The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 2 - Clay Calls In from FIFA!
Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Clay Travis (remote from the FIFA event), Buck Sexton
Notable Guest: Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK)

Overview

This hour takes listeners to the heart of Washington, D.C. as Clay Travis calls in live from the FIFA World Cup draw event at the Kennedy Center, where former President Donald Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Award. Buck Sexton and Clay discuss the event’s political spectacle, the U.S. Men's Soccer Team’s prospects, Trump’s award and media reactions, and broader political and safety issues in D.C. Later, Sen. Markwayne Mullin joins Buck for takes on the FIFA event, U.S. foreign policy toward Venezuela, allegations of war crimes, and the challenges facing American ranchers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Clay Travis Reports Live from the FIFA Event

• FIFA Event Atmosphere (05:51)

  • Clay describes the event as “pretty spectacular... an absolute spectacular show so far. They took over the Kennedy Center, FIFA did.”
  • Dignitaries on hand included the Prime Minister of Canada, President of Mexico, and Trump.
  • Trump sees the World Cup as a centerpiece for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026.

• U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team Draw (05:51, 08:19)

  • Locations announced: Two games in Los Angeles, one in Seattle.
  • The importance of the draw: “The draw can dictate to a large extent whether you advance to the knockout stage.” (06:56)
  • U.S. Team’s prospects: “We’re around the 12th or 13th best team... we have to rely on some good fortune, good luck, the ball bouncing our proverbial way in order to make some noise.” (08:19-08:57)
  • Disappointment in potential of a ‘golden generation’ not fully materializing, particularly referencing Christian Pulisic.

2. Trump Receives FIFA Peace Award – Political Spectacle

• Trump’s FIFA Peace Award and Media Reaction (09:48)

  • Clay notes sports media and “hardcore soccer fans” are furious, especially given soccer’s unique political demographics in the U.S.

    “In America, soccer is kind of a sport for the left wing, I would say, sort of elite people. Whereas in most of the rest of the world, soccer is the game that all the poor kids play. In America, it’s kind of flipped.” (10:03)

  • The trolling value for Trump is high. Buck:

    “For nothing else, the trolling value of Trump getting the award is fantastic.” (11:13)

  • Even European soccer icons at the event were “rolling their eyes” over Trump’s award, according to Clay.

• Security and Protests in D.C. (11:48)

  • Recent incidents (National Guard attack classified as terror, etc.) have given way to a sense of improved safety in central D.C., especially in northwest and around the White House.
  • Protests continue, specifically targeting Trump at the event, but “violent crime... has been pretty spectacularly driven down... lows... not seen almost in the history of the city of Washington.” (11:48-12:30)
  • Clay enjoys the irony of small protests against the FIFA Peace Prize for Trump.

3. Buck Sexton on the Media and Crime Reporting

• Pipe Bomb Suspect and Media Narratives (20:30)
  • Buck discusses media coverage about the arrest of Brian Cole Jr. for RNC/DNC pipe bombs:

    “They are already running with this as though it is a fait accompli… that this guy is a Trump supporter… All the cases… think of all the times where there’s a manifesto left behind… media will engage [in spin] to score political points.” (21:34)

  • He remains skeptical and pushes back on early political attribution.

4. Interview with Sen. Markwayne Mullin

Soccer & The Political Left

• Senator is Not a Soccer Expert (24:35)

  • Mullin jokes: “I don’t know the first thing about soccer at all. Zero. None.” (24:35)

• Trump’s Peace Award and Foreign Policy Credibility (25:28)

  • Mullin highlights Trump’s peace achievements:

    “Think about how many countries he’s brought peace to... there’s been nine wars, he stopped so that you could say 18 countries.” (25:28)

  • His office works with U.S. athletic visas, primarily for wrestling, now also for soccer and Olympics.

Venezuela, War Powers, and Dem Criticisms

• Justification for Venezuela Drug Boat Strikes (27:23)

  • Mullin defends the administration’s strikes on narco boats:

    “Any Democrat that... saw the briefing, saw the video... and comes to any other conclusion is flatline, completely lying to you... [These were] active terrorist organizations, actively trying to bring poison drugs into our country. And so without question, this was a good hit.” (27:23-29:16)

• Venezuela Policy and Endgames (29:16)

  • The goal is for Maduro to step down. “He could leave peacefully if he chose to go to a different country. His country does not want him there.” (29:42)
  • U.S. will strike drug labs if necessary, drawing comparisons to Obama-era drone strikes.
  • Emphasizes Venezuela’s collapse: “used to be a democracy... now his playground for terrorism and drugs.”

American Beef Industry in Crisis

• Challenges for Ranchers (32:17)

  • “Prices have dropped sharply... three major meat packers left... all three... foreign owned and’re controlling the market. It’s not a free market... It’s very tough to be a rancher today.” (32:17-34:46)
  • Land, equipment, and input prices are too high for new ranches; the industry is increasingly consolidated.

• Potential Policy Fixes (35:14)

  • Country-of-origin labeling probably wouldn’t move prices.
  • Suggests possibly needing a “backstop” or insurance for ranchers, analogous to crop insurance. (35:14)
  • “At some point Congress may act, but for now, you’ve got ranchers who don’t want government interference and others who say they may need more support.”

5. Cultural & Political Color

• Relationship between American left and soccer fandom: “Soccer fans overwhelmingly skew Democrats... not necessarily the Yay America fans, but just the hardcore soccer fans.” (10:32)

• Buck’s take on Trump’s rhetoric and backlash:

  “Because Tim Walls does not want… to be called the R word, the people who are taunting you are going to lean into it even more.” (42:13-42:38) “Trump’s gonna keep calling him the R word.” (42:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Clay Travis on America’s 250th:

  “This is the absolute best country that’s ever existed in the history of the world. And we should put our best face forward for the 250th anniversary.” (05:51)

• Clay on Trump & FIFA Peace Prize:

  “There are lots of European countries... watching... a billion people… die hard soccer fans that are furious that Trump got the Peace Prize, which, frankly, I love.” (14:01)

• Sen. Mullin on Venezuela Strikes:

  “If you’re going to complain about the administration… at least be smart enough to go get the facts. Because anybody that watches it knows without a doubt this was a good hit.” (27:23)

• Sen. Mullin on Ranching:

  “It’s very tough to be a rancher today... The only protein industry that hasn’t consolidated into corporate farms is beef, but if we don’t take a hard look at this, that could change.” (34:46)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:36 – Buck Sexton stalls for time, light banter on Miami and FIFA.
• 05:51 – Clay Travis calls in live from FIFA event.
• 08:04 – U.S. team prospects and tournament structure.
• 09:48 – Trump receives FIFA Peace Award; media and sports world reactions.
• 11:48 – Climate and safety in D.C., handling protests at Kennedy Center.
• 13:42 – Coverage of award significance and Trump's speech.
• 19:37 – Buck reflects on America’s relationship with soccer.
• 21:01 – Pipe bomb suspect coverage; media narratives.
• 24:01 – Sen. Markwayne Mullin joins Buck.
• 27:23 – Venezuela drug boat strikes discussion.
• 29:42 – U.S. policy on regime change/eventual goals in Venezuela.
• 32:17 – American beef industry and rancher hardships.
• 35:14 – Solutions for ranchers and industry consolidation.
• 41:34 – Buck on Trump’s “R-word” insult to Gov. Tim Walz and political fallout.

Summary Tone & Style

• Playful and irreverent, especially when discussing the spectacle of the FIFA event and Trump’s award (“the trolling value is fantastic”).
• Candid and skeptical, particularly about mainstream media narratives on crime and political violence.
• Sincere and earnest, especially in discussions about crime reduction in D.C., rancher hardships, and the complexity of real-world policy.

For Further Listening

• Expect more details from Clay on how the U.S. Men's team fares in Monday’s episode.
• Additional coverage on developing news about Venezuela, crime stats, and the meatpacking industry anticipated in future shows.