Steve Bannon criticized Jay Clayton — whom he says is serving as DNI and is reportedly under consideration to lead the administration's AI portfolio — over past work tied to China and Alibaba. While praising Clayton's legal skills, Bannon said those ties raise questions about his fitness for national intelligence and AI oversight. He also complained about a lack of declassifications since Bill Pulte's departure and urged that the AI czar be a full-time position, suggesting Pulte be brought back to assist.
Bannon Accuses Jay Clayton Of Questionable China Ties, Questions Move To Make Him AI ‘Czar’
Screenshot via X
Steve Bannon, the former Trump White House aide turned influential MAGA podcaster, launched a blistering attack Friday on Jay Clayton, whom he says is serving as Director of National Intelligence and is reportedly being considered to lead the administration's artificial intelligence efforts.
Bannon acknowledged Clayton's legal résumé — calling him "a great lawyer" and praising his work at Sullivan & Cromwell — but argued that Clayton's past work advising companies with China ties raises concerns about his suitability for sensitive national security roles. Bannon specifically pointed to Clayton's connection to Alibaba's initial public offering, describing the company in stark terms and suggesting that history was incompatible with oversight of intelligence or AI policy.
"I don't know how an Alibaba general counsel, who got Alibaba through an IPO, which is a military information network for the Chinese Communist Party, and a surveillance apparatus, could be Director of National Intelligence," Bannon said on his program. "But hey, you know, I'm just some mick yelling into a microphone."
Bannon also complained about what he called a lack of public declassifications since Bill Pulte left the DNI role, saying, "I haven't seen a declassification, not one, since Bill Pulte left. Just saying, just saying." He said investigative journalist John Solomon will appear on his show next week and suggested Solomon's task force lacks a partner because Pulte is no longer in place to help declassify material.
On the question of an AI czar, Bannon urged that the role be a full-time, dedicated position. He recommended bringing Pulte back in a supporting capacity to assist with declassification and oversight: "Maybe it's time to bring in Pulte. Get him up in the bullpen, let's start warming, let's start loosening up Pulte."
Context
Media coverage of the exchange has focused on two issues: whether Clayton's prior corporate work should disqualify him from sensitive national security responsibilities, and whether the administration's approach to declassification and AI oversight is sufficiently transparent and robust. Bannon's comments aired on his program and a clip circulated on the War Room show.
Separately, Bannon's claims reflect partisan debate. Some of the assertions he made — including characterizations of companies and personnel decisions — have been presented as allegations or interpretations rather than proven facts. For example, questions about Clayton's precise roles in private-sector transactions and the internal policies on declassification are matters of public record and reporting that should be consulted directly for verification.
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