The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Daily Review with Clay and Buck – August 29, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton dissect the day’s most impactful news and political developments. With their trademark mix of sharp analysis and humor, the hour covers global financial shifts, domestic crime policy, Democratic party strategy, the politics of gender identity in high-profile crimes, and the public health debate surrounding cannabis, antidepressants, and mental health. Notably, guest expert Alex Berenson—journalist and author—joins the conversation to discuss mental health, drugs, and social policy. Mary Katharine Ham also weighs in on family, sports culture, and political media.

Key Discussion Points & Timestamps

1. The BRICS Summit: Global Shifts Away from the US Dollar (01:17–02:44)

• Clay and Buck introduce the "Rio Reset," referring to the BRICS summit in Brazil, noting the addition of five new member countries.
• BRICS' main aim: Emerging economies seek to reduce reliance on the US dollar.
• Philip Patrick (Birch Gold Group), from the summit:
  • “The world is moving on from the dollar. Quietly but steadily, these nations are making real progress towards reshaping global trade. The US dollar is no longer the centerpiece. That shift doesn't happen overnight, but make no mistake, it's already begun.” (02:23–02:44)
• Hosts warn listeners to consider safeguarding their assets via gold purchases due to these shifts.

2. Trump’s Crime Policy and Urban Safety (03:59–06:19)

• Discussion of increased law enforcement in D.C. under Trump.
  • Hosts highlight positive feedback from local business owners and residents who feel safer, noting reduced crime and graffiti cleanup.
  • Direct testimonials play, illustrating improvements and public approval:
    • “They’re cleaning graffiti…All these things you’re hearing, you’re going, who hears this and says, what a monster Trump is? They’re cleaning up graffiti and making sure people don’t get shot…” – Clay Travis (04:43–04:59)
• Political ramifications:
  • Buck points out a disconnect: “81% of Americans say that violent crime in big cities is a major problem…99% of people agree with Trump on this.” (04:59–05:50)
  • Discussion of resistance from the Democratic party and judicial activism.

3. Democratic Party 2028: Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Wes Moore (06:19–14:55)

• Gavin Newsom's law enforcement push:
  • Hosts note his “law and order” pivot, likening the strategy to appropriating Trump’s messaging.
  • “Gavin Newsom is going to try to just occupy the middle by arguing for things that he’s actually not done during his whole tenure…” – Buck Sexton (08:53–09:53)
• Kamala Harris as a political template:
  • Discussion of Democrats adopting Trump’s popular positions (e.g., “no tax on tips”) after the fact.
• Prospective 2028 Democratic ticket:
  • Bets on Newsom as presidential nominee, with Wes Moore or Gretchen Whitmer as possible VPs.
  • Clay: "Gavin Newsom has drastically taken early lead and it's very early..." (09:53–10:45)
  • Wes Moore’s credentials and pivot on crime for brand building.
  • On gender and electoral calculus: “I never hear anybody talk about that; it’s always men are to blame when women don’t win.” – Buck Sexton (14:55)

4. Social Commentary: Gender & Crime in Media Reporting (24:12–29:09)

• Hosts critique media coverage of a Minneapolis school shooting by a transgender perpetrator, focusing on the reluctance to acknowledge gender identity or its potential role in the crime.
• Clay raises questions about:
  • Mental health implications of early hormone therapy.
  • Long-term health impacts for transgender individuals:
    • “Is there any way these people are going to have remotely normal lifespans? It’s like you’re not allowed to discuss it…” – Clay Travis (25:35–26:34)
  • Media “misgendering” controversies.
• Buck argues media is ‘maniacal’ in prioritizing preferred pronouns over basic facts of the case.

5. Mass Shootings, Mental Health, and Firearm Policy (29:40–36:47)

• Debate over mental health checks and gun ownership:
  • Questioning enforceability of laws meant to keep guns from those adjudicated mentally incompetent.
  • Concerns about potential for civil liberties abuses.
• Security in Schools:
  • Strong advocacy for armed security guards at all schools as a tangible solution:
    • “Every single public and private school in America should have security guards armed... I don't understand how this isn't standard operating procedure.” – Buck Sexton (33:43–34:47)
• Deeper discussion of “hardening” soft targets— paralleled to border security and infrastructure.

6. Cannabis, Psychosis, and Policy: Interview with Alex Berenson (39:21–55:48)

a. Transgender Youth & Decision-Making (39:21–40:04)

• Alex Berenson:
  • Strong drugs—including sex hormones for gender transition—can affect decision-making.
  • “That’s a perfectly reasonable question to ask.” (40:04–40:14)

b. Cannabis Link to Psychosis and Violent Crime (40:14–48:30)

• Berenson’s argument:
  • Cannabis/THC is strongly linked to psychosis, especially among heavy users or early users.
  • “We’re sort of trading a bar fight for like a mass stabbing or a mass shooting.” (47:30–48:10)
• Debate over dangers of cannabis vs. alcohol:
  • Cannabis less physically dangerous, but has more profound effects on the brain and risks of psychosis.

c. SSRIs, Antipsychotics, and Right-Wing Misinformation (48:30–51:34)

• Hosts push back on ‘SSRI panic’ observed in right-wing circles:
  • “There’s this thing of, like, the SSRI zombies are running in and killing people. The right needs to understand that actually, in the mental health world, there are people whose lives are saved by being on these drugs…” – Clay Travis (48:30–49:20)
  • Berenson: “There are some people out there who really can't function without an SSRI… I don't understand the hate.” (49:20–50:19)
  • Asserts distinction between recreational drugs and necessary psychiatric medications.

d. Public Health Message on Drugs for Teens and Parents (52:11–54:12)

• Berenson’s advice:
  • “There’s no free lunch. A drug that gets you high… you’re going to pay a price for it… it may be a small price, but don’t make the mistake of thinking cannabis and THC is medicine…” (52:11–52:58)

e. Cannabis Policy & Political Influence (54:18–55:48)

• Berenson’s plea to Biden administration:
  • Should resist industry pressure to reschedule cannabis as less dangerous under federal law, as this would mainly aid profits, not public health.
  • “They don’t want it because it’s going to change public health… it will just make their lives easier…” (54:18–55:48)

7. Media Tone & Culture: With Mary Katharine Ham (58:59–71:33)

• Sports as a “normie” meter:
  • “If you enjoy and engage with college football, you get a free pass to the normie lane in my mind.” – Mary Katharine Ham (59:37–59:53)
• Critique of out-of-touch corporate marketing:
  • “People in the C suite are so disconnected from normal people who might stop at a Cracker Barrel…” – Mary Katharine Ham (60:25–61:04)
• Proper fan etiquette:
  • Clay: Grown men shouldn’t wear jerseys of players younger than them or push kids aside for autographs.
  • “If you’re an adult trying to get an autograph, I think you should reconsider your life’s decisions.” – Clay Travis (63:30)
  • Ham: “That man’s behavior is trash… the hat was clearly meant for the child.” (64:09–64:55)
• On political commentary and audience:
  • The podcast “Normally” aims to provide news “without your blood pressure going up,” and feedback is “thoughtful and nice” (65:19–66:22).
• Parental responsibility in gun violence:
  • “If that young man is in your home, you have to have an inkling that this is going very much off the rails and you need to keep such things away from him.” – Mary Katharine Ham (67:58–68:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On BRICS Summit:
  • “The world is moving on from the dollar. Quietly but steadily, these nations are making real progress towards reshaping global trade.” – Philip Patrick (02:23)
• On Crime Policy:
  • “They're cleaning up graffiti and making sure people don’t get shot…who hears this and says, what a monster Trump is?” – Clay Travis (04:43)
• On Democratic Candidates:
  • “Gavin Newsom is going to try to just occupy the middle by arguing for things that he’s actually not done during his whole tenure…” – Buck Sexton (08:53)
• On SSRIs and Mental Health:
  • “There are some people out there who really can't function without an SSRI.” – Alex Berenson (49:20)
• On Cannabis:
  • “Cannabis is less physically dangerous than alcohol… but is more dangerous to your brain.” – Alex Berenson (45:55)
  • “We’re trading a bar fight for a mass stabbing or a mass shooting.” – Alex Berenson (47:30)
• On Gendering the Shooter:
  • “They are doing this... refusing to say this was a boy. They're claiming that it's a girl. They're saying these parents have lost a daughter.” – Clay Travis (24:39)
• On Sports as Identity:
  • “If you enjoy and engage with college football, you get a free pass to the normie lane in my mind.” – Mary Katharine Ham (59:37)
• On Adult Fandom:
  • “If you're an adult trying to get an autograph, I think you should reconsider your life's decisions.” – Clay Travis (63:30)

Summary Table of Segments

| Time | Segment | Key Points | |-------------|---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:17–02:44 | BRICS Summit & De-Dollarization | Rising global challenge to the US dollar, expert weighs in from summit. | | 03:59–06:19 | Trump Crime Policy in DC | Local reactions, crime stats, political approvals, Democratic hostility to Trump’s approach. | | 06:19–14:55 | 2028 Dem Candidates (Newsom, Harris, Moore) | Candidates’ positions, strategic pivots, and predictions for nominee/VP choices. | | 24:12–29:09 | Media on Trans Shooter | Hosts critique media’s reluctance to discuss shooter’s gender, discuss mental health in transition.| | 29:40–36:47 | Guns, Mental Health, School Security | Laws and practicality, advocacy for universal school security guards. | | 39:21–55:48 | Berenson Interview | Cannabis/psychosis, antidepressants, youth drug policy, and federal scheduling of marijuana. | | 58:59–71:33 | Pop Culture & Parenting with MK Ham | Sports as identity, fandom etiquette, podcasting, and parental responsibility in addressing crime. |

Episode Tone & Style

The tone remains sharply opinionated, irreverent at times, and conversational, with hosts mixing serious political points, data-driven arguments, and laced-in sarcasm. Guests Alex Berenson and Mary Katharine Ham maintain this blend, bringing expertise and relatability while challenging echo chambers and clarifying misconceptions.

For listeners, this episode is a comprehensive, fast-paced conversation on global power shifts, domestic policy, media narratives, public health, and political strategy through 2028. It is dense with opinions, memorable quips, and moments for reflection on how news shapes culture, elections, and the stories we tell ourselves about America.