The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show: David Rutherford Show – Ukraine Peace Talks, DC Attack & New 2020 Election Bombshells | Ep. 81 (December 1, 2025)

Overview

In this dense, post-Thanksgiving episode, David Rutherford tackles what he considers the three most significant news stories of the week:

1. The latest developments in Ukraine-Russia peace talks and their broader implications.
2. The fatal attack on DC National Guardsmen by an Afghan refugee, used as a lens to examine the dangers of unchecked immigration.
3. Alleged new revelations about 2020 election fraud, as discussed in the book "Stolen Elections" by Gary Berntsen and Ralph Pezzullo.

Rutherford’s approach is characterized by urgency, a blend of insider operational knowledge, and an overtly patriotic tone. He weaves systemic criticism, warnings about corruption, and calls for grassroots activism throughout the show.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ukraine Peace Talks: Context and Content

[10:37–34:34]

• Current Status: Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are once again in the spotlight. Rutherford reviews the failures of past attempts and the ongoing catastrophic loss of life (estimated 1.2–1.5 million combined).
• Historical Perspective:
  • Trump’s major campaign promise: "as soon as he gets in week one, he's going to have the Ukraine, Russia situation solved." (11:53)
  • Rutherford expresses skepticism regarding the intentions of previous U.S. and European administrations, suggesting neoconservative interests have preferred a proxy war to wear down Russia.
• Corruption in Ukraine:
  • Significant revelations including anti-corruption raids against Zelensky’s chief of staff for alleged $100M+ money laundering (19:00).
  • Cites Ukraine’s history with arms sales, trafficking, financial corruption, and suggests Ukraine has "never been this beacon of democratic prosperity." (20:30)
• Details of the Draft Peace Plan:
  • A 28-point US-Russia framework, with many proposals favoring Moscow, according to critics. Notable elements include:
    • Ukraine's sovereignty confirmed but non-aggression pacts and hard limits on NATO expansion.
    • Ukraine enshrines in its constitution not to join NATO; reciprocal NATO clause.
    • Security guarantees, military size limitations, EU membership eligibility for Ukraine.
    • Massive economic reconstruction packages, but Rutherford notes these would open the door for significant Western corporate exploitation of Ukraine’s resources.
    • Sanctions relief for Russia and re-integration into the global economy, including the G8 and joint investment funds.
    • Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk recognized de facto as Russian territory; buffer zones and withdrawal plans.
    • Legally binding implementation, monitored by an international board, and conditional ceasefire.
  • Rutherford analyzes the plan’s merits, compromises, and obstacles—especially the sticking points around NATO and Russian territorial wins.
• European Response:
  • The EU’s 19-point reaction removes NATO non-expansion and Russian territorial recognition, which Rutherford believes could render the talks deadlocked (38:00).
• Geostrategic Stakes:
  • Rutherford warns of the risks of continued war, the potential for nuclear escalation, and points to airpower as a key determinant.
• Notable Quote:

  "This is an opportunity right now for really probably the most destabilizing thing for humanity to kind of gain control of itself and settle back into ways. My opinion is I think this is the best we're ever going to get. I think if this one misses, there's a high probability that Russia's just going to continue to grind them down." — David Rutherford [42:07]

2. Attack on DC National Guardsman: Immigration and Security

[43:05–53:30]

• Incident Recap: The fatal attack on two National Guardsmen in DC by an Afghan refugee, Rahamula Laquinal, is described as "a staggering reality and a wake-up call for all of you out there that believes in unrestricted immigration." (43:15)
• Background on Attacker: Ties to the Kandahar Strike Force, previously trained by US/CIA paramilitary units.
• Broader Critique of Migration and Security:
  • Rutherford points out the difficulty of tracking millions of refugees and asylum-seekers: "How do you track 20 million people? You just can't." (45:00)
  • Criticizes "blue city" DAs and judges for lack of prosecution, and suggests that a significant minority of immigrants are manipulating or resisting integration into American systems.
• Warning of ‘Color Revolution’ and Social Fragmentation:
  • Asserts that "a color revolution is being waged in America" through exploitation of tribalism, mass migration, and institutional corruption (48:10).
• Call for Focus and Action:
  • Highlights financial corruption as the central threat, referencing Elon Musk’s declaration about the unprecedented fraud in US entitlement programs.
  • Advocates a grassroots response: "People that are real patriots, real Americans...running for your city councils...getting in there and establishing your own [Department of Justice] to evaluate how corrupt your municipalities are." (53:00)
• Notable Quote:

  "If you think this is going to stop, you're delusional. It's just going to keep growing and growing and growing." — David Rutherford [47:38]

3. 2020 Election Bombshells & Alleged Voting System Manipulation

[54:00–74:45]

• Book Spotlight - "Stolen Elections":
  • Rutherford highlights the work of Gary Berntsen, ex-CIA officer, and Ralph Pezzullo, who trace the origins of alleged election manipulation software to Hugo Chavez-era Venezuela.
  • Describes how Chavez supposedly commissioned manipulable electronic voting software, which evolved into Smartmatic, later linked to Dominion voting machines. Rutherford recaps the spread of this technology globally and its alleged roles in US elections.
• Specific Claims and Legal Issues:
  • Outlines several high-profile legal battles, whistleblowers, and stories like that of Tina Peters (Colorado), involved in highlighting alleged vote-flipping and facing prosecution.
  • Criticizes the judicial system for refusing to hear evidence, asserting: "Not a single court...they didn't allow evidence to be submitted...they said there was no standing." (70:30)
• Systemic Threat:
  • Argues that unless elections are made transparent and secure, US sovereignty is at risk: "If you don't have elections, you have nothing." (68:28)
  • Raises the specter of a push for voting by smartphone and links it to broader globalist, "new world order" ambitions.
• Civic Action Appeal:
  • Urges listeners to "start banging your hands on this...contact your local election officials," read the book, and get involved at every level (74:00).
• Warnings about Social Collapse:
  • Predicts that failure to reform will eventually result in violence and national disintegration: "The real warriors...there will be no mercy once you push these men over the tipping point. I'm telling you that there will be no mercy at any level." (75:10)
• Notable Quote:

  "The fastest way to become a slave is when you allow other people to manipulate your elections in order to govern you. That is the heartbeat of America. That is your sovereign responsibility, is the power of your vote." — David Rutherford [73:40]

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• On Peace Talks:

  "This is the best we're ever going to get... if this one misses, there's a high probability that Russia's going to continue to grind them down."
  — David Rutherford [42:07]

• On Immigration Risks:

  "If you think this is going to stop, you're delusional. It's just going to keep growing and growing and growing."
  — David Rutherford [47:38]

• On the Importance of Open Elections:

  "If you don't have elections, you have nothing."
  — David Rutherford [68:28]

• On Core American Sovereignty:

  "The fastest way to become a slave is when you allow other people to manipulate your elections in order to govern you. That is the heartbeat of America."
  — David Rutherford [73:40]

Key Segment Timestamps

• Opening & Gratitude/Thanksgiving Reflections: 02:52–10:37
• Ukraine Peace Talks & Historic/Geopolitical Analysis: 10:37–42:07
• DC National Guardsman Attack & Broader Immigration Critique: 43:05–54:00
• Election Story & Stolen Elections Book Deep Dive: 54:00–74:45
• Calls to Civic Action & Closing Warnings: 74:45–77:47

Conclusion & Tone

Rutherford’s tone is impassioned, urgent, and often conspiratorial, delivering extensive historical background, policy critique, and calls for activism. He frames current events as existential threats to American sovereignty, appeals to his listeners’ patriotism, and warns of dramatic repercussions should these issues remain unaddressed. His overarching message: Grassroots vigilance, personal involvement, and relentless scrutiny of both government corruption and electoral integrity are essential to preserving the American republic.