Politico notes "examines how race and racism permeates society," being taught in schools isn't growing only among, say, QAnon conspiracy theorists. "This is mainstream suburban moms," Bannon told Politico. "And a lot of these people aren't Trump voters." Read more at Politico.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up