The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – Hour 1: Tragedy in Minneapolis

Date: August 27, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This episode is dedicated to covering the tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where a gunman opened fire during a school Mass, resulting in the deaths of two children and numerous injuries. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton provide real-time news updates, analytical insights, and emotional commentary. They also discuss possible motives, law enforcement response, and broader societal issues related to such tragedies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Immediate Details of the Shooting

• [01:59] Clay Travis opens by reporting the breaking news of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church during a school Mass.

  • Two fatalities are confirmed (children aged 8 and 10); many more are hospitalized with various injuries.
  • The shooter fired from outside through stained glass windows and possibly entered the building later.
  • Injuries may include both gunshot wounds and injuries from shattered glass or debris.

• [03:54] Buck Sexton reads updates from police and news sources:

  • The shooter was "armed with a rifle, shotgun and a pistol. This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children… sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children" (Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, [08:17]).
  • Notable Quote:

    "Two young kids, eight and ten years old, were killed sitting in the church pews." – Buck Sexton [04:41]

Law Enforcement and City Context

• [08:54] Clay Travis & Buck Sexton reflect on Minneapolis’ recent history with violence:

  • The city has faced unusual levels of violent crime for its size, highlighting challenges stemming from reduced police morale and staffing since the George Floyd riots.
  • Notable Quote:

    "I believe Minneapolis because the police were so attacked in that community is still operating at an unprecedented level of lack of police." – Buck Sexton [09:20]

• Discussion about the urgent need to hire back police officers and support law enforcement.

Police Briefings & Firsthand Reactions

• [08:17 & 10:52] Police Chief Brian O’Hara audio:

  • Shooter fired into church pews where children sat; two children killed, 17 other people injured (14 children, with 2 in critical condition).
  • The gunman killed himself at the scene.
  • Notable Quote:

    "Two young children, ages 8 and 10, were killed where they sat in the pews… Seventeen other people were injured, fourteen of them being children." – MPD Chief Brian O’Hara [10:52]

• Buck and Clay discuss the emotional toll events like this take on law enforcement, especially when children are victims.

  • Notable Quote:

    "The deaths of kids was always a thing that… the cops can’t even really talk about it… It’s too upsetting, understandably." – Buck Sexton [11:48]

Security and Policy Analysis

• [13:11–15:18] Buck Sexton & Clay Travis analyze:
  • The difficulties of preventing such an attack, particularly when a shooter attacks from outside.
  • Concealed carry and the argument for armed security in religious institutions and schools—acknowledging that in some cases, even this may not be enough.
  • Notable Quote:

    "My kids have armed security at their schools. I think it should be standard to have armed security… a lot of schools and unfortunately a lot of religious institutions as well." – Buck Sexton [15:03]

Ongoing Updates and Victim Status

• [22:46] Buck Sexton:
  • 11 patients taken to hospital, 9 children (ages 6–14), with 4 requiring emergency surgery and listed as critical.
• [28:05] Emergency Room Doctor (audio):
  • Hospital received 11 patients (9 pediatric, 2 adults). Four children required surgery. No additional fatalities among those treated at the hospital.
  • Notable Quote:

    “We are a level one trauma center…and we train for this… Four of them require the operating room, and up to this point… no fatalities related to any of those patients.” – Emergency Room Doctor [28:05]

Speculation on Motive and Media Response

• [25:07–34:13] Clay, Buck, & Carol Markowitz:

  • Speculate on potential motives (anti-Catholic, ideological, mental illness), but withhold details pending confirmation.

  • Early signs indicate the shooter may have targeted Christians/Catholics and had a history of mental instability.

  • Reports surface that the shooter was possibly connected to another Catholic-targeted shooting the prior day.

  • Reference to the shooter’s possible "trans" identity and anti-Christian or anti-Trump writing on weapons and manifesto.

    • Notable Quote:

      “All written on the gun barrel is ‘Kill Donald Trump,’ ‘RIP & tear’ written on the gun magazine. This is pretty awful. I’m just sharing with you.” – Buck Sexton [39:53]

  • Discuss tendency in media to rapidly politicize shootings, often focusing on gun control without operational firearm knowledge.

    • Notable Quote:

      “People at CNN just don’t know a darn thing about any of this… This is where they’ll talk about… automatic machine bazookas. And they have no idea what they are talking about and feel like they should still be able to weigh in…” – Buck Sexton [31:10]

Need for Societal Change and Prevention

• [44:20] Carol Markowitz highlights:
  • Need to assess social media and public warning signs for unwell individuals.
  • Considers what more law enforcement or policy might do when tipped about someone with manifestos or violent rhetoric.
    • Notable Quote:

      “What are the next steps that we need to take as a society when we come across stuff like this?” – Carol Markowitz [44:20]

Emotional Impact and Reflections

• Hosts repeatedly express heartbreak, noting how parenthood makes these stories more difficult to process.

  • Notable Quote:

    “If there is a final circle of hell, someone who would shoot children in a church belongs there. This is about as evil as anything as any act could be.” – Clay Travis [04:55]

• Strong consensus that evil exists in the world, and tackling it requires honesty, awareness, and practical actions—not just policy discussion.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• "Two young kids, eight and ten years old, were killed sitting in the church pews." — Buck Sexton [04:41]
• "The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible." – Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara [08:17]
• “My kids have armed security at their schools… I think it should be standard to have armed security.” – Buck Sexton [15:03]
• “People at CNN just don’t know a darn thing about any of this… And they have no idea what they are talking about and feel like they should still be able to weigh in…” – Buck Sexton [31:10]
• “All written on the gun barrel is ‘Kill Donald Trump,’ ‘RIP & tear’ written on the gun magazine.… Where is your God? Why so queerious? Pretty awful.” – Buck Sexton [39:53]
• “What are the next steps that we need to take as a society when we come across stuff like this?” – Carol Markowitz [44:20]

Timeline & Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Opening & initial report | Details of the church shooting | 01:59 | | Updates from Minneapolis Police | Shooter details, fatalities confirmed | 03:54, 08:17, 10:52 | | Reflection on city & policing | Minneapolis’ crime, police shortages | 08:54–11:29 | | Security & policy analysis | Concealed carry, security in religious institutions | 13:11–15:18 | | Further victim updates | Children’s condition, ER report | 22:46–28:38 | | Gun control media commentary | CNN’s misunderstanding of firearms | 29:54–31:10 | | Shooter profile & motive update | Background, manifesto, trans identity speculations | 39:53–46:08 |

Tone & Style

• The hosts use a direct, urgent, and somber tone befitting the gravity of the subject. There are moments of emotional vulnerability, relatable to parents and community members.
• They maintain a frank, sometimes critical stance toward both media and policymakers’ typical reactions to mass shootings.
• Guest Carol Markowitz brings additional reporting rigor and emphasis on fact-based updates.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a sobering real-time account of a devastating tragedy, with Clay and Buck analyzing the latest facts, providing expert context, and sharing their raw emotional reactions. Listeners are offered both detailed developments and broader commentary on violence, social policy, law enforcement, and media framing in the aftermath of mass shootings, especially those targeting children and faith communities.