Pod Force One: Eric Trump – Inside Mar-a-Lago’s FBI Raid, Hunter’s Laptop & Trump 2028

Podcast: Pod Force One
Host: Miranda Devine (New York Post columnist)
Guest: Eric Trump
Episode Date: November 5, 2025

Episode Overview

In this candid, revealing interview at Mar-a-Lago, Miranda Devine sits down with Eric Trump as he discusses his new book, Under Siege. The episode covers the aftermath and personal impact of the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago, the weaponization of government agencies, Hunter Biden’s laptop, media double standards, crypto in the Trump Organization, family, Trump 2028 rumors, the attempt on Donald Trump’s life, and reflections on leadership, legacy, and resilience in the Trump family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Mar-a-Lago FBI Raid — Inside Story

• Eric Trump recounts the chaos and disbelief at the morning of the FBI raid.
  • He describes hearing from a team member that "there's 30 FBI agents with a search warrant" (00:36)
• Political Motivation Alleged: Eric insists the raid was about political targeting, not the National Archives.
  • “Does anybody actually believe that NARA is authorizing the FBI to raid a former president’s home? ... If you believe that, I think you’re living in outer space.” (01:00)
• FBI Demands & Conduct: Eric refused FBI requests to turn off security cameras: “I am not turning off our security cameras.” (01:28)
• He accuses the FBI of staging classified documents for media photos.
  • “They ended up admitting to [the judge] that they were planting classified fold [in] father’s office ... they were fanned out perfectly on the floor ... Like, my father’s gonna fan out classified... give me a break.” (01:49)

2. The Trump Family Under Siege

• Eric details the array of legal and personal attacks against the family: “Any way they could try and embarrass us ... the Russia hoax, spying... leaking our tax returns ... 91 indictments, 112 subpoenas.” (03:09)
• Contrasts his own over-scrutinization with perceived leniency towards Hunter Biden.
  • “I became the most peanut [subpoenaed] person in American history for not doing anything wrong. Now, Hunter ... drugs, prostitution, influence peddling, millions of dollars...” (04:13)
• Claims “weaponized” leaks from the IRS and other agencies: “The IRS leaked all [my father’s] tax returns for a 15-year period to the New York Times ... and all of my tax returns ... 91 of my employees, my corporate employees, had all of their tax returns leaked.” (04:24)

3. Media War & Social Media Censorship

• Eric criticizes “mainstream media” credibility and notes the shift to independent voices and podcasts.
  • “The mainstream media in this country has [died].” (08:48)
• Discusses de-platforming of conservatives:
  • “Boko Haram, Al Qaeda...all had Twitter accounts. But yet my father was the guy that got kicked off. … I didn’t gain a single follower for an eight-year period of time.” (15:16)
• Praises the independent and alternative media, referencing his wife’s show success and Joe Rogan: “People want independent voice.” (08:48)

4. Social Media Giants & Political Influence

• Eric shares a personal story of meeting Mark Zuckerberg post-2024 and his evolving opinion of him (16:35–17:27).
  • On Zuckerberg's change: “He realized how badly they were misled ... I actually believe he was sincere the second time.” (17:11)
• Recounts how $400 million from Zuckerberg allegedly “changed the game” during the 2020 election.

5. Trump Family, Loyalty, and Political Grudges

• Discusses loyalty, opportunism, and holding grudges:
  • “I hold a grudge against people who attack people that I love much more than I do about people who attack me.” (19:19)
  • “My father remembers that as well.” (20:19)

6. 2020 Election Fallout — “Best Thing That Happened”?

• Eric frames losing in 2020 as, in retrospect, “the single best thing that ever happened” (21:35), suggesting it led to clarity about allies, stronger future coalitions, and a “coalesced party.”
• Asserts skepticism that Biden “got 16 million more votes than Barack Obama ... by sitting in a basement with zero charisma.” (20:38)

7. Trump 2028 Hat: Media Manipulation and Future Ambitions

• Explains the origins and media reaction of the “Trump 2028” cap, originally meant as a joke:
  • “I can manipulate the media better than you could manipulate like a five-year-old child at Halloween.” (23:02)
• On running in 2028: Eric notes the new, fighter-focused GOP but says he's happy to be “retired from politics, as [Trump] does a great job in Washington.” (25:58)
  • “I'd probably revert to the answer my father gave a long time ago...if there was no other choice.” (25:58)

8. Crypto, “Debanking,” and Building Alternatives

• Recalls how, after being cut off by multiple banks, the Trump Organization pivoted to cryptocurrency:
  • “In the middle of the night, I was getting letters from all of these different banks...300 bank accounts just gone.” (27:52 - 28:39)
  • “That’s when I found crypto, honestly…” (28:39)
• Outlines benefits of crypto over traditional banking and highlights the need for the U.S. to “win the crypto race” globally. (31:47)
• Draws parallels to Truth Social: “We had to create Truth Social because my father was thrown off of Twitter ... There was no banking. So guess what? We went out and we created it.” (32:16)

9. Security Threats: Assassination Attempts and Political Violence

• Eric describes ongoing threats to the Trump family and allies, referencing assassination attempts on Donald Trump and Charlie Kirk:
  • “One day they tried to kill my father. And then they tried to do it eight weeks later...” (33:29)
• Criticizes politicized prosecutions: “At the same time that Alvin Bragg was allowing people out of Rikers ... he's going after my father for a $100,000 non-disclosure payment...” (33:57)

10. Unanswered Questions: The Butler Assassination Attempt

• Expresses frustration at the lack of answers regarding the failed Butler rally assassination attempt:
  • “We know nothing....I am wholly pissed off about it. We know nothing.” (38:27)
• Draws contrast with how protesters from January 6th were pursued, compared to the limited information on the suspect in the attempt on Trump’s life.

11. Trump Family Dynamics, Upbringing, and Values

• Discusses being raised by Donald and Ivana Trump: “His rules were always no drinking, no drugs, no smoking. Get good grades, no tattoos, and don't trust anyone.” (43:33)
• Early exposure to work ethic and discipline on construction sites.
  • “Guess who wasn't staying up until 1 o' clock in the morning partying because you actually had a job and you had a purpose. Me.” (45:00)
• Contrasting the Trump and Biden family dynamics.

12. Growing Up With Privilege and Responsibility

• Talks about summers in communist Czechoslovakia with Ivana’s family and how exposure to both privilege and deprivation shaped his worldview and adaptability. (47:18–48:41)
• Key learning: “Those experiences, which were so unconventional ... taught you how to be a social chameleon.” (48:49)

13. Legacy, Leadership, and Resilience

• Attributes Donald Trump’s success to work ethic, honesty, resilience, and independence.
  • “He's just determined, stubborn, will not take no for an answer, and works harder than everybody.” (56:41)
• Credits family loyalty for helping Donald Trump weather adversity.
  • “We didn't have anybody other than family.” (58:22)
• On Trump’s unpredictability: “Uncontrollable and probably unpredictable. And I think those are both beautiful things.” (59:27)
• On personal style: “I've become a little bit of that chameleon for our family and I'm proud of that.” (64:35)
• On writing the book: “It's one of the most cathartic things I've ever done and I had a lot of fun doing it.” (65:37)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I am not turning off our security cameras. The FBI was demanding, and sure enough ... they ended up admitting to [the judge] that they were planting classified [documents]...” — Eric Trump (01:28)
• “They became stronger every day. They put my father in court and they read another guilty verdict on nonsense... At the same time that Alvin Bragg was allowing people out of Rikers...” (34:07)
• “They wanted my father gone. They wanted his message gone... And by the way, it was all coordinated with Washington D.C.” (35:11)
• “Boko Haram, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, the Ayatollah, they all had Twitter accounts. But yet my father was the guy that got kicked off.” (15:16)
• “[Crypto] ... there's nothing that can't be done cheaper, faster ... and it was the cancellation by the big banks that caused us to find cryptocurrency.” (31:18)
• “If in politics, you were enemies with every person who ever crossed you, well, guess what, you probably have no friends.” (20:19)
• “I think for the first time, the Republican Party really has a bench... it's a new Republican Party that's surrounded by new issues.” (25:45)
• “We know nothing. Yeah, I, in fact, I'm ... Not only am I unsatisfied, I'm wholly pissed off about it. And I remain ... pissed off about it. We know nothing [about the Butler rally shooter].” (38:27)
• On his childhood: “My father would put us on construction sites. We were making minimum wage ... breaking the walls, running conduit... at the end of the day ... you're so damn tired, you just want to go to bed and do it again.” (44:25)
• “Donald Trump is a builder ... this ballroom [at the White House] is going to be ... fricking exceptional ... and the cost to the American people: zero.” (49:40)

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Key Topic | Timestamp | |---------|-----------|-----------| | Opening | FBI Raid at Mar-a-Lago | 00:18–03:09 | | Family Under Siege | Gov’t weaponization | 03:09–06:53 | | Running Trump Org | Taking over the business | 06:53–08:18 | | Media & Social Media | Media bias, censorship | 08:48–15:15 | | Politics & Grudges | Loyalty, opportunism | 19:19–22:11 | | 2020 Aftermath | Lessons, new GOP | 20:19–25:58 | | 2028 Cap | Media manipulation | 23:02–25:58 | | Crypto & Debanking | Banks cut off Trump Org | 27:27–32:16 | | Security Threats | Assassination attempts | 32:57–37:45 | | Secret Service & Shooter | Lack of answers | 38:19–41:17 | | Family Upbringing | Discipline, work ethic | 42:03–47:08 | | Childhood Abroad | Communist Czechoslovakia | 47:18–48:41 | | Leadership & Legacy | Donald Trump’s style | 56:41–62:51 | | Family Reflections | Parenting, discipline | 53:16–54:07 | | Closing Reflections | Success, resilience | 56:41–65:37 |

Conclusion

This interview gives a behind-the-scenes view of Eric Trump’s experiences during turbulent times for the Trump family. He combines first-person recollections with broad commentary on American politics, media, and business. The conversation is marked by a combative, defiant tone toward political adversaries, media critics, and institutional obstacles, but also reflects on personal growth, family bonds, and the ongoing shaping of American conservatism.

For listeners seeking a look inside the Trump family’s perspective amid ongoing controversies and a rapidly changing American political landscape, this episode is unfiltered, assertive, and deeply personal – a must-listen for those interested in power, legacy, and the battles behind the headlines.