Photo credit: Janet Donovan
Main slider photo credit: Tony Powell
Bret Baier – the straight-shooting anchor whose calm authority belies the seismic political undercurrents he covers nightly – was the guest of honor at a book party for his new publication: To Rescue the American Spirit: Teddy Roosevelt and the Birth of a Superpower hosted by Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba of The United Arab Emirates at Cafe Milano in Georgetown.
It was the usual Milano scene – the intersection of power and press – a room filled with news anchors, columnists, cabinet alumni and think-tank intellectuals, all grazing on bruschetta while scanning the room for who’s talking to whom. In this case its was Senator Amy Klobuchar hanging out with Senator John Fetterman who could have been mistaken for a basketball star (think height) and was dressed like one in a dark hoddie. Senator John Warner huddled with Senator Chris Coons. The authors’ colleagues hovered like proud campaign staffers, while old Georgetown hands traded anecdotes that sound like footnotes from another administration – equal parts salon and status check — where conversation drifts from foreign policy to gossip, from policy briefs to book blurbs and everyone leaves having both networked.
Guest with Senator John Fetterman. Senator Amy Klobuchar
“Thank you for being here to celebrate with us Bret’s new book. If you’re wondering why on earth the United Arab Emirates Ambassador is hosting a party for Bret Baier and a book about Teddy Roosevelt is a very valid question, especially since I know very little about Teddy Roosevelt,” said Amb. Yousef Al Otaiba. “The real reason that we are here hosting a book party for Bret is because Bret and Amy have been very, very dear friends for us for a very long time, and in this town there are very few friends that you know can count on that show up when you need them, that are there for you when times are tough, not just when times are good. Bret and Amy have been there for us every single time when I needed them. And for that, thank you very much. And this is why we’re throwing the book party because that’s what friends do for each other.”
Bret Baier Franco Nuschese Amb. Yousef Al Otaiba
“So, I checked with ChatGPT and it turns out that Teddy Roosevelt and Sheikh Zayed, our founder of the United Arab Emirates, had quite a lot in common,” he added. “So let me share with you what I’ve learned earlier this morning. Both were nation building visionaries. They were state builders who believed deeply in national unity and in modernization. Both were environmental and focused on conservation. Both men saw stewardship of nature as a moral duty and as a key to the nation’s identity, both practiced charismatic and pragmatic leadership. They both combine personal charisma with pragmatic governance that bridge tradition and progress. They both advocated for social welfare and equality. Both leaders use economic growth to uplift citizens and reduce equality. They both practice foreign policy with realism and a peace orientation, both valued peace, but understood the importance of strength and preparedness. And finally, here we are at the end of 2025, talking about the global legacy and influence of both leaders. They both became symbols of visionary and confident leadership rooted in patriotism and in service. And so at the end of the day,President Teddy Roosevelt and Chef Zed understood that true nation building means investing in people, fostering unity, and creating a legacy for future generations. Today, the spirit of those two leaders continues to inspire us. So Bret, thank you for bringing Teddy Roosevelt’s story to us into life. And thank you to ChatGPT. “
“This is the sixth presidential biography that I’ve done – so Eisenhower, Reagan, FDR, Grant, Washington, and now Teddy Roosevelt,” said Bret. “I am addicted to the process and fortunately my co-anchor in life Amy lets me do this when I grab a glass of wine and work for two hours in my office in writing time.It’s been really fun and it is a passion of mine. I have a great team and this researcher plants herself in the national archives and comes up with these jewels, these history nuggets that really paint a picture that maybe somebody else doesn’t see. This process has been about finding history. Each one of these presidents has something to offer, and each one of these presidents really tried to reach across the aisle and have some common ground. I know we have Democrats and Republicans here and I’m really proud of that. I think that there is something to be said about what Teddy Roosevelt says in his citizenship speech, which is you have to be in the game. You’ve got to be in the arena. Everybody here knows Washington. We’re in the arena. Sometimes the arena can get ugly, but you got to be a doer. I’m proud to be here for this long in Washington, DC and have the friends that I have. And it’s great to see all of you. Thank you for coming out. I’m kind of hoping because the last Milano party produced s number one New York Times best seller.”
“This captivating portrayal of Teddy is Bret Baier’s gift to us. From Roosevelt’s resilience over tragedy to his heroism in war, from his midnight rambles as police commissioner to his dramatic fights for reform as governor and president, Baier summons the irrepressible spirit of the man. What an engaging storyteller! What a joy to read!” —Doris Kearns Goodwin
