What Happened to Breitbart News Network?

Breitbart News Network was founded in 2007 by conservative commentator Andrew Breitbart, initially conceived as a 'Huffington Post of the right' to aggregate news and later publish original content. Following Breitbart's sudden death in March 2012, Steve Bannon assumed the role of executive chairman, with Larry Solov becoming CEO. Under Bannon's leadership, Breitbart News aligned itself with the 'alt-right' movement, with Bannon famously declaring it 'the platform for the alt-right' in 2016. The site became a crucial rallying point for Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, offering staunch support and contributing to his rise.

This period of heightened influence also brought significant controversy. Breitbart's content has been described by various academics and journalists as misogynistic, xenophobic, and racist, and it has been criticized for publishing conspiracy theories and misleading stories, as well as promoting climate change denial and COVID-19 misinformation. Following Trump's election, over 2,000 organizations removed Breitbart News from ad buys, and its monthly visitors saw a steep decline, dropping from 17.3 million in early 2017 to 4.6 million by May 2019, and further to around 700,000 by October 2024.

Steve Bannon's involvement with Breitbart saw him leave to serve as White House Chief Strategist in the Trump administration in 2017, only to return as executive chairman in August 2017 after his dismissal from the White House. He then stepped down again from Breitbart in January 2018. Despite these leadership changes and controversies, Breitbart News maintained its presence, even being included as a 'trusted source' in Facebook News in October 2019.

The period of 2025-2026 has marked a significant shift for Breitbart News. While earlier reports indicated a substantial drop in readership, recent data from July 2026 shows a remarkable resurgence, with the website receiving 29.88 million visits, ranking it #364 in the U.S. and #34 in the News & Media Publishers category. This indicates a strong recovery in its audience reach. The site has continued to actively engage with the political landscape, particularly within the orbit of former President Donald Trump. Throughout 2025 and 2026, Breitbart News has hosted numerous policy events featuring prominent figures from the Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and Ambassador Monica Crowley. These events cover a range of topics from economic policy and energy dominance to artificial intelligence and American heritage. As of August 27, 2026, Breitbart News remains an active and influential platform, consistently publishing articles on current events, legal challenges facing the Trump administration, and cultural issues, solidifying its role as a leading voice for the America First movement.