The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show: Team 47 - MAGA Gratitude
Release Date: July 13, 2025
In this compelling episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into pivotal moments shaping American politics and policy. Titled "Team 47 - MAGA Gratitude," the episode features insightful discussions with Selena Zito, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary. The conversation navigates through the near assassination of Donald Trump, transformative energy policies, and groundbreaking advancements in healthcare.
I. Exploring "Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland" with Selena Zito
The episode opens with a heartfelt conversation between Buck Sexton and Selena Zito, the author of the newly released book, Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland. Selena provides an in-depth account of the events that transpired during the attempted assassination in Butler, offering exclusive insights from her firsthand reporting.
Selena Zito's Personal Experience: Selena recounts the chaotic moments leading up to the near assassination, highlighting the unpredictability inherent in journalistic endeavors.
Selena Zito (00:17): "I was supposed to interview President Trump for five minutes before the rally, but everything changed rapidly, and suddenly I found myself just four feet away from him when he was shot."
Impact on Donald Trump and American Leadership: The incident profoundly influenced President Trump's perception of his role and purpose. Selena emphasizes the unexpected humanity displayed by Trump in the aftermath.
Clay Travis (02:46): "The President calls me the first thing the next morning... he asks about my grandchildren. It was a moment that showed a different side of him."
Selena's Reflections: Selena reflects on the improbability of the event and its lasting significance, suggesting that such moments will be etched into American history.
Selena Zito (08:32): "It's hard to believe that a president took a bullet and still managed to inspire his people to fight."
II. Revitalizing America's Energy Landscape with Secretary Chris Wright
Transitioning from the harrowing account of national leadership under threat, the show brings in Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to discuss the administration's ambitious energy policies aimed at making America energy independent and sustainable.
Ending Subsidies and Promoting Free Market Energy Solutions: Secretary Wright outlines the administration's plan to eliminate approximately half a trillion dollars in subsidies over the next decade, primarily ending financial support for wind, solar, and electric vehicle (EV) initiatives.
Secretary Chris Wright (14:21): "Ending about a half a trillion dollars of subsidies over the next 10 years will not only reduce taxpayer burden but also stabilize our electricity grids."
Emphasis on Nuclear Energy: A significant portion of the conversation centers on nuclear energy as a cornerstone of the future energy strategy. Wright advocates for regulatory reforms to expedite the development of next-generation nuclear reactors.
Secretary Chris Wright (17:27): "Our administration is all in on launching a new renaissance of nuclear energy. We need regulatory reform to allow oil, gas, and coal producers to operate on federal lands, thereby lowering energy prices."
Addressing AI's Energy Demands: They discuss the escalating energy requirements driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing the necessity for substantial increases in energy generation.
Secretary Chris Wright (20:57): "We need at least another 100 gigawatts of generation within five years to meet the demands of the AI revolution."
Boosting Fossil Fuel Exports: The administration plans to double natural gas exports, positioning the United States as a dominant global supplier and addressing global energy demands.
Secretary Chris Wright (23:43): "The U.S. is already the largest exporter of natural gas, and we aim to double that in the next five years, meeting 25% of global energy needs."
III. Transforming Healthcare with FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary
In the latter half of the episode, Dr. Marty Makary, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), joins the hosts to discuss the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) initiative, focusing on streamlining drug approvals and enhancing healthcare outcomes.
Accelerating Drug Approvals: Dr. Makary emphasizes the need to eliminate bureaucratic delays in the drug approval process, advocating for greater transparency and the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) to expedite evaluations.
Dr. Marty Makary (29:36): "We have to cut the red tape and unnecessary delays to get drugs to market faster, especially for life-saving treatments."
AI Integration in Drug Development: The FDA is leveraging AI to organize and summarize extensive drug applications, facilitating quicker and more efficient reviews.
Dr. Marty Makary (33:08): "We've launched a powerful AI tool across the FDA to handle the massive data involved in drug applications, moving away from paper and reducing waste."
Cultural Transformation at the FDA: Addressing concerns about agency culture, Dr. Makary highlights efforts to foster transparency and humility, distancing the FDA from past absolutist stances during crises like COVID-19.
Dr. Marty Makary (31:20): "The culture at the FDA is strong and getting stronger. We're focused on transparency and humility, ensuring that we're aligned with scientific integrity."
COVID-19 Vaccine Policies: Dr. Makary discusses current COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, emphasizing personalized medical advice over blanket mandates and prioritizing clinical trials for new vaccine protocols.
Dr. Marty Makary (34:55): "We're not going to blindly rubber stamp COVID boosters for young, healthy teenagers without supporting clinical trials."
IV. Concluding Insights and Future Outlook
As the episode wraps up, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton reflect on the profound discussions, underscoring the administration's commitment to resilience, energy independence, and healthcare innovation. The guests' contributions paint a picture of a nation striving to overcome adversity through strategic policy-making and technological advancement.
Secretary Wright's Optimism: Acknowledging America's capacity to rebuild and innovate, Secretary Wright expresses confidence in the nation's ability to meet future energy challenges.
Secretary Chris Wright (24:27): "I'm optimistic. This is America. We can build things again."
Dr. Makary's Vision for Healthcare: Dr. Makary conveys a hopeful outlook for medical breakthroughs and the FDA's role in fostering a healthier America through efficient and transparent practices.
Dr. Marty Makary (36:12): "We're making progress in cutting red tape and using AI to accelerate drug approvals, paving the way for cures and improved treatments."
Final Remarks: The episode serves as a comprehensive exploration of critical issues affecting the United States, from national security and energy policy to healthcare reform. Through engaging dialogue and expert insights, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the current political landscape and the initiatives driving America's future.
For those interested in the detailed recounting of the near assassination of Donald Trump, Selena Zito's book, Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland, is highly recommended.