The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 1 – Biden’s Economic Hangover

Date: January 20, 2026
Hosts: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton

Episode Overview

In the first hour of this episode, Clay and Buck unpack the state of the nation after one year of Donald Trump’s second administration. The show weaves together lighthearted commentary from last night’s college football championship, serious political analysis about the ongoing dispute over Greenland, and a close look at America’s economic rebound after what they term “Biden’s economic hangover.” The conversation ranges from the strategic calculus around U.S.–Greenland relations to metrics reflecting the current strength of the U.S. economy, debates about national mood, and the emerging potential (and challenges) of AI and automation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kicking Off: Reflections and Football Banter

• Clay congratulates the Indiana Hoosiers on their national championship win, having attended the game with Buck.
• The hosts describe a festive, patriotic stadium vibe, including President Trump’s appearance and crowd reaction.
• Quote: "It definitely feels... cool to be patriotic again in a way that when I go to sporting events... it's just vanished." – Clay Travis [24:10]

2. Anniversary of Trump’s Inauguration & Administration Scorecard

• Marks one year into Trump’s second term with notable “great wins” and continuing challenges.
• Buck suggests the administration’s first-year achievements warrant discussion and analysis.
• Quote: "It is the beginning of year two of the Trump administration... Some great wins on the board, I think already, which we'll be discussing a bit, and then some other things that are still certainly major challenges." – Buck Sexton [02:56]

3. The Greenland Controversy Heats Up

• Trump’s renewed push to secure U.S. sovereignty in Greenland dominates headlines, especially ahead of the Davos summit.
• Discussion about Denmark’s claim over Greenland, U.S. military presence (Thule/Pituffik Space Base), and the strategic and resource value of Greenland (minerals, fresh water, military advantage).
• Clay and Buck compare the Greenland ambitions to historic American land acquisitions like the Louisiana Purchase and Alaska’s “Seward’s Folly.”
• Quote: "He wants sovereignty... he wants the ability to do whatever America thinks is in its interest there... minerals... defense..." – Clay Travis [08:14]
• Clips from Trump highlight his unconventional but steadfast approach:
  • "They have to have this done. They can't protect it. Denmark... wonderful people... but they don’t even go there. The boat went there 500 years ago and then left. That doesn't give you title to property." – Donald Trump [05:20]
• European leaders push back with token NATO deployments; Trump remains undeterred.
  • "NATO's been warning Denmark for about 20 years now... not only Russia, it's also China. So we'll see what happens. But... it's going to be a very interesting Davos." – Donald Trump [09:56]
• The hosts pitch the idea of allowing Greenlanders themselves to decide, with historic precedents for territory acquisition discussed.
  • "There is an opportunity potentially for each of those natives of Greenland to be paid just straightforwardly in certain dollar figure." – Clay Travis [15:41]

4. Davos Preview & Notable World Leaders’ Soundbites

• Anticipation builds for the Davos summit: Trump’s agenda and positioning Greenland front and center.
• Playful sidebars on world leaders’ behaviors and appearances, including Macron’s sunglasses and Gavin Newsom’s strong remarks.
• Gavin Newsom’s Davos soundbite sharply criticizes global leaders for complacency:
  • "It's time to stand tall and firm, have a backbone... I can't take this complicity, people rolling over. Should have brought up a bunch of knee pads for all the world leaders." – Gavin Newsom [11:47]

5. Economic Report Card and “Biden’s Economic Hangover”

• Clay and Buck emphasize the dramatic turnaround from Biden’s presidency to Trump Year One: economic growth, stock market highs, safe streets, gas prices at four-year lows.
• Trump’s core message at Davos: "The primary message is how well the United States is doing... a year and a half ago we were a dead country, and now we have the hottest country in the world." – Donald Trump [25:22]
• Key metrics cited:
  • GDP growth (Q3): 4.3%, with expectations above 5% for early 2026
  • Core inflation: 2.6% (target is 2%)
  • Record declines in murders and fentanyl deaths
  • Border Security: "100% secure border the likes of which we've never had"
  • Mortgage rates: Down by 1%, housing market opening up
  • Stock market: All-time highs
  • Gas prices: Four-year lows
• Quote: "The data is all there moving in a very positive direction. But because of the Biden economic hangover, it takes a while for people to start to feel that in their own life." – Clay Travis [28:18]
• Discussion of the lag between statistical improvement and public sentiment; parallels drawn to the Reagan–Carter transition.
• “Trend is your friend” argument: even unresolved issues (like housing costs) show positive direction.

6. AI, Technology, & Economic Transformation Outlook

• The hosts speculate on how AI-driven growth could supercharge U.S. productivity, bring radical changes to healthcare (autonomous surgery), transportation (self-driving cars), and housing.
• Elon Musk’s prediction of "Optimus" robots and 10% GDP growth is used as an anchor for optimism.
  • "If we got to around 6% GDP next year... the budget would get very close to being balanced." – Buck Sexton [36:04]
• Buck forecasts a future where driving becomes a hobby: "Within a decade a lot of people will not be driving cars anymore... Like riding horses now." [39:50]
• Acknowledges inevitable economic disruptions (job dislocations), referencing healthcare billing anecdotes and the impending automation of services.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |:----------:|:-------------|:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:20 | Donald Trump | "They have to have this done. They can't protect it. Denmark, they're wonderful people... That doesn't give you title to property." | | 09:56 | Donald Trump | "NATO's been warning Denmark... not only Russia, it's also China... It's going to be a very interesting Davos." | | 11:47 | Gavin Newsom | "It's time to stand tall and firm, have a backbone... I can't take this complicity, people rolling over..." | | 15:41 | Clay Travis | "There is an opportunity potentially for each of those natives of Greenland to be paid just straightforwardly in certain dollar figure." | | 25:22 | Donald Trump | "A year and a half ago we were a dead country and now we have the hottest country in the world." | | 28:18 | Clay Travis | "But because of the Biden economic hangover, it takes a while for people to start to feel that in their own life." | | 36:04 | Buck Sexton | "The only way to balance the budget and start to pay off our national debt is to grow our way... Elon said... we could get to 10% GDP." | | 39:50 | Buck Sexton | "Within a decade a lot of people will not be driving cars anymore. And I think within a generation driving cars is going to be like riding horses." |

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [02:44] — Show opens, hosts review Trump’s first-year wins and tee-up Greenland controversy
• [05:20] — Trump clip: U.S. sovereignty bid on Greenland
• [09:56] — Trump addresses token NATO deployment in Greenland
• [11:47] — Gavin Newsom’s Davos rebuke
• [15:41] — Discussion: Prospects for compensating Greenlanders
• [24:10] — Patriotic resurgence at sporting events
• [25:22] — Trump message at Davos: U.S. economic resurgence
• [28:18] — Economic data rundown—with context on perceptions
• [36:04] — Prospects of AI-driven productivity and fiscal impact
• [39:50] — Future of driving and automation

Summary Table: Policy & Cultural Takeaways

| Topic | Take | Notable Moments | |--------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------------| | Trump’s Greenland push | Assertive, unprecedented; likened to historical land acquisitions | [05:20], [09:56], [15:41] | | Trump Year One report card | Strong on border, economy; communication challenge remains | [02:44], [25:22], [28:18] | | Economic turnaround/"hangover" theme | Statistically impressive, feels slow to public | [28:18], [31:49] | | AI/Tech optimism | Exponential growth possible, but disruption inevitable | [36:04], [39:50] | | Davos & World Affairs | Anticipation for U.S. to set agenda, Newsom's posturing | [09:56], [11:47], [25:22] | | Patriotic culture shift | Sporting events as bellwether, positive change noted | [24:10] |

In summary:
This episode intersperses humor and earnest policy analysis to explore Trump’s bold international maneuvers, especially around Greenland, and the domestic economic bounce-back dubbed the “Biden economic hangover.” The hosts highlight substantial improvements in economic metrics, border security, and American cultural confidence, while contending with the challenge of changing public perception and the coming wave of AI-driven transformation. The hour ends teeing up further coverage of Trump’s live briefing and the world’s eyes on Davos.