The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Daily Review with Clay and Buck – Feb 17, 2026
Date: February 17, 2026
Host: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton
Special Guest: Congressman Jim Jordan

Overview

This episode commemorates the five-year anniversary of Rush Limbaugh’s passing, celebrates the release of Buck Sexton’s first book "Manufacturing Delusion," and analyzes current headlines including a series of mass shootings by transgender individuals, ongoing debates over the border crisis, and a media controversy involving CBS and the Texas Senate race. The episode blends political analysis with personal anecdotes, book promotion, and a critical look at how media and culture influence public discourse.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Remembering Rush Limbaugh (02:19)

• Clay opens by acknowledging the fifth anniversary of Rush Limbaugh’s death and the show’s legacy as "the house that Rush built."
• Both hosts highlight their roles as inheritors and custodians of Rush’s radio tradition.

Quote:
"This is the house that Rush built. And we try to be the best custodians we possibly can every day and serve you, this audience that Rush Limbaugh served for 30 years."
— Buck Sexton (06:13)

2. Buck Sexton Releases His Book: "Manufacturing Delusion" (03:27–09:40)

• Buck introduces "Manufacturing Delusion," describing it as a deep dive into left-wing brainwashing, propaganda, and the concept of “menticide.”
• Discusses personal stories from his CIA career featured in the book, and reflects on the pressures of self-authorship versus ghostwriting in political publishing.
• Calls on the audience to help the book outsell a competing title by Jon Meacham, framing it as a contest of right vs. left in the bestseller list.

Notable Quotes:
"It's really about the tactics and history of mind control and how you can make people go crazy... or how people allow themselves to be made crazy."
— Buck Sexton (03:30)

"Very few people actually write their books, which is a whole other thing... I actually wrote this book as Clay writes his books."
— Buck Sexton (06:10)

Book Reviews Highlighted:

• Megyn Kelly: "A harrowing, brilliant, important read."
• Glenn Beck: "Terrifying, brilliant, essential and ex-CIA officer's unmasking of totalitarian mind control."
• Jack Carr: "Meticulously researched and exceptionally written. Manufacturing Delusion is more than a book; it's a tool to protect your mind and soul." (38:16)

3. Rise in Mass Shootings by Transgender Individuals (09:48–18:51)

• Clay and Buck discuss a recent shooting at a Rhode Island hockey game and other recent attacks involving transgender individuals as perpetrators.
• Describes a media pattern of obfuscating the shooters' gender identities and criticizes the media's refusal to address potential links between mental health, medication, and violence in transgender individuals.
• Argues that pathologizing mental illness is essential and that current “affirmation”-based therapies are making things worse.

Memorable Moments & Quotes:
"The narcissism on this, Buck, is off the charts. His wife said, no, I'm not going to go along with this delusion...and then he showed up and killed her at a high school hockey game."
— Clay Travis (11:11)

"Crazy people need help. They do not need applause for their craziness."
— Buck Sexton (14:36)

4. The Political Weaponization of Transgender Issues (17:21–18:51)

• Suggests a link between ideology, psychological instability, and mass violence—drawing analogies to terrorist ideologies for emphasis.
• Argues that trans identity has been artificially boosted by "an apparatus that views this as important for the projection of power."

Quote:
"This is being created by an apparatus that views this as important for the projection of power, important for the projection of an ideology."
— Buck Sexton (18:34)

5. Interview with Congressman Jim Jordan: Immigration, Sanctuary Cities & Party Politics (23:47–36:29)

Sanctuary Cities and Border Security (25:10–29:13)

• Jordan describes the challenges federal authorities face when local “sanctuary” policies prevent cooperation with ICE, leading to criminal aliens’ release.
• Announces upcoming House legislation to preempt state localities from blocking law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Quote:
"In roughly a third of the country, left wing political officials tell their local law enforcement, don't work with federal law enforcement...instead they say, no, we're going to release him to the streets."
— Jim Jordan (26:00)

Maintaining Control of the House and Midterms Outlook (29:13–33:14)

• Jordan outlines the Republican midterm strategy: run on achievements (border security, tax cuts, school choice), and contrast with left’s “crazy” policies.
• Cites economic improvements and encourages reminding voters of the risk of returning to Democrat control.

Quote:
"The divide in America today is normal versus crazy."
— Jim Jordan, referencing Sarah Huckabee Sanders (32:50)

Transgender Ideology in Congress (33:14–35:13)

• Buck asks if Democrats truly believe in transgender ideology or are captive to their radical base.
• Jordan thinks most Democratic leaders don’t believe it, but are pressured by energetic, progressive factions.

Quote:
"I think the vast majority don't believe that. But I think again, we're back to the energy in their party almost has embraced this whole transgender thing and a host of other crazy policies...that's where they get the financing."
— Jim Jordan (34:27)

6. Media Manipulation and CBS/Colbert/Texas Senate Race Controversy (38:06–52:46)

• Clay unpacks CBS’s refusal to air an interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico due to concerns over the FCC Equal Time Doctrine.
• Glenn and Buck suggest Democratic Party elites are trying to boost Talarico over Jasmine Crockett, seeing him as more electable.
• Discussion critiques left-wing dominance of late night and infotainment media, lambasting their “news exemption” and fake neutrality.

Quotes:
"You can't have late night talk shows that are claiming that they're just comedy shows and only allow Democrats on as guests to basically make their political arguments on the show."
— Clay Travis (49:00)

"There has been no equal time. In fact, we have had Democrat dominance of the media under the guise of it being journalism, under the guise of it being neutral for our entire lives."
— Buck Sexton (46:02)

7. Lighter Moments & Closing Notes (35:13–67:40)

• Congressman Jordan shares his love for winter sports and comments on sportsmanship at the Winter Olympics for some levity.
• Clay and Buck joke about book promotion, AI outfit advice, and family anecdotes.
• Discuss implications of upcoming primaries, predictions for Senate/House control, and the importance of the Senate for Supreme Court appointments.

Fans’ Feedback:

• Listener emails about Democratic presidential contenders and generational definitions of “back in the day.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On writing books:
  "I actually wrote this book as Clay writes his books. ... There's a little name on the front cover, usually below their name. That's actually the person who did all the writing and research."
  — Buck Sexton (06:10)

• Trans mass shootings & media:
  "They don't even say this was a man who decided to identify as a woman. He destroyed his entire family. The narcissism ... is off the charts."
  — Clay Travis (11:11)

• On mental illness and affirmation:
  "Crazy people need help. They do not need applause for their craziness."
  — Buck Sexton (14:36)

• On Democrat media dominance:
  "There has been no equal time. In fact, we have had Democrat dominance of the media under the guise of it being journalism, under the guise of it being neutral for our entire lives."
  — Buck Sexton (46:02)

• On “Normal vs. Crazy” in politics:
  "The divide in America today is normal versus crazy."
  — Jim Jordan (32:50)

• On Rush Limbaugh’s legacy:
  "This is the house that Rush built. And we try to be the best custodians we possibly can every day..."
  — Buck Sexton (06:13)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Rush Limbaugh Anniversary Reflection: 02:19–03:27
• Buck’s Book Launch & Publishing Insights: 03:27–09:40
• Trans Shooter Stories & Media Coverage: 09:48–18:51
• Ideology & Menticide Discussion: 17:21–18:51
• Interview with Rep. Jim Jordan: 23:47–36:29
  • Sanctuary Policy & Legislation: 25:10–29:13
  • Midterms & Party Messaging: 29:13–33:14
  • Trans Ideology in Congress: 33:14–35:13
• Media, CBS/Colbert, and Texas Senate Race: 38:06–52:46
• Book Reviews & Fan Interaction: 38:16 onwards
• Lighthearted / Off-topic Moments & Closing Thoughts: 35:13–end

Summary Tone and Style

Clay and Buck maintain a conversational, often humorous tone. While some moments are solemn—especially during the Rush Limbaugh tribute—the mood is predominantly lively, combative, and highly opinionated, matching the show’s conservative talk radio tradition.

Conclusion

This episode blends timely political commentary with personal milestones and legacy-building, most notably through Buck’s book launch and the commemoration of Rush Limbaugh’s influence. The hosts critique both left-leaning media influences and the consequences of radical social trends, tie in major news stories, and reinforce their show's central battleground: culture, media, and politics.