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Was Kash Patel targeted? Steve Bannon calls Fox interview a 'sanctioned hit'
Steve Bannon described Maria Bartiromo's questions to Kash Patel on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures as a 'sanctioned hit,' suggesting the interview was orchestrated to pressure him as he defends Trump’s 2020 election claims. Patel asserted there is verified information and said they are not taking the matter lying down, claiming DOJ cooperation and that arrests are coming. The episode was framed by references to an earlier confrontation involving Sen. John Kennedy and Kristi Noem.
Why It Matters
The comments illustrate the aggressive rhetoric around election integrity and the perception of coordinated media pressure in political discourse.
Timeline
3 Events
Steve Bannon calls the interview a 'sanctioned hit' on War Room
April 19, 2026
On his War Room program, Steve Bannon described Bartiromo's questioning of Patel as a 'sanctioned hit,' saying the moment appeared orchestrated and suggesting it was intended to pressure Patel and determine whether Patel and the FBI were 'really doing their job.' He also compared it to Sen. John Kennedy’s questioning of Kristi Noem earlier this year.
Kash Patel on Fox's Sunday Morning Futures questioned on 2020 election claims
April 19, 2026
During Sunday Morning Futures, Maria Bartiromo pressed Patel on Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was rigged. Patel said, 'Absolutely,' and added, 'We are not going to take this and have not taken this laying down,' while claiming cooperation with the Department of Justice and promising arrests are coming.
Kennedy references Kristi Noem earlier this year
2026
Steve Bannon referenced an earlier incident in which Sen John Kennedy sharply questioned former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem earlier this year, noting it occurred before her removal from the position.