The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Daily Review with Clay and Buck – Nov 4, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Date: November 4, 2025

Episode Overview

On this Election Day Special, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton deliver energetic coverage and sharp commentary on the most hotly contested races of the day, highlighting the high-stakes New York City mayoral battle, gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, and broader implications for national politics—especially President Trump’s influence. The pair weave humor and insight as they dissect the closing strategies, discuss the chaos of split votes, and scrutinize how the media and political operatives are manipulating the narrative. Notably, the episode features data expert Ryan Girdusky for real-time takeaways on turnout and race dynamics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Election Day: “A Day of Votes and a Day of Balls”

• Opening with energy and self-promotion, Buck notes it’s both Election Day and the release of Clay’s new book, “Balls.”
• Clay and Buck encourage listener participation in democracy:
  • “Go out, vote. Don't listen to me…I'm some guy just squawking nonsense on the radio. Go vote.” (Buck, 01:26)
• Focus races include the NYC Mayoral race, New Jersey, and Virginia Governor/Lieutenant Governor/AG contests.

2. New York City Mayoral Showdown: Trump Endorses Cuomo

• Major last-minute twist: President Trump publicly endorses Andrew Cuomo, viewing him as the only viable alternative to the socialist candidate, Mamdani.
  • “If you vote for Sliwa, who's polling at about a third of where Cuomo is, you're just throwing your vote away. The anti-Mamdani vote…needs to unite behind the leading candidate, and that's Andrew Cuomo.” (Stephen Miller, quoted by Buck, 04:00)
• Clay’s Take:
  • He frames his endorsement of Cuomo as “the lesser of two evils,” preferring Cuomo over Sliwa for strategic reasons.
  • “I do think two evils is the right way to describe those candidates.” (Clay, 03:14)
• Concerns over Vote Splitting:
  • Potential for Mamdani to win without majority due to anti-Mamdani vote split.
  • If Mamdani clears 50%, the split is moot, and “being an avowed socialist candidate doesn't put much of a rock on top of your head.” (Buck, 05:03)
• Potential Consequences:
  • Expectation of increased outflow from NYC if the left prevails, though both hosts believe most who would leave already did during COVID.

Memorable Quote:

• Buck: “It looks like the New York City mayor’s race may set an all-time record for most votes.” (05:03)

3. Last-Minute Endorsement: Trump—Help or Hindrance?

• Van Jones’ theory: Trump’s endorsement, in deep blue NYC, could harm Cuomo due to Trump’s unpopularity, especially as much voting has already occurred.
  • “I can't think of a worse thing to happen to Cuomo than for Donald Trump to come out last night in this town…” (Van Jones, via Buck, 09:40)
• Buck’s Analysis:
  • Timing matters: Waiting until Election Day limits negative impact because much early voting is done.
  • “If Mamdani wins over 50%, then all of this was for naught.” (Buck, 09:50)

4. Cuomo Finally Campaigns—Too Little, Too Late?

• Cuomo’s Critique of Mamdani:
  • Attacks Mamdani’s promises (rent freeze, government grocery stores, free buses) as legally or practically impossible:
  • “None of it will change anybody’s life.” (Andrew Cuomo, 11:08)
• Hosts criticize Cuomo for a lackluster, entitled campaign:
  • “He has been not just inept, but lazy, too.” (Clay, 12:28)

5. Media Spin and National Narratives

• Even blue state races will be framed as a “report card on Trump”—something both hosts lampoon:
  • “They are going to argue if the results are Democrats win…It's a massive repudiation of Trump.” (Buck, 13:43)
  • Clay points to emotional, tribal voting, especially in “blue fortress” areas.

6. Down-Ballot Races Are Critical

• While mayor and governor races grab headlines, both hosts emphasize the huge impact down-ballot (e.g., Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor).
  • “The down ballot can be hugely important too.” (Clay, 02:19)

7. Suburban Exodus and Outflow Talk

• Speculation over a million New Yorkers threatening to leave:
  • “Let's say that 100,000… would move. I think 100,000 New Yorkers, if Mamdani wins, might say, I’M out. I'm going to Florida. I'm going to Texas. I'm going to Tennessee.” (Buck, 07:28)
  • Clay and Buck agree numbers will be smaller: COVID already drove most “flight.”

8. Policy Issues: Plastic Bags, Housing, and Regulation

• New Jersey:
  • Buck rails on plastic bag bans and high housing costs, urging a vote for Republican Cittarelli, “even just for the plastic bags.”
  • “You fundamentally cannot trust a politician who is in favor of banning plastic grocery bags.” (Buck, 21:52)
• New York:
  • Rent freezes and “government promises” in focus; hosts argue real solutions require more housing construction, not controls.
  • “If you want to have lower cost for rent, you need to have more rentable units.” (Clay, 23:50)

9. Data Dive with Ryan Girdusky (36:10)

• Joined midway, Girdusky offers a granular look at turnout and vote dynamics:
  • New York City on track for record turnout (“easily… at least 2 million” votes—38:09)
  • Dems are “voting like it’s a presidential election” in New Jersey and Virginia; huge turnout especially among white, college-educated voters.
  • Trump’s Cuomo endorsement seen as unhelpful in NYC:
    • “He's so disliked by 2/3 of New Yorkers.” (Ryan, 41:01)
  • AOC watching closely; if Mamdani shows no “ceiling” for socialism, leftward energy in Dems grows.
    • “If there’s no ceiling on socialism, AOC is going to look at that and say, okay, it’s my time to shine, I’m running for president and it’s not a joke.” (Ryan, 41:01)
  • Virginia: Winsome Sears’ underperformance blamed on single-issue campaign (transgender bathrooms) and lackluster outreach.

10. Discussion on Political Campaigns and Strategy

• Cuomo’s Campaign:
  • Failure to court Republican or swing voters; “never gave Republicans a reason to vote for him” (Ryan, 45:51).
• Implications:
  • If Mamdani crushes, hard-left Dems emboldened; moderate Dems marginalized.
  • Record turnout nationwide for an “off-off” year: “One of the highest turnout elections… probably ever.” (Ryan, 40:25)

11. Media, Emotional Manipulation, and National Stakes

• Buck and Clay highlight that Dems attack Republicans emotionally rather than improving arguments, manipulating voters with “emotional manipulation in place of an argument.” (Buck, 54:20)
• Health care, cost of living, crime, and regulatory overreach called out as issues where Democrats are “wrong about everything.” (Buck, 56:24)
• Gavin Newsom’s public safety and immigration fear-mongering mocked as hyperbolic and dishonest.

12. Legacy Politics: Remembering Dick Cheney

• Upon news of Dick Cheney’s passing (58:33), Buck reflects on his personal recollections and the intensity of politics post 9/11.
• They debate Cheney’s controversial legacy (especially the Iraq War), separating personal loyalty to country from political dispute:
  • “You can love your country and make awful decisions.” (Buck, 63:12)

Notable Quotes

| Quote | Speaker | Timestamp | |---|---|---| | “Go out, vote. Don't listen to me...I'm some guy just squawking nonsense on the radio. Go vote.” | Buck Sexton | 01:26 | | “If you vote for Sliwa...you're just throwing your vote away. The anti Mamdani vote...needs to unite behind the leading candidate, and that's Andrew Cuomo.” | Stephen Miller (via Buck) | 04:00 | | “It looks like the New York City mayor’s race may set an all-time record for most votes.” | Buck Sexton | 05:03 | | “He has been not just inept, but lazy, too.” | Clay Travis (on Cuomo) | 12:28 | | “They are going to argue...this is a massive repudiation of Trump.” | Buck Sexton | 13:43 | | “You fundamentally cannot trust a politician who is in favor of banning plastic grocery bags.” | Buck Sexton | 21:52 | | “If you want to have lower cost for rent, you need to have more rentable units.” | Clay Travis | 23:50 | | “If there’s no ceiling on socialism, AOC is going to look at that and say, okay, it’s my time to shine, I’m running for president and it’s not a joke.” | Ryan Girdusky | 41:01 | | “You can love your country and make awful decisions.” | Buck Sexton (on Cheney) | 63:12 |

Important Timestamps

• [03:14]: NYC mayoral race, anti-Mamdani vote split, Trump’s endorsement of Cuomo
• [05:03]: New York turnout record, consequences of vote split
• [09:40]: Van Jones’ take on Trump’s endorsement harming Cuomo
• [11:08]: Cuomo’s critique of Mamdani’s campaign promises
• [13:43]: Media narrative: framing results as referendum on Trump
• [21:52]: Buck’s passionate rant on plastic bag bans and New Jersey politics
• [38:09]: Gardusky: NYC mayoral turnout projections and competitive districts
• [41:01]: Gardusky: Trump’s endorsement effect, AOC’s potential plans
• [45:51]: Cuomo’s strategic failures, Republican courting
• [54:20]: Emotional manipulation in politics vs. substantive arguments
• [58:33]: Dick Cheney’s passing and legacy debate
• [63:12]: Clay & Buck: Patriotism vs. poor decisions (Cheney discussion)

Tone and Style

The show maintains its signature conversational, energetic, and humorous style. Clay and Buck frequently joke with each other and the audience, even as they cut to the heart of political dynamics. Guests like Ryan Girdusky, presented as data-savvy and candid, break down the election day numbers with clarity and wit.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This Election Day episode is a brisk, insightful cruise through the political agony and theater of high-stakes urban and suburban America. Clay and Buck move nimbly from horse-race analysis, to policy rants (plastic bags, anyone?), to deep dives on turnout with a data guru. The episode’s beating heart is the NYC mayoral race, with Trump’s shocking Cuomo endorsement looming large. Throughout, the hosts emphasize the importance of voting, the reality of America’s urban “blue walls,” and how the left wing of the Democratic Party is gaining steam regardless of conventional wisdom. Underpinning everything is a wry skepticism about media spin, political promises, and establishment ineptitude—from Cuomo all the way back to Dick Cheney.

For anyone who missed the show, this episode:

• Explains the stakes and narratives shaping Election Day 2025.
• Analyzes the most critical races, especially New York City’s.
• Pulls no punches on lazy campaigns, strategic blunders, and hyperbolic media coverage.
• Offers fresh, data-driven perspectives on turnout and what lies ahead for both parties.