The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 1 – Radical Leftwing Violence
Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

In this hour, Clay and Buck tackle what they frame as a surge in radical leftwing violence in America, analyzing current events from recent shootings to political rhetoric. They discuss comparative national violence, the media’s handling of these topics, and delve into controversies surrounding James Comey and law enforcement actions under previous administrations. The hosts maintain a conversational and often combative tone, mixing commentary with news recaps, criticism of political opponents, and listener interactions.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Focus on Recent Acts of Violence: Analysis of leftwing-motivated violent incidents, including attacks on conservative public figures and institutions.
• Media & Political Double Standards: Critique of how media and the Democratic Party address political violence and criminal accountability.
• Commentary on National Leadership: Discussion on President Trump’s responses and statements about leftwing violence, as well as scrutiny of former FBI director James Comey and justice system impartiality.
• Economic Updates: Brief examination of positive economic news, with interpretations on how the media treats Republican economic stewardship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rising Violence & Leftwing Motivation

• Analysis of Violent Incidents:

  • Hosts recount the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, the Dallas ICE facility shooting where a perpetrator killed two migrants, and a shooting spree at ABC News Sacramento tied to Jimmy Kimmel’s brief hiatus ([08:41]–[13:46]).
  • Pattern asserted: These acts are motivated by leftwing rhetoric and anger, and are not isolated, one-off events.

• Highlight: FBI Information on ICE Shooter

  • Suspect targeted DHS facilities, followed news about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and left a note:
    “Hopefully this will give ICE agents real terror.” ([10:14])

Buck Sexton:

"Anyone out there who is trying to argue that this is anything other than yet another leftwing shooter motivated by leftwing political arguments is being dishonest to you." ([10:14])

2. Trump’s Response & Rhetoric

• President Trump’s Comments: A centerpiece segment features Trump addressing leftwing violence and naming the “radical left” as the source ([11:11]).
  • Trump asserts the right is "tougher" but not committing this violence, warns escalation would be bad for the country.

Donald Trump:

“The radical left is causing the problem. They're out of control… very low IQ people, actually... It's going to get worse. And ultimately it's going to go back on them.” ([11:14])

Clay Travis:

“I just appreciate that the president is saying it in the most plain spoken, straightforward, no nonsense way possible. He's like, the left is the problem, guys. The left are the ones doing the violence.” ([12:12])

3. Media and Political Reactions & Narratives

• Contrasting Coverage:
  • Hosts mock the idea that rightwing violence is the principal threat, citing the recurring political invocation of January 6th.

Buck Sexton:

“Where is this rightwing violence? Or we're gonna have to hear about J6 again, is that... That's the big terrible thing, that's worse than 9/11.” ([13:46])

• Democrat “Genie Out of the Bottle”:
  • Worry that leftwing rhetoric has unleashed violence they can no longer contain.

Buck Sexton:

“I don't even think that they could do this. I don't think they could turn it off now, is my point. I think they have unleashed this long enough on the American people that we are going to have to continue to suffer through what are just waves of domestic terrorism, plain and simple...” ([15:24])

• (Claim that Democratic leaders don't truly believe their own rhetoric, but have stoked a base that does.)

4. Heroism & Framing of Perpetrators

• The hosts stress that leftwing perpetrators believe they are “heroes” fighting fascism, a delusion fed by political and media language ([16:23]).

Buck Sexton:

"There is a deranged lunatic fringe of the left that is acting on what they believe. That is true coming from the Democrat base, their arguments. And, buck, they think they're heroes." ([16:23])

5. Notable Incidents & Figures

• Man Luigi Incident:

  • Referenced as an example of leftwing vigilante violence committed against a health care executive.

• Media Coverage & Accountability:

  • Repeated criticism that the press ignores or downplays leftwing violence while amplifying any rightwing incidents.

Economics & National News: Brief Interlude

• Recap of Economic News:
  • Citing CNBC’s Rick Santelli, they celebrate a 3.8% Q2 GDP revision ([03:22]).

Rick Santelli (Audio Clip):

“3.8% would be the best quarter going back... till 4.4. and that was 3Q23... But the balance is moving in favor and momentum is moving in favor for better growth.” ([03:22])

• Discussion on Interest Rates, Tariffs, and Housing:
  • Prospects for lower mortgage rates and a “thaw” in the housing market ([06:12]–[08:41]).
  • Hosts argue economic growth, not budget cuts, is the likely path forward, echoing Elon Musk’s optimism about AI’s eventual benefit to the economy.

Deep Dive: James Comey, DOJ Accountability, and Flynn

Potential Charges Against James Comey

• Possibility of Comey Indictment:

  • Discuss ongoing speculation about charges against former FBI Director Comey for lying under oath ([23:43]–[24:33]).
  • Segue into a broader critique of Comey’s leadership, including his pursuit of Martha Stewart’s prosecution and his role in the General Flynn controversy.

• Discussion of Legal Ethics and Double Standards:

  • Emphasis on applying the law fairly:
    “If Comey broke the law, he should face the full consequences of the law…he loves sending other people to prison for lying under oath about the most minute things. If he lied under oath, his ass should go to jail too, Full stop.” – Clay Travis ([34:50])

Flashback: Comey & Flynn Interview

• Reviewing the 2018 NBC interview where Comey described circumventing White House procedures to interview Michael Flynn ([27:43]–[28:58]):
  • Admits to exploiting a “less organized administration” to send agents to the White House outside normal process.

Comey (Clip):

"I probably wouldn't have done or maybe gotten away with in a more organized administration… Let's just send a couple guys over." ([27:49])

Clay Travis:

"Comey set a perjury trap for the incoming national security adviser based on a non-crime... It was so diabolical." ([33:00])

• Statute of Limitations Issue:
  • Urgency stressed to bring any charges before statutes expire, with skepticism about grand juries in politically blue jurisdictions ([30:05]–[31:49]).

Listener Interactions and Lighter Moments

• Calls and Banter:
  • Listeners comment on sports (Mets, Braves), political races, and the difference between “bullets” and “casings” in gun lingo ([41:44]–[43:29]).
  • Jokes about Kamala Harris’s book and her political prospects, with Buck teasing his “sacrifice” in skimming her work ([44:01]–[44:48]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Clay Travis, on budget cuts:

  "Santa Claus is very tough to compete with—getting free goodies you don't have to pay for..." ([08:41])

• Buck Sexton on Democrat rhetoric:

  "The reason they say that is so they have an excuse to kill us... I don't believe that any of the Democrat leadership actually believes that argument." ([16:23])

• Clay Travis on Comey:

  "He's a bad dude. He's always been a bad dude. He's slithered from one administration to another within the bureaucracy and somehow always ended up...elevating himself." ([31:49])

• Buck Sexton summarizing legal urgency:

  "Those charges need to come soon or else you're going to run into statute of limitations related issues." ([35:26])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:35] – Show proper begins with news topics overview.
• [03:22] – Economic growth: Q2 GDP, market optimism.
• [08:41] – Discussion: Leftwing violence, ICE shooting, and Kirk assassination.
• [10:14] – FBI findings on ICE facility shooter’s motives (quote from a note).
• [11:11] – Donald Trump addresses “radical left” violence (audio clip).
• [13:46] – Debating “rightwing vs. leftwing” violence and the January 6th narrative.
• [15:24] – Discussion: Media, rhetoric, and political violence “Pandora’s box”.
• [16:23] – Motives of perpetrators; “hero complex” among extremists.
• [23:43] – New developments involving James Comey, potential legal consequences.
• [27:49] – NBC’s Nicole Wallace with James Comey on the Flynn ambush interview.
• [31:49] – Critique of Comey, reminder of Martha Stewart prosecution.
• [34:50] – Clay Travis’s case for prosecution if Comey broke the law.
• [41:44] – Listener call-in segment; lighter tone, more personal banter.
• [44:01] – Ongoing joke about Kamala Harris's book, Buck's reviews.

Overall Tone

The episode is politically charged, humorous, and combative, reflecting the hosts’ conservative perspective. Commentary is direct, uses colloquialisms, and often employs sarcasm or rhetorical questions when critiquing political opponents, media narratives, or perceived double standards.

Conclusion

This hour lays out the hosts' position that recent violence has a distinctly leftwing political motivation and is underplayed by institutional media and the Democratic party. Through a mix of news recap, political analysis, and listener engagement, Clay and Buck make the case for more forceful condemnation and legal accountability for leftwing actors, while warning that a refusal to address the issue candidly will only fuel further unrest.

For listeners seeking in-depth takes on current events—particularly those regarding political violence, accountability in law enforcement, and conservative critiques of the left—this episode delivers a pointed, detailed, and at times provocative discussion.