Podcast Summary – The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: C&B Deep Dive – Things That Make Us Go “Hmmm”

Date: October 4, 2025
Hosts: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton
Notable Guests: Jack Cittarelli (Republican gubernatorial candidate, NJ), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)
Episode Theme:
A detailed exploration of the controversy over Congressional stock trading, financial transparency for elected officials, and a look into the hotly contested New Jersey gubernatorial race — with broader reflections on public trust, corruption, and the disconnect between politicians and the general public.

Main Episode Theme

Clay and Buck take listeners on a deep-dive into the perennial “hmmm”-inducing issue of members of Congress amassing significant wealth—especially through stock trading—and the related implications for public trust and the appearance (and potential reality) of corruption. The episode illustrates these concerns through the lens of New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, highlighting financial disclosures and ethics controversies around Democratic candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill, while also diving into proposed reforms and Congressional resistance to change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Financial Transparency in Congress

• Context: Focus on Rep. Mikie Sherrill, NJ Democrat and gubernatorial candidate, highlighting significant increases in her net worth while serving in Congress and controversies over stock trading.
• Questionable Wealth Gains:
  • Rep. Sherrill’s net worth jumped from a range of “$730,000-$4.3 million in 2019” to approximately $12 million in her most recent filing ([07:06]-[07:39]).
  • Clay Travis: “She has gone from being worth, you know, let’s call it a couple million dollars... to being worth about $12 million.” ([07:41])
• Stock Trading Ethics:
  • Both hosts voice deep skepticism about members of Congress (and spouses) actively trading individual stocks, especially those affected by government contracts.
  • Candid admission: “If you made $7 million in stock trades, you better have a good explanation for how that happened... To claim, ‘Oh, I don't know, I'd have to look into that.’ How out of touch are you?” – Clay ([13:53])

Notable Quote

"99.99% of people in America would know if they made $7 million or not in the stock market. A lot of you out there would know if you made $700 in the stock market or not."
— Clay Travis [05:20]

• Insider Trading Loophole:
  • Discussion on the Stock Act of 2012, its inadequacies, and near-total absence of prosecutions using Congressional information.
  • Buck Sexton: “No one in Congress has ever been prosecuted for insider ‘congressional’ information. That is true.” ([16:45])

Notable Quote

"You basically get a free rein to insider trade at Congress."
— Clay Travis [16:41]

2. The New Jersey Governor's Race

• Interview: Jack Cittarelli (Republican challenger) [21:28-32:20]
  • Election Outlook: Cittarelli discusses strong polling, Democratic defections, and campaign momentum.
  • Criticism of Opponent: Calls Sherrill’s financial gains, defense stock trades, and lack of disclosure “disqualifying.” ([23:50])
    “She broke federal law and had to pay fines for it as a congressperson.” ([23:54])
  • Policy Issues: Focus on high taxes, education decline, crime, sanctuary city/state policies, and high electricity rates.
  • Parental Rights & Culture Issues:
    “Parents are very upset about a number of these far left liberal policies... Biological boys playing in girls sports. That's one of those 80-20 issues in New Jersey.” ([29:50])
  • Key Voting Bloc: Courts moderate Democrats and independents for victory.

Notable Quote

"Who wouldn’t know where an additional $7 million came from? Here’s what we do know. She broke federal law and had to pay fines for it as a congressperson."
— Jack Cittarelli [23:52]

3. Congressional Stock Trading Reform — Rep. Tim Burchett Interview

• The Problem:
  • Rep. Burchett candidly denounces Congressional stock trading and the internal resistance to meaningful reform.
  • “[Congress] is broke and as crooked as a dog’s leg, brother. There is no other explanation when a congressman can make 600% return on their investment.” ([33:40])
• Public Perception:
  • The widespread tracking of Nancy Pelosi’s trades is used to illustrate absurdity and public cynicism.
  • “People are making a living now just following Nancy Pelosi stock trades. Warren Buffett needs to... turn it over to Pelosi.” ([33:58])
• Calls for Reform:
  • Burchett’s bill would limit Congressional investing to mutual funds, banning individual stock trades.
  • “Make the dad gum sacrifice. It’s crazy. I, you know, I make skateboards... Everybody needs a dadgum mutual fund and that’s what we ought to do.” ([35:44])
• Barriers to Change:
  • Both parties are “gutless”; ethics processes are tougher for personal side-businesses (like selling skateboards) than for insider access.
  • “If I want to sell skateboards, I have to hire an attorney... but dad gamut. If I want to do insider trading, just become a member of Congress and it rains on you.” ([36:16])

Notable Quote

"If I want to sell skateboards... I have to hire an attorney... but dad gamut. If I want to do insider trading, just become a member of Congress and it rains on you.”
— Rep. Tim Burchett [36:16]

4. Additional Discussion: Politics, Public Trust & Power

• The DC Game:

  • Burchett characterizes Congress and Senate leadership as addicted to perks and power, unwilling to relinquish insider advantages.
  • Commentary on Chuck Schumer’s motivations: “All it is, is about staying in power, and that’s what Washington, D.C. is truly about in leadership. ...and yes, the access to the inside information.” ([41:21])

• Lighter Moments — Skateboard Side-Hustle:

  • Burchett shares stories about building skateboards, using it for stress relief and reflecting on the irony that side businesses are more scrutinized than Congressional investing.
  • “When you see a 61-year-old out there with his Vans on, skateboarding on a board that he built himself, it’s kind of cool and it’s good to bring up conversation... and again, it’s cheaper than a psychiatrist.” ([43:56])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Congressional Wealth:
  "These people are so bad at this, Buck. ...We focus on the appearance of corruption because it’s so toxic to public trust. How is there not a direct appearance of corruption when individual congressmen and women are making trades and destroying the greatest investors of our lifetimes in their results?"
  — Clay Travis [11:39]

• On Cultural Politics:
  “Biological boys playing in girls sports. That’s one of those 80-20 issues in New Jersey, more than eight out of ten people don’t agree with that.”
  — Jack Cittarelli [29:50]

• Biting Satire:
  “I didn’t smoke pot and I didn’t drink. Although since I’ve become a member of Congress, I’ve fiercely considered taking on crack cocaine just to take off the edges.”
  — Rep. Tim Burchett [41:54]

Timestamps by Segment

| Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Main Congress Stock Trading Discussion | 02:45–16:54 | | Jack Cittarelli Interview (NJ Gov Race) | 21:28–32:20 | | Rep. Tim Burchett Interview (Stock Trading Reform) | 33:40–47:37 | | Additional banter and lighter moments | 41:54, 43:56 | | Notable Quotes | See above |

Episode Flow & Tone

• Tone: Conversational, candid, often blunt and laced with humor; both skeptical and passionate about good governance.
• Structure:
  • Begins with deep dive into Congress wealth and stock trading ethics — zeroes in on specific, news-making races (NJ), then expands the critique with guests, wraps with spirited personal anecdotes and skepticism about DC culture.

In Summary

This episode provides a sharp, sometimes scathing look at the ethical pitfalls of Congressional stock trading, using the New Jersey gubernatorial contest and specific personalities (notably Mikie Sherrill and Nancy Pelosi) as focal points. Through engaging interviews, especially the candid and down-to-earth Rep. Tim Burchett, the hosts illustrate not just the legal loopholes, but also the deeper threat to public faith in democracy. The message: The systems of accountability are broken, and both parties lack the will to change a status quo that makes “things that make us go hmmm” an understatement.

For listeners:

• The episode is essential for anyone frustrated with political corruption—or seeking ammunition for the next argument about why Congress is, as Burchett says, "crooked as a dog’s leg."
• The New Jersey race becomes a microcosm for nationwide failures in transparency and accountability.
• Reform proposals (putting all Congressional assets into mutual/index funds or blind trusts) are discussed repeatedly and receive enthusiastic—if sarcastic—endorsement from all sides.

Further Listening

Find more deep-dive episodes on pressing political issues in the Clay and Buck podcast feed on iHeartRadio or your preferred podcast provider.