The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Hour 1: Trump IS Fixing the Economy
Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Clay Travis (solo; Buck Sexton on vacation)
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode, Clay Travis tackles the latest headlines with a focus on economic developments, emphasizing how recent data reflects a turnaround since Trump’s return to office. The discussion weaves together inflation reports, the impact of Biden-era policies, Trump’s recent address, and listener feedback on pressing issues like the housing market and immigration. The tone is energetic and optimistic, with Travis using anecdotes, data, and caller engagement to explore why public sentiment may lag behind economic indicators.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Inflation Numbers Signal Dramatic Improvement

[03:15-07:25]

• Clay highlights headline inflation coming in at 2.7% ― the lowest since spring 2021.
• Core inflation is 2.6%, beating expectations of 3%.
• Both the Dow and S&P 500 reach near all-time highs in response.

“Inflation has just come in at the lowest level since the spring of 2021, when cost of goods began to skyrocket under Joe Biden as he poured trillions of dollars into the economy...Inflation comes in at 2.7% again.” — Clay Travis, 03:15

• Cites reactions from Steve Liesman (CNBC) and Maria Bartiromo (Fox Business).
• Harvard economist Ken Rogoff says, “It was a better number than anyone was expecting...investors will think that interest rates will get cut more.” (Ken Rogoff, 07:13)

2. The Impact of Biden’s Economic Policies

[07:30-13:00]

• Clay explains that when Biden took office, inflation was targeted at 2%.
• Massive federal spending during COVID led to “skyrocketing” inflation and interest rates, peaking at 9.1% in June 2022.
• Americans experienced sharp increases in the cost of everyday goods (e.g., fast food, groceries), causing widespread frustration.

“Almost immediately, overall inflation started to skyrocket because we were giving too many people cash. We were still at that time telling a lot of people, stay home, eat Cheetos, the government's got your back...And the value of a dollar began to plummet and inflation skyrocketed.” — Clay Travis, 09:24

3. Housing Market Freeze & Interest Rate Shocks

[13:00-17:00]

• Cheap money pre-2022 led many to lock in low mortgage rates (2.5-3%).
• Surging rates above 7% froze the housing market:
  • Homeowners with low-rate mortgages won’t move,
  • Buyers excluded by higher borrowing costs.

“So many people got locked in to homes, and so many people got locked out of homes. And instead of... moms and dads out there saying, hey, we got a new kid, it's time to move...you're saying, hey, we're not moving. We're locking in our 2 1/2% interest rate.” — Clay Travis, 14:20

4. Trump’s Economic Focus & the Reagan Analogy

[17:00–19:30]

• Trump, upon return, prioritized reducing both inflation and interest rates.
• Clay compares Trump’s political/economic challenge to Reagan’s recovery from Carter-era malaise:
  • “It took four years for him to catch fire...I’m very confident by 2028 everything is going to be firing on all cylinders.” (Clay Travis, 17:43)

5. Will Americans Feel the Recovery?

[19:30-22:00]

• Clay raises the key political/economic question:
  • Numbers are improving, but will people feel better in time for the 2026 election?
• Points out that public anger lags, especially after “unprecedented economic failures of the Biden tenure.”

“How much does the reality of things getting better start to pierce into the expectations of people on the ground out there? Because things are getting better. The numbers all reflect that. But it takes a while of things being better for people to start to feel it…” — Clay Travis, 18:30

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Reporting Reactions to Inflation

• “I mean, I was surprised. It was a better number than anyone was expecting…The president will take this as good news.” — Ken Rogoff, Harvard economist, 07:13

Clay’s Personal Anecdote: Inflation Hits Home

• “Suddenly going through the Chick Fil a drive thru...everything was over $50 for my family. That $50 used to be, hey, I can go have a sit down meal…And all of you felt this.” — Clay Travis, 12:20

Optimism for the Future

• “We are headed for an unbelievable economic boom.” — Donald Trump (in address clip), 22:16

Trump’s Primetime Address – Key Announcements

Economic Boom & Policy Achievements

[22:16-27:48]

• Trump claims: border is secure, inflation stopped, wages are up, prices are down, “our country is back stronger than ever before.”

  “We’re poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen.” — Donald Trump (clip), 22:36

• Trump touts the “Warrior Dividend”:

  • $1,776 non-taxable bonus check to 1,450,000 active service members ([24:51]).

• Promises the “largest tax refund season of all time” next year:

  • No tax on tips, overtime, or Social Security for seniors; families to save $11,000-$20,000 per year. ([27:05])

Listener Calls & Debate Highlights

Housing Market Freeze — Andy from Minnesota

[28:27]

• Andy: Wants to move state but is “stuck” because he can’t give up a 2.5% mortgage for today’s rates.

  “My wife and I...we're stuck because we're at a two and a half percent interest rate. I couldn't afford half the house nowadays at the new rate...we're stuck here whether we like it or not.” — Andy, Caller, 28:27

Immigration & Rent — Gary from Houston

[29:58]

• Gary: Trump’s assertion that reverse migration (fewer illegals) is causing rents to drop due to basic supply and demand.

Economic Debate – Bill from Wisconsin

[31:12-34:24]

• Bill calls in to challenge the show, argues Biden’s border/immigration policies were better and touts Kamala Harris for honesty and integrity.
• Clay presses Bill on the optimal number of illegal immigrants, leading to a lively exchange.
• Clay: “I actually appreciate when people just own what they think…Most people won’t say what Bill said.”

Optimism & Vibe Check — Nate from New Hampshire

[42:28]

• Nate: Feels people “are a lot more optimistic and a lot happier” during Trump administrations, boosting economic sentiment.
• “The two best times of my entire life have been under the Trump administration. And I just thank God every day for Trump being in office and also for you and Buck.” — Nate, Caller, 43:15

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:15 | Inflation numbers reported (2.7%), CNBC and Fox Business reactions | | 09:24 | Clay’s explanation: What caused inflation and why people are angry | | 13:00 | Housing market freeze, mortgage rate dynamics | | 17:43 | Reagan-era comparison: How recovery takes time for public to feel | | 22:16 | Trump’s address: “We are headed for an unbelievable economic boom” | | 24:51 | Trump announces $1,776 “Warrior Dividend” to military | | 27:05 | Trump: “Largest tax refund season” promised, details on tax cut policies | | 28:27 | Caller Andy, Minnesota: stuck in house due to low-rate mortgage | | 29:58 | Caller Gary, Houston: Immigration and falling rents linked | | 31:12-34:24 | Caller Bill, Wisconsin: lively debate on Biden vs. Trump policies, Kamala Harris praised | | 42:28 | Caller Nate, New Hampshire: Sense of “optimism and happiness” under Trump |

Conclusion & Takeaways

• Economic Headwinds Turning: Clay asserts data now backs up Trump’s claims of righting the economy, but notes “perception lags reality” among Americans still feeling post-Biden pinch.
• Optimism for 2026 and Beyond: The hosts and pro-Trump callers believe public sentiment will catch up as wage growth outpaces costs and more tangible benefits (like tax refunds, housing opportunities) take effect.
• Border Security & Immigration: Both policy and perception around immigration remain crucial flashpoints, tied to wages, rent, and broader sentiment about fairness and national identity.
• Open Dialogue: The hour closed with Clay encouraging debate, even with pro-Harris Democrats, stressing the need for open discussion and “better arguments.”

Tone & Style

• Energetic, anecdotal, direct—Clay weaves his personal stories with macroeconomic explanations, using humor and practical detail.
• Engaged with listeners—frequent live calls, willingness to debate, and acknowledgements of divergent perspectives, though with a distinctly conservative lens.

This summary captures all primary political, economic, and social discussion points from Hour 1—excluding ads, transitions, and promotions.