Dan Bongino reveals Trump called him before cancer surgery during COVID
"I'm getting this lymphoma tumor, 10-centimeter tumor, cut out of my neck, and they don't know what it is yet. So I'm like kind of freaked out. It was an open biopsy, so I didn't know. I'm like getting ready to go in and the phone rings. It says unknown. I'm seriously like 20 minutes from like the OR... It was the White House. It was President Trump. He's like, hey man, you need anything? I know you're going in for surgery."
About this episode
Dan Bongino, conservative podcast host and former Secret Service agent, delivers an emotional defense of Donald Trump's character, sharing personal anecdotes from his time working for the former president. The episode centers on Bongino's insistence that Trump is genuine and decent behind closed doors, countering media portrayals of him as tyrannical or fake. Bongino reveals that Trump personally called him just 20 minutes before his cancer surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering during peak COVID restrictions, checking on him without being asked. The host was preparing for an open biopsy to remove a 10-centimeter lymphoma tumor from his neck when the White House called. Bongino emphasizes he's not claiming to be one of Trump's closest friends but has been friendly enough to witness his character firsthand. The episode includes video footage of Trump helping a Marine retrieve his wind-blown cap near Marine One and bringing pizza to firefighters outside a fire station after leaving court. Bongino acknowledges the political principle of judging leaders by results rather than personality, but argues voters should at least like the people they support. He mentions having voicemails from Trump, particularly from during his cancer treatment, that he'd like to share publicly if given permission. The episode blends political commentary with personal testimony, positioning Trump as fundamentally misunderstood by his critics.
Key takeaways
- Dan Bongino reveals Trump personally called him 20 minutes before lymphoma surgery during COVID without being told about the procedure.
- Bongino was preparing for open biopsy of 10-centimeter tumor at Sloan-Kettering when Trump called asking if he needed anything.
- Conservative host says Trump randomly called during his cancer treatment leaving voicemails he may share publicly with permission.
- Bongino insists Trump is the same genuine, decent person behind the scenes as he appears on camera, countering tyrannical portrayals.
- Episode shows video of Trump helping Marine retrieve wind-blown cap and bringing pizza to firefighters after court appearance.
- Bongino emphasizes judging politicians by results but argues Trump's personal character deserves recognition amid political polarization.
- Former Secret Service agent describes working for Trump as possibly the honor of his lifetime despite maintaining professional distance.