The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Daily Review with Clay and Buck
Date: December 12, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton navigate the week’s most pressing news and political stories—ranging from a shocking scandal in college football at the University of Michigan, ongoing struggles within the U.S. legal system, to high-stakes foreign policy developments regarding Venezuela and immigration policy. With signature wit, directness, and debate, Clay and Buck interpret events for their audience, bringing in guest analyst Ryan Girdusky for in-depth analysis of shifting U.S. immigration trends and their impact on the housing market and economy. The episode is marked by candid analysis, energetic banter, and a touch of holiday warmth.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Scandal at the University of Michigan Football Program

Timestamps: 02:52–06:38

• Clay Travis introduces shocking news involving Michigan’s football coach Sharon Moore, who was fired and is expected to be charged with serious criminal offenses, following a violent incident related to a workplace relationship.
  • "He was fired and then he evidently flipped out. And there are reports he showed up at her house with a knife, threatening to kill her and kill himself. And he was arrested and he has been held for the past two days." (Clay Travis, 03:48)
• This story is framed as emblematic of how college football intersects with legal and social crises.

2. Political Justice and the Limits of Prosecutorial Accountability

Timestamps: 06:38–14:07

• Clay and Buck dissect the failed grand jury attempts to indict New York AG Letitia James despite reported wrongdoing, contrasting the rare success of attorney Lindsey Halligan.
  • Buck: "It is now all so political that it's very hard for people...to disentangle the politics." (Buck Sexton, 08:04-08:57)
  • They note a pattern of grand juries in “blue jurisdictions” refusing to indict political allies.
• Clay suggests a legal reform: allowing federal defendants to move cases to their home state, aiming for fairer juries.
  • "It would mean that a jury of my actual peers would judge me as opposed to a jury of a kangaroo court in a blue city that is overwhelmingly opposed to me because of my politics." (Clay Travis, 10:25)
• They agree bipartisan justice is elusive, with both hosts predicting hung juries for political figures like Letitia James.

3. Venezuela Crisis and U.S. Regime Change Policy

Timestamps: 18:38–32:11

• Buck details U.S. military escalation off Venezuela’s coast, including:
  • Oil tankers seized as part of harsher sanctions against Maduro’s regime.
  • Significant narcotics interdictions and military presence.
  • Buck: "Trump has been saying repeatedly... Maduro's days are numbered. Maduro's got to go." (Buck Sexton, 19:11)
• They discuss the economic devastation under Maduro, likening Venezuela’s situation to a “hellhole” despite its natural resource wealth.
  • "Venezuela, in the Western hemisphere, should have a fantastic relationship with America and Canada... Instead, it's a total economic basket case." (Buck Sexton, 26:26)
• Clay adds:
  • "If we could have a sane government in Venezuela... the overall price of oil and gas would continue to come down." (Clay Travis, 30:36)
• The hosts warn, however, that regime change has no guaranteed outcome.

4. U.S. Immigration: Shifting Trends and Data Analysis

Guest: Ryan Girdusky
Timestamps: 34:16–48:29

• Ryan Girdusky shares new data analysis indicating:
  • A decline in foreign-born births in 41 states, a possible indicator of increased deportations and self-deportations under the Trump administration.
  • "Overall there's about 35,000 fewer births from foreign-born mothers this year compared to last year." (Ryan Girdusky, 36:26)
  • Self-deportation estimates: two million or more, “well into the 2 millions of foreign-born people, mostly illegal aliens who have left the country.” (Ryan Girdusky, 38:35)
• They theorize policy actions (e.g., ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants) could further shift incentives.
• The tandem effect: lower rental/housing demand, which may modestly lower housing costs and benefit citizens.
  • "Four months of consecutive declining in rentals overall nationally is also a strong sign for 18 to 25 year olds who want to rent an apartment for the very first time in their life." (Ryan Girdusky, 44:54)
• "The illegal alien population, which is the low hanging fruit going after that, we're seeing signs in housing and in birth data to say this is changing." (Ryan Girdusky, 44:54)

5. Economic and Political Affordability Challenges

Timestamps: 45:44–48:11

• Discussion of inflation, energy prices, and how the Trump administration is messaging on affordability.
  • Acknowledgment of falling gas prices but ongoing struggles with insurance and government budget pressures.
  • Suggestion for procurement reforms to boost U.S. manufacturing via government contracts.

6. Personal and Lighter Moments

Timestamps: 34:16, 54:04–59:13

• Clay enjoys holding Buck’s baby boy (“Lord Chunkingham. First of his name.”)
• Banter regarding gun preferences and nostalgic movies, revealing the hosts’ personalities and rapport with listeners.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It is now all so political that it's very hard for people... to disentangle the politics.”
  — Buck Sexton (08:04–08:57)

• “If we could have a sane government in Venezuela... the overall price of oil and gas would continue to come down pretty substantially.”
  — Clay Travis (30:36)

• “Overall there's about 35,000 fewer births from foreign-born mothers this year compared to last year... with self deportation, the number is well into the 2 millions.”
  — Ryan Girdusky (36:26–38:35)

• “The illegal alien population is drying up by 2 to 2.5 million this year.”
  — Ryan Girdusky (44:54)

• "We only need seven rounds because we're that good a shot... With those tiny little 9 millimeter years, we don't need the gadgets."
  — Listener call-in, Brian from Harrisburg (58:12)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 02:52 — Clay introduces the Michigan football coach scandal.
• 06:38 — Analysis of failed indictments and politicized grand juries.
• 10:25 — Clay’s proposed reform on jurisdiction for federal charges.
• 18:38 — Venezuela crisis and U.S. foreign policy ramp-up.
• 27:40 — Discussion of oil tankers and regime change options.
• 34:16 — Ryan Girdusky joins for immigration data deep dive.
• 36:26–38:35 — Ryan details birth statistics, deportations, and population shifts.
• 41:51–44:54 — Links between immigration, housing demand, and policy suggestions.
• 45:44 — Election affordability messaging and economic strategy.
• 54:04–59:13 — End-of-show banter, holiday updates, and fan interactions.

Tone and Style

The episode maintains its trademark blend of incisive, sometimes sardonic, political analysis and friendly banter. Clay and Buck push pointed arguments but maintain humor and accessibility, even on heavier topics like regime change or immigration. They regularly encourage audience engagement and wrap the week’s news while looking forward to holidays with warmth and cheer.

For listeners who missed this episode:
You’ll find a sweeping review of current U.S. political fissures, spirited takes on the legal system’s limits, hard-edged geopolitical realism about Venezuela, and a datacentric approach to undocumented immigration and its effect on the American economy. The show is fast-paced, debate-driven, and leavened with personal stories—perfect for staying informed and entertained heading into the weekend.