The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 1 – Go Thank an Oil Man

Date: March 12, 2026
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the current geopolitical turmoil centered on Iran, its effect on global oil markets, and the domestic political response in the US—particularly regarding energy independence. Clay and Buck examine how the media (across the political spectrum) frames the oil price surge, critique partisan narratives, and dissect recent criticisms of military spending on troop meals. There’s also praise for unlikely political voices showing unexpected backbone, and direct engagement with listeners who’ve served in the armed forces.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iran Crisis and Oil Price Surge

• The hosts start by detailing the instability in Iran, notably the crisis with Mojtaba Khamenei (dubbed “Little Mo”), who is incapacitated after an airstrike ([03:01]).
• Iranian efforts to disrupt the global oil market are a core concern, as two tankers are attacked and set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil prices to spike ([03:30]).
• Both Clay and Buck agree the Iranian play is to attempt an “environmental and economic catastrophe to get this to stop,” but they believe it will only provoke a harsher US response ([04:40], [05:13]).
• Oil price timeline: Prior to the current tensions — ~$65/barrel; peaked at $120 in early days, now hovering around $90 ([05:13]).
• Strategic petroleum reserves are being tapped (President Trump initiating the release of 180M barrels out of a 400M global release). Delivery into the market takes weeks ([05:50], [07:20] Trump quote).

Notable Quote:

“Essentially, the next person who raises their hand in Iran and says, ‘I’m going to continue the Islamic revolution in this country…’ probably going to get blown up.”
– Buck Sexton, [03:01]

2. Political Narratives and Oil Market Coverage

• Clay points out a perceived hypocrisy, noting news outlets like MSNBC and CNN ignored a year and a half of falling gas prices but are hyper-focused now that prices rise for one week ([08:09]).

Notable Quote:

“For a year and a half, gas prices came down—not one mention of it. For the one week they’ve gone back up—oh my goodness, this is a story we have to cover.”
– Clay Travis, [09:33]

• Criticism of media business models: Fox is “honest” about its right-of-center opinions and is driven by ad revenue and breadth of audience, whereas NYT and WaPo are subscription-driven and cater to a narrower worldview ([10:16]).
• Clay celebrates Fox News for their transparency, in contrast to networks that “pretend they’re just journalists” ([11:45]).

3. Energy Independence and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

• The Biden administration is criticized via guest Chris Wright (Energy Secretary), who argues SPR releases under Biden were for political (midterm) purposes, not genuine emergencies ([12:54], [13:41]).
• Pointed message: America’s self-sufficiency in oil is the real defense against hostile energy shocks ([13:53]).

Notable Quote:

“You want to know why grocery prices aren’t skyrocketing? Go thank an oil man.”
– Clay Travis, [14:05]

• Historical perspective on American energy, contrasting the current “energy superpower” status with past vulnerability (oil shocks, WWII gas rationing, the Gulf War) ([14:05]).

4. Unlikely Political Consensus—John Fetterman’s Hawkish Iran Stance

• Rare bipartisan moment: praise for Democrat John Fetterman, who openly called for eliminating Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new leader ([17:45], [18:37]).

Notable Quote:

“They should kill him, too.”
– John Fetterman, [18:37]

• Hosts are surprised and give credit, calling Fetterman "the best Democrat senator on the scene right now" ([19:50], [20:11]).

5. Critique of Attacks on Military Food Spending

• Buck and Clay mock recent partisan attacks on Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for military food spending (citing headlines about millions spent on ribeye and lobster for troops) ([23:37], [24:30]).
• Both hosts emphasize that feeding soldiers well is the least a grateful nation can do.

Notable Quote:

“We’re the richest country in the history of the world. We can’t feed our military well? ... The elitism is just dripping from these libs on this issue.”
– Clay Travis, [25:32]

Notable Quote:

“Feeding your troops well … is the number one way to ensure that your troops are the best at their jobs. … An army marches on its stomach.”
– Buck Sexton quoting Napoleon, [31:46], [32:00]

• Clay references his own family’s military history and how special meals boosted morale in previous wars, reinforcing that this tradition is both justified and valuable ([33:16]).

6. Listener Calls: Military Perspective on Food and Morale

• Multiple callers (former submariners, military spouses) confirm that surf and turf meals have long been part of service life, especially for grueling submarine duty ([35:39]-[37:59]).

  • “Part of the recruitment they talked to us about was submarine duty was very arduous, but the food was excellent.” (Caller Jeff, [37:09])
  • Spouses reiterate that good food is a small consolation for months away from home ([37:59]).

• Caller Chris in Ohio offers a rhetorical counter to Democrat critics, asking if they’d remove such meals from SNAP benefits if they feel strongly ([38:38]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:01] Buck Sexton: “The next person who raises their hand in Iran and says, ‘I’m going to continue the Islamic revolution…’ probably going to get blown up.”
• [07:20] Donald Trump (audio): "We had a deal at $25. Think of that, $25 a barrel... And the Democrats turned it down."
• [09:33] Clay Travis: “For the one week they’ve gone back up — oh my goodness, this is a story we have to cover.”
• [12:54] Chris Wright (Energy Sec., guest): “The Biden administration drained almost 300 million barrels out, mostly to lower gasoline prices for a midterm election... That's not what the SPRO is about.”
• [14:05] Clay Travis: “Go thank an oil man.”
• [18:37] John Fetterman (audio): “They should kill him, too.”
• [31:57] Clay Travis/Buck Sexton: “An army marches on its stomach.” (Napoleon reference)

Important Timestamps

• [03:01] Iran succession crisis and airstrike impact on leadership (“Little Mo” story begins)
• [05:13] Details on oil prices skyrocketing after Strait of Hormuz tanker attacks
• [07:20] Trump on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Democrats’ prior decisions
• [12:54] Energy Sec. Chris Wright on Biden’s SPR maneuvering
• [14:05] American energy independence—comparison with WWII and Gulf War
• [17:45] John Fetterman’s hawkish comments about Iran
• [24:30] Discussion on military meal budgets—debunking anti-Hegseth narrative
• [25:32] Ethical case for feeding troops well
• [31:57] Historical and practical importance of feeding soldiers (“an army marches on its stomach”)
• [35:39] Callers (military veterans and spouses) describe meal traditions and morale benefits

Tone & Style

Clay and Buck maintain a conversational, irreverent style, blending humor, sarcasm, and pop culture references (“Office Space,” Napoleon) with policy critique. The episode moves briskly from macro-level geopolitical analysis to hands-on, relatable stories from service members, creating both an informative and engaging listen.

Summary Takeaways

• The geopolitical crisis in Iran is a major factor in recent oil price surges, with direct consequences for Americans at the pump.
• US energy independence and the ability to absorb oil shocks are celebrated, with special credit given to domestic oil and gas workers.
• Media coverage of gas prices is critiqued as selectively partisan.
• The military spending “scandal” about food is dismissed as misplaced outrage; rewarding the military with good meals is defended as both tradition and necessity.
• Listener stories confirm long-standing military food practices, adding authenticity and emotional resonance.
• An unusual bipartisan moment features Democrat John Fetterman taking a hard line on Iran, earning surprising, if tongue-in-cheek, praise from the hosts.

For listeners or readers seeking clarity on this moment in global and energy politics—as well as the intersection of media, military tradition, and partisan narratives—this episode delivers insight, wit, and the voices of real Americans who serve.