The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – Hour 2 with Guest Michael Whatley

Date: September 10, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Theme: Public Safety, Crime Policy, and the North Carolina Senate Race

Episode Overview

Hour 2 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show focuses on recent high-profile violent crimes—and the political and policy implications these cases have, particularly in North Carolina. The hosts interview Michael Whatley, former Chair of the RNC and current GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina. They discuss public outrage over the murder of Irina Zarutska, systemic failures in the justice system, criticisms of Democratic “soft on crime” policies, and Whatley’s campaign platform. Additional commentary addresses national crime trends, Kamala Harris’s new book, and the state of American masculinity, interspersed with the show’s signature banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Murder of Irina Zarutska and Criminal Justice Failures

• Introduction to the Case

  • [02:50] Clay summarizes the shocking murder of Irina Zarutska in Charlotte, NC, emphasizing the released video and public response.
  • Points blame for the suspect’s release on North Carolina’s former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and “soft on crime” policies.

• Michael Whatley’s Reaction and Broader Context

  • [04:36] Michael Whatley:
    • Cites initial local coverage versus the impact of the video’s publication.
    • “Before that, it was really just a statistic. And the fact is, you know, that this guy should not have been on that car. He should not have been walking around the city.”
      — Michael Whatley [04:45]
    • Expresses statewide shock and disgust that a suspect arrested 14 times was free; draws connections to Democratic policy.
    • “Democratic leadership absolutely lost their mind when President Trump sent federal troops in to quell the riots…everywhere you look, the Democrats are fighting harder for violent criminal repeat offenders like this than they are the victims.”
      — Michael Whatley [07:22]

2. Policy Solutions and Judicial Accountability

• What Should Change in North Carolina?

  • [05:47] Buck prompts Whatley for specific reforms.
  • [06:25] Whatley calls for:
    • Keeping repeat offenders off the streets.
    • Supporting law enforcement with resources.
    • Actual enforcement rather than “reimagining” laws.
    • Real prosecution with consequences for violent acts.
    • Condemns Roy Cooper for policies “fostering that revolving door.”

• Judges, Magistrates, and Accountability

  • [08:01] Clay raises issue of judicial complicity.
  • [08:45] Whatley touts successful fundraising to elect conservative judges and underscores the power of the ballot box:
    • “When we see judges who are acting against the interests of their communities, they need to be voted out.”
      — Michael Whatley [09:11]
  • [09:48] Buck critiques magistrates without law credentials.
  • [10:17] Whatley: “It starts at the top… [Cooper] put these executive orders in place and he set a tone for the rest of the judicial system all the way down to this particular magistrate. And that is just inexcusable. It’s a complete failure of leadership at the top.”

3. Campaign Strategy and the Broader Crime Issue

• Victims Beyond Viral Cases

  • [11:02] Clay points out 100+ murder victims per year in Charlotte, not just those who gain public attention through video.
  • [11:57] Whatley emphasizes:
    • The centrality of public safety in his campaign.
    • The need to highlight all victims.
    • Criticizes Democratic leaders for “marching with rioters” (referring to Cooper during 2020 protests).

• Federal and Disaster Response

  • [12:46] Clay pivots to Hurricane Helene’s aftermath.
  • [13:03] Whatley insists Biden/Cooper administrations failed in disaster recovery and contrasts with Trump’s response and federal aid.

• The Cost of the Upcoming Senate Race

  • [14:48] Buck asks about Democratic spending in North Carolina.
  • [14:53] Whatley estimates Democrats will spend $250M–$300M from outside the state:
    • “It is absolutely staggering the amount of money that the Democrats are throwing at this…But the fact is we need a senator who is going to fight for every family in every community in the state. And President Trump needs an ally in the Senate. And I’m going to be that voice.” — Michael Whatley [15:09]

4. Broader National Crime Issues & Commentary

• NYC Double Homicide Case

  • [21:25] Play of NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s statement on an active murder investigation:
    • Warns the public against letting in strangers; describes horrific violence.

• Buck & Clay: Dems and Crime Perception

  • [22:47] Clay: “Democrats’ argument that violent crime is actually not a problem is not in any way an honest take on what most people in America are dealing with, and it just feels supremely tone deaf for their response…”
  • [23:56] Buck: “They would rather people keep dying than admit that they were wrong and we were right this whole time.”

5. Kamala Harris’s Book Excerpts – Political Fallout

• [25:29] Clay introduces Kamala Harris book excerpts obtained by The Atlantic, focusing on her reflections about Biden’s run for office.

  • Quotes Harris:
    • “If I advised him not to run, he would see it as naked ambition, perhaps as poisonous disloyalty. Even if my only message was don’t let the other guy win. It’s Joe and Jill’s decision. We all said that like a mantra, as if we’d all been hypnotized. Was it grace or was it recklessness? In retrospect, I think it was recklessness.” — Read by Clay, citing Kamala Harris [26:18]
  • [27:36] Buck: “She comes across as weak, ineffective, and vindictive in this. No matter what…She is marked as a loser in this whole thing.”
  • [29:02] Buck further opines that Harris was a DEI pick (“picked her because Biden wanted a Black woman to be his vice president”) and that her political weaknesses forced Biden’s hand to run again.

• [31:11] Buck: “Even for Democrats, the Biden administration is going to be something they wish to forget. And I think Kamala is going to have to carry the burden of being a reminder…”

• [32:34] Clay links Harris’s “hypnotized” admission to historical political gaffes, like George Romney’s infamous “brainwashing” claim.

6. Humor and Personal Anecdotes

• Bachelor Couch Stories
  • [41:34] Clay and Buck exchange nostalgic tales about their old bachelor couches—“Old Blue” for Clay (“I had that couch for 24 years. $424 years. Great return.”), “Old Gray” for Buck.
  • Humorously discuss the transition from bachelor life to married adulthood—no pots, pans, or headboards, and the heartbreak of spouses garage-selling “the guy couch.”

Notable Quotes by Segment and Speaker

• On Policy and Crime:

  • “The fact is, you know, that this guy should not have been on that car. He should not have been walking around the city.”
    — Michael Whatley [04:45]

  • “When Roy Cooper signs an executive order that says, I want to reimagine law enforcement in North Carolina, the laws do not need to be reimagined. They need to be enforced.”
    — Michael Whatley [06:57]

  • “When we see judges who are acting against the interests of their communities, they need to be voted out.”
    — Michael Whatley [09:11]

• On Political Stakes:

  • “It is absolutely staggering the amount of money that the Democrats are throwing at this. And of course, it’s coming from Chicago, it’s coming from St. Louis, it’s coming from San Francisco, it’s coming from New York and everywhere else other than North Carolina.”
    — Michael Whatley [15:01]

• On Kamala Harris’s New Book:

  • “We all said that like a mantra, as if we’d all been hypnotized. Was it grace or was it recklessness? In retrospect, I think it was recklessness.” — Kamala Harris excerpt (read by Clay Travis) [26:18]
  • “She comes across as weak, ineffective and vindictive in this. No matter what…She is marked as a loser in this whole thing.” — Buck Sexton [27:36]

Timeline / Timestamps for Major Topics

• [02:50] – Introduction to Irina Zarutska murder case and Democratic policies’ role
• [04:36] – Michael Whatley on public outrage and leadership failures
• [06:25] – Policy steps for keeping communities safe
• [08:01] – Holding judges and magistrates accountable
• [10:17] – Structural failure in the judicial system; the role of magistrates
• [11:02] – Broader violent crime stats in Charlotte; campaign messaging
• [13:03] – Hurricane Helene recovery and government response
• [14:53] – Senate campaign fundraising and national stakes
• [21:25] – NYPD Commissioner Tisch on NYC double homicide (audio clip)
• [22:47] – Clay and Buck on Democrats’ disconnect with public on violent crime
• [25:29] – Kamala Harris’s book excerpts and intra-party fallout
• [41:34] – Humorous segment: “Old Blue” and “Old Gray” (couch stories)

Overall Tone and Style

The conversation is politically charged, direct, and adversarial toward Democratic policies, especially relating to crime and public safety. The hosts blend serious discussion of tragic events and policy with campaign strategy, national political analysis, and moments of levity and personal storytelling, maintaining a fast pace throughout. There's a mix of earnest calls for reform and sharp partisan critique, interspersed with sarcastic, self-deprecating humor.

Who Should Listen to This Summary

This summary is ideal for listeners who:

• Are interested in North Carolina and national politics, especially on crime and justice reform.
• Want up-to-date commentary on the intersection of policy, elections, and current events.
• Are following Senate races and the roles of state and national Democratic versus Republican agendas.
• Appreciate pointed political banter and the mix of serious debate with lighter personal asides.