The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show: Hour 1 - "Clay: Sorry, NY"

Release Date: July 17, 2025

In this engaging and insightful episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into pressing political developments, focusing particularly on the potential defunding of public media and the controversial mayoral race in New York City. The discussion is rich with strategic analysis, listener interactions, and expert opinions, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current political landscape.

1. Defunding PBS and NPR: A Long-Awaited Victory

The show kicks off with the promising news that the Senate has voted to cut taxpayer funding for PBS and NPR. Clay Travis highlights the historical context, noting, “They've been trying to do this since I was in college and Clay was working on his PhD” (00:53). Buck Sexton adds, “July 1, 2004. The White House is one step closer to defunding public radio” (00:53), emphasizing that this move is the culmination of decades-long efforts by Republicans to eliminate funding for public media.

2. The Contender for NYC Mayor: Zoran Momdani's Communism

A significant portion of the episode centers on the contentious mayoral race in New York City. Clay introduces Zoran Momdani, labeling him as a “committed communist” who advocates for radical changes such as abolishing private property. He shares clips of Momdani’s statements, highlighting the alarming shift towards extreme left-wing policies (02:45).

Buck Sexton counters Clay’s strategic sacrifice of New York City by asserting, “I will not allow this” (07:07), expressing his commitment to protecting the city from what he perceives as communist overreach.

3. Strategic Sacrifice: Prioritizing the House of Representatives

Clay proposes a controversial strategy: allowing Momdani to win the mayoral race in New York City to conserve Republican resources for more impactful races, such as those for the House of Representatives. He argues, “When I look at this strategically...we may have to sacrifice New York City in terms of having a competent mayor” (03:42). This tactic, he suggests, could potentially weaken the Democratic Party by showcasing the consequences of their far-left choices on a national stage.

4. Democratic Leadership Vacuum and Party Dynamics

The hosts discuss the Democratic Party’s lack of a clear standard-bearer compared to the Republican Party’s alignment behind Donald Trump. Clay points out, “You can't really say, oh, you know, the new head of the Republic. Trump has taken up all of the oxygen” (08:17), questioning who will lead the Democrats. They contemplate whether prominent figures like Gavin Newsom and Elise Stefanik could fill this leadership void, with Buck noting, “I think Gavin Newsom is the national Democrat of the moment” (09:38).

5. Listener Reactions: Support and Opposition

The episode features vibrant interactions with listeners, offering a spectrum of opinions on the proposed strategies. Clay reads emails from supporters who agree with the idea of letting New York City face the consequences of electing a communist mayor, viewing it as beneficial for the broader political battle (20:05). Conversely, there are strong objections from listeners who are staunchly against abandoning New York City, emphasizing the city's importance and resilience (23:14).

6. Comparative Analysis: Liberal Strongholds and Future Implications

Clay and Buck analyze other liberal strongholds like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle, examining whether their progressive policies have been detrimental to the Democratic Party’s national appeal. Buck observes, “San Fran for sure. Mamdani policies for many years. And I don't think it's been a huge...drag on the Democrat Party that we would hope for” (09:02). This comparison underscores the potential risks of extreme policies on electoral viability.

7. The Role of Elizabeth Warren and Party Distancing

Elizabeth Warren’s attempts to distance herself from Momdani’s radical positions are scrutinized. Clay remarks, “Elizabeth Warren... trying to distance herself from some of the arguments Mamdani has made because they're too far left wing and crazy” (24:17). Buck further criticizes her financial standing, juxtaposing her wealth with her progressive rhetoric: “She’s worth $12 million personally... Rich. Elizabeth Warren's rich” (32:41).

8. Upcoming Topics and Expert Guests

Towards the end of the episode, Clay and Buck preview upcoming segments featuring Senator Marsha Blackburn discussing the RES package, defunding NPR, and border security. They also plan to host Alan Dershowitz, who will elaborate on his Wall Street Journal editorial regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s case and address rumors of a special counsel investigation.

Notable Quotes:

• Clay Travis (00:53): “They've been trying to do this since I was in college and Clay was working on his PhD.”

• Buck Sexton (07:07): “I will not allow this.”

• Clay Travis (03:42): “...we may have to sacrifice New York City in terms of having a competent mayor.”

• Buck Sexton (09:38): “I think Gavin Newsom is the national Democrat of the moment.”

• Clay Travis (24:17): “...trying to distance herself from some of the arguments Mamdani has made because they're too far left wing and crazy.”

• Buck Sexton (32:41): “She’s worth $12 million personally. ...Rich. Elizabeth Warren's rich.”

Conclusion

This episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show offers a deep dive into the tactical considerations facing the Republican Party amidst rising left-wing movements within the Democratic Party. By analyzing the potential defunding of public media, the radical shift in New York City's leadership, and the broader implications for national elections, Clay and Buck provide listeners with thought-provoking perspectives on navigating the current political climate. The episode emphasizes strategic sacrifices, party dynamics, and the importance of leadership, all while engaging with listener opinions and expert insights.

Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript provided.