The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 1 - What Was Your Best Year

Date: January 2, 2026
Host: Brian Mudd (in for Clay Travis and Buck Sexton)

Overview of the Episode

This episode, hosted by Brian Mudd filling in for Clay and Buck, centers on the theme of unprecedented success in 2026—specifically, the factors that create the best years for individuals and the country as a whole. Mudd contrasts personal agency with reliance on government, drawing direct comparisons between federal and state politics, cultural shifts, and economic policy under Trump's leadership versus “socialist” policies in places like New York City and California. Throughout, he encourages listeners to reflect on when their best year was, why, and what actions are necessary for making 2026 a banner year.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Reflecting on Success: “What Was Your Best Year?”

Timestamp: 06:32–09:10

• Brian Mudd challenges listeners to think about when they had their best year and why, contending government wasn’t likely the driver.
  • Quote: “What year has been the best year of your life?... I’m going to run out on a limb and say, you know what? Probably not because of Uncle Sam, probably not because of government at any level.” (07:29)
• He suggests meaningful change and successful years result from personal commitment and agency rather than resolutions or government intervention.
  • Only 31% of people make New Year’s resolutions; just 3% succeed. (08:16–09:20)
  • “There’s nothing about the change of a date on a calendar that is inherently going to equal some kind of great commitment...” (09:09)

2. Critique of New York City Leadership and Migration Trends

Timestamp: 02:18–06:55

• Reflects on the new mayoral administration in New York City, framing it as overtly socialist and hostile to the private sector.
  • References “Mamdonni and the commie dream team,” suggests socialism “never works” and is responsible for historical tragedies.
  • Encourages migration to South Florida, touting economic and social freedom.
  • Quote: “…the conveyor belt of people that for some time have gone, ‘You know, what probably shouldn’t be in New York, probably is a lot better to be in South Florida…’” (03:08)

3. Personal Agency vs. Government Dependency

Timestamp: 07:46–13:19

• Mudd asserts that expecting government to deliver the “best year of your life” (or innovative policy solutions) is misguided.
  • Compares government to sports officials: great officiating can’t make a great game, but bad officiating can ruin it.
  • Stresses the importance of grassroots and individual action for maintaining the country’s momentum.
  • Quote: “You can’t just sit back and go, ‘Oh, Mom Donnie is going to take care of it all for me.’ It’s going to be great. Not going to work out.” (09:52)

4. Analogies to Past Decades and the Importance of Policy

Timestamp: 13:24–16:00, 19:34–26:36

• The 1980s and 1990s are cited as eras of American prosperity, crediting both to limited government, lower taxes, deregulation, and technology advancements.
  • Satirically credits Al Gore for “inventing the Internet” in the 90s.
  • Draws a direct line from Reagan’s leadership and Trump’s first term to economic growth.
  • “It wasn’t due to more federal government intervention into your life… it was Reagan’s leadership leading to less government influence in our lives…” (15:14)

5. The Trump Administration: Accomplishments & Media Neglect

Timestamp: 26:36–36:30

• Mudd catalogs what he considers Trump’s major achievements in the first year of his second term—shrinkage of federal bureaucracy, elimination of DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) programs, record deportations, successful border control, rising wages, and manufacturing job growth.
  • “The federal bureaucracy has shrunk by nearly 10%... a decline of nearly 1% in the size of the federal government per month. Huge.” (28:57)
  • “Record number of deportations taking place—two and a half million… That ends up having an impact in the housing market…” (32:44)
• Laments that the media overlooks these successes, focusing instead on issues like Trump’s age or energy, which he dismisses as superficial.
  • Quote: “You, anybody at the Wall Street [Journal] try to keep up with Trump for a day. You won’t make it. And you certainly won’t accomplish anything that the man has accomplished…” (36:00)

6. Warning Against Political Complacency and Reference to 2018

Timestamp: 12:30–15:55, 41:20–43:23

• Stresses that 2026 could go wrong if conservatives become complacent or echo the “do nothing” mindset from the 2018 midterms, when GOP losses led to investigations and impeachments.
• Calls for continued engagement and making the most of policy wins—local elections, activism, voting.
  • Quote: “We cannot have a repeat this year of what we ended up having in 2018… We can’t let that happen.” (13:53)

7. Listener Engagement and GOP Critique

Timestamp: 41:20–43:20

• Listener “Adam” calls in to express concern that despite Trump’s achievements, the GOP isn’t codifying enough of his policies in law or holding political opponents accountable.
  • Quote from Adam: “What is the GOP doing? What has the House done? What has the Senate done? … This is why the GOP is going to get slaughtered. They're not doing anything.” (41:35)
• Mudd counters by saying: “The One Big Beautiful Bill act codified almost the entire Trump agenda... Trump supporters have to get their heads out of their butts and realize what's on the line here.” (42:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On government and personal agency:
  “If you’re sitting around waiting for the government to take care of you… it’s likely to be the worst [year].” — Brian Mudd (09:52)
• Satirical take on socialism:
  “Socialism responsible for the death of approximately 100 million people, primarily through collapsed economies and starvation. But other than that, it’s been great.” — Brian Mudd (03:36)
• On conservative disengagement:
  “Republicans have to get their heads out of their butts. Trump supporters have to get their heads out of their butts and realize what's on the line here. It doesn't have to be a repeat of 2018…” — Brian Mudd (42:13)
• On New York politics:
  “Mamdonni and the commie dream team... You gotta give the guy credit. He’s all in.” — Brian Mudd (34:10)
• On media criticism:
  “You, anybody at the Wall Street try to keep up with Trump for a day. You won’t make it. And you certainly won’t accomplish anything that the man has accomplished while he’s been in office.” — Brian Mudd (36:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:18–06:55] – Opening, New York mayoral critique, migration to Florida
• [06:32–09:20] – “Best year of your life?” reflections and resolutions stats
• [12:30–15:55] – Lessons from 2017–2018, the policy impact of following through
• [19:34–26:36] – Comparing the 80s/90s to Trump’s first and current terms
• [26:36–36:30] – Trump’s administration: victories, media dismissal, and the state of the nation
• [41:20–43:20] – Caller Adam discusses GOP’s legislative shortcomings; Brian responds

Tone and Style

Brian Mudd brings an energetic, humorous, and often sardonic tone to the discussion—using satire and sharp contrasts between policy eras (“commie dream team,” “it’s all going to be fantastic [sarcastically]”) to critique progressive governance while championing Trump’s record and urging continual conservative action.

Summary

This hour of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, guest-hosted by Brian Mudd, weaves together personal reflection with policy critique, focusing on how individual commitment—rather than government or fleeting resolutions—creates success. The episode makes frequent, pointed contrasts between Democratic leadership in blue states (especially New York) and conservative, deregulatory policies associated with Reagan and Trump. Mudd catalogs what he sees as Trump’s major achievements in office, laments media neglect, and warns listeners against political apathy and repeating mistakes of 2018. Listener participation underscores the debate over GOP legislative action and political engagement as the path to continued “unprecedented success” in 2026.