The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Hour 2: "Charlie Kirk Awakening"

Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Clay Travis
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This hour zeroes in on seismic shifts in America’s cultural and political landscape, as seen through the lens of prominent figures reconsidering their public roles. The central focus is on Paul Finebaum, famed SEC sports analyst, who is seriously exploring a run for Senate in Alabama. The catalyst: recent turmoil on college campuses, particularly the assassination of Charlie Kirk and its ripple effects on those who typically "stay on the sidelines." The episode examines Finebaum's motivations, interactions within Alabama's political scene, and the broader awakening among conservative voices hesitant to speak out—tying sports, culture, and politics together.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Major Headlines and Political Shifts (02:36)

• Clay Travis outlines pressing news: Middle East peace talks with Netanyahu at the White House, the aftermath of the Michigan church attack, NYC Mayor Eric Adams dropping out, and charges against James Comey.
• Sets the table for a pivot to personal and political tremors among typically apolitical figures.

2. Finebaum’s Possible Senate Run: Background and Context (03:35)

• Clay previews his in-depth interview with Paul Finebaum, describing a weekend in Athens for the Georgia-Alabama game and several high-profile conversations—including with Senate candidate Derek Dooley and coach Bruce Pearl.
• Finebaum as an iconic SEC sports analyst; long relationship between Clay & Paul, rooted in sports talk radio.
• Significant note: Tommy Tuberville is vacating his Senate seat to run for Governor, creating a rare open seat in Alabama.

3. Why Paul Finebaum Might Run for Senate (07:17)

• Paul Finebaum's own words:

  "To say I'm considering it—of course, yes. I can't say I've dreamed about it ... I'm not a career politician who had it all mapped out. This is something that just came to me and it's also very late and I don't know quite how to deal with it. But as far as your question ... would I give up what I'm doing? I would, I would. I would have to."
  (07:17)

• Clay expands:

  • Finebaum is motivated by cultural and societal shifts, especially after witnessing the events surrounding Charlie Kirk's assassination.
  • Draws a parallel with his own career pivot from sports to political talk radio, inspired by the impact of Covid and encouragement from his boss Julie Talbot.
  • Key Insight: More respected, non-political voices feel compelled to step up and make a difference.

4. The Charlie Kirk Moment: Cultural Awakening (08:00–11:00)

• Clay:
  • The Charlie Kirk incident galvanized those on the cultural sidelines ("a crucible moment").
  • Finebaum, constantly interacting with young people on college campuses, was deeply affected.
  • Clay draws a contrast with the left, whose cultural dominance fosters open expression, while conservatives have long been silent out of fear.
  • Directly addresses listeners who feel similarly moved to re-examine their engagement in society.

5. Disney, ESPN, and Political Bias (12:51)

• Clay recounts Finebaum’s grievance:
  • Disney (owner of ESPN) refused to let Finebaum interview President Trump in 2019, despite ESPN’s frequent interviews with Barack Obama.
  • Clay:

    "Disney would not let me interview President Trump." (paraphrased from Paul Finebaum conversation, 12:51)

  • Highlights internal bias, noting Finebaum's revelation is explosive within Disney/ESPN and part of a broader discomfort for conservative voices in sports media.

6. Finebaum Reveals His Politics (15:30)

• Clay:
  • Admits surprise at learning Finebaum is a Trump voter and registered Republican.
  • Emphasizes the rarity—possibly historic—of an ESPN on-air personality publicly identifying as a Trump supporter.
  • Frames this as "brave," predicting "major shockwaves" and that it reflects a broader social awakening.

7. Listener Calls: Finebaum’s Candidacy and Name Recognition (25:40)

• David from Birmingham:

  "...he's very big hearted ... can be hard headed and obstinate. But I think we need a lot more of that in Washington, in the Senate.” (25:40)

  "He would probably be in the top five or ten in name recognition in the state." (26:33)

• Callers debate Finebaum’s persona, clout, and potential impact in politics, touching on the emotional stakes of football rivalries versus Washington partisanship.

8. Full Finebaum Clip: His Motivations and Recruitment (31:32)

• Paul Finebaum elaborates:

  "Someone in Washington had reached out ... something I had never thought about before. ...as this weekend unfolded with Charlie and got a little bit more interested..." (31:32)

  • Hesitated out of deference to Bruce Pearl's own political ambitions before ultimately being compelled by direct recruitment and recent events.

• Clay probes:

  • On Finebaum’s timeline and his communication skills.
  • On whether he’s ready to give up a comfortable, successful career to serve.

• Paul:

  "It is very intriguing. I am thinking about it constantly, and that's difficult to do ... as you're waiting for your turn [on ESPN], you're thinking, I wonder if I should move forward on this..." (34:29)

9. Broader Societal Impact & The “Awakening” (20:29, 38:51)

• Clay:
  • Notes this isn't just about sports—it's about everyday Americans deciding not to stay quiet about their values.
  • Compares the “heat” of political controversy to Alabama football rivalries, suggesting Finebaum can handle the intensity.

10. Notable Cultural Sidebar — J.K. Rowling (39:27)

• Clay briefly celebrates J.K. Rowling’s public stance on free speech and gender identity debates, admiring her fearlessness.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Paul Finebaum:

  "To say I'm considering it—of course, yes. I can't say I've dreamed about it...I'm not a career politician....This is something that just came to me and it's also very late and I don't know quite how to deal with it." (07:17)

  "It is very intriguing. I am thinking about it constantly ..." (34:29)

• Clay Travis:

  "It has struck so many of us in a profound way that's had many people questioning a lot of their choices...I think there is an awakening that is going on across the cultural landscape." (15:30)

  "Paul Feinbaum is the first person employed at ESPN to ever say publicly he voted for Trump. Think about how wild that is." (20:29)

  "I gotta tell you, it's way more contentious than what you think about the tax rates. The heat of the political universe...is nothing compared to the heat of the college football universe in the state of Alabama." (28:02)

• David from Birmingham (Caller):

  "He can listen to an issue and look at both sides ... and what would be best for the state and the nation, you know ... I respect the hell out of him." (27:37)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:36 — Clay recaps news and previews Finebaum interview
• 07:17 — Finebaum discusses motivation to consider a Senate run
• 12:51 — Disney prevented Finebaum from interviewing Trump; media/corporate bias
• 15:30 — Cultural impact of Charlie Kirk’s death; Finebaum’s politics revealed
• 25:40 — Listener David shares perspective on Finebaum’s reputation and fitness for office
• 31:32 — Full, uninterrupted Finebaum clip on Senate race; how he was approached
• 34:29 — Finebaum on the personal struggle and attraction to the Senate role
• 38:51 — Clay segues to culture, referencing J.K. Rowling’s courage

Tone and Style

• The conversation is spontaneous, candid, and filled with both humor and gravity.
• Clay Travis uses relatable analogies (sports rivalry vs. politics), conversational language, and direct engagement with listeners.
• Callers add regional color and ground-level perspectives on Alabama politics and Finebaum’s persona.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode is a must-hear for anyone interested in the growing intersection of sports, culture, and politics in America. It details Paul Finebaum’s unlikely trajectory from sports broadcasting to a possible Senate bid, triggered by recent campus unrest and a collective soul-searching among traditionally silent conservatives. Clay Travis contextualizes Finebaum’s journey within the broader awakening among Americans dissatisfied with cultural silencing, using memorable quotes and personal anecdotes. The episode is animated by live listener calls, real-time reactions, and a sense that the cultural-political axis is shifting—particularly in highly visible arenas like sports media.