Pod Force One – “President Trump, Susie Wiles, VP Vance & More! A Special Best of PF1”

Host: Miranda Devine (New York Post)
Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This “Best Of” episode brings together some of the most captivating moments from Miranda Devine’s year of conversations with central figures in the Trump administration and their inner circles. The show offers candid, inside perspectives on power, politics, personal histories, and the ongoing cultural debates shaping America. With featured interviews including President Trump, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary Scott Besant, and Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt, listeners get both policy insights and rare behind-the-scenes glimpses into the personalities driving decision-making in Washington.

Key Discussions and Insights

1. President Trump: On Leadership, Loyalty, and Independence

(00:37–10:47)

• On Elon Musk and Political Disagreements:

  • Trump expresses disappointment about Elon Musk’s public criticism of a legislative bill he believes is transformative. Trump emphasizes the bill’s benefits, including massive tax cuts and reforms (00:37–01:52).

    “This bill is going to turn around this country so fast, your head will spin. And it’s good for everyone… I think he [Elon Musk] feels very badly that he said that, actually.”
    — Donald Trump [01:05–01:52]

• Relationship Dynamics:

  • Trump denies any lasting animosity towards Musk and leaves open the door for reconciliation but prioritizes focusing on “straightening out the country” (02:26–02:30).

• Personal Independence and Origins:

  • Trump credits his independence to early experiences and to “success” across multiple fields. He pushes back on the narrative that he was an outsider in Manhattan, instead seeing himself as a successful non-conformer driven by conviction (02:58–06:49).
  • He shares plans for a White House ballroom project, showing a willingness to break tradition and use his business acumen (05:45–06:11).

• On Confidence, Character, and Upbringing:

  • Trump discusses attending military school at 13, his headstrong nature as a youth, and how parental and childhood influences shaped his energetic approach to life (07:00–07:40).

  • He reveals aptitude tests identified him as having musical talent, including an “ear for music” and his brief stint with the flute (09:06–10:47).

    “I could have been a flutist. And I didn’t particularly like it. I don’t know. It wasn’t for me.”
    — Donald Trump [10:23–10:47]

2. Susie Wiles: Chaos, Order, and Campaigning

(10:50–21:27)

• On Working with Trump:

  • Wiles finds Trump “predictable and open and approachable and honest and honorable and committed" (10:57–11:33).

  • She manages his temper by solving underlying problems, not considering his frustration unwarranted (11:42–12:04).

  • Notes Trump’s known proclivity for tardiness and “natural chaos” which she helps structure while maintaining room for broad input (12:07–12:51).

    “He prefers as many inputs on any given topic as he can possibly get. And I prefer that for him. It makes for better decisions, but at a certain point, you’ve got to rein it all in.”
    — Susie Wiles [12:51–13:10]

• Traits and Habits:

  • Praises Trump as a voracious reader and highly adaptable communicator (13:15–14:31).

• Loyalty During Adversity:

  • Wiles stayed with Trump during “the dark days” when others left, motivated by shared belief in his vision (15:10–16:10).
  • She discusses a campaign transition from working with Ron DeSantis and overcoming personal and professional setbacks (16:26–16:46).

• Turning Florida Red:

  • Explains the combination of demographic shifts, focused organization, and Republican voter registration efforts that secured Florida for Republicans (17:47–19:07).

• Personal Background:

  • Wiles reflects on growing up with legendary sportscaster Pat Summerall as a father and how a merit-based and gender-blind household shaped her career (19:07–21:27).

3. Secretary Scott Besant: Silicon Valley vs. Government, Financial Discipline

(21:27–30:56)

• Clashes with Elon Musk:

  • Addresses public confrontations with Musk and differing philosophies (“move fast and break things” vs. “move deliberately and fix things”) (21:27–22:32).

    “I think Elon probably fancies himself more of a Viking. I think I’m more of a ninja sort of submarine services, fires, goes back under.”
    — Secretary Besant [21:51–22:32]

• Government Spending & Debt:

  • Expresses optimism that current policy reforms will curb spending and improve debt-to-GDP. Cites Trump’s trade and deregulation focus (24:02–25:22).

    “Nobody does that better than President Trump.”
    — Secretary Besant [25:22]

• Approach to Multilateral Institutions:

  • Describes shifting U.S. policy at the IMF and World Bank back to “core principles” and away from green/DEI agendas, countering Chinese influence (25:22–26:53).

• Personal History & Lessons in Resilience:

  • Shares impact of father’s financial reversals and how that motivated early self-reliance, responsible finances, and a hardline approach to U.S. debt (27:12–30:56).

    “I think that’s why I am so focused on the debt here and having responsible finances, because that’s one of the things that it always did for me, having that experience early on… I’m going to make sure we don’t do the same thing in the U.S.”—Secretary Besant [29:09–30:04]

4. Carolyn Levitt: President Trump’s Character and the UFO Question

(31:31–37:03)

• On Trump’s Collaboration and Hospitality:

  • Levitt highlights Trump’s habit of soliciting input from staff and his genuine concern for their welfare, showing a “side of him that most people don’t get to see” (31:42–33:44).

    “He’s very hospitable. … His genuine care for others, no matter who you are, is incredible.”
    — Carolyn Levitt [33:06–33:44]

• Iranian Nuclear Facility Bombing:

  • Discusses being “practically living” in the Situation Room during the high-stakes operation, praising Trump’s focused leadership (33:44–34:13).

    “President Trump made very clear from the outset he had a very specific objective… and executed a very specific and precise plan that successfully achieved that objective.”
    — Carolyn Levitt [34:19–35:01]

• UFOs and Government Transparency:

  • Levitt faces questions about classified UFO information, hints at ongoing investigations, but offers no details (35:01–37:03).

    “We’re continuing to look for the truth and share that truth with the American people.”
    — Carolyn Levitt [35:44–35:50]

5. Vice President J.D. Vance: Immigration, Welfare, and Political Outlook

(38:39–50:56)

• Democratic Motives on Immigration:

  • Vance argues Democrats use immigration to alter the electoral map and social contract, mixing cynical political motives and “distorted humanitarianism” (38:57–41:49).

    “They were using immigration to seize control illegitimately of the institution of this country. Some of them would say that openly… I think it’s really a disgusting way to think about immigration.”
    — VP Vance [39:20–39:56]

• Welfare Abuse and Housing Crisis:

  • Explains how welfare programs, fraud, and policy loopholes subsidize illegal immigration, making it affordable to undercut American workers and drive up housing costs (42:06–45:43).

    “That completely destroys the ability of Americans to live the American dream. And that’s what those open borders did…”
    — VP Vance [44:01–45:43]

• Deportation & Self-Deportation Progress:

  • Updates on efforts to reduce the number of illegal migrants, claiming 2 million fewer than at the term’s start, and promises to continue removal efforts (47:07–48:27).
  • Uses metaphor:

    “The same way that you eat a very big sandwich, do it a bite at a time.”
    — VP Vance [47:46–47:50]

• On “Dream Ticket” & Relationship with Marco Rubio:

  • Discusses Trump’s suggestion of a Vance-Rubio succession, dismisses tension, and stresses that focus should be on job performance, not future campaigns (48:27–50:56).

6. Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt: Trump Assassination Attempt, Ep. Advocacy, and Media Tactics

(51:01–58:03)

• Personal Account of Trump Assassination Attempt:

  • Shares the traumatic experience of watching the July 13, 2024 rally shooting on TV as a new mother, Trump’s resilience (“put his fist in the air”), and impact on campaign messaging and Trump’s increased openness about faith (51:01–53:49).

    “I watched live the President almost lose his life… I felt as though the President almost lost his life. The least I could do was get back on television and start speaking on his behalf...”
    — Carolyn Levitt [51:01–51:56]

• Answers on Thomas Crooks and Transparency:

  • Details the lack of new information about Trump’s would-be assassin and continued efforts to seek answers (53:49–54:58).

• Epstein Allegations as Political “Hoax”:

  • Levitt describes the latest Epstein story as a manufactured distraction, orchestrated by Democrats and media, intended to divert attention from substantive policy victories (55:17–58:03).

    “It is a classic playbook of the Democrats using their friends in the fake news to spin up a narrative about the president.”
    — Carolyn Levitt [55:35–55:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump on Personal Conviction:

  • “It’s a conviction I have, it’s a feeling I have. But… a lot of life is common sense, you know, when you say it.” [06:49]

• Susie Wiles on Trump’s Leadership:

  • “He is what you see is what you get… I know what it’s going to be like. It’s going to be breakneck speed to get as much done as fast as possible for the people that need it and matter.” [12:07–12:45]

• Secretary Besant on Childhood Hardship:

  • “I didn’t want to be a victim… You can do one or two things. You could just sit around, wring your hands or you go out, take control of your own life.” [28:18–28:20]

• VP Vance on Immigration:

  • “Some of them would say that openly, by the way. They would actually say we want these new people to come in because we can’t win the votes of the people who are already here. So we’re going to import new voters to replace them.” [39:27–39:43]

• Levitt on Trump’s Assassination Attempt:

  • “I saw him put his fist in the air, which was just such a show of strength and who the President really is.” [51:58]

• Levitt on the Epstein Controversy:

  • “There is literally nothing to hide… this is a classic playbook being run by the Democrats… it’s not a coincidence that this leak came on the morning of the president signing a bill to reopen the government…” [57:00–58:03]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Elon Musk & Loyalty: 00:37–02:30
• Presidential Independence & Confidence: 02:58–06:49
• White House Ballroom Project: 05:45–06:11
• Musical Ability & Early Testing: 09:06–10:47
• Working with Trump (Wiles): 10:57–13:10
• Florida’s Political Shift: 17:47–19:07
• Clash with Elon Musk (Besant): 21:27–22:32
• Government Spending/Debt Plans: 24:02–25:22
• Personal Hardship & Debt Lessons: 27:12–30:56
• Trump’s Hospitality (Levitt): 31:42–33:44
• Iran Nuclear Strike Decisions: 33:44–34:13
• UFO Discussion: 35:01–37:03
• Immigration System Critique (Vance): 38:57–41:49
• Welfare & Housing Impact: 42:06–45:43
• Deportation Progress: 47:07–48:27
• Succession & “Dream Ticket”: 48:27–50:56
• Trump Assassination Attempt: 51:01–53:49
• Epstein “Hoax” Claims: 55:17–58:03

Tone and Language

Miranda Devine’s interviews maintain a punchy, personal, and revealing tone—allowing guests to share policy and personal conviction, mixing formality with candid, at-times humorous asides and genuine emotion.

Conclusion

This “Best Of” episode of Pod Force One offers rich revelations about high-level policy, personal histories, and the unconventional leadership at the heart of today’s Washington. With stories ranging from historic policy fights and campaign battles to deeply personal accounts of violence, adversity, and ambition, it captures the motivations and temperaments that define Trump’s inner circle as they look to shape America’s future.