Steve Bannon issued a grave warning to Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, saying that unless GOP lawmakers do more to sell the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to their constituents, the party could face an electoral whalloping next year.

“The 2026 midterms have started, and the Republicans are letting down the president,” said Bannon, host of the far-right podcast War Room and former chief White House strategist under President Donald Trump, speaking to Politico Thursday.

Polls have shown that the OBBBA, Trump’s signature domestic policy bill filled with tax cuts and cuts to social safety programs, has been a “flop” with voters, with 52% of registered voters opposing the bill, and 70% agreeing that the legislation “will help the wealthy,” according to new polling from the Wall Street Journal.

And while Vice President JD Vance has embarked on an effort to sell the OBBBA to voters, GOP leadership and lawmakers have been notably silent, and occupied with other affairs, Bannon said, including lengthy trips to the Israeli-occupied West Bank to meet with Israeli settlers illegally living on occupied territory.

“(House Speaker Mike) Johnson and (Sen. John) Thune should cancel all overseas junkets for members and force them to have town halls, meet and greets, editorial board meetings – anything to get the word out on the (OBBBA),” Bannon told Politico. “The supply-side tax cut needs to be sold, and it ain’t gonna sell itself.”

Not all Republican lawmakers agreed with Bannon’s assessment, however, including Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), who chairs the House Republican Conference. She pushed back on Bannon’s critiques, telling Politico that there were other methods of marketing the OBBBA to voters other than town halls.

“There are so many different ways to market,” McClain said. “I don't really care how you market; I just want you to message it right. Whatever works for you in your district, do it right.”

And the White House itself appeared unphased amid Bannon’s dire warning, with White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson telling Politico that efforts to promote the OBBBA were ongoing.

“Every day, the administration is working with Congress to highlight the One Big Beautiful Bill,” said White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson. “From delivering that largest tax cut in history for working-class families to securing our borders, supporting small businesses and unleashing American energy, we are proud to champion this historic legislation.”