The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show: Hour 1 - The Resistance Movement
Release Date: June 11, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve deep into the current political and economic landscape of the United States. Titled "The Resistance Movement," the discussion centers around the resilience of conservative policies, the state of the economy under the Trump administration, ongoing protests, border security, and the intriguing reconciliation between former President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk.
Economic Landscape: Trump vs. Biden Administrations
Buck Sexton initiates the conversation by contrasting the economic indicators under President Trump with those during President Biden's tenure. Emphasizing low inflation and robust wage growth, Buck asserts:
"In the President Trump economy, wage growth around 4%, which is very good. The cost of goods growing at about 2.4%, which is low. So that means... more money in your pocket for the goods you are purchasing."
[04:30]
He highlights that while inflation rates have remained below expectations for the fourth consecutive month, the significant factor is the wage growth outpacing the increase in the cost of living. This dynamic, according to Buck, has reversed the financial strain experienced by Americans during Biden's administration.
Clay Travis complements this by advising a "slow and steady" investment strategy, especially in retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, underscoring the importance of long-term wealth accumulation over quick gains.
Trade Relations and the China Deal
The hosts discuss the recent announcement by Trump regarding a trade deal with China, which entails consistent 50% tariffs on American goods and a 10% tariff on Chinese products. Buck points out:
"China will have a 10% tariff on our goods. And that is another positive story."
[05:32]
Clay Travis adds that alongside tariffs, the deal includes provisions for rare earth minerals, which are crucial for various industries. He counters prior criticisms predicting economic downturns under Trump's policies by highlighting the ongoing economic growth and approaching stock market highs.
Protests and Government Response
Shifting focus to civil unrest, Buck and Clay analyze the current state of protests compared to past movements like Black Lives Matter (BLM). Buck remarks on the more controlled response from red states:
"We are approaching all-time record highs in the stock market... the Federal deployment is a positive move."
[05:50]
Clay Travis echoes this sentiment, noting the effective containment of protests in major cities like Los Angeles. He contrasts this with the perceived chaos during Biden's administration, emphasizing the difference in governmental approaches to maintaining order.
Buck further elaborates on the strategic deployment of the National Guard in response to protests, suggesting that conservative-led states are better equipped to manage and quell unrest:
"We are very close to challenging those record highs... The borrowing costs would become cheaper."
[06:49]
Immigration and Border Security
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around immigration policies and border security. Both hosts express strong support for Trump's approach to deportation and border enforcement. Buck asserts:
"The overwhelming majority of Americans are on the side of the deportation."
[12:08]
Clay Travis reinforces this by highlighting the shift in public perception towards illegal immigration, suggesting that the current administration's policies resonate with a broad spectrum of Americans. He criticizes the Democratic stance, arguing that it fails to differentiate between lawful immigrants and those who unlawfully enter and commit crimes.
Buck adds that the Democratic resistance movement is weakening due to its inability to garner widespread support for stringent immigration controls:
"The overwhelming majority of Americans are saying no to these protests and supporting deportations."
[12:45]
Elon Musk and Donald Trump's Reconciliation
One of the most engaging segments of the episode revolves around the public fallout and subsequent reconciliation between Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The hosts recount the events leading to Musk's apology to Trump, facilitated by influential figures like J.D. Vance and Susie Wiles.
Buck Sexton explains the dynamics:
"Elon retreats on Trump attacks after call from J.D. Vance, Susie Wiles... Musk deescalated early Wednesday with his post."
[22:36]
Clay Travis speculates on the authenticity and implications of Musk's public apology, emphasizing that despite the initial turmoil, both parties are likely to mend fences:
"They’re going to reconcile... They’re going to be fine. They're going to be playing golf together."
[28:00]
Buck elaborates on Trump's perception of Musk, describing him as a "50% genius, 50% boy," highlighting Musk's technical prowess while acknowledging his volatile nature:
"Trump sees Elon as 50% genius, 50% boy... Elon is a volatile guy and things got a little crazy there."
[29:24]
Clay further discusses Musk's management style, comparing it to his own experiences with bureaucracy and emphasizing the challenges Musk faces when transitioning from a CEO role to interacting with government structures:
"When you're in government... it's not how it works as a company."
[32:14]
The reconciliation is portrayed as a mutual understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses, setting the stage for potential collaborations in the future.
Humorous Banter: The Flute Controversy
In a lighter moment, the hosts engage in a humorous exchange about flute playing and masculinity. Clay teases Buck about the notion that flute playing is unmasculine, jesting about Trump's past attempts to play the instrument.
"Donald J. Trump, president slash former flute player."
[40:57]
Buck Sexton plays along, defending flute players while maintaining the show's spirited tone.
"Kamala Harris... there's nothing wrong with that. But... it's not for me."
[42:31]
This segment adds levity to the episode, showcasing the hosts' chemistry and ability to balance serious discussions with comedic elements.
Conclusion
Clay Travis and Buck Sexton wrap up the episode by reiterating the strength and resilience of conservative policies amidst ongoing challenges. They emphasize the importance of economic stability, assertive immigration policies, and strategic leadership in navigating the nation's complexities. The reconciliation between Trump and Musk is portrayed as a positive development, potentially uniting influential figures in pursuit of shared goals.
With a blend of insightful analysis, authoritative commentary, and engaging banter, this episode offers listeners a comprehensive overview of the current political climate, underscored by a steadfast commitment to conservative ideals.
Notable Quotes:
-
Buck Sexton
"The important thing about inflation is not only the rate at which it is rising, but more importantly, are your wages rising faster than the cost of goods."
[04:30] -
Buck Sexton
"China will have a 10% tariff on our goods. And that is another positive story."
[05:32] -
Buck Sexton
"The overwhelming majority of Americans are on the side of the deportation."
[12:08] -
Buck Sexton
"Elon retreats on Trump attacks after call from J.D. Vance, Susie Wiles."
[22:36] -
Clay Travis
"They’re going to reconcile... They’re going to be fine. They're going to be playing golf together."
[28:00] -
Buck Sexton
"Trump sees Elon as 50% genius, 50% boy... Elon is a volatile guy and things got a little crazy there."
[29:24] -
Buck Sexton
"When you're in government... it's not how it works as a company."
[32:14] -
Clay Travis
"Donald J. Trump, president slash former flute player."
[40:57]
This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to it. The inclusion of notable quotes with proper attribution and timestamps offers direct insights into the hosts' viewpoints and the episode's primary themes.