The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 1 – What Happens Next?
Date: August 19, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this hour, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton dive into the aftermath of a recent White House gathering focused on the Ukraine war, Donald Trump’s role as potential dealmaker, and the ongoing surge in police presence in Washington, D.C. They balance a mix of political hard-hitting analysis with energetic banter—including the odd detour into RFK Jr.’s workout attire and sports challenges—while analyzing the implications of current events in U.S. and global politics, law enforcement, and culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. White House Showdown on Ukraine: What Comes Next?

• The hosts dissect the recent White House event about the Ukraine-Russia conflict, where Donald Trump is positioning himself as a peace broker.
• Highlighted Trump’s call on Fox & Friends about getting Zelensky and Putin to the table, and the ongoing negotiations for a potential meeting.
  • Clay Travis: “...Trump spoke to that. We will let you hear from the president on that this morning.” (00:34)
• Central question: Will U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine involve American troops on the ground?

Notable Quote

• Donald Trump (on facilitating Ukraine-Russia talks):

  “We’re setting up a meeting. I sort of set it up with Putin and Zelensky...we’re 7,000 miles away...This is the biggest bad situation since World War II. There’s been nothing even close.” (06:46)

2. What Would a U.S. Security Guarantee Mean? Are U.S. Troops on the Table?

• Trump gives his “assurance” there won’t be U.S. boots on the ground in Ukraine, but language is parsed by the hosts as intentionally open-ended.
  • Buck Sexton: “It’s not going to be US boots on the ground in Ukraine." (10:53)
  • Clay Travis: "You have my assurance...” (11:13), noting it's careful wording.
• Buck unpacks what “boots on the ground” really means: Could air support or staging forces nearby be a loophole?
• Concerns raised over the durability and enforceability of any agreement, especially after Trump's term, emphasizing Putin’s strategic patience.

Notable Quote

• Buck Sexton:

  “Boots on the ground doesn’t mean you couldn’t have airplanes taking off from a bordering country to provide some sort of aerial support.” (11:40)

• Clay Travis:

  “My only concern...is could his [Trump’s] pursuit of the Nobel Peace Prize make him accept a ceasefire peace agreement that is actually not in the best interest of the larger world?” (08:31)

3. The Challenge of Ending the War: Security, Negotiation, and Peace

• Buck notes the difficulty of brokering a deal: Russia demands territory, Ukraine wants security, and both sides are wary of being burned again.
• Discussion about the phased nature of negotiations: First, lines on the map; then, the security guarantee as an “enforcement mechanism.”
• Agreement that Trump’s peace drive is genuine, but worry he might accept a weak deal for the sake of history.

Notable Quote

• Clay Travis:

  “Allowing Putin to potentially feel like he got a victory, allowing Ukraine to feel like they got a victory…my concern is that Trump wants peace to such an extent...he could agree to a deal that doesn’t have a lot of teeth.” (12:21)

4. DC Crime Surge: Does Policing Work?

• Early crime data from D.C. is teased, with discussion on how an increase in police presence appears to lower crime rates.
• The hosts mock Democratic surprise at this outcome, suggesting the solution to crime has always been political will.
• DC’s violent crime rate now matches New York City’s infamous peak in 1990, raising alarm.

Notable Quote

• Clay Travis:

  “Do you think if you put more good guys with guns...on the streets of a place, will there be more or less...murders, fewer or more robberies?” (01:19)

• Clay Travis:

  “Imagine if sending a bunch of National Guard troops in and having a lot more support on the streets, if suddenly the violent crime rate plummets in D.C. -- really what it shows is it’s not that difficult to address crime. It’s just that the will to do it isn’t there.” (33:10)

• Buck Sexton:

  “DC Today has the same murder rate as New York City in 1990.” (34:13)

5. Banter & Cultural Detours

• Extended playful riffing on RFK Jr.’s choice of jeans and boots for public workouts, discussing physical fitness challenges led by Pete Hegseth and RFK Jr.
  • “Why does RFK Jr work out in jeans?” (05:12)
• The “50 pull-ups and 100 push-ups in five minutes” debate: Few Americans could do it, suggest the hosts, and listener reactions follow.
• Arm-wrestling speculation: Could Buck take on various politicians and pundits?
• Mention of a forthcoming debate between Buck and Stephen A. Smith, teased for September 2025.

6. Historical & Political Reflections: Russia, Ukraine, and U.S. Presidents

• Trump pins the origins of the Ukraine conflict on past Democratic presidents, especially Obama’s handing over of Crimea, claiming:
  • Donald Trump:

    “Well, the war really started over NATO and Crimea...Obama gave it away. Nobody ever mentions that. If I ever did that, the fake news would be...writing about me day and night for years.” (30:06)

• Stephen A. Smith segment supports the view that U.S. policy dating back to Clinton, Bush, and Obama has left Ukraine exposed, not Trump.
• Discussion on whether the Ukraine war meaningfully affects Americans’ day-to-day life; hosts conclude its direct impact is marginal.

Memorable Quotes (with timestamps & attribution)

• “Trump is trying to solve this because morally he thinks that it is better for the world if there is not a war there, but it isn’t really the United States fight.” – Buck Sexton (32:12)
• “Thank God for body cameras, because the cops know that their actions are correct. They know that it’s being recorded.” – Clay Travis (03:49)
• “The additional deterrence factor... they are being politically supported in their law enforcement efforts.” – Clay Travis (03:05)
• Stephen A. Smith: “You owe it to the Ukrainians. You absolutely do.” (29:16)
• “Why does RFK Jr work out in jeans?...It’s diabolical.” – Buck Sexton (05:23)

Highlighted Moments by Timestamp

• 00:34 – Introduction, White House Ukraine event, setup for Trump’s comments.
• 06:46 – Trump’s position on Ukraine, excerpt from Fox & Friends.
• 10:29–11:40 – Trump on “security guarantees” and the possibility of U.S. troops.
• 14:44 – Extended comic riffing on RFK Jr.’s workout attire.
• 20:55–25:30 – Pull-up/push-up challenge and listener reactions.
• 28:05 – Teasing the upcoming debate with Stephen A. Smith.
• 30:06 – Trump on Obama and Crimea; reframing the historical context.
• 34:13 – DC crime stats compared to New York City’s peak.
• 41:05 – Caller Gene’s perspective on Russia’s troop strategy and peace talks.
• 42:49 – Tease for next hour: deeper analysis of D.C. crime data.

Tone & Style Recap

Clay and Buck’s delivery is fast-paced, conversational, and unapologetically opinionated, fluctuating from serious geopolitical analysis to lighthearted cultural commentary. Their rapport keeps the show engaging and accessible, blending data and political critique with relatable anecdotes and audience challenges.

Summary:
This hour captures Clay and Buck at their best—tackling “what happens next” in Ukraine, scrutinizing Trump’s diplomatic efforts and security guarantees, debating real-world crime solutions, and engaging their audience with spirited banter. The blend of policy analysis, cultural touchstones, and back-and-forth repartee makes it an insightful and entertaining listen for political observers, sports fans, and concerned citizens alike.