Podcast Summary: "Blaming Trump After Butler Backfired, Shooter’s Missing Motive, Plus Epstein and Other Conspiracies"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Next Up with Mark Halperin
• Host/Author: MK Media
• Description: Next Up with Mark Halperin delivers unique political insight and reporting, with timely conversations featuring prominent voices in politics, media, and policy.
• Episode: Blaming Trump After Butler Backfired, Shooter’s Missing Motive, Plus Epstein and Other Conspiracies
• Release Date: July 8, 2025

1. Introduction and Overview

Mark Calperin reopens the podcast after a week-long summer break, eagerly setting the stage for an engaging episode filled with pressing political issues and exclusive guest insights. He introduces the main themes of the episode, highlighting the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, the enigmatic motives behind the shooter, and ongoing conspiracies surrounding Jeffrey Epstein.

Notable Quote:

"It’s all about understanding how the red and blue America view Donald Trump and view his role in our lives." – Mark Calperin [02:30]

2. The Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

A. Mark Calperin's Monologue

Calperin delves deep into the near-assassination event of Donald Trump, emphasizing its unprecedented nature given Trump's significant influence in American politics. He reflects on how the incident not only threatened Trump's life but also revealed deep divisions within the media and political institutions. Calperin criticizes the media's immediate tendency to blame Trump without understanding the shooter's motives, drawing parallels to historical events like the Oklahoma City bombing where initial assumptions about motives proved incorrect.

Notable Quotes:

"The left... did not treat his attempted assassination the way they would have had that been Barack Obama or Joe Biden." – Mark Calperin [06:50]

"People always want to jump to conclusions about the motive of the killer... It’s an absolute mystery." – Mark Calperin [08:20]

B. Media Response and Institutional Hostility

Calperin argues that the media's hostile and dismissive response to Trump's attempted assassination reflects a broader antagonism towards Trump and the MAGA movement. He cites examples of media personalities like Martha Raddatz and Margaret Brennan attributing blame to Trump for fostering a violent rhetoric, contrasting sharply with the support and divine interpretation his base attributes to the event.

Notable Quotes:

"They really tried to dismiss it. And the reasons for that are quite something." – Mark Calperin [08:40]

"Martha Raddatz... thinking his statements have contributed to violent rhetoric." – Mark Calperin [09:43]

C. Impact on Trump's Support Base

Calperin highlights how the assassination attempt galvanized Trump's supporters, including prominent figures like Elon Musk, who shifted from a moderate stance to full support. He underscores the significance of this event in solidifying Trump's position within his base and its ripple effects on the broader political landscape.

Notable Quote:

"Donald Trump is our vehicle. Let's go forward with him, and that’s why he's back in the White House for these four years." – Mark Calperin [10:10]

3. Conversation with Emily Jashinski and Dan Tarantine

Guests:

• Emily Jashinski: Host of After Party with Emily Jashinski on MK Media Network
• Dan Tarantine: Colleague on Two Way platform

A. Elon Musk and the Prospect of a Third Party

The discussion begins with the feasibility of Elon Musk launching a successful third party in American politics. Jashinski and Tarantine explore the challenges Musk would face, including defining a clear constituency and identifying key issues to appeal to voters. They debate whether Musk's outsider status could translate into a viable political movement, drawing comparisons to historical figures like Ross Perot.

Notable Quotes:

"He’s not going to launch this party and suddenly win 218 House seats and 50 Senate seats and 270 electoral votes." – Emily Jashinski [26:47]

"Donald Trump really is the current third party. He is the ultimate disruptor who has changed our politics." – Dan Tarantine [28:00]

B. Conspiracy Theories Surrounding Jeffrey Epstein

The trio engages in a lighthearted yet critical examination of prevalent conspiracy theories related to Jeffrey Epstein. Through a quick quiz format, they assess each other's beliefs about Epstein's death and the broader implications of his connections with powerful individuals.

Notable Quotes:

"I don't believe he did." – Emily Jashinski [34:08]

"They are nutsy, cuckoo conspiracy theorists. Love it." – Mark Calperin [34:48]

C. Media Coverage of Epstein Case

Calperin probes into the dominant media's apparent lack of thorough coverage on the Epstein affair, questioning the reasons behind this omission. Tarantine and Jashinski suggest that institutional self-preservation and fear of association with Epstein might be contributing factors, despite compelling stories emerging from investigative journalists like Vicky Ward.

Notable Quotes:

"Anybody who stepped foot in, was photographed next to Jeffrey Epstein, ends up having a lot to answer for." – Dan Tarantine [39:26]

"It's sex. It's rich, powerful people. It's, you know, allegedly, some government officials." – Emily Jashinski [40:00]

D. Rapid Word Association Game

In a spirited rapid round, Calperin engages his guests in a word association game focusing on political and media figures. This segment adds a dynamic and personal touch, revealing candid opinions and fostering a lighter atmosphere amidst serious discussions.

Notable Quotes:

"Steve Bannon – Sloppy." – Dan Tarantine [41:34]

"Peter Hegseth – Goner." – Emily Jashinski [41:50]

"Megyn Kelly – Incredible hero." – Dan Tarantine [43:10]

4. Exclusive Interview with Selena Zito

Guest:

• Selena Zito: Author of Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland

A. Personal Experience During the Assassination Attempt

Zito provides a gripping firsthand account of the events during Trump's near assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania. She describes her proximity to the incident, her immediate reactions, and the profound impact it had on her journalism career. Zito emphasizes her commitment to documenting history, reflecting on the split-second decisions that defined that day.

Notable Quotes:

"What flashed before my head was I was thinking of those Lincoln books about witness to history." – Selena Zito [65:33]

"I have an obligation and I have a purpose in this moment. It wasn’t about me. It was about history." – Selena Zito [65:33]

B. Impact on Donald Trump

Zito discusses how the assassination attempt influenced Trump’s leadership and personal outlook. She highlights Trump's expressions of resilience and determination, noting his belief that he was carrying the burden of representing the nation's strength during a critical moment.

Notable Quotes:

"Purpose and faith. And I don’t mean faith like I’m going to church every week... I’m talking about this profound sense of God being present in that moment." – Selena Zito [68:39]

"He has an obligation to represent strength for the country... America has always been about strength and grit and carrying on in the worst moments." – Selena Zito [70:31]

C. The Role of Place and Rootedness in Politics

Zito expounds on the significance of Butler, Pennsylvania, as a microcosm of broader American socio-political dynamics. She argues that Trump's strategic focus on understanding and connecting with local communities has been pivotal in his political success, contrasting it with the Democratic Party's failure to resonate similarly with middle America.

Notable Quotes:

"Donald Trump has gotten correct throughout his campaigning... the understanding of place and rootedness." – Selena Zito [53:34]

"These are voters... Josh Shapiro... get shit done... they both have so much more in common than people realize." – Selena Zito [73:47]

D. Lessons for Readers and Trump Supporters

Zito emphasizes that her book offers valuable insights for both Trump supporters and critics by highlighting the importance of genuine connection with communities and the failures of traditional journalism to capture these nuanced dynamics. She underscores the transformative effect of Trump's survival on the political landscape, suggesting that it solidified his role as a unifying force for his base.

Notable Quotes:

"Understanding people that sit in a pew or own a gun and be able to write about them in a respectful way... I also think the exploration about what happens next with our profession is really, really important for Trump voters." – Selena Zito [70:31]

5. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mark Calperin wraps up the episode by summarizing the profound narratives discussed, from the attempted assassination and its aftermath to the intricate web of political conspiracies surrounding influential figures like Epstein. He reiterates the significance of Selena Zito’s book in understanding the deeper undercurrents of American politics and the pivotal role of place and community in shaping political outcomes.

Calperin encourages listeners to engage with the ongoing discourse, highlighting upcoming episodes featuring more insightful guests and discussions.

Notable Quote:

"What happened that day in Butler, your book exists on many levels... It changed the course of American history." – Mark Calperin [76:45]

Key Takeaways:

• Assassination Attempt Impact: The failed assassination of Donald Trump served as a catalyst that deepened political divisions and solidified support among his base, while simultaneously exposing media and institutional biases.

• Media Critique: The dominant media’s dismissive and hostile response to the assassination event underscores a broader antagonism towards Trump, contributing to a loss of credibility among various audience segments.

• Elon Musk’s Political Ambitions: The feasibility of Elon Musk establishing a successful third party remains questionable, given the entrenched nature of Trump’s influence and historical challenges faced by third-party movements.

• Jeffrey Epstein Conspiracies: The podcast explores ongoing conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s death, highlighting the media’s hesitance to robustly investigate due to potential self-preservation and association with powerful figures.

• Importance of Place in Politics: Selena Zito’s insights emphasize how understanding and connecting with local communities, as exemplified by Trump’s focus on Butler, Pennsylvania, is crucial for political success and reflects a deeper connection with American voters.

For More Information:

• Selena Zito’s Book: Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland is available now. Dive into a detailed account that sheds light on pivotal moments shaping recent American history.
• Tune In: Subscribe to Next Up with Mark Calperin on MK Media Network for more in-depth political discussions and exclusive interviews.