The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 2 – JD and the MAGA Movement
Date: October 22, 2025
Host: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

In this high-energy, wide-ranging second hour, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton discuss the current and future state of American politics, with a heavy focus on the MAGA movement, emerging Republican leaders like J.D. Vance, and the dynamics within the Democratic Party as the country barrels toward the next midterms and the 2028 presidential race. The hosts blend political analysis, cultural commentary, and their personal experiences, delivering a mix of sharp opinion and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Future of the Republican Party and JD Vance’s Rise

• Transition of Leadership Post-Trump:

  • Buck opens by observing that the conversation is rapidly shifting from the current races (NYC, Virginia, New Jersey) to the deeper question of succession within the Republican party as Trump’s era winds down.
  • There is speculation about JD Vance as a likely successor to Trump’s MAGA movement, with discussion about his “on-paper” credentials and personal story appealing to the American Dream.
  • Quote:

    “JD Vance is not...he’s in some ways good-ish on paper. If you like what he believes in. But I don’t know that he can take the whole movement with him.” – iHeart Radio Announcer (05:58)

  • The left’s narrative against Vance is already forming, painting him as “scarier than Trump” due to his youth and intellect, but with “no Riz” (charisma).

• Modern Political Attacks and the “Riz” Conversation:

  • The hosts break down the evolving language of politics, noting attempts to paint Vance as lacking “Riz” (explained as contemporary slang for charisma).
  • Quote:

    “Now, there’s...Riz is shorthand for charisma. I know this from TikTok, because the kids use this.” – Clay Travis (07:14)

• JD Vance’s Family and the Left’s Hypocrisy:

  • Clay pushes back on comments that target Vance’s wife, Usha, noting the left’s tendency to shame women who don’t follow their ideological orthodoxy.
  • They highlight that attacks portraying Vance as a white supremacist ignore the multicultural reality of his family and the broader MAGA coalition of parents concerned about education and culture.
  • Quote:

    “They’re going to be making a JD Vance supports white supremacy and is married to a non-white person.” – Clay Travis (12:29)

2. Political Realignments and Demographic Shifts

• Changing Parties:

  • Buck and Clay reflect on the radical transformation of the Democratic Party, noting that positions mainstream for Democrats in the 1980s–90s would now be considered Republican or even right-wing.
  • They cite immigration policy and crime as examples, referencing old New York Times editorials and Bill/Hillary Clinton’s stances.
  • Quote:

    “1990s Democrats, many of them…would be Republicans today.” – Clay Travis (08:24)

• Parent Power and Education:

  • The COVID era forced parents to confront the public education system, sparking increased parental involvement in school boards and local politics.
  • The hosts frame this as fueling a cross-racial, cross-political parental uprising that is encapsulated by figures like Usha Vance and the “MAGA mom” archetype.
  • Quote:

    “That was one of the maybe only nice things that came out of COVID…moms and dads were walking through seeing their kids on remote and they said, you’re, this is what your lesson plans are, this is what you’re being taught. And alarm bells started going off.” – Buck Sexton (10:48)

3. Speculation on 2028 & Democrat Turmoil

• Potential Republican Ticket:

  • Clay floats the idea of a future ticket with JD Vance for President and Marco Rubio as VP, suggesting the MAGA movement would support this succession if/when Trump steps aside.
  • Quote:

    “I do think MAGA will be absolutely behind JD. And I think Marco Rubio is going to be his vice president.” – Clay Travis (14:36)

• Democratic Party Infighting:

  • The hosts mock ongoing and looming Democratic infighting, positing that Gavin Newsom might emerge as the primary victor over Kamala Harris, who is the subject of scathing criticism for lack of accountability.
  • The potential for Kamala to end up as an academic, rather than a political leader, is discussed humorously.
  • Quote:

    “Gavin Newsom, Royal Rumble style, will throw everybody else out of the ring and emerge as the nominee.” – Buck Sexton (15:18)
    “I think UCSB is where [Kamala]’ll end up.” – Buck Sexton (34:12)

4. Lawfare, Political Retribution, and the Biden Machine

• Cuomo, Adams, and the Weaponization Allegations:

  • Buck and Clay allege the Biden White House orchestrated legal and political attacks against rivals like Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams to clear the field and maintain dominance.
  • They argue much of the “lawfare” against Trump – and even against fellow Democrats – is coordinated from the very top.
  • Quote:

    “I think that Joe Biden ordered the hit on Cuomo, like the Biden White House, because I think Cuomo would have potentially run against Joe Biden...” – Buck Sexton (29:45)

• Media’s Role and Political Reality Checks:

  • Discussion shifts to behind-the-scenes powerbrokers in New York, the importance of media narratives, and the practical realities of New York’s elections, referencing radio host Curtis Sliwa’s quixotic run and John Catsimatidis’ efforts to shape the outcome.
  • Quote:

    “A Cuomo situation is better than a Mamdani situation. And there’s not going to be a Sliwa situation is what they have decided based on the political realities of New York City.” – Clay Travis (41:16)

5. Personal Anecdotes and Political Culture

• Travel Tales and the Red/Blue Divide:
  • Clay and Buck exchange stories about traveling between red and blue states and their interactions with listeners and fellow travelers, offering humorous takes on the differences in attitude, mask-wearing, and public decorum.
  • Quote:

    “If you just put me on a plane and you didn’t tell me where I was going, but just based on the friendliness of some of the passengers...I know if we’re going to a red state or a blue state for the most part.” – Clay Travis (26:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On JD Vance and “Riz”

  “He’s scarier in certain ways, he’s smarter in some ways. And he’s young and ambitious and agile in the sense that he is a chameleon who makes himself into whatever he thinks the audience wants...” – iHeart Radio Announcer (05:19)

• On Modern Left-wing Politics

  “Left wing women are the predominant bullies in all of the political world because they try to shame other women into thinking for themselves...” – Buck Sexton (13:21)

• On Kamala Harris’ Campaign Spending

  “She spent, buck, $1.5 billion in 107 days...$14 million a day...$584,000 an hour for her 107 day campaign.” – Buck Sexton and Clay Travis (36:06–37:02)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• JD Vance vs. Trump: Political Narrative – 04:41–07:23
• The “Riz” Conversation – 07:14–07:23
• Vance’s Family, Identity & Left Critiques – 11:08–13:34
• The Parental Political Shift – 10:48–11:38
• MAGA Movement Post-Trump & Ticket Speculation – 14:36–15:31
• Democratic Primary Chaos, Kamala Discussion – 31:56–35:46
• Weaponization of Law Enforcement & Cuomo/Adams – 29:45–31:56
• Catsimatidis, Sliwa & Reality of NY Elections – 40:48–42:09
• Travel/Flying & Red vs. Blue States – 26:17–27:45

Closing Thoughts

This episode illustrates Clay and Buck’s signature approach: dissecting politics with a blend of tough critique, straight-shooting conversation, and self-aware humor. They outline the high stakes of the upcoming elections, the realignment of party loyalties, and the growing role of parent-led cultural revolts. Expect continued focus on JD Vance as a MAGA standard bearer, skepticism toward Democratic establishment power-plays, and a consistent eye on culture-war developments as the next ballot cycle heats up.