Former Trump adviser and right-wing figure Steve Bannon has launched a vigorous critique against tech giants Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, framing them as disconnected oligarchs who threaten the populist agenda of the MAGA movement. In an interview with NPR, Bannon expressed deep skepticism about Musk's allegiance, accusing him of using liberal tropes to malign the movement and asserting, "He dissed the MAGA movement as being racist, which is the old trope that the left."

Bannon's comments come in the context of his noticeable absence from the inauguration celebrations for President Trump, where Musk was front and center, seated prominently behind the President. This absence, coupled with Bannon's silence on social media during such a significant event, has further fueled speculation regarding an internal struggle within the MAGA faction, particularly between its established leaders and its emerging billionaire influencers. According to The Hill, Bannon condemned the tech moguls for their differing visions of governance, coining the term "techno-feudalism" to describe their stance.

In remarks made on his podcast, Bannon lamented the decision to hold the inauguration indoors, suggesting it was a concession to the “tender” billionaires from Silicon Valley. His critique aims to undermine the growing influence these figures hold in Trump’s circle. "We will break all these guys eventually," Bannon declared, hinting at a potential shift back towards a more traditional populist leadership within the party.

Despite the apparent rift, Musk and Zuckerberg remain influential figures in the party's landscape, signaling a broader challenge for Bannon and the traditional MAGA leadership. "These oligarchs in Silicon Valley... don’t believe in the underlying tenets of self-governance," Bannon remarked, emphasizing his commitment to a movement centering around the American populace and rejecting what he perceives as elitist attitudes.

Bannon's ongoing alienation from the new billionaire class could reshape the future dynamics of the MAGA movement as it grapples with conflicting ideologies and external pressures. As he stated, “Let’s see how that plays out,” indicating his determination to reclaim the narrative and power dynamic within the Republican base.

For further details, check the complete articles from The Hill and The Daily Beast.