The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 2 – Buck Going to Taiwan

Date: September 24, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Featuring: Clay Travis, Buck Sexton, Congressman Jim Jordan

Episode Overview

In this episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton dive deep into critical topics shaping American culture and politics, centering on social media censorship, legislative accountability, aviation policy, college sports reform, and the escalating geopolitical importance of Taiwan. Special guest Congressman Jim Jordan joins for a robust discussion, and Buck makes a major announcement about his upcoming trip to Taiwan to investigate national security and global economic risks posed by Chinese aggression.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. YouTube Censorship & Free Speech Consequences

Segment Start: [02:04]

• Buck Sexton opens by congratulating Jim Jordan for his efforts surrounding YouTube’s recent admission of past censorship, primarily of conservative voices and COVID dissidents.
• Congressman Jordan explains that while YouTube has put its commitment to stop censoring in writing and is reinstating wronged content creators (notably Dan Bongino), real-world consequences for the corporation remain lacking.
  • "They’ve said they will never use fact checkers like some of these other platforms did, because we all know, you know, these fact checkers were lefties who, you know, labeled all kinds of things misinformation, disinformation, and censored people." – Jim Jordan [04:35]
• Clay Travis voices frustration over the lack of restitution or penalties. He notes the tangible financial loss for creators, referencing his own outlet, Outkick.
  • "It had very real financial consequences for a company that I owned at the time, Outkick... Shouldn't Google/YouTube have to make some sort of... huge payment to fund free speech?" – Clay Travis [06:17]
• Legislative Recourse: Jordan details current and past legislative attempts (e.g., Harriet Hageman’s bill) to enable legal action against government-pressured censorship but acknowledges current legal obstacles. He underscores the need to “move forward and look at the bright side,” highlighting the policy reversals at Facebook and progress thanks to public pressure. [06:53-08:16]

2. Aviation Industry Frustrations & Pilot Legislation

Segment Start: [08:16]

• Buck Sexton discusses recurring flight delays due to staff shortages, highlighting the “Let Experienced Pilots Fly” bill backed by Ted Cruz and Marsha Blackburn. He asks Jordan if the House is considering removing forced retirements for experienced pilots.
  • "Can you guys get this done? Where is this?" – Buck Sexton [09:10]
• Jim Jordan supports the idea, confirming that retaining seasoned pilots benefits safety and efficiency, and recounts personal conversations with pilots advocating for the bill. He recommends hosting House Transportation Committee Chairman Sam Graves to discuss the topic further. [09:20-10:14]
• Clay’s Airline Fandom: Clay humorously reveals his extensive history with Southwest Airlines, sharing that pilots and attendants are fans of the show. [10:27]

3. College Sports Reform: The SCORE Act

Segment Start: [11:09]

• Clay queries Jordan on the progress of the SCORE Act, aimed at ensuring fairness and parity in college athletics, especially regarding scholarships and non-revenue sports.
• Jordan reports ongoing bipartisan negotiations, with the bill advancing through committee. Key goals include:
  • Promoting competitive parity across schools ("You don't want just the same teams winning all the time")
  • Preserving opportunities for athletes in Olympic/women’s sports
  • Mandating that Division I schools maintain a minimum of 16 sports
  • Encouraging the core educational mission for student-athletes [11:09-12:53]

4. Jimmy Kimmel, Network Affiliates, and Audience Choices

Segment Start: [12:53]

• Clay and Jordan discuss the recent decision by network affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair to stop airing Jimmy Kimmel. They argue it's a business decision, not government censorship, reflecting how alienating half your audience isn’t sustainable:
  • "If you're a late-night talk show host, you should not do two things. You shouldn't tick off half the potential audience and you should be funny. And it seemed like Jimmy Kimmel was failing on both..." – Jim Jordan [13:34]
• Both agree this is distinct from state censorship, using examples of direct government action like the Disinformation Governance Board and White House email directives. [14:53]

5. Personal Moments, Tennis Bets, and Life Updates

• Buck’s Tennis Quest: Ongoing, tongue-in-cheek saga regarding Buck trying to serve a tennis ball 100 mph—Jordan playfully holds him to the challenge.
  • "Middle-aged Buck is going to hit that hundred mile an hour serve, one way or another." – Buck Sexton [15:35]
• Show Banter: Clay remarks on Buck accepting his “middle-aged” status in jest, which segues into lighthearted banter about common tennis-player excuses. [15:46-16:43]
• Chalk Endorsement: Buck plugs “Chalk” as his secret to increased energy and focus (advertorial, not main content). [16:44-17:52]

6. Listener Feedback

Segment Start: [21:04]

• Listeners share thoughts on wartime traditions (writing messages on ammunition) and parallel the behaviors to WWII morale building. Clay and Buck clarify that such rituals aren’t common today outside extreme circumstances. [21:04-21:58]

7. Buck's Upcoming Taiwan Mission

Major Announcement: [29:01]

• Buck reveals he is traveling to Taiwan for fact-finding interviews with the island’s top officials about the tense situation with China. He describes the global gravity of the Taiwan Straits:
  • "This is the most important national security flashpoint and the most important economic chokepoint in the world right now. Taiwan makes 90% of the top end chips... and China is saying they're going to take this island in the next two years." – Buck Sexton [30:23]
• He promises to report back to listeners and pursue exclusive interviews, noting the direct global impact if war breaks out ("Markets will be absolutely rocked. You'll see trillions of dollars of wealth evaporate."). [30:50]
• Clay emphasizes the geopolitical stakes and expresses support for Buck’s trip, promising continued show coverage during Buck’s absence. [31:39]

8. Gavin Newsom’s “Election Will Be Canceled” Rhetoric

Segment Start: [33:16]

• They play and dissect Gavin Newsom’s viral claim:
  • "I fear that we will not have an election in 2028. I really mean that in the core of my soul…" – Gavin Newsom [33:16]
• Clay eviscerates Newsom’s logic, wagers $10 million on the 2028 election happening, and argues Newsom is stoking base hysteria for personal political gain:
  • "He can't possibly believe this. If you believe it, why are you already effectively running for president?" – Clay Travis [34:01]
• Buck and Clay agree this is a cynical ploy and contrast it with the sincere, if misguided, beliefs of other progressive figures.

9. Comic Relief & The “AutoPen” White House Prank

Segment Start: [41:16]

• Clay shares a new Trump team prank: the White House workspace for president portraits now features only an "autopen" where the Biden photo should be.
  • "Joe Biden is officially commemorated on the White House walkway now with just an autopen signing his name. Everybody else has got a portrait..." – Clay Travis [42:26]
• Buck and Clay praise Trump’s comic instincts, noting that humor and cultural impact are central to his political staying power. [42:58-43:26]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jim Jordan: "You can't lie to Congress. There's 18 USC 1, 1001..." ([03:59])
• Clay Travis: "Shouldn't Google/YouTube have to make some sort of...huge payment to fund free speech?" ([06:17])
• Buck Sexton: “This is the most important national security flashpoint and the most important economic chokepoint in the world right now.” ([30:23])
• Gavin Newsom: "I fear that we will not have an election in 2028. I really mean that in the core of my soul..." ([33:16])
• Clay Travis: "He can't possibly believe this...He's lying. He just knows it's politically advantageous to say it and he's trying to take advantage of it." ([34:01])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:04] – Congressman Jim Jordan Interview Begins
• [03:57] – YouTube Censorship Admitted
• [06:53] – Free Speech & Legal Consequences Discussion
• [08:16] – Aviation/Pilot Shortages & Legislation
• [11:09] – College Sports Reform Update
• [12:53] – Jimmy Kimmel & Affiliate Censorship
• [15:24] – Tennis Serve Challenge Banter
• [21:04] – Listener Calls: WWII Ammunition Messages
• [29:01] – Buck Announces Taiwan Trip, Geopolitical Analysis
• [33:16] – Gavin Newsom Clip/Trump Election Rhetoric
• [41:16] – White House “Autopen” Prank & Trump’s Humor

Tone and Takeaways

Throughout the episode, the conversation maintains a brisk, witty, and earnest tone—mixing substantive political debate with relatable anecdotes, humor, and sharp skepticism for establishment narratives. With a blend of legislative detail, humor, and personal stories, Clay and Buck create an accessible window into the urgent debates of the moment, offering unique perspectives for their audience—especially with Buck's imminent on-the-ground reporting from Taiwan.

For Those Who Haven't Listened:
This episode covers the intersection of free speech, legislative action, and global security, providing both insight and plenty of laughs. Clay and Buck’s chemistry with Congressman Jim Jordan and each other creates a dynamic, engaging listen that, even at its lightest, remains anchored in real-world stakes.