The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Hour 1 – Idiot Celebrities
Date: February 2, 2026
Host: Clay Travis
Guests: Senator Eric Schmitt (MO)
Main Theme: The disconnect between celebrity activism (especially at the Grammys) and broader American society, with a focus on immigration, "stolen land" rhetoric, and the media's role in shaping political narratives. Also touches on sports and legislative issues.
Overview
Clay Travis, solo-hosting from California while Buck Sexton is visiting the Kennedy Space Center, dissects the spectacle of celebrity virtue signaling during the previous night’s Grammys. He sharply critiques “idiot celebrities” for their performative activism on immigration and “stolen land,” their hypocrisy on border policy, and the media’s role in amplifying these narratives. Conversation ranges from viral celebrity moments to genuine policy debate with Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), and includes analysis of college sports legislation and brief tangents into the NFL and pop culture.
The episode juxtaposes the out-of-touch elite culture with the “real America,” using humor and skepticism throughout.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Clay’s California Broadcast & Show Logistics
- [02:42] Clay explains Buck’s absence (at Kennedy Space Center, prepping for Artemis) and jokingly says he’s “trying to survive in Commieland” (California).
- Discusses outreach to listeners, upcoming Texas tour during the 2028 primary season, and pays off a lost bet by revealing he now sports a mustache (“I think I look amazing. Quite simply, Grandma’s of America, you’re on notice” – 04:12).
2. Grammy Awards Celebrity Activism
Billie Eilish’s “Stolen Land” Statement
- [06:27] Clay did not watch the Grammys but saw viral clips including Billie Eilish’s acceptance speech:
“No one is illegal on stolen land.”
- Clay’s critique:
- Celebrities only adopt causes when they’re politically fashionable.
- Points out hypocrisy: Eilish owns a LA mansion on so-called “stolen land” but hasn’t given it back (“If your land is stolen, shouldn’t you hand it back?” – 07:08).
- Mocks the logic of land acknowledgments at universities, referencing a Georgetown University tour (08:10).
-
“If you stole something you should return it. How come no one ever returns their stolen land?” (08:45)
The “Cause of the Moment” in Leftist Culture
- Clay ridicules how causes cycle (“Remember when everybody suddenly cared immensely about Ukraine? …Remember when everybody had mask pictures in their bio?” – 05:21).
- “The new thing that the left is concerned about is ICE” (05:32).
3. Trevor Noah’s Grammys Hosting & Political Jokes
- [09:10] Plays a clip where Trevor Noah jokes about Trump and Greenland, with an Epstein/Clinton punchline:
“Wow, that is a Grammy that every artist wants. Almost as much as Trump wants Greenland. Which makes sense… because Epstein’s island is gone. He needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton, so…”
[Noah, 09:15] - Clay mocks Noah’s comedy:
“He just happens to be mixed race and as a result Jon Stewart handed him the Daily Show and then the Daily Show collapsed… He still could not manage to do [brilliant and funny things] and so his show was canceled. He has failed on all fronts, but he keeps getting opportunities.” (09:58)
- Calls the joke a “whiff” and criticizes the NFL for picking a Super Bowl halftime act (Bad Bunny) who, in his view, “basically hates America.”
4. Other Celebrity & Award Show Moments
Bad Bunny’s Grammy Remarks
- [12:19]
“We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.” (12:29)
- Clay: “You’re actually not an American if you’re here illegally.” (12:39)
- Criticizes Hollywood’s contradiction: “They live in gated communities… behind armed security… but publicly they are arguing that we shouldn’t have walls...” (12:42)
- Points out the irony of requiring photo ID at the Grammys (12:55).
Jelly Roll’s Refreshingly Honest Approach
- Positive note: Jelly Roll, country artist, wins a Grammy and proclaims:
“Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party... Jesus is Jesus. And anybody can have a relationship with him. I love you, Lord.” (13:58)
- Clay praises this (“That went super viral in a positive way” – 14:09).
5. Media Narrative Creation & Celebrity Politics
On Being Asked About ICE
- Jelly Roll, on the red carpet, is questioned about ICE by a reporter:
“People shouldn’t care to hear my opinion… I’m a dumb redneck. I haven’t watched enough. I didn’t have a phone for 18 months. I’ve had one for four months and don’t have social media... when you grow up in a drug addict household… we’re just trying to find a way to survive…”
[Jelly Roll, 25:45 & 44:46] - Clay: “This is what every entertainer should say… why isn’t that the standard?” (24:24)
- Compliments Jelly Roll's authenticity and laughs about having met him at a WWE event in Nashville.
Media’s Role in Driving Activist Narratives
- [41:49] Calls out the reporter’s question as ideological activism rather than journalism:
“This is not an objective news media member. This is a left wing activist with a mic who knows she can drive a story by getting people who are famous to further a story.” (44:58)
- Promises to analyze “how the sausage is made” in narrative creation, particularly within pop culture.
6. Policy & Politics Segment: Interview with Sen. Eric Schmitt (MO)
Immigration/ICE Policy and Sanctuary Cities
- [25:06] Sen. Schmitt:
- Details recent Senate funding and immigration debates.
- “The Democrats… want to… make it harder for ICE to do their jobs. But what we should be demanding on our end if we’re going to do anything is ending sanctuary cities. That’s the root cause of all this...”
- Clay asks about legality of sanctuary cities (26:30).
- Sen. Schmitt:
“[Democrat politicians] really won’t tell ICE agents when rapists and child molesters are getting out of prison. That’s how messed up this is... illegal immigration is effectively the Democrats religion now… they don’t actually believe in sovereignty.” (26:50)
Census Counting of Illegal Immigrants
- Clay: Discusses ramifications of counting illegals in congressional apportionment (27:55).
- Schmitt:
“You don’t actually have to be a citizen to be counted in the census… If you ask [people] ‘Should illegal immigrants be counted?’ It’s a 90-10 issue… If we only counted citizens... the Democrats would [lose power].” (29:00)
NIL/College Sports Legislation
- Debates Congressional role in NCAA/nil/transfer portal chaos. Schmitt supports governance reform:
“Now you have really kind of a wild west... In exchange for Congress giving liability protection... they would establish rules of the road [on agent transparency, transfer rules, revenue].” (30:09)
- Clay: “Is there a bill working on this?” (32:57)
- Schmitt discusses potential reforms, the Sports Broadcasting Act, and tells Clay he’s picking the Seahawks for the Super Bowl (36:06).
Notable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)
- Clay Travis [04:20]: “I have a mustache. There is no video... and I hate all of you for all of the memes that you have already taken advantage of... Grandma’s of America, you’re on notice.”
- On celebrity cause cycles [05:24]:
“Do you remember when everybody suddenly cared immensely about Ukraine? ...The new thing that the left is concerned about is ICE.” - Billie Eilish at the Grammys [07:39]:
“No one is illegal on stolen land.” - Clay Travis [08:45]:
“If you stole something you should return it. How come no one ever returns their stolen land?” - On sanctuary cities [26:50] (Sen. Schmitt):
“What they do… is they withhold information… They really won’t tell ICE agents when rapists and child molesters are getting out of prison.” - Jelly Roll [25:45]:
“People shouldn’t care to hear my opinion… I’m a dumb redneck... I didn’t even know politics were real until I was in my mid-20s in jail.” - Clay Travis [44:58]:
“This is not an objective news media member. This is a left wing activist with a mic who knows she can drive story by getting people who are famous to further a story.” - Jelly Roll (acceptance) [13:58]:
“Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party... Jesus is Jesus.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 02:42 – Clay’s intro, logistics, travels, and mustache gag.
- 06:10 – Grammys recap, Billie Eilish’s “stolen land” comment.
- 09:10 – Trevor Noah’s Grammys segment and Trump/Greenland joke.
- 12:19 – Bad Bunny’s “we are humans and we are Americans” comment and Clay’s take.
- 13:58 – Jelly Roll’s positive Grammy speech about Jesus.
- 25:06 – Sen. Eric Schmitt interview: immigration policy, sanctuary cities, census.
- 30:09 – Schmitt on college sports legislative reform, NIL, and governance.
- 36:06 – Super Bowl picks: Clay and Schmitt choose Seahawks.
- 41:49 – Media’s activist role: How the Grammy narratives are crafted.
- 44:46 – Jelly Roll on handling political questions as an entertainer.
Tone & Style
- Clay blends sarcasm, “plain-spoken” skepticism, and hyperbolic humor (“Commieland,” “I’m a dumb redneck,” “Grandma’s of America, you’re on notice”) with policy wonkery.
- Overall atmosphere: irreverent, confrontational, skeptical of elites and their narratives, at times self-deprecating.
Summary Takeaways
- The episode is a pointed, often comic critique of celebrity activism and awards show politics, with Billie Eilish, Trevor Noah, and Bad Bunny as prime examples.
- Clay exposes what he sees as the media’s complicit role in manufacturing left-wing narratives via celebrity platforms.
- The show pivots to serious policy through Senator Schmitt, taking deep dives into immigration, the census, and sports legalities.
- Jelly Roll is singled out as an example of humility and authenticity, refreshing in a landscape of manufactured opinions.
- Throughout, Clay insists that “real America” doesn’t buy what elites are selling—and wants entertainers to actually entertain, not lecture.
