The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Hour 2 – Culture Wars
Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Clay Travis
Guest: Brianna Lyman, The Federalist
Theme: Navigating the Cultural and Political Divides in America

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into America’s ongoing "culture wars," with a focus on current events, political climate shifts, historical literacy, and debates over public memory and statues. Clay Travis, joined by Brianna Lyman of The Federalist, examines the nation’s mood on everything from the economy and border security to battles over how American history is remembered and taught.

The tone balances intelligence with wit, determined to pull apart the roots of the divisions in American society—notably the push to reassess or remove historical monuments, changing attitudes toward the founding generation, and the legacy of contemporary political decisions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News and Setting the Stage (02:26–06:00)

• Current Headlines:
  Clay recaps breaking stories: unresolved shootings at Brown University, the aftermath of the Bondi shooting in Australia, and a deadly private plane crash in North Carolina that may have NASCAR links.
• Political Climate:
  Clay pivots to a discussion of how the economy, border, and crime will shape 2026 elections, applying his “EBC” (Economy, Border, Crime) formula.
  • “It’s as easy as EBC. Economy, border, crime.” – Clay Travis [03:10]
• Trump vs. Biden Era Changes:
  Highlights improvements in border security and crime figures (like historic lows in Nashville murders) attributed to Trump's policies.

2. Political Party Approval & Economic Messaging (06:00–09:00)

• Democrats' Unpopularity:
  Clay cites CNN polling: Democrats' congressional approval is at an all-time low, especially among independents.
  • “Democrats in the minds of the American public are lower than the Dead Sea.” – Clay Travis [04:10]
• General Discontent:
  Both parties struggle with public trust. Biden-era inflation is blamed for widespread frustration.
• Trump’s Military Bonus Proposal:
  Discussed Trump’s idea for a $1,776 military bonus derived from tariff revenues for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
  • “That seems like something that nobody could disagree with. Well, unless you happen to listen to The View.” – Clay Travis [07:42]

3. Culture, Vibe, and National Events (09:00–12:30)

• National “Vibe Check”:
  The hosts reflect on how Trump taps into Americans’ need for patriotic celebration, like the upcoming World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary.
  • “Trump gets the importance of big events and helping to drive the overall vibe of a nation.” – Clay Travis [09:59]
• Caller – Presidential Communication Challenge:
  Caller Wayne from California contrasts today's economy with the late 1970s, admonishing “whining” about current conditions and warning how much worse things could get.
  • “This economy right now is not near as bad as what it was back with Jimmy Carter.” – Wayne [12:46]
• Caller – Managing Expectations:
  Robert from Alabama notes unrealistic public expectations about instant change after presidential transitions.

4. Decision-Making, Historical Perspective, and Gold/Silver Pitch (15:00–19:15)

• Presidential Leadership:
  Clay argues that the presidency is about (1) good decision making and (2) communicating policy benefits to average Americans.
  • “Decision making is the most important. … Second part is communicating why the decisions that you have made are helping to make the average American’s life better.” – Clay Travis [15:56]
• Slow Change:
  Improvements take time; it often takes 4 years for economic policies to show results, cautioning against impatience.

5. Cultural Policy – Transgender Surgery Ban for Minors (21:31–22:30)

• New HHS Rule:
  Citing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., new federal rules ban gender transition surgeries for minors under 18—a “common sense decision” likened in restrictiveness to tattoo laws for minors.
  • “How in the world are we allowing this so-called gender transition surgery to be occurring?” – Clay Travis [21:48]

6. Interview: Brianna Lyman on Memory, Monuments, and Historical Literacy (24:55–38:29)

The Robert E. Lee Statue in Virginia (24:55–29:00)

• Lyman on Lee’s Legacy:
  • “You cannot tell the story of Virginia without talking about Robert E. Lee. … He's more so idolized for what he did after the war. This man became the face of reconciliation.” – Brianna Lyman [24:55]
  • Argues that Lee’s role in postwar reconciliation is overlooked by critics.
• Lincoln’s Reconciliation Approach:
  Lyman recounts Lincoln's extended hand to the South, citing generous surrender terms and appeal to unity, not vengeance.

Wider Attacks on Founders, Statues, and MLK (29:01–32:53)

• Expanding Standards of Judgment:
  Lyman and Clay discuss the “slippery slope” of removing or condemning historic figures—Washington, Jefferson, even MLK—over modern moral standards.
  • “If we are making the standard that if you’re not morally perfect, your statue has to come down, then so does Jefferson’s, so does Washington’s, because they own slaves.” – Brianna Lyman [28:47]
  • “We’re all going to be judged as lacking by history because no one lives up to whatever the standard is in the future in a perfect way.” – Clay Travis [30:00]
• State vs. Nation Allegiance in Lee’s Time:
  Discusses how 19th-century Americans saw allegiance to their states as paramount—a foreign concept to most modern Americans.

Generational Historical Illiteracy & Its Consequences (32:53–36:48)

• Deliberate Erasure:
  Lyman asserts public schools encourage students to be ashamed of American heritage, part of a broader effort to “delegitimize” the founding.
  • “The goal is to delegitimize the work of the founders. … We've been indoctrinated … to a degree where we're ashamed of our heritage and our ancestors.” – Brianna Lyman [33:49]
• Defining by Ceilings or Floors:
  Clay raises the metaphor: do we remember great Americans by their highest achievements (ceilings) or lowest failures (floors)? He suggests the Left focuses on the latter.
  • “The Democrat Party in general focuses on the floor of American history... [Republicans] tend to focus on the ceiling.” – Clay Travis [34:57]
• Cultural Replacement:
  Lyman contends the push to focus on flaws paves the way for erasing founding documents, Christianity, and traditional American institutions for “something else.”

250th Anniversary (America 250) – Reasons for Optimism? (36:48–38:29)

• Will America 250 Bring Unity?
  Clay and Lyman debate whether the 250th anniversary can restore patriotism, with Lyman hoping Trump’s leadership will reorient the celebration toward honoring the founders.
  • “Without their sacrifices, you and I wouldn’t be speaking today.” – Brianna Lyman [37:51]
• Where to Find Lyman:
  Twitter: @BriannaLyman2
  Instagram: brianna.lyman

7. Wrap-Up and Reflection (42:37–44:11)

• Clay Reasserts the Stakes:
  The control of historical narrative shapes perceptions of America's legitimacy; defending 1776 as the nation's true founding is presented as vital against rival narratives like the “1619 Project.”
  • “If you can redefine … the founding of this country in 1619 … as opposed to 1776, then you can argue that the entire country is a pit of despair and awfulness and rotten at its core.” – Clay Travis [42:37]
• Action Plan:
  Hints at bringing in more guests for historical conversations in 2026 to combat “historical illiteracy” and promote patriotic education.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Democrats in the minds of the American public are lower than the Dead Sea.” – Clay Travis [04:10]
• “That seems like something that nobody could disagree with. Well, unless you happen to listen to The View.” – Clay Travis (re: Trump’s military bonus) [07:42]
• “You cannot tell the story of Virginia without talking about Robert E. Lee. … He's more so idolized for what he did after the war. This man became the face of reconciliation.” – Brianna Lyman [24:55]
• “If we are making the standard that if you’re not morally perfect, your statue has to come down, then so does Jefferson’s, so does Washington’s, because they own slaves.” – Brianna Lyman [28:47]
• "The goal is to delegitimize the work of the founders. … We've been indoctrinated … to a degree where we're ashamed of our heritage and our ancestors.” – Brianna Lyman [33:49]
• “The Democrat Party in general focuses on the floor of American history... [Republicans] tend to focus on the ceiling.” – Clay Travis [34:57]
• “If you can redefine … the founding of this country in 1619 … as opposed to 1776, then you can argue that the entire country is a pit of despair and awfulness and rotten at its core.” – Clay Travis [42:37]
• “Without their sacrifices, you and I wouldn’t be speaking today.” – Brianna Lyman [37:51]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:26 News Headlines & EBC (Economy, Border, Crime) Framework
• 04:10 Democrats' Approval Ratings Plummet
• 07:42 Trump’s Military Bonus Proposal Debated
• 09:59 National “Vibe Check” and World Cup Discussion
• 12:46 Caller Wayne on Economic Memory
• 14:23 Caller Robert on Managing Presidential Expectations
• 15:56 Clay on Presidential Decision-Making vs. Communication
• 21:31 New Federal Ban on Minors’ Gender Transition Surgeries
• 24:55 Brianna Lyman Interview Begins (Legacy of Robert E. Lee)
• 28:47 "If you're not morally perfect, your statue has to come down..." – Lyman
• 33:49 Delegitimizing the Founders – Lyman's Take
• 34:57 Ceilings vs. Floors Metaphor – Clay Travis
• 36:48 Is America 250 a Chance for Unity?
• 42:37 Clay’s Warning about America’s “Re-founding”

Conclusion

This episode of "The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show" is a passionate exploration of the interplay between current events, political approval, and deep questions about American memory. With strong historical arguments, memorable analogies, and frank discussion about cultural shifts—from battles over statues to how and why we should remember the past—the hosts and guest urge listeners to engage with history honestly while pushing back against efforts to erase or delegitimize the American founding.