The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Hour 2 - Interior Secretary Doug Burgum
Date: February 9, 2026
Podcast Host: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Episode Theme: Energy Policy, Economic Growth, and National Issues with Secretary Doug Burgum

Episode Overview

In this engaging hour, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton discuss America’s current energy policies, economic outlook, and the ongoing Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case. Highlighting the Trump administration’s push for energy dominance and deregulation, they are joined by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, who dives deep into critical minerals, domestic energy production, and how state policies impact gas prices and economic growth. The show keeps its hallmark light and lively tone with commentary on the Super Bowl halftime show and even musical genres.

Key Discussion Points

1. U.S. Economic Growth and Energy Policy

• Hosts discuss robust recent GDP numbers under the Trump administration (4% growth reported, 3% for the year) and attribute much of this success to renewed energy policy focus.
• National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett's comments on productivity, labor demand, and immigration's impact on the labor force are highlighted (01:17).
• Burgum underscores the "Drill, baby, drill" approach and whole-of-government coordination on energy, drawing a direct link between affordable energy, consumer prices, and American prosperity (23:05).

2. The Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping

• The case dominates national headlines, with reflections on how personal and random crime feels when it strikes a family.
• Clay and Buck analyze the details, speculating about an inside job given technical sophistication, like disabling cameras and demanding untraceable cryptocurrency (04:23-09:18).
• They discuss how modern technology, DNA evidence, and surveillance usually close cases quickly, making the kidnapping’s persistence striking.
• Buck: "I just feel like they're gonna get caught at some point." (12:45)

3. Super Bowl Halftime Show and American Culture

• Listener calls point out missed opportunities for the NFL to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a more unifying show (17:07).
• The hosts criticize Roger Goodell, current NFL commissioner, for prioritizing personal job security over bold, patriotic choices (18:17).
• Light-hearted debates over musical genres and halftime music (20:44-22:27).

4. Interview with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum

Drill Baby, Drill – Trump’s Energy Policy

• Burgum explains the administration’s all-of-the-above energy policy, focusing on reliable, affordable, U.S.-secure energy (23:05).
• Achievements: U.S. has become the world's #1 LNG exporter, displaced Russian gas in Europe, and driven gasoline prices down.
• Warns about the U.S.-China AI and electricity arms race; underscores need for speed and efficiency in domestic energy production.

Critical Minerals and Strategic National Reserves

• New $12B fund for critical minerals—termed “Project Vault”—to reduce dependence on China for rare earths and vital minerals (26:09).
• Burgum outlines the strategy: U.S. and partner nations form a "club" to coordinate investment, protect against Chinese market dumping, and create a strategic reserve.

“We’ve got to get back into mining in America... This is a great, great solution to ensure America has economic security and can’t be controlled by China.”
— Secretary Doug Burgum [28:00]

State-by-State Gas Prices: Policy Differences

• California’s high gas prices (over $6/gallon) blamed on restrictive policies, foreign oil dependence, and refinery closures versus lower prices in red states (30:15).
• Consequences: High energy costs drive businesses and residents to migrate from states like California and New York to those with lower energy costs.
• Burgum: “Red states with common sense energy policies are beginning to see the benefits right now in terms of growth and low energy costs and capital investment.” (33:14)

Economic Outlook for 2026

• Predicts GDP could surpass 5% with continued deregulation, tax cuts, and accelerated permitting—“trillion and a half dollars” in capital waiting to be deployed (33:33).
• Warns that blue-state policies could cause significant disparity in growth rates.

5. Lighthearted Closing – Sports and Local Pride

• Burgum celebrates North Dakota State University graduates on the Seattle Seahawks’ O-line and the school’s move up to the Mountain West Conference (35:09).
• Quick shoutout to the “Bison” and the importance of regional ties and NCAA sports.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “GDP growth is through the roof... even with a revised down GDP, now we're looking at 4% growth into the end of the year.”
  — Kevin Hassett [01:17]

• "It feels like it must be, on some level, an inside job, somebody who was close to her to even think to do this in the way they did it."
  — Clay Travis on Nancy Guthrie kidnapping [06:58]

• “If you kill someone that you know, you’re gonna get caught now… But the kidnapping situation here, to me, if you had any prior contact, it starts to get into things like, will you leave DNA behind at the scene?”
  — Buck Sexton [09:18]

• “We’ve got to keep driving forward… We’re in an AI arms race with China, and the country with the most electricity is going to win.”
  — Doug Burgum [24:08]

• “China comes in, dumps a bunch of that particular metal on the market, crushes the price, and you’re out of business. This has happened over and over.”
  — Doug Burgum [26:41]

• "California is actually a national security threat... they import 2/3 of their oil from foreign countries as opposed to being provided from places in America."
  — Doug Burgum [30:28]

• “The GDP in some states could be six, seven, eight. And... New York and California... might be two percent because of their high energy costs.”
  — Doug Burgum [34:22]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Opening, Economy Update, Hassett Clip: 00:09 – 02:11
• Discussion: Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping: 02:11 – 14:03
• Cultural/Sports Commentary & Listener Call: 17:01 – 22:27
• Doug Burgum Interview Begins (Energy Policy): 22:27
• Critical Minerals Strategy: 26:09
• State Energy Policy Comparison: 30:15
• Economic Outlook for 2026: 33:33
• NDSU Football, Light Wrap-Up: 35:09

Engaging Moments

• Critical analysis of the Guthrie case, with hosts transparently noting when they must speculate due to sparse facts.
• Sharp critique of NFL leadership and “culture war” topics, blending humor and pointed opinion.
• Concrete explanations by Doug Burgum on energy strategy, rare earths, and how regulation affects pocketbook issues for listeners.
• Regional pride: Burgum’s shoutout to recent North Dakota State grads and the Bison football program.

Conclusion

This hour offers a dynamic blend of hard policy, real-world criminal intrigue, American culture debates, and lively banter. Secretary Burgum’s interview provides clear insight into today’s strategic economic and energy decisions, while the hosts remain true to their signature style: spirited, accessible, and occasionally irreverent.