The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – Hour 2: Break in Guthrie Case

Date: February 10, 2026
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)
Hosts: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton

Overview

This hour of the show focuses primarily on breaking developments in the highly publicized kidnapping case of Nancy Guthrie—mother of NBC newscaster Savannah Guthrie. Clay and Buck analyze newly released FBI imagery and footage related to the case, explore the rarity and nature of similar crimes in America, debate public and media attention, and discuss potential motivations behind the act. The hour also features a digression into a spirited debate on the greatest movies of the 1980s, interspersed with listener feedback and lighthearted banter.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Breaking Update: Surveillance Images and Video in Guthrie Case

[02:12–14:08]

• FBI Director Cash Patel Releases Evidence:
  Clay announces that photos of a suspect (or “person of interest”) have been released via Patel’s social media. The images are widely circulated on news networks and on the show’s own social accounts.

• Visual Description and Implications:
  The images show a figure, presumed to be male, in a full body suit—possibly a hazmat suit—with all skin covered, including a ski mask and gloves. This attire appears specifically chosen to avoid leaving physical evidence.

  • "He’s got a full ski mask on...Gloves on, obviously...His face is fully covered...So yeah, this, this was a...Planned. This whole. This job was set up well in advance. This is somebody who really thought this thing through."
    —Buck Sexton [05:15]

• Pre-Meditation and Forensics:
  Both hosts stress the deliberate and calculated nature of the crime, with Clay reiterating that the suspect’s thoroughness (removing cameras, all-covering attire) supports the theory of premeditation.

• Potential for Physical Analysis:
  Buck notes investigators could estimate height/weight from the footage, but lament that beyond this, the suspect’s identity is almost entirely shielded.

• Release of Video Footage:
  Clay announces the FBI has also released video—about 40 seconds long—showing the suspect disabling external cameras at Nancy Guthrie’s house around 2:00 AM. This further illustrates the meticulous preparation.

  • "This guy would have broken into her house presumably in the middle of the night while she was presumably in bed asleep and grabbed her. And this is, this is kind of crazy."
    —Clay Travis [10:52]

2. Kidnapping Statistics and Media Attention

[07:16–16:41]

• Rarity of the Case:
  Clay and Buck discuss how abductions of elderly women by strangers—especially with this level of sophistication—are extremely rare in the US.

  • "How many 84 year old women in America have been kidnapped by someone...wearing a full body suit to avoid leaving any DNA behind? I don’t know that this has happened...frankly, anywhere else in America this year or last year."
    —Clay Travis [07:16]

• Discussing FBI Data:
  Buck reviews real-time data (via Grok and FBI reports):

  • 530,000 missing-person reports in 2024, but true stranger kidnappings are approximately 100 per year.
  • Most cases involve family custody disputes, not stranger abductions.

• Media Coverage Because of High-Profile Family:
  Buck highlights that the high level of media and FBI attention is, in part, due to Nancy Guthrie’s connection to Savannah Guthrie:

  • "We are allowed to observe that...the FBI director would not be sharing these if it were not the daughter of a prominent newscaster...That does make some people a little bit uncomfortable."
    —Buck Sexton [05:15]

• Counterpoint—Uniqueness of the Crime:
  Clay argues the case would be newsworthy even without the celebrity connection, given its rare nature.

3. Speculation on Motive and Perpetrator

[14:08–16:41]

• Possible Motives:
  The hosts hypothesize two main motives:

  • Rational/money-driven: The perpetrator knows of Savannah Guthrie’s family wealth; sees Nancy as an “undefended” ransom target.

  • Irrational/mental illness: A deranged fan or stalker forms a delusion about Savannah Guthrie and acts out violently.

  • "Is it possible that this person is not actually motivated by money? ...that this person has convinced themselves that they are doing something that is necessary because of their relationship with Savannah Guthrie."
    —Clay Travis [15:22]

• Modern Forensics and Law Enforcement:
  Buck comments on the rarity of kidnap-for-ransom in America compared to other countries, attributing this to effective law enforcement and the rule of law.

  • "Fortunately, we do have rule of law, and so you don't see this very often."
    —Buck Sexton [16:42]

4. Cultural Intermission: 1980s Movie Debate

[22:13–33:35]

• Segment Trigger:
  Clay and Buck launch into a spontaneous debate about the greatest movies of the 1980s, sparked by soundtrack music and lasting for several minutes.

• Key Claims and Arguments:

  • Buck: “Beverly Hills Cop” is a top-10 1980s movie, citing box office numbers.
  • Clay: Counters with “Back to the Future,” “Die Hard,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and “Karate Kid” as superior or equally iconic.
  • Both trade barbs and rattle off a variety of classic 80s films, drawing in listener reactions and referencing Rotten Tomatoes and box office lists.
    • "Nobody puts baby..." (referencing “Dirty Dancing”)
      —Clay Travis [40:38]
    • "This is an awful take by you, Clay." (regarding "Goonies" and "Lost Boys")
      —Buck Sexton [24:49]

• Listener Feedback:
  Multiple listeners text and call in to participate and good-naturedly rib the hosts for their movie opinions.

5. Additional Commentary and Listener Calls

[37:47–40:53]

• Taylor Swift vs. Death Metal:
  Listener calls and talkbacks debate musical tastes, with Buck and Clay acknowledging the generational and situational context for different genres. The hosts joke about deployment, kitchen cleanup, and more.

• Fan Interactions:
  Palm Beach and Ohio listeners weigh in on the movie discussion, especially the 80s soundtrack legacy (“Purple Rain,” “Dirty Dancing”).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the sophistication of the suspect’s disguise:

  • “He’s got a full ski mask on...not going to leave behind any fingerprints...This job was set up well in advance.” —Buck Sexton [05:15]

• On media attention due to celebrity status:

  • “We are allowed to observe that...if it were not the daughter of a prominent newscaster, that would not be happening.” —Buck Sexton [05:15]

• On rarity of elderly victim stranger kidnappings:

  • “I don’t know that this has happened, frankly, anywhere else in America this year or last year.” —Clay Travis [07:16]

• On possible irrational/mental illness motive:

  • “Is it possible that this person is not actually motivated by money?...They are doing something that is necessary because of their relationship with Savannah Guthrie.” —Clay Travis [15:22]

• On Beverly Hills Cop’s place in the 1980s:

  • “Beverly Hills Cop - top 10 movie of the 80s. I’d put it in the top 10.” —Buck Sexton [22:28]
  • “It’s a fine movie, but Back to the Future...is nearly a perfect movie.” —Clay Travis [29:13]

• On American law enforcement and kidnapping:

  • “Kidnap for ransom in this country is very rare...and that’s a good thing, clearly.” —Buck Sexton [16:41]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:12] – Breaking: FBI releases images in Guthrie kidnapping
• [05:15] – Analysis: Crime preparation and surveillance images
• [07:16] – Rarity of elderly stranger abductions
• [08:35] – Review of kidnapping/abduction statistics
• [10:52] – Analysis of newly released suspect video footage
• [14:08] – Motive speculation: Rational vs. irrational
• [16:41] – U.S. vs. international kidnap-for-ransom context
• [22:13] – 1980s movie debate and listener feedback
• [37:47; 39:51; 40:18] – Listener calls: Music, movies, generational jabs

Conclusion

Clay and Buck provide in-depth real-time analysis of perhaps the most substantial break yet in the Guthrie case, spending much of the hour examining the implications of the suspect’s actions, the unique nature of the crime, and possible motivations. Throughout, they keep the tone engaging and accessible, balancing serious commentary with lighter cultural debates and robust listener participation.