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.

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.

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.

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]

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.

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]

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]

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] |

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.