Hour 2 - Are We Going to Strike Iran?

Summary

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode Overview

Episode: Hour 2 – Are We Going to Strike Iran?
Date: February 19, 2026
Main Theme:
Clay and Buck dive deep into the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, examining the likelihood, purpose, and potential consequences of American military action. With insights from guest Steven Yates (Heritage Foundation, former White House National Security official), they discuss strategy, goals, regional impact, and lessons from recent U.S. interventions. Later in the hour, they explore cultural debates, the transgender issue, social trends, and close with some uplifting stories and light banter.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Are We on the Brink of War with Iran?

[02:06 – 08:40]
Guests: Steven Yates joins Clay and Buck for a detailed analysis.

• Military Buildup & Negotiations: U.S. has a significant aerial presence in the Middle East (F-35s, F-22s), aiming both to support negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and to prepare for possible strikes.
• Admin Strategy: Yates argues the current administration is going further than predecessors to force diplomatic concessions—yet remains skeptical of meaningful Iranian negotiation.
  • Yates: “I think the odds of a strike that would be an active war, but not a total war, [are] very high over the next two weeks.” [03:55]
• Strategic Objective: The panel stresses the U.S. must clarify its goals—a military strike should degrade Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, not chase regime change.
  • Yates: “The strike had to be degrading the capabilities of the regime ... to degrade the economic capabilities of the regime. The rest of the world is going to have to step in and help handle some of the other elements of the political transformation, in my view.” [05:39]
• Caution from Iraq/Afghanistan: The “ghosts” of past U.S. interventions loom large; leaders are wary of deep entanglement.

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2. If Iran's Regime Falls—Who Takes Over?

[08:40 – 12:47]

• Lack of Clear Opposition: The Iranian diaspora and some inside the country favor alternatives—royal family, reformers—but an American-imposed solution risks backlash.
  • Yates: “...if it's perceived as being Trump’s choice, there could be a problem...So a more organic and sort of stepping-stones-across-the-river approach seems to be the way they’ve gone...” [09:24]
• Regional Play: U.S. role should be hard power containment; regional (Abraham Accords, Gulf states) partners should manage economic and political reconstruction.

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3. What Do Iran’s Neighbors Really Want?

[12:47 – 13:57]

• Gulf States’ Preference: Regional powers like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and UAE want a reform-oriented government in Iran but must appear neutral; they fear both the ayatollah’s instability and an American-imposed opposition.
  • Yates: “They would much prefer to have a reform-oriented government there and they would invest heavily ... But it needs to be seen and protected as being the Iranian people's choice.” [12:47]

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4. AOC’s Munich Moment—Talking (or Not) Foreign Policy

[13:57 – 15:29]

• Lighthearted Critique: The hosts joke about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fumbling a question about China-Taiwan at Munich.
  • Yates: “As a social media influencer you better just do a 10 second search of Grok and probably AI could have given better talking points ... I don’t know why you go be a speaker at an international security conference not prepared for basic questions.” [14:42]
• Media Savvy vs. Policy Depth: The exchange underscores the gap between performative politics and expertise.

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5. Olympics Good News—Proud Moments for Team USA

[21:00 – 23:26]

• Quinn Hughes Interview: U.S. hockey clinches a big Olympic win; Hughes delivers a simple, heartfelt patriotism.
  • Hughes: “I love the US and greatest country in the world, so happy to represent it here with these guys.” [22:34]
• Cultural Shift Noted: Clay laments that such open expressions of American pride have become rare among athletes.
  • Clay Travis: “Isn’t it great to just hear somebody at the Olympics say, America’s the best country in the world, and wearing the colors here is an incredible honor...” [22:39]

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6. Rise in Transgender Violence & Cultural Pushback

[25:13 – 32:29]

• Spike in Violence: Two recent cases of transgender individuals committing family mass shootings raise tough questions about mental health treatment and cultural narratives.
  • Carol Markowitz: “There’s just a complete unwillingness to see reality when it comes to this transgender stuff now.” [26:07]
• Trans as Social Contagion: Markowitz and Clay discuss generational divides; Markowitz observes that “trans” identity is much more common in progressive circles and among certain age cohorts, describing it as “brainwashing”/social contagion.
• Generational Rebellion: Evidence that Gen Alpha (young teens) may be turning against the heavy-handed promotion of gender ideology.
  • Clay Travis: “...under 20 year olds, particularly boys, are just over the BS on a level that I don’t think society has really recognized yet...” [28:13]
• Medical Institutions React: NYU Langone halts transition care for minors amid lawsuits and liability fears.
  • Yates: “This is actually though taking real effect now.” [30:08]

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7. Taylor Swift as the New Beatles?

[32:29 – 35:22]

• Fun Cultural Debate: Clay courts controversy by claiming Taylor Swift is “the modern-day Beatles.”
  • Carol Markowitz: “She’s comparable to the Beatles. Comparable to Madonna. She’s comparable to any humongous artist of their time. Sure.” [34:12]
• **Buck Sexton objects, framing it as generational hyperbole; Carol offers nuanced praise for Swift’s artistry and impact.

---

8. Viral Trump Grandma’s Speech

[41:08 – 42:00]

• Grandma says it best: At a White House Black History event, a grandmother passionately defends Trump and calls for tough laws and letting Trump “do his job.”
  • Grandma: “If you do a harsh crime, you do harsh time. ... Get off the man's back. Let him do his job. He's doing the right thing. Back up off of it. And grandma said it.” [41:36]

---

9. Quick Hits & Closing Notes

[42:00 – 45:00]

• Mortgage Rates Fall: 30-year mortgage rates at four-year lows, which Clay calls “hugely important to the American economy.” [42:00]
• Typo in Buck’s Book: A sharp-eyed listener finds an error, leading to good-natured ribbing between the hosts. [44:06]

---

Notable Quotes & Time Stamps

• Steven Yates on odds of military action:
  “I think the odds of a strike that would be an active war, but not a total war, [are] very high over the next two weeks.” [03:55]

• Steven Yates on US strike goals:
  “The strike had to be degrading the capabilities of the regime ... and the rest of the world is going to have to step in and help handle some of the other elements of the political transformation, in my view.” [05:39]

• Clay Travis on youth trends:
  “I actually think the younger kids see it for the absurdity that it is on a level that's not being talked about yet.” [28:13]

• Carol Markowitz on trans social contagion:
  “It's considered something mock worthy now, like, oh, you don't know what gender you are. Non binary. That's ridiculous.” [29:03]

• Quinn Hughes (US Olympian) on patriotism:
  “I love the US and greatest country in the world, so happy to represent it here with these guys.” [22:34]

• Grandma at Trump event:
  “If you do a harsh crime, you do harsh time. ... Get off the man's back. Let him do his job. He's doing the right thing. Back up off of it. And grandma said it.” [41:36]

• Carol Markowitz on Taylor Swift:
  “She’s comparable to the Beatles. Comparable to Madonna. She’s comparable to any humongous artist of their time. Sure.” [34:12]

---

Memorable Moments

• Humorous take on AOC:
  “[AOC] borderline couldn't even speak and I don't know why you go be a speaker at an international security conference not prepared for basic questions.” – Yates [14:42]

• Joking about Clay’s mustache:
  “I am the most trusted mustache in news.” – Clay Travis [34:59]
  “I think it's time to shave that. And I'm not just saying that because I like your wife.” – Carol Markowitz [35:09]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |---|---| | Introduction, Ads | [00:00 – 02:06] | | Buck & Clay with Steven Yates on Iran | [02:06 – 13:57] | | Middle East, AOC, Foreign Policy | [13:57 – 15:29] | | Olympic Hockey, US Pride | [21:00 – 23:26] | | Transgender Debate, Carol Markowitz | [25:13 – 32:29] | | Taylor Swift Cultural Debate | [32:29 – 35:22] | | Trump Grandma Viral Clip | [41:08 – 42:00] | | Mortgage Rate, Typo Fun | [42:00 – 45:00] |

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Overall Tone & Style

Clay and Buck blend serious policy talk with light-hearted banter. The tone is direct, patriotic, and unfiltered, mixing news analysis with cultural commentary and humor.

---

For listeners seeking clarity on US-Iran tensions, the future of the Middle East, or simply the latest in culture-war debates, this episode delivers thoughtful discussion, sharp opinions, and a few good laughs.

Transcript

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[Steven Yates]

See?

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[Steven Yates]

Welcome in everybody to the second hour of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. And we are joined by Steven Yates. He's a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a former White House National Security official. Our friend, Mr. Yates. Great to have you, sir. What's going on, Bucks?

[Buck Sexton]

Great to join you. Thanks so much.

[Steven Yates]

So we want to ask you about whether we're going to war with Iran. It's a big question. And the reason we're asking is because as we Know, there are. There's sort of a dual track situation playing out. On the one hand, there's negotiations, I think, in Geneva. Sounds, sounds right over Iran's nuclear program that the administration is involved in. And then there's also a build up, a substantial buildup of military assets, aerial assets, specifically F35s, F22s in the Mideast, prepared for what could be a sustained aerial campaign against Iran. What do you see happening here? How do you think this plays out?

[Buck Sexton]

Well, Buck, I think that the President and his team are doing far more than any of its predecessors to kind of increase the chances of a negotiated settlement of sorts. It's very, very difficult to see there being any security from the nuclear program under the current regime. That's why the says that if the regime were to change, that might be better. He's not saying he's going to do it, but the armada that is there is doing two very substantial things. It is stopping the illegal support for the Iranian regime financially. That has been a big vulnerability in the past. And of course it has the ability to strike hard. And the President has proven a willingness to do that not very long ago. So this should increase the chances of a negotiated settlement. But I have to say, bottom line, I don't see this regime in Iran negotiating in good FAI in an appropriate amount of time. So I think the odds of a strike that would be an active war, but not a total war, very high over the next two weeks.

[Clay Travis]

Okay, so what is the goal of the strikes? Thanks for coming on, Steve. I mean, I think that is kind of where we dive into next, because the understanding that we had, and I think it was the right decision on the first strike, was this is directly, directly attributed to trying to eliminate Iran's nuclear arsenal. Right. Or their ability to develop a nuclear arsenal. Are we trying to replace the Ayatollah with this strike? Are we still going after nuclear weapons? I think this needs to be a huge part of the discussion in general is what is the strategic goal here? Do you have a sense for that and what, how do you think the administration goes about making that choice?

[Buck Sexton]

Well, I completely agree that it's necessary that if we've fought off the ghosts of Iraq in many, many different ways, but that idea of making clear what the strategic objective is and what America's role is relative to other countries role very, very clear. I think that the targets that they would hit would look more military, so it would be nuclear, but also some of the ballistic missile and other capabilities to demonstrate that we can do this and there's nothing they can do about it and knock them back a little bit to maybe buy more time and see whether they sober up for real negotiations there'. I think this added layer of statements that were made about the atrocities that are committed by the regime, the human rights violations, and I have deep sympathy for that, but I don't think that is the proper use of the US Military. I think that's the area that has to be made much, much more clear. The strike had to be degrading the capabilities of the regime while they have maximum pressure to degrade the economic capabilities of the regime. And the rest of the world is going to have to step in and help handle some of the other elements of the political transformation, in my view.

[Steven Yates]

Steve. Yes, the ghosts of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars loom large in all these conversations. And I think that's a good thing. I mean, in terms of making sure that we don't get pulled into something. And I think Trump is very wary of getting pulled into something deeper and at much greater risk to us and to our people than we want to be. So as part of that, one of the conversations that I think keeps coming up and people have been asking me, so I wanted to pose this to you and get your take on it. In Venezuela, okay, we took Maduro out and, well, took him to prison cell in New York, but there was a clear pathway of other people and really much of the rest of the regime is in charge there now. So there's kind of an ongoing negotiation process about what will happen and how that country moves forward. But the US clearly has a lot of leverage. What is the opposition in Iran? What is do we have any real sense as to if the mullahs fall, if they fall, who takes over?

[Buck Sexton]

Buck, that is the most important issue that they have to work through. And I don't take it as a given that whatever the US does in near term is going to be about regime change. I think what they demonstrated in Venezuela is that a step along the way is that we are going to change the, maybe the nature of the current regime and renegotiate sort of the terms of trade and dealing with the United States and the, and under these new terms, maybe we buy more time for a longer term transition to whether it's an opposition or a reformed country. But in Venezuela, the opposition is not yet in charge. It may be in the not too distant future if there's an election. The same goes with Iran. I mean, the deafification issue in Iraq, which you know as well as Anybody just is one of the biggest ghosts of what people think of as a failure in the Iraq strategy. Keeping some of those institutions in place so there isn't broader instability and mayhem across the region is one of the priorities they have to have. So I think there could be a move that that gets at the top leadership and there could be a change to someone else in the regime. Personally, I would love it if this regime went away. But I personally just think that the US Role is to strike hard the way no one else can to contain fallout as best anyone can. But it's the Abraham Accords. Countries and others really need to be managing more of how do we have an economic and political relationship that's different with Iran?

[Clay Travis]

We have a lot of Iranian listeners on this program. A couple of months ago we opened up phone lines and said, hey, what kind of support is there in your social networks for Iranians in the United States? For the royal family to be installed in some way as a holder of power, that is a transition to potentially a new government. Do you like that idea, Steve? Is that a crazy idea in your mind? Again, building on what we learned in Iraq, sweeping out one group and trying to replace another can be dangerous. But there is some form of nostalgic positive reflection on the royal family, if only based on how awful things have been under the mullahs.

[Buck Sexton]

Well, I agree and that could be a viable alternative. But I think one of the things we felt got stung in the Iraq situation, having a leader that comes into place that is just viably identified as the American choice. And for a lot of the world that suffers from pretty high dose tds. If it's perceived as being Trump's choice, there could be a problem of trying to hold coalitions and investment and other security engagements that are necessary for that transition. I think that might explain why we have this muddled or middle ground approach in Venezuela too. If the opposition was seen as chosen by the United and our president, then there could be maybe grounds for greater resistance. So a more organic and sort of stepping stones across the river approach seems to be the way they've gone at that. That might be more what they try with Iran. But I do think that looking at viable alternatives to the theocratic regime, most of the diaspora agrees with that, which is a fancy way of saying the people who are Iranian that live overseas. And then I think there are also large parts of Persian culture, not Islamist, that could work with that kind of an approach. But it needs to be seen and protected as being the Iranian people's choice.

[Steven Yates]

Steve, I'm in South Florida and so I got to ask, how shaky do you think the regime in Cuba is?

[Buck Sexton]

Yeah, I think it's very shaky. And that's an area where I think, oddly, while people wouldn't attach smart power to the make America great again foreign policy, I think that we've, we've used some effective levers that are non military. We've used our military to cut off the oil. That is an immense pressure on them. The movement of Venezuela politically was tied very, very close to them. So in terms of political warfare, economic warfare and economic security, we've really maxed options. And so I think we've got the best shot we've had for this external pressure campaign to maybe give a different path forward. But what fascinates me is really in Venezuela, Cuba, IR, and maybe other places, we're really seeing a very sophisticated approach to easing these transitions without America going in to push it too far and have it blow up back on us.

[Clay Travis]

Buck asked a good question about Cuba and I'm utterly fascinated about that. But also on Iran, you mentioned it. I think this is important. There's a big difference oftentimes between what is publicly said and what is privately said, particularly from the other Middle Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia et al, that, that clearly have made the decision they don't like Iran and would like to see changes made there. Do they actually want the Ayatollah out in your impression? This is the Saudi Arabias, The Bahrain's, the UAE's, they're just kind of running all through all these different countries that are technically Muslim countries but are not allied with Iran, or do they deep down, like the fact that the Ayatollah is such a disaster that they don't have to worry about Iran as a regional threat so long as he is there and therefore don't actually want him gone? Do we have a sense on that?

[Buck Sexton]

I think there is a pretty clear sense. And you know, in our country, I don't think enough Americans appreciate the fact that the Iranian regime has threatened to kill our president more than once over the history of this dispute. That kind of matters. I mean, just remember, presidents are human beings, but also you just can't allow that. If you are a sovereign power and a global power and these other regional allies believe that they have suffered under assassination attempts and other kinds of violence against them. They have blood feud with the theocratic regime across the water from them, in many cases across a border like Iran and Iraq. I think very, very clear to them that they would much prefer to Have a reform oriented government there and they would invest heavily and there is a path to peace and prosperity that way. But it's expanding the ethos of the Abraham Accords and under the theocratic in Iran that's not an option. They support the radical terrorists that attacked Israel and believe in river to sea mentality and that is not compatible with our allies in the Gulf.

[Steven Yates]

Stephen, before we let you go, I'm sure you saw AOC showing up in Munich to show off her foreign policy skills. Did not go I think as planned. She was asked about this crazy thing that no one had ever heard of before. The China Taiwan conflict and or the possibility of China Taiwan open conflict. And her answer was hysterical. So we appreciate that the humorous component of this was covered. If you were to give aoc, if you were tutoring her on this issue, say hey, here's what you should say. So you sound like you know what's really going on with China, Taiwan. What would be your 60 second or less answer to the question that she turned into? Yeah, like I mean they have maps and stuff.

[Buck Sexton]

Well, it was mind blowing and if I were her, I would not go to a security conference and try to do that. As a social media influencer you better just do a 10 second search of Grok and probably AI could have given better talking points. And I'd say you been begin with the basics. Free people who are investing heavily in our country, we should be giving them the ability to defend themselves as much as humanly possible. And also let's hold up some accountability and transparency with China. At the very least stand with an ally like Japan and let's see where we can go and avoid the conflict. I think she tried to get there, she couldn't land it. She borderline couldn't even speak and I don't know why you go be a speaker at an international security conference not prepared for basic questions.

[Clay Travis]

It is funny that you mentioned GROK because she has probably a staff of how many people do you think work for AOC? 50, 50, 100? I mean if you go across everywhere, I mean it's a huge number of people and Steve, she could have just said hey, how do I answer a question on Taiwan, on grok? And it would have given her an infinitely better answer than whatever staff she had trying to prepare her for that event. Steve, we appreciate you. We may need you back on when. When or when war breaks out.

[Steven Yates]

He's gonna have to fix the war when it breaks out.

[Buck Sexton]

So.

[Clay Travis]

Yeah, that's right. Thank you.

[Buck Sexton]

Thanks so much.

[Clay Travis]

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[Clay Travis]

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[Buck Sexton]

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[Clay Travis]

in Clay Travis Buck Sexton show all right, let's have a positive story. Let's have a positive story for a change. Yesterday as I was preparing to hop on my flight back from South Florida, I was standing in the Fort Lauderdale airport lounge and they had the US Game I believe US Hockey game from the Winter Olympics in Italy on I believe they were playing Sweden. I always get Sweden and Switzerland mixed Up Apologies to the Nordic countries, but I believe it was Sweden, and it was overtime, and it was sudden death. And the US Scored a winning goal, a player by the name of Quinn Hughes. Quinn Hughes was then interviewed. After this big win, the US Men's soccer team is into the final four, the semifinals of the gold medal pursuit. If you are a. A someone who is just looking for a team or players to root for, who unabashedly love America and think it's the greatest country in the history of the world, here was Quinn Hughes being interviewed right after the big win over Sweden.

[Steven Yates]

Hell of a game out there. You took down the game winner. I mean, what did that feel like?

[Clay Travis]

Yeah, just a relief. Just really enjoying being here with this

[Buck Sexton]

group and the guys and, you know,

[Clay Travis]

trying to extend it as long as I can.

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Right on.

[Steven Yates]

And then USA flags all over the place.

[Buck Sexton]

You could hear the chance.

[Steven Yates]

What's that atmosphere like?

[Buck Sexton]

Yeah, that's special. I mean, you know, I love the

[Clay Travis]

US and greatest country in the world,

[Buck Sexton]

so happy to represent it here with these guys.

[Clay Travis]

And that's really special. Okay. And I know it's a little bit difficult to hear that. Audio clip is up. We'll put it up by Clay and Buck, but he said, this is the greatest country in the world, and I feel super honored to be able to play with these guys and represent the country. Isn't it great to just hear somebody at the Olympics say, america's the best country in the world, and wearing the colors here is an incredible honor which used to be the standard statement, whether they believed it or not, that every Olympic athlete would give, and now instead, they just say, oh, I'm so troubled by Donald Trump's policies on ice. And they get asked all sorts of political questions. Anyway, I just love this, Buck. It's. It's a team you can root for. Yes. They represent America well. The men and women's hockey team. I love it.

[Steven Yates]

You still haven't taken as deep, though, into the curling controversy, sir.

[Clay Travis]

So I love watching curling on television. I'm super weird. All right, all right.

[Steven Yates]

I got to keep you safe. In your homes is where Sabre comes in. Sabre home defense, less lethal products. You need to check out what Sabre has out there. Sabre's home defense launcher delivers seven powerful impact projectiles. That's two more than most of the competitors. And look, you got to be prepared now. You want to take action to defend your home if and when the time comes. You can't wait until it's too late. So just want to have these things on hand run yourself through the basic operations of them. Clay and I used our projectile launchers out at the range one day. They work great and you can see how they stop the threat. But there's so many home defense and self defense tools from Sabre that you can check out pepper sprays, pepper launchers, door bars, alarms. Go to saberradio.com S A B R E radio.com that's sabreradio.com or call 844-824-sABRE. Welcome back in to Clay and Buck. Our friend Carol Markowitz of the Carol Markowitz show on the Clay and Buck Podcast network and normally what she does with Mary Katherine Ham. Clay, have you been on the normally show yet? I haven't been on the normally show yet.

[Buck Sexton]

Carol.

[Steven Yates]

How do we get on the normally show?

[Clay Travis]

You two have guests with the duo show or not? I've been on with Carol, but I don't know if they do guest on the duo show.

[Carol Markowitz]

No, we haven't. We haven't done guests yet. But if we were going to do guests, you two would be like in the top 10, easily

[Steven Yates]

top 10 big group.

[Clay Travis]

You would make my top 100 list. That's how I got married. That's how I got married, Carol. I made the top 10. So.

[Carol Markowitz]

But that makes sense.

[Clay Travis]

Carol.

[Steven Yates]

Carol Con, Glad you're congratulations on all the success of the podcast and people should go check out the Carol Markowitz show now. Hard turn here because we're about to get into something pretty intense, but it's important. We had this the second in less than two weeks, maybe 10 days apart or something, transgender mass shooting, someone killing their members of their own family. Let's There was the one in British Columbia up in Canada, and now there's one that just happened in Rhode Island. This guy in Rhode island was clearly the most. If you were drawing a picture or if you were trying to create in a laboratory somebody who was manifestly insane, it would be this guy. And the fact that this guy was not considered to be a serious mental health case that needed immediate attention long before this goes to. There's just a complete unwillingness to see reality when it comes to this transgender stuff now.

[Carol Markowitz]

Yeah, you're absolutely right. And look, you know, I'm reading this great book, Manufacturing Delusion. You may have heard of it, but the whole thing is, I mean, it really is so good and it's so right for this moment because it's the same question going on with the transgender debate is like, are you going to tell the truth or are you going to have to parrot the line that we were told to parrot, which is that there's nothing wrong or odd or different about declaring yourself transgender and that there is no mental health component. I think that's absolutely ridiculous, especially when we're talking about young people, because we've seen the fact that it's such a social contagion. Number of gay people has not gone up basically in our lifetime, but the number of trans people has spiked. So it is this brainwashing thing that is happening across our culture, and it seems like people are waking up to it. But right as they're waking up to it, the number of violent incidents involving the transgender community have really spiked. And I think it is because they're constantly being told that they're under attack. This shooter in Rhode island, he was on Twitter and he said that stop bashing us or this is why we go berserk. But no one was bashing him. It was Kevin Sorbo, the actor was basically saying that if you're born a boy, you stay a boy. And that's a fact. So the fact that something like that can be seen as bashing is the crux of the problem to me here. They're put on the defense by the left. They're told they're under attack and they're acting out in a violent fashion because of that,

[Clay Travis]

I think. So. I, I'm, I'm so fascinated by this. You've got three kids. I've got three kids. I don't know how much attention you pay to their social media feeds, meaning what they watch online because that's where they spend all their time. YouTube, everything else, it seems to me. And again, I've got three boys, so it might be a bit different because I know you've got, got, I think a daughter and two boys.

[Carol Markowitz]

Yeah.

[Clay Travis]

That there is online a unregulated attack on the woke world that is way more venomous than I think a lot of people recognize. And I, I've kind of talked with Buck about this, but, you know, this, this anti trans agenda is actually now, I would say under 20 year olds, particularly boys, are just over the BS on a level that I don't think society has really recognized yet, Carol, because they're saying, oh, you know, it's people over the age of 50 that just don't get the trans world and they're the ones that are bigots and transphobes and everything else. I actually think the younger kids see it for the absurdity that it is on a level that's not being talked about yet.

[Carol Markowitz]

Yeah, I think you're absolutely right. It's that younger generation of gen Alpha or whatever. But I think they realize the absurdity of what has happened because I think the generation directly above them were the ones that were so susceptible to this mass delusion. And you know, when we moved to Florida, in the middle, My daughter was in the middle of sixth grade. She had, I would say, over 10 friends in New York who considered themselves trans. They might have said they were the opposite gender or they might have said that they were non binary or whatever. She moves to Florida and there is zero. She has zero. And that's a real, you know, how does that happen? How does that happen if this is not a social contagion, if it's, if it's occurring naturally in nature the way that they say she still knows the same number of gay people, if that didn't change. So I think that the younger generation has realized that it was something that spread among the slightly older people around them and that they don't want any part of that. They've been, it's considered something mock worthy now, like, oh, you don't know what gender you are. Non binary. That's ridiculous.

[Steven Yates]

You know, there's been some major news on this. We're speaking to Carol Markowitz. The Carol Markowitz show is on the Clay and Buck podcast network. Go listen. She does a fantastic job. There's, there's the news that has been breaking about the medical field now having to take notice of these lawsuits. And just yesterday I think it was NYU Langone, major hospital in New York, based out of New York City. They have said, look, because of the regulatory environment, I think what they mean by that is we don't want to get sued. They're stopping transition care for minors. And you know, this. So this is actually happening. And I think it's important for people to realize that you can win this battle. You can stop them from giving 14 year olds hormones that are going to have terrible effects on their growth and development. Stop them from having breast removal surgery, top surgery as they call it, because they think they're a boy. I mean, it's crazy stuff. This is actually though taking real effect now.

[Carol Markowitz]

Yeah, absolutely. And you know, I think that when that New York jury awarded the detransitioner the $2 million award, it was the first of its kind. It was the first medical practice of its kind to go to trial. And I think that really sent shockwaves through the entire, you know, industry. The doctors who had not been held accountable suddenly were going to be held accountable. In fact, the girl in that case, she argued that her psychologist, you know, pushed the idea on her and that she was impressionable and her mom was afraid and they just went along with it because they were guilt tripped into it. And you know, the numbers are like, I think it was around close to 4,000 adolescents, 12 to 18 transitioned. And that's just in like four years from 2016 to 2020, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. That is an insane number of people who can look back at and say, wait, what did I do? Why did I destroy my body? Why did I ruin my ability to have children? But you know what the real thing is to me, guys, we were told this wasn't happening. How could they be stopping procedures that we were told were not happening? It was always like, oh, it's ridiculous. Young people are not having these procedures. You have to be 18. And here they are admitting that they were doing procedures like this and now that they're going to stop.

[Clay Travis]

Since we've already been talking about the most difficult topic on the planet, which is trans related surgeries, I'm gonna throw you another tough universe to step into. And I don't know if we've asked you this yet, Carol. I believe that it would be fair to call you a Swifty in that you and your daughter have been to many Taylor Swift concerts. And yeah, among the greatest of all my predictions is that Taylor Swift is the modern day Beatles. Buck Sexton is outraged by my comparison of the two. Is that a crazy opinion in your mind and how would you assess it through not only the prism of your own life, but also through your daughters and presumably many of her friends that have a strong affinity for Taylor Swift.

[Carol Markowitz]

I really like Taylor Swift. I don't know if I get to be called a Swifty. I couldn't name all of her music, but I have been to the show. My daughter and I went in Liverpool like two years ago. It was so much fun. She's a fantastic singer, songwriter. I think that her as a lyricist, she's unbelievable. Beatles, I don't know. But yeah, she's of course, she's a cultural, cultural force. I actually thought you were going to ask if she goes on to have children, is that going to cause some sort of baby boom among the women who were told that, oh, you don't need babies to be happy. I think a Kelsey baby that Taylor Swift is carrying around is going to do more for fertility rates than any government program.

[Steven Yates]

But do you think that, are you

[Clay Travis]

going to sign on with my take or you Buck's take? That. This is a ridiculous take.

[Carol Markowitz]

That she's comparable to the Beatles.

[Clay Travis]

Yes.

[Carol Markowitz]

I mean, yeah, she's comparable to the Beatles. Comparable to Madonna. She's comparable to any humongous artist of their time. Sure.

[Steven Yates]

I just. I just think that we're.

[Clay Travis]

We're forgetting. I knew I like. I knew I like Carol. She's an astute observer of the human condition and regular analyzes in a perceptive way the larger media ecosystem. I've always said that.

[Steven Yates]

I mean, I just think that you look at the Beatles maybe had the biggest impact on music globally.

[Clay Travis]

Carol, I have grown. The beard has started to come back in. The mustache is longer. I'm going to make a decision going forward how exactly this has. This decision is going to go. But I mean, look, let's be honest.

[Carol Markowitz]

Honest.

[Clay Travis]

I am the most trusted mustache in news.

[Carol Markowitz]

Well, yeah, that's true.

[Clay Travis]

There aren't a lot. It's not a lot of competition. But that makes me the most trusted.

[Carol Markowitz]

Absolutely. Yeah. I think it's time to shave that. And I'm not just saying that because I like your wife.

[Buck Sexton]

Wow.

[Clay Travis]

I. I like.

[Steven Yates]

I think the mustache is great.

[Clay Travis]

As a fan.

[Carol Markowitz]

Well, that's the wrong opinion, Buck.

[Steven Yates]

Well, you know, I'm entitled. There we go. Go check out the Carol Markowitz show, everybody. Check it out on the Clambok podcast network. Markowitz, great to have you as always.

[Clay Travis]

Imagine walking into a cavernous building full of old school electronic equipment. Rows and rows of VHS machines, Super 8 film projectors, photo scanners, audio cassette machines, you name it. This is what legacy box looks like here in my home state of Tennessee, down in Chattanooga, where my mom grew up and I spent a lot of time and in fact with Adam and Nick. I'm going to be seeing them next week. Week. Because Adam and Nick are awesome. Look, they built a really successful business. You know what? They're also fighting for a crazy idea. Let's balance budgets. And so they've got an organization called in the Black, which focuses on governments not overspending, that they help support. I'm going to be talking with them about it next week. But these guys are just. They're great American patriots who have built a business that is having a tremendous amount of success because they're trying to preserve family memories. They want you to be able to share your old VHS cassette, cassette tapes, your 8 millimeter film reels, your old photos, whatever it might be. What would happen. What would happen if unfortunately, you had a flood or if your. Let's say your garage caught fire, something goes wrong and all those old family memories, well, they might not survive the disaster. Or if you've got somebody who is your family member, elderly, and they're putting them in the garage or in the attic and you just don't know where they are, they can get lost in transition from a move. Everything else. What if you digitize them once and for all to make sure all those great family memories are shareable with the kids and the grandkids? That's what Legacy Box does. It's super easy. You send in your originals, they digitize them, they send you back your old copies. We've both done it. You will love it. Go get checked. Hooked up today legacybox.com 50 off today. That's a legacybox.com Clay legacybox.com Clay for 50 off. You ain't imagining it. The world has gone insane. We claim your sanity with Clay and Buck. Find them on the free iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.

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[Carol Markowitz]

Mom, look.

[Clay Travis]

I'm flying into space.

[Commercial Announcer]

See? They're happy. I'm happy.

[Buck Sexton]

Bingo.

[Clay Travis]

Kids. Everything kids love.

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[Clay Travis]

Travis Buck Sexton show rolling into the third hour here in a bit, but yesterday, I believe it was yesterday, President Trump had a black history celebration in the White House and a grandma got up and she has gone mega viral for what she said and you can enjoy that here. This is a pro Trump grandma.

[Carol Markowitz]

Listen, the beautiful bill that's going to change crime in the district if you kill somebody, okay, you take a life,

[Clay Travis]

you do life, just that simple.

[Buck Sexton]

If you do a harsh crime, you do harsh time.

[Clay Travis]

Just that simple. And then we need National Guard and which we did years ago. He brought it on.

[Commercial Announcer]

I love him.

[Carol Markowitz]

I don't want to hear nothing you got to say about that racist stuff. And don't be looking at me on the news hating on me because I'm standing up for somebody that deserves to be stand up for. Get off the man's back. Let him do his job. He's doing the right thing. Back up off of it. And grandma said it.

[Clay Travis]

That is the grandma said it. A lot of you nodding along out there. That was yesterday. In the White House as, as President Trump honor black history and actually spent a decent amount of time I believe based on the clips that I saw saw also talking about the Reverend Jesse Jackson who he got along with. Trump did quite well and and issued a statement that I thought was very kind on the passing at 84 years old of Jesse Jackson. I One other good bit of news here as we finish the hour since I'm trying to look and make sure we got good news. 30 year mortgage rates are hitting 4 year lows today, Buck. I don't know how much attention it's going to get. They're still high right at 6% on a 30 year and I know many of you out There have got 3%, 3 and a half percent, 4% mortgages and so you're not going to be moving. But these mortgage rates coming down to an era before they started to skyrocket because of Joe Biden's inflation, it is hugely important to the American economy because we have to get more houses on the market. Pricing will be more reasonable, all those things. So many people are not willing to move because of the mortgages that they have. We get them back down to 5%, it's going to make a tremendous difference. We could be moving in that direction at some time this year. But mortgage rates 30 years have hit a four year low worth mentioning for people out there. As the spring shopping season for homes gets closer and closer, I think there may be a little bit more thawing because so many people are just not willing to move based on the 15 and 30 year mortgage rates that they got. I know a bunch of you are nodding along right now because you're saying, hey, I can sell my home but I'm gonna have to pay way more in mortgage rates no matter where I move. And that is often true for a lot of people out there. So that is is worth mentioning and and as possible positive.

[Steven Yates]

Very, very nice. Everyone can sleep soundly at night knowing that the mortgage rate has dropped some basis points here.

[Clay Travis]

By the way, we said a lot of positive thing about Buck's book which is surging the bestseller list. A VIP did find a typo Buck. And because this audience is more obsessed with grammar than anyone, he felt compelled to write in the book is excellent. But just letting you know that contact tracing was spelled contract tracing on page eight. Buck, how dare you.

[Steven Yates]

I that typo. I caught it when I was doing the audiobook of Manufacturing Delusion which you should all go download if you have not already, go get that audiobook. But Clay when I was reading it, that one, that one hit me hard, man. That one was. That was the one.

[Clay Travis]

The toughest thing about doing an audiobook is you see things that you want to fix and it's too late because they're off to the printer already. I have read.

[Steven Yates]

I read the manuscript, the final manuscript, 30 times throughout. I mean so many to the point where it was like a. Like I just. My eyes were falling out of my head and I didn't catch that one. So that was the one typo that we weren't able to fix that I knew was there. But I promise, next edition, it'll be gone.

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[Lingokids Narrator]

The number one job of any parent is to look out for their kids.

[Clay Travis]

Sometimes mom doesn't let me use my tablet.

[Lingokids Narrator]

Well, that is part of looking out for you. Your parents want to make sure you're safe while you're having fun. I guess that's what we want.

[Carol Markowitz]

2.

[Lingokids Narrator]

We're lingokids and we're here to help parents out. Lingokids is the number one entertainment platform for young kids because kids love it and parents can trust it.

[Clay Travis]

What's it got?

[Lingokids Narrator]

Lingokids has lots of fun stuff that parents can feel good about, like songs and shows. Plus activities featuring beloved Disney characters from Disney's Moana, Frozen and more.

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Who doesn't? Lingokids has always over 1 million daily users, so it looks like a lot of people love it already. Plus, when your parents download the Lingokids app, they can get a one week free trial. Lingokids Everything kids love Download the app for free.

[Steven Yates]

If there was a big red button that would just demolish the Internet, I would smash that button with my forehead from the BBC.

[Clay Travis]

This is the Interface, the show that explores how tech is rewiring your web

[Steven Yates]

week and your world.

[Commercial Announcer]

This isn't about quarterly earnings or about tech reviews.

[Clay Travis]

It's about what technology is actually doing to your work, your politics, your everyday

[Steven Yates]

life, and all the bizarre ways people are using the Internet.

[Clay Travis]

Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Steven Yates]

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This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.