Steven Bannon pleads guilty to scheme to defraud in border wall fundraiser, avoids jail time

Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a charge that he defrauded donors who gave money to a private campaign to build a wall along the U.S. southern border.

Bannon pleaded guilty to one scheme to defraud count and was sentenced to three years conditional discharge. He will avoid jail time as part of a plea agreement as long as he stays out of trouble. 

When reporters asked Bannon how he felt as he left the courtroom, he responded: “Like a million bucks.”

Bannon’s lawyer told reporters outside the court that there was no way his client could get a fair trial.

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Steve Bannon arrives at court in New York, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Bannon, 71, pleaded not guilty in September 2022 to a state court indictment charging him with money laundering, fraud and conspiracy in the “We Build the Wall” scheme.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.