The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 1 - The Smoke Monster

Date: November 11, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

On this Veterans Day episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into the aftermath of the recent government shutdown, the political fallout for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and broad undercurrents of anger and discontent in American society. The hosts analyze the shifting dynamics within the Democratic Party, discuss military morale and enlistment, and reflect on the role and sacrifices of veterans in U.S. history. The episode is punctuated by sharp commentary, cultural references, and notable guest calls, all while maintaining a tone of humor and deep respect for veterans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Veterans Day Reflections and Guests

• Opening Tribute: The episode begins with Clay Travis expressing gratitude for veterans and previewing interviews with David Rutherford (former Navy SEAL) and Dakota Meyer (Medal of Honor recipient).
  "We have a couple of veterans that are going to be on the program with us today. David Rutherford... and Dakota Meyer..." (03:20)

• Trump at Arlington: They note President Trump’s Veterans Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery, playing several clips and discussing Trump’s military ethos (see memorable moments below).

2. Government Shutdown Fallout

• Shutdown Status: The Senate ended the nation’s longest shutdown (40 days) with 60 votes, including eight Democrats. The House vote is pending.

  • Clay describes the shutdown as having negligible real-world effect:
    "Nothing changed at all. So let's go and have some fun." (05:16)

• Political Backlash for Schumer:

  • Significant Democratic discontent with Schumer’s handling of the shutdown.
  • David Axelrod and commentators on CNN predict that Schumer's leadership is imperiled.
    • "David Axelrod said as much. He's likely cooked as the Democrat leader." (06:55)
  • Clay:
    "Chuck Schumer is in many ways essentially done as the minority leader in the Senate." (06:45)
  • Buck is skeptical about Schumer’s demise, comparing party dynamics to Republican infighting over Mitch McConnell:
    "How many times... have we all sat around on the right as Republicans, been like, Mitch McConnell's a rhino...? And yet Mitch McConnell's got the checkbook..." (07:31)
  • The hosts observe how quickly media narratives have shifted from “Republican civil war” to Democratic Party infighting.

3. Anger and Division in American Politics

• The "Smoke Monster" Analogy:
  Clay uses pop culture references (Lost’s “smoke monster”, Ghostbusters’ “goo”, Lord of the Rings’ “Eye of Sauron”) to describe free-floating public anger:
  "It feels like there's just a shifting cloud of anger... I feel like that characterizes America today." (08:53)
  Buck builds on this, noting how political leaders try to channel anger at political opponents to drive turnout and control:
  "A lot of this is the game of making people who are very upset upset at the right people." (09:59)

4. Schumer vs. AOC - The Future of Democratic Leadership

• Schumer’s Popularity Wanes:
  Multiple poll citations show Schumer as the least popular Democratic Senate leader since the 1980s. - "He's underwater with Democrats, his own party already..." (12:10, News Analyst)

• AOC’s Rising Star:

  • Discussion of whether Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) will run for Senate or president.
    • "If she decided to challenge Chuck Schumer come 2028, she's got a real leg up on the competition. I dare say at this point she would be the favorite to beat him..." (13:26, News Analyst)
  • Buck and Clay agree AOC is likely to aim higher, for president.
  • The hosts discuss the enthusiasm for generational change in Democratic leadership, with the possibility of left-wing challengers disrupting the establishment.

5. Analysis of Economic and Foreign Policy Decisions

• Argentina Aid "Bailout" Debate:
  Treasury Secretary Scott Besant (guest interview) explains why U.S. support to Argentina is a currency swap, not a bailout, and why it's beneficial for the U.S.
  - "We used our financial balance sheet to stabilize the government... the government's going to make money. And I would rather use peace through economic strength..." (24:23, David Rutherford as Treasury Secretary)

• Media Questioning Lacks Depth:
  Buck critiques media framing and lack of economic understanding:
  "It is just evidence of how often these guys have no real ability to have depth to their questions." (25:05)

6. Renewal of Military Morale and Enlistment

• Positive Trends under Trump:

  • Clay attributes a resurgence in military enlistment to policy shifts focusing on military strength, discipline, and pride.
    • "We want them to be badasses, and we want them to be a lethal fighting force. It turns out that's actually a much better pitch..." (28:37)

• Military’s Purpose & Morale:
  Buck and Clay discuss the need for genuine esprit de corps and how a focus on “social justice experiments” undermines the fighting spirit.
  - "Morale is to the physical as 3 to 1, meaning the morale of your force is essential." (33:16, Buck quoting Napoleon)

7. Veteran Sacrifice & Historical Context

• Personal Sacrifice:
  The hosts reflect on how historical soldiers endured privation, disease, and hardship beyond direct combat. - Buck points out:
  "Two out of three deaths in Civil War from disease..." (35:42)
  • Clay:
    "Just living in those camps during the winter would have been brutal on a level that most of us can't even comprehend this day." (37:56)

8. Listener Calls

• Memorable Call:
  Tom from North Carolina shares a moving personal connection:
  His high school teacher was George W. Taylor, the man who drove Patton’s jeep during the Battle of the Bulge, and served as a historical adviser to the movie "Patton".
  "I heard him raise his voice one time... he had to go visit with the crew, a director and all of the movie Patton because he was George W. George Washington Taylor who drove Patton's jeep during the Battle of the Bulge." (46:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Clay Travis on Shutdown Fallout:
  "We had the longest shutdown in our nation's history, 40 days. And the actual impact, Buck, was negligible. Nothing changed at all." (05:16)
• On Schumer's Future:
  "David Axelrod said as much. He's likely cooked as the Democrat leader." (06:55, Clay Travis)
• Buck Sexton on Party Leadership:
  "How many times have we all sat around on the right as Republicans, been like, Mitch McConnell's a rhino... And yet Mitch McConnell's got the checkbook, he's got the donor network, he's got the power, and everybody falls in line." (07:31)
• Pop Culture Analogy:
  "It reminds me... Lost... you know how the smoke monster just shows up and you want to try to avoid being the target... It feels like there's just a shifting cloud of anger." (08:53, Clay Travis)
• CNN Poll Analyst:
  "Least popular Dem Senate leader ever... He's underwater with Democrats, his own party already he's underwater. He's at minus four points." (12:10, News Analyst)
• Trump at Arlington National Cemetery:
  "Everything our country has achieved has been purchased by the muscle, spine and steel of the United States military.... we are restoring the pride and the winning spirit of the United States military." (26:57, 27:42, Donald Trump)
• On Military Morale (Napoleon Quote):
  "In war, morale is to the physical as 3 to 1, meaning the morale of your force is essential." (33:16, Buck Sexton)
• Veterans’ Everyday Humility:
  "I'm astounded by how humble they all are... you wouldn't know that these guys are the badasses of Badass Dumb just by walking into a bar." (31:47, Clay Travis)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 03:20 | Veterans Day Opening; previewing veteran guests | | 05:16 | Longest shutdown ends; negligible impact | | 06:55 | Democratic infighting; Schumer's leadership questioned | | 08:53 | "Smoke Monster" analogy; social anger in America | | 12:10 | CNN polling, Schumer's unpopularity with Democrats | | 13:26 | AOC’s polling vs. Schumer among NY Democrats | | 24:23 | Treasury Secretary Besant explains Argentina aid | | 26:57 | Trump’s Veterans Day speech at Arlington | | 28:37 | Enlistment numbers rising; military morale discussion | | 33:16 | Napoleon quote on military morale; importance explained | | 35:42 | Historical soldier hardship (Civil War, disease) | | 46:44 | Call from Tom—Patton’s jeep driver story |

Conclusion

This Veterans Day episode weaves together the latest political drama, particularly the Democratic Party’s internal struggle post-shutdown, with broader reflections on veterans, military culture, and American history. Clay and Buck’s mixture of cultural references, policy critique, and personal anecdotes makes this episode both timely and timeless—a salute to veterans and a scathing, insightful look at current D.C. dynamics.