Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 2 – Clay Wants to Invest in Cuba
Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This episode dives into a range of headlines and analysis surrounding the state of the U.S. economy under President Trump’s second term, the dramatic developments in Latin America (Venezuela, Cuba), and the untapped potential of Cuba as a near-future capitalist hotbed. The hosts also take engaging sidetracks into horror movie nostalgia, the realities of Hollywood, and superstitions tied to Friday the 13th. The episode is layered with the duo’s signature humor, rapid banter, and deep-dive speculative commentary about geopolitical shifts on America’s doorstep.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Economic Achievements and Analogies to Reagan

• Economic Metrics: The hosts discuss strong economic numbers, including 4.4% GDP growth, 2.4% inflation, record-high stock market, lowest murder rate since 1900, "most secure border in history," and a 10% decrease in government employees—marking the first year of President Trump’s second term.
• Historical Parallels: Clay and Buck draw comparisons to the Reagan era, debating which midterm analogies fit the current political landscape.

  “If I had told you…end 2025 at 4.4% GDP, 2.4% inflation, record high stock market, lowest murder rate since 1900, most secure border in history, and a 10% decline in government employees, I don’t think that most of you would have believed that was possible.” — Clay Travis [04:23]

• Midterm History: They analyze patterns where the party in power historically loses congressional seats during midterms, referencing 1982, 1986, 1998, and 2002.

Timestamps:

• [02:43] Trump’s press comments on the economy
• [04:23] Clay’s summary of Trump’s first-year economic record
• [06:39] Midterm election analogies

2. Latin America in Flux: Venezuela, Colombia, and Cuba

Venezuela Developments

• Maduro’s Arrest: The arrest and ongoing legal situation for Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is discussed as both a triumph and a precarious moment for the region.

  “…They have arrested him. He’s in federal court now, sitting in federal prison. So we’ll see where that ends up going…” — Buck Sexton [09:01]

Cuba’s Looming Collapse

• Economic Crisis: Clay details Cuba’s dire situation—fuel shortages due to the collapse of Venezuelan support and pressure from both the U.S. and Mexico, threatening a total economic collapse.

  “Cuba is within weeks of a complete economic collapse... one of the primary impacts of what happened in Venezuela has actually been what’s taking place in Cuba...freedom could be returning to Cuba on some level.” — Clay Travis [10:01]

• Tourism Impact: Airline access is restricted due to insufficient fuel for refueling at Cuban airports, causing Russian and Spanish tourists to consider pulling out.

• Market Opportunity: The hosts speculate on the potential for a capitalist-driven Cuban renaissance.

  “Cuba could be an absolute jewel of the global economy if they would just embrace capitalism… Cuba, as in any way embracing capitalism, would take off.” — Clay Travis [11:33]

• Personal Anecdotes:

  • Clay shares his experience cruising past Cuba, emphasizing its untapped potential as a major cruise and tourist destination.

    “The last cruise I went on was the Disney cruise with my kids... we went right by Cuba. So close, Buck, that you could see all of the spires and all of the buildings of Havana as we were passing.” — Clay Travis [12:44]

Timestamps:

• [08:17] Trump on Venezuela
• [09:15–15:18] Discussion of Cuba’s collapse, economic opportunity, and regional impact

3. Investment Opportunity: “Clay Wants to Invest in Cuba”

• Speculative Commentary: Clay expresses a keen desire to invest capital (“I’d like to put a lot...”) in Cuba should the country open to market economics, envisioning an economic explosion akin to other Caribbean nations’ success as low-tax business havens and tourist hotspots.

  “If we could turn Cuba into an actual capitalistic country…the amount of beautiful countryside, beaches…Cuba would be…one of the most beautiful countries, I think, in the world.” — Clay Travis [15:18]

• Remittances: They note that remittances from abroad are currently the mainstay of the Cuban economy.

Memorable Moment:

• Buck jokes about the future prospect of Trump International towers in Caracas and Havana.

  “There will be something really full circle…when the incredible gleaming tower of Trump International Caracas goes up and Trump International Havana goes up…not impossible.” — Buck Sexton [14:02]

Timestamps:

• [14:02] Speculation on Trump International buildings
• [15:18] Clay’s investment ambitions

4. Broader Headlines: National Security and Crime

• Nancy Guthrie State Case: Brief mention of speculation surrounding cartel involvement in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping, with Trump commenting on the complexity and lack of clear information.

  “Somebody either knew what they were doing very well or they were rank amateurs. Either way, it’s not a good situation.” — Trump (via audio) [21:51]

• Media Coverage: Buck and Clay remark on the media frenzy despite little actionable information.

Timestamps:

• [21:23] Trump on the possibility of cartel involvement

5. Friday the 13th, Superstitions, and Horror Movies

• Superstitions: Lighthearted riffing on classic Friday the 13th warnings and regional American ghost stories like the Bell Witch legend.
• Horror Nostalgia:
  • Clay and Buck reminisce about formative horror films (e.g., Nightmare on Elm Street, The Exorcist, Paranormal Activity, Blair Witch Project).
  • Discussion about why slasher and occult horror films remain so profitable and influential, despite changing media landscapes.

  “Was there ever a movie that you watched when you were younger, as a kid, that was so scary that you had to turn it off…?” — Buck Sexton [29:03] “Nightmare on Elm Street when I was a little kid…Freddy came to you while you were sleeping…That was the danger.” — Clay Travis [29:12]

• Fun Anecdotes:
  • Buck remembers a camp in Vermont taking kids to the Blair Witch Project against his better judgment, to much regret.

  “We had to go back to a dark, rainy campsite that night and the kids…the 13 and 14 year old kids were shaking like leaves after watching.” — Buck Sexton [37:14]

• Hollywood Realities:
  • Caller Brian, a former actor, joins to confirm the drudgery of film set life and the stifling culture for conservatives in Hollywood.

    “I did try to pursue playing major league baseball…then I was doing my Hollywood stuff…you learn these people are a bunch of communist idiots and demonic…yeah, it’s not fun.” — Brian [37:58]

Timestamps:

• [25:19–29:50] Superstition, horror stories, Bell Witch, horror film genre
• [37:24–40:38] Actor Brian on Hollywood culture

Notable Quotes

• “Cuba is within weeks of a complete economic collapse ... it is possible that Cuba could be really, truly collapsing and freedom could be returning to Cuba on some level.” — Clay Travis [10:01]
• “Cuba could be an absolute jewel of the global economy if they would just embrace capitalism.” — Clay Travis [11:33]
• “There will be something really full circle about that moment when the incredible gleaming tower of Trump International Caracas goes up and Trump International Havana goes up.” — Buck Sexton [14:02]
• “If we could turn Cuba into an actual capitalistic country…the amount of beautiful countryside, beaches, it’s one of the most beautiful countries, I think, in the world.” — Clay Travis [15:18]
• “Was there ever a movie that you watched when you were younger as a kid that was so scary that you had to turn it off...?” — Buck Sexton [29:03]
• “Nightmare on Elm Street when I was a little kid…Freddy came to you while you were sleeping…” — Clay Travis [29:12]
• “These people are a bunch of communist idiots and demonic...it's not fun.” — Brian, former actor/caller [37:58]

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |---|---| | 02:43 | Trump’s press conference on economic numbers | | 04:23 | Clay’s rundown of economic record in Trump’s second term | | 08:17–09:15 | Trump, Venezuela, and potential military operations | | 10:01–15:18 | Detailed analysis of Cuba’s current crisis and future potential | | 14:02 | Speculation on Trump building luxury developments in Havana/Caracas | | 21:23–23:05 | The Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case and cartel speculation | | 25:19–29:50 | Friday the 13th superstitions and horror movies | | 37:24–40:38 | Caller Brian: The realities of life in Hollywood |

Summary

A dynamic episode filled with optimism about America’s current economic trajectory, speculative investment dreams for a liberated Cuba, and classic banter about pop culture, especially horror movies. Clay and Buck strike a compelling balance between high-stakes geopolitics and good-natured nostalgia, all while keeping their commentary fun, sharp, and accessible—even for those who haven’t tuned in.