The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – Episode: Hour 2 - HUD Secretary Scott Turner
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Introduction
In the second hour of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into a range of pressing topics, from the Trump administration's recent achievements to an insightful interview with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner. This episode provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of current political dynamics, economic indicators, and significant policy shifts, all delivered with the hosts' characteristic intelligence and humor.
Trump Administration's Recent Achievements
Foreign Investments and Economic Growth
Clay and Buck begin by highlighting President Donald Trump's ongoing world tour, emphasizing his efforts to attract substantial foreign investments into the United States. Travis remarks, “He is on a world tour... trying to pick up $1 trillion of direct investment from foreign countries in the Middle East into the United States stock market” (01:50). This influx includes approximately $600 billion from Saudi Arabia, aiming to bolster the U.S. economy and stock market.
Economic Indicators: Inflation and Market Performance
The discussion shifts to positive economic indicators under Trump's leadership. Buck Sexton points out, “The stock market is now positive for the year” (02:59), highlighting a significant turnaround from earlier economic concerns. Additionally, Travis mentions a notable drop in egg prices, reflecting broader inflation trends: “I saw this morning... the biggest drop in egg prices in a month since 1984” (02:28).
Foreign Policy Milestones
The hosts commend Trump’s foreign policy moves, citing several strategic achievements:
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Mediation in India-Pakistan Relations: Buck notes Trump’s role in easing tensions between historically adversarial nations, potentially preventing conflicts.
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Potential Zelensky-Putin Meeting: Travis anticipates a high-stakes meeting in Istanbul, which could reshape the Ukraine-Russia dynamic.
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Normalization with Syria: Buck describes the move as “a potential stroke of genius” that could stabilize the Middle East by isolating Iran and reducing its influence through proxy states like Syria.
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Hostage Release: The successful release of Edon Alexander, an American hostage held for over 580 days, is highlighted as a humanitarian victory.
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China Trade Deal: Buck shares a clip from Trump discussing the opening of China to U.S. businesses, further solidifying international trade relations.
Travis adds, “These are all the kinds of wins that Trump is going to be able to rack up” (04:38), underscoring the administration’s multifaceted approach to governance.
Comparison with the Biden Administration
The hosts draw sharp contrasts between Trump’s proactive strategies and the perceived ineffectiveness of the Biden administration. Travis criticizes Biden’s handling of border security and foreign policy, stating, “You find me the one win that they have on foreign policy” (04:38), and dismisses the Biden administration’s achievements as minimal compared to Trump’s robust initiatives.
Buck Sexton elaborates on Biden's shortcomings, particularly in foreign affairs, arguing that Trump has revitalized relationships and strategies that Biden failed to address effectively. The conversation emphasizes Trump’s dynamic and results-driven approach versus Biden’s stagnant policies.
Interview with HUD Secretary Scott Turner
The highlight of the episode is an in-depth interview with HUD Secretary Scott Turner, where key topics include housing policies, gender issues in HUD-funded facilities, and upcoming development projects in Washington, D.C.
Changes to the Equal Access Rule
Secretary Turner discusses the administration's reversal of the Biden-era Equal Access Rule:
“We took that rule down on day one. Now, if you are a biological female, you are allowed to go into female HUD-funded shelters. If you are not a biological female, you are no longer allowed to enter these facilities...” (25:09).
This policy shift underscores the administration’s commitment to maintaining gender-segregated spaces based on biological sex, a stance Turner passionately defends by asserting it aligns with "biological truth" and "biblical truth."
Transgender Issues in Sports
Addressing the contentious topic of transgender athletes, Turner emphasizes the importance of maintaining separate competitions for men and women:
“Men should compete against men, women should compete against women... It just makes no sense to have a lady compete in the NFL... that could take your life or hurt you real bad” (27:21).
He argues that the physical disparities make mixed-gender competitions unfair and unsafe, reflecting the administration’s broader policies on gender and fairness.
HUD Initiatives: Housing Affordability and Deregulation
Secretary Turner outlines HUD’s priorities, focusing on housing affordability and reducing regulatory burdens:
“Housing affordability is a major priority... taking down burdensome regulations, freeing up local control, local flexibility across our country” (31:08).
He highlights the administration’s efforts to eliminate the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, restoring zoning authority to localities and enhancing flexibility for economic development.
Disaster Recovery and Community Development
Turner also emphasizes HUD’s role in disaster recovery, assisting communities affected by hurricanes and wildfires. He underscores the agency’s commitment to rebuilding homes and businesses, thereby supporting families and fostering community resilience.
Upcoming Projects: New Stadium for the Commanders
A significant portion of the interview covers the announcement of a new stadium for the Washington Commanders:
“Bringing the stadium back to the Capitol... tremendous from a sports standpoint and also from an economic development and community development standpoint” (29:47).
Turner expresses optimism about the positive economic and social impacts the new stadium will have on the D.C. area, reinvigorating local businesses and fostering community engagement.
Light-Hearted Segments and Community Engagement
Interspersed with serious discussions, Clay and Buck engage in light-hearted banter about common household scenarios, such as the challenges men face while shopping for groceries. These segments add a relatable and entertaining dimension to the show, balancing the intense political discourse.
Conclusion
Hour 2 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show offers a robust exploration of the Trump administration’s strategies and accomplishments, juxtaposed against critiques of the current Biden administration. The insightful interview with HUD Secretary Scott Turner provides a clear view of the administration’s policies on housing and gender issues, while also highlighting significant development projects aimed at revitalizing Washington, D.C. Through a blend of serious analysis and engaging conversation, Clay and Buck deliver a comprehensive and informative episode for their listeners.
Notable Quotes:
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Clay Travis: “He is on a world tour... trying to pick up $1 trillion of direct investment from foreign countries in the Middle East into the United States stock market.” (01:50)
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Buck Sexton: “The stock market is now positive for the year.” (02:59)
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HUD Secretary Scott Turner: “We took that rule down on day one... If you are a biological female, you are allowed to go into female HUD-funded shelters.” (25:09)
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HUD Secretary Scott Turner: “Men should compete against men, women should compete against women... It just makes no sense to have a lady compete in the NFL... that could take your life or hurt you real bad.” (27:21)
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HUD Secretary Scott Turner: “Housing affordability is a major priority... taking down burdensome regulations, freeing up local control, local flexibility across our country.” (31:08)
Note: The timestamps provided correspond to the points in the transcript where the quotes appear, enabling listeners to reference specific sections of the episode.
