The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – Episode: "Hour 1 - Best President Ever?"

Release Date: July 16, 2025
Host: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

I. Introduction and Economic Updates

The episode kicks off with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton diving into significant economic news, emphasizing positive trends that defy previous forecasts.

• Producer Price Index (PPI) Inflation Drops:

  Clay highlights that the PPI inflation has fallen to 2.3%, the lowest since September 2024. He notes, "The tariffs, the bottom line here, the tariffs not having the inflationary effect that we were all told would happen and not having the price rise effect that we were all told would happen. So that seems like a pretty big, pretty big deal." ([00:34])

• Economic Resilience Amidst Tariffs:

  The hosts discuss how the anticipated negative impacts of tariffs have not materialized, suggesting robust economic health despite earlier concerns about inflation and price increases.

II. President Trump's Oval Office Press Conference

A significant portion of the episode centers around President Donald Trump's recent press conference in the Oval Office, where he addresses multiple contentious issues.

• Speculation on Fed Chair Jay Powell:

  The conversation begins with speculation about the potential firing of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Trump deflects rumors, stating, "Those are reports, but they're not true." ([01:47])

• Discussion on the Epstein Case:

  Trump vehemently dismisses the Epstein scandal as a "hoax," blaming Democrats for the conspiracy. He reads a statement from his official account criticizing various Democratic actions and insinuating corruption and deceit. Notable excerpts include:

  • "The radical left Democrats have hit pay dirt again."
  • "Their new scam is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein hoax." ([02:07] - [03:49])

III. Analyzing the "Epstein Hoax" Narrative

Clay and Buck engage in a critical analysis of Trump's stance on the Epstein case, debating its impact on his presidential image and broader political narratives.

• Buck's Perspective on Media Focus:

  Buck expresses frustration over Trump's continued references to the Epstein case, likening it to a "scab that Trump keeps ripping off," which fuels ongoing controversy and distracts from policy achievements. He states, "This is equivalent to a scab that Trump keeps ripping off." ([03:49])

• Communication Mishandling:

  The hosts critique the Trump administration's communication strategy, particularly the mishandling of Attorney General Pam Bondi's involvement with the Epstein files. Buck remarks, "The lack of fulfilled expectations here is real. I get why people are super frustrated." ([08:18] - [08:52])

• Audience Reactions:

  They explore audience sentiments, with listeners expressing annoyance over the repeated focus on a decades-old scandal, which they feel overshadows significant achievements. Emails include statements like, "Every minute you continue to talk about a four-year-old Epstein story does exactly what the Democrats and the liberal media want." ([40:09] – [40:41])

IV. Trump's Economic Achievements and Presidential Legacy

Shifting focus, Clay and Buck laud the Trump administration's economic performance, positing it as potentially historic.

• Ken Langone's Endorsement:

  The hosts highlight a pivotal endorsement from Ken Langone, Home Depot founder, who publicly revised his stance on Trump, declaring, "I have to say that this may be the best presidency in my lifetime." ([23:44] - [24:20])

• Economic Milestones Celebrated:

  Clay enumerates several economic triumphs under Trump:

  • Budget Surplus: "If you asked them, it should be scream from the heavens. No, there was, I bet there wasn't a single economist in the country that said... and it's already happened in six months."
  • Low Gas Prices and Stock Market Highs: Referencing "four-year lows" in gas prices and "401k record highs."

  Buck adds, "One of the things I wish I could do is I wish we gave as much credit to people for admitting when they're wrong as we do when they're right." ([25:44] - [29:40])

V. Public Endorsements and Shifting Opinions

The episode underscores the significance of public figures altering their views based on observable economic data.

• Home Depot Founder’s Shift:

  Ken Langone's change of heart serves as a testament to the administration's economic success, reinforcing the narrative that tangible results can sway opinions even among skeptics.

• Buck's Endorsement of Economic Data:

  Emphasizing the importance of data-driven judgments, Buck argues, "The economists are wrong over and over and over again... That's the story. The economy is starting to roar." ([25:44] - [29:40])

VI. Audience Feedback and Reactions

Listeners actively engage with the hosts, voicing their perspectives and frustrations.

• Calls and Emails Highlighting Discontent:

  Messages such as, "If you keep talking about something with you and forces you to constantly marinate in it, we're going to break here," reflect a desire among the audience to shift focus away from entrenched scandals. ([40:09] - [42:42])

• Listener Messages:

  Audience members like Karen express skepticism towards the ongoing emphasis on the Epstein narrative, asking, "Why do you keep talking about it?" Buck responds with, "The president talked about it, so I feel like we probably have to talk about it." ([40:09] - [40:41])

VII. Concluding Remarks and Teasers

As the episode winds down, Clay and Buck tease upcoming topics, including:

• Joe Biden's Advisor Testimony:

  Anticipating discussions on Anthony Bernal and Jill Biden’s advisors taking the fifth amendment, hinting at potential political ramifications.

• Tax Rescission Package:

  Preparing listeners for analysis on a tax policy vote in the U.S. Senate.

• Local and Upcoming Events:

  Brief mentions of local news and sports events, including the Hank Aaron Memorial by the Braves.

Notable Quotes:

1. Clay Travis on Tariffs and Economy:
   "The tariffs not having the inflationary effect that we were all told would happen and not having the price rise effect that we were all told would happen. So that seems like a pretty big, pretty big deal."
   ([00:34])

2. President Trump on the Epstein Hoax:
   "Their new scam is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein hoax."
   ([03:49])

3. Buck Sexton on Media Focus:
   "This is equivalent to a scab that Trump keeps ripping off."
   ([03:49])

4. Ken Langone's Endorsement:
   "I have to say that this may be the best presidency in my lifetime."
   ([24:20])

5. Buck on Economic Achievements:
   "The economists are wrong over and over and over again... That's the story. The economy is starting to roar."
   ([25:44] - [29:40])

6. Listener Karen's Question:
   "Why do you keep talking about it?"
   ([40:09])

7. Buck's Response to Karen:
   "The president talked about it, so I feel like we probably have to talk about it."
   ([40:49])

Final Thoughts

In this episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton navigate the complex interplay between economic indicators and politically charged narratives. While celebrating significant economic achievements under the Trump administration, they critically examine the ongoing focus on the Epstein case, exploring its implications on public perception and political discourse. The hosts balance commendations of policy successes with levies on communication strategies, underscoring the challenges of media narratives in shaping presidential legacies.