The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Buck Brief - Trump Says He's Definitely Taking Greenland
Air Date: January 22, 2026
Guest: Priya Patel (Political Commentator)

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Buck Sexton is joined by political commentator Priya Patel to tackle an array of current political hot topics. The conversation centers on the resurfacing of Donald Trump’s intentions to acquire Greenland, reactions from the international community (particularly Europe and Denmark), the intrigue at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and the ongoing shakeup in California politics. The show concludes with a discussion on law enforcement challenges and Minneapolis' political controversies.

The tone throughout is sharp, humorous, and pointed, with both Buck and Priya offering their irreverent takes on world leaders, American politicians, and contemporary political drama.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Greenland Gambit

Start: 02:23

• Trump at Davos: Buck opens with the big headline—rumors Trump will “definitely” take Greenland, and how this plays internationally.

  • Buck: “Is Trump gonna get Greenland? What is the latest out of Davos?” (02:23)

• European Reactions: Priya describes the anxiety among European leaders at Davos when Trump clarified he didn’t intend to use military force to take Greenland—but points out their powerlessness:

  • Priya: “...every time I was hearing anybody at Davos try and, like, strong arm Trump and threaten him, I'm like… what are you guys going to do? Denmark going to do about it? You should be scared. Because if we did want to take it, we would take it...” (03:04)

• Military Posturing: Ridicule of token European military gestures:

  • Buck: “Europe sending various European countries, sending like 10 soldiers to Greenland in a show of solidarity...this is not a smart idea...” (03:46)
  • Priya: “...the national flag of France at this point should just be the white flag. So please send your army. Let's see what happens.” (04:11)

• Is Trump Serious? Priya says yes, stressing Greenland’s strategic value to the U.S., especially against Chinese and Russian influence:

  • Priya: “...I think it is going to happen. And I think if it was going to happen under any president, it was going to be Trump...Greenland is very, very important to our national security...” (04:56)

2. U.S. Political Intrigue at Davos

Start: 05:47

• Gavin Newsom’s Presence: Buck and Priya mock California Governor Gavin Newsom’s presence at Davos, speculating on his political ambitions and connections:

  • Buck: “What is Gavin Newsom doing at Davos other than taking photos with Soros?” (05:47)
  • Priya: “...there’s absolutely no reason for him to be there other than try and rub elbows with the people that he’s hoping to be working with if he wins the presidential election.” (06:04)

• Newsom vs. Harris: Potential primary battle for Democratic nomination between Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris.

  • Buck: “Do you think that Gavin Newsom might be able to make things so uncomfortable for Kamala to run in the primary...?” (06:37)
  • Priya: “She surely knows how to play [politics]...Gavin Newsom is just, I mean, we all know that he's a complete snake...” (07:15)

• California’s Economic Exodus: The duo dissect how the billionaire wealth tax is driving the rich and their capital out of California and what that means for the state economy.

  • Buck: “How much is the billionaire exit...getting attention from people...?” (08:40)
  • Priya: “If we lose Silicon Valley, we're done...The economy will just collapse.” (09:19)

3. California’s Political Circus

Start: 10:24

• Eric Swalwell Gubernatorial Rumors: Priya breaks news that Swalwell may be ineligible to run for California governor due to residency requirements.

  • Priya: “...he hasn’t had a primary residence here in years and doesn’t even have a lease or owned property here at all...so he might be completely ineligible...” (11:02)

• Potential for GOP Upset: If Swalwell is out, a rare two-Republican primary could occur—a seismic shift in California politics.

• Memorable Moment: Buck jokes, “Well, the good news for Swalwell is you could always try to become the governor of Sichuan or something...he’s got a fondness for...China...” (11:48)

4. Law Enforcement & Minneapolis Controversies

Start: 13:25

• Prosecution in Minneapolis: Discussion of political and legal fallout from recent events involving ICE, city politicians, and even Don Lemon’s controversial appearance at a church protest.

  • Priya: “...we need to go after the politicians first and foremost because they are inciting violence among our law enforcement and they are inciting insurrections, believe it or not...they seem to not recognize an insurrection when they actually commit one.” (13:25)
  • Buck (on Don Lemon): “I know Don Lemon and I can tell you he's really stupid...But I think your point that he was aware of his actions that day, that I will accept.” (14:49)

• Free Speech Boundaries: Priya draws lines between protest and lawbreaking:

  • “Impeding law enforcement is not protected under free speech...If you want to protest, go take it up with your congressmen. That's how you actually get laws changed.” (17:16)

• Protest in the Social Media Era: Buck suggests street protests are outpaced by wider-reaching online activism now:

  • “It's far more effective to post. As you know, you'll reach far more people if you share your thoughts online than you ever will on some street corner. No one cares.” (18:16)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Priya Patel on Power Politics:

  • “If we did want to take it, we would take it.” (03:04)

• Buck Sexton Mocks European Defense:

  • “This is not a smart idea to be like...we will fight to the last drop of blood of five guys that we're sending to this icebox against the United States military.” (03:46)

• Priya Patel Skewers France’s Military Reputation:

  • “I’m pretty sure that the national flag of France at this point should just be the white flag.” (04:11)

• Priya on Gavin Newsom:

  • “The man didn’t answer a single question... it’s always some sort of deflection...” (07:15)

• Buck’s Nickname for Newsom:

  • “I've described him as evil Keanu Reeves before, Gavin Newsom, like, he's just like, hey, you know, like, I've got my shirt buttoned down, four buttons, and I'm just so suave, you know, and you know he's bad.” (10:24)

• Buck on Don Lemon:

  • “I know Don Lemon and I can tell you he's really stupid. Just so you know, I know him. He's dumb.” (14:49)

• Priya on Tech & Economy:

  • “If we lose Silicon Valley, we're done... The economy will just collapse.” (09:19)

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• 02:23 – Introduction of main topics: Greenland, Davos, Minneapolis ICE
• 03:04 – Priya describes Davos leaders’ fear, Trump’s negotiating position
• 03:46 – Buck on Europe’s symbolic military gestures
• 04:11 – Priya jokes about French military reputation
• 04:56 – Priya predicts Trump will get Greenland, explains why
• 05:47 – Discussion shifts to Gavin Newsom at Davos
• 06:37 – Analyze Newsom vs. Harris: Democratic primary showdown
• 08:40 – Conversation on billionaire exodus, California’s looming fiscal crisis
• 10:24 – Rumors of Eric Swalwell running for California governor, eligibility issues
• 13:25 – Minneapolis ICE controversy, Don Lemon, protests, and legal strategy
• 14:49 – Buck offers comic relief, calls Don Lemon “really stupid”
• 17:16 – Priya on limits to protest and free speech
• 18:16 – Modern protest vs. online activism, the evolving political stage

Summary Takeaway:
This episode is a snappy, unfiltered look at the hot-button issues animating U.S. (and global) politics today—including the revival of the Greenland saga, escalating state-vs-federal tensions, and California’s never-ending political spectacle. Through biting humor, sharp criticism, and on-point analysis, Buck Sexton and Priya Patel give listeners both an entertaining and insightful primer on the week’s controversies.

For Further Listening:

• “Go follow Priya Patel on Twitter and look for her on Fox where she'll be making many, many more appearances.” (19:03)