The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – Hour 2 Summary: "Mike Waltz Out"

Release Date: May 1, 2025

In the second hour of "The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show," hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into a mix of pressing political developments, media analysis, and engaging listener interactions. This episode, titled "Mike Waltz Out," navigates through the recent resignation of a key national security figure, examines President Trump's intricate relationships with Democratic leaders, speculates on future political candidates, and critiques the current state of major news networks.

1. Mike Waltz’s Departure as National Security Advisor

The episode opens with significant news regarding Mike Waltz, the former Congressman from Florida's Daytona area, who has stepped down from his role as the National Security Advisor after a tumultuous 100-day tenure.

• Buck Sexton [04:09]: "Mike Waltz is going to be leaving the administration along with his deputy, Alex Wong."

Buck attributes Waltz’s departure to deep-seated policy disagreements within the Trump administration, particularly concerning U.S. support for Ukraine and military strikes against Iran. He emphasizes Waltz's hawkish stance on these issues, which clashed with the more cautious perspectives of other key figures like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

• Buck Sexton [06:35]: "Waltz is very hawkish on US Support to Ukraine and very hawkish on US Strikes against Iran... there's friction, I think Clay can be a problem for the people making the national security decision."

Clay Travis adds another layer to the discussion by suggesting that internal perceptions of Waltz’s allegiance to Trump may have also played a role, though he downplays the likelihood of personal grudges affecting Trump’s decisions.

• Clay Travis [11:25]: "Mike Waltz was not sufficiently die hard Trump... but Trump has proven time and again that once you are on board the Trump train with him, he is not a grudge guy."

The hosts agree that Waltz’s exit is emblematic of the broader ideological battles within the administration, highlighting the complexities of maintaining a cohesive foreign policy strategy.

2. Trump's Relationships with Democratic Politicians

The conversation shifts to President Trump's nuanced relationships with Democratic figures, challenging the often polarized narratives presented in the media.

• Clay Travis [28:54]: "Chuck Schumer doesn't hate Donald Trump. Chuck Schumer there, I think he actually likes it."

They discuss instances where Trump has maintained cordial interactions, such as his supportive call to Chris Cuomo after the latter was shot, showcasing Trump's ability to bridge personal connections despite political differences.

• Clay Travis [27:26]: "Trump called in during the event, which aired on News Nation... he thanked Chris Cuomo."

Buck Sexton [29:16]: "Pelosi does loathe him, though. Do you agree with that?"

The hosts explore the spectrum of relationships, acknowledging that while some Democratic leaders like Chuck Schumer may have a more cordial rapport with Trump, others like Nancy Pelosi maintain a more adversarial stance.

3. Potential Celebrity Democratic Candidates

Clay and Buck engage in a speculative discussion about the likelihood of high-profile celebrities entering the Democratic presidential race, drawing parallels to Trump's unconventional rise.

• Clay Travis [30:43]: "Stephen A. Smith, ESPN's highest-paid talent... do you think he should run?"

They cite figures like Stephen A. Smith and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as potential non-traditional candidates who possess the media savvy and public recognition necessary for a presidential run. However, they express skepticism about these individuals' willingness to transition from their current successful careers to the demanding political arena.

• Buck Sexton [32:47]: "It's going to happen. I think there's going to be multiple of them."

The conversation underscores the challenges celebrities would face in politics, including the rigorous demands of campaigning and the expectation to connect with grassroots voters beyond their established fan bases.

4. Media Landscape: CNN, Fox News, and News Nation

A critical analysis of the current media environment forms a significant portion of the discussion, with the hosts lamenting the decline of CNN and the dominance of Fox News.

• Clay Travis [24:45]: "CNN had no shows in the top 25 for cable news. And I believe Fox had 13 of the top 14 shows."

They highlight the shift in viewership, attributing CNN's decline to perceived biases and inconsistent programming strategies. In contrast, they praise Fox News for maintaining strong ratings and engaging content.

• Buck Sexton [25:14]: "Evil Zucker, who was like the Sauron of CNN."

The introduction of News Nation is seen as a potential mover in the centrist news space, although Travis and Sexton express cautious optimism about its ability to balance fairness without leaning too heavily toward Fox's conservative stance.

5. Listener Interaction: Moving Stories

Injecting a personal touch, listeners share anecdotes about moving experiences, reflecting on the stress and camaraderie involved.

• Listener Steve [41:05]: "I had a girlfriend who was frankly way too hot for me. She wanted me to help her move... I broke up with her."

Clay and Buck humorously critique Steve's decision, leading to a broader discussion on the dynamics of helping partners move and the expectations therein.

• Buck Sexton [21:10]: "Don't ever think of moving day as the day when the things happen... start with your closets."

This segment provides relatable content and light-hearted banter, breaking up the more intense political discussions.

6. Upcoming Guests and Future Topics

Towards the end of the hour, Travis and Sexton preview the next episode's guest, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who will discuss President Trump's first 100 days in office and share insights from recent political events.

• Clay Travis [22:43]: "Senator from Louisiana, Bill Cassidy will join us at the top of the next hour to talk some of Trump hundred days and more."

They also tease upcoming discussions and collaborations within their Podcast Network, highlighting the diverse range of voices and expertise available to their audience.

Key Takeaways and Insights

• Internal Dynamics of Trump Administration: The departure of Mike Waltz underscores the internal policy disagreements and the delicate balance within the national security team.

• Trump’s Political Relationships: Despite overarching political conflicts, Trump maintains personal connections with certain Democratic figures, indicating a complex inter-political landscape.

• Celebrity Influence in Politics: While celebrities possess inherent advantages in name recognition, the transition to political leadership roles remains fraught with challenges that may deter potential candidates.

• Media Shifts and Bias: The ongoing decline of CNN juxtaposed with Fox News’s stronghold reflects broader trends in media consumption and the polarization of news outlets.

• Humanizing Political Discourse: Through listener stories and personal anecdotes, the hosts effectively blend serious political analysis with relatable, everyday experiences.

Notable Quotes

• Buck Sexton [06:35]: "Waltz is very hawkish on US Support to Ukraine and very hawkish on US Strikes against Iran... there's friction."

• Clay Travis [11:25]: "Trump does not want to give the media anything that the media wants."

• Buck Sexton [32:47]: "It's going to happen. I think there's going to be multiple of them."

• Clay Travis [24:45]: "CNN had no shows in the top 25 for cable news. And I believe Fox had 13 of the top 14 shows."

This episode offers a comprehensive look at the evolving political strategies within the Trump administration, the potential shifts in Democratic candidacy, and the ever-changing media landscape, all while maintaining an engaging and relatable dialogue with listeners.