Hour 1 - It's All Gonna Be Okay

Summary

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 1 - It's All Gonna Be Okay
Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton dive into the latest in American politics and current events, with their hallmark mix of critical analysis, humor, and pointed debate. The hour centers on the escalating New York City mayoral race, the consequences of left-wing governance in major U.S. cities, the ongoing government shutdown, cultural controversies, and reactions to anti-Trump protests. They also discuss personal anecdotes and listener interactions, maintaining a conversational and often irreverent tone.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The New York City Mayoral Race: Curtis Sliwa, Mamdani & Cuomo

Background & Stakes

• Curtis Sliwa (Republican candidate) faces pressure to drop out to avoid splitting the non-socialist vote and handing the mayorship to far-left candidate Zohan Mamdani.
• Andrew Cuomo is running as a centrist/establishment Democrat but struggles to consolidate opposition to Mamdani.
• Curtis Sliwa argues the Democratic Party is responsible for the rise of Mamdani and refuses to exit the race.

Arguments & Analysis

• Sliwa’s Position: Blames Democrats for "creating" Mamdani and insists on staying in to give voters a true choice, defending his campaign's down-ballot significance (council, judges) and grassroots base ([11:11]).
• Hosts' Reactions:
  • Buck sees Sliwa as guaranteeing a Mamdani win but recognizes that an outright socialist mayor could backfire on national Democrats, potentially benefiting Republicans in other states ([09:00]).
  • Clay draws a parallel to previous city mismanagement (San Francisco, London, Paris), warning, "leftists have a much higher tolerance for inflicting pain on the masses than sane people realize" ([13:17]).
  • The "best case" is Mamdani’s incompetence impedes radical policies; the worst case is a significant decline for NYC ([10:31]).
  • Sliwa’s refusal to join forces with Cuomo is believed to be personal, with speculation about whether Mamdani promised him a role or if there’s a longstanding Sliwa–Cuomo grudge ([15:09]).

Notable Quote

• “Who created Zohan Mamdani? Who embraced him? Who nourished him? Who supported him?... This is the result of the Democrat self destruction. So I'm supposed to help them. How come they don't help themselves?” — Curtis Sliwa ([11:11])

Listener Call-In [22:58]

• Tim from Upstate NY flags the risk of city policies draining tax resources from the rest of the state; Buck and Clay see possible benefits for Republican campaigns in New York if Mamdani wins.

---

The "No Kings" Anti-Trump Protest: Messaging and Motivation

Event Recap & Reaction

• Widespread protests against former president Donald Trump, branded as "No Kings," are dismissed by the hosts as unpersuasive and self-indulgent.
• Nicole Wallace (MSNBC) is quoted lauding the protest as a vibrant exercise of democracy, a view Clay and Buck find detached from reality ([27:30]).

Critical Takeaways

• Protests are portrayed as a form of social media expression for the left rather than an effective tool for persuasion ([28:36]).
  • “If you wasted a beautiful fall Saturday protesting Donald Trump, you are a huge loser.” — Clay Travis ([28:36])
• They critique the tactics: "King" as a label for Trump has little negative impact compared to prior attacks (“Hitler,” “Nazi,” “fascist”), signaling message exhaustion and ineffectiveness ([32:29]).
• Batya Unger-Sargon points out the irony: Trump is simply enacting his electoral mandate, making the protests a paradoxical “anti-democracy rally” ([31:42]).
• The hosts argue only 10% of anti-Trump voters showed up, showing even the opposition is unmotivated ([29:44]).

Notable Quotes

• "They're failing at messaging… they're just kind of flailing around. This shutdown is a perfect example because I can't even really figure out what they want, and I don't think they know what they want.” — Clay Travis ([32:29])
• “If this is the best thing you have to do with your weekend, you should really think more about what you have to do with your weekend.” — Buck Sexton ([27:11])

---

The Government Shutdown & Democratic “Obstruction”

Setup

• The ongoing government shutdown is pinned on Democratic "obstruction," echoing terminology once used against Republicans ([02:05]).

Commentary

• The hosts point to Democrats’ lack of strategy beyond opposition and use the obstruction label in a reversal of past partisan blame games.

---

Book Commentary: Karine Jean-Pierre and Kamala Harris

• Disdain for White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s book “excusing” Biden’s cognitive issues and the lack of discussion around Kamala Harris’s book ([05:42]).
• Buck jokes about the painful duty of reading it for the show, summarizing that the press secretary's “ignorance” is not an excuse ([05:46]).

---

“Morality” in Employment: The Stripper–Teacher Controversy

• Buck defends the idea that schools can fire teachers for moonlighting as strippers, despite legality. This sparks significant listener pushback and debate ([25:25]).
• Clay jokes about the unpredictability of listener talkbacks when he's absent.

---

Humorous Banter & Listener Engagement

• Lighthearted speculation about a dance-off between Clay and Buck in a newly-renovated Trump White House ballroom ([03:05]).
• Extended listener call-ins, including truckers’ perspectives and personal stories about weddings and family finances ([42:55]).

Notable Moments

• The “wedding contract” story, where a father makes his daughters repay wedding expenses if marriages don’t last five years ([43:42]).
• Clay’s son, an Alabama fan, dropping his phone in the toilet on game day (“an omen” for Tennessee fans) ([46:01]).

---

Additional Topics Briefly Touched

• Trump’s White House ballroom renovation — spark for the dancing banter ([02:05]).
• Hamas and the Middle East: Brief mention of Hamas breaking a ceasefire, with commentary about the impossibility of peace with its current leadership ([03:54]).
• Sports: World Series, NFL international games, and Prize Picks betting segments peppered throughout for lighter content.

---

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Democrats and the Government Shutdown: [02:05]
• Trump’s White House Renovations & Dancing Joke: [03:05]
• NYC Mayoral Race/Curtis Sliwa Debate Begins: [07:58]
• Sliwa on Responsibility for Mamdani: [11:11]
• NYC’s Future if Mamdani Wins: [13:17], [14:43]
• Upstate NY Perspective Call: [22:58]
• "No Kings" Protest and Messaging: [27:30] – [32:29]
• Morality Clause, Strippers, and Teachers: [25:25]
• Listener Calls, Truckers & Personal Stories: [42:55]
• Weddings and Family Finances: [43:42]
• Football Story (Tennessee-Alabama): [46:01]

---

Memorable Quotes

On the NYC Race:

• “This is the result of the Democrat self destruction. So I'm supposed to help them? How come they don't help themselves?” — Curtis Sliwa ([11:11])
• “You just got to let the island go under the water.” — Buck Sexton ([12:16])

On Protest Culture:

• “If you wasted a beautiful fall Saturday protesting Donald Trump, you are a huge loser.” — Clay Travis ([28:36])
• “They're failing at messaging... Every step down, the attack becomes less negative... king is not that awful.” — Clay Travis ([32:29])
• “What they are actually protesting is the absolute perfection of American democracy, where a person campaigned on an agenda, won the popular vote, and is now enacting that agenda. So it was actually a protest of democracy.” — Batya Unger-Sargon ([31:42])

On Listener Calls:

• “If this doesn't go five years, you're gonna have to pay me back.” — Listener story about a wedding contract ([43:42])

---

Tone

The episode is informal, sarcastic, and at times self-deprecating. Clay and Buck punctuate political analysis with jokes, pop culture analogies, and frequent ribbing—both of opponents and each other. Listener engagement is high, with calls and talkbacks adding to the banter and debate.

---

For listeners new to the show or wanting a primer on the hour’s big debates, this episode highlights Clay & Buck’s blend of sharp commentary and comedic relief, focusing on urban politics and the broader cultural climate.

Transcript

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[NFL Network Announcer]

The NFL International Games continue on NFL Network and here our stars come out in the morning. Week 10, Bijon Robinson and the Falcons take on Daniel Jones and the Colts in Berlin.

[Clay Travis]

Fireworks in the fourth quarter.

[NFL Network Announcer]

Then in week 11, Jaden Daniels and the Commanders touchdown once again. Face Tua and the Dolphins in Madrid. Snooze off. Game on it's Sunday Morning Football continues November 9th at 9:30 in Eastern only on NFL Network.

[Propane Energy Advertiser]

The US electric grid is approaching a breaking point as demand soars from data centers and home energy use. Our aging infrastructure can't keep up and the Department of Energy warns that without action, blackouts could surge 100 fold by 2030. The good news? One solution is already here. Propane. It's American made, stored on site and always ready, powering homes and businesses with cleaner, reliable energy that doesn't depend on the grid or the weather. Learn more at Propane.

[Clay Travis]

This is Jim.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

Hello.

[Clay Travis]

Jim started advertising with iHeartRadio way back in April and now I have customers out the door.

[Buck Sexton]

And this is Sarah.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

Hi.

[Clay Travis]

She started putting a portion of her.

[Buck Sexton]

Marketing dollars in podcasting back in June. Business is booming.

[Clay Travis]

That's why I'm working on a Saturday. Want to be like Jim and Sarah? It's easy. All you have to do is own or manage a business and reach out to iHeart. Get started today at 844-844-IHeart or iHeartadvertising.com.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

When I told people I was making a podcast about Benghazi, nine times out of ten they called me a masochist, rolled their eyes, or just asked why Benghazi?

[Clay Travis]

The truth became a web of lies.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

From Prolog projects and Pushkin Industries. This is Fiasco Benghazi.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

What difference at this point does it make?

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

Listen to Fiasco Benghazi on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Clay Travis]

Welcome in everybody. Tuesday edition of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton show kicks off right now, day 21 of the shutdown. The real shutdown situation they are having here. We will get into some of the back and forth. Pretty straightforward. Democrats view the obstructions what they used to call it when you didn't do whatever President Obama wanted. You all remember that obstruction is their only game plan right now and if that means that they don't have anything beyond it, so be it. We can have a conversation about that. President Trump is doing a $250 million White House ballroom renovation, which most exciting of all is that it's just a matter of time before Mr. Clay Travis puts on his dancing shoes and shows you all the crazy funky moves that he's got at some White House function, you know, he's going to, he's going to step on that dance floor, make John Travolta in his prime.

[Buck Sexton]

Look, I would just say for, for radio show hosts, particularly white guys who are radio show hosts, I would put myself in the top 5% best dancers. I don't know who else is actually really talented. And by the way, I'm not you. I wasn't practicing TikTok dance moves by myself in my apartment during COVID So it may be the case that you're in the 1% or the 0.1%, but I don't think that radio show hosts are renowned for their elite dance ability. So I feel confident. Much like when you came into the sports broadcasting, the press boxes and I said, hey, it doesn't take a lot to be a decent looking sports writer. I don't think it takes a lot to be a decent dancer in the radio world either.

[Clay Travis]

Well, there might be a. Forget a steak bet. There might have to be a dance on video, put it on social and TikTok bet at some point now that we got the White House ballroom going. But that's just part of Trump's renovation of the White House that has been underway. We've got that discussion. Hamas has broken the ceasefire. That is not a surprise to me. I would assume to any of you, Hamas is going to continue on doing what it does. It has not changed anything about what it is. And there's going to have to be a further reckoning. They cannot allow Hamas leadership to stay in place. There can be no peace with Hamas. That is what we are seeing. That is not something that, like I said, comes out of the blue for anybody who's been paying attention in the region. But we can have some updates for you on that as we go. Also, Judge Jeanine is taking it, taking it to the mat in defense of Mr. Big Balls. What's his actual name?

[Buck Sexton]

I know him as only as Big Balls. So I. That's their worst things to be known as, I guess, in the grand scheme of things. But yes, let me see if I can find his action. It's very funny what his actual name is. He was beaten up in the, in the attacks and he's a great American.

[Clay Travis]

He stepped in to help somebody who's being carjacked. Carjacked by teenagers, mind you, a mob of them.

[Buck Sexton]

Edward Corestein Corestine. There we go.

[Clay Travis]

AKA Big Ball. Yes, Judge Jeanine is having none of it. We shall discuss that. Karine Jean Pierre is out there making the case for her book to people. I think all these Biden books, you notice, Clay, you're not even hearing anyone talk about Kamala's book anymore.

[Buck Sexton]

Kamala, you're the one who read it. 107 days.

[Clay Travis]

Yeah, that's called being a team player, Clay. Some of us are out there. Some of us are out there in the grove or whatever at Ole Miss, partying and enjoying football, surrounded by great Americans and beautiful ladies. Some of us want to gouge our eyeballs out with a spoon because we are stuck reading 107 days. So I'm just saying, you know, there, there are those of us who are on the all expenses cruise and those of us who are taking grenades in the trenches on this one. Nonetheless, nobody, nobody is talking about Kamala's book. And Kari Jean Pierre's book comes down to. I am so incapable of assessing what is going on around me that I really had no idea that Joe Biden had dementia. I really just didn't know. I almost think that's worse. I think it would be better to say, you know what? I believe that Trump is so bad for America that I was willing to be a part of a big lie. At least there'd be some integrity in admitting that, pretending you are so out of it and really kind of dumb that you have no idea that. Anyway, I don't. We can get more into that discussion. I'm going to start with this. People are getting very testy over. Some people are getting testy over the New York City mayor's race situation as the oncoming collectivist freight train of Mamdaniism is getting closer and closer to my beloved New York City. And Curtis Sliwa is staying in all the calls, including from a lot of New York based commentators. Clay, a lot of people are saying, Curtis, look, it is. You gotta save New York from, from Cuomo. I mean, from Mamdani. Cuomo is not great, but it'll be better. Cuomo is actually pretty awful. This is really trading an F student for like a C minus student I think is the fairest way to put it. Here is what Sliwa has to say about. First of all, Bill Ackman, a billionaire activist, centrist guy. I wouldn't say he's right wing here. He is. Well, Sliwa's saying he. That guy needs to go take a long walk off a short pier. Play seven.

[Curtis Sliwa]

Well, number one, Ackman is a jerk. Has he Been right yet. Here's a guy who goes up to Newport, Rhode island, and thinks he's a professional tennis player. Come on, Ackman, stay in your lane. Does he know anything about politics? No. Does he live in New York City?

[Clay Travis]

No.

[Curtis Sliwa]

He lives in Tropica, the whitest suburb of America, where even the lawn jockeys are white. He may know Wall Street. He may know hedge funds. He has been wrong every step of the way with the billionaires. So let's say people come to the conclusion, if somehow I lose and we know Andrew Cuomo's lost, he's already tossed in the town. Oh, it's because of you, Curtis. Because it really. It's because of the Democrats.

[Clay Travis]

Wait a second.

[Curtis Sliwa]

Who created Zohan Mondami? Who embraced him? Who nourished him?

[Buck Sexton]

Who.

[Curtis Sliwa]

Who supported him?

[Clay Travis]

Clay. He is not. He is not buying into the argument you have been making, among many others, for the necessity of his dropout. He's saying, look, it's all the Democrats fault. I'm staying in it to win it.

[Buck Sexton]

I don't. He's not wrong about it being all the Democrats fault. What he is wrong about is if he stays in it, all he's doing is guaranteeing Mamdani is going to be elected the next mayor of New York city here in 13 days. And I have made the argument, I really do believe this, that mom Donnie winning is simultaneously the worst thing that could happen to New York City and the best thing that could happen to the rest of the country. Because it makes Momdani and AOC the face of the Democrat party socialist communist in New York City. And New York City, as nice of a place as it is, does not play well in all of the battleground states. The places where control of the Senate is going to be determined and the places where control of the House is going to be determined. So with that in mind, there is an argument that Curtis Lee was actually doing what is best for the Republican Party by refusing to drop out. I don't think there's any argument at all that he's doing what is best for New York City because his continued involvement in this race, his continued staying in this race ensures that Mamdani is going to be elected the next mayor of New York City. And then it becomes a case buck of. You just have to hope that mom Donnie is so incompetent that he isn't able to implement the things that he has promised he is going to be implementing.

[Clay Travis]

This is my silver. This is my silver lining.

[Buck Sexton]

That's the only silver Lining is that.

[Clay Travis]

He'S so unfortunately, I think Eric Adams had a similar but different problem in that he had some good ideas on public safety but lacked the bureaucratic skills to implement them. Mamdani, it's. It's a different problem. The, the what he wants to do is bad, but he may be incapable of doing it. Um, here we have Curtis Lewa continuing on. This is hat tip Nate Friedman podcast. I've never heard of Nate, but here you go. This is from his podcast, but here's Curtis Sliwa making his case. Clay, that this idea that all the Cuomo people, rather that his people will just vote Cuomo, is also detached from what he sees as reality play 8.

[Curtis Sliwa]

And how dare you people who know nothing about politics suggest that everybody who's going to vote for me is suddenly going to be reborn. We love Andrew Cuomo. He killed all these elderly, the south, sexual harassment. He told conservatives and Republicans in 2014, if you're a conservative and you believe in right to life and the second Amendment, you have no place in New York. You need to leave. This is the result of the Democrat self destruction. So I'm supposed to help them. How come they don't help themselves?

[Clay Travis]

Clay, what do you make of that?

[Buck Sexton]

Again, I don't disagree with anything that he's arguing. The question is, is Cuomo likely to be better for New York City, as awful as he has been in the past, than Mamdani? I think the answer is yes. Do I think that Republicans should have to save Democrats from the consequences of their own choices? No, I don't. And again, this is where I come back and I understand we got a lot of WR listeners. This is where I come back to. It can simultaneously be the best and worst thing for the Republican Party for Mamdani to win. I think it's the worst thing for anyone who is sane in New York City. I think it's arguably the best thing that could happen for anyone who is sane in the country. And this is why I've said sometimes you just got to let the island go under the water. Best case scenario. To your point, Buck, he's so incompetent that he can't actually change anything or implement any of his ideas. Worst case scenario, he does. And New York City really as one of the crown jewels of America starts to reflect some of the same issues that we have seen happen in many of the top capitals across the west, which is all of the choices they're making are finally starting to catch up with them, whether it's London, whether It's Paris. You name the big western civilization capitals. I think they're making increasingly left wing choices that are bad for the overall populations there.

[Clay Travis]

Part of the problem is that leftists have a much higher tolerance for inflicting pain on the masses than a lot of the sane people us realize. Right? San Francisco should have known 20 years ago. Hey, what are you doing? You're ruining a great American city. Now it seems they finally have a more sane mayor. Finally. But it took way too long. I worry that something like that will happen in New York. But here, just for one last bit of the argument, Clyde, here's Curtis Sliwa telling Andrew Cuomo that it's on him to go out and Convert Sliwa voters. Play 9.

[Curtis Sliwa]

Andrew Cuomo failed everybody in that primary. He even admitted it. Now he's basically saying, I can't win without Sliwa votes. Where are your votes? Why don't you spend your money? And they got millions from the billionaires. Millions go out, get your own votes. Convert Sliwa voters.

[Clay Travis]

But for me to drop out, I.

[Curtis Sliwa]

Represent a major party line. I have people running under me. Council people, judges. They put their heart and soul into it. They support me. I have more donations than Andrew Cuomo does. Matching funds. So you know something? This is called voting. Since when do we not let people vote? Billionaires determine the next mayor. If they don't like it, they can leave. They have options. Blue collar, working class people don't. Those are the people I'm representing, not Andrew Cuomo.

[Clay Travis]

Clay, his best argument I think is actually what he said about the down ticket on the Republican side, or rather the one that we hadn't really discussed here. And I do think there's merit to that. But he's also going to make sure that mom Donnie wins this election. That's the problem.

[Buck Sexton]

A part of me makes me think he spends so much time attacking Cuomo. Has mom Donnie promised him some sort of job? It sounds crazy, but is there something.

[Clay Travis]

I don't think.

[Buck Sexton]

Is there something that Curtis Sliwa wants in terms. And I don't even think it would be bad politics from mom Donnie. Why? Otherwise why would you stay in? It then becomes almost entirely a vanity project. Maybe he hates personally Andrew Cuomo. Maybe they've had a relation ship in the past. That is a lot of people do.

[Clay Travis]

Just a lot of people really personally dislike Andrew.

[Buck Sexton]

So he may not personally dislike mom Donnie and this may be personal on Curtis Lee was behalf. But again, in 13 days the data is going to be out there and I think you can look at it and we'll see whether Mamdani wins a majority of this trio or does the do the numbers reflect that if there had been a 1v1, Momdani would have lost? Because right now, as we're speaking to all of you, Mamdani keeps setting new highs, Buck, in the likelihood of being able to be the nominee and to win this race. And so long as that continues, I think that we're in a really, really tough spot for the city of New York. Now positive is there does seem to be some good momentum for Citarelli on the Jersey race and certainly Jason Miares and win some Sears I think have made up some ground in the state of Virginia as that race is going. But right now you have a 93% chance in all of the sort of prediction markets that Mamdani is going to win. And if you think SLI was going to win because we get these calls every time you can 100 times your money in 13 days. So this would be one of the most epic upsets in the history of upsets. All of you should go vote. Don't listen to us. Make your voice heard. But I think the voices of New York are unfortunately going to be heard and they're going to be putting a communist into office. Last night I had the great honor of emceeing the Tunnel of the Towers charity golf event honoring America's heroes and their families. Great night stories about the people that this organization has helped. The men and women who defend our freedoms were incredible people who stood up and told their stories. Last night I got to meet all of them. They did a fantastic job telling their story. And since its founding in 2001, Tunnel the Towers has done all they can to help families that have lost their hero in the line of duty. Frank Siller was there raising millions of dollars more to help make a difference. Your generosity has provided mortgage free homes to thousands of families worried about the roofs over their head. The same generosity has helped severely injured combat veterans return home to live in smart homes adapted to their needs. The stories are as remarkable as your generosity. Tunnel the Towers foundation makes this pledge we'll never forget. So many of us echo the same sentiment. More heroes waiting and in need of assistance. Honor their sacrifices now and join us in donating $11 a month to tunnel the [e-mail] that's t the number two t.org saving America. One thought at a time. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton, find them on the free AIs or wherever you.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

Get your podcasts Tired of spills and stains on your sofa? WashablesOfAs.com has your back featuring the Annabe Collection, the only designer sofa that's machine washable inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly prices. That's right, sofas start at just $699. Enjoy a no risk experience with pet friendly stain resistant and changeable slipcovers made with performance fabrics. Experience cloud like comfort with high resilience foam that's hypoallergenic and never needs fluffing. The sturdy steel frame ensures longevity and the modular pieces can be rearranged anytime. Check out washablesofas.com and get up to 60% off your annabe sofa backed by a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not absolutely in love, send it back for a full refund. No return, shipping or restocking fees. Every penny back. Upgrade [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[NFL Network Announcer]

The NFL International Games continue on NFL Network and here our stars come out in the morning.

[Clay Travis]

Let's go.

[NFL Network Announcer]

Week 10 Bajan Robinson and the Falcons take on Daniel Jones and the Colts in Berlin.

[Clay Travis]

Fireworks in the fourth quarter.

[NFL Network Announcer]

Then in week 11, Jaden Daniels and the Commanders touchdown once again face Tua and the Dolphins in Madrid. Snooze off. Game on. It's Sunday Morning Football continues November 9th at 9:30 Eastern only on NFL Network.

[Propane Energy Advertiser]

The US electric grid is approaching a breaking point as demand soars from data centers and home energy use. Our aging infrastructure can't keep up and the Department of Energy warns that without action, blackouts could surge 140 by 2030. The good news? One solution is already here. Propane. It's American made, stored on site and always ready, powering homes and businesses with cleaner, reliable energy that doesn't depend on the grid or the weather.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

Learn [e-mail] run a business and not thinking about podcasting? Think again. More Americans listen to podcasts than ads supported streaming music from Spotify and Pandora. And as the number one podcaster, iHeart's twice as large as the next two combined. So whatever your customers are into true crime, sports, comedy, culture, they'll hear your message. Plus, only iHeart can extend your message to audiences across broadcast radio. And all this reach means everything. Just think about the universal marketing formula. The number of consumers who hear your message times the response rate equals the results. Now let's get those results growing for you. Think podcasting can help your business? Think iHeart streaming radio and podcasting. Let us show you at iheartadvertising.com that's iheartadvertising.com or call 844-844-IHEART. One more time, call 844-844-iHEART and get podcasting working for you.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

When I told people I was making a podcast about Benghazi, nine times out of ten, they called me a masochist, rolled their eyes or just asked why.

[Clay Travis]

Benghazi, the truth became a web of lies.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

It's almost a dirty word, one that connotes conspiracy theory.

[Buck Sexton]

Will we ever get the truth about the Benghazi massacre?

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

Bad faith, political warfare and frankly, bullshit.

[Clay Travis]

We kill the ambassador just to cover something up. You put two and two together.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

Was it an overblown distraction or a sinister conspiracy?

[Buck Sexton]

Benghazi is a Rosetta Stone for everything that's been going on for the last 20 years.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

I'm Leon Naifak from Prologue Projects and Pushkin Industries. This is Fiasco Benghazi.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

What difference at this point does it make?

[Clay Travis]

Yeah, that's right. Lock her up.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

Listen to Fiasco Benghazi on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Buck Sexton]

Welcome back in Clay Travis Buck Sexton Show. Appreciate all of you. This is a good point, Tim. Upstate New York. Let's get to him quickly here. I will say, but another positive is I think if Mom Donnie is elected, it will help Elise Stefanik's potential governor gubernatorial campaign. But, Tim, you're pointing out upstate New York will be impacted by Mom Donnie as well.

[Clay Travis]

Yes, that is correct, Ray. For decades, upstate New York residents, everything we pay in taxes up here, Albany has been funneling a lot of it down to the city. And with his current projection for what he's going to need for free busing and everything else, he's going to have to tap into the rest of the state of New York and we're all going to suffer, not just the city.

[Buck Sexton]

I think there's a lot of truth. Thank you for the call. I think there's a lot of truth to that. Again, trying to be positive. If in 13 days, mom Donnie wins, I do think Stefanik's campaign would say that is a very positive. And obviously Kathy Hochul has been awful. So, Buck, as a former New Yorker, maybe that's another bit of shining light in the event that this happens like we anticipate will.

[Clay Travis]

It's all going to be okay. It's all going to be okay. All right. It might take a while, but it's going to. It's going to be fine. New York's very resilient place, the Big Apple. Start spreading the news. All right, we'll come back into this here in a second. You know what really interests me these days, outside of what I'm doing every day here on the show is the intersection of politics and finance. And so I started a newsletter to address this and how the Trump administration is creating this booming stock market market which also creates huge opportunities for everyday investors. And I think there's a one of a kind opportunity coming up designed to help ordinary people capitalize on a wealth explosion created by what I'm calling Manhattan Project 2. So look, I'm combining my political connections with my Rolodex of Wall street experts and tech titans to bring you the best e newsletter you're going to get absolutely anywhere. This is about leveling the playing field field so everyday folks can finally get a fair shot. All the details of this can be fine. Found [e-mail] join our information flow today and get 82 off. You're gonna love it. Go check it out. Big Taiwan issue coming up later this month. Insider2025.com paid for by Paradigm Press. Welcome back everybody to Clay and Buck and all of the news that's fit to chat about something like that. Appreciate you being here with us. Get some of your talkbacks and some of your, some of your calls here shortly. Apparently there's some talkbacks about strippers. Clay, this is what happens. I leave, I'm gone for one hour to go to the doctor with my baby and there's stripper talk.

[Buck Sexton]

I, I thought I had given the least controversial take of my career that you could fire someone for violating the morality cause of their contract as a teacher, even if they were doing something legal. And I used as an example, I don't think most people would want their kindergarten teacher or second grade teacher, third grade teacher to also moonlight as a stripper. And then one of our guys, a former Navy guy, called in and told me I was 100% wrong on that. And so people are still fired up about Dan calling. I think it was Dan. Dan, 20 year Navy vet, called in and said, hey, be a stripper and a elementary school teacher at the same time. And people are still fired up about that. I thought I had said the least controversial thing on the show. And there's some good talkbacks.

[Clay Travis]

I know the talkbacks will be interesting when I'm out because all of a sudden it's can strippers also be kindergarten teachers? And what is the worst way to die? I'm like, oh, oh, okay. I. Some things, some things were discussed in my absence. But anyway, we will get to some of those fantastic talkbacks in just a little bit. Just something I wanted to close the loop on. Clay, on the, on the no Kings protest situation. I think that they're trying so hard, but I think they're also realizing this just doesn't have Punch. This, this doesn't have the. I don't care how. They can tell me that 7 million. They can tell me 70 million. I don't. Doesn't matter how many individuals with nothing better to do. I think your take on this, which I saw went viral and I understand why I did. I liked it. I like it. It was a good take. If this is the best thing you have to do with your weekend, you should really think more about what you have to do with your weekend.

[Buck Sexton]

Yes.

[Clay Travis]

This is not a. This is not a worthwhile usage of anyone's time. They're trying, though. Over at MSNBC, Nicole Wallace, this is cut 22, is trying to say that this is. Remember, former Republican Bush person Nicole Wallace says that this is the new opposition in America led by the people. Play 22.

[Nicole Wallace / Batya Unger-Sargon]

It is the people's right to exercise free speech and to criticize their elected leaders at the top of their lungs. And that, that very thing is what makes America great. That is what makes America America. It's what makes us special all around the world until right now. Donald Trump showed the world what he thinks of the American people by literally broadcasting an image of himself pouring feces all over America and the American people. The no Kings protest clearly getting deep under Donald Trump's skin over the weekend. But more importantly, the protests show the contours of a new opposition in America, one led by the people. According to the organizers, 7 million people came out to protest Donald Trump on Saturday.

[Clay Travis]

Clay notice how we're not even sure what they're protesting other than Trump, who's not going to be president beyond the next three years, not even running again. And the notion that they're getting under Trump's skin with this. No, actually, you want to. We know Trump both in the. From his work, but also as a guy. He thinks that these people are just sad. He actually thinks that they're sad and silly.

[Buck Sexton]

Even if so, I think there's several things here. One, I personally happen to believe if you wasted a beautiful fall Saturday protesting Donald Trump, you are a huge loser. I think most people out there saw this and saw the protesters and said, you're all huge losers to. Here is A secondary part of this. What is the goal of a protest? To me, the goal of a protest is to bring attention to an issue and get people to recognize that you are correct. I don't think that's the goal of this protest, because I think in a social media era, protest used to be about trying to persuade people to reconsider their position and join another one. Now I think protest is just brand extension for people who already hate Trump to take photos of themselves and post on Facebook or Instagram or Twitter or wherever they're active. Blue sky showing how much they hate Trump. Buck Around 70 million people voted against Trump in the 2024 election. Let's say that that number that they put out there is accurate. And 7 million people nationwide showed up to protest Trump. That would mean that 90% of the people who voted against Trump had something better to do than show up on Saturday and continue to protest Trump. That, to me, is what kind of stands out. And did those 7 million people persuade anyone that Trump was a king and that they should oppose him? No, I think they actually probably created more Trump supporters, which is why I come to. The purpose of this protest is about allowing the protesters to feel better about themselves, not to change any trajectory of the country.

[Clay Travis]

You remember when you were a kid and you would say to somebody, maybe, or you would hear someone say, you're not the boss of me.

[Buck Sexton]

Yes.

[Clay Travis]

And I think that that's generally not a good way to approach things, because by saying it, the implication is that maybe somebody, including that person, could think they are the boss of you.

[Buck Sexton]

Yeah.

[Clay Travis]

You know, like, you are getting bossed around the no kings thing. We're not. No one's saying that he's a king except for the people who hate him, which to me is coming at this from a position of weakness. It's also coming at it from a position of absurdity. You know, it would be like if they said Trump's not like, king of the, you know, emperor of the universe, like, or, you know, master of the universe. Remember that? From the old he man days? No, he's not. But why are you taking it there? It's a strange place just psychologically to go. And Batya Unger Sargon, this is 23. She is. She's not having any of this either, because they're saying the guy's not a king. He just won massively, a free and fair election. So why are we even talking about him being a king? It's like the guy's the fastest one in the race and you're saying, well, is he really the fastest? Yeah, he is play 23.

[Nicole Wallace / Batya Unger-Sargon]

He is a person who is enacting the exact agenda he promised he was going to enact while he was campaigning. And so what they are actually protesting is the absolute perfection of American democracy, where a person campaigned on an agenda, won the popular vote, and is now enacting that agenda. So it was actually a protest of democracy. All of which is to say the only way to greet such a preposterous proposition is calling this a no kings rally when it's actually an anti democracy rally, is to crap on it. I'm sorry. Is to basically make fun of it. And I think that that has been the Trump administration's approach. They didn't try to stop it, God forbid, because he's not a king. They allowed them to have their say. They allowed them to go out there and then they made fun of them.

[Clay Travis]

I don't agree with the bathroom humor necessarily approach, but. But mocking it, absolutely.

[Buck Sexton]

I also think this goes to. We talked about during the 2024 election that calling somebody Hitler and calling somebody a Nazi wasn't working. So they tried to move and say, he's a fascist. And I said, fascist is not going to work because frankly, it's a complicated word. People don't even know what it means. Certainly most people can't spell fascist probably in America, and now they've moved on to no kings. But I don't think king has a super negative connotation. So even if you were trying to persuade people no dictators, okay. I might say, hey, no dictators, no kings. I just, I think their messaging is really bad. Does that make sense? Like if you tell me somebody's Hitler and then you move from their Hitler to, well, maybe not Hitler, but they're Nazis to, well, maybe not Nazis, but fascist. Maybe not fascists, but kings. Every step down, actually the assault, the attack becomes less, less inflammatory and less negative. Right. Like, if I had to say, hey, Hitler, Nazi, fascist, king, a king is not that awful. Right. There have been pretty good kings over the years, some kings really good. And so I just. They're failing at messaging. They don't really know. They're just kind of flailing around. This shutdown is a perfect example because I can't even really figure out what they want, and I don't think they know what they want. And so all of this has just turned into, I think, a huge, ridiculous mess. And I think it ultimately benefits Trump. And I don't think that they're motivating or influencing anybody. Isn't that kind of interesting to think about? 90% of even the people who voted against Trump had something better to do on October 18th on a fine Saturday than show up and protest against Trump. They can't even get the people who voted against Trump to show up 10 months later and talk about how awful Trump is. So I think this is just yet another failure. You know, what we want to have is a success, Buck Prize Picks. Prize Picks, this is your moment. We've now got the World Series set, the Toronto Blue Jays going up against the LA Dodgers, NBA actions coming back. College basketball is back soon and Prizepix is offering all awesome options right now for you to be able to get hooked up. I'm going to give you a pick on Thursday as I do every week. Unfortunately, we narrowly lost this past Thursday. I've got to get back, build up another opportunity for us to win. In the meantime, you get $50 every time you play. You're soon going to be able to play again fully in New York. You can play in California, you can play in Texas, you can play in Georgia.

[Clay Travis]

I just want to, I just want to go on the record here. I was a little suspect of Clay's most recent slate picks because neither Saquon nor Mr. Pickles was in any way represented in the picks.

[Buck Sexton]

Yes.

[Clay Travis]

And I just think that, that, that, you know, Clay, sometimes you, you, you find out. You know what I mean? So we got to look for something for Mr. Saquon. And also these Blue Jays and baseball, I hear they're a very good team.

[Buck Sexton]

The Blue Jays and baseball are a pretty good team. They won game seven last night. Unfortunately for everybody out in Seattle, they're probably not happy this morning as they wake up on the West Coast. But congratulations, I guess, to Canada and the Dodgers look like they're going to win a second straight World Series. You can get hooked up right now. Prize Picks code clay for $50 when you play $5 Thursday, I will give you a pick and you will be able to play almost everywhere in the country. If you haven't already, go get signed up. It is prizepix.com code clay. Also the prize picks app. Code clay $50 when you play $5. You're gonna love it. Join along. Let's see if we can win this Thursday on Prize Picks. Patriots radio hosts a couple of regular.

[Clay Travis]

Guys, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton.

[Buck Sexton]

Find them on the free iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

Time for a sofa upgrade. Visit washablesofas.com and discover Annabe where designer style meets budget friendly prices. With sofas starting at $699, Annabe brings you the ultimate in furniture innovation with a modular design that allows you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces, Anime is the only machine washable sofa inside and out. Say goodbye to stains and messes with liquid and stain resistant fabrics that make cleaning easy. Liquid simply slides right off. Designed for custom comfort, our high resilience foam lets you choose between a sink in feel or a supportive memory foam blend. Plus our pack pet friendly stain resistant fabrics ensure your sofa stays beautiful for years. Don't compromise quality for price. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your living space today with no risk returns and a 30 day money back guarantee. Get up to 60% off plus free shipping and free returns. Shop now at washablesofas.com Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[NFL Network Announcer]

The NFL International Games continue on NFL Network and here our stars come out in the morning. Week 10 Bajan Robinson and the Falcons touchdown Atlanta take on Daniel Jones and the Colts in Berlin.

[Clay Travis]

Fireworks in the fourth quarter.

[NFL Network Announcer]

Then in Week 11, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders touchdown once again face Tua and the Dolphins in Madrid. Snooze off. Game on. It's Sunday morning Football continues November 9th at 9:30 Eastern only on NFL Network.

[Propane Energy Advertiser]

The US electric grid is approaching a breaking point. As demand soars from data centers and home energy use, our aging infrastructure can and the Department of Energy warns that without action, blackouts could surge 100 fold by 2030. The good news? One solution is already here. Propane. It's American made, stored on site and always ready, powering homes and businesses with cleaner, reliable energy that doesn't depend on the grid or the weather.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

Learn [e-mail] run a business and not thinking about podcasting? Think again. More Americans listen to podcasts than ad supported streaming music from Spotify and Pandora. And as the number one podcaster, iHeart's twice as large as the next two combined. So whatever your customers are into true crime, sports, comedy, culture, they'll hear your message. Plus, only iHeart can extend your message to audiences across broadcast radio. And all this reach means everything. Just think about the universal marketing formula. The number of consumers who hear your message times the response rate equals the results. Now let's get those results growing for you. Think podcasting can help your business? Think iHeart streaming radio and podcasting. Let us show you at iheartadvertising.com that's iheartadvertising.com or call 844-844-IHEART. One more time, call 844-844-iHEART and get podcasting working for you.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

When I told people I was making a podcast about Benghazi, nine times out of ten they called me a masochist, rolled their eyes, or just asked why Benghazi?

[Clay Travis]

The truth became a web of lies.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

It's almost a dirty word, one that connotes conspiracy theory.

[Buck Sexton]

Will we ever get the truth about the Benghazi massacre?

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

Bad faith, political warfare, and frankly, bullshit.

[Clay Travis]

We kill the ambassador just to cover something up. You put two and two together.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

Was it an overblown distraction or a sinister conspiracy?

[Buck Sexton]

Benghazi is a Rosetta Stone for everything that's been going on for the last 20 years.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

I'm Leon Naifak from Prologue Projects and Pushkin Industries. This is Fiasco Benghazi.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

What difference at this point does it make?

[Clay Travis]

Yes, that's right. Lock her up.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

Listen to Fiasco Benghazi on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Buck Sexton]

Welcome back in Clay Travis Buck Sexton show. Let's take some of your calls and some of your talkbacks. 800-282-2882. Truck driver Don in Iowa's got a pretty good argument here on the no Kings rally fire. Thanks for listening, Don. We hope you're getting us coast to coast. Fire away.

[Clay Travis]

I pick you guys up in 20 in all 48 states. So thank you very much.

[Buck Sexton]

That is awesome to hear. We love you, Don. You got a good here.

[Clay Travis]

Yeah, Jesse Kelly's argument is the perfect argument. He says if you're king, you the government can't be shut down on you. And obviously the Democrats have taken that authority away and shut down the government. Also, do these Democrats that are all walking around with their furry costumes on, do they realize that it is the Communist party that is financing their movement and the ultimate goal of the Communist party is ultimate control, which would be a czar. And that's what they want. So they're missing the point.

[Buck Sexton]

Oh, that's very astute observation.

[Clay Travis]

Collectivism always requires, by the way, Don, fantastic. I love our truckers. Trucker Don, thank you for listening. Thank you for calling. An excellent call all the way around. But collectivism always requires authoritarianism because the collectivist ignores the basic truths we know of human beings, which are that human beings act in their own interest. Human beings, you know, have to, there have to be incentives in place for them to do things. This is why, you know, to each from Each according to his ability, to each according to his need is an absurdity. I mean, it's. It's a delusion, really. And so the idea that you're going to have, you're going to have like, broad spectrum collectivist policy that doesn't have a heavy hand of the state to make all these arbitrary determinations and actually become much more tyrannical than when individuals are allowed to make their own determinations via the market or via other free mechanisms. Yeah, it's a lot worse. This should be more apparent to them than it is. But, you know, the people will figure this out.

[Buck Sexton]

With Mamdani Judy on the podcast listening. Oh, I got two funny comments, Buck. One, A friend sent this through my wife. I'm listening to yesterday's show. Please tell Clay he's right on weddings. Also you, Buck. My two sisters and I, all three got married in less than two years. Three huge weddings my dad paid for. He's still pissed about how much they cost to this day. Listen to this, Buck. He actually made us sign a contract that if each of our marriages did not last at least five years, we had to pay him back for what the wedding cost. Completely true story. Valid.

[Clay Travis]

I agree with this.

[Buck Sexton]

Right?

[Clay Travis]

No problem. No problem with that at all. No problem with that at all. You're going to. You want all the bells and whistles. If you're not going to make this a real union that goes to test it, you know, last the distance, you got to pay that money back.

[Buck Sexton]

I am Team Dad. I've never heard of any dad that did this before, but he had three daughters and he had to pay for all of them within two years. And dad just said, hey, if they don't last five years, you're on the hook to pay back for this.

[Clay Travis]

I don't have a daughter. You don't have a daughter. But, you know, we're still trying, so maybe we'll get a daughter here over at. Over in Team Buckland. And I would just say this, Clay, if I was in that situation, you know, let's say 20 years down the line after having a. A baby girl, I would, I would take the. Let's sit down. I'll give you a budget.

[Buck Sexton]

Yeah.

[Clay Travis]

And the budget is twofold. It's a wedding budget and a down payment on your house budget.

[Buck Sexton]

Yep. Allocate the resources as you see fit. That's super smart.

[Clay Travis]

You get to make the determination. But I think that that puts it very, you know, especially you get a lot of people, a lot of millennials priced out of Expensive. Remember, they're priced out of expensive markets. Markets people can live in the Tulsa suburbs in a nice place, no problem. But everybody that's complaining about this, the millennials, they want to live, you know, at the. It's like, you know, the Navy Yard in D.C. or they want to live in Beacon Hill in Boston, I don't know. Where do fancy people in Boston live? I just don't want to say the Upper east side in Beverly Hills, because those are the only fancy neighborhoods that come.

[Buck Sexton]

Yeah, look, in Nashville, there are tons of places you can live very affordably. All the kids want to live in the Gulch. They want to live in Music Row. They want to live in 12 South. Right. And you could live very cheaply in. In Gallatin. Right. By and large, you could live very cheaply in lots of suburban areas. But I love your idea. Hey, let's sit down. Here is your budget. If you're fortunate enough to have resources to be able to help with the down payment on a home, make a smart, rational decision. But, dad, there was like, hey, if this don't go five, if this doesn't go five years, you're gonna have to pay me back. Judy is. Is weighing in. Aa. Let's see what she had to say. So I've never actually called a talk show before, but I did just listen to Clay talk about the fact that he didn't get to watch any football and that his Tennessee Volunteers lost. So I'm really sorry to say this, but Roll Tide.

[Clay Travis]

Was she spiking the football right in your heart, Clay? Is that what happened?

[Buck Sexton]

She was. Now I got to watch some football, but I was saying that I spent six hours because my Alabama fan, son of all dropped his phone in the toilet, and we had to go get the. Evidently, eventually we found out we had to replace the battery that was wired out or buzzed out or whatever it did. And so I, unfortunately, did watch Alabama beat Tennessee. But, yes, we were in ancient Rome.

[Clay Travis]

They would say that this was an omen and that his dropping of the phone was like dropping the Vol's hopes on that day.

[Buck Sexton]

I thought that that would actually be the case, except he is an Alabama fan. And so he both tormented me by having me spend six hours getting his phone fixed. And then as soon as the game was over, I picked him up where he had been hanging out with a bunch of his friends. And he said, roll Tide, Dad, Tennessee sucks. And I was like, dude, I spent six hours getting your phone repaired.

[NFL Network Announcer]

The NFL International games continue on NFL Network. And here, our star is come out in the morning. Week 10 Bajan Robinson and the Falcons take on Daniel Jones and the Colts in Berlin.

[Clay Travis]

Fireworks in the fourth quarter.

[NFL Network Announcer]

Then in week 11, Jaden Daniels and the Commanders touchdown once again. Face Tua and the Dolphins in Madrid. Snooze off. Game on It's Sunday morning Football continues November 9th at 9:30 Eastern only on NFL Network.

[Clay Travis]

Wishing the holidays could come early. If you own or manage your business, they can. With help from iHeartradio. People are already shopping for their loved.

[Buck Sexton]

Ones and hunting for deals wherever they.

[Clay Travis]

Can find them, including right here. They're listening to the radio.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

They're listening to podcasts.

[Clay Travis]

They could be listening to you. Don't wait for everyone else to kick off the holidays. Get your best season of the year up and running today. Call 844-844-IHEART or visit iheartadvertising.com.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

When I told people I was making a podcast about Benghazi, nine times out of ten they called me a masochist, rolled their eyes or just asked why Benghazi?

[Clay Travis]

The truth became a web of lies.

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

From Prologue projects and Pushkin Industries. This is Fiasco Benghazi.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

What difference at this point does it make?

[Leon Neyfakh (Fiasco Benghazi Host)]

Listen to Fiasco Benghazi on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.