The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Hour 2 - Clay's Stephen A. Debate
Date: September 17, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Overview
In this hour, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton broadcast live from New York City, dissecting the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and its coverage by mainstream media. The hosts challenge media narratives around the shooting's motive, highlight the response (and sometimes celebrations) on social media, and discuss the broader implications for political debate and civility in America. The latter half focuses on Clay's recent public debate with Stephen A. Smith, featuring direct audio clips, commentary about political engagement in sports, and the potential for celebrity political candidates.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Media Narratives and the Charlie Kirk Assassination
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Refuting Misinformation (02:55–10:00)
- Clay and Buck criticize mainstream outlets and personalities for downplaying or misrepresenting the assassination's motive.
- Clay calls out Jemele Hill for her since-deleted tweet labeling the murder as a "white supremacist gang hit," calling this "absolute lunatic stuff."
"White supremacist gang hit according to Jemele Hill. But what are they saying on CNN?" — Clay Travis (04:04)
- Buck emphasizes the danger of dismissing or minimizing the widespread celebrations of Kirk’s murder online.
- Exchanges from CNN and MSNBC (Abby Phillip, Scott Jennings, Kaitlan Collins, Brandy Zadronzi) are played and critiqued for their evasiveness or denial regarding motive and online reaction.
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Social Media Reaction (06:28–07:42)
- Buck details his deep dive into social platforms post-assassination:
"Thousands and thousands of people cheering, high fiving, making horrific jokes, saying horrible things about his widow. I mean, these people are sick maniacs." — Buck Sexton (07:42)
- The reach and influence of online figures is underscored as overshadowing that of traditional news anchors.
- Buck details his deep dive into social platforms post-assassination:
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Motivation and Evidence (12:19–14:58)
- Audio from Utah Co. DA Jeff Gray is played, outlining the suspect’s left-wing political turn and relationship details that contradict early right-wing motive claims.
- Clay and Buck argue that the facts clearly establish motive, despite the media’s "we don't know the motive yet" refrain.
"If you prepare an assassination attempt and if you kill someone, my general proposition would be you probably are motivated by not liking the guy." — Clay Travis (13:36)
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Mainstream Media Deflection (14:58–16:18)
- Buck asserts the left uses delay to lessen the story’s impact, maintaining ambiguity long enough for public outrage to dissipate.
"This is a game the left always plays, Clay, where they delay it to take the impact out of the public consciousness." — Buck Sexton (15:00)
- Buck asserts the left uses delay to lessen the story’s impact, maintaining ambiguity long enough for public outrage to dissipate.
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Nature of Left vs. Right (15:47–16:18)
- The hosts contend that emotionally unstable individuals cluster disproportionately on the left, contributing to heightened volatility in left-wing activism.
The State of Debate and Free Speech in America
- Rarity of Actual Public Debate (16:18–17:42)
- Clay points out the lack of a “Charlie Kirk of the left”—public-facing left-wing debaters—as evidence that the left eschews true open debate.
"Can you even think of a leftist that does public events with open microphones to debate people on issues? No, I can't even remember ever seeing that... The fact that there is no Charlie Kirk of the left is not just a coincidence." — Clay Travis (16:33)
- The DeSantis vs. Newsom debate is used as an example of the left faltering in direct confrontation.
- Clay points out the lack of a “Charlie Kirk of the left”—public-facing left-wing debaters—as evidence that the left eschews true open debate.
Clay vs. Stephen A. Smith: Highlights from Their Debate
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Tone and Content of the Debate (25:18–26:56)
- Clay recounts how both he and Stephen A. Smith began their recent debate by unequivocally condemning violence and upholding the primacy of free speech.
"Violence is never the answer. And good spirited debate, going after people for things you agree or disagree with is the foundation, I think, of an American republic and our democracy." — Clay Travis (26:37)
- Clay recounts how both he and Stephen A. Smith began their recent debate by unequivocally condemning violence and upholding the primacy of free speech.
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Politics and Sports Fandom (27:07–28:21)
- Clay contends that millions of hardcore NBA fans are Trump supporters, and that politicization has alienated a segment of the audience.
"If you're trying to appeal to everyone... you should be saying, hey, I don't care about your politics at all. I want you in our stadiums, our arenas, and we want to bring everybody together." — Clay Travis (27:45)
- Clay contends that millions of hardcore NBA fans are Trump supporters, and that politicization has alienated a segment of the audience.
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Would Stephen A. Run for President? (28:21–32:17)
- Stephen A. Smith gives a noncommittal but open-ended answer on running for president:
"I've been asked by various people... to keep an open mind because you never know what the state of affairs in this country will be in a couple of years." — Stephen A. Smith (28:27)
- Buck and Clay joke about brand-building runs for president and discuss the mechanics and motivations for celebrity candidates in modern politics.
- Stephen A. Smith gives a noncommittal but open-ended answer on running for president:
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Clay’s Retort and Political Center (32:17–34:08)
- Clay humorously declares, "If Stephen A. runs, I'll run and I'll kick his ass," sparking a playful exchange.
- The discussion touches on political transformations (Clay’s shift from Democrat to conservative) and the appeal to centrists.
"You look, I mean, as you've said, you are somebody who has had a political transformation in the last decade. And so you understand people that are now looking, people who are saying, oh, wait, the Democrat Party is insane." — Buck Sexton (33:27)
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Assassination as a Clarifying, Not Radicalizing, Moment (34:08–35:55)
- Buck argues the reaction to Kirk’s death crystallizes for listeners what the current stakes and divisions are in the US.
"It's not that it is radicalizing, it is clarifying. This is making it clear to everybody what the stakes are, what the teams are." — Buck Sexton (34:50)
- Buck argues the reaction to Kirk’s death crystallizes for listeners what the current stakes and divisions are in the US.
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Stephen A. on Clay’s Sensitivity to Racial Issues (35:55–36:52)
- Smith praises Clay for being willing to broach tough topics:
"Clay is the kind of person that'll pick up on that unspoken pressure... and he'll bring it up, which gives you the license to say, ah, there we go. That's the question I was waiting for." — Stephen A. Smith (36:11)
- Smith praises Clay for being willing to broach tough topics:
Additional Calls and Commentary
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On Releasing Evidence (22:42–24:11)
- A caller questions the wisdom of releasing detailed evidence from the investigation, fearing it fuels left-wing narrative-spinning.
- Buck and Clay explain the prosecutorial process and argue for transparency to counter misinformation.
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Sports Team Names & Cancel Culture (36:52–38:45)
- The hosts address the controversy around team names (like the Washington Redskins), arguing such names are meant to honor, not demean, and cite divided opinions within Native American communities.
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Listener Reactions (44:45–46:26)
- Callers weigh in on the texting behavior of the suspect and the prospect of Clay running for office, to which both Buck and Clay respond lightheartedly.
Notable Quotes
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On mainstream media denial:
"This is a game the left always plays, Clay, where they delay it to take the impact out of the public consciousness."
— Buck Sexton (15:00) -
On political violence and motive:
"There is zero doubt about what the motive is... The decision to murder someone at a free speech event... is a sign of general animus."
— Clay Travis (13:36) -
On the importance of open debate:
"I hope that a lot of the young people out there... don't take the lesson that violence is the answer..."
— Clay Travis (26:50) -
On the “brand” of running for president:
"People run for president now as part of a brand enhancement project."
— Buck Sexton (30:00) -
On public response to Charlie Kirk’s assassination:
"There are people online who have far more influence in political conversation... than any of these anchors."
— Buck Sexton (07:42)
Important Timestamps
- Media reaction to Charlie Kirk’s killing: 03:55–10:17, 12:19–14:58, 15:00–16:18
- Social media and online influence: 07:15–07:42
- Debate culture and left-right divide: 16:18–17:42
- Clay vs. Stephen A. Smith debate clips: 25:18–36:52
- Musings on sports team names/cancel culture: 36:52–38:45
Memorable Moments
- Condemnation of violence: Clay and Stephen A. Smith’s mutual call for civility in debate and denouncement of violence (26:50).
- Cultural critique: The hosts’ detailed breakdown of how and why political violence is framed, minimized, or denied by media figures.
- Lighthearted banter: Clay’s playful challenge to Stephen A. Smith to run for president, with the promise to "kick his ass" in a campaign.
Episode Tone
The episode blends serious critique (of media culture and political violence) with the conversational humor and personal reflections that define Clay and Buck’s style. They balance somber analysis of recent events with sharp wit and banter, especially when discussing media personalities, celebrity politics, and moments from Clay’s debate with Stephen A. Smith.
Listeners looking for insight into current political media battles, the changing climate for free speech and debate, and the intersection of sports, politics, and celebrity will find this episode substantive, direct, and compelling.