The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Hour 2 - "The Crazy Left"
Date: February 17, 2026
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Overview
In this episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton discuss what they characterize as the excesses and missteps of the political left in America. They weigh in on recent international and domestic political gaffes, most notably by progressive Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Gavin Newsom, and examine how these moments reflect on the Democratic Party’s perceived competence and ideological direction. The hosts are joined by Congressman Jim Jordan for a detailed discussion on border policy, sanctuary cities, and the state of the House GOP agenda. Sprinkled throughout are topical asides on law exams, college sports, and even Winter Olympic curling.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Book Launch and Intelligence History
[02:35] – [07:19]
- Buck Sexton discusses the release of his new book, Manufacturing Delusion, which examines brainwashing, propaganda, and the historical origins of secret police agencies (e.g., Gestapo, Cheka, Oprichniki).
- He shares personal anecdotes from his CIA service, including a story about being unexpectedly deployed to Nigeria and mingling in the “Wesley Snipes VIP Lounge.”
- “Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century had a group that was loyal only to him called the Oprichniki… they had severed dogs’ heads that they carried on their saddles just to scare the crap out of everybody.” – Buck Sexton [03:53]
2. AOC’s Foreign Affairs Fumble in Munich
[07:19] – [13:44]
- Clay Travis critiques Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (AOC) performance answering foreign policy questions in Munich, deeming her response on Taiwan especially inept.
- “If you are going to a foreign affairs event… you should know the ten most likely things you’re going to be asked and have a good answer for them… Getting asked… what America’s response should be in the event that Taiwan is invaded by China is a foundational question…” – Clay Travis [07:41]
- Clay notes that AOC’s answer was so poorly received that she felt compelled to call The New York Times and clarify.
- The episode compares AOC’s stumble to previous gaffes by Kamala Harris, suggesting rivals see an opportunity to damage her standing with Democratic donors ahead of 2028.
Notable Moment
- Trump’s Reaction to AOC and Gavin Newsom in Munich:
- “These two people are incompetent and at least Hillary’s competent. She’s just Trump deranged… She had no idea how to answer very important questions concerning the world.” – Donald Trump [11:20]
3. Discussion of Intelligence and Political Competence
[12:03] – [18:24]
- Clay and Buck debate whether AOC and figures like Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, and Jasmine Crockett have the intellectual depth to handle high-level policy.
- “AOC, not very smart, I don’t think, Buck. And every time she answers questions... she doesn’t have it.” – Clay Travis [12:32]
- Segue into bar exam trivia: Kamala Harris failed the CA bar the first time, Hillary Clinton failed the DC bar.
- “If you fail the bar exam the first time that you take it, I think it’s an indictment of you personally.” – Clay Travis [16:06]
- They recall the debate over George W. Bush and John Kerry’s Yale grades, emphasizing media narratives around intelligence.
4. Interview: Congressman Jim Jordan on Border Policy and “Crazy Left” Governance
[24:38] – [37:16]
Sanctuary Cities and Border Enforcement
- Jim Jordan criticizes Democratic obstruction on immigration enforcement, focusing on sanctuary policies in blue states and cities:
- "In roughly a third of the country, left-wing political officials tell their local law enforcement, don't work with federal law enforcement… 17,000 times that we know of, bad guys were released to the streets in one year’s time, 20, 25, and many of them went out and did crimes." – Jim Jordan [26:00]
- Explains proposed legislation to let local jurisdictions cooperate with federal authorities even if states push sanctuary laws, suggest federal funding should be contingent on compliance.
Supremacy Clause and Immigration Policy
- Clay Travis presses the legal argument that federal supremacy should prevent states from enacting conflicting immigration policies.
- “Texas wanted to secure their border… the court said Texas can’t do it... I think it’s a really easy legal argument to tie together… the courts have to make this determination.” – Clay Travis [27:51]
2026 Midterms, “Normal vs. Crazy”
- Jordan calls for Republicans to tout their record (“we did what we said”) and warns of the “crazy” leftist ideas (defunding police, abolishing ICE, open borders).
- "Never forget to remind the voters the left is crazy. It’s crazy to defund the police. It’s crazy to say you want to abolish ICE. It’s crazy not to have a border..." – Jim Jordan [30:35]
- Both hosts and Jordan reference moderates like Abigail Spanberger as proof Democrats campaign as centrists but govern from the far left.
Transgender Policy and Democrat Party Pressure
- Buck asks if Democratic leaders truly believe in radical transgender and gender ideology, or just bow to activist pressure.
- “Do Democrat colleagues in Congress really believe this transgender ideology stuff… or are they just too scared of the 10 to 15% of the radical left of their party?” – Buck Sexton [34:04]
- “The vast majority don’t believe that… but the energy in their party has embraced this… It’s driven by politics.” – Jim Jordan [35:17]
5. True Crime Media Frenzy: Nancy Guthrie Case
[42:22] – [45:21]
- Clay remarks on media coverage of the Nancy Guthrie disappearance, noting the lack of concrete developments despite heavy speculation and the public’s fascination with true crime.
- “Women love true crime… if you look at all these podcasts that are true crime… women are obsessed with crime stories.” – Clay Travis [44:02]
- Buck and Clay observe that media outlets would not focus so much on the story unless the ratings followed, theorizing on the public’s appetite for drama over substance.
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On History and Secret Police:
“Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century had a group that was loyal only to him called the Oprichniki… They had severed dogs’ heads that they carried on their saddles just to scare the crap out of everybody.”
— Buck Sexton [03:53] -
On AOC’s Munich Gaffe:
“Getting asked… what America’s response should be in the event that Taiwan is invaded by China is a foundational question of American foreign policy…”
— Clay Travis [07:41] -
Trump on Democrat Competence:
“These two people are incompetent and at least Hillary’s competent. She’s just Trump deranged…”
— Donald Trump [11:20] -
On the Bar Exam as a Test of Intelligence:
“If you fail the bar exam the first time that you take it, I think it’s an indictment of you personally.”
— Clay Travis [16:06] -
On Sanctuary City Releases:
“17,000 times that we know of, bad guys were released to the streets in one year’s time, 20, 25, and many of them went out and did crimes…”
— Jim Jordan [26:00] -
On Modern Politics:
“Never forget to remind the voters the left is crazy. It’s crazy to defund the police. It’s crazy to say you want to abolish ICE. It’s crazy not to have a border…”
— Jim Jordan [30:35] -
Transgender Ideology in Congress:
“The vast majority don’t believe that… but the energy in their party has embraced this… It’s driven by politics.”
— Jim Jordan [35:17] -
True Crime and Ratings:
“Women love true crime… If you go look at all these podcasts that are true crime… women are obsessed with crime stories…”
— Clay Travis [44:02]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [02:35] Buck on the launch of his book, “Manufacturing Delusion,” and its exploration of secret police history
- [07:19] Critique of AOC’s Taiwan answer at Munich summit
- [11:20] Trump’s direct response to AOC and Newsom
- [12:03]–[16:56] Debates over intelligence, legal exams, and political ability
- [24:38]–[37:16] Extended interview with Congressman Jim Jordan on immigration policy, sanctuary cities, and political messaging
- [42:22]–[45:21] Discussion of the Nancy Guthrie disappearance and true crime media coverage
Tone and Style
The episode is brisk, irreverent, and at times combative, consistent with the show’s blend of political commentary and talk-radio banter. Both hosts and their guest, Jim Jordan, employ humor and pointed critiques of political adversaries while rooting their arguments in conservative perspectives on policy and history.
Quick Summary
- Buck launches his new book and shares CIA anecdotes.
- Clay eviscerates AOC’s gaffe on Taiwan at an international forum, arguing that even Democrats are privately alarmed.
- Trump joins in ridiculing Democratic “incompetence.”
- Clay and Buck question the intelligence and policy expertise of current and would-be Democratic leaders.
- Congressman Jim Jordan discusses border and sanctuary city battles, touts the GOP agenda, and argues Democrats are captive to radical left energy, especially on social and cultural issues.
- A discussion on the public’s obsession with true crime highlights the Nancy Guthrie case as emblematic of media-driven drama.
- Throughout, the episode underscores the conservative mantra: the left’s policies and leaders are “crazy,” and voters should remember the contrast with “normal” GOP governance.