The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Daily Review with Clay and Buck - December 18, 2025
Host: Clay Travis (Buck Sexton on vacation)
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Focus: Economic recovery, historical illiteracy and cancel culture, current events, and holiday family dynamics in a polarized America

Overview

In this Thursday edition, Clay Travis helms the show solo as Buck Sexton begins his holiday break. Clay takes listeners through the latest news highlights, beginning with the encouraging decline in inflation, major stories like recent shootings at Brown University and MIT, and the cultural debate sparked by the removal of historic statues. The episode features in-depth interviews with Federalist reporter Brianna Lyman (on erasing American history) and psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert (on navigating strained family relationships during the holidays, especially given political divisions). Throughout, Clay mixes economic analysis, history nerd-outs, and signature candid commentary.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Good News: Inflation Drops to 2.7%

• [02:27–07:33]
  • Clay Travis opens with the "lowest level of inflation since the spring of 2021," at 2.7%, moving closer to the Fed’s 2% target.
  • Clay underscores the political and real-world stakes: "A big part of the 2026 election is going to be based on cost of goods affordability."
  • Expert Commentary:
    • Steve Liesman (CNBC economics reporter): "CPI... coming in a little bit better than expected. 2.7%. A little light here... four tenths off. That is a very good number here." (03:20)
    • Maria Bartiromo (Fox Business): "This is better than expected. We were expecting 3% on core. We got 2.6% CPI for the month... Much better than the 3.1% expected. Markets are on the move." (05:50)
    • Ken Rogoff (Harvard): "It was a better number than anyone was expecting... There's no other way to spin it." (07:05)
  • Clay’s analysis: Explains the inflation spike after Biden’s pandemic stimulus, the surge in interest rates, and the resulting freeze in the housing market.
  • Historical Parallels: Clay compares Trump’s current challenges to Reagan post-Carter, saying it takes time for policy improvements to be “felt” by the public.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "Telling that story is really challenging because you risk sounding like you don't understand what's really going on on the ground when you tell people things are getting better, but they can't feel it yet." (07:33)
  • Audience Engagement: Clay takes calls inviting listeners to add their perspective on economic frustrations.

2. Interview: Brianna Lyman on Cancel Culture and American Historical Literacy

• [22:29–36:04]
  • Clay introduces Brianna Lyman, highlighting her prominence in debates on statue removal/cancel culture (esp. Robert E. Lee in Virginia).
  • Lyman’s Perspective:
    • "The point of these statues is you're supposed to honor people you cannot tell the story of your state without... Robert E. Lee... was the face of reconciliation." (22:29)
    • Emphasizes historical context: Lee’s choice was "state first," common in the 1860s, not simple treason.
    • Points to a modern day “profound lack of historical literacy”:
      • "It's very easy for people in 2025 to sit back and say, he should have been executed... unless you're in 1860..." (22:57)
    • Clay adds: Radicals in Congress wanted “mass executions.” Reconciliation depended on Northern and Southern leaders urging unity.
  • Contemporary Relevance:
    • Lyman highlights the slippery slope:
      "If you're not morally perfect, your statue must come down—then so does Jefferson's, so does Washington's, because they owned slaves."
    • Cites MLK’s imperfect record as a reminder that no hero will stand up to future moral standards.
    • "All of us... are going to be judged as lacking by history because no one lives up to whatever the standard is in the future." – Clay (26:35)
  • Generational Reflection:
    Lyman (27) says many her age are “ashamed of our heritage,” a product of public and higher education.
    • "We've been indoctrinated... to a degree where we're ashamed of our heritage and our ancestors." (31:23)
  • Defining People by their 'Ceilings' or 'Floors':
    • "Do we define people by their ceilings or their floors? ... Democrats focus on the floor... Republicans tend to focus on the ceiling." – Clay (32:31)
  • The 250th Birthday of America:
    • Lyman, descendant of Revolution participants, advocates for honoring the founders, warns current politics could dampen national spirit in 2026.

3. Breaking News & Current Events

• [37:25–46:00]
  • Continued updates on Brown University and MIT shootings:
    • Clay notes ongoing lack of arrests (Brown) and the "assassination" of MIT nuclear professor Nuno Lauro.
  • The Kennedy Center is reportedly renamed to the Trump Kennedy Center—a story Clay flags for political symbolism.
  • On Conspiracies:
    • Clay rebuts Candace Owens' Turning Point USA assassination conspiracy on Piers Morgan's show:
    • "It's, I think, beyond the pale to suggest that someone at Turning Point was involved in trying to encourage the assassination of Charlie Kirk. I mean, that is, I think, absolutely a crazy loony Ben take." (45:02)
  • Conversation on the challenges posed by a media environment that rewards outlandish claims and the difficulty of combating defamation as a public figure.

4. Interview: Jonathan Alpert – Navigating Holidays Amid Political Division

• [56:59–68:04]
  • Clay welcomes back Jonathan Alpert, psychotherapist & author.
  • Alpert’s #1 Holiday Advice:
    • “People need to recognize that family and friends should be more important than Donald Trump or any political figure.” (57:54)
  • Real-life Callers:
    • Kathy from Birmingham: Asks how to deal with her Trump-hating 90-year-old father.
      • Alpert: Suggests “brief acknowledgment” of differences but focusing on familial love:
        “I understand that we don’t see eye to eye politically, but I love you, you’re my father... let’s focus on family.” (60:13)
    • Ryan from Boston: Notes the emotional intensity of division and asks whether this "Trump syndrome" will translate to future GOP leaders.
      • Alpert: Predicts some "hate" will persist but be less intense than for "outsider" Trump. Notes hate toward the right is more potent/confessional than toward the left. (63:03)
    • Mary from Texas: Offers advice to "lovingly" keep politics out of holiday gatherings.
      • Alpert: Endorses, "Friends and family are far more important than politics and should transcend any occupant of the White House." (65:11)
  • Clay’s Historical Perspective:
    • Notes that post-Civil War and Vietnam War families also faced deep rifts and believes the country’s endurance is proof there’s hope for healing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Clay Travis, on reaching the public with economic news:
  "Telling that story is really challenging because you risk sounding like you don't understand what's really going on on the ground when you tell people things are getting better, but they can't feel it yet." (07:33)

• Brianna Lyman, on cancel culture and historical heroes:
  "If you're not morally perfect, your statue has to come down, then so does Jefferson's, so does Washington's—because they own slaves. And that's the entire point of this entire WOKE movement." (25:13)

• Clay, on the left's focus in history debates:
  "The Democrat Party in general focuses on the floor of American history... Republicans tend to focus on the ceiling." (32:31)

• Jonathan Alpert, on priorities during the holidays:
  "People need to recognize that family and friends should be more important than Donald Trump or any political figure that may be in our country. But all too often that's not the case." (57:54)

• Jonathan Alpert, on emotional division:
  "We have therapy culture...placing blame on everyone but their patient... We have grievance culture...and fragility. If people could just look at our country’s history, and you make a good point, that during the Civil war and after, families probably still got together and loved each other." (66:31)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:27–07:33 – Economic analysis: Inflation, rates, and the Biden/Trump economic storyline
• 22:29–36:04 – Interview: Brianna Lyman on defending American historical figures/statues
• 37:25–46:00 – News Roundup: MIT/Brown shootings, Trump Kennedy Center, debunking assassination conspiracies
• 56:59–68:04 – Interview: Jonathan Alpert on holiday family dynamics in a politically charged era
• 07:33, 25:13, 32:31, 57:54, 66:31 – Notable quotes (see above for attribution)

Tone and Style

Clay's delivery is brisk, direct, and blends serious analysis with "history nerding out" and a touch of humor. Both interviews feature candid, passionate exchanges. The episode is optimistic about America's ability to heal division and vigilant about the dangers of historical ignorance and culture wars.

For First-Time Listeners

This episode balances breaking news, trenchant economic and historical analysis, cultural commentary, and practical, heartfelt guidance on handling divisive times—especially relevant as the holidays approach. It's equally valuable for understanding today’s economic moment, the ideological battles shaping the country, and how to keep peace at the family dinner table.