Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Hour 2 – Curtis Sliwa Calls Us
Date: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton
Guest: Curtis Sliwa (Republican nominee for Mayor of New York City)
Brief Overview
This episode centers on New York's high-stakes mayoral race, with Clay and Buck interviewing Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate. The central theme: concerns over vote-splitting on the anti-Mamdani (Democratic Socialist nominee) side, Sliwa’s rationale for staying in the race, corruption and crime in NYC, and the future of the city under left-wing or establishment Democratic leadership. The conversation includes personal stories, election strategy, dark humor, and references to New York political history.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Opening & The Stakes of the NYC Mayoral Race
[03:09]
- Clay frames the central political dilemma: with Mamdani leading, Sliwa and ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo risk splitting the anti-socialist vote, potentially handing Mamdani victory.
- Clay pledges to wear a red beret and open a bar tab if Sliwa wins, raising the stakes for fun and camaraderie.
Quote:
"If you win ... I have pledged to wear a red beret for a week and open up a bar tab at a sports bar not run by communists in New York City." – Clay Travis [03:15]
2. Sliwa’s Unapologetic Candidacy & Vote Splitting
[04:43 – 07:26]
- Sliwa rebuffs the idea of withdrawing, asserting his identity as the "populist, blue collar" candidate who’s actively engaged with everyday New Yorkers.
- He blames both Adams and Cuomo for Mamdani’s rise within the Democratic Party, positioning himself as the last stand against failed leadership.
- Sliwa refuses responsibility for a split vote, likening his resolve to “the last scene in Braveheart.”
Quote:
"Billionaires tried to bribe me with $10 million. Now I gotta walk around with armed guards ... You really think that Curtis Sliwa ... is gonna drop out? Think of that last scene in Braveheart ... I will never support Andrew Cuomo, the Prince of Evil." – Curtis Sliwa [06:30]
3. Cuomo vs. Mamdani: Policy & Blame
[07:26 – 09:58]
- Sliwa claims there’s no real difference between Cuomo and Mamdani, citing policy continuity: no cash bail, closure of Rikers Island, and juvenile justice reform that compromised public safety.
- He shares a personal story of his son’s gang assault, blaming Cuomo’s and Mamdani’s policies.
Quote:
"The reason we lock up toothpaste and not criminals is the architect of no cash bail, Andrew Cuomo. And then his apprentice is Johan Mamdani." – Curtis Sliwa [08:03]
4. Sliwa’s Path to Victory & Third Party Strategy
[10:54]
- Sliwa details his diverse support, emphasizing independents and the novel "Protect Animals" independent line, highlighting animal welfare as an underappreciated, single-issue voting bloc.
- He frames Cuomo’s campaign as lackluster and detached, citing the former governor’s absenteeism.
Quote:
"I not only have conservative Republican votes ... I have a new line ... Protect Animals. First time ever in electoral history ... A society that does not take care of its animals does not take care of its people." – Curtis Sliwa [10:54]
5. Mamdani as a De Blasio Successor & Public Safety
[12:14]
- Discussion shifts to Mamdani’s strategy of promising continuity (keeping NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch), compared to de Blasio’s 2013 appointment of Bratton.
- Sliwa calls Mamdani "Bill de Blasio on steroids," warning he’ll work "20 hours a day to destroy the city," and expresses skepticism about establishment figures actually being independent of left-wing pressure.
Quote:
"He's Bill de Blasio on steroids ... With Zoran Mamdani, he would give 20 hours a day to destroying the city." – Curtis Sliwa [12:51]
6. $10 Million Bribe Offer & Campaign Integrity
[14:00]
- Sliwa confirms repeated attempts to bribe him out of the race, including a $10 million offer, calls it unethical and potentially illegal, and claims to now "be wired like a Christmas tree" against future attempts.
- He refuses to name names but emphasizes the dirty nature of political business.
Quote:
"$10 million is a lot of money to walk away from. I said, guy, you know me, I was born with nothing. I'll die with nothing. ... This sounds to me unethical. It's a bribe. It could be illegal." – Curtis Sliwa [14:00]
7. Trump’s Stance & Historical Parallels
[15:20]
- Sliwa denies speaking with Trump recently, offers perspective as a long-time acquaintance, and wishes Trump would endorse him.
- He sees his candidacy as a repeat of the Giuliani/Pataki era, invoking the Republican revival of the 1990s.
Quote:
"You elect me the Republican mayor, and then we pull out all the stops to elect Congresswoman Elise Stefanik the governor next year ... We can return to the days of Giuliani and Pataki and send Kathy Hochul packing back to Buffalo." – Curtis Sliwa [15:35]
8. Post-Interview Analysis: No Distinction Between Cuomo & Mamdani
[22:44 & 24:24]
- Buck and Clay reflect afterward: Sliwa is absolutely committed to running; he does not see a meaningful difference between Cuomo and Mamdani.
- Clay reiterates his concern that the anti-Mamdani vote will be split, leading to Mamdani’s victory—a scenario he views as an imminent New York political disaster.
- Buck expresses his own skepticism that Cuomo would be any improvement, denouncing Cuomo’s record as governor.
Quote:
“Cuomo was awful. I lived in New York when he was governor. He was terrible, a terrible governor.” – Buck Sexton [23:43]
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- Curtis Sliwa’s “Braveheart” Analogy
"Think of that last scene in Braveheart where Mel Gibson is on the gurney ... I'm saying impale me. I will never support Andrew Cuomo, the Prince of Evil." – [06:30] - On the Bribe Offer
"$10 million is a lot of money to walk away from ... This sounds to me unethical. It's a bribe." – [14:00] - On Political Loyalty and Suffering
"New York voters are so committed to their political worldview that they would vote for the extinction of their city ... That, to me, is the scariest part of all this." – Clay Travis [39:08]
Host & Audience Reactions
- Buck supports Sliwa’s intransigence and likens Democratic policy outcomes (under Cuomo or Mamdani) as functionally similar.
- Clay voices pragmatic concern for a math-based outcome: splitting anti-socialist sentiment simply ensures a far-left mayor.
- Both hosts explore whether “taking the loss” in NYC might ultimately help Republicans nationally by making the Democrats’ failings more visible.
Timestamps: Important Segments
- [03:09] – Mayor's race, vote split stakes laid out
- [04:43] – Sliwa responds, “Braveheart” analogy
- [07:26] – Sliwa dismisses difference between Cuomo/Mamdani
- [10:54] – Sliwa's path to victory: appeal to independents & “Protect Animals” ballot line
- [12:51] – Mamdani vs. de Blasio comparison
- [14:00] – Bribery attempts against Sliwa
- [15:35] – Historical comparisons: Giuliani & Pataki era
- [22:44, 24:24] – Post-interview analysis and summation of core arguments
Style and Tone
The episode maintains a combative, spirited, and occasionally darkly humorous tone. Sliwa’s rhetoric is direct and colorful, often invoking battle metaphors and pop-cultural references. Clay is data-driven and pragmatic; Buck injects skepticism and local political memory. The conversation is lively, unscripted, and peppered with banter even on grim topics like public safety and political corruption.
Conclusion
This episode provides an in-depth, candid view of the 2025 NYC mayoral election’s political drama, featuring Curtis Sliwa’s perspective on leadership, corruption, and policy failures under Democratic rule. Ultimately, the podcast poses a larger question for New York’s future: when establishment Democrats and socialists vie for control, can an outsider, law-and-order Republican break through – or does the city face a hard lesson in political consequences?