The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 2 – The Crazy Ones
Date: October 27, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton dive into the hottest stories shaping American politics and culture. Kicking off with the so-called “crazy” rallies in New York City and the messaging of progressive Democrats such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), the hosts dissect debates around rent control, party messaging, cultural depictions of fathers, and the shifting landscape of the Democratic Party. With humor and sharp-tongued critique, Clay and Buck deliver a fast-paced breakdown of current political battles, generational divides, and some relationship advice along the way.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. “We Are Not the Crazy Ones”: Progressive Rallies and Messaging (02:31–06:43)

• Clay and Buck react to AOC’s impassioned claim at a rally: the left is not “crazy,” despite being labeled as such by critics.
• They discuss rising progressive influence in New York City politics, especially the endorsement of Mamdani.
• Notable Quote:
  AOC (quoted by Clay): “We are not the crazy ones New York City. We are not the outlandish ones New York City. They want us to think we are crazy. We are sane.” (03:23)
• Commentary:
  Clay responds with irony, “Yes, yes, you are all very sane,” before picking apart progressive policy arguments.

2. The Economics of Rent Control: A “Lunatic Idea” (03:45–09:58)

• Clay forcefully critiques rent control as economically destructive, arguing that limiting prices without increasing supply exacerbates housing shortages:
  • Freezing rent, he says, reduces landlord incentive, removes properties from the market, and ultimately pushes rents higher by decreasing supply.
• Buck adds that government-imposed regulations and fees constitute 40% (or more) of multi-family housing development costs, especially in New York.
  • Regulation, high labor costs, zoning, and union mandates are major barriers to increasing housing supply.
  • Buck compares rent control to Venezuela’s failed price controls.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Clay Travis: “Freezing rent is actually the most destructive thing you could do if you believe you have major issues with rent in the city… the only way to drive down cost is to increase the supply of a good by and large.” (04:35)
  • Buck Sexton: “One of the primary ways that Chavez and then Maduro destroyed the Venezuelan economy was price controls… No one can actually [buy them]. Their shelves are empty. Right? This is what is going on in the New York City housing market writ large.” (08:13)

3. Democrat Brand Crisis and Self-Analysis (09:58–13:37)

• Clay references a Democratic self-study, discussed in Semaphore, showing that the party’s embrace of left-wing rhetoric has alienated many voters:
  • 70% of surveyed voters see Democrats as “out of touch.”
  • A significant rise in messaging on climate and LGBTQ+ rights, with a notable drop in language about men, fathers, and responsibility.
  • The party’s losses are attributed not to poor communication, but to active voter rejection of their positions.
• Notable Quote:
  Clay Travis: “The reason they’re losing elections is not because voters aren’t hearing their message. It’s because voters are hearing their message and they are profoundly rejecting it.” (11:11)

4. Dads in Pop Culture: Where Did They Go? (13:00–17:12)

• Buck shifts to a discussion on the erasure or negative depiction of fathers in modern television and film, reminiscing about past portrayals (e.g., Coach Eric Taylor, The Cosby Show, Fresh Prince):
  • Modern media, they argue, often portrays dads as buffoons or absentees, with more focus on powerful mothers or “moms pretending to be dads.”
  • Both hosts lament the lack of positive, masculine father figures onscreen, despite knowing involved dads in real life.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Buck Sexton: “There’s so many things out there in entertainment where the dad is like this bumbling buffoon, or the dad is an absentee… and you say to yourself, this doesn’t have to be this way.” (15:21)
  • Clay Travis: “There are probably more father figures very involved in raising their kids today than there were when you and I grew up. And yet they are completely without representation in modern pop culture.” (16:39)

5. Demographics of Protests and White Liberal Women (17:12–18:52)

• Buck highlights that the most overrepresented demographic at certain left-wing protests (“No Kings” protests) is "middle-aged white women.”
  • Clay agrees, saying he “would have bet a lot of money that was the answer.”
• Leads into broader commentary on political monoculture and the rise of an assertive left in heavily Democratic areas such as New York City.

6. The State of the Democratic Party & 2024 Speculation (22:22–30:29)

• Buck points out that, far from moderating after a poor national showing, Democrats in left strongholds are doubling down on progressive policies.
• Clay raises the topic of Kamala Harris’ future as a presidential contender, playing clips from her BBC interview where she signals she may run again:
  • Harris says, “I am not done.” (26:04)
  • When told she is considered an “outsider” even behind Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in betting odds, Harris demurs, “I’ve never listened to polls. If I listened to polls, I wouldn’t be sitting here in this interview.” (26:41)
• Buck and Clay mock the idea that random celebrities now outpoll Harris in betting markets.
• Gavin Newsom rises as the betting favorite for Democratic nominee, followed by AOC, Kamala, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and others.

7. Relationships, Modern Masculinity, and Pop Culture (30:29–38:55)

• Clay and Buck riff (with humor) about relationships, warning single men against women who say, “I’m not crazy,” and mock the idea of men taking their wives’ last names.
  • Long engagements and prenup agreements are debated.
    • Buck: “I am not a prenup guy. I mean, I guess I’m admitting something very personal on the air here, but unless you’re like a Rockefeller… I don’t think prenups are the move.” (35:10)
    • Clay: “If one of [my sons] came to me and said, Dad, I am giving up the Travis name and I’m taking my fiancée’s name instead. I would say, you’re out of the will.” (32:47)
• They touch on public figures, such as AOC’s engagement, gender role reversals, and changing norms around marriage.

8. Call-in Segment: The Other Sextons and Sports Agents (44:53–46:09)

• A caller asks if Buck is related to famous sports agent Jimmy Sexton—he’s not.
• Clay notes he’s met the “awesome guy” and shares a quick aside about college football connections.

Tone & Style

The tone throughout is fast-paced, witty, and conversational—with an edge of sarcasm and cultural critique aimed primarily at the American political left and progressive activists. Clay and Buck blend personal anecdotes, cultural commentary, and political analysis, peppering the episode with humorous asides and banter that keep the show lively.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• AOC Rally Quote:
  “We are not the crazy ones New York City. We are not the outlandish ones New York City. They want us to think we are crazy. We are sane.” – AOC (as played by Clay, 03:23)
• Clay on Rent Control:
  “Freezing rent is actually the most destructive thing you could do… [It] is a lunatic idea.” (04:35)
• Buck on Bureaucratic Barriers:
  “40% of the cost [of new multifamily housing]… is taxes, regulations, fees. And there are reasons for that.” (06:43)
• Clay on Democratic Messaging:
  “The reason they’re losing elections is not because voters aren’t hearing their message. It’s because voters are hearing their message and, and they are profoundly rejecting it.” (11:11)
• Buck on Dads in Entertainment:
  “There’s so many things out there in entertainment where the dad is like this bumbling buffoon, or the dad is an absentee.” (15:21)
• Kamala Harris on 2024 Run:
  “I have lived my entire career, a life of service, and it's in my bones… I am not done.” (26:04)
• Buck on Relationship Red Flags:
  “If your girlfriend ever says to you, 'I’m not crazy,' you probably need to find a new girlfriend… If she feels the need to tell you she’s not crazy, you’re in trouble.” (30:10)
• Clay on Men Taking Wives’ Names:
  “If one of [my sons]… said, 'Dad, I have decided that I’m going to give up our name… and I’m taking my fiancée’s name instead,' I would say you’re out of the will.” (32:47)

Major Segments and Timestamps

• 02:31 – 03:45: Reaction to AOC’s “We are not crazy” statement and progressive rallies
• 03:45 – 09:58: In-depth deconstruction of rent control and NY housing policy
• 09:58 – 13:37: Democrat messaging crisis, Semaphore report, and party realignment
• 13:00 – 17:12: Dads in pop culture and the erasure of masculine role models
• 22:22 – 30:29: Democratic Party, Kamala Harris’ ambitions, 2024 speculation
• 30:29 – 38:55: Relationship banter—prenups, engagements, and gender dynamics
• 44:53 – 46:09: Listener calls, Sexton surname trivia, and college football agent connections

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers a sharp critique of progressive urban politics and Democratic strategy, raises concerns about lost cultural values, and provides a dose of male perspective on modern relationships and masculinity. Punctuated by humor and memorable zingers, Clay and Buck’s chemistry drives a show that’s as entertaining as it is ideologically pointed.

For listeners who missed the episode, this summary conveys the content, tone, and takeaways—controversies, critiques, cultural shifts, and the quirks of American political debate, Clay and Buck style.