The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Daily Review with Clay and Buck – September 29, 2025
Host: Clay Travis (Solo)
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this Monday edition, Clay Travis hosts solo while Buck Sexton reports from Taiwan. Clay covers a whirlwind of major news stories with his trademark mix of political insight and humor. Topics include significant developments in Middle East peace talks, the fallout from James Comey’s indictment, the aftermath of an attack on a Michigan church, a bombshell about Paul Finebaum eyeing a Senate run, major political shakeups in New York, and passionate debates around polarization in American life. Throughout the episode, Clay drives at the importance of open dialogue—even amidst sharp partisan divides—and spotlights how sports, culture, and politics continually intertwine.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Buck Sexton in Taiwan & Clay Solo (02:21)

• Buck is in Taiwan for the week; Clay hopes "China doesn't invade this week…that would be quite the reporting from Buck".
• Clay promises to tackle the full slate of breaking stories.

2. Middle East Peace Talks: Trump & Netanyahu (03:00, 53:54, 56:52)

• President Trump is at the White House meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu; a "21-point peace pact" is being negotiated to end nearly two years of war post-October 7, 2023.
• Trump proposes an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours.
• Trump is positioned as the main negotiator, with plans for an international board (possibly including Tony Blair) to oversee Gaza governance.
• Trump places responsibility for peace on Hamas, urging Palestinian leadership to fully condemn terrorism and embrace reform.
  • Quote (Trump, 56:52):
    “We're giving them responsibility for their destiny. Fully condemn and prohibit terrorism and earn their way to a brighter future.”
• Netanyahu’s opposition to a Palestinian state is noted, but Trump praises his leadership.
• Clay underscores the historic challenge faced by all U.S. presidents in bringing lasting peace but notes, “Trump is putting the onus on Hamas…this is my last, best offer” (64:09).

3. Potential Federal Government Shutdown (04:29)

• Looming shutdown if no budget agreement is reached by October 1st.
• Clay expresses skepticism about its impact:
  • Quote (04:49):
    “There’ve been so many government shutdowns over the last 25 or 30 years that no one really cares…eventually they work out a solution.”

4. Political Turmoil: New York, New Jersey, Virginia

• Eric Adams unexpectedly drops out of the NYC mayoral race (05:19, 19:37).
• Upcoming races are early indicators of post-Trump election shifts.
• Curtis Sliwa, Andrew Cuomo, and Alexandra “Mamdani” are the major names remaining, with Mamdani favored (05:40).

5. J.K. Rowling, Emma Watson, and the Trans Debate (06:17, 31:42)

• J.K. Rowling “goes scorched earth” on Emma Watson over trans issues; Clay applauds Rowling for her courage, calling her his "favorite public celebrity."
  • Correction live on air: Emma Watson, not Emma Thompson, played Hermione.
• Clay promises to read more from Rowling’s comments later in the show.

6. Michigan Church Attack (07:35)

• A Mormon church in Michigan was attacked and burned down; four people killed.
• Clay plays a clip of Caroline Levitt discussing the incident, highlighting concerns over rising anti-Christian violence.
  • Caroline Levitt (07:40):
    “As the President rightfully put…it appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians. And the Trump administration is fully committed to…prosecuting them to the full, fullest extent of the law.”

7. James Comey Indictment & Political Fallout (08:24 - 14:00)

• Former FBI Director James Comey is indicted for perjury; Clay plays tape of a pre-indictment Comey interview in which he taunts Trump.
  • Comey (09:36):
    “Despite their absolute best efforts, they were never able, never able to get me.”
• Clay critiques the location of the indictment: “deep blue Alexandria, Virginia…75-25 Democrat…grand jurors that indicted James Comey were actually Kamala, Biden, Obama voters.”
• J.D. Vance (11:55):
  • “Not exactly a hotbed of Donald Trump’s political support…We’re not letting politics drive this. We’re letting the requirements of the justice system and the law drive this.”
• Clay remains skeptical of a conviction:
  • “At least one of these jurors will say I’m not convicting James Comey because I hate President Trump…Also, we’ve got an Obama-appointed judge…”
• He stresses the need for a key witness/whistleblower from inside the FBI to prove perjury.
• Cites prosecution by Lindsey Halligan as an “incredible accomplishment.”

8. Major Sports and Politics Crossover: Paul Finebaum’s Possible Senate Run (21:00 - 26:00)

• Clay details his long personal history with Paul Finebaum, renowned ESPN/SEC sports analyst.
• Finebaum is contemplating a Senate run in Alabama, especially in light of the Tommy Tuberville gubernatorial run opening a seat.
• Candid reasoning from Finebaum on considering candidacy:
  • Quote (Finebaum, 23:59):
    “I can't say I've dreamed about [politics]...This is something that just came to me and it’s also very late and I don't know quite how to deal with it. But as far as your question, you know, would I give up what I'm doing? I would.”
• Clay believes the Charlie Kirk assassination attempt and growing national divisions have been key motivators for Finebaum, just as COVID shifted Clay's own career focus.
• Finebaum’s desire to “do more to try and make things better” parallels growing activism among public figures.

9. Disney, ESPN, and Media Bias (29:30)

• Clay reveals Finebaum told him ESPN/Disney blocked an interview with President Trump in 2019, contrasting with ESPN’s annual Obama interviews.
• Clay predicts this revelation will “land like a neutron bomb” given recent corporate controversies.

10. Listener Feedback and Culture War Debates

• Political Friendships & Civility (38:59, 39:21):

  • A caller, Dean, claims he can’t be friends with Democrats; both hosts reject this hardline attitude.
  • Clay (39:21):
    “I disagree…I don't believe in the idea of cutting people out of your life who have different political opinions than you. I actually think we need more people who are willing to be friends with people across the aisle.”
  • Clay argues that persuasion—not isolation—is how cultural and political change happen.

• Boycotts and Participation in Sports (46:35):

  • Caller Chris criticizes “giving money to the enemy” by supporting sports leagues at odds with certain values.
  • Clay’s rebuttal:
    • “You win by fighting; you don’t win by abandoning the battlefield and saying, well, they're mean. I don't agree with some of this stuff. I'm out...I lace 'em up, put in your mouth guard, and start throwing haymakers.” (47:04)
  • Stresses the crucial role of sports and culture in shaping the country: “The battlefield of culture is what ultimately decides elections.”

• Analogy to Religion & Conversion (53:54):

  • Clay draws a comparison between converting non-Christians and persuading political opponents, invoking his grandparents’ ministry to prisoners:
    • “If you truly believe that the goal of a religion is to save people...wouldn't you want to focus on trying to save people...It's easy to preach to the choir...But real calling is convincing people of something they have not yet realized.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump on Middle East Peace Plan (56:52):
  “We're giving them responsibility for their destiny. Fully condemn and prohibit terrorism and earn their way to a brighter future.”

• Clay Travis on Government Shutdowns (04:49):
  “They’ve happened so many times over the last 25 or 30 years that no one really cares.”

• Paul Finebaum’s Reluctant Shift to Politics (24:42):
  “I can't say I've dreamed about [politics]...would I give up what I’m doing? I would.”

• Clay Travis on Maintaining Friendships (39:21):
  “I don't believe in the idea of cutting people out of your life who have different political opinions than you. I actually think we need more people who are willing to be friends with people across the aisle.”

• Clay Travis on Cultural Engagement (47:04):
  “You win by fighting; you don’t win by abandoning the battlefield and saying...I lace 'em up, put in your mouth guard, and start throwing haymakers.”

Important Timestamps

• 02:21 – Clay solo, Buck Sexton reporting from Taiwan
• 03:00, 53:54, 56:52 – Middle East peace negotiations, Trump-Netanyahu meeting
• 04:29 – Looming federal government shutdown
• 05:19, 19:37 – Eric Adams leaves NYC mayoral race; political shakeups
• 06:17, 31:42 – J.K. Rowling/Emma Watson and the trans debate
• 07:35 – Michigan church attack, Caroline Levitt's analysis
• 08:24 – 14:00 – James Comey indictment, political implications, J.D. Vance commentary
• 21:00 – 26:00 – Paul Finebaum’s possible Senate run, long-form interview preview
• 29:30 – Disney/ESPN’s bias against Trump, media insight
• 38:59, 39:21, 39:54 – Listener feedback on friendships across the aisle
• 46:35, 47:04 – Boycotting sports, culture war strategy
• 53:54 – Faith, persuasion, and changing the world

Episode Takeaways

• Major world news is in flux, from the Middle East to domestic politics.
• Clay Travis remains a proponent of cultural engagement, open discourse, and persuasion—even with those you strongly disagree with.
• The episode offers exclusive insight into political maneuvers (Comey indictment, Finebaum’s potential Senate run), pop culture debates, and how Americans are grappling with polarization and big questions about their country’s future.