Summary of "Hour 2 - An American Pope!" on The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Release Date: May 8, 2025

In the second hour of "The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show," hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into a landmark event in the Catholic Church—the election of the first American Pope, Robert Francis Prevost, who has taken the papal name Pope Leo XIV. The episode not only explores the significance of this unprecedented development but also touches upon other pressing political and social issues, including insights into President Joe Biden's recent appearance on "The View," the shifting dynamics within the U.S. Department of Justice, and the rising threats of ransomware attacks.

I. Historic Election of the First American Pope

A. Announcement and Initial Reactions

The episode kicks off with Clay Travis announcing the significant news: a new Pope has been elected, marked by the traditional white smoke signaling the conclave's decision. However, the identity of the new Pope remains unclear at that moment.

Clay Travis [01:05]: "We know there is a pope. A new one has been chosen. The white smoke has come out. We don't know which one."

Buck Sexton humorously refers to the betting odds surrounding the papal candidates, emphasizing the unpredictability of the election process.

Buck Sexton [02:01]: "Luis Antonio Tagle is now going head to head with Pietro Perlin. For those of you out there who are curious, they are both still Pietro Peril and big favorite."

B. Details About Pope Robert Francis Prevost

As the conversation unfolds, Buck Sexton reveals that Cardinal Robert Prevost from Chicago has emerged as the unexpected winner, marking a historic first for the United States.

Buck Sexton [12:27]: "Robert Francis Prevost, the first ever United States Pope... an American Pope. This is amazing."

Clay adds depth to this revelation by highlighting Prevost's background and the surprise surrounding his election.

Clay Travis [13:14]: "266 popes so far, not a single one from America. So we got an American Pope, everybody. This is big. This is bigger news than I was expecting today."

C. Implications and Expectations

The hosts discuss the broader implications of having an American Pope, particularly for American Catholics and the global Catholic community. They speculate on how Pope Leo XIV might influence church doctrines and global policies.

Clay Travis [19:28]: "Very exciting for the flock and for the future of the Church. I am looking forward to learning more about this individual and hope that he stays strong with the doctrine of Christ."

Buck Sexton provides additional insights into Prevost's background, noting his academic achievements and his service within the Church.

Buck Sexton [15:29]: "Born in Chicago, went to Villanova where he majored in math before he decided to go into the priesthood. Became a priest in 1982."

D. Political Affiliations and Potential Policy Stances

The discussion shifts to Pope Leo XIV's perceived political leanings and how they might align or clash with contemporary political ideologies. There is mention of his moderate stance and potential influences on issues like gender ideology and LGBTQ rights.

Clay Travis [34:03]: "He is essentially one who thinks that America should operate as a giant refugee camp for the whole world. This is a place where, unfortunately, I think the desire for true social justice and to be kind and to be taking in the poor can swamp the boat and cause problems."

Buck Sexton clarifies misinformation regarding the Pope's political affiliations, emphasizing that Prevost is not a registered Republican but has participated in Republican primaries.

Buck Sexton [35:51]: "He is not a registered Republican as a result. He did, however, vote in the Republican primary several times."

II. Other Major Topics Discussed

A. Joe Biden on "The View"

Clay and Buck briefly touch upon President Joe Biden's appearance on the daytime talk show "The View," critiquing the platform's influence and Biden's performance.

Clay Travis [03:25]: "We have Joe Biden who has gone on the View because this is I think now is there a more central to the Democrat base show on television than the View?"

They analyze Biden's comments regarding the 2020 election and his reflections on his performance and current administration.

Joe Biden [05:30]: "Yeah. He still got 7 million fewer votes. Yes. Okay. A lot of people didn't show up... He's had the worst hundred days any president's ever had."

B. Ed Martin's Interview and Department of Justice Shifts

The hosts feature an interview with Ed Martin, the interim U.S. Attorney in Washington D.C., discussing his experiences and the challenges he faces within the political landscape. Ed Martin elaborates on President Trump's decision to move him to a different division within the Department of Justice, highlighting issues of governmental weaponization.

Ed Martin [21:30]: "Weaponization is the biggest problem. That's government used against the people... I'm confident that... this president's going to direct us, and I will be in the fray."

Clay and Buck critique Senator Thom Tillis's reasons for not supporting Martin's nomination, focusing on the controversy surrounding the defense of January 6th defendants.

Clay Travis [23:55]: "I actually find Tillis's logic really pretty indefensible."

C. Cybersecurity Threats: Ransomware

Buck Sexton brings attention to the escalating issue of ransomware attacks, explaining how cybercriminals are targeting individuals and businesses alike, and emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity measures.

Buck Sexton [19:40]: "Ransomware activity on the rise. Terms new to you. It's when cyber hackers gain access to your computer or your phone... You can't access the device until you pay up."

III. Concluding Insights

The episode concludes with Clay and Buck reiterating the monumental nature of electing an American Pope and pondering the future direction of the Catholic Church under Pope Leo XIV. They also reaffirm their commitment to covering ongoing political developments and encourage listener engagement for further discussions.

Clay Travis [29:35]: "We're going to dive deep here into the, into the Pope situation... The first American Pope."

Notable Quotes

• Clay Travis [01:05]: "We know there is a pope. A new one has been chosen. The white smoke has come out. We don't know which one."

• Buck Sexton [12:27]: "Robert Francis Prevost, the first ever United States Pope... an American Pope. This is amazing."

• Joe Biden [05:30]: "Yeah. He still got 7 million fewer votes. Yes. Okay. A lot of people didn't show up... He's had the worst hundred days any president's ever had."

• Ed Martin [21:30]: "Weaponization is the biggest problem. That's government used against the people... I'm confident that... this president's going to direct us, and I will be in the fray."

• Clay Travis [34:03]: "He is essentially one who thinks that America should operate as a giant refugee camp for the whole world..."

Conclusion

In "Hour 2 - An American Pope!," Clay Travis and Buck Sexton navigate through an array of significant topics, with the centerpiece being the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American to hold the papacy. The hosts provide insightful commentary on the potential ramifications of this event for both the Catholic Church and global politics, while also addressing pressing domestic issues such as presidential performance critiques and cybersecurity threats. The episode exemplifies the show's commitment to blending timely news analysis with engaging discussions.