BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front):
FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington appeared with Steve Bannon on Friday’s WarRoom and warned that China’s dominance in advanced manufacturing, driven by AI, robotics, and 5G, seriously threatens U.S. economic sovereignty. He emphasized the urgent need for American re-industrialization, outlined the FCC’s role in enabling industrial infrastructure, and called for national action to counter growing global reliance on Chinese technology.

Quick clip of what you most need to know:

BANNON: President Trump has set in motion the most fundamental reorganization of the world's commercial relationships and patterns.

It's a basic reset for the reindustrialization of the greatest country on earth: the United States of America. pic.twitter.com/lwJEaMQGSc

— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) May 2, 2025

Key Highlights of Friday’s WarRoom discussion:

Re-Industrialization and America’s Decline:
Simington, appointed by President Trump, lamented the hollowing out of U.S. manufacturing. Once a leader in innovation, America now struggles to produce the very technologies it invented. He blamed a combination of poor policy decisions and false economic narratives that sidelined the industrial workforce in favor of low-paying gig economy jobs. "They told us it doesn’t make sense to make things here anymore,” he said, describing workers as being "locked out” of prosperity.

Quick Clip of what you most need to know:

FCC COMMISSIONER NATHAN SIMINGTON:

When industrial jobs went away, what replaced them were not superior service sector jobs, they were gig economy jobs.

I think there are a lot of Americans who want to work and are just feeling locked out.@SimingtonFCC pic.twitter.com/cjfXILIvei

— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) May 2, 2025

China’s Technological Edge:
Simington argued that any serious discussion of manufacturing must include China, now home to a "technically advanced middle class” and world-class industrial capabilities. He emphasized China’s synthesis of robotics, AI, and 5G as the engine behind its manufacturing dominance—especially in sectors like electric vehicles. He warned, "If we don’t gain some ability to act in this space, then every other country is going to modernize on Chinese technology,” raising concerns over data and economic control flowing to Beijing.

The Industrial Role of 5G:
Contrasting U.S. and Chinese uses of 5G, Simington pointed out that while the U.S. markets 5G as a consumer upgrade, China deploys it as an industrial backbone—fueling factories, logistics, and medical infrastructure. "It looks like an advanced industrial networking spec,” he said, advocating for more strategic thinking in U.S. infrastructure deployment. He dismissed conspiratorial fears about 5G’s democratic threat, framing it as a governance issue rather than a technological one.

FCC’s Mandate and Simington’s Economic Vision:
Clarifying FCC’s scope, Simington explained its authority over signal transmission—broadcast, satellite, and mobility—not online content. However, he confirmed that the FCC can intervene in cases of broadcast misconduct. He credited President Trump for placing him in the role to advance a policy agenda linking device financing, manufacturing incentives, and national industrial renewal.

Call to Action:
Simington urged Americans to re-engage in national economic policy. He invited the public to read his statements at FCC.gov and follow his updates on X (@SimingtonFCC), Instagram, and Truth Social. "We’re finally ready to address some of these big questions,” he said, pushing for collective action to reclaim U.S. manufacturing leadership.

Simington’s appearance underscored the strategic urgency of re-industrializing the U.S. due to China’s technological advance. With a clear warning and a concrete vision, he positioned the FCC as a facilitator of industrial infrastructure. He encouraged Americans to take an active role in shaping a competitive future.

For more context, watch this entire WarRoom segment from Friday:

SIMINGTON: America Needs A Smart Reindustrialization To Compete With China