Hour 3 - Understanding Trump

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show Episode: Hour 3 - Understanding Trump
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Duration: Approximately 40 minutes
Main Topics: U.S. Energy Policy, Trump's Near Assassination Incident

---

Overview

In this episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into two significant topics: an in-depth discussion with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright about the Trump administration's energy policies, and an exclusive conversation with journalist Selena Zito about her new book detailing the near assassination of Donald Trump. The episode combines policy analysis with personal narratives to offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of both energy strategies and pivotal moments in recent political history.

---

Interview with Energy Secretary Chris Wright

Timestamp: [00:21] – [09:30]

Ending Energy Subsidies

Secretary Chris Wright begins by highlighting a major legislative achievement under the Trump administration: the termination of approximately half a trillion dollars in energy subsidies over the next decade. These subsidies, totaling around $50 billion annually, primarily supported wind, solar, and electric vehicle (EV) initiatives.

• Wright: "The biggest component to them is to pay people to put wind and solar on our electricity grid and subsidies to help rich people buy EVs. [...] reducing the pressure, the cost of these subsidies and the pressure on the cost and stability of our grid is going to be a big win for Americans." ([00:41])

Impact on Gasoline Prices

Wright emphasizes the administration's success in reducing gasoline prices, attributing it to policy shifts amidst global conflicts.

• Wright: "We have gasoline 25 to 30 cents a gallon cheaper today than it was 12 months ago." ([01:40])

He connects lower gas prices to economic stability, asserting that expensive gasoline adversely affects everyday Americans' lives.

"Make Energy Great Again" Policy

The discussion shifts to the Trump administration's comprehensive energy strategy aimed at revitalizing the U.S. energy sector.

• Zito: "What does a make energy great again policy under Trump look like going forward?" ([02:29])

• Wright: "Returning to rule of law and allowing oil, gas and coal producers to produce again on federal lands across the country. This will lower baseline energy prices in the coming years and decades." ([03:07])

Emphasis on Nuclear Energy

Wright advocates for a resurgence in nuclear energy, addressing historical challenges and regulatory hurdles.

• Wright: "Nuclear is second after natural gas. We could have 40 or 50% of our electricity from nuclear in a couple of decades. We’ve got to build a lot to do that." ([04:07])

He underscores the need for regulatory reforms to facilitate nuclear development, citing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as a bottleneck.

• Wright: "We need regulatory reform at the NRC. We need simplified permitting on federal lands." ([04:07])

Energy Requirements for Artificial Intelligence

Addressing the burgeoning demand for energy driven by AI advancements, Wright provides critical insights into future energy needs.

• Producer Greg: "What sort of energy do we need to create that isn't being created now?" ([05:23])

• Wright: "We’re going to need probably at least another hundred gigawatts of generation five years from now. [...] In the current plan, there is a plan to shut down 100 gigawatts of mostly coal plants over the next five years." ([06:07])

Wright warns against the premature shutdown of existing energy plants without adequate replacements, emphasizing the necessity of expanding power generation capacity to meet AI's demands.

Expansion of Energy Exports

Wright discusses the strategic increase in U.S. natural gas exports, projecting significant growth in the coming years.

• Zito: "Is there going to be an increase in that and how do you see it affecting global demand?" ([08:21])

• Wright: "The United States is already by far the largest exporter of natural gas in the world. And we will double that in the next five years." ([08:53])

He envisions America solidifying its position as a dominant global supplier of natural gas, contributing to 25% of global energy consumption.

---

Selena Zito on Her Book: Butler, the Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump

Timestamp: [19:58] – [33:26]

Journalist Selena Zito shares her firsthand account of the near assassination of President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, and discusses the profound impact of that day on Trump's presidency and personal outlook.

Personal Experience During the Incident

Zito recounts the chaotic events leading up to the shooting and her immediate reaction to being in proximity to the incident.

• Zito: "I was supposed to interview President Trump ... I ended up being just four feet away from the President when he was shot." ([20:28])

Insights into Trump's Resilience

Zito highlights how the incident transformed Trump's perception of his role and purpose, attributing his survival to a sense of divine purpose.

• Travis: "President Trump is a little hilarious if you don't haven't picked up on that. The first thing he says is, 'Hey, this is President Trump.' ... He wants to show that America is resilient." ([23:25])

Zito elaborates on Trump's determination to embody the role of a resilient leader, emphasizing his commitment to his duties despite the trauma.

• Travis: "He was a man there. He was a president. He was America in that moment." ([28:14])

Long-term Significance

Both Zito and Travis discuss the historical significance of the Butler incident, predicting its lasting impact on Trump's legacy and American political discourse.

• Greg: "I think Trump's reaction in Butler [...] is going to become more iconic as more become aware of it because [...] if that were a movie, all of us would have said there's no way the president would have behaved like that." ([37:09])

Zito's book aims to provide a detailed narrative of the event, offering readers an intimate look at a pivotal moment in modern American history.

• Zito: "Butler, the Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland." ([33:11])

---

Notable Quotes

1. Chris Wright on Subsidies:

   • "Reducing the pressure, the cost of these subsidies and the pressure on the cost and stability of our grid is going to be a big win for Americans." ([00:41])

2. Wright on Gas Prices:

   • "We have gasoline 25 to 30 cents a gallon cheaper today than it was 12 months ago." ([01:40])

3. Wright on Nuclear Energy:

   • "Nuclear is second after natural gas. We could have 40 or 50% of our electricity from nuclear in a couple of decades." ([04:07])

4. Wright on AI Energy Needs:

   • "We’re going to need probably at least another hundred gigawatts of generation five years from now." ([06:07])

5. Selena Zito on Trump's Resilience:

   • "He was America in that moment. [...] America is resilient." ([28:14])

6. Producer Greg on Historical Significance:

   • "Trump's reaction in Butler [...] is going to become more iconic as more become aware of it." ([37:09])

---

Conclusion

This episode expertly weaves together complex discussions on national energy policy with a gripping personal narrative of a critical event in President Trump's tenure. Through Secretary Chris Wright's insights, listeners gain a clear understanding of the Trump administration's approach to energy independence, nuclear power revitalization, and the burgeoning demands of artificial intelligence. Concurrently, Selena Zito's firsthand account of the attempted assassination offers a profound exploration of leadership resilience and historical legacy. Together, these segments provide a multifaceted perspective on contemporary American politics and policy.

Transcript

[Clay Travis]

This is an I heart podcast.

[Buck Sexton]

Missing Minerals.

[Selena Zito]

99% of us are concentrates daily.

[Buck Sexton]

Mineral powder helps restore what your body's missing naturally, supporting mood, energy and immunity. Get yours [e-mail] Secretary, appreciate you being with us.

[Selena Zito]

We know we were just, you were just in a marathon Cabinet meeting as a member of the Cabinet. A lot covered there. Wanted to just jump into what is in the big beautiful bill that affects directly U.S. national energy policy. Like, what do we need to know about what's coming?

[Chris Wright]

Actually, quite a bit. But let me start out with maybe the biggest thing is it's the ending of about a half a trillion dollars of subsidies that would be paid out in, in the next 10 years. So, you know, roughly 50 billion a year. We've been paying these for many years. And the biggest component to them is to pay people to put wind and solar on our electricity grid and subsidies to help rich people buy EVs. And so the problem of these subsidies is they not only cost the taxpayers at half a trillion dollars, but at the end, they make our electricity grids more expensive and less stable. So we have to pay twice. So I think reducing the pressure, the cost of these subsidies and the pressure on the cost and stability of our grid is going to be a big win for Americans.

[Producer Greg]

When you look at the price of gas, I think that's a big story that isn't being talked in the price.

[Chris Wright]

Of gasoline in affordability terms. So it's just tremendous. That's a significant expense that all Americans, all of us, pay every week to get to our jobs, to go on vacations, to visit our grandmothers and travel with our kids. If you make gasoline prices expensive, you just shrink the life administration's record. We have gasoline 25 to 30 cents a gallon cheaper today than it was 12 months ago. And that's going through a period of major conflict in the Middle east, but major productive conflict in the Middle east, hopefully ending the 46 years of Iran as the troublemaker in the, in the Middle east and really the threat to global peace, probably the largest global threat to peace over the last 45 years.

[Selena Zito]

We're speaking to the Secretary of the U.S. department of Energy, Chris Wright. And Mr. Secretary, if you could lay out for us what does a make energy great again? You know, mega, mega. What does a make energy great again policy under Trump look like going forward? Does it include nuclear? Is it new technology applied to fossil fuels? Like what? What is the Trump administration trying to accomplish so that not only are we doing as much as we can with the technology we have and the resources we have in the past, but that we do new things, innovative things going forward.

[Chris Wright]

Oh, great setting of that table. So I mentioned that getting rid of a half a trillion dollars to make energy expensive. There's also in the one big beautiful bill just returning to rule of law and allowing oil, gas and coal producers to produce again on federal lands across the country. This will lower baseline energy prices in the coming years and decades in front of us. I squeezed that one in there real quick. But there's also. I'm a free market guy, so I'm not a fan of subsidies, but we do have tax credits in there for a finite period of time for next generation nuclear and for geothermal and for upgrades. If we can get more power out of hydro, have it cheaper to build big reactors. Yeah, go ahead.

[Selena Zito]

No, I was going to add exactly what you were going into, which is what does that look like? Because nuclear unfortunately became a boogeyman. What, what does it look like and what percentage do you think of our power could come from nuclear in the years head given the Trump administration's willingness.

[Chris Wright]

And your willingness to 20% of electricity today. So after natural gas, which is by far and away the leader, nuclear is second. But yeah, I mean that could, yeah, a couple decades from now that could be 40 or 50% of our electricity from nuclear. We got to build a lot to do that. But this is America. We can build a lot. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the NRC has just made it so expensive, so slow and so risky to develop nuclear power in the country. We basically stopped doing it for the last few decades. So we need regulatory reform at the nrc. We need regulatory reform from NEPA so that it's just a check. Are we being smart about the environment, not a weaponized thing. You can just have lawsuits and stop anything from being built. We need to have simplified permitting on federal lands. Department of Energy will be in charge of that. We will have next generation test reactors running 12 months from today at our Idaho national lab facilities there. Like the technology is there, the private capital is there, the interest is there. We just need the government to get out of the way and let capitalism and free market forces bring us a very exciting few decades with rapid growth in nuclear energy.

[Producer Greg]

We're talking to Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Buck just asked and you are hearing a lot of talk about the need for nuclear power. Underscoring all of this, based on the people that I talk to is there isn't enough discussion about all of the power and energy that's going to be necessary for AI, that the amount that this is going to demand, the amount that it's going to soak up is just off the charts. That I imagine is something you're spending a decent amount on as well. For AI, for the AI revolution to take place and for America to lead. What sort of energy do we need to create that isn't being created now? Is that accurate based on what you're seeing?

[Chris Wright]

No, you're absolutely right. Let me give them numbers real quick. So here we are, 20, 25, five years from now, we're going to need probably at least another hundred gigawatts of generation. A gigawatt is like a big coal power plant, a big natural gas plant, a nuclear plant. Some Nuclear plants are 2 or 3 gigawatts but 100 gigawatts of additional power five years from now. And in the current plan, there is a plan to shut down 100 gigawatts of mostly coal plants over the next five years. If we did all that, we'd have to build 200 gigawatts of new power generation to meet that projected demand. And what's in the queue right now that's visible, or applying for a permit or acquiring land of firm capacity? About 20 gigawatts. So a gaping hole, which is why this administration and my department are going to be very carefully scrutinizing. Does it make sense to shut down that coal power plant like the one they tried to shut down in Michigan? An over 1 gigawatt power plant. 15 years left of plant life, and for political reasons, we want to get rid of coal, we're going to shut that puppy down. I used emergency powers to keep it open. Two days in that same Midwest grid, there was a blackout. We've just got to stop shooting ourselves in the foot by closing existing plants. And we've got to make it much, much easier for American businesses to build new natural gas plants, to build new new grid plants, to build new geothermal next generation electricity generating capacity. Just wind and solar just is simply not an answer. It's really hot in D.C. today, but the wind is still no wind power at time of peak demand. In the winter, it's really cold at night, but we don't have any solar power. And when you're in a cold, huge cold front, it's again a high pressure system, no wind. So we've just got to get smart about energy in the United States again. But it's business and private entrepreneurs that are going to drive this. We just need the government to be out of the way and a credible partner for permitting and any other infrastructure that needs to be built to support it. But I'm optimistic. This is America. We can build things again.

[Selena Zito]

One more for you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you for being with us. In terms of exports for, for particularly oil and natural gas, I know we've, we've been doing very well. And America is really the world's fossil fuel, the true fossil fuel superpower. We don't necessarily think of ourselves that way, but I think the numbers certainly bear that out. Is there going to be, would you expect an increase in that and how do you see it affecting global demand?

[Chris Wright]

Yes, there's going to be a huge increase in that. United States is already by far the largest exporter of natural gas in the world. And we will double that in the next five years. And the five or seven years after that, we could double it again. So America would just be the dominant supplier of natural gas around the world. That's 25% of global energy comes from natural gas and it's the fastest growing source of energy on the planet. So super excited about where all this could go. And I've got to jump on to.

[Selena Zito]

No, we like the optimism. Thanks for joining us. Right after cabinet meeting, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. Thank you so much, sir.

[Chris Wright]

Love the show, you guys. Rod, keep up the great work.

[Selena Zito]

Thank you.

[Producer Greg]

Thank you.

[Selena Zito]

Can I just say, I love that the secretary of energy is a high energy guy. You know, he's not low energy, he's.

[Producer Greg]

High energy running around there in the background. We'll break down some of that. Continue to take your calls. And what we've got, Selena Zito, who is going to take us to Butler, Pennsylvania. It's almost the one year anniversary of Donald Trump nearly being assassinated taking a bullet in the ear in Butler, Pennsylvania. She had one of the upfront views of that event. She's got a brand new book out about that day in particular and we will discuss that with her at the bottom of this hour. In the meantime, decisions about healthcare coverage, which plans right for you and your family, they don't come easily. Choices have gotten more limited, less appealing and frankly, often very confusing. Something as important as health insurance, you want to feel good about the decisions you're making. Why settle for a government plan like the Affordable Care act when there's a better option, one that puts you in control? There's a solution to finding good health care coverage called Ease for Everyone. It offers affordable healthcare for as low as 262 bucks a month. You can keep your doctor never pay a deductible and access over 400 prescription drugs for free. Go online to the website, see what plan is right for you and your family. Ease for Everyone Developed by some very forward thinking experts right here in Nashville. You'll be speaking with people that live in your world, can speak your language, answer your questions, Visit ease for everyone.com Clay and join today. That's ease for everyone.com Clay Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Mic drops that never sounded so good. Find them on the free iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Buck Sexton]

Life's messy. We're talking spills, stains, pets and kids. But with Annabe, you never have to stress about messes again. At WashablesOfAs.com, discover Annabe sofas the only fully machine washable sofas inside and out, starting at just $699. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabrics, that means fewer stains and more peace of mind. Designed for real life, Our sofas feature changeable fabric covers allowing you to refresh your style anytime. Need flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa effortlessly. Perfect for cozy apartments or spacious homes. Plus, they're earth friendly and built to last. That's why over 200,000 happy customers have made the switch. Upgrade your space today. Visit washablesofas.com now and bring home a sofa made for life. That's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[J.R. Martinez]

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States. Recipients have done the improbable, showing immense bravery and sacrifice in the name of something much bigger than themselves.

[Chris Wright]

This medal is for the men who went down that day. It's for the families of those who didn't make it.

[J.R. Martinez]

I'm J.R. martinez. I'm a U.S. army veteran myself, and I'm honored to tell you the stories of these heroes on the new season of Medal of Stories of Courage from Pushkin Industries and iHeart podcast from Robert Blake, the first black sailor to be awarded the medal to Daniel Daly, one of only 19 people to have received the Medal of Honor twice. These are stories about people who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor going above and beyond the call of duty. You'll hear about what they did, what it meant, and what their stories tell us about the nature of courage and sacrifice. Listen to Medal of Honor on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Producer Greg]

Welcome back in Clay Travis Buck Sexton Show. We're gonna hit some of your Talk back. As we are rolling through, what do we hear? Where's producer Greg saying that. That they have gotten to me, according to a caller. And I just. Somebody text me what they said, Greg. But what did I get? Like, I, I. If they got to me, what did I get back? Was it a cheap deal? I, you know, you. The positive. The positive on. On a. I just had a woman here it is. Wouldn't go on the air. She said she could hear it in your voice. They've gotten to you and that you're covering for all the Epstein people. And she's not an idiot.

[Selena Zito]

Produced producer Greg is ready. Is ready to weigh in on how they got you. How they got you.

[Producer Greg]

How did they get me? You took the call. She didn't want to go on the air, but I just. What did I get back? Like, what, What. What is her theory?

[Selena Zito]

Well, I. She didn't know what the goods were that they had on you, but, you know, you must have done something dirty at some point and that they're keeping that from coming out. So now doesn't know how they got you, Clay.

[Clay Travis]

So.

[Producer Greg]

But it's like just know they got you who am and I an asset for. Did she think Russia, Israel, China? Like, what, America? No. Maybe Biden?

[Chris Wright]

Yeah.

[Selena Zito]

No clue.

[Producer Greg]

And I encourage hear it in my voice, though. I just want to know who got me.

[Selena Zito]

Yeah, well, that's a good question. I don't.

[Producer Greg]

She can call back in, let me know who got me and what did I get back?

[Selena Zito]

Agent of the. Of the SEC commissioners or something.

[Producer Greg]

What did I get back? The benefit Right. Now that I would say. I'd say the number one benefit of when I sold my company is I can just. I can at some point. My wife doesn't ever think I'll do it, but I can just take my phone, throw it as far into the ocean or the lake as I want to and throw up the peace sign and just vanish. Never have to work again. That's a luxury. That's like winning the lottery. That's what I feel like.

[Selena Zito]

I mean, this is exactly what somebody who'd been got would say, Clay.

[Producer Greg]

I think you got to say, yeah, I guess so. But if they got me, then I'll have to keep working because they would get no benefit if I just quit.

[Selena Zito]

No, that's too obvious. That's too obvious. If they've got you, they don't actually give you anything because then they've really got you. So you pretend that you didn't get anything but you.

[Producer Greg]

So let's See, okay, people are. Some of you, I would say. I don't understand, really.

[Selena Zito]

The hornets are coming for you. You kick the nest. I told you this was going to happen. We should, you know, you should just.

[Producer Greg]

I, I think, look, I will just keep pulling the thread and if the hornet stings me, I just kick the hornet's nest and eventually I'm going to be immune to the hornet stings, which is where I am. Logically. Logically, why would you think that every Democrat and every Republican would decide to protect everyone? Like, the conspiracy is so deep that it involves every single person in a position of promise.

[Selena Zito]

I really want to talk immigration enforcement, but here we are. Here we are with the Epstein Epstein.

[Producer Greg]

Well, I mean, it's an. It's an obsession out there. And I just think logically, if you look at it, it doesn't add up.

[Selena Zito]

Do I think we're going to get into it?

[Producer Greg]

Here we go.

[Selena Zito]

We got some talkbacks. Gg, Randy from Orlando. Play it, Clay and Buck. That's a false dichotomy. No, Bangino wouldn't do it to save his career or to protect Epstein, but he might do it to protect Trump. The names might be so big and dark. He might do it to protect his own family. Cash and Bondi and him. They may all do it to protect.

[Producer Greg]

Their own families and children from a dark state.

[Selena Zito]

Come on, man, you're being naive.

[Producer Greg]

That guy sounds crazy. You ever listen to somebody and be like, that's a crazy man.

[Selena Zito]

He's passionate. One of our passionate listeners.

[Producer Greg]

He's crazy. You think that Trump is on the Epstein list and Dan Bongino is like, first of all, what is the Epstein list? And you think Democrats didn't put out that Trump was on it? Democrats lied about Trump for a decade. You think if he was sleeping with underage girls on video that they wouldn't have dropped this a decade ago? I mean, again, this is why logically play it out.

[Selena Zito]

I know and you know, and yes, that's not a good theory, but we're getting inundated with this now. And I don't think that we're going to get anywhere by.

[Producer Greg]

I think, See, this is where I think you shine a light on the crazy town. And crazy town eventually looks back on.

[Selena Zito]

This is. I told you, the second people tell Clay not to talk about something, there's.

[Producer Greg]

I'm never.

[Selena Zito]

Don't send me your emails. Like, you need to get Clay to get office on some other subject because.

[Producer Greg]

There are enough guys and said Dan Bongino is covering for Trump.

[Selena Zito]

Which is insane. I know, man. Okay, but we all know it's insane. We all know it's insane.

[Producer Greg]

Like 15% of people are crazy on this thing. And I just think they need to be less crazy. And maybe you'd be less crazy if you watch more sports and you went to prize picks and you watched prize picks and you use code Clay. You would get $50 right now with the All Star Game coming up. My Atlanta Braves are awful. They can't win any games, but they are hosting the All Star Game and they're hosting the Home Run Derby. And you will get hooked up in a big way, can play all over the country. Use my name, Clay. And when you play $5, you get $50 kickback. Major League Baseball underway. Not too long until the NFL and college football will be back. And that is going to be an exciting time come August. Ish. My son's already doing his ninth grade football practice. Get hooked up now. Go to prizepix.com use my name, Clay. That's prizepix.com my name, Clay. Do it today. Prizepix.com code Clay for 50 bucks. Travis and Buck Sexton on the front lines of truth.

[Selena Zito]

Welcome back into Clay and Buck. We are joined by our friend Selena Zito. Book comes out today. I've got a copy because, you know, I know some people. Butler, the untold story of the near assassination of Donald Trump and the fight for America's heartland. Selena, you do great reporting. You're an excellent writer. You were right there that day in Butler as those shots rang out. Tell us, what was it like?

[Producer Greg]

What happened?

[Clay Travis]

Yeah, so, you know, when you're in reporting, you aren't. Your day starts out a certain way. Like you're going to do this, this and this, and nine times out of 10, that's not what happens. And so that day, I was supposed to interview President Trump for five minutes before the rally. That changed about two hours after I'm at Butler. And it's going to be five minutes after the rally. And then they say, well, you want to, like, fly to Bedminster with the President, do the interview on the plane. I'm like, well, I never get an invite like that. I'm in. And. And then five minutes before he's supposed to go on stage, they come rushing back and say it's go time. And I just assumed that they changed their mind. And I was going to do it before the rally. So I raced through along with my daughter, who's a photojournalist. She did the COVID of the book Race through the crowd. We get to the behind the stage and I asked the young man, like, where are we doing this interview? And he, the President's around the bend. He comes back and he says, not doing the interview right now. You're still going to Bedminster. He just wanted to say hi to you. And so that moment of him just wanting to say hi, he asked about my grandchildren. I've interviewed President Trump dozens of times, and at that moment, I'm then now stuck because I can't get back to the pressurizer. And I'm supposed to leave with him to go to Bedminster along with my daughter. So they put me in the buffer area. The buffer is sort of this well that goes around the stage and they said, just follow him out and then get over on the other side. Towards the end, you can just jump in the motorcade. That's why I ended up being just four feet away from the President when he was shot. Was right, if you can see me. And a lot of the photos just to his. That would have been his left.

[Producer Greg]

Selena, this is. I've got the book in front of me right now and I read the opening chapter already. It's fabulously well done and I'm actually looking forward to reading it. And we get a lot of books and I'm not able to read all of them, but we're coming up on the one year anniversary. Do you find it as hard as I do, as I think Buck does, and as I imagine the vast majority of people out there listening do that, we still know almost nothing about this guy who got onto the roof with that gun. Not much about his background, not much about his motivation on that day, not even that much about how he came to come as close as he did to killing the President of the United States, which by the grace of God, he did not achieve. But we're in a completely different universe. If that bullet is one quarter inch closer to the President, what do you think now, having been there, having witnessed it, does it still seem improbable that all of this happened?

[Clay Travis]

It does seem improbable that all of this happened. And you'll find out in the book. The President calls me the first thing the next morning. And you know, President Trump is a little hilarious if you don't haven't picked up on that. The first thing he says is, hey, this is President Trump. Like, I don't know that, right? And then he goes, I'm so. I want to make sure you are okay, your daughter's okay, and I'm So sorry that we didn't get to do that interview. And that's. That's this moment with him. Right. That you really understand. Like, this is. This is not the person you always think he is. And we have. We go on that day, and it's detailed in the book. We go on that day to use. Calls me seven times. And. And he really talks about the improbability that he didn't die. Any questions about purpose and about God, not in a fanatical, you know, religious way, but in a way is very thoughtful. And, and, you know, you know, why didn't I die? Do I know? How do I have this new purpose? And I think he answers that question every day, whether you agree or not with everything that he does. He answers that question every day since he was sworn in, in January. But he does have purpose. This is not the presidency of a man going into his second term. This is a president. This is not a lame duck presidency. He is approaching this as someone who was spared by God, and he says that many times to me, but also as someone that has a purpose and he is meant to fulfill it. And he's going to go head down straight into it, because you never know what's going to happen to you.

[Producer Greg]

I think that what you just said is so important, and I think people are picking up on it now. I think even Democrats are. The biggest difference between Trump 1.0 and Trump 2.0 is the quality of the people he surrounded himself with. Yes, but also Trump is making decisions that he thinks are generationally in the interest of the country, and he's not concerned at all with anyone who might disagree with him. And I think that's partly because he feels spared based on what happened that day in Butler.

[Clay Travis]

Yes. Though, so I have an interview coming out with him this week on Friday in the Washington Post, and he talks about that in a very meaningful and profound way. And, you know, part of who he surrounds himself also has to do with Butler, like Butler changed everything. It didn't just change the American electorate. It didn't just change our coalitions and galvanize people. And people will read that detail as I continue to cover the election in a way that none of you have saw, because the report were writing something completely different than what I was reporting in that moment, but everything changed in that moment. And I think this nugget's important because it goes to understanding Trump in a way that people don't understand, and it goes to understanding why he's going to do what he's going to do, because God saved him. And that is the moment that he says, fight, fight, fight. And I asked him about it the next day, and I asked him again about it two weeks ago. He said, I just wanted to revisit it with him. And he had the same exact answer, because I didn't know if he would remember that or not. Right. That was a pretty crazy day. The next day, he said, I was not Donald Trump in that moment. I had an obligation to be someone who shows resolve and be a symbol of the country, be a symbol of grit and exceptionalism, and we will go undefeated. And that is what America has always meant to me. And I had an obligation as a former president and possibly the next president, to show that, because in a lot of ways, because I didn't want people to panic there, and they didn't, by the way. But also I didn't want people watching, panicking out in the streets. I had an obligation to be presidential, not to be Donald Trump, to represent the office in the country with resolve.

[Selena Zito]

Selena, honestly, wasn't that just the most amazing thing you've ever seen a president do? Amazing, even for President Trump, who's done a lot of incredible stuff, Clay. And I still sit there and think I can't. It's hard to believe, even when you watch the video, even when we saw it the first time as it was happening, that a president took a bullet through the ear, was bleeding on stage, and turned to his people and raised a fist and told them to fight.

[Clay Travis]

Yeah. Yeah. It was that process that went through his head, that understanding that it was more. He wasn't him. He was a man there. He was a president. He was America in that moment. Right. You know, that symbol of our country when you think about the American eagle. Right. Perseverance and strength and grit. He knew that people needed to know that he was fighting, that the country was fighting, and that something as dark, as deep, demonic as what Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to do and would have caused immense chaos and unrest in this country was not succeeded. And he wanted to show that America is resilient. I don't know. And I remember him telling me that, and my reaction was, wow, that's deep. Because it was. It was. It was to think on your feet like that after you've been shot. I mean, most people would be in the fetal position. Right. And I'm watching him, see, remember, I'm only four feet away, and I'm watching him, like, struggle with his Secret Service because he wants his shoes on, and, damn it, he's Going to get his shoes on. He is not walking off of that stage in his stocking feet across gravel. Were you able to be the United States?

[Producer Greg]

Were you able to go to sleep? I'm just kind of curious when something like that happens, were you able to immediately contextualize the historic moment of what had occurred and the fact that I think for hundreds of years people are going to be watching that video.

[Clay Travis]

Yeah.

[Producer Greg]

And it's going to become even more iconic after the passions of the moment start to fade because Democrats have whatever they think about Trump. But I think 50, 100 years from now, long after anyone who is listening to us today is not here, that moment is going to become so indelible and so iconic in American life. Did you understand that or feel that immediately? And second part, did you, like, were you able to sleep that night? I'm just kind of curious when you have that experience, how long it takes you to come down off the adrenaline rush just based on where you were. To say nothing of him.

[Clay Travis]

I've still not come down from it. And, and, you know, I knew exactly, you know, as a journalist, you know, part of your job, even if it's a tiny thread, you're always covering history every day.

[Producer Greg]

Yep.

[Clay Travis]

But I knew in that moment, you know, and he talks about purpose, but I also talk about purpose. There is a reason I was there. Right. And there was a reason I was supposed to chronicle this. And, and I knew that that was what my purpose was and to be. Be able to tell this story in. And. Because I have a gift of total recall. Right. I can remember every smell, every, like I think, in color. Right. Like I can smell and taste and feel everything in that moment. And, and when they, when people say, when they've been in a, in a tragic situation, the time slows down. There's. That. That was very true for me. And, and I watched the entire thing in, in, in, in these, these very fine layers. And because I have the gift of recall. And plus, I have my recorder on and I'm taught, I record everything that happens. I can hear everything the President says, but also I'm talking to my recorder so I don't forget anything. And, and I had, and I probably started the book, and I didn't even think about a book. I just thought, well, I need to write this story. And I did. But, you know, people came to me. It's like, you, you need. You have an obligation to write this book. And, and so I immediately started writing it. But as I'm writing it, I'm still Continuing to cover an extraordinarily historic election that I believe is and I'm watching it, that other people aren't covering what's happening. They're covering what they wish was happening. They're covering what they hope happens. But I'm on the ground there in Pennsylvania, in the middle of somewhere, Pennsylvania. And I'm covering this and seeing this entire country change, not just in the rural areas but in the suburbs. I'm watching these young mothers who all was who have never put a Trump hat on in the next weekend have them on at their kids soccer games because and there's interviews in the book. They said he can take a bullet for me. I can wear a damn hat and not worry about what people say to me. Everything changed in that moment.

[Selena Zito]

Butler the Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the fight for America's Heartland. Selena Zito's book out today. Selena's great. We really love her work. Get yourself a copy. Selena, thank you so much.

[Clay Travis]

Oh, thanks. You guys have a great day.

[Selena Zito]

You know, as parents will protect our children at any cost, especially in our own home. And to do that right, you need to have the right tools. That's where Sabre comes in. They're the number one pepper spray brand trusted by law enforcement. Sabre is spelled S A B R E and the website is saberradio.com sabre radio.com Clay and I both have their products in our homes. I've actually given a bunch of their products to family members as well so they can protect themselves all over the country. Pepper spray projectile launcher in in particular is a great product that you should check out. But Clay's wife, my wife, they both like having non lethal options and items to protect themselves and to have on their person and readily accessible. This is where Saber comes in. The pepper sprays, pepper gels, a whole range of personal and home defense non lethal products. Yeah, I got a lot of lethal stuff. I got a lot of guns here too. But there's no reason not to have those non lethal options. So you can have force escalation. And for a lot of people out there, they prefer that non lethal first response. So check out what Sabre has for you. Go to sabre radio.coms a b r e radio.com youm'll save 15% there. Sabre s a b r e radio.com or call 844-824 safe. That's 844-824 safe.

[Producer Greg]

Keep up with the biggest political comeback in world history. On the Team 47 podcast, Clay and Buck highlight Trump replays from the week, Sundays at noon Eastern. Find it on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Buck Sexton]

Life's messy. We're talking spills, stains, pets and kids. But with anibe, you never have to stress about Messes [e-mail] Discover Annabe Sofas the only fully machine washable sofas inside and out, starting at just $699. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabrics, that means fewer stains and more peace of mind. Designed for real life, our sofas feature changeable fabric covers allowing you to refresh your style anytime. Need flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa effortlessly. Perfect for cozy apartments or spacious homes. Plus, they're earth friendly and built to last. That's why over 200,000 happy customers have made the switch. Upgrade your space today. Visit washablesofas.com now and bring home a sofa made for life. That's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[J.R. Martinez]

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States. Recipients have done the improbable, showing immense bravery and sacrifice in the name of something much bigger than themselves.

[Chris Wright]

This medal is for the men who went down that day.

[J.R. Martinez]

It's for the families of Those who I'm J.R. martinez. I'm a U.S. army veteran myself, and I'm honored to tell you the stories of these heroes on the new season of Medal of Stories of Courage from Pushkin Industries and I Heart podcast from Robert Blake, the first black sailor to be awarded the medal to Daniel Daly, one of only 19 people to have received the Medal of Honor twice. These are stories of about people who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor going above and beyond the call of duty. You'll hear about what they did, what it meant, and what their stories tell us about the nature of courage and sacrifice. Listen to Medal of Honor on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Producer Greg]

Welcome back in Clay Travis Buck Sexton show gotten Gotten Caught.

[Selena Zito]

They got you. I don't know how they got you. I don't know what they got you with, but they got you.

[Producer Greg]

They got me. By the way, let me say this, I mentioned it when we were talking with Selena Zito. I read the opening of her new book, Butler, and it's fantastic. And I do believe that sometimes in the constant flow of history, we miss the things that are going to resonate historically long after we're gone. I really feel like Butler, Pennsylvania is going to be a Gettysburg like moment for president in the decades, in the years to come, and people are out there saying, oh, you're crazy. Remember, Lincoln at Gettysburg was panned overwhelmingly in the immediate aftermath of that speech. I think Trump's reaction in Butler, after Trump is off the stage is going to become more iconic as more become aware of it because, and we talked about it and I'm proud of the show we did on the Monday right after, because I think we captured that historical moment. The way that he behaved is the most badass reaction in the history of the modern presidency, such that if that were a movie, all of us would have said there's no way the president would have behaved like that. And I think it, you know, in the immediate aftermath, 50% of people or whatever it is don't like Trump. And so they don't want to give him any credit. I think as the passions of his presidency fade, I think the bravery of that moment is going to echo and reverberate even more in our historical consciousness.

[Selena Zito]

I think the passions of some of our esteemed audience will fade over the next 24 hours after you have been poking, sir, poking at some of them. And, you know, that's, that's all, that's all fine and good. Tomorrow will be a new day, everybody. New day, new news, new stuff going on. And yes, indeed, I think Selena's book, by the way, is fantastic. I'm, I'm going to be, I'm going to be reading it. I got a copy right here. She's always done great work and she's also a really nice lady and she.

[Producer Greg]

Is basically writing the first draft of history because she was there. Eyewitness to experience what happened in Butler. And I'm telling you, generations that we know not of are going to be reading about that day and going to be impressed by it and inspired by it, I really do believe. All right, tomorrow you guys can find out who I've been got by. Maybe I'll reveal it. Russia, China. Just who is it? Who is it? We'll have fun tomorrow.

[Clay Travis]

This is an iHeart podcast.