The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 1 - Bolton Gets Raided

Date: August 22, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)

Overview of Episode's Main Theme

This hour of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show dives into the breaking news about the FBI raid on John Bolton’s home and office, exploring the implications for classified document handling, the underlying politics, and its broader effects on Trump-era controversies. Hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton dissect the developing story, discuss Trump’s reaction, compare Bolton’s situation to past high-profile classified document scandals, and pivot into discussions on crime rates in D.C., redistricting politics, and financial market developments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News: Raid on John Bolton's Home

• Event: The FBI raided former National Security Adviser John Bolton's home and office, investigating potential mishandling or leaking of classified information.
• Context: Bolton, a Trump-era figure turned critic, previously wrote a tell-all book about his White House tenure.
• Motivations for the Raid:
  • Possible mishandling or possession of classified materials
  • Rapid publication of Bolton’s White House memoir and rumored insufficient clearance process
  • Allegations of leaking classified info to harm Trump’s administration

Discussion Highlights

• Buck Sexton's Analysis (06:47):

  • “There are a few things that could be at issue here. One is the book that he wrote … there may be some dispute over whether the book went through [the] full clearance process.”
  • “I would think Bolton is too clever [to keep classified documents at home], but maybe I’m giving him too much credit.”

• Clay Travis on the Dangers of Keeping Classified Docs (09:40):

  • “If by chance you worked in former intelligence and you were like, ‘oh, I’ve still got some of these,’ you probably burned them or shredded them … the idea that you would continue to possess those is crazy.”

• Possibility of Leaking to Reporters (10:05):

  • Buck suggests the “likeliest scenario” for the raid is investigating if Bolton leaked info to reporters “to undermine Trump after being National Security Adviser.”

• Security Procedures Explained (07:30–09:30):

  • Buck explains the extensive review and clearance needed for books by former intelligence officials, drawing on his own CIA experience.

2. Trump’s Response to the Bolton Raid

• Trump’s Comments (13:59):

  • “No, I don’t know about it. I saw it on television this morning. I’m not a fan of John Bolton. He’s a real sort of a low life ... He worked out great for me because every time he doesn’t talk, he’s like a very quiet person. Except on television he could say something bad about Trump, he’ll always do that ... We’re going to find out. I know nothing about it. I just saw it this morning. They did a raid.”

• Clay and Buck’s Interpretation:

  • Clay is skeptical that Trump is not being kept abreast but notes Trump's plausible deniability is politically prudent (14:58).
  • Buck notes the sometimes blurry boundary between the executive branch and DOJ: “They work for the President, but there’s this belief that they kind of don’t ... but no, not really.” (13:12)

• Bolton’s Own Words (Flashback):

  • The hosts play audio of Bolton on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago raid, emphasizing letting “the process play itself out.” (11:19)

3. Political Context and Parallels

• Comparisons to Other Scandals:

  • Reference to Biden’s classified document issues and General Petraeus’ prosecution
  • Question if recent document controversies have made others more cautious

• DOJ Independence and “Leaks” (15:14):

  • Clay discusses how Trump grew wary of intelligence briefings due to immediate media leaks and “setup” feelings.

4. Redistricting and Political Landscape

• Current News: Mention of Texas and California considering new congressional maps, potential national implications.
  • “All the blue states by and large have already redone their congressional districts to effectively box out … red state voters.” (04:22)

5. Crime in Washington D.C. & Trump’s Impact

• Trump Claims D.C. Crime Dropping (23:57):

  • “There have been no murders in D.C. in the last week. That’s the first time in anybody’s memory … We brought in the D.C. national guard and coupled them with the police and it’s been amazing.”

• Buck’s Commentary:

  • “The numbers keep getting better for Trump … It gets harder and harder for the anti-Trump media to explain this.” (23:21)

• Red State Policy Ripple Effects:

  • Clay predicts red state governors may follow Trump’s D.C. model to reduce crime in blue cities in their states. (25:15)

6. Economic Update & Market Analysis

• Stock Market Surging (29:50):

  • Clay notes recent market highs, partially driven by expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts after Powell’s hints at Jackson Hole.

• Jerome Powell’s Statement (audio played):

  • "Our policy rate is now 100 basis points closer to neutral than it was a year ago..." (29:50)

• Clay’s Investment Advice:

  • “You’re going to make about 9% a year if you buy index funds and you hold on to them … When you try and time the market, you tend to sell low and buy high.” (30:49–31:41)

• Housing Market Hopes:

  • Clay hopes lower rates “unfreeze” the housing market and spur growth (32:00)

7. Lighter Segment: Guilty Food Pleasures

• The hosts share humorous stories about overeating (ice cream, chips and salsa, peanut butter & crackers) as a metaphor for financial self-control. (33:00–36:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bolton's Book Clearance Process
  Buck Sexton [07:30]: “I had to get a clearance letter—your book is fine—without that letter, you are liable for anything that is in that book that the national security apparatus decides was classified.”

• On Classified Document Mishandling Trends Clay Travis [09:40]: “After the Trump and Biden classified document scandals, if by chance you worked in former intelligence … you probably burned them or shredded them … the idea that you would continue to possess those is crazy.”

• On the Trump/DOJ Relationship Buck Sexton [13:12]: “They work for the President, but there’s this belief that they kind of don’t ... but no, not really, you know, so it’s a strange place for things to be.”

• Trump on John Bolton
  Donald Trump [13:59]: “I’m not a fan of John Bolton. He’s a real sort of a low life ... He worked out great for me because every time he doesn’t talk, he’s like a very quiet person. Except on television he could say something bad about Trump... but he could be very unpatriotic.”

• On Index Investing Clay Travis [30:49]: “You’re going to make about 9% a year if you buy index funds and you hold on to them ... that’s my public address announcement for the day.”

• On D.C. Crime Changes
  Donald Trump [23:57]: “D.C. was a hellhole and now it’s safe ... There have been no murders in D.C. in the last week. That’s the first time anybody’s memory that you haven’t had a murder in a week.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• Bolton Raid & Analysis: 03:10–15:14
• Buck’s Clearance Experience: 07:30–09:30
• Trump Audio on Bolton/DOJ: 13:59–14:58
• Discussing D.C. Crime & Policy Models: 23:00–25:15
• Powell Rate Cut & Stock Market Advice: 29:50–33:00
• Food Indulgence Metaphor / Light Segment: 33:00–36:38

Episode Tone and Style

The hour combines the show’s trademark mix of rapid political analysis, conservative populist humor, first-hand anecdotes (especially from Buck’s CIA and Clay’s media experience), and timely discussions. The approach is conversational, slightly irreverent, and geared to an audience familiar with ongoing political narratives and Republican talking points. Both hosts mix serious political analysis with light banter, offering listeners both hard news and personality-driven radio.

For listeners who missed the episode, this hour was a high-energy, news-driven installment focusing on classified information scandals, shifting political winds in redistricting and crime policy, and a dose of practical financial advice—all leavened with the hosts’ usual mix of humor and personal stories.