Donald Trump’s former chief strategist and part-time racist provocateur Steve Bannon has said Trump will fight in the 2020 election and win “bigger than in 2016.”

In an interview with CBS News, Bannon says Trump will face tough competition from moderate Republicans, but his victory will be bigger than ever.

Bannon, who is also the former executive chairman of right-wing Breitbart News, says the president will become “battle-hardened” for the 2020 election by the coming “vitriol” in politics this year.

CBS News Correspondent @sethdoane talked to former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon in Rome about the Mueller investigation and what he predicts is to come for @realDonaldTrump in 2019. pic.twitter.com/X0aZm4pUuc — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 24, 2019

Worse Than Vietnam? 2019 Will Be the “Nastiest” since the Civil War

In the same interview, Bannon said 2019 will be the “most vitriolic year in American politics since the Civil War.”

His comments appear to skip over some of the most violent and divisive periods in American history. Not least the Vietnam War and decades of racial segregation and abuse.

The vitriol, he claims, will be triggered by the release of Robert Mueller’s investigative report into the Trump campaign’s alleged collusion with Russia.

When the Mueller report is complete, it needs to be released to the public and Congress must receive all underlying investigative materials, be it a classified hearing or unclassified. Anything less is unacceptable. — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 24, 2019

Bannon, who was forced out of the White House by Trump’s chief of staff John Kelly, also cites the Southern District of New York attorney’s office investigation into Trump’s business affairs as a catalyst.

“I think the next 90 days to four months is going to be a real meat grinder … I mean, the pressure on the president is coming from many different angles… I think we’re in for a very nasty 2019.”

Democrats Will “Weaponize” the Mueller Report

The long-awaited Mueller report is set to shed light on the alleged collusion between Trump’s campaign team and Russia. The report is widely expected to drop in the coming months and it could prove explosive for the White House.

Bannon believes that, no matter what the report contains, they Democrats will use it to their advantage:

“I think you’ve already seen it from what the Democrats, some of these reports they’ve been dropping here without telling anybody. I think that now they control the House they can weaponize this, they could weaponize the Mueller report.”

What Doesn’t Kill Trump Will Make Him Stronger

Bannon’s comments suggest that, rather than destroy the Trump White House, the pressure will strengthen his base.

With a barrage of political challenges to overcome in 2019, Trump will emerge “in a much more battle-hardened position.” According to Bannon, this will make him a much stronger candidate, and secure a win “bigger than 2016.”

I'm running for president. I am asking you to join me today as part of an unprecedented and historic grassroots campaign that will begin with at least 1 million people from across the country. Say you're in: https://t.co/KOTx0WZqRf pic.twitter.com/T1TLH0rm26 — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 19, 2019

Nevertheless, Trump will face fierce opposition in 2020 on both sides of the political spectrum. The Democrats will field Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and possibly Joe Biden. The Republicans, as Bannon admits, are likely to field a handful of moderate, politically central candidates that offer a sharp contrast to Trump’s populist policies.