Willie Robertson: The Unlikely Origin of Duck Dynasty, Willie’s New Show, & Why Trump Won

I was on The Five. No. I was on over with it. It was the first of one of the women. and, Outnumbered. And I was up there. They used to bring me all the time. because I was just so popular. With our viewers. It was popular. And the girls. the girls on that show, they were. laughing and they said, Donald Trump says he's running for. president. All that and. And they laughing and they're kind. of make it like it's a joke. And again, I said,

what say you Willie. And I said, tell you what I think is. resonate with a lot of people. And you could just see a mindset. like. Like they thought I was going to. laugh. And they joke. I said, Don't underestimate the. power of celebrity, because I was. like, I'm just native, man. When everybody knows who you are. That it's a big advantage. because. you think about Kamala Harris. She's a vice president for 35 years. No one knew how to say her name. Including her. And she was the vice president.

When they got elected or whatever it. was in 2020, I, I. totally by accident, I pronounced. I called her Kamala. Yeah. Which is why I thought her name was. And the White House.

press secretary attacked me as. racist. Which. Okay, fine. But it really was. totally accidental. Right. And so this kid on. our staff found a tape of her. calling herself Carmela. And then Kamala. and I just like who can't pronounce. her own first name? Yeah, that's if you're like. I'm Willie Robertson. I'm Willie Robertson. Wow. Yeah. Kind of weird, right? Hello. I'm Wiley Roberts. No, I mean, I.

Think it's fair to, like, settle on. a pronunciation of your own first. name. So one of the things I. was. I've never done with you. before. You've become famous for bird. hunting. You're an excellent shot. I just want to confirm that for. people while it's not fake. I've got to make my dad and brothers. watch this. It's true. No, no, no, it's true. You are, but you're not. You become famous from television. You've. I mean, I just want to get. right to it. You've written this.

book, Gospeler, which is not about hunting. It's kind of. What's it about? Hunting for people? Hunting, fishing for people, perhaps. Turning turning darkness into light. One conversation at a time. Yeah, that's okay with. this book this year and. this was kind of the one I wanted to. write. You know, it's like before. I die, I want to write this book. And it's really about my faith, the faith that was passed down, the. first chapters,

my mom and dad's story about how. they got their faith. We put out a movie last year called. The Blind, which. was their journey of faith. shot in the late 60s. 70s. And that was a bad he was. a bad guy. And in what way? He's just. Well, he calls himself a heathen. He was just a bad dude, you know, just into everything. he shouldn't have been into. He's married. He's got this young. family. He's drunk all the time.

He loses his job, he's. ends up running a bar and. all. Hope literally. was over. He had kicked us out of. the home. It's bad. Dad is a bad husband. Really kicked you out of the home. He kicked mom and us out of the. house. Or how the trailer. really is. Yeah. And yeah, and so. And the one person who didn't give. up on him was my Aunt. Jan, his younger sister. And she. She'd go up to this bar he was.

running that has like a master's. degree, was a. kid have went professional. quarterback. He played ahead of. Bradshaw and in college at Louisiana. Tech gifted athlete had. everything you know ahead. of him and just pretty much throws. it all away. And so my my my. aunt would go up there and pass out. a little Bible track. She was a very charismatic. Christian. And and he hated. it. You know, he was like, stay out. of here. And and she begged. this preacher to go.

preach the gospel to her brother. And and I write in the book, I can. just imagine this conversation like. because because the preachers in. Louisiana, the bar is in Arkansas. And and I'm sure. was like, can you share the gospel. with my brother? He's wayward and. and he probably was like. Yeah, tell him to come to church. We'll meet after he's not coming to. church and you have to go see. him. What does he do? He runs a bar in Arkansas. Yeah. Which one. In town? It's not even in his name. in the state, you know. And this guy gets in.

His car and drives to a bar, walks in. Where is the bar. With his bottle? Because in Junction City, Arkansas. And it was rough, you know, as a. writer. Yeah, that goes back. It goes That said. And it was adversarial like. The guy goes in feel does not want. to hear. He does not he's not even. invited in there. And and I knew the preacher up. until he passed away and and he. and he he says. This is your dad, your dad sitting. there. He said he's got a pistol. In his belt and a giant Budweiser.

and he's about half letting. the dad looks and says, What you. selling, preacher man? And the guy sits down. And nothing happens. Phil doesn't there's no there's no. conversion. There's no just. as I am bar. baptism, the oldest that I. keep that man. And so he leaves. And then in Phil's life even goes. more in the tank. He ends up. the state police showed up to arrest. him. He goes and lives in the woods. for six months. I think like he was that guy.

What were they arresting him for? He had put two people in. I see you beat him up. over a bar dispute. He just takes off. Lives in the woods. So this moment an out. there is when he he. he got really sick and nobody you. know, everybody was trying to figure. out where he was. And but he was getting a. Wife and kids at this point. Well, then they let mom and dad move. and they moved to Louisiana. and was pretty much like, I hope he doesn't die, you know, but. it's over. You know, he's already.

kicked us out. And and then. he comes dragging back up into. that town and he pulls up to where. my mom was working. She has a new job and trying to move. on with her life. And. And she's like, call the police. Like, no, he's, you know. He's deer living. in the woods. They pose up and he's crying. And he said, Where's that preacher? And they talked to him. And that's when Phil became a. believer right there. So that's the first chapter in the. book. So how long did it take your mom to.

take him back into. She took him right back. It was amazing. You know, I always said if it. weren't for dad changing his. life, but also for one, for mom. forgiving him. And yeah, it's easier to change your. life and give someone his fans. Basically when you're just saying, Yeah. And who now, you know, was there. I'm sure there wasn't. the counseling that we had. You know, they just. Yeah. No. And she but she needed help. I mean, she's got three young boys. and I've done three and I was. the youngest at the time.

So in the movie I'm portrayed, I was very particular who played me. in the movie at two years old. Now, you got to get that part right. Yeah. That's got to be a handsome toddler. Was I was. My grandson played me. My grandson played me about. his great grandfather. That was awesome. As far as fun to watch that movie. And it's a hard movie. to watch. And Dad didn't even want to do it. It was tough for him to go back, you. know, and relive that, you know, just pull all those. But we said dad.

and mom to both. We just said, I think this can. help a lot of people. You know, a lot of people were in. similar situations. And so, yeah, they stayed together. And so the first chapter of the book. is that and and so if you think. about like there's like 50 years ago. that happened. If that doesn't happen, this family. does not stay together. If the family doesn't stay together, there's no commander, there's no. doubt, Commander, there's no Duck. Dynasty. There's no podcast. I, I don't know where I would be. My whole life would look completely.

different. And so part. of the reason for us being. still so excited about our faith is. because we feel like we owe. everything we have to our fate. Had it not been for faith, it would. have been over. You know, marriage. is over. Yeah, who knows? So, I mean, do you remember a time. before your father was downtrodden? Do your brothers? They do. They do. I don't really. Everything I remember was. was great. And and he went from, you know, darkness.

to light. I mean, he literally it's. kind of like saw in Paul. in the Bible. Yeah. It was like this. old person. And then they just. turned and we just went, I mean, just for Blaze. And he just wanted to share the. gospel with everybody he knew, you. know, because I guess he had lived. and he said, I live so bad and I got. to go help these people. And so he became known, became. a known gospel or. of just known for preaching. the gospel to everybody. A gospel or as someone who preaches. the gospel. It is it's. A it's a real word. It's not. It's an old word.

Do you ever heard of. No, never. I've never been. So I'm writing this book. It's 2020. You know, when I was like, I want to. write this book. And so it was about sharing your. faith and. my wife, who's way smarter than I. am, she comes in because I couldn't. figure out what to call it. And she. goes, Well, I found this word. It's called Gospel Hour. And it used to be very commonplace. And it was not necessarily pastoral. It was just like common folk who. were just known for sharing the. gospel. And it simply means somebody who. shares the gospel with people either.

publicly or personally. And it didn't fall short of me that. the word is literally a dinosaur. No one's ever heard of it. Right. But at one point in America, in Europe, this was a common word. And they were they were called known. spellers. I found a law, I want to say it was up and it was. up in the Northeast where it's like. nobody can stop a. priest or a known god speller from. preaching on the town square. It was actually in a law like that. word wasn't a law. Let me see. Yeah. So she found the word.

And so how did you grow up? Like you grew up in a world where. Christianity was at the center of. everything? Yeah, for sure. Number one. Number one. No doubt about it. So it wasn't. like, we should. try to go to church. It was. It was, you know. And we had so many Bible studies. that it just really went all week, like because what happened, we would once you're kind of known. for that. So people would bring. people down to the house for.

Phil to talk to. And there was the most. Wayward people just like. murderers. And the craziest people ever. that would just and that would just. get it, that no matter who they. were, he would just sit there on the. couch and he'd feed them supper. and then he would jump into the bar. and just I mean, it was Fridays, Tuesdays, Really. All of them? Yeah, all the time. And then Dad started teaching Bible. classes, so he would teach his Bible. class on Sunday mornings, and then he would take. But he would. just study like crazy, like this.

crazy person. And this is, you know, and my. father's never owned a computer. He's never owned a cell phone. He's never a cell phone. How do you text him? You know. Just like saying. You go find him. So I call and I'm like, there's there's. There's a dude. There's a deer down there near. So you call him, but you got to go. find him. And he's like in the. woods, you know, And. you, you've got to if you want to. track him down, you got to go find. him. Does he. Still hunt? Yeah. But it was But yeah, the dad would.

just read and study and, you know, he would just just. thirsting for knowledge. He'd love the knowledge. But then he loved trying to to share. that. And that's kind of the point. of the book, is this turning. darkness into light one conversation. at a time. And that that the tagline. comes from It's it's funny how. my business mixed with. my faith. So we have some new products for. deer and it's this. this feature reading you click a. button so right at that time. where it's real dark, you know, it's.

getting a little damn still legal. shooting hours and it just boom, it just goes turns it into. it's daylight. It's crazy. How What is it? It's pulling light. Whatever ambient light is, is. falling down. Right. It's amazing. So we had this new product. So I'm looking at all the marketing. material. And they had on their. Turn, turn dark into light. And when I saw that our that's the. tagline for my book, Turning Darkness into Light one. conversation time. So through a conversation, maybe. had the guy not gone and shared with.

that, you know, he was the one. that actually planted the seed. or shared with that and and boom, that's where it started. Just that conversation. And then I watched, you know, hundreds and hundreds of other. people. Just the conversation. lead to a life change. And so and so what I want to. do is go through the book and go. through. kind of how to do that, because a. lot of people, they're so intimate, they don't know what to say and they. like the idea of it. And they're like, Well, I hope. somebody tells somebody. about their faith or about Jesus, but it ain't me, and I.

don't know how to do that. I don't. it's like, I don't know where to. start. I don't know the Bible. And so we kind of disqualify. ourselves from a lot of those. for a lot of those reasons. And so I. just tried to go through and tell. stories and I pull stories from the. New Testament. Just conversations like especially. conversations like especially in the. Book of Acts like that's where. you're really seeing kind of the. church meet with the world and just. pull the conversations like this, what they said then this is how you. could share with others. So your family,

despite living in a very rural area, you've got a duck call business. and you're serious, a Christian, you want to be in television. Yeah. Which is like the opposite of. all of that. Yeah. So how do you have the. So the crew comes in from wherever. you're meeting with the studio. executives from wherever, but not from West Monroe, Louisiana. Yeah. How do you begin a conversation. about your faith or something like. that? Well, it was obvious. I mean, I think the faith just comes. through in every was going to be. hard to separate that separate the.

faith. And so but I understood. television enough to know that, you. know, it can't just be a sermon. You know, it's got to, you know. Right. And we we weren't saying. the people. Who run television, I have noticed. from spending a lifetime, they're. not super receptive to the message. They weren't. As you know, a lot of people ask me that like we. ended every show with a prayer. And. and I get that almost get this like. weekly is like, I bet. they didn't want that prayer.

But that wasn't the case. They they let us. Go, you know, like, good for them. Yeah. It wasn't a wasn't. a battle. It was just a good way to. end the show. They knew faith was. important to us. And. and that's how they well, that's how. we ended every show was with that. prayer. But there wasn't a lot of. resistance. at all from that. So you're like, I know. I think people they thought that. was the case. I wanted to know I love this song. And it really. Was. And it was like and then once. it works and once it's.

Right, the commercials. What's the biggest show, as you. know, ever in reality TV? There's like, I love that brand. Yeah, that was all out there. Now I. Know it. You know it it worked. And so once we talked about how to. do it and my father was he. was so funny with the show. So when I went down to tell him, I. said, Dad, you know, I got this. idea doing this television show, and. he hated it. So I don't want to do. it, you know? And. I said. Well, the idea come. From us. It's a way to get the. gospel out to more people. And literally that's what I told.

him. And he says in sharing it, we never. thought about that, you guys, you. think it can? I said, I don't see. why not. He gives a thumbs up and he's like, All right, what did the TV show? Living with the Gospel, have more. people? So you do a show like that, what are. the mechanics of it? Because it seems like it would take. over your life completely. It does. So like, how does it work? It's a lot of what we didn't. know when we started. Like, we had no idea. I get a I get an email, This is so we had done another.

television show on the outdoor. channel and, and the same way like. now it was my wife's idea. Corey said Corey watched reality. television. Is she from Western Road? She's from West Roswell. She's from the city. I'm from the States. So she says she's. watching all this reality. television. And she said, Well, yeah, I think I think your. family needs to have a reality TV. show. And I'm like. That's not a compliment. Well. When your wife says your. family needs a reality TV show that.

As I said, surely. has an attack. That's why I didn't realize it. And I said, Corey, we're just. normal people. And she goes, well, I know why. And so she was like, You guys. are like. She goes, I've been with. you for a long time. And where'd you meet her brother? Way summer camp, Fifth grade. Why can't she? Can't she okay? Yeah. Her. Yeah. Sorry. Sitting on the swing. So her grandfather and. father were business.

Very successful business guys. And part of their charity work they. had built this summer camp. And so now that we're new believers, my parents are. That was a new thing. Like, now we're going to church, Summer camp, you know? And we've never been to church. So that was like. And we couldn't even afford it. So when we would pull up to the. camp, my mother had no money. and she would be. And so we would. have our bags packed like we're. ready and shoes. Here's the Y'all stay here. Let me go see if I can trade. Working in the kitchen for you guys.

to come. If they say yes, you're in. If they say no, we're going to back. the house and we're just like, please say yes. What's funny is it. was it was my wife's parents who. were making the dessert. My as it turns out in life, I later married their daughter who. ran the camp. There was the same camp I was hoping. to get into. That's amazing. So every time they said yes and so. they would. And so we would go. and I see this girl, she's on the. swings. I can see her to this day. And she's got this big. giant, you know, 1980s.

And I was that girl. And I said, ask. or Yeah. Or, you know, her dad and. them, they're the ones who run the. camp. And so I went over and talked. to her. I invited on the moonlight. hike and she said yes. And we went on the hike in fifth. grade. Then we didn't keep dating. We didn't. We didn't get married that year, but. we. Waited for you and you got married. 1918. You were 19. She was 18. Correct. I proposed to her when she was 17. and I was 18.

What her dad say? He didn't like it. I bet he didn't. He didn't like. He didn't like the idea. He was in love. They were very. Well, they were. Yeah. They lived in the. neighborhoods. And I pulled up in this neighborhood. back, and I'm, like, looking around. Like, mow grass. You know. How they moved their grass. And sprinkler systems? And I'm just like, man, this is. crazy. I look around and. there's not one visible burned power.

anywhere. And. I'm going like, What are these. people doing? They're garbage. I didn't know there was another. black he. So we don't have the tile, right? So he's like, we got and I know then. like we went to church, you. Guys, I knew your family and. but he just was like, No, I need a. way and you're too young and. And we're just dead. Say, Well, I. know get married. So yeah. So we have a meeting.

And he said. He's a smart business guy and. he's got all these papers, he's got. statistics and were some files, you know, and I'm just sit there. You know, white t shirt like. blow me away and he's making me. so mad, you know, because I'm like, giving him. I'm, I'm page and vision, man, you know. What was your vision? Well, Christianity like we're. brothers. Like, come on, man is going to be. great. And he's like, You. haven't thought about all these. things in life. And finally he just goes,

He's getting so mad. And he's like, I think he's going to. hit me. Yeah. He's like. Leaning up on me. He said, Where. exactly do you plan on living with. my daughter? You know. And I'm right. I mean, I said, Well, I reckon I'll. pull a trailer up. On the back of. Phil's house and was live there for. free. That was your. Vision, not me. About the answer. The date on the ticket. and we'll burn garbage in the yard. like normal people.

are. 32 years later we're still. Facing. That. We're great. We I mean. I. So her parents house and my house, literally it's. like a piano. You don't play golf. It's a pigeon wedge away from. me. And we were just right beside. each other now. Yeah, I see him every day. Yeah. And I learned most of. what I learned in business. I learned from. Him. How many grandkids did he give?

Eight. Eight so far. You have? I have it. So he has. How many great. Great, great grandchildren. How many kids did you have for this. daughter? How many kids? How many kids? Six. So. he's got to be pretty. Just the way. you ask. Sorry I asked you backwards. Start again. I have six children. And eight grandchildren, so. Yeah, I mean,

but yeah, they're great. And so we lay there on the. And we all live right there. We're just all connected and. live beside each other. How long did. It take you to win a Yes from your. father in law? I mean, it was after that. night. He wanted me to come over to. their house. And so Corey was she was in. college, so she wasn't even there. when all this happened. She was in college. I wasn't going. to college. I was going to seminary. I was going to be a preacher. And and so.

Corey calls and says, they want you to come over. And I said, he's going to come pick. you up and take you over their. house. I said, Now? She said, Why not? And I said, I'll have to walk home. She was already massive. This is going to go bad. And then I'll have a ride. I want to walk all the way back to. Miles with, like. Seven miles. I said, No, I'm not. Then we come over here. So he comes over to where I was. staying, and I was living with my. brother at the time.

And it was he and his mom and me. We're on the couch together. And my mother, like, she. was in between us. But I did. I thought, man, I think. he may punch me. And I was ready. I may have three brothers. And so I was like, We just got to. fly. Let's just fly. I go, let's go, you know? But then it was after that. Night, they said, okay. And then I think. just six months later, we got. married and we were driving to the. wedding. And he said, You know. what? I said What I said.

And that's the way I. felt. But now we're good. And and I literally never heard. another word about it. Like, really? Yeah, it was great. So is your wife who came up the idea. for Duck Dynasty? Yep. Then I had to go tell Phil, and then because originally it was. on the Outdoor channel. Yeah, it was. And I was approached by. But now shotguns that shot show. they've been shot. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I was approached by them. right after she said that and. they were like, Hey, are you guys. interested in doing a, like a.

reality TV show with the shotguns? And I was like, Corey just. said, we should do a reality TV. show. And he goes, Well, let's. let's let's have a meeting. And so. so we sat down and they. said, hey, we'll we'll pay for. production. You guys will be on the show. Thankfully, they had two guys that. came in that they. just hired who were who they came. out of reality television. So it hired them from like their. in-house, you know, all their. commercials and stuff that they do.

And we love Benalla. I mean, we love the shotgun. So I was like, Yeah. And so we're going to the deals. and so. right, the end courses, she's, she's such a smart business. person and I'm excited. I'm like, Hey, this is our business. going to go up. So I've got a film. I feel like, it's a terrible down on. my that we'll sell more.com. Like we'll be on the outdoor channel. like let's. Free shotguns. Plus free shotguns. I was like, plus free other stores. like this is the smoking deal. you know And. so Corey says So we're going to go.

up to Marilyn. I think that's where they Marilyn. and we had this meeting because. she'd been reading these books and. she's got as well, I think I think. I think they should pay off. A talent for. I'd never heard that. Or. I said, What is talent this year? Like they should pay out to be on. the show as a career quicker. Don't get greedy. Like, this is a gift. They're paying for production. and shotguns. Yeah. And she's like. Well, it won't hurt to ask.

And I said, What? Okay. But I say, here's the deal. When you ask if you get any. weird sense, abort the mission. Get out of the. Do not screw this. I was like this. I was like, This is our big chance. You're going to ruin it by asking. for time out. So we go in the. meeting, guys go. And they said, okay, we'll start. production here and we'll do this. and that and it goes. I think we're about ready to go. And of course, I have one more. thing, you know, and I'm like, How. can I go like this? And she's like.

We're thinking you should pay. The guys a talent fee. And he was like, but what were you. thinking? And she said, We were thinking $30,000 a. piece. That's me for the whole. season. And I'm. making $28,000. a year. That's my salary. What were. You doing? That was my job. I made 28,000. But what was your job? At the. At the. That was my whole yearly job. I made 28,000. She just asked for 30. To do this thing, which would. essentially double my pay.

And when she said 30, I'm like, my. gosh, like, that's way. too much. And the guy literally just goes, Yeah, okay, no problem. And I'm like. Crap was just that 5050. I said, She said that. And so then and here's what kind. of CEO I am. So we were excited. So we go back to the house. I go back down to Dad's house. Jason's there, we're all in the. house and they're waiting to hear. What happened with the Davids. And I walk in, I'm like, Well, boys,

we're fixing to do us a television. show on the outdoor channel. And guess what else? I got us. $30,000. I like it with my dad, and I just like we were like, we did it. We it's over. We finally figure it out. We got a pretty shotgun. We doubled our back. We have to do a TV show. We have no idea what we're doing. And we launched into that show. What year was that? This would have been probably. eight.

Yeah, somewhere. Okay, So listen to the show. We're able to cut our teeth. So we've been making DVDs and. hunting videos. Now we go on this TV with these. these boys from reality TV. We're there, so we really learn how. to do television, you know, how to do, you know, what was going to become ultimately. Duck Dynasty. It was a it was a different show. I have it was just like hardcore. guns, you know, and and all. that. They were showing their. products. And but the other half was.

just like silly reality stuff. that we just came up and I kind of. focused on that, my brother and dad. And then they did the hardcore. hunting and I was over there doing. the, Hey, we could show this, and we. had this wild, crazy stuff we were. doing. And and the show. was super popular like in. that world, and everybody loved it. And we won the awards. and our sales. went up. More people ran the calls. and our T-shirts. So it was like, Hey, we did it, man, and. I had to sell them. Part of the. Deal was.

I had to sell half the advertisers. So because then that that. when you get your commercial, then. you have to go sell them. So but now I have. and I sold half of them and. it was so funny like it was hard. selling. But Ultra is going to be as. it was, you know, it's hard selling. an ad for this thing. I end up settlement. I would sell my ads and. that was part of the deal I had to. do. So then we get an email, I get a. generic email. Information at that, commander.

And there's no telling how many. They just never gave and get looked. at. Of course. it's a duty said, I'm a producer in. Los Angeles. I've watched the show on Outdoor. Channel. He saw that show. I think you guys have a really big. show. Give me a call. Left his number. Secretary comes in and says, I got this email. Somebody said, They're from Los. Angeles. And she said, Do you. want me to throw it away. Or do you want me to respond? And I looked and I said, our. response, our response to this is,

well, what what do you think? And, you know, and I get in the. car with them and man, he's. a fast talker. You know, he's L.A. He's like, there's. William. Tell you, this will be the. biggest for me. I'll tell you, I've. got something this big. Yeah, Yeah. And like, like you have. a really big show. Like you got a we. got to take this thing bigger. You know this because this is on. cable. This is all. And I'm thinking, this guy's full of. crap. I'm like I said, Do you think. so? And he's like, he said, Well, you will not be able to walk down. the street without people, everybody.

recognizing who you are. And I've got like, I've. laid it on thick enough. And so I said, So what do. we need to do if we were to do that? He said, We'll make a says around. the force. And we had we had just. done like three seasons of the show, so we took three minutes and then. he started pitching around the. networks and there was a lot. of interest. You got to remember, this is the. time. Louisiana, The tax. credits were big, like before. Georgia had Louisiana was. kind of a hotbed and there was tons.

of shows. I mean, our state is like, there's so much culture and just. fun people in our state anyway. And so you had Billy. the Exterminator, Swamp. Swamp People, Sons of Guns. All these are Louisiana show by. billionaires. There's tons of shows. been shot there. So if you had anything in Louisiana. because they knew they could go save. 40%, you know, in this state. And he saw it and we were. on the outdoor channel. He saw it. And then I know where it comes, A&E,

A&E. I didn't really know anything. about it and I didn't watch. even know what it was. And he said, A&E is interested in two pilots. And I'm like, What does that mean? Well, he says, Well, if they pick it up, that's where we. want to be. It's a good mixed audience, like men. and Women watch and a. big company. And I just, you know, combined with. History Channel, ABC, Disney, all this and. ESPN. And so he said. the problem is if they pass on his.

dad like that because then they're. about to say, they passed. Yeah. And so we shot two pilots. for and they had no idea what we. were doing. And then the film crew got Giant, you know, they sent down this huge. crew and, and we had no. idea. And we just kind of. went into an I really know what we. were doing. And so what's it and. didn't know if it was good or and I. didn't know you know and and so. what was interesting was they didn't. know. They didn't know what exactly they. were getting. So if you if you kind. of looked at a picture of us,

you'd be like, I think they thought. we like granted in right. You know, And yeah, I couldn't speak English. so they didn't I think they didn't. they thought I was going to be like, danger, like alligators. are coming out of the water, you. know, So they come down. And so, hey, because we shot. The buyers, we sent it off. And so they come were like, well, we. have good news and bad news. The the bad news is this is not. the show we were ordering like at. all. We were all shocked. And we're like, they said, The good.

news is. It's way. Better than what we thought we were. getting. And they were like, This is a family. show because nobody has put. us in any category. of families. So even though we were. family, but it was like they just. didn't I think they thought. kind of like, we're going to laugh. at these, but, you know, these are. helped. And they just told me. It was a Honey Boo boo. Thing. They said. Right. They didn't realize. Right that because some. of their ideas. initially. Some of it was like the womenfolk. are out, you know, getting the. possums in and skinning.

them out of my wife's. like, these women. Do not we don't even. Know what she. Said. So but they. saw and then there was this comedy, this real, because the first show we. did, an outdoor channel, wasn't. really funny. And once we saw this kind of comedic. thing come out, that's what I mean. That was what really I think set it. apart was it's funny. It's a funny, you know, something? You can laugh. You know, it's a. funny show. What's it I mean, what's the process. of filming it?

Well. You said your house got descended on. by a swarm of producers. It was. Yeah. So we we shot in. our houses, especially man. expression. My mouse was kind of. them because the show was. kind of we didn't know any of this. going in because we didn't know what. we were doing, but it was kind of. shot through Mars. And so you would have like, Will is dad will. his wife. So you're watching that as a viewer.

You're watching it through my eyes. So this is supposed to be the normal. guy. I'm the normal person. and then everybody else is is crazy. You know, this chaos is happening. And to some extent, they are crazy. And so we had some people. there just kind of like themselves, like like my father just in. that never understood what. exactly we were doing like in the. never understood the show. He never liked it. He never understood. He he told me early on, he was like, well, tell him we need more. preaching on this show. And I said, Dad, there's.

Another Robertson family With a show. like that. It's the 700. Or not that show. Like, this is. This is not that. Are you related to them? But he was like. I'm not. No, I'm not. Not that they haven't asked me for. money, so I guess I'm not. Everybody related to me is asking. For money. Like an NBA player. So yeah, he never quite understood. the show. To my dad got is once my dad got. so mad one time he.

Said anyway we say they just. Didn't understand. He thought it was. so goofy and we were just being. stupid. And. so he said, This is my favorite. thing that ever happened. Dog Nasty that never got so. So we had this dinner scene every. time, you know. Yeah. And so we're on like episode 80, you know. And you know, the. Prior TV, you know, you got these. kids, they come in from L.A., the 25 years old, and they're. telling you what. To do. I go, You don't look. right now. Yeah. It's just it's. Kind of weird when you become a CEO. of your company and do all this now.

that you're, you know, you're. listening to people you don't know. and they're telling me what to do. And so I think my dad had gotten. past the point of that at this. point. I guess, pretty quickly. So we're setting all the. Table up and we're just sitting. there. You know, we've done this a. thousand, you know, and. JB's on the table and like, okay, everybody ready? And some little young producers. like, okay, Mr. Feel your pray action. So our heads. And Phil said, Father,

I pray for these bunch of heathens. From Los Angeles, California. with a little coffees. and their filthy language. I pray you don't burn them all in. hell for their sin for this. Amen. No. We were. We were laughing so hard because. none of us knew that was coming. None of us realize. And so we all look. We're just like, Look, here I go. What was that? And there's.

There's young for days that never. missed a beat. It was like, Thank. you, Mr. Phil. Now, can we do another prayer that. we could actually put on television. That never aired. Never had, never aired? It was so funny. So yeah, that didn't quite. understand. What I mean. These cameras are in. your house for what they. Are, but, you know, the, you know, Well, it was like walking into here. Yeah. We're. We're filming in here. Yeah, that's a good point. Obviously, you know, and.

we're in a. Pheasant camp in South Dakota. So my. Yeah, we are. And if it doesn't count I was a. little worried, too, about that. I thought we did a bad idea, so we stayed up too late last. night. That's true. We were telling. So it was so fun. True. And it was. I'm glad we did. So we get up this morning, we got to. shoot tons of birds, walks around and. then we go. I think I had 2 pounds of meatloaf. at least. Yeah, I At. least I did. Okay. You did as well. You know, I didn't look at your. Plate a lot, and I thought, that's.

not a good recipe for. That too long. But yes, it's. like not. In for the afternoon after. Hunting in a big way. And that was. The last part of my demands, though, because I've heard recently about. people on their podcast and demands. and the. Contract writers. Yeah. And I said, I demand we. have to fly to another state, shoot birds that morning. Yes, there should be every there. should be every podcast. And it was literally in the contract. that you signed with us when you.

demanded 11 squares after. And I thought, that's a bit that's a. little much. Yeah. I said, Does this go we have. to go. Find somewhere to actually, this was. your idea. And so thank you. My idea. I was going to go. to Maine. Yeah, but we don't have any. pheasants in Maine now. This was a better. There was no way. I mean, this was a way better idea. If you could. I don't know how many. birds he shot this morning, but if. you could shoot two grouse a day. in Maine, you're the best grouse. hunter in Maine. Really? You're a good shot, too. All right. I'm telling you. I would hope so.

I'm telling you, audience, you're a. good shot. I'm not happy. I wasn't. Surprised. I mean, I know you had a. lot. I'm not half as good as I should be. after all the practice have had, I'll tell you that. But now it's actually, I missed. a bird. Bird got too aggressive with me and. intimidated me. And I always think, you know, when. you're bird hunting, you're the. pursuer, you're the aggressor, you're the predator. And the bird turns it around and. tries to fly up your nose. I just I freeze and miss the bird. every time. And you had to go, you know, it's. unnatural. I was here a month ago.

doing this pheasant hunting. I didn't grow up pheasant hunting, so we were poor. So I have a pheasant. Come. He literally is coming out my. face. Yeah. And I didn't know what to do. And I. I took the shower and I went back. like I was going to hit it like a. baseball bat. And I. And I. If I had a little more Connors, I. can. The guard said you should have. done it. You know, it was that. close. It was that close. He had, I think he'd been hit.

So he was he's coming down. and he's like, he was just so close. And I there's a. Picture and he's going like this, but he just goes, so right. And then I thought, why don't I. can you imagine if you just grab. presents of mine? And that's what separates the. Yeah. Most to that one. The just grab that sucker out. of the air. Would it be that's an Aaron Rodgers. movie and I. Just blew it. And I one day I'm going to now I'm. going to schedule like I was months.

of pheasant hunting though I can get. that same scenario that happened as. I watched my father get hit right in. the chest on a driven pan shoot. for pheasant when I was a kid and it. knocked him right down. He was turning talking to someone in. the pheasants, came and hit them. Right. And just family's big man. Did you grow up alone? Yeah. You did? Yeah. Yeah. He used to be only crazy. people thought they were being. watched all the time. Surveilled the guy mumbling next to. you on the bus. But now anyone who. knows what's going on thinks that. because it's true, your phones. are listening to you. Tech companies tracking all your.

online activity in order to profit. off of what ought to be private. information. Governments are. watching, too. It's a corrupt system. It's frightening. And the worst part. is it's all legal. The government certainly will not. help stop this. Of course, the Intel agencies love. it. So it's up to you to protect. yourself. And that's where. Expressvpn comes in. Expressvpn, which we use here, is an app that sends 100% of your. online activity through secure, encrypted servers. That means nobody can see what you. do online. Not Internet service providers, not. data brokers, not.

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And right now you get an extra three. months for free when you use a. special link. Go to express vpn.com/tucker. and get that extra. months for free its express. vpn.com/tucker. We have a report to report to you. We are super poor middle. class. yeah. How did you get out from McDonald's. to go work there? I've come a long way just. bootstrapping it. So did like.

what was it like to go. from being maybe locally famous. to nationally famous? Yeah, night and day. Because it was. Man, I'm so appreciative. So we. it was like we did just enough to. get comfortable. enough to figure out what it is that. you're doing. And I loved the, you know, the progression. Yeah, I think zero two, you know, just like nothing to something. But it was just enough. Like we didn't just have TV and then.

we had done some, you know, stuff too, where if we went in Bass. Pro shop or what, you know, it was. less documented grass. and but. just enough. But then once we hit. the really national spotlight, especially to the level our show. was, it was crazy. It was just crazy. Not good for you. Now, there was. a good now and many business. It's not because business went crazy. and it trying to do. everything. You know, you're still.

trying. Yeah. You have a business, you're trying to run your business. And and then. here's what's really unique because. the nature of the show look like we. were goofing off for everybody. in the well. Then I'm getting, you know, 50,000. orders. Well, we can't fill them. And then I got people emailing. me. I just saw your goofing off. I just watched the show. It was like like that's really what. we go build some more. So then, yeah, I had to go like, do. a video on how you guys look and. well, if I'm back last year, we. really are working.

But it's not everything you see on. the TV shows. What exactly happened. that day? You know, exactly that. day. So it was it was crazy. It was the first. holidays. We crashed our computer, I think, three times. It was so bad because. they ordered their product. So we got their money. and then it crashed. But we didn't know what they. ordered. So we have your money. What would you do? Just try to put out a call,

call us. And so I can't be like, I didn't get my order. I'm like, Why don't you tell us what. you are? Well, just. Just generalize Whatever you think, you know, spitball it. You know, we'll get as close as we. can. We're just trying to ship stuff as. people like. Those are good problems. to have. I'm. No, they're not. They're terrible. They're terrible problems to have. just really overwhelmed just wasn't. wasn't ready. And and to think that when. we did this show or had this meeting. and my wife, of course, says,

do you think we should order more. duck calls? And I said, No, no, nobody's going. to order a duck. You know, even if. you like the show, why would you. need a duck? Call me if you're. if you're not a duck hunter, What do. you. Was I wrong? If really people were buying. decorative dolls. They were just fine. Any Scott like, they just wanted. that. I mean, unless you had on a shelf. Well, it was just the they wanted a. piece of the show and that was that. was the piece they wanted. Duck calls that you sell. I like million.

and a half or something crazy duck. calls. Yeah. And the year before we'd done. 50,000. So 50,000 to 1.5. million. That's crazy. It's insane. It's insane. We were working 24. hours a day. I had. Cruz. I had. everybody who could possibly. How much child labor? Not much child labor. So for hours and hours worked. What did your kids think of the. whole thing? That's what I was. I mean, I think that's your big. fear. I mean, your fear.

Is, is how is it going to how does. it play with them? Yeah. I always say this year in life I've. been able to do a lot of things. and most of the things my kids. are going to do or have done, I've. already done, you know, I'm in. college, I have children, get married, you know, move well, I. mean, the. only thing I had zero experience. with was being famous. at a young age. Yeah, I understood it at 40. because I was 41 when the show came. out. But being 16, you know, I had.

no idea. And also, you've. got. The beginning of social media, too. So that's new as well. And so. Yeah, I think they. Probably struggle, you know, with. some of it and certainly. some aspects of it. understood the good of it and, you know, figure out a way. how to use it, you know, use what it. was for for the good and then. ditch the stuff that was. So they're not mad about it now. No, they're. Not. How many are married?

Four. Five. How do you get your kids to. get married so young? Yeah. I don't know. I didn't encourage. it. You didn't? Well, that was the day I told you. about Cordy's parents. You know her dad's mad. You're too young. This what made me mad? I said, how were you? 1985. Sounds like you're the same age.

we were. We I mean, it is. Interesting that because he couldn't. say, we waited and. But now they wanted to get you know, they got around the same age and. they got married as well. But it's not like I said, here's. how we're doing around these parts, you know? I know. They just. Now, I don't know if I'm the right. one and then make a commitment. and go. It's pretty great. Yeah, it really is. great. Well, it's great because in your. young lung,

I've got eight grandkids on a young, young grandparent. I mean, it's fine when you're younger, you know? You're not. So how long did the show go? Five years. 130 episodes. What they ended. There were a lot of reasons, I. think. When it gets more expensive, it just keeps getting more. expensive. You know, everything. goes up, you know, like.

Your fees go up when. Everything goes up. Not just ours. Everybody, you know, production. Everybody's on high. If this keeps, you know, generating. income and. and so, you know, it's. I'm assuming I mean I think. it's like a baseball player. Like you're paying a guy. $10 million at first base. He hits 25 home runs. We could pay a guy 5000. Maybe he'll hit. Maybe he hit 12 home runs. Good enough. We'll save the. millions. I'm sure that you're like, we could. make other shows,

and some of it just played out. I mean it. Like, you just kind of run. out of it. Like, what's. What are we doing? You know, it's. like, Yeah, is that more kids and. stuff? It's like you've done so many. home 130 episodes with two. storylines, 260 story. as a last, you know? Yeah, we were certainly ready. I mean, we were ready for a break. It was all just a lot of work. And I mean, the first year man, we. filmed. Yeah, we filmed ten months.

that year. Yeah, this is not some couple. of month. The, you know, this is not. like how. Many days a week? The first year we did six days. a week and we did. even some Sundays, Sunday. afternoons. Just get them. And we were just. That's. It was hard. Months, six days a week. It was hard. It was hard. to the lot. But we were just, you know, at that. point, we're like, figure it out. And then they were just it became. so popular, it must. Have gotten close. They wanted more. Everybody was.

like, we need more, we need more, we. need more. And so I was like, keep. making them. Keep making them. And so finally were like, time out, you know, renegotiate. And so part of that we went to. Monday through 30 schedules, gives. us day off at least a day to go the. house. I mean, to go the doctor to. get your stuff, you know, stuff. you need to do. because it's not like you worked. every day, but you're on the. schedule for that long. So some days you may not be, you know, may not be on that. afternoon, you know, till it comes. out, you know, on the schedule kind. of where you're at. Did you ever feel misrepresented by.

the show? No, because, you know. I kind of played a part like I. had a part that I played on the show. and it was kind of consistent. of it just kept me. It was authentic. I mean, it was like, I'm the CEO, I'm the head guy. And so I think in order. to make some of it were, you know, you kind of had to have. the bad guy, you know, sometimes. Yeah. And I mean, it's kind. of the sort of comedy comes. from, you know, it's like you think.

about like the stories you think. about in school or in church growing. up. You know, one of the funniest. thing is this one, you're really in. trouble, right? Of course. It's so funny. Like, you can't stop laughing. So some of that was it was kind of. like that, you know, let them do. stuff. And then and then I believe. this is just, you know, and like, because it was stupid, but it's. that's kind of, you know, so for my. role in it and and then I was. also the guy that narrated you. through the show so I had to keep. you had to keep you up.

on what was going on. because because people get confused. They get and if you get confused. and if you don't if you can't figure. a show out, you're just change the. channel, of course, because it makes. you feel dumb. Yeah. And you're like, I shouldn't. watch this, you know, because I. can't figure it out. Did you watch the shows? We did. I did. I don't. I never liked watching. really myself, not like watching. speeches or other stuff. But we watched that one together. because half of the show, I never. knew what happened because it wasn't. the parts I was in.

Right. Meanwhile, down. at the river. And so I didn't see that stuff. And it was hilarious. I've been watching it go and this is. so funny because I didn't know what. that was. I was watching it with everybody. else in the world. And so it was so funny how I would. get so taken at some of the stuff. they would do. So we would watch it together. We, like my family, would all get together and. the kids were younger, so it was. cool for them to be able to, you. know, kind of see themselves on TV.

How were they treated at school. because of it? Different. I mean, everybody's. treated different, you know. But they were. it was. Probably were. Good. Probably good and bad. You know, they. didn't go to school as much as. like they were out of school a lot. So we had a teacher there on set. just because it was a lot of days. So they weren't. they just had to do a lot of the. school, say they did a ton of school. from from the house just because.

that's what she had to do. But they were there in a Christian. school and they. were pretty lenient. I mean, not. on the grades they were lenient on. They let them play sports and they. could still participate and stuff. like that, you know, even though. they were kind of doing school from. afar. What year did it end the show? 12 to 17 maybe. So it would have to end itself. I mean, at some point you're going. to run into the political problem, right? Show like that. Yeah.

When you say political problem, well, I mean. I don't know. You know, you. You live in Louisiana. You run a hunting related company. and you're Christian. Now you're probably going to reach a. different political conclusion, probably to be pro-Trump. I mean, just judging by all that. That is true. Yeah, that was Trump. Yeah. Most of the show was President. Obama. That was yeah, he was the. president. And yeah, Trump was right there. Did you address that on the show or. remember that? Trump? No. No, no, we didn't.

We didn't because it kind of. wasn't that kind of it wasn't like. really reality like that. It wasn't like you didn't see stuff. from. Right. The like, I mean, we would be. filming at a grocery store. We'd have to turn the magazines. around because we would be on the. cover. Of the My Power bill on the. show. Then they like, Hey. It's two fourth wall coming. It was a little. It was a little. But yeah, Trump was now that. was right when Trump. Yeah, I kind of I. stick my toe in the water a little.

bit on that one. On the air. You did? No, just in life. Yeah. Just with Trump and. Well, yeah, I mean, it's a different. world now, though, right? I mean. Well, my mom's a little naive. I just thought, well, this is cool, You know, I. like. I like when I first. heard about thought, that's all we. need. We need a business guy. We need the guy you with these. Politicians, we need a bit. That's exactly who we need. Yeah. And and he had. a reality TV show, so I was. Like, hey, he's like, so.

Yeah. And so I made him a. fighter. So first time I met him, I was doing I. was in Oklahoma City. My son was speaking at something. Okay. I went to hear him speak. We had been al cunning, not my Osama man and buddy. We're al cunning and. the dude has a plan. I said, Hey, can we stop in here? My son's giving a speech. Yeah. Cool. So when we go in there. and see him, we're at lunch.

And this guy said, Hey, guess who's in town? I said, Who? He said, Trump. He's done a lot of his rallies. This is back. 15. And now he's doing these right. He was at the Oklahoma State Fair, and I was like, we got to go. We got to go. This is awesome, you know? And I had just met. Don Junior, who's a hunter. And that's how I certainly that's. how we met each other. And we just met and talked. And so.

I emailed him or texted him and. said, Hey, your dad's doing this. rally. I was going to go check it out. And he's like, I'll set it up. And I. remember I got a police officer. because I was like, There's no way I. can go this Oklahoma State and like, I'm going to get mobbed at this. place, you know? And I may be more recognizable. than Donald Trump in Oklahoma City. at this in 2015. And so. I show I have this cop with me. I get there's an RV in the back.

So it's like a outdoor, you know, the giant crowd, you know, it's outdoor thing. There's an RV. So I get on this RV, me and my. buddies and. then my cop friend, and. there's these other people and. there's like, cater person. There's an air patrol. And this this is funny story. There's a dude on there, and he comes up to me, he's got an. earpiece, but he's like, got. Beat short silence. You know.

Who is this guy? I said. What do you. He said, Can I. Get a picture? I said, Yeah. I said, What do you do? Because I didn't know who worked for. Trump. Trump's not there yet. Yeah. And he goes, I do all kinds of. stuff, you know? He said, Do you want to see my gun? Now. I've been around. You've been. around enough? Has any security person ever asked. you, Do you want to see my gun? No. No, that's not a no, it's not a. thing. I'm looking at this cargo. Well, so I'll take a picture. And.

Corey Lewandowski is on the bus. He goes, if you will, get off the bus. And so these people start getting. off the bus, right? And so here comes. the whole entourage, you. know, and Trump gets out first. I met him. Please, I will lay low. Well, you see the crowd. here, 2000. and he goes, even for you, it's. huge. Right? And there's a huge crowd for some. I like it. And so I'm kind of like my buddies. are just like, this is the funniest.

thing ever. I look back on the escort. as I look back. That dude, he said he had a gun. is talking to Trump. He didn't get off the bus. and he's got like his book or. something. And I could see like Trump. does, he just looks and that's back. when he had those like giant. security guards. You know, this is. he wasn't the president. And, you know, he used to have like. six. Foot nine guys. So try to escape this. Look, there's a look here. They kind of go, is that day with. you? I said, no, he's not with me.

I said, and he said. He had a gun. And when I said that, well, they grabbed. this guy like by the. back and. just threw the visor. and Trump said, these. files are everywhere. And so I was like and they're all. looking at I could tell me. And I looked out my say, what. kind of operation you're running. here I was in that really made it. bad because they're not making fun. of their security.

But it was a true story like this. Did was he? Thankfully, I had the cop. It was a detective from Oklahoma. City. So later, a week. later, he calls me. He says, Willie, he said, I found. out about you, about that guy. He brought the. Porta potties in. to the fair and. they tells the fair director. Anything else? I can help you if I. do. Well, they start putting to work. doing. He has an earpiece because. they're tell him his whole thing was.

he want to get Trump signs book. He did the whole thing he goes he. didn't even know you were going to. be there. You were a bonus. because he was excited to get the. picture of me in that. Well, that's amazing. So. So I'm on the bus. So. So Trump's fixing to speak. Well, when I went to this deal, my wife, I said, look, Trump. speaking. We're going to go over and. check it out. She says, Willie, do not. do not get on that stage. And I said, don't worry, I'm out of this.

I'm not getting involved. Bobby Jindal was run. He was a friend of mine. I was like, nah, nah, nah. I ain't doing any of that stuff. And so before he gets out the vote, he goes, Willie, did you want. to get up, say anything to the. crowd? And I said, Nah, nah, nah. I was probably a man. I'm good. I'm you. go ahead. You know, but I thought, you know, how about these. politicians, you know, the half. hour, he's not a politician, so. maybe we'll do it. So I got to and I'm like, he gets on the stage and I thought, if he's on there, he's going to go.

off the bat. And so there's a stairwell. And so I'm kind of hiding in this. because I don't want to I don't. really want to be seen at this. point. You know, I'm like. Some might be like, there's Willie. Robertson might not. I look like him, you know? And I'm kind of like laying in the. stairwell and I'm thinking right off. the bat he's going to go like. Hey, guess who's here? You know. Nothing. Trump just goes into speech. He's China. He's he's 30 minutes. deep by this time. I'm we're we're to laugh and we're. like, this is the funniest thing.

ever. You know, I never dreamed it'd. be the first day I was like this is. courtesy you know and. and Trump 30 minutes deep. He just stops. He looks right and goes, Where's. Willie? My heart stopped out, went, my gosh. Please tell me he knows. another guy named Willie. At the Oklahoma State Fair. and he just starts walking out of. the show. He goes, Well, how's. Willie? And where is he at? Yeah, and nobody knows who he's. talking to. Everybody's gone. Who's? Well, my. buddy is going, Willie, you've got.

to go up there. And I said, I look. like I'm not prepared to go. up on the stage. He's like, He's. calling for you on the stage. So I pop. Up on the stage. Where everybody goes crazy. Like it was like, my God. Well, I'll go with them. I went to the crowd. and so I leaned and shook his hands. The good job is to try to kill. him. As I was. And. And I go to pull away. He doesn't let go of my hand. He just holds it. And I'm like going the trunk trap.

And I'm going, and he's how? And he goes, Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. I got something. He said, Do y'all know who this is? My guys. Hey, guys. This is the biggest television. star in a. price gone crazy. You know, he's a Willie Robert. Duck down to say, Hey, I got one question for Willie. I Yeah. And I'm like, play. And he goes, Do you love Trump? And just have.

You ever feel like you can't trust. the things you hear or read? Like every news source. is hollow, distorted or clearly. just propaganda lying to you? Well, you're not imagining it. If the last few years have proven. anything, it's that legacy. media exists. to distort the truth and to control. you, to gatekeeper information from. the public instead of letting you. know what's actually going on. They don't want either of them. But there is, however, a publication. that fights this. that is not propaganda.

One that we read every month and. have for many years is called in. Primus. It's from Hillsdale College in. Michigan, and Primus is a free. speech digest that features. some of the best minds in the. country addressing the questions. that actually matter, the ones that. are not addressed in the Washington. Post or on NBC News. The best part of it, it is free. No cost whatsoever, no strings. attached. They just send it to. Hillsdale, will send in Primus right. to your house, no charge. All you got to do is ask. Go to Tucker for hillsdale.com. and subscribe for free today.

that's Tucker for hillsdale.com. The only way this stays a democracy. is if the citizenry is informed. You can't fight tyranny if you don't. know what's going on in Primus helps. it's free. Don't worry. Sign up. Now that's the trickiest. question ever. Tucker My brain is coming. so fast on my because there's a. situation. We've got 10,000 people here. They're all there Is they here, They're there to see me. And he's asked me these super. awkward questions.

I'm like, I've already endorsed. Bobby Jindal. I'm like, What am I? Yeah. As I listen. to the mike and I go, Yeah, yeah, I. do like me some Trump. Everybody cheers, you know? And I said it. Trump's behind me with his hands on. my shoulder. He's ready to I. say the wrong things to me. And then I said, Here's the deal. Me and Mr. Trump have three things.

in common. We both had successful television. shows. We both were successful at. Business, and we both married people. that look way better than we do. They come from a city of. it's all welcome to the deal. And I'm still just like literally. Kind of shaking from the whole. experience. And. again, the stairwell, my buddies. gone, my gosh, I can't believe that. just happened. My phone just immediately. starts going crazy, just buzzing,

buzzing. And so I'm looking at it and I'm. like, no, you know what? I started now. It's all my buddies going, my gosh, we just saw you on Tell You How I. got you on the and what I'm saying. a screenshot transmission with a. sign, you know, and he's behind me. like this. And then there's my wife's. And I went, no. And she said, Did you just endorse. Trump for president? So I just screenshot the picture and. I said, It doesn't know. Why would you say that? Yes, I do not get on stage and.

and there. I am on the stage. And the next day. I got in an Uber car in. Oklahoma City to go to the airport. I'm sitting right beside this. driver, little old guy. He looks at me. Guess what did you fellows do last. night? And I said, We went to the. Oklahoma State Fair. He goes, So did I. He goes, I went to see Donald Trump. I said, Did you? He goes, He's going to be the next. president. Of the United States. I said, Do you think so? He said, yeah, yeah, we.

believe in him. He's going to be the president. And I said, Do you see that dude? I got up in the middle of the. speech. I'm this far, though. He goes, You know who that was? Willie Robert. And from Duck Dynasty. He flew in just to endorse. Father. And I said, Really? He goes, yeah. He's a huge fan of Mr. Trump. Yeah, he's a big television guy, and I'm sure I am. And I said, Sara, do you know. who I am? He looks at me, goes, No idea.

I said, I'm that dude. I'm well, I was on the stage. And I thought, he's going to freak. out. He goes. You had a different bandana on. I said, I did have a Denver bandana. Yeah. Yeah. I didn't recognize you. with that other bandana home. So that's how I met. Have you ever met him again? I have, yeah. I saw him a couple. Of more times. He did? Well, Don Junior came. The house haunted. that when we set up,

we set a fire. Well, Phil made. Me so mad at my dad. So, Dad, I. go. So Don Junior is going to come duck. out with us because I'm coming down. the stockyards. Perfect. He said, Well, I'm going to Mexico. for my anniversary. Four days. Four days. I'm in Mexico. So I go to Mexico. Yeah. And your phones are jacked up. down there. You know, it's like. numbers come in. So I'm leaving the Mex Mexico. airport. Come to America. I get this car.

I don't. But it doesn't say who it. is. I answer it. This dude is talking so fast. Am I? He is nowhere within. a thousand miles of where I live in. the south. But it was a northern accent. He is. And I'm like. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who is this? He goes, It's Don Junior. I say, Hey, what's up? I say, we own Honda. And he goes, I don't know if I can. come. I don't know. I don't know. We're still we've got to figure it. out. I said, what happened? He was like, Because of what.

Your dad did. Like, I've been gone for four days. I'm like, four days. What? Who has he offended? What is he done? And I counter says, my my dad, he lives on. The end of a dead end street. Does not have a cell phone. Does not have a computer. But somehow he can get messages out. all. Over the world, like instant. And it's amazing how he can how he. can do this. Mike, what did he do? He said he endorsed. Ted Cruz. I said, no. I was like, where did that come.

from? He goes, There's commercials. So there's commercials. In four days he has met. Ted. Cruz and he has endorsed Ted Cruz. And there's commercials. He goes, yes, they're playing right. now. So pull up the commercial. fills. And it says. in the Doug plan. So it's Ted, and they've all got a face that's. got this face, but it doesn't. look like it's in play. He's scared to death.

Like everyone's like that, choosing. their, you know, spits come out of. their mouth. And then there's Ted. Cruz. Like, I. use my. face, my family. Where are you guys? We're voting for Daddy Cruz. He's a brother in Christ. We're all voting for him and. insinuate like we're we're all. like the whole Duck Dynasty. Cruz about when I'm not there. Obviously, I'm in Mexico. I went, my God. So I call the house. Mom answers the phone.

I said, Mom, where's Phil? He's in the woods. I said, Well, crap, I got to talk to you because you. guys are trying to find him. I said. She goes, What's wrong with you? I said, He just made. a commercial with Ted Cruz. Nobody. These are the things you have to. tell me. Like I'm saying, you have. to let me in on. And she goes, now he is. going to be mad over that. He knew you like Trump. But, you know, Ted Cruz showed up. with a bunch of TV cameras. And I don't know that next thing.

I know. And I said, Well, Mom, he. said, we're. All voting for him. We're not all. Us. And she goes, No, no, no. He didn't mean. All you boys. He meant all the Christians. I said, Mom, I'm a Christian. Well, you know what I mean. So, okay, so he's. So he said. So he said so. Don jr. Finally, chis I r I'm going to. He was like, I'm not coming down. there. If you're endorsing, you. know, is it your.

sus. We're going, we're going to set up. dag so we're going to burn him on. this and don you to come down ducats. and you know he's lights. out. Yeah. Yeah. And I knew it. So, you know, he's in. jail now, so Dad's blown away. And so what a good. shot Don is. Yeah. Yeah. And so. So I reached out to Hannity Handy. I said, put. me and Phil on the show. I'm back. And Trump,

he's back and Cruz. Apparently and as. a hammer said that. Suck it up so we get on the. show. Dad and I are going after. And I said, hang on. I've got. One question to ask Phil. On the show. I said, you very recently went duck. hunting with Ted Cruz and he also. went hunting with Trump. I just said Trump. I didn't say that. as a child. I said. Dad. Who exactly is the better hunter? Phil said, I ain't a doubt about. it. That came from New York. His shoes.

I got him saying that Cruz was an. attacker because. I asked Dad, is that all I can at. the Brazile about? Finally, truth. Cruz dropped out, thank goodness. And so then. they all came on board. You've been on board ever since. He has been. He has been. I mean, is there anyone in the world. that I mean, I think things have. changed since then, of course. But like the world that you live in. is probably pretty much under. percent. Trump At this point.

Yeah. I mean, down there. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. I mean, I think it's. Well, now it is for sure. I mean, like, did you have a lot of. friends voting? Kamala Harris. Yeah. I mean, we're just because. I know a lot of people outside. the A.O.. Know, I. Mean, in production. Yeah. I mean, I've done tons of TV. I mean, so, yeah, I've got friends. all over who were and we had. great debates, but it's the way it should be. Like we debate, well, I wish were.

friends, you know, and. then I can certainly look at Trump. and call them like. That doesn't make sense. Ah, that's not how I feel or that's. not what I would say. That's ugly or that's unkind or. whatever it is. And so. and this year I will staying out of. it. I really wasn't because of the. book, because I when I wrote this. book and I said, I don't want to get. pulled it. I want this message. to come out, you know, Yeah, I want. the mess of the gospel and I. don't want it to get. gummed up with an I understand, you.

know, because I was and I'm I was. the first speaker in the 2016. convention. I was the first. You were. You don't remember? No. That powerful message I like. Golly, Tucker. Where were you? I think I was just in a cloud of. euphoria to the. And you're and now you got remember. 16 when I went out. there, they were like, all right, look, we don't know how this is. going to go, remember, because they. were fighting. They were they didn't. know where they were going to walk. off or. Yeah. So they were like. Good luck, Willie, because I was.

the. First gal like, I was the first guy. on the stage. And Don Junior called and he said. My father wants you to speak at the. convention. I was like, And I. was gathering my breath to say. no. Because I was just going to be like. Because in my mind, I thought I was. like 45 minutes. I was like, I don't have 45 minutes. I may on politics, you know, and I'm God. And I said. I said, let me check my schedule. That's what I said. Let me check my. schedule Now. He goes, okay, well, check your. schedule and I'll get back with it. So like the next day someone calls.

some lady calls and says, Hey, so we've got you scheduled. You're the first speaker. And I'm fixing to tell her like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I don't I. didn't I didn't say yes, you know? And she goes, you're the first one. up. You go for three minutes. And I went, Three minutes. That's a commercial break. Yeah, of course I'll do three. minutes, you know. And so I was yes, I was first speak. in the 16th. What did you say? I can't even remember. I mean, it was not that I was like, I really. Don't. Do you think he was going to. win that year?

I did. Did you think he's going to win this. year? I did. Why? Well, I thought he had a really good. I mean, I was a little. I called it at 833. Central Time that night. when I saw Virginia, North. Carolina. Since our. president was close, I was like, it's over. Yeah. I mean, I just I wasn't sure about. North Carolina. That was only state. that confuses me sometimes. But Virginia, I mean, I think. he was winning like, you know, like. early on, I was like, it's a.

and I told my family, I'd texted. my friends and Trump wins, it's over. But yeah, I had a good I had a good. sense about it. It just it felt like it did in 610. It felt like I was just kind of. looking at the culture and looking. at what people were saying. I was like, These got a lot of. people that are, you know, because it wasn't it wasn't as weird. as it was before. Like that was kind of cool. It was like you weren't ostracized. as much. My six things,

I mean, there was it was. people did not like him in 20 my. gosh, whichever covid them. in the whole Covid. And I said that year probably. my earlier that year somebody asked. me who I was. When I saw Trump, I. said, Trump's got this. There's no way he can lose the. economy strong. We're safe. We're not in the war. I said That said, that's game over. I said, unless something really. weird happens. I said that like they. Manufacture a virus in China. And then the weird thing happened. and they go.

And. But I went to bed last. time thinking I went to bed. And 20 here I was like, it's over. But she fell asleep before they. Got to the. Polling places. And I was like. So here's a question you shouldn't. have to think about, but probably. do. What would you do. if your family needed life saving. medication and you couldn't get any? You hate to think you're going to. face that. We depend on our supply chains all. the way from Asia to here, thousands. of miles across the Pacific Ocean.

But let's be honest. That chain is fragile. Just one weather event, one. container ship accident, an. unexpected crisis. A war. We're on the brink of a. couple and suddenly you can't get. the medication that you need that. your family needs. Now, people are going to tell you, don't worry about it, Calm down. Everything is fine. All right. But why not spend a little bit. of money to make sure everything. actually will be fine? And that's what the J. J. S case comes in J. S e case. It's not paranoid.

It's planning. The J. Case is a simple portable. supply of emergency medications. Once you actually will need the you. can keep at home. So you're totally prepared. It's better to be too early than too. late, though. At this point. Nobody thinks we're going to be too. early with this. Check it out for yourself, Cottages.com. Jay Seacom and. use the code Tucker for a discount. That's Jay Stockholm promo code. Tucker. You should do it. We have. Did anyone in the, you know, in. Louisiana have questions about. that election?

2020. All of me. That's what I thought. My. We've all got questions, but I don't understand what it is. like. I was like, I've listened to people. over time. There's tons of people who question. that stuff always. They quite. Like. You know, they question like, was it done right? Was it, you know, I mean, I didn't realize it was a crime to. question, just to. make sure that I. Did everything right.

because it. Seemed strange. Maybe it wasn't, but. It was strange. Yeah. Yeah. I think the people in Louisiana are. all, you know. Yeah, it was pretty awful. A few cities were waiting, though. We'll let you know tomorrow how much. we're behind. Yeah. Yeah. They had to tell you the. number of votes they needed. So what's the new show? Yeah, we have a we are getting. back into production. It's kind of like the next.

generation of Duck Dynasty. So my kids are older. Well, so since 2000. 17. 2024? Yeah. A lot's happened. The cast has grown up. and then everybody else is still. around. And so, yeah. So. back with Annie. We met and they said, Hey, you guys should, you know, kind of redoing the show. And the fellow. at the time was right. Met with the. family, prayed about it, was like, I.

think the kids are excited and said, Yeah, let's show. You know, we. realized, Tucker, what. you know, we talk about the long. show and it's like it's our work, whatever, you know? I mean, it's a lot. But man, when you talk to people and. they tell you like, how much that. meant to them and how much, I can't tell you how many people. just like. it was what my dad and I watched. together and my mom passed away. I was like the last, you know, was. the only thing that we could laugh. at together. And we watched as a. family. And I have like 25.

year olds even here. I mean, these kids are like when I. was eight, I watched every show you. had and just, you know, watching the. prayer at the end, just watching. our family be positive with our, you know, the roles were correct. And it wasn't a lot of, you know, just darkness and stuff. that people watch. And it wasn't just a train wreck. And so it's really inspiring. You're like, man, you know, it's. good to make something, especially when it came out. originally, you know, it was a. pretty much a little bright light.

amongst a lot of, you know, some dark stuff out there, some dark. TV. So so. I think when you can do that and you. can provide that for people. There's no pressure at all from. Your corporate masters to change. anything or make it? No, I mean, I actually I mean, to be. honest, you. I feel stronger now. than I would then because they know. who we are, you know? Yeah. I mean, they know we're all. But it's not like. I mean, back then, they didn't know. They were like, I think they're. religious. Yeah. Yeah.

But now, obviously. over the past. Well, perhaps since 2000, you know, the last 12 years, you. know where we stand. You know what we're what our morals. are. You know what's important to. us. And. And we have a lot of followers. You know, I'm saying, like, we have. social media and society has. millions of people. You know, my kids have followers. They you know, so a lot of people. are interested in that. And it's. it's they're interested in. I think they want to be entertained. But they also, you know, I think. they learn stuff. I think they can watch and learn.

Yeah. A lot of people. Who watch their show are like, well, we never prayed like we never prayed. before a meal. We didn't even know, you know, And we started trying. that, you know, probably more. often than not, even the praying. They rarely ever sat down and even. played together anymore. That's a gone. That's the saddest thing. They were like, we never even. We never even have dinner. Everybody's just grabbing and going, you know, I'll meet you there. Mitch said the day I go to the. ballpark, you know? And so this whole idea of just. sitting down and just spending time.

with each other at dinner was. becoming a foreign concept. And so I think people can learn and. they can be like, that's, you know, maybe they can't. They don't have the family. We do. Maybe they don't have. maybe everybody doesn't live there. like that, but they can kind of live. through that and kind of, you know, start their own, you know, traditions or doing something more. as a family and realizing, you know, the importance of it. And and then also just. taking a break and not, you know, I. think what I love about the guys was.

we didn't take ourselves too. seriously. We had fun. We laughed and God, I mean, do we need that? I mean, we. Yeah, need some, you know, everybody. So I think if you had written this. book ten years ago, it would have. seemed pretty weird. You know, was reality. TV show writing a book about. spreading the gospel? Right. Does not seem weird now. Do you think the country's changed? I think it's changing. Yeah. I think it's I think it's. certainly changing. I think people are looking for.

answers. That's why I wrote the. book. I think. the thing we get so lethargic and. some of this was even like even in. churches, they get they just get. lethargic and they get off. You know, you got to know what your. goal is and we're kind of what. you're here for and what your. mission, you know, what your. mission. Your mission. Well, I take my mission from. Matthew 28, which is the. it's labeled as the great. Commission. Then Jesus says, go out and make. disciples of all nations. Baptize people. Teach people three things.

Three specific ideas. make disciples, baptize. people, teach people. So those are the last things he said. for he left. Like, make sure you do. this. So when that's your mission. He's think about what you've got to. do to accomplish those three things. They probably had to have. conversations with people. Yeah. If you're going to make a. disciple out of them, if you're. going to baptism, if you're going to. teach them, you're going to have to. have some sort of conversation. And so what I find is people, if. your mission in life is. as a as a Christian, if you're.

like, well, I'll try. to go to church as often as I can, I. try to be a good person. Nothing in of itself wrong with. that. That's not a mission. And what happens is the mission, because comes a little self. I go to church so I can listen. So I can learn, so I can try to get. through my week, you know? And everything's becomes inward. Those three things Jesus said were. outward. It's out, out, out. Other people. Other people. Other people. Not just you. It's other people. And again, back to. my father. He was sitting at a bar.

The guy drives up there. Why? Why? He's not going to be a member of his. church. He doesn't have any money. He's a reprobate. You know, who's got a terrible. reputation. What drove him to drive. up there that hour? Drive? Walk into that bar. What drove him to do that? It was just for him. Just for that guy. Yeah. And I thought. I thought. Wow. I don't know if I would when I drop. out, you know, But he. did that. It literally changed.

my life. It changed my whole family's life. and that would have been it. I'm not a big prosperity. guy like. And look what God has. done. You know, look at what. He gave us. It paid off. Didn't matter if it. just changed our life. And kept our family together. Worth it. When I said we're worth it, I got to see my dad and grow. up with two parents worth it, you. know? Then you look over time as then Dad. took that and then never went. about this for money or fame or. anything. I.

really pushed that away more than. embraced it even when I showed you. the show. And he's like, No, you. know. And that was that was a little. different, too, with that. We didn't get an email was sent. to us. A company came to us, The network came to us. We weren't trying to go. become famous. Right. And so you see a lot today, You know, people are like, I'll do. whatever it takes to get famous, you. know? And so there's no authenticity. there. It's like, we want. You to do this.

Fine, I'll do it. Well, I'll be. famous. Yes. And I'll do it. You know. Why would you want to be famous? Why would. Anyone. I don't know. It seems like a lot of. I mean, from from me do. People want to be famous. What do you think you are famous. What do you think of it? It has its good parts about. it. What are those? The people I've been able to meet? Yeah. I wouldn't know you if I wasn't. Yeah, well, you wouldn't have.

invited me on this podcast. Had another TV show. You know. I don't know. I ran into an elevator. in Nashville. That's true. But you thought I was a homeless. guy. I did. Yeah. He put money in my car. So it's filled. With desperate. People. Anyway, I did a spin. of my cover, and he said he. looked at me and he said, Did you. spin your first words? You said to me. You said, Did you. spend that kind of deposit in. An elevator as a potential friend of. mine? That's how I feel about. You started doing your little. maniacal laugh and he started.

laughing so hard. And it was. so funny because of all the people. I was expecting them to say it was. a joke. That you do. I didn't expect to. catch Willie Robertson, dip it in an. elevator, but that was it. I was I was. Headed to my room. I'd been promoting this book. And. And you happened to be there as. well, which is how this all ended. up. And I think, God. You know, I don't know. I think I was like that. I think it puts people together. and, you know. Just seems too weird to me. Not. So I think there's those. opportunities that people have and.

they meet and somebody take. advantage of somebody down. Some you miss and you're like, crap, you know? And yeah, but I just, I don't know. I mean, why. he did that in the Bible, you know? Yeah, there was, there was things. moving around and so. So it could be for that person. Could be for someone else. Could be for something completely. different. You know, some situation. that maybe needs to to get out. And so, but it was interesting. that I had written this. book. I decided this year, I'm. not jumping in this even though so.

tempting. I tried to get me to, you know, get involved, you know, and. and I really just said, now I'm not. and I'm I'm just going to promote. this book. And then and then. I made sure. And then you said, hey, you should. come on the podcast. And it was scheduled for a few. months ago. And I went. I'm going to get pulled into the. holidays. I was like. I said, I'm going to get pulled into. this thing. And and then. as it turned around and spun around,

we still did podcast after the. election. And then, yeah, then that was kind of the commitment. I made. Just don't get so in. because I didn't want to mess. I don't, I don't care. Well, I. really don't care. Like if it's. the gospel or some political agenda. I'm going with the gospel every time. because this is the power. This is, you know, if we can change. peoples, you know, I just saw. thought it may change me but. it like somebody like my father can. change people's lives and turn them. into completely different. people.

And so that's what I want to get to. people. You know. Politics turns people into. completely different people, too, but really for the better. Right. I mean, it it has its place in. it, you know, And I and I'm. not casting aspersions. on people who, you know, want. our country to be, you know, a great country. And, but we're, you know. I'm not even one that says we have. or we have to. Everything's got to be like you.

have to be Christians in every. position I'm in. I mean, now that's. okay. I mean, we can work together. and figure that out. Let the gospel. do it. It does. And let politics. do what it does and let government, you. Know, so almost like render. under Caesar what is Caesar's and. Exactly. Exactly. Where do you get that? So yeah because and that's. the thing head back to. mission. So I'm into that mission. like disciples baptize people teach. people not to you.

know, I think if. Jesus wanted us to just make. sure your government is, he would have talked about it, right? You said, yeah, let's. lay out a plan and and all that. because it was, you know, under. these governmental things that he. was going to end up being crucified. anyway. So. then those things are there there of. the world. I mean, they're, you. know, they're here and they come and. they die and they go away and they. change and, you know, stuff. happens. And, you know, I was like, if we if that's where. we end up. And I do think there's.

a lot of darkness for sure, but they need the gospel. They don't need better programs. and. DC you know, and that's what I'll change it. look, now families are staying. together. And you know, that's not going. to be it's not going to be that way. And it's going to be. when the church wakes up and decides. to go out and and. have that kind of mission. You know, it's to go after. But we can't hate each other. That's the problem. We can't hate. each other because that's the day. I mean, I can't and.

I saw that so much in this one guy. I got roasted. I mean, people get in my face and. if I said the wrong like. If I said, I'm not, I'm writing this. book and I'm not. Doing as much with and people are. just like, work. This country is right. We're not going to have our country. tomorrow. But what I like about that. is this like my fall. It's like. Like they're telling me. it's my fault that I'm not in my. house. Not my fault, you know? And that's what we got to. And then it was just bullying.

everywhere. Everybody's just bullying. everybody. I mean, certainly saw that with, you. know, the Democrats being bullying. or you better vote this, you know, like like we're telling you what to. do. And I'm just not good at people. telling me what. So I'm like, you know. Tell me what to do. Don't you know, vote. for more than that. Now, as I know you got to do more. You know, you've got to go out and. you know, and do all this. I understand their their passion and. all that. But we've got to let. people and. some of that's the part it's their. job is to win the vote.

You know, it doesn't answer the. deepest questions like what happens. when you die, right? It doesn't address that. So when. You die. Yeah. Yeah. When you die. When you die. So my last question is, if. I do think a lot of people are all. of a sudden wondering, like, is. there something beyond what. we can see. here, feel and taste? I mean, is there, you know, is there. a spiritual realm? Is there a God? And I people all around. me are asking those questions.

What would you recommend to them? Like how to pursue that? You something stirs in you. You think, wow, maybe I should learn. more. Right? I mean, I found those answers in the. in the Bible and particularly in the. New Testament. You know, that's where I found those. answers. That comes down to the. faith. Like. you've got to have. this faith and you're going to have. to jump and. believe something that you can't. see. It's interesting how people can't do.

that. I mean, I was talking to a guy. one time. I was having one of these. conversations. I don't know if this. story's in the book, but there's a. lot in there for having the stories. I am I don't believe in faith. I don't I don't see it. I don't believe it. You know, And he was he just got married. And I said and we're at the we're at. a hunting camp. And I said, where's your wife right now? He's like, she's at home. And she's I said, I bet she's. with another guy. And he said. I love how you proselytize. Yeah. And he said, No, she's not.

And I can tell he's mad. as hell. Yeah. He's been married like six months. I said, now for sure she's, she's with another guy like no. doubt. And he goes, no she's not. You know, we. What are you doing? I said, How do. you know she's not? Because. Because I trust her. And I said. So you do have faith in something. that you can't see. And he went. I've never thought about it that way. because atheist, he was a he said, I'm an atheist. I don't believe in. any of this stuff.

And so it was just a small. move, though. We moved him off. Of that position. Now we have moved him to. There are some things that even. though I can't see it, I. have faith. Why do more preachers not. start with that? I bet your wife's. sleeping with somebody else. that works. Maybe they have got enough hunting. camps. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, for me, though, what else? I mean, like. He's an atheist. Also say.

Okay, good luck with that. Let me know how that works for you. You know, I mean. I'm trying to think of. Paul says in the New Testament, Paul. knew the gospel better than anybody. who's a writer. And he says, Pray for me that the mystery of the. gospel can come out of my mouth more. clearly. He's praying that it can. come out more clearly. My question is why? Why is he he knows this. like he wrote it. You know, he's writing. because someone opened it somewhere.

given. He's gone. So you have to keep coming at, like, keep asking more questions, Keep. Maybe I'm not asking the right. questions. There's a story in the book, a. beautiful story of a guy that I just. kept. And kept trying. To. He had. problems with his brain. Like he had lesions on. I was on that and I was like, He's. going to die. I, I don't think he's a Christian. I don't think he's a believer. And. I'm just like, Hey, man, we thought. about heaven and how he would say. the same thing every time to me. Well, he who had not sin.

cast the first stone. That's what he would say it was. He was quoting a scripture, and I knew it. That man, that's. that's redneck for I don't want to. hear what you got to say. Like, yeah, I'm not. And I was like. So I could have thought, well, I. tried, you know, I'll get to heaven. I tried to remember. I told you four times and every time. he just the desert desert while. And so finally, we're in a car. We're in New York City working on a. business deal. We talked about. money. Super rich guy.

We talked about money. He's very smug and he's like, We're gonna make so much money. I was just like, it was just like, he was so excited about it, you. know? I look at him as I said, how. I said, how do you. And he said, I'm 58 years old. And I said, I bet you're. going to be dead in 14 years. He looks. Back. Here's what. I said. I bet you're gonna be dead.

in 14 years. He goes, Why would you say that? And I said, The way you live, you know, I said, But you're I mean, I'm just guessing. But I said, Have you ever thought about that? Like, what's going to happen then? What happens then? And so we just did an investment. What do you invest in anything. beyond here? There's this here. He goes, I've never thought about. that for you know what he didn't. say? He who had not seen cast the first. stone. No. We got past that. Yeah, yeah.

We finally got past that. And I was like, if we get past that. and so we get to the we get to the. hotel, we're in Manhattan. And he goes, Can. you come up and tell me more about. that? Let's say, Yeah. So I go to my room, I get my Bible, I go to his room. Now sit down. And that's the. I got like seven verses on Star. Wars. And I started reading them to. He stands up in the middle of. town. and he yells his wife, She's a bear.

because. I'm getting baptized. And I was like Mass Midnight where I. got to central Ohio and where I. gotta go find some water here, you. know. And it was I was ready. I was like, We're go find some. And I said, Well, let's go. I guess I bought. a hotel in New York City. I said, We'll go fast. Why? I said, no. I got to everybody. I got to everybody I know. That what's supposed to happen? This is the same guy I've been. working with for years and he's. like, he, you know. And now he's saying, Out, go. And he emailed everybody.

He knows everybody. to find like a month later, show up. to his house, the big house. There's people. People from New York, L.A., Florida. People have shown up because he. said, I'm getting baptized, Come watch this. And so so I get there. And how well can we get. Everybody gathering. As Willie? Tell him what you told me in that. hotel room that night. And I said, Yeah, no problems. go through that. So.

His wife gets baptized. Daughter gets better. He is baptized. Is anybody else? They just are straight. Men in blue jeans. taking their boots. just totaled. Over and over and over, just. like what's happened in the. You say that in the book of acts. like 25 people that night. over that that one that conversation. But I didn't stop that conversation. when you don't hear you just you.

keep on. And plus I'm still there. Sometimes it takes 20 minutes. Sometimes it takes two hours, sometimes it takes 20 years. because I don't give up on them. because they didn't give up on that. I would have given up on for a long. time ago to said, get that sucker. He needs to go to jail, you know. But that dude didn't give up. His sister didn't give up on that. guy. I went up there and talked to. him. And it changed my whole life. And so I never give up on anybody. You never know. You never know when that time is. And they're like, no. And they're ready. And they're like,

So we're just really planting the. seeds. I'm just planting the seeds. because I'm ready. I want to, you know, make disciples. on the baptize people. I want to teach people. That's one. of the. So everything I'll look at. and like, where does it fall in that. category? This book does the. TV show does the stuff for my. kids, do the family stuff. You know, all of it can fall through. there. And that's what I want. It's it's way more than going to. church and, you know, having some luck and be in a Chris. way on that. That's like an hour a week. That's that's nothing like.

I'm like you. Hey, how about this? You take your hour. Don't go to church. I want you for the other six days. and we'll go change a world, you. know? But people got a mission. They got a they got a bad idea, and. they're thinking. And it's just like a shovel and. hours. I mean, try that in your marriage. Try that with your kids. Try to see them an hour, you know, see if that gets you enough to get. through. And so it's just a bigger. idea and it's a bigger concept. And then when you're in that moment, when I when I've when you're there. with people and you watch their. lives change and then you watch the. fruit of that come out of.

it. It's a good it's like. a high. I mean, it's like that's. what it's all about, you know? That's the kind of stuff, the where. you then go on, there is hope. And so I live my life based on. there's hope and something beyond. If it's not, it's not. And I've hopefully lived a great. life. I've great friends. I've, you know, the my. the my faith and the principles. of the Bible has kept me out of a. lot of misery and hell and, you. know, bad stuff and.

But I'm thinking that there is and. I'm I see evidence everywhere. I see evidence everywhere. You know. Like what? I mean, I just I can. see it in people's lives. I can, you know, if Jesus lives in. us, the Holy Spirit lives. And as I can see it in their lives, I can I can see this. I can see people doing this in life. Why would you do that? Why? Why? Like there's no advantage. It's not financial. Exactly. I'm seeing them. share and do things and sacrifice.

And I see them for each other. Yeah, for each other. For other people and for, you know. I can see it. I can. I can feel it. Like I can at times. I feel stuff too, you know? Like, it just seems. like I'm like, wow, that's a lot of. you. I can't help but think. Something was going on with Trump. Like there's a lot. of weird you turn. your head the right way. Doing this. We were shooting bears today.

Yeah. How close is that. to close? I mean. To two. Who knows what would happen? Who knows what today. would look like? You know what I'm sitting. like? Who knows? So it just, you know, I'm not. I'm just saying, look, like. God was. doing something there. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know what it is. And I don't know, you know. But that's the faith part. I think sometimes we're out. I think we think our goal is to try.

to figure it out. No. Like, we're like. We're like. We have to know. We got to read the signs and we got. to everybody was wanting to know, like, what's going to happen. Even with our country, like, where. will we be in 20 years where it's. like, we want to know, But there's. too many factors like, Yeah. Yeah, that's impossible. It's impossible. You can't figure. that out. You got to live. I can always look. back and it makes sense. I'm like, wow, that made sense. But looking forward, that's the. and if and that's the message. that I'm going to. But somebody. who's been sharing this message. for 2000 years. We're halfway around the globe from.

where it happened. And still talking about it. True, they had no money. They had no fame. They weren't. soldiers. They weren't you know, they didn't speak the same language. We're speaking a different language. We are sitting here today halfway. across the globe, and we're still. talking about it. I'm still writing books about. it, living our lives on it and. professing it. It just. That's a big deal. Like, I haven't seen that with. anything else. Most everything else 20 years ago,

we don't even know. What it is. They're gone. It's just gone. We don't know their names. They're all. Willie Robertson, thank you very. much.