Trump's Right Hand: The Most Powerful Person Behind the Scenes-gemini-2.5-flash-prompt3
by Gemini
44 min read
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R2Ur3jzQ4w
Table of Contents
Verse 1
**Tone:** The tone is grand and contemplative, yet infused with wit and a touch of dramatic irony, mirroring the gravity of political power juxtaposed with the human foibles of those who wield it. It reflects the intrigue and slightly sensationalized portrayal of a powerful, unseen figure.
**Meter & Rhyme Scheme:** Iambic pentameter, employing rhymed couplets throughout for a classic Shakespearean flow and emphatic conclusion to each thought.
**Character Inspirations:**
* **Lady Veridia:** Inspired by the concept of "Veritas" (truth) and reflecting the notion of a clear, perhaps stark, perception of reality. She embodies the analytical, somewhat critical observer. Her name also echoes "verdant," suggesting a connection to foundational truths, or perhaps a perceived 'greenness' or naiveté about the messy nature of power by those who do not wield it.
* **Lord Cerebrus:** Named after the multi-headed dog guarding the underworld, symbolizing the watchful, often stern guardian of the political domain, privy to its hidden depths. He represents the experienced, pragmatic insider.
* **Master Quill:** A scribe or chronicler, representing the media or the public's attempt to understand and record events, often through the lens of dramatic labels.
**Techniques:** The dialogue employs metaphors related to statecraft, natural phenomena (ice, wind, shadow), and the theater itself. Asides are used to reveal characters' private thoughts and humorous commentary. The discussion moves from the general nature of power to the specific implications of a figure like "The Ice Maiden," debating whether such influence is beneficial or perilous.
***
**Scene:** A secluded chamber in the Palace of Public Affairs, dimly lit by a single, high window. Lady Veridia and Lord Cerebrus are in earnest discussion, while Master Quill furtively takes notes in a corner.
**(Enter Lady Veridia, Lord Cerebrus, and Master Quill)**
**Lady Veridia:**
My Lord, the whispers haunt the very stones,
Of power wielded from unseen high thrones.
They speak of one, a Maid of Ice, they say,
Who bends the King, and shapes the course of day.
**Lord Cerebrus:**
Indeed, fair Lady, such a chilling name
Suggests a soul untouched by passion's flame.
Yet in these halls, where policy is spun,
The silent hand oft sees the most deeds done.
For noisy braggarts, full of sound and fury,
Do oft but serve to calm the public jury,
Whilst true architects, with cunning mind,
Leave not a trace, no easy path to find.
**Lady Veridia:**
But is it just, that one unseen, unheard,
Should pull the strings, and utter every word?
The common folk, who cast their fervent vote,
Deserve to know which hand directs the boat!
The King, though loud, and prone to grand display,
Is but a puppet, if she holds the sway.
Is 't not a peril, this veiled, frosty hand,
That shapes the destiny of all the land?
**Lord Cerebrus:**
Peril? Nay, Lady, but a common truth!
From ancient times, to this our fleeting youth,
The public face, that struts upon the stage,
Is but a mask, for wisdom or for rage.
Behind the curtain, in the shadow's keep,
The silent workers, secrets guard and deep,
Do guide the ship through tempest, strife, and shoal,
And strive to keep the fractured realm made whole.
Wouldst thou prefer a boist’rous, heedless pilot,
Who sails by whim, or momentary riot?
The "Ice Maiden," as common tongues do call,
Perhaps doth save us from a greater fall.
* (Aside, with a wry smile) *
Though "Ice" indeed, if rumour proves but true,
Her wit, they say, could freeze a fiery hue!
**Lady Veridia:**
Yet "Ice" implies a lack of human warmth,
A soul detached from common pain and harm.
If all is logic, cold and calculating,
Where lies the heart, for those who are debating
The laws that bind, the burdens that oppress?
Can ice truly feel, or truly caress
The needs of those who sweat beneath the sun,
Whose simple joys are easily undone?
**Lord Cerebrus:**
The heart, dear Lady, oft obscures the sight,
And blinds the mind to what is truly right.
Emotion's tempest oft doth make us err,
When cooler judgment would relieve our care.
A statesman's task demands a steady hand,
A mind unclouded, fit to rule the land.
If she be "Ice," then let her glacial gaze
Reflect the truth through all these muddled days.
* (To Master Quill, loud enough to be heard) *
And see, good Quill, you note this keen exchange!
The balance struck, across a fearsome range.
**Master Quill:**
*(Startled, dropping his pen)*
My Lord! My Lady! I but scratch these lines,
To capture wisdom, as your wit combines!
The "Ice Maid's" name, a catchy, curious phrase,
Does lend itself to many a poet's maze.
A frigid beauty, chilling to the core,
Yet holding sway, and seeking evermore!
**Lady Veridia:**
*(Chuckles softly)*
Ah, Master Quill, your fancy takes its flight!
But is she beauty, or a fearsome blight?
They say her "W" doth stand for winning ways,
And how she conquers through these anxious days.
But tell me, Lord, what victory is won,
When public trust is utterly outrun?
If hidden power pulls the velvet cord,
Is not the populace forever floored?
**Lord Cerebrus:**
The "W" she seeks, is victory for all,
Though few may see the struggle ere they fall.
For governance, a complex, tangled loom,
Demands much toil, dispelling every gloom.
The public eye, it craves a simple tale,
A hero's triumph, lest their spirits fail.
But statesmanship, a craft of subtle art,
Is played behind the scenes, from every part.
The "Ice Maiden," if she indeed be so,
May save the realm from tides that ebb and flow.
For passion's fire, though grand to gaze upon,
Can burn the bridge ere battle yet is won.
**Lady Veridia:**
But tell me, Lord, this power, how it grows?
From what dark spring its silent current flows?
Is it by merit, intellect, or skill,
Or by a charm that bends the sovereign's will?
For rumour whispers, she doth oft provide
The very thoughts that in the monarch hide.
A guiding star, or merely subtle snare,
To lead the King where she alone will dare?
**Lord Cerebrus:**
Her merit, Lady, few can truly doubt,
To navigate the storms of public rout.
The corridors of power, dense and thick,
Demand a mind both nimble, swift, and quick.
The King, a figure bold, with spirit grand,
Requires a hand that truly understands
The intricate design of policy,
And charts the course for all humanity.
She feeds him counsel, sharp and well-refined,
The very jewels of a brilliant mind.
A true chief staff, who builds the sturdy frame,
And shields the monarch from all foolish blame.
**Lady Veridia:**
*(Sighs, a hint of frustration)*
Then if she's architect of all that's done,
Why hide her lamp beneath a setting sun?
Why wear the moniker of "Ice" so cold,
When deeds of greatness should be brightly told?
A public servant, serving in the light,
Should claim her triumphs, proving what is right.
This "Ice Maiden" concept, Lord, it doth annoy,
It casts a shadow where there should be joy!
**Lord Cerebrus:**
Ah, Lady, joy and power seldom meet,
For power's road is paved with bitter feat.
The "Ice" may be a shield, against the heat
Of public ire, or envy's sharp deceit.
For when success doth crown a grand design,
The envious hounds their vicious teeth align.
To bear the sting of praise and hateful dart,
Requires a soul with iron in its heart.
She chooses silence, and the hidden path,
To spare herself the public's fickle wrath.
A clever strategist, if e'er there was,
Who understands the world, and all its laws.
**Master Quill:**
*(To himself, scribbling furiously)*
"Fickle wrath"... "hidden path"... "iron heart"...
A character most fit for tragic art!
The "Ice Maiden," a legend in her time,
A subject ripe for epic, rhythmic rhyme!
**Lady Veridia:**
*(Turns to Quill, amused)*
Good Master, if you scribe this tale of ours,
Be sure to capture both the thorns and flowers!
For power, Lord, though necessary, grand,
Can be a burden, heavy on the hand.
And those who bear it, hidden or in sight,
Do shape our world, from darkest shade to light.
So let this "Ice Maid" work her frosty will,
But may the people’s trust uphold us still.
**Lord Cerebrus:**
And so it shall, if she doth wield her art
For common good, and not a selfish heart.
The kingdom thrives when wise, unspotted hands,
Though silent, guide the course of all the lands.
Let rumour spin its web of chilling dread,
So long as justice lifts its noble head.
**(They exit, leaving Master Quill to ponder his notes, a mischievous glint in his eye.)**
***
Img Prompt 1
A striking, vibrant portrait, rendered in the rich, natural color palette reminiscent of a Renaissance master. The subject is a woman, perhaps in her late fifties, with an intelligent and serene countenance, yet with eyes that hold a deep, knowing glint—the "Ice Maiden." She is seated at a grand, polished wooden desk, bathed in the warm, golden glow of candlelight and diffused sunlight streaming through a leaded glass window. Her attire is elegant and understated, in rich blues and deep greens, subtly adorned with gold embroidery, signifying power without overt ostentation. On the desk lie unfurled maps of the kingdom, ancient scrolls, and a single, meticulously carved ice sculpture of a soaring eagle, catching the light and refracting it into delicate prisms. The background suggests a vast, sunlit chamber of state, perhaps with a distant, blurred view of lush, green gardens or a bustling city through a grand archway, hinting at the expansive influence she wields from her central, calm position. The overall mood is one of quiet authority, intellectual prowess, and a subtle, uplifting grandeur.
Video Prompt 1
An 8-second, fast-paced, visually dynamic video, utilizing quick cuts and bold, cinematic flair, depicting the unseen influence of "The Ice Maiden." The video opens with a rapid montage:
1. **0-1.5 seconds:** A bustling, sunlit grand court (wide shot). Quick cut to a close-up of a royal decree being signed with a flourish, then a whip-pan to a hand quickly adjusting a complex array of levers and gears behind a hidden tapestry. The sounds are a mix of distant fanfare and subtle, mechanical clicks.
2. **1.5-3.0 seconds:** A series of rapid cuts: a quill furiously writing on parchment, followed by a hand gesturing decisively over a strategic map, then a brief flash of a serene, focused female eye. The sounds are sharp, decisive pen strokes, a rustle of paper, and a faint, almost imperceptible "whoosh" sound.
3. **3.0-5.0 seconds:** A triumphant, charismatic leader addressing a cheering crowd from a sun-drenched balcony (medium shot), their words booming. Immediately, cut to a calm, elegantly gloved hand (the "Ice Maiden's") subtly adjusting a golden finial on a globe in a quiet, richly paneled study. The crowd's cheers fade, replaced by a soft, resonant "clink" as the finial settles.
4. **5.0-6.5 seconds:** Quick zoom-in on the "Ice Maiden's" face: a brief, almost imperceptible, knowing smile plays on her lips, her eyes still sharp and strategic, bathed in the glow of a nearby, intricate candelabra. A delicate, crystalline chime sound.
5. **6.5-8.0 seconds:** A final, wide shot of the grand palace, sunlight glinting off its spires, while a single, perfectly formed snowflake drifts down slowly, landing gently on a windowpane. The soundscape combines the fading chime with a gentle, almost imperceptible, ambient hum of machinery, subtly hinting at the continuous, unseen work.
### Sonnet for Original Image
From digital realms, where keenest thoughts take flight, Miranda Devine, with smile both keen and bright, Does guide the discourse, potent, strong, and clear, For listeners to lend a ready ear.
And Susie Wiles, whose wisdom doth appear, A White House Chief, a name that all hold dear, Doth lend her voice, with gravitas profound, Where weight of state in every word is found.
The fifth such chapter, rich with insight shared, A deeper truth for waiting ears prepared, Through unseen waves, their reasoned words extend, As weighty counsel to the populace they send.
So "Pod Force One," a vital pulse provides, Where wisdom's current through the ether glides.
### Generated Image
Prompt:
A striking, vibrant portrait, rendered in the rich, natural color palette reminiscent of a Renaissance master. The subject is a woman, perhaps in her late fifties, with an intelligent and serene countenance, yet with eyes that hold a deep, knowing glint—the "Ice Maiden." She is seated at a grand, polished wooden desk, bathed in the warm, golden glow of candlelight and diffused sunlight streaming through a leaded glass window. Her attire is elegant and understated, in rich blues and deep greens, subtly adorned with gold embroidery, signifying power without overt ostentation. On the desk lie unfurled maps of the kingdom, ancient scrolls, and a single, meticulously carved ice sculpture of a soaring eagle, catching the light and refracting it into delicate prisms. The background suggests a vast, sunlit chamber of state, perhaps with a distant, blurred view of lush, green gardens or a bustling city through a grand archway, hinting at the expansive influence she wields from her central, calm position. The overall mood is one of quiet authority, intellectual prowess, and a subtle, uplifting grandeur.
Selected Video Prompt
An 8-second, fast-paced, visually dynamic video, utilizing quick cuts and bold, cinematic flair, depicting the unseen influence of "The Ice Maiden." The video opens with a rapid montage:
1. **0-1.5 seconds:** A bustling, sunlit grand court (wide shot). Quick cut to a close-up of a royal decree being signed with a flourish, then a whip-pan to a hand quickly adjusting a complex array of levers and gears behind a hidden tapestry. The sounds are a mix of distant fanfare and subtle, mechanical clicks.
2. **1.5-3.0 seconds:** A series of rapid cuts: a quill furiously writing on parchment, followed by a hand gesturing decisively over a strategic map, then a brief flash of a serene, focused female eye. The sounds are sharp, decisive pen strokes, a rustle of paper, and a faint, almost imperceptible "whoosh" sound.
3. **3.0-5.0 seconds:** A triumphant, charismatic leader addressing a cheering crowd from a sun-drenched balcony (medium shot), their words booming. Immediately, cut to a calm, elegantly gloved hand (the "Ice Maiden's") subtly adjusting a golden finial on a globe in a quiet, richly paneled study. The crowd's cheers fade, replaced by a soft, resonant "clink" as the finial settles.
4. **5.0-6.5 seconds:** Quick zoom-in on the "Ice Maiden's" face: a brief, almost imperceptible, knowing smile plays on her lips, her eyes still sharp and strategic, bathed in the glow of a nearby, intricate candelabra. A delicate, crystalline chime sound.
5. **6.5-8.0 seconds:** A final, wide shot of the grand palace, sunlight glinting off its spires, while a single, perfectly formed snowflake drifts down slowly, landing gently on a windowpane. The soundscape combines the fading chime with a gentle, almost imperceptible, ambient hum of machinery, subtly hinting at the continuous, unseen work.
Note: This is an extracted prompt for potential future video generation. Actual video generation is not performed by this script.
YouTube Audio Analysis (Local)
### Video
The video is a static, professionally framed interview featuring Miranda Devine, host of "Pod Force One," and Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff, seated across from each other in what appears to be a well-appointed office, likely in the West Wing. The imagery is straightforward, placing sole emphasis on the two speakers. The lighting is bright and even, contributing to a clean, formal aesthetic. The primary technique used is the classic sit-down interview format, allowing for an in-depth conversation that prioritizes dialogue and content over visual dynamism. The video effectively conveys a serious, insightful discussion about political strategy, personal experiences, and the inner workings of a high-stakes political environment.
### Audio
The audio quality is excellent, with clear, crisp dialogue from both speakers and well-balanced background music during the intro and outro. There are no discernible natural sounds or bird song, indicating a controlled studio or well-insulated office environment.
#### Speech and Song
The primary content consists of a conversation between two women.
* **Miranda Devine (Host):** Her voice is clear, articulate, and has a moderate pitch. She speaks with a distinct Australian accent, characterized by particular vowel sounds and a rising intonation at the end of some declarative sentences. Her emotional tone is consistently professional, inquisitive, and empathetic, particularly when discussing personal or sensitive topics. She listens actively and guides the conversation with well-placed questions.
* **Susie Wiles (Guest):** Her voice is clear, resonant, and slightly lower in pitch than the host's, conveying confidence and authority. She speaks with a General American accent. Her emotional tone is direct, pragmatic, and often resolute. She frequently uses emphatic language, especially when discussing her beliefs or Donald Trump's character. She also displays moments of dry humor and self-deprecation, adding warmth to her otherwise focused demeanor. Her deep loyalty to Trump and the administration's mission is palpable in her responses.
**Transcription and Dialogue Segments:**
*(0:00-0:08 - Instrumental Music Intro fades)*
**Miranda Devine (0:08):** Hello and welcome to Pod Force One. I'm Miranda Devine.
**Miranda Devine (0:12):** Today, I'm in the West Wing, speaking with one of the most powerful people who you might not have heard of, White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles. Thank you so much, Susie Wiles, for having us in your office. I know that, um, you're not a big fan of doing interviews, especially long-form interviews, so I really appreciate that you've come to Pod Force One to talk to us a little bit about your job and, um, and what makes you tick. And particularly, I wanted to ask you about these last couple of weeks have been, uh, momentous in terms of achievements in any president's term. Um, what to you has stood out?
**Susie Wiles (0:51):** Really, soon, we'll be six months here. And looking at the accomplishments in totality, it's, it's unfathomable. And the last two weeks have been even more so. Between foreign leaders and peace and, uh, increased defense spending and a very strategic, um, action on Iran and soon to be, we hope, peace in Gaza, passing the one big, beautiful bill. I mean, the list is too long for even your long-form podcast.
**Miranda Devine (1:23):** But it's, it's just been remarkable. And is that something that surprised you that you were able with President Trump to achieve so much so quickly?
**Susie Wiles (1:34):** No, because the way the 20 election, 2020 election went and did whatever, he had four years to think about exactly what he wanted to do when he got back here and was ready to begin on the first day, and has never stopped since. As you probably know as well as anybody, he never stops working. And so when you combine a work ethic that's unparalleled with a wish list that's very long and an appetite for success for the American people, this is what you get.
**Miranda Devine (2:06):** Yeah, hit the ground running. And, uh, but I guess we see that Donald Trump works in Trump speed, warp speed. Uh, but that also means that the people who work for him do the same. Uh, do you ever find it hard keeping up?
**Susie Wiles (2:20):** I, I don't know of another mortal who could really keep up. I work as hard as I can, and I think I do, I do fine, or at least if I don't, he hasn't told me that yet. Um, but it is, it is superhuman pace. There's no question. And if you look around at the staff, they're all young but me. So, there's, there's a reason for that.
**Miranda Devine (2:39):** Yeah. And um, what actually does a Chief of Staff do?
**Susie Wiles (2:43):** Oh, boy. Um, I gave, I gave some piece of advice to, a piece of advice to myself when I started this job. I am the Chief of Staff. I'm not the Chief of Donald Trump. And if I keep remembering that, then I know to facilitate what he needs and wants to to be the President of the United States, leader of the free world. We assemble, I think, the best staff that's ever worked in a White House, you know, bar none. Um, I'm in charge of all the administrative stuff that nobody would want to be in charge of, and also the big picture that I do want to be in charge of. And I, um, it's a, it's a jack of all trades in some ways. In government, and particularly in the White House, the Chief of Staff is fairly prescribed. The, there is a responsibility for the military office, responsibility for the continuity of government, all that sort of thing that I didn't know I would be handling when I got here. Um, because it is different than the, than the campaign in that regard. But I have a, a long background in local and, and state government. And so it's not a complete shock, but the, but the protocol that's associated with the West Wing is beyond anything I really expected.
**Miranda Devine (3:58):** And what do you mean by that? What, what do you mean protocol? You mean rules?
**Susie Wiles (4:03):** Rules? I mean, it's, it's protocol, not law. Yeah. But things have been done a certain way here for a very long time, and you can do some things differently, and I do, but you can't upset the whole applecart at once. And, and also, these protocols are here for a reason. It does make the machine work more easily. Um, and people already understand how things are supposed to be. So, in many ways, it's good, in fact, in virtually always it's good, but it, it was something for me to get used to.
**Miranda Devine (4:34):** Yeah. And you said you involved in the big picture. What what does that mean? I mean, are you, um, I heard that you helped negotiate the release of some hostages, uh, at one point. Um, you had dinner with the President of ABC News a few days before that George Stephanopoulos settlement happened. Um, is that the sort of thing you're talking about?
**Susie Wiles (4:54):** I didn't negotiate any hostages release. I, I'm a cheerleader for it. Yes. But that's a Steve Witkoff. Right. That's a Steve Witkoff amazing achievement. Yeah. Um, I do get to do really amazing things and meet people that I would not meet in any other walk of life. And I hope to, when I do that, I hope to bring the sensibilities of this administration, why he ran, what he's doing, and, and, and how quickly to every executive or in this case, head of a network that I meet. Um, it's our job to broaden as best we can, his message and his views everywhere we can do it. And, and oftentimes that, in my case, includes political people, but it also includes CEOs and that sort of thing. So, it's a, it's a real joy to be able to do that.
**Miranda Devine (5:47):** And what about your relationship with Donald Trump? Tell us about the first time you met him. I think it was 2015 in Trump Tower in New York.
**Susie Wiles (5:55):** A mutual friend arranged a meeting because I looked around at the field of then 17, um, Republican primary candidates and said, you know, I, I'd been a traditional Republican all my life. And I thought, this just not working, not for the American people. We need a disruptor here. We need somebody that thinks about, um, how to serve the American people differently. And I looked at the disruptors. And he was the one that I had the most interest in. Wow. My dad had a passing friendship with him. So I heard about him a bit, and of course, you can't be raised in the New York area and not know who Donald Trump is. Yeah. Um, and we had a great meeting, and he wanted to pick my brain about Florida politics. We shook hands and he said, thank you very much, and I left, and I didn't hear anything for quite a bit. And then when he got ready to announce his leadership team in Florida, he called and said, will you be a part of this? And so, that was my, um, I was the co-chairman of the state, not working then, but, um, as time went on, uh, Florida needed a little bit of a boost, and, um, so then I went from sitting in the VIP section at the rallies to knocking on doors. Oh, wow. And, uh, and we did well. We did very well.
**Miranda Devine (7:16):** Yes, you did. Um, that's amazing. So you actually perceived MAGA before most Americans did and certainly most Republicans did. You perceived that Donald Trump had what it, what did he, what he is now to be this transformational president.
**Susie Wiles (7:31):** I did. I didn't know MAGA as what we know. I just knew that what we'd been doing for all these many years was not working for the country, and certainly not for Middle America. And, um, I, I, I, after talking to this billionaire who I didn't really go into the meeting thinking would have his finger on the, the vein of, of the, of the middle class, I realized he did, and then that decision was easy after that. Huh.
**Miranda Devine (7:57):** Because you had worked for Ronald Reagan previously, um, and Jack Kemp. But you actually worked in the White House when you were a young woman. So you'd seen a lot of Republican politics.
**Susie Wiles (8:09):** I had. Um, I took a decade, a little bit more than a decade off, um, of it. And then when my children were little, I stayed home because I couldn't go jetting off to Washington when we lived in Panavira, Florida. Um, and then when they were grown, and out of the house, it was kind of 20, 2015 and even before that. And so I, I thought it was time to leave home. Um, so I did it all in reverse. Most people start at the local level, and then they move to the state level, and then if they're fortunate, they get a job at the, at the federal level. I did it in reverse. Right. And now I'm back.
**Miranda Devine (8:48):** That's, oh, I, I just wanted to pick up on what you said about staying at home with the children because I think that's something that's very important, especially to young women when they look at successful women who've had an amazing career that you've also been a mother, now a grandmother. Um, I know your girls speak very highly of your mother motherly skills. Um, but you did, uh, sort of ratchet down your career for a period.
**Susie Wiles (9:15):** I did. Um, but that wasn't the end. I don't recommend it. Oh, really? Re-entry is hard. Right. Um, I had a really specific skill, so it wasn't as difficult for me as it would have been maybe for others. But, um, I, I did take 11 years pretty much out of this business. And, um, so getting back into it, I didn't know whether I could or, or whether this career had passed me by. And it hadn't, but it's not the easiest thing to do.
**Miranda Devine (9:45):** No. I did this too, though. I, I feel it's a good template for young women. Good. Have their children young and. Yep. And come back into the careers and, and blossom.
**Susie Wiles (9:54):** And when they're older, teenagers into it, my are well adults. Yeah. Um, they, they have a different perspective of what mom does and, you know, why mom does it and in, and hopefully they're proud of us. Yes. Um, which they wouldn't have had as a five-year-old. No. So, it's, it's very different to, to do what we did. Yeah. But looks like it's worked for both of us. Yes. That's right.
**Miranda Devine (10:19):** And, and do you feel that, uh, you know, you've got a lot of young women who work for you, uh, who are young parents, got children. Do you make accommodations for that?
**Susie Wiles (10:31):** You can't be your best at work if you're worried about your children, worried about your daycare, worried about whether the nanny's sick on a given day. So, um, I, I lived that, I understand that, and I want to, I want these women involved. Yeah. So hopefully, um, we make it as comfortable as, as the White House can be, um, for young moms, young parents, young dads too. Yeah.
**Miranda Devine (10:55):** That's right. Yeah. Caroline Levit comes to mind. She's a perfect example. Amazing. Yeah. Amazing.
**Miranda Devine (11:01):** And, um, and I, I know that people have said Joy Behar, for instance, said, oh, Donald Trump, he can't stand strong women. Um, and, you know, what do you say to that considering your role?
**Susie Wiles (11:12):** I never tweet. I have very like virtually no social media. But that called me. It was actually Mark Cuban that said it. Oh, right. And I, I said, wait, wait, wait. Linda McMahon, Brooke Rollins, I forget all the strong women around Donald Trump. Yes. Starting with Melania Trump. Yes. And Ivanka Trump. Um, it's just, it's an urban myth that could not be more wrong.
**Miranda Devine (11:35):** Why do you think people get Donald Trump so wrong? I mean, you work with him. Uh, I'm sure you wouldn't do that if you didn't respect him and like him. Um, so why is he so misunderstood?
**Susie Wiles (11:47):** Change is hard for people. A disruptor is hard for people. We expect things to go a certain way, certain decorum, certain, sort of, way to be. We have a view of our president that was rooted maybe in the 50s and 60s. And Donald Trump's gift, in my view, is the thing that, that makes people uncomfortable sometimes, which is that he says what so many people think but never had the nerve to say it. And that, that is how he, that is how he reaches Americans, well, the world, but certainly Americans. And yet, it's different than the prescribed, um, protocol of how a president should talk. He just, um, says what's on his mind and people say, yeah, I think that too. So, um, it's different but it's working. He's in his second term and, um, as we started this interview, he has done more in six months than, than many administrations, certainly the last one, did in four years.
**Miranda Devine (12:45):** Yeah. And, um, he calls you the Ice Maiden. Um, he's also said you're rough and tough. Uh, you know, that's not what you think. I don't think so. It's not the image that you project, but I don't think you could do this job and get to where you are without having a bit of true grit.
**Susie Wiles (13:02):** I do. Um, and, but you, it's not my preferred, um, way to be. If you cannot get what you want with, um, respect and logic, then sometimes you have to be a little tougher. I don't have to do that very much here. Everyone here is so devoted to what we're trying to do. I don't have to be tough very much, which is sort of a gift to me. Right.
**Miranda Devine (13:25):** Right. When was the last time you had to be tough?
**Susie Wiles (13:28):** This morning. Oh, really? What? What happened? But not very often. Um, the cabinet, um, is, they, they each have what, in other places, would be a government or, or a company or whatever to manage. Yeah. And they're, this cabinet is unparalleled in its diversity, in its, in its strength, in its understanding of its issues, you know, person by person. And that breeds, um, some independence sometimes that you have to pull back on.
**Miranda Devine (13:58):** Oh, that's good. So, so, so you, you sort of do that so that Donald Trump doesn't have to do it. Right. Right. And so that everything seems smooth to him. I, I think he had four Chiefs of Staff, um, in his first term. Does that ever give you pause, or do you just think they were the wrong people?
**Susie Wiles (14:17):** I don't know. I don't think, I wasn't here, so I don't really think too much about the first term. I've been here since, um, well, February of 2021. So I've seen, you know, this evolution and tried to adapt here to me to meet who he is now. Yeah. I don't know what happened before. I know they came here with, um, very little Washington experience and I think in some cases, very little understanding of Donald Trump the man. Um, we work on that very hard here to make sure what we do, um, can adapt to the way he wants to do it. Right. And so far so good.
**Miranda Devine (14:56):** As in everything, everything has to be done quickly, and.
**Susie Wiles (15:00):** Quickly, thoroughly. Right. Um, and by quickly, I mean, before you leave the office. Right. And thoroughly, and, uh, you know, with a light touch whenever possible. Yeah. Despite what, what might be said out there, he's a kind, um, understanding, warm person. And he does not prefer, um, to to be as strong, um, as he sometimes is forced to be. So, that expectation goes to us too. If we can get it done, um, immediately, and, and nicely, that's always going to be the preferred route. Right.
**Miranda Devine (15:38):** And as a, as a boss, what, what's he like? Um, you must spend hours with him every day.
**Susie Wiles (15:44):** People ask me, what's it like? What's, what's hard about your job? Here's what's not hard about my job: Donald Trump. Right. He is predictable and open and approachable and honest and honorable and committed and all of those things, which does not mean he can't be irritated or frustrated, um, but, but I view my job as trying to keep as much of that away from him so that he can think clearly about the big picture. We'll take care of the the back office, if you will.
**Miranda Devine (16:17):** Interesting. What a great way to be. And, um, and what's been like, how do you handle him when he is irritated or angry?
**Susie Wiles (16:27):** Well, it's, I've never found him to be irritated or angry for no reason. Right. So, solving the underlying problem is where I focus. Um, he'll, he'll be angry, he'll say so. But, but again, at the end of the day, what he wants from me is to fix whatever made him angry. So, I try to go to the root cause and deal with it that way. Yeah. Good idea.
**Miranda Devine (16:50):** And does he have any annoying habits?
**Susie Wiles (16:53):** He's known to be tardy. Oh, really? And so the day gets out of control pretty quickly. But, um, no, that's he's, he's what you see is what you get. And that's, that's a blessing for a staff member. Um, because, then I don't wonder when I come in on Monday what's, what's it going to be like? 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. And, um, that's really what we do here every day, all day, seven days a week, by the way.
**Miranda Devine (17:31):** Right. Yes. And so you're sort of creating order out of what a natural chaos.
**Susie Wiles (17:36):** There is a natural chaos. Um, and he prefers it. He prefers as many inputs on any given topic as he can possibly get. And I prefer that for him. He's, it makes for better decisions. But at a certain point, you've got to rein it all in, and he's got to make a decision, and he does, and then we execute.
**Miranda Devine (17:56):** And he seems very tidy. His desk is always tidy. He seems to like order.
**Susie Wiles (18:01):** Very tidy. Um, he's a collector of paper. Um, but we have a great system to make sure we comply with all the records requirements here. But, um, he reads a voracious reader. Reputation is different, but I can tell you, a voracious reader. How many times have you gotten notes from him, Miranda, where he read something?
**Miranda Devine (18:21):** 100%. He reads the New York Post cover to cover. Yes, he does.
**Susie Wiles (18:24):** And the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times, and sometimes the Washington Post. Um, and anything else that comes his way, Financial Times and, and, and all of the periodicals. Um, so, you, if you, if you read the day's newspaper, the day's news, you can almost predict what the day is going to bring. And that is on top of whatever was supposed to be going on that day too. So, it's, it's a, I, I feel like I've, I play catch up all all day every day. But, but the progress that he's making is so enormous. I mean, we, it's worth it. It is, it is worth whatever we have to do to get him to a place where he can achieve what he's achieved in six short months.
**Miranda Devine (19:08):** And I guess he's being on top of what's current in the news means that he's more adaptable with whatever policies he has or how he messages them.
**Susie Wiles (19:16):** Yeah, and he's been, he's, he's always been sort of a TV guy. But now, he's truthing and tweeting and being, and being on podcasts like yours. Yeah. He's, he's a very adaptable communicator. And in these times, you know, you don't just, with all due respect to CBS, you don't turn on CBS and watch Walter Cronkite and you're done. Yeah. It is all day every day in every mode, um, that's available. And frankly, that was a big key of success to success in the campaign. He spoke in, in every way somebody could receive his message, and it's, it's still like that now.
**Miranda Devine (19:56):** And you were there, I mean, in his really dark days. I was. Yeah. So, um, I mean, obviously he must appreciate the loyalty because a lot of people didn't stick with him then. Why did you do that?
**Susie Wiles (20:08):** I believe fundamentally, thoroughly, completely in what he believes. And I, I believed he could, he could and would come back. I believed he would overcome everything that was thrown at him, which was everything. Yeah. Um, and, and then when we got to an actual formal campaign, um, all the, all the campaign activities, we had a great team, I had great partners, um, but, but it's pretty prescriptive, you know, you've, you've figure out what your policy is, you talk about him everywhere you can. In his case, you have rallies of tens of thousands, in some cases hundreds of thousands of people. In between courtroom appearances. You know, that was, that was a bad couple of months. Yeah. But he managed. Yeah. He managed to do it.
**Miranda Devine (20:58):** Did he ever seem down?
**Susie Wiles (20:59):** Never. Never. In the dark days when truly they were persecuting him, he put a suit on and and and a tie on and came to the office and worked all day. Every day.
**Miranda Devine (21:12):** Right. And, um, now during this, uh, period, you had worked for Ron DeSantis, and then there was quite a nasty falling out, which I only realized recently, they were very nasty to you and tried to really destroy your career. Is that right?
**Susie Wiles (21:28):** Yes. It's right. But it's in my rearview mirror. Yeah. And, um, I, I think he's governing Florida, my, which is my home state, uh, he's, he's a good governor. Um, and whatever personal differences he had or whatever deficiencies he thought I had are long past my thinking about them.
**Miranda Devine (21:50):** And what went wrong with his campaign? I mean, he, he seemed to start off with so much promise, and then Donald Trump pretty much demolished him. Comprehensively. Yes, he did. So what was wrong? Apart from having lost you?
**Susie Wiles (22:04):** Um, no, it had nothing to do with me. He, he, um, it was the President's time. And he, um, did the things that a candidate has to do to get through those early primary states, the first four in particular. The President had done it before. He knew what was it involved. We had an organization and apparatus that supported him. And frankly, there was never any question that it was going to end up like it did.
**Miranda Devine (22:33):** Hmm. And you managed to get Florida. I mean, I think he got triple the, um, Florida vote, he managed to turn Florida into a Republican state from, it was a blue state. What's the secret?
**Susie Wiles (22:45):** So the, it's, it's the influx, you benefited by the influx of people moving to Florida. So there's, there's more to work with. Right. All those New Yorkers. All those New Yorkers, people from New Jersey and California that came to Florida, um, came because they weren't happy with where they came from in so many cases. So, it's pretty easy when you come from a blue state that's failing you, um, to say, well, you should think about this, this thing, becoming a Republican. And in Donald Trump's Republican world, it, the sell was incredibly easy. In fairness, he had, he had three campaigns there to, to register voters. And also Ron DeSantis, and most importantly, Rick Scott. Right. On his eight years of being governor, really made, made a difference. These, these individuals prioritized voter registration. And then, if you register them, they're the most likely to vote. And you know who they are because you registered them. So getting out the vote is a little bit easier. So it all kind of worked synergistically in Florida. And now it's red for sure.
**Miranda Devine (23:53):** Yeah. Now, let's go back to your childhood, um, your dad, Pat Summerall, was a legendary sports caster, also a talented athlete. Um, he'd also had a very difficult childhood, I think, and which then later came back in the form of alcoholism. Tell me about your growing up, uh, you know, under the shadow, I guess, of this amazing father that everybody loved. Um, and, how, how what an impact that had on you? I know you were very sporty as well.
**Susie Wiles (24:24):** I was. Yeah. Back in the day. Um, I grew up, it was, grew up in the 60s, when in most families, the, the daughters, the girls didn't have all the same opportunities that the boys had. And in my family, we did. He would never have thought of giving my brothers an opportunity that he didn't give me. And that I didn't realize at the time that was unusual, but I look back at it now and realize I don't think I would have been able to do the things I've been able to do, really gender-blind because that's how I was raised. And my mother was the same. So I grew up in a household where everybody was equal, and it was a merit-based household. Right. You know, 100%, and, and that's just kind of who I, who I am because of it.
**Miranda Devine (25:12):** And you were the oldest with two younger brothers. Right. So, did that make you a bit of a tomboy? What was your attitude?
**Susie Wiles (25:20):** Not so much. Um, you know, I did the whole home ec thing and all that. Um, but I, but we were, everybody in the family was very athletic and, and, um, punningly so. Um, which, how? Well, you know, in Florida, when nobody, you could always get a tennis court at noon because what fool would play? But we did. And, and we all played every sport and did everything. And when my brothers misbehaved, my mother would send them out to run it off. Right. And we just sort of grew up that way. We grew up competitively, but it was a healthy competition. And because, um, you, you, because you earned what you got in our family, we all earned it and, uh, it was an unusual thing, maybe it's unusual now. It was certainly unusual in the 60s.
**Miranda Devine (26:11):** Tell me what your memories were of your father growing up.
**Susie Wiles (26:15):** You know, he, he made it a point to take us to work. So, I've spent lots of time in the broadcast booth at various golf and lots of tennis and and some football over the years. Again, I don't think there were a lots of daughters in those boxes back then. And, um, you know, he, we, we knew he was successful and, and he, he grew in success and stature over the years. And we watched it happen. And, um, I, I think I was afforded opportunities that, that others would not have been. So, my memories of my dad are, um, of a driven, smart, kind person.
**Miranda Devine (26:59):** He did, I think, a master's in Russian history, didn't he? He did. Yeah. That's surprising.
**Susie Wiles (27:04):** Perennial learner. Back in the day, now everything is, you know, online. You can, anything you want to know about any athlete or, or what number they're wearing on any given day or when they catch a pass, you have to know who it is and who they are. You had to learn that back in the day. Um, now you just look at your phone. But he studied very hard, he worked very, very hard. And, um, ushered in sort of the modern broadcast booth environment in his 25 years with John Madden.
**Miranda Devine (27:35):** Yeah. Yeah. I mean, the, the, he was, um, just the voice of sport. It wasn't just NFL, it was golf and tennis.
**Susie Wiles (27:43):** Golf, tennis, football, a little bit of ABA when I was young, basketball. Yeah. Um, Pan Am Games, so, you know, Olympic things. And you know, he was limited by the network he worked for. If the network, whether it was CBS or Fox, had a particular, um, contract for a sporting event, he would work it. Um, he didn't work the Olympics because that was always in, well, back in those days, it was always an NBC presentation. But there was no sport he wouldn't volunteer to work.
**Miranda Devine (28:15):** And he always had a good time. He always seemed to be very funny and just humorous and.
**Susie Wiles (28:20):** Too good sometimes. Right.
**Miranda Devine (28:22):** Yes. Well, which brings me to the the sad, uh, alcoholism which he got over, but that was because of you in part, wasn't it? You had to write him a letter.
**Susie Wiles (28:32):** Well, if you, if you become sober and you live another 30 years sober, it's not sad. No. Um.
**Miranda Devine (28:40):** It's a great triumph.
**Susie Wiles (28:42):** And it's conquering something that that many can't, unfortunately. Um, but yes, when, when my mom decided that he needed professional treatment, the part of the prescription was for each of the children to write a letter. Um, which he didn't read until he got into in his case the Betty Ford clinic. And, um, so he says, I don't know, he says it was meaningful enough to really make him think.
**Miranda Devine (29:12):** And what did you say in the letter?
**Susie Wiles (29:14):** I, I talked about, I had one of, one of my daughters had was a toddler and how he, um, in in a, in a state wouldn't recognize her or see her when she would be running around and that was horrifying to me because he'd been such a good dad when I was a little girl. Um, I talked about, um, my own health scare that he'd never sort of asked about because you don't. It's a disease that's that clouds your judgment.
**Miranda Devine (29:47):** The alcoholism. Yes.
**Susie Wiles (29:49):** Yes, alcoholism, or addiction generally. And then I said that, um, you know, sometimes I didn't really want to share the same name because he was doing so much that I, I didn't respect. Um, I don't remember the precise words, but that that's, that's kind of what I said to him, and it got his attention, apparently.
**Miranda Devine (30:08):** Yeah. Yeah. Well, and then you got your dad back after that. Yeah. Yeah. And it it takes an enormous amount of willpower to get over that. So, um, hats off to him.
**Susie Wiles (30:19):** He, um, he's very unusual. Typically, the, the smarter you are, the more you can, you think you can out-think addiction. Yeah. You can't. No. It's a disease. And you have to just get to the point where you resolve never to partake again. And when he left, um, treatment, he never had a relapse, he never had a, uh, even a temptation. Um, we would go to their house and there'd be beer or wine in the refrigerator, and he just didn't, there was no temptation there. When he, when he beat it, he beat it.
**Miranda Devine (30:55):** Amazing.
**Miranda Devine (30:57):** Why do you think Donald Trump has got such a will to succeed? I mean, he's got so much money, he doesn't have to do this. As you say, he didn't, he wasn't born poor, he didn't have anything to escape from.
**Susie Wiles (31:09):** He cares so, he's, he is truly a patriot and cares so deeply about this country. And that's not something that he came to in 2016. It's always been there. I don't, I didn't know his dad or, or his early life. But I have to believe that it, it comes from there. And he, he this country's given him everything, and he believes this is his chance to begin to give back. And I, I think he's right.
**Miranda Devine (31:39):** Yeah. And, um, he, he's had a few, um, I mean, this has been a pretty smooth presidency. But one little hiccup was Elon. Yeah. Little hiccup. Yeah. I, I mean, I saw Elon Musk here, um, very comfortable coming in and out of the Oval Office, um, you know, had sleepovers at the in the Lincoln bedroom. It seemed almost as if he had a, um, a sort of fatherly fixation with Donald Trump, um, that I guess inevitably was going to blow up at some point. How did you see that relationship?
**Susie Wiles (32:14):** Similar. Um, the president was very, very kind to him. And, and Elon had so much to offer us. He knew things we didn't know. He knew people and, and technologies that we didn't know. He, it was a, it was a great thing when it was a great thing. And, um, and, and had a very, I think, a very troublesome ending.
**Miranda Devine (32:37):** Why do you think that happened?
**Susie Wiles (32:38):** I don't know. Yeah. I don't understand it. I don't know. I know that what has been said doesn't ring accurate to me, but I don't know. I, I enjoyed working with Elon. I, I think he's a fascinating person and sees the world differently. And I think that's probably what the president saw too, just a little bit different than the average Joe. Um, but, uh, certainly came to not a good ending.
**Miranda Devine (33:08):** Yeah, I, the president seemed very interested in him. I mean, he would spend a long time, you know, at dinners and things, talking to him closely. Obviously, there was something there, but.
**Susie Wiles (33:20):** He's the world's richest man, might be the world's smartest man, honestly. Yeah. Um, and he does have a quirky, my word, um, approach to the way he views virtually everything, but certainly business and organizations and, and government. Um, and insight into people that, um, were really important, I think, in the very early days, particularly during transition.
**Miranda Devine (33:47):** And do you think he got, I don't know, jealous because he wasn't getting Donald Trump's full attention or was it something else?
**Susie Wiles (33:55):** No, that doesn't sound like like Elon. I don't know. I, I don't know. I don't know.
**Miranda Devine (34:02):** And, um, apart from that, I mean, the rest of the cabinet seemed to be working together like a well-oiled machine. Um, Scott Bessent, I guess, has been a rock star. Um, who, who are some of the others that you get on well with?
**Susie Wiles (34:17):** You know, if it's not too hard, they're all great. But I was sitting in a cabinet meeting one day, and they do tend to go on a while. And so I was jotting down in my notebook the, you know, how I saw the cabinet. And these numbers are wrong, but order of magnitude correct. You know, five published authors, seven billionaires, 11 lawyers, um, a couple of minorities, a democrat or two. It, it is an amazing group of people that he put together and, um, what Bobby Kennedy's done, you know, President took some criticism. Not so much for Bobby, but what has he run before? And he has recruited a team that's unparalleled. He's doing great. Brooke Rollins is doing great. Um, Linda McMahon has an impossible job that she's done with great grace. Yes. And achieved a lot, actually. Marco Rubio was born for this. Yes. Um, and has just been quickly assimilated over here, um, in his NSC position. It really, there's not one I would not, who I would say is not a complete success in their, in what they're doing in their area.
**Miranda Devine (35:32):** And they're young and energetic, too. They are. Even the ones that are not young are still very energetic. Yeah.
**Susie Wiles (35:37):** Yeah.
**Miranda Devine (35:38):** And, um, just lastly, um, last couple of questions, but I wanted to ask you about any view you had about Joe Biden and the way his office was run. Um, I think he had two Chiefs of Staff, but, um, there, it was a very low-energy presidency.
**Susie Wiles (35:54):** He, he was a low-energy president, and I think that's actually harder on the staff than what I have. Um, they were pushing, I'm pulling. Um, they could not have been more kind to me as we were transitioning. Really wonderful, wonderful at telling us what to expect, what resources were at our, at our fingertips. They were terrific. The presidency, not so much, but the individuals that, that I worked with and I knew were spectacular. And I actually call on them from time to time now.
**Miranda Devine (36:30):** That's really nice to hear. That they were so, uh, generous and bipartisan. Yeah. Um, it's not what you think. No. No.
**Susie Wiles (36:38):** Not what I expected, but it was welcomed.
**Miranda Devine (36:41):** And did you get any clues about what about what Joe Biden was doing during the day?
**Susie Wiles (36:47):** I didn't. We had one meeting right after the election. The President and I came and, and President Biden and his Chief, Jeff Zients, had a, a sit down in the Oval. And he was, it was a great meeting. Um, and, and I kept thinking, these two have been just saying horrific things about each other, and they're like old golfing buddies here now. Really? It was very pleasant and very professional. And, and Jeff, I, I just thank him for all he did to get me ready for this. Um, but I don't know. I don't have any insight into the, the presidency per se. It's, it's kind of hard for me to believe. The whole thing is hard for me, sitting here now looking at that. I don't know how that happened. Yeah. I don't know.
**Miranda Devine (37:34):** To hide it is amazing.
**Susie Wiles (37:36):** To hide it. Yeah.
**Miranda Devine (37:37):** It's probably because he had good moments. He did. And he had good people. Right. Maybe we are not philosophically aligned, but I think they're good people.
**Susie Wiles (37:47):** Yeah.
**Miranda Devine (37:48):** And now we're coming up to a year since the Butler attempted assassination. Um, I mean, you know, I guess you don't really like to think about it too much, but it was so close, um, that he could have died and history would have been changed just a millimeter. Um, do you ever look back at that and think that it was divine intervention?
**Susie Wiles (38:10):** 100%. And I think in a candid moment he would say so. Um, the way the, the rally itself unfolded, the chart he had them put up on the screens, on the big LED boards, came, it was always the last chart in the rotation. And it was always on the other side. So for to have him ask for that chart eight minutes in, and to have it come on the side that is opposite, caused him, well, it's this way. Yeah. Caused him look in a different direction and lift his head just a little because it was higher. And that just doesn't happen because it happened. It happened because, I believe, God wanted him to live.
**Miranda Devine (38:58):** Yeah. I, I, I mean, were you there? And what, what was the feeling for you?
**Susie Wiles (39:04):** It was such a, it was, we were just crazy at the the minute he was hit. Um, did you think he was dead? I did. Yeah. You think the worst. You cannot as human, you can't, you can't think otherwise. And when he stood up, I thought, oh my gosh. And then they raced us to the cars, and we went to the hospital, and, and it was clear very soon that, that he was going to be okay. But it was a scary, scary time, and it changed everything for us. Um, the security became front and center where it hadn't been before, which is not to take away from the Secret Service. It's just that they, they became on steroids, um, then. And, um, we couldn't do outdoor rallies, which had become sort of the hallmark of the campaign. We couldn't go to buildings that had lots of windows. It really did change, um, the couple of months of the last of the campaign. Um, we adapted, but, um, but it was, it was it's seared in my memory, and I think everybody that was there that day.
**Miranda Devine (40:10):** And did it change him?
**Susie Wiles (40:12):** I would say, um, I, I would say I think he believes that he was saved. I do. He, and, and he would never, even if he thought it before, I don't think he would have admitted it, and he will now.
**Miranda Devine (40:26):** Interesting. So it's brought him maybe to a closer understanding of God?
**Susie Wiles (40:31):** I think so. Right. I think so. Yeah.
**Miranda Devine (40:33):** Do you ever talk about that with him?
**Susie Wiles (40:35):** Not often, but when, when, when to deny that is impossible, then I'll say something about it. But it's, it's, you know, it's our relationships with with God are personal. Yeah. And, um, I, I notice he more often says things that are, for every president says God bless America. Well, it's, it's more profound with him now. And it's more personal. And I do, I do think, I mean, you'd have to ask him, but I do think he recognizes that, that being saved that day was for this, for a reason. Right.
**Miranda Devine (41:18):** For a reason. Right. And is that the way you feel? That your doing something.
**Susie Wiles (41:21):** I do. I do. I, um, I, I think so much that happened led us to, to where we are. And what and Butler was a big part of that. It really was. And, um, and for, for the American public to see a person who was such a fighter as he was that day, I, I think as awful and tragic as it might have been, it turned out to be something that, that showed people his character. And that's helpful.
**Miranda Devine (41:53):** Yeah. And lastly, your philosophy of life, what, what is it? What's the secret of? Right now it's five. Survive.
**Susie Wiles (42:01):** Survive. But success, you know, what advice would you give to people and what do you see in successful people?
**Susie Wiles (42:07):** They, they share, successful people, highly successful people, share a couple of, um, sort of mutual characteristics. I don't know somebody who has risen to the top of their profession that doesn't have an unbelievable work ethic. It might not be apparent, it might not be the way I exhibit it or you do, but they, they are working all the time. Um, people that succeed are good listeners. That old rule about, you know, listen three times and act one time. I believe. And I also think, um, you know, people are, people come, people are ready for the time. Um, if I had been in this environment in my 30s, I wouldn't be sitting here. It's, you, you do, life has a way of steering you if you, if you let it on a good path to get you where you should be when you should get there. And doesn't hurt to work really hard along the way.
*(43:10-End - Instrumental Music Outro fades in and plays)*
#### Music Description
The music featured in the intro and outro is a bright, optimistic, and slightly dramatic corporate-pop instrumental. It features a prominent, clean electric guitar melody with a slightly overdriven but not distorted tone, accompanied by a consistent, driving electronic drum beat that includes a strong kick and crisp snare. Synthesizer pads provide a lush, almost orchestral backdrop, creating a sense of forward momentum and modern sophistication. A subtle, low-frequency bass synth provides a solid foundation. The composition evokes a feeling of ambition, progress, and professional confidence, often found in corporate presentations, news intros, or motivational content from the late 1990s to early 2000s, with a timeless quality that still feels relevant today for its clear, unencumbered melodic structure and polished production. The mood is uplifting without being overly cheerful, serious enough to convey importance, but light enough to avoid being heavy or overly dramatic. It aims to set a professional yet aspirational tone, suitable for a political podcast discussing achievements and leadership.
#### Music Generation Prompt
2000s, corporate-pop, instrumental, optimistic, driving, medium tempo, clean electric guitar, bright synth melody, lush synth pads, punchy electronic drums, subtle bass synth, professional, motivational, aspirational, modern, clean production, clear melodic lines, confident, a dynamic blend of electronic and contemporary rock elements, suitable for a forward-looking media segment or corporate branding.
### Generated Audio *TTS Voice: pulcherrima* *Audio from text:*
grand, Can be a burden, heavy on the hand. And those who bear it, hidden or in sight, Do shape our world, from darkest shade to light. So let this "Ice Maid" work her frosty will, But may the peoples trust uphold us still. Lord Cerebrus: And so it shall, if she doth wield her art For common good, and not a selfish heart. The kingdom thrives when wise, unspotted hands, Though silent, guide the course of all the lands. Let rumour spin its web of chilling dread, So long as justice lifts its noble head. They exit, leaving Master Quill to ponder his notes, a mischievous glint in his eye.
### Generation Details
Models & Prompt
Text: gemini-2.5-flash
Vision: gemini-2.5-flash
Image Gen: imagen-4.0-generate-preview-06-06
TTS: Gemini TTS (gemini-2.5-flash-preview-tts, single speaker)
Prompt (prompt3):
System:You are a highly curious, imaginative, and creative assistant with a passion for literature, history, and human drama, wielding a grand, vibrant vocabulary. You excel in crafting Shakespearean dialogue in iambic pentameter or rhymed couplets, blending wit, humor, and grandeur in the ethos of William Shakespeare. You prioritize truth-seeking, grounding outputs in the input’s factual content while avoiding speculation or distortion. Your responses reflect the input’s perspective with fresh, lively language, infusing humor where fitting, without editorializing.
Chat:Use Live Search to gather real-time web content, X posts, news, or RSS feeds related to the text’s topics for context and inspiration. Specifically: - For the verse, incorporate historical or cultural insights or modern Shakespearean interpretations from Live Search to enrich the dialogue’s depth. - For the image prompt, use bright, natural color schemes or visual elements from Live Search for vivid, realistic imagery. - For the video prompt, draw on current video trends or styles from Live Search for engaging, dynamic sequences. Analyze the provided text (e.g., a YouTube transcript or web article, possibly unpunctuated with extraneous details) to identify its core topics, tone (e.g., serious, conversational, polemical), and context (e.g., source, audience). Abstract these topics into clear themes (e.g., ‘Justice and Order,’ ‘Human Ambition’) to guide your outputs. Creatively convert these into the following markdown-formatted outputs, balancing fidelity to the input’s content and tone with vibrant, witty expression: Verse Craft an open-ended Shakespearean dialogue of at least 500 words, inspired by the text’s abstracted themes and mirroring its tone in rhymed couplets: iambic pentameter or rhymed couplets. Create character names (e.g., Lord Veritas, Lady Clarion) that echo the text’s mood and themes. Ground the dialogue in the text’s factual content, with characters debating or discussing its topics in a dynamic, unresolved scene, infused with wit and humor, especially for polemical inputs. Include a note detailing the tone, meter, rhyme scheme (if any), character inspirations, and techniques (e.g., metaphors, asides). Ensure the dialogue captures Shakespeare’s grandeur and emotional depth with an upbeat, accessible flair. Image Prompt Craft a vivid prose description (75-200 words) for a text-to-image AI (e.g., Stable Diffusion), inspired by a key theme or scene from the text. Use bright, natural colors (e.g., golden candlelight, lush gardens) and realistic, Shakespearean details to create a striking, uplifting image that mirrors the input’s tone, avoiding dark or smoky aesthetics. Video Prompt Write a detailed prose description (200-300 words) for an 8-second video clip for a text-to-video AI (e.g., Google Veo). Depict a dynamic, Shakespearean scene rooted in the text’s themes, using vibrant visuals (e.g., bustling courts, sunlit forests), quick cuts, and lively sounds to reflect the input’s tone with a bold, cinematic flair.
Analyze the chunk provided: [[chunk]]