Federal prosecutors charge Bannon in the We Build the Wall donor-fraud case
Reporting and findings
- charged
Federal prosecutors charged Bannon and three others with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The indictment alleged the campaign raised more than $25 million through representations that organizers would take no compensation, while Bannon used a nonprofit to route over $1 million and personal expenses. These were allegations against Bannon at this stage; Trump's 2021 pardon prevented a federal merits verdict.
- U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York: Leaders of We Build The Wall online fundraising campaign charged with defrauding hundreds of thousands of donorsCharges, donor representations, more-than-$25-million intake, alleged routing, and presumption of innocence
- U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney: Pardons Granted by President Donald J. Trump (2017–2021)January 20, 2021 pardon covering Bannon's pending federal We Build the Wall prosecution
- Manhattan District Attorney's Office: People v. Stephen K. Bannon — Plea AgreementFebruary 11, 2025 signed plea to first-degree scheme to defraud in the related New York case
Summary and current status
The indictment alleged organizers diverted donor money after promising every dollar would fund construction; Trump's pardon ended Bannon's federal case before trial.
Federal case terminated by Trump pardon; related New York case later ended in Bannon's guilty plea
People and organizations
- Donald J. TrumpDonald Trump network root
- Steve BannonTrump campaign chief and former White House strategist
- We Build the Wallfundraising organization
Relationships in this file
- Donald J. Trumpcampaign chief and former White House strategistSteve Bannon
- Steve Bannonadvisory-board chairmanWe Build the Wall
Money trail
paymentWe Build the Wall reported fundraisingMore than $25 million - Reported source
- We Build the Wall donors
- Reported recipient
- We Build the Wall campaign
- Financially affected
- Donors who contributed based on the campaign's representations