Steve Bannon’s ‘We Build the Wall’ trial scheduled for May 2024

NEW YORK — Steve Bannon, the conservative strategist and longtime ally of Donald Trump, will face trial next May for deceiving donors who gave money to build a wall along the US southern border, said Thursday a judge.

Bannon’s trial in the “We Build the Wall” case will begin May 27, 2024, just after the former president is scheduled to stand trial in the same Manhattan courtroom in an unrelated criminal case.

Bannon, 69, pleaded not guilty last September to being charged with money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and other charges. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg took over the case after Bannon’s federal prosecution was halted by a pardon from Trump. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes, not state misdemeanors.

Bannon is accused of falsely promising donors that all money given to the We Build the Wall campaign would go towards building a wall along the US-Mexico border. Instead, prosecutors allege the money was used to enrich Bannon and others involved in the scheme.

Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato pleaded guilty to federal charges and were sentenced to prison. A third defendant, Timothy Shea, was found guilty in October and is expected to be sentenced next month.

Judge Juan Manuel Merchan presides over the Bannon and Trump cases. Bannon is free pending trial. Thursday’s hearing lasted four minutes.

“We’ll see you back here in May,” Bannon said as he left the courthouse in a black SUV.

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