The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Hour 1 – Trump Accounts
Date: January 28, 2026
Podcast Host(s): Clay Travis & Buck Sexton
Episode Overview
In this episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton dig into the top news and politics stories dominating the headlines, focusing on recent developments involving Trump-era immigration enforcement, a new “Trump accounts” financial literacy initiative, and evolving fallout from a controversial shooting during ICE operations in Minneapolis. The hosts blend commentary, guest analysis, and lively banter on hot-button issues from economic indicators to the culture war—touching on everything from celebrity endorsements to Second Amendment debates.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Stock Market Milestone and State of the Economy
- S&P 500 Hits 7000 for the First Time
- Buck opens with “good news,” highlighting the S&P 500’s historic high as an indicator of general economic sentiment and health—even if not everyone is directly invested in stocks.
- Buck (02:26): “S&P 500 just hit 7000 for the first time ever… America is back… It’s a good thing.”
- Discussion of persistent inflation and high prices, noting they’d be worse in a down market.
2. Weather and Disrupted Political Coverage
- Major Storms Impact Guests and Attendance
- The snowstorm in Nashville and throughout the South affects travel and forces changes in coverage of the Trump-titled “account announcements” in D.C.
- Clay (05:30): “There’s about a 200-mile stretch from Nashville south that is utterly devastating... We couldn’t get up there.”
3. Immigration Enforcement — Minneapolis ICE Operation
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Personnel Changes, Political Fallout, and Protest Tactics
- Tom Holman replaces Commander Bovino in overseeing ICE operations in Minnesota amidst protests and controversy.
- President Trump defends the shake-up as tactical, not a pullback.
- Trump (08:30): “I don’t think it’s a pullback. It’s a little bit of a change... You make little changes. Bavino is very good... But you have to understand, these are paid insurrectionists, paid agitators…”
- Hosts warn that if resistance works in Minneapolis, it will be copied elsewhere.
- Buck (09:37): “If resistance works in Minneapolis, then they will copy it everywhere else… It’s very easy to start with deporting violent criminals… but… if you want to return the nation to some semblance of lawfulness... you’re going to have to start to deport people who are not necessarily violent criminals.”
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The Political Long Game of Immigration
- Clay and Buck argue that Democrats benefit from long-term shifts resulting from large numbers of illegal immigrants in the country, making it nearly impossible to reverse course.
- Clay (10:45): “Once you let the 20 million in, it becomes almost impossible to get the 20 million out.”
- Clay and Buck argue that Democrats benefit from long-term shifts resulting from large numbers of illegal immigrants in the country, making it nearly impossible to reverse course.
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Self-Deportation & Workplace Enforcement
- Discussion of increased voluntary departures due to less generous benefits; need for stronger workplace enforcement to discourage illegal labor.
4. Minnesota Childcare Fraud and “Trump Accounts” Event
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Childcare Subsidy Fraud Fallout
- Clay highlights the scale of welfare/childcare subsidy fraud in Minneapolis, questioning why there hasn’t been a public outcry among “legitimate” users if the subsidies truly benefited real children and parents.
- Buck (14:01): “Have you heard anybody complaining that their kids have lost childcare since the money was frozen for Minneapolis childcare?”
- They argue the lack of protest shows widespread fraud.
- Clay highlights the scale of welfare/childcare subsidy fraud in Minneapolis, questioning why there hasn’t been a public outcry among “legitimate” users if the subsidies truly benefited real children and parents.
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Financial Literacy Push: “Trump Accounts”
- Clay shifts to financial literacy, tying it to the event in D.C. and the concept of “Trump accounts” for youth.
- Stresses the life-changing impact of compound interest and long-term investing.
- Clay (16:28): “So few kids out there have financial knowledge or understand compound interest… It’s transformative by the time you get to 20 or 30 years old.”
- Clay shifts to financial literacy, tying it to the event in D.C. and the concept of “Trump accounts” for youth.
5. Nicki Minaj’s Public Trump Endorsement (D.C. Trump Accounts Event)
- Buck notes the surprising pairing of Trump and Nicki Minaj at the rally, where Minaj passionately defends Trump and dismisses media/critics.
- Nicki Minaj (22:34): “I am probably the President’s number one fan... the hate... does not affect me... It actually motivates me to support him more. We’re not going to let them get away with bullying him… God is protecting him. Amen.”
6. Minneapolis ICE Shooting – Fallout, Narratives, and Culture Wars
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Shooting Details and Media Narratives
- Discussion of Preddy (“Pretty”): was shot after intervening in an ICE operation; questions over whether he was armed at the time of the shooting, and implications for law enforcement accountability and protestor motives.
- Clay (25:39): “If he didn’t have the gun on his person and they shot him, that’s very tough... acting in good faith and making a mistake, those are things that can also be the case...”
- Two ICE agents fired, not just one; Clay and Buck predict a large settlement/judgment for the family.
- Discussion of Preddy (“Pretty”): was shot after intervening in an ICE operation; questions over whether he was armed at the time of the shooting, and implications for law enforcement accountability and protestor motives.
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Media Spin and Emotional Manipulation
- Claims that MSNBC used AI to make Preddy look more sympathetic in photos to boost outrage.
- Buck (28:14): "The MSNBC used AI or was sharing an AI doctored image that made this guy look more handsome, because then he’d be a more appealing martyr..."
- Claims that MSNBC used AI to make Preddy look more sympathetic in photos to boost outrage.
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The Role of Protesters and Intentionality
- Argue that creating violent confrontations was a protest goal to drive the narrative—"it’s not an accident."
- Buck (30:08): “The truth of the matter is that that changes the narrative from their perspective. So this isn’t an accident of the protest. This is what was intended to occur.”
- Argue that creating violent confrontations was a protest goal to drive the narrative—"it’s not an accident."
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Second Amendment Arguments and Critique
- Debate about “open carry at protests”—hosts argue it’s both legally allowed and socially irresponsible, warning listeners not to get manipulated by politicians’ sudden support for 2A rights in this context.
- Clay (32:52): “Don’t be used by the other side... It’s not a protest. It’s a sabotage operation. It’s confronting police. It’s a dumb thing to do.”
- Debate about “open carry at protests”—hosts argue it’s both legally allowed and socially irresponsible, warning listeners not to get manipulated by politicians’ sudden support for 2A rights in this context.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Economic Optimism
- Buck (02:26): “S&P 500 just hit 7000 for the first time ever… America is back.”
- On ICE Resistance
- Buck (09:37): “If resistance works in Minneapolis, then they will copy it everywhere else.”
- On Long-term Immigration Challenges
- Clay (10:45): “Once you let the 20 million in, it becomes almost impossible to get the 20 million out.”
- On Financial Literacy
- Clay (16:28): “So few kids out there have financial knowledge or understand the concept of compound interest... it is transformative.”
- Nicki Minaj Rallies for Trump
- Nicki Minaj (22:34): “I am probably the President’s number one fan... It actually motivates me to support him more... God is protecting him.”
- On Minneapolis Childcare Fraud
- Buck (14:01): “Have you heard anybody complaining that their kids have lost childcare since the money was frozen for Minneapolis childcare?... It shows you how much fraud was going on.”
- ICE Shooting and Public Debate
- Clay (25:39): “If he didn’t have the gun on his person and they shot him, that’s very tough...acting in good faith and making a mistake, those are things that can also be the case.”
- Buck (28:14): “The MSNBC used AI or was sharing an AI doctored image that made this guy look more handsome, because then he’d be a more appealing martyr...”
- On Second Amendment Politicization
- Clay (32:52): “Don’t be used by the other side... It’s not a protest. It’s a sabotage operation. It’s confronting police. It’s a dumb thing to do.”
Key Timestamps
- 02:26 — Opening on S&P 500 hitting 7000
- 05:30 — Weather impacts, canceled D.C. trip
- 07:13 — Analysis of ICE operations shift in Minneapolis/Tom Holman’s role
- 08:30 — Trump on Minneapolis ICE changes (audio clip)
- 09:37 — Buck on “resistance” and copycat protest risk
- 13:33 — Trump on Minnesota childcare fraud and national corruption (audio clip)
- 14:01 — Clay & Buck discuss lack of parent outrage as proof of fraud
- 16:28 — Financial literacy and compound interest for youth
- 22:34 — Nicki Minaj’s Trump endorsement (audio clip)
- 25:39 — Minneapolis ICE shooting: judgments, facts, and public debate
- 28:14 — MSNBC/AI photo alteration controversy
- 30:08 — Host view: protest violence was “intended to occur”
- 32:52 — Critique of open carry, protest tactics, and Second Amendment arguments
Tone and Language
Throughout the episode, Clay and Buck maintain their characteristic blend of sharp political analysis, humor, skepticism of mainstream narratives, and provocative questions. They use direct language, clear opinions on hot topics, and banter that keeps the tone energetic—even when discussing tragedies. Celebrity moments (Nicki Minaj’s Trump support) are treated with surprise and entertainment. Their warnings against political manipulation and critique of both liberal and conservative missteps anchor the hour’s messages.
For listeners new to the episode: This hour delivers a spirited, multi-topic primer on how major political, cultural, and economic battles are evolving into the 2026 election cycle, featuring tough questions, viral moments, and guest insight—the Clay & Buck way.