The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 2 – Getting the Porridge Just Right
Date: December 4, 2025
Podcast by iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This hour focuses on a major upcoming World Cup event in the U.S., current developments in domestic transportation infrastructure, and breaking news regarding the long-unsolved D.C. pipe bomb case. Clay and Buck host U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, covering everything from the logistics of hosting the World Cup at America’s 250th birthday, upgrades to the air traffic system, autonomous tech, to hot topics in Congress. The episode balances serious news and policy with characteristic humor and lively listener interaction.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. World Cup 2026 Event—Logistics & Excitement

[02:30–09:00]

• Guest: Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy

• Discussion: U.S. preparations for the World Cup as part of its 250th birthday celebration; upcoming bracket reveal and high-profile attendees (including Donald Trump and Mexico’s president).

• Economic Impact: Billions in revenue, boost to travel, hospitality, and tourism. The DOT’s central role in managing the influx of 11 million visitors and ensuring smooth transportation between 16 host cities (11 in the U.S.).

• Quote:

  “This is our opportunity to showcase America on our great birthday.”
  – Sean Duffy [04:21]

• Logistics include coordination on airports, transit, and keeping experiences safe, enjoyable, and efficient.

• Notable mention: Donald Trump scheduled to participate as a “master of ceremonies” at the Kennedy Center bracket reveal.

2. Transportation Infrastructure – Air Traffic Upgrades & Future Tech

[09:05–13:33]

• ATC Modernization: Duffy addresses air traffic delays and outdated equipment (“We’re using some iteration of 1960s, 70s, 80s equipment…” [09:36]), $12.5 billion in federal funding secured, plans to overhaul the tech infrastructure by 2028.
• Emerging Tech:
  • Air taxis: Duffy predicts routine air taxi use within Trump’s current term (“100%. 100%... you’re going to move people more seamlessly with these air taxis…” [11:25]).
  • Drone deliveries: Expectation of rapid, lightweight deliveries (coffee, groceries, medicine).
  • Autonomous vehicles: Focus on safety, innovation, national security, and steering clear of overregulation to avoid ceding leadership to China (“The porridge has to be just right.” [12:34])
• Supersonic flight: Discussion of boom technology for ultra-fast transatlantic travel without sonic booms breaking windows.

3. Air Traffic Controller Shortages & Career Opportunities

[13:33–16:13]

• The U.S. is 2,000 controllers short; Duffy outlines initiatives to keep experienced workers, boost academy throughput by 20%, and offer attractive pathways for young candidates. [14:38]
• Stress on the importance, pay, and rapid certification opportunities for potential recruits.
• Quote:

  “We have a plan to close the gap. Technology can help us, too.”
  – Sean Duffy [15:47]

4. Political Violence & FBI Pipe Bomb Case Breakthrough

[24:02–29:43 ; 37:03–43:36]

• Guest: Rep. Steve Scalise joins to discuss the FBI’s live press conference on the arrest in the 2021 D.C. pipe bomb case.
• Political Violence: Scalise voices sadness over escalating political toxicity, emphasizing disputes belong at the ballot box—not with violence.
  • Quote:

    “For anybody to think that political violence is okay, it’s not… I’ve seen it firsthand.”
    – Steve Scalise [25:00]

• FBI Announcement: Arrest of 30-year-old Brian Cole, Jr. for planting pipe bombs at RNC and DNC; authorities confident in their case, no evidence of previous administration attempts to solve it (“…just good diligent work…we do not forget, we do not give up…” FBI remarks [37:10–39:25])
• Clay and Buck’s reaction highlights the case’s implications for the Jan 6th narrative and the political climate.
  • Quote:

    “He does not appear in any way to be a Trump supporter. So this whole idea… that this was all directly connected to January 6th…”
    – Clay Travis [39:57]

5. Congressional Legislative Agenda – Healthcare, Housing, College Sports

[26:00–33:04]

• Healthcare Reform: Scalise outlines efforts at reducing costs through association health plans, Health Savings Accounts, and competition, opposed to increasing ACA funding.
• Other Legislation: Housing affordability, tax measures (e.g., “no tax on tips, no tax on overtime”), energy policy, and the National Defense Authorization Act.
• College Athletics Reform: Explanation of the SCORE Act—establishing protections for student-athletes (limiting agent fees, protecting Olympic and Title IX sports), restoring order post-NIL lawsuits and transfer chaos.
  • Quote:

    “What Congress is going to try to do is say, hey, the schools can actually go and enforce their own rules again in college athletics…”
    – Steve Scalise [30:23]

6. Listener Call-Ins and Lighthearted Banter

[21:07–22:56]

• Listeners from Florida and Arizona weigh in—one reflecting on community changes, another humorously likening a show regular to “Ivan Drago from Rocky.” Prompt, irreverent exchanges about fictional toughness and a nod to Colonel Jessup from “A Few Good Men.”
• Quote:

  “Linda is the American version of Ivan Drago from Rocky. If he dies, he dies.”
  – Listener Eric in Tucson [22:12]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Sean Duffy:

  “No one produces events like this better than Donald Trump. I think he’s maybe a master of ceremonies, going to address the crowd…” [07:57]

• Sean Duffy (on tech):

  “The porridge has to be just right. And that’s what we’re trying to accomplish now.” [12:34]

• Steve Scalise:

  “Politics today has gotten so toxic… For anybody to think that political violence is okay, it’s not.” [25:00]

• FBI (Darren Cox):

  “We do not forget, we do not give up and we do not relent.” [37:10]

• Clay Travis:

  “They tried to say six people died [on January 6th]... the reality is the only person who died on that day was the Air Force veteran who was trying to – Ashley Babbitt.” [43:06]

Timestamps to Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------|-------------------| | World Cup logistics & DOT role | 02:30–09:00 | | Air traffic control & modernization | 09:05–13:33 | | Air traffic controller jobs | 13:33–16:13 | | Listener call-ins | 21:07–22:56 | | FBI press conference (pipe bomb case) | 37:03–43:36 | | Scalise on political violence & bills | 24:02–33:04 | | NCAA/SCORE act discussion | 30:23–32:52 |

Tone & Style

The episode maintains Clay & Buck’s trademark blend of high-stakes news analysis, candid policy discussion, and a healthy dose of energetic back-and-forth. There’s an undercurrent of patriotic pride, skepticism about bureaucratic delay, and frequent injections of humor, especially when interacting with listeners.

Memorable Moments

• Secretary Duffy’s “Goldilocks theory” applied to tech regulation (“The porridge has to be just right. And that’s what we’re trying to accomplish now.” [12:34])
• Listener banter about “Linda” as Ivan Drago/Colonel Jessup [22:12–22:38]
• Breaking updates and live reactions to the historic arrest in the D.C. pipe bomb case, with both somber reflection and critical analysis of the narrative surrounding January 6th.

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how major events (like the World Cup) interface with big government, the rapid evolution of tech in transportation, breaking political news, and the congressional agenda—all filtered through the Clay & Buck lens of humor and insight.