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.