The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show Episode: Hour 1 - Things Are Gonna Get Messy
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Host: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Produced by: Premiere Networks

Introduction

In the March 11, 2025 episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into a heated array of topics encompassing political turbulence, economic strategies, and media dynamics. The episode, aptly titled "Things Are Gonna Get Messy," sets the stage for an in-depth discussion on the current state of American politics and economics as the nation navigates through uncharted waters.

1. Media's Shifting Stance on Trump and Emerging Political Climate

Clay Travis opens the discussion by addressing the evolving relationship between the media and former President Donald Trump. Initially, the media appeared unable to effectively oppose Trump, leading to an unexpected "honeymoon period." However, this support is waning as media outlets increasingly label the situation as a looming "recession" and accuse Trump of fostering "authoritarianism."

Notable Quote:

"The initial honeymoon period with the media... is starting to fade as they scream recession, recession and authoritarianism."
— Clay Travis [02:15]

2. Congressional Battles Over the Continuing Resolution and Government Shutdown Risks

The conversation shifts to Capitol Hill, where Congress is embroiled in a contentious debate over the continuing resolution. This stalemate has reignited fears of a potential government shutdown, raising concerns about the implications for federal operations and services.

Notable Quote:

"We're entering the messy phase now. It's not going to be what they're telling you it is..."
— Clay Travis [04:10]

Buck Sexton elaborates on the Democratic Party's stance, suggesting that all House Democrats are poised to vote against a simple funding bill, thereby risking a shutdown. He criticizes Democrats for their inconsistent positions, arguing that their actions betray their purported support for federal workers.

Notable Quote:

"All the people they've said in the past that are going to be harmed would be by their votes."
— Buck Sexton [13:05]

3. Trump’s Imposition of New Tariffs on Canada

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to President Trump's recent announcement of new tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, quoting up to 50% on these imports. Clay argues that these tariffs are retaliatory measures in response to Canada's imposition of a 25% tariff on U.S. dairy products.

Notable Quote:

"He (Trump) says this will go into effect tomorrow morning, March 12th. He says Canada must drop their anti American farmer tariff of 250% on various US dairy products."
— Clay Travis [26:40]

4. The Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil: Immigration and Security Concerns

The hosts touch upon the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, an activist deemed anti-American and pro-Hamas, who was on a student visa. This case is used to highlight broader concerns regarding immigration policies and national security.

Notable Quote:

"...support for Trump on border security is crucial as we face more significant challenges ahead."
— Clay Travis [08:50]

5. The Dylan Mulvaney Incident on "The View"

Clay and Buck discuss the controversy surrounding Dylan Mulvaney's appearance on the popular daytime show "The View." They criticize the show for what they perceive as disconnect from reality and cognitive limitations among its hosts, reinforcing their ongoing critiques of media narratives.

Notable Quote:

"It turns out the ladies of the View are as disconnected from reality and cognitively limited as we had always assumed..."
— Clay Travis [09:30]

6. Government Spending: Biden vs. Trump Administrations

A substantial segment is devoted to comparing the Biden and Trump administrations' approaches to government spending. Clay highlights the unprecedented $36 trillion national debt amassed under Biden, criticizing the administration's reliance on government expansion and automatic spending increases.

Notable Quote:

"No one else has ever run this up the way that we have in the modern era."
— Clay Travis [05:45]

He further discusses the Trump administration's efforts to curtail this spending, emphasizing the need to restore economic balance and reduce reliance on government-driven GDP growth.

Notable Quote:

"Trump is trying to restore balance... to handle the government's spending in a way that benefits the majority of working Americans."
— Clay Travis [07:20]

7. Democrats’ Opposition and the Risk of Fiscal Obstruction

Buck Sexton elaborates on the Democrats' strategy to potentially shut down the government by voting against the continuing resolution. He portrays this as a betrayal of federal workers and American citizens, underscoring the party's alleged prioritization of power over practical governance.

Notable Quote:

"They are not for federal workers. They're not for anyone."
— Buck Sexton [13:50]

8. Tariffs as Negotiation Tools and the Concept of Reciprocal Tariffs

Clay delves deeper into the economic rationale behind tariffs, framing them as strategic tools rather than mere taxes. He argues that tariffs serve as a means to create a level playing field in international trade, especially when other nations have already imposed protections on American products.

Notable Quote:

"Tariffs are a tool. Just like sanctions, tariffs are sometimes good, sometimes bad. It depends."
— Clay Travis [20:10]

He criticizes the prevailing economic consensus that universally condemns tariffs, suggesting that real-world trade practices already involve numerous protective measures.

9. Listener Interaction: A Caller from Moscow on Tariffs

In a notable segment, Clay engages with a listener from Moscow, Russia, who shares his perspective on international tariffs. The caller highlights the challenges American farmers face due to high international tariffs, particularly in Europe, which limit the exportability of U.S. dairy and meat products.

Notable Quote:

"Our businessmen, our farmers in America, their milk products, their dairy products. I come from Wisconsin. They're all being excluded by tariffs of other countries."
— Caller from Moscow [35:20]

Clay responds by reinforcing the importance of retaliatory tariffs to protect American industries, dismissing free trade as an unrealistic ideal given existing global protectionist policies.

10. Concluding Remarks and Future Outlook

As the episode draws to a close, Clay emphasizes the necessity of embracing economic disruptions to implement meaningful reforms. He acknowledges potential short-term challenges, such as market volatility and increased costs for certain goods, but maintains that these measures are essential for long-term economic stability.

Notable Quote:

"This has to be done now. By the midterms, we're back to business as usual."
— Clay Travis [29:50]

Buck Sexton echoes this sentiment, urging listeners to support the Trump administration's efforts to curb government excesses and restore fiscal responsibility.

Key Takeaways

• Media Dynamics: The media's previously muted opposition to Trump is diminishing, shifting towards more critical narratives.

• Government Shutdown Risks: Ongoing congressional disputes over the continuing resolution could lead to a government shutdown, affecting federal operations.

• Trade Wars and Tariffs: Trump's imposition of hefty tariffs on Canadian imports is a strategic move to retaliate against Canada's tariffs on American dairy, viewed as a necessary step to protect domestic industries.

• Economic Policies: A critical examination of Biden's administration highlights concerns over unsustainable government spending and national debt, contrasting with Trump's efforts to reduce spending and restore economic balance.

• Immigration and Security: The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil underscores the administration's focus on tightening immigration policies for national security purposes.

• Media Critique: The incident with Dylan Mulvaney on "The View" is used to criticize mainstream media's perceived disconnect from reality and logical discourse.

• Listener Engagement: Interaction with a Moscow-based listener provides an international perspective on the impact of tariffs, reinforcing the necessity of reciprocal trade measures.

Conclusion

In this episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton navigate through a complex landscape of political and economic issues, advocating for Trump's strategies to counteract media bias, governmental overspending, and unfair international trade practices. Their discussions underscore a call for robust economic reforms and cautious navigation of impending governmental challenges, painting a picture of a nation on the brink of significant transformation.