Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Buck Brief - Does Trump Really Want to Make Canada Great Again?
Guest: Kevin Sorbo
Release Date: March 20, 2025
In this engaging episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, host Buck Sexton welcomes renowned actor and filmmaker Kevin Sorbo to discuss a variety of topics spanning politics, entertainment, and Hollywood’s evolving landscape. The conversation delves deep into the current political climate, Trump’s influence, the state of Hollywood, and the challenges faced by independent filmmakers. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key discussions, notable insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode.
1. Introduction of Kevin Sorbo (1:55 - 2:13)
Buck Sexton opens the show by introducing Kevin Sorbo, highlighting his multifaceted career as an actor, director, and filmmaker. Sorbo is best known for his role in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and has since been involved in numerous independent projects. The hosts express their enthusiasm for having Sorbo on the show, setting the stage for a substantive conversation.
Buck Sexton:
"You all know him as a filmmaker, an actor, a director, Hercules: A Legendary Journeys, which was a great show and so many other movies and projects he's been involved in. Kevin, really good to see you, man. How are you doing?"
[01:55]
2. Political Views and Support for RFK Jr. (2:13 - 5:12)
The discussion quickly shifts to current political figures, with a focus on Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.'s) health policies. Clay Travis shares his interactions with RFK Jr., expressing support despite acknowledging RFK Jr. leans "a little too far left" for his taste.
Clay Travis:
"I love the fact he's out there, and he's brave about doing these, and he's speaking the truth about it. And I love the fact he mix you’re throwing Musk in that mix. And I just think it's fantastic that we're showing how much waste is out there."
[03:00]
Travis criticizes government inefficiency, citing examples like the allocation of $50 million for unrelated projects such as condoms in Gaza. The hosts lament the perceived misuse of federal funds, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Clay Travis:
"Top of the agenda as far as you're concerned for RFK to get going with... But I love the fact he's out there, and he's brave about doing these, and he's speaking the truth about it."
[03:00]
3. Donald Trump's Administration and Policies (5:11 - 9:59)
Buck Sexton discusses the rapid pace of the Trump administration's actions, covering areas like border enforcement, environmental policies (EPA), tariffs, and foreign relations with Canada and Mexico. He remarks on the complexity and breadth of Trump's initiatives.
Buck Sexton:
"This administration is doing so much, so fast that to try to cover it day to day, as I do for three hours, we, you know, I could have done a whole show today just on what he's doing with, with the border immigration enforcement and the EPA."
[06:03]
Clay Travis reflects on Trump's personable nature, sharing anecdotes that reveal a different side of the former president compared to his public persona. He highlights Trump's kindness and sense of humor, providing examples of Trump’s interactions with others, such as shaking hands with fellow golfers and engaging in friendly banter.
Clay Travis:
"When you golf with the guy, he'll get out of his car because you golf fast... everyone you play through, he drives up to them, gets out of the cart, shakes everybody's hand, says, thanks for being here. Hope to see you inside for lunch."
[08:22]
4. Hollywood, Entertainment Industry, and Independent Filmmaking (10:26 - 16:44)
The conversation transitions to the state of Hollywood, with Sorbo and Travis critiquing the industry's lack of originality. They lament Hollywood's reliance on established franchises like Marvel, which, according to them, stifles creativity and new storytelling.
Clay Travis:
"I think the last 15, 20 years they've been a little more shy about coming up with more original ideas because they've had success with these, Marvel and all that kind of stuff."
[13:11]
Sorbo shares his experiences with independent filmmaking, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of producing original content outside the traditional Hollywood system. He mentions his ongoing projects, including four new movies and three documentaries, highlighting his commitment to telling true-life stories.
Kevin Sorbo:
"I've got three great documentaries coming down. One deals with the Last Supper. It's called Eating with the Enemy. It's with Brent Miller and Ingenuity Films."
[21:22]
Travis discusses the potential for historical epics, such as the Conquest of Mexico, and the need for visionary investors to bring these stories to life. He expresses hope that figures like Elon Musk might support ambitious projects that Hollywood currently overlooks.
Clay Travis:
"I think it's starting to dive a little bit... But I think they're just keeping that cash cow going if it's working."
[17:32]
5. Mel Gibson’s Projects and the Siege of Malta (16:44 - 18:18)
The hosts delve into Mel Gibson's endeavors, specifically his interest in producing content about the Siege of Malta. They discuss the historical significance of Malta and its representation in media, drawing parallels to Gibson's acclaimed film Braveheart.
Buck Sexton:
"I'm just wondering. I know you've got an incredible record... What is it?"
[14:07]
Clay Travis:
"Mel and his brother have been writing the sequel to the Passion for the last five years. They are going to make that one as well."
[15:40]
Travis elaborates on the logistical and financial challenges of producing large-scale historical epics, underscoring the necessity of substantial funding to realize such projects.
6. Trump Effect and Media Hypocrisy (18:18 - 19:30)
Travis and Sexton discuss the broader implications of Trump’s influence on media and corporate America. They highlight a perceived shift in sentiment, where support for Trump is becoming more mainstream, potentially affecting content creation and political discourse.
Clay Travis:
"If he didn't get in office, I don't think they'd be doing that. I think it's all once again the exposure of, the hypocrisy of these people."
[17:32]
They also touch upon the complex relationship between different communities, particularly the Jewish community's varied support for Trump, contrasting it with Hollywood's overall liberal stance.
7. Future Projects and Final Thoughts (19:30 - 21:53)
As the conversation winds down, Sorbo discusses his production studio, Sorbo Studios, and upcoming projects. He emphasizes the importance of supporting veterans through his friendship with Ian Went Veteran of Patriot Clothing.
Clay Travis:
"Go to sorbostudios.com that's sorbo studios.com. A lot of great things are coming on the pipeline."
[20:18]
Buck Sexton commends Sorbo’s success in independent filmmaking, noting the difficulty of sustaining such endeavors without mainstream support.
Notable Quotes
-
Clay Travis on RFK Jr.:
"I love the fact he's out there, and he's brave about doing these, and he's speaking the truth about it."
[03:00] -
Buck Sexton on Trump’s Administration:
"This administration is doing so much, so fast... It's pretty amazing to watch."
[06:03] -
Clay Travis on Hollywood’s Lack of Originality:
"They just make variations of it. They make part two, part three, part four, part five of the same thing over and over again."
[13:11] -
Clay Travis on Independent Filmmaking:
"Hollywood kicked me out 11 years ago because you can't be conservative and a Christian in Hollywood."
[14:07] -
Clay Travis on Mel Gibson’s Projects:
"Mel's still got the powers. I got the chops. And he's going to jump on board and do what he wants."
[16:44]
Conclusion
This episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show offers a rich exploration of the intersections between politics, media, and independent filmmaking. Kevin Sorbo's insights provide a unique perspective on navigating Hollywood’s challenges while maintaining creative integrity. The hosts' candid discussions about Trump’s administration, government inefficiencies, and the state of modern entertainment underscore their commitment to addressing pressing societal issues with depth and humor. For listeners interested in a blend of political discourse and insider views on the entertainment industry, this episode serves as a compelling listen.
