The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 2 – The Mask is Slipping Off
Date: January 8, 2026

Main Theme

This episode dives deep into the current political climate in Minnesota, focusing on recent ICE-related protests, demographic changes, and the Democratic party’s challenges in the state. The hosts and guest analysts share insights on whether Minnesota could swing Republican, how the fallout from the George Floyd protests is reverberating, and analyze the political and media responses to a controversial ICE-involved shooting. The episode’s highlight is a live press conference from Vice President J.D. Vance, addressing the national outrage and media reaction to the Minneapolis incident.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Can Minnesota Go Red? (00:04 – 07:06)

• Guest: Ryan Graduski (Host of "It's a Numbers Game")

  • Explains Minnesota’s long Democratic history, rooted in organized labor and unions, which historically resisted Republican gains.
  • Rural areas in Minnesota are not as reliably Republican as those in Wisconsin or the South; Democrats still perform well in diverse rural and suburban counties.
  • Suburban votes have trended Democratic even as Republicans gain rural ground.
  • The state’s strong independent streak (e.g., Jesse Ventura's election as governor, significant third-party turnout) makes outcomes unpredictable.
  • Demographic changes — large influx of Somali refugees, growth of more progressive voters in urban centers — complicate Republican prospects.

  “There’s kind of this, you know, this obstacle of having to have this perfect map of suburbs and northern rural union voters that have to break.” — Ryan Graduski (03:09)

  • Discussed the potential governor’s race, noting Amy Klobuchar's popularity would be a major hurdle for Republicans. If progressive AG Keith Ellison runs, Republicans might have a better chance.

  “He’s barely won both elections … I think he won by one point … He is the one that could be defeated … the best option to get defeated if he’s the governor nominee for the Democrats.” — Graduski on Ellison (03:56)

2. Impact of Protests and George Floyd's Legacy in Minnesota (04:31 – 06:51)

• Host Clay Travis questions whether ICE protests and the George Floyd legacy help or hurt Minnesota Democrats.

• Ryan Graduski details how progressive migration to cities like Minneapolis and Madison has made urban centers more left-wing, while exurban and rural areas have grown more conservative.

• Political polarization has intensified: Minneapolis and St. Paul are described as far-left enclaves, with recent left-wing electoral milestones (e.g., a self-declared illegal immigrant elected in St. Paul).

• The Republican challenge: maximize rural turnout and regain some suburban support to be competitive in statewide races.

  “It might as well be Brooklyn. It is very, very far left progressive ... It’s the purple hairs of the multi-genders. That’s Minneapolis right now.” — Graduski (05:31)

3. Media Narratives & Vice President Vance's Live Press Conference (07:25 – 33:37)

Background:

• A controversial incident in Minneapolis: An ICE agent shot and killed Renee Goode, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, triggering widespread protest and intense national media scrutiny.

Media and Political Responses:

• Clay and Buck criticize Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for comparing the ICE incident to the Battle of Gettysburg, calling his analogy inflammatory and historically misguided.

  “He’s equating ICE trying to make sure that people who are not legal residents of the United States … are able to be removed – he is equating this to the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg.” — Clay Travis (09:08)

• Callers, including “Don from New Mexico,” express strong opinions, with Don likening Democratic immigration stances to antebellum slavery in an incendiary analogy (15:32).

Cost of Immigration Debate:

• Buck Sexton expands on indirect costs of illegal immigration, arguing that while wages might seem lower, taxpayers ultimately pay more via public services and social support systems (16:42).

LIVE: Vice President J.D. Vance and Caroline Levitt Press Conference

(19:19 – 33:00; Multiple exchanges with press)

• Key Points:

  • Vance forcefully defends ICE: Argues that the agent acted in self-defense and that media narratives are endangering law enforcement officers.

    “This was an attack on federal law enforcement ... the way that the media by and large has reported this story has been an absolute disgrace and it puts our law enforcement officers at risk every single day.” — J.D. Vance (19:28)

  • Direct Criticism of Media:

    • Accuses the press of “lying” and omitting crucial facts (ICE officer previously wounded, Goode allegedly tried to ram him).
    • Asserts that some media and a “broader left-wing network” are inciting violence against law enforcement.

    “You people in the media ... have been lying about this attack. She was trying to ram this guy with her car. He shot back.” — Vance (21:09) “If you are funding violence against our law enforcement officers... it should sure as hell earn you a few years in prison if you’re funding the effort to try to insult our law enforcement officers.” — Vance (30:29)

  • On Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Leadership:

    • Dismisses Walz as “a joke” and fraud enabler, focusing criticism on local officials “encouraging violence” against ICE.

    “Tim Walz is a joke. His entire administration has been a joke. The idea that he’s some sort of freedom fighter, he’s not.” — Vance (21:44)

  • Handling of Local Investigations:

    • Argues the case is a federal issue and local prosecution of a federal officer is “preposterous.” (28:56)

  • Press Challenges and Accountability:

    • Spars with press over the risk of preempting investigations and the need to lower rhetoric.
    • Insists that “the best way to turn down the temperature is to tell people to take their concerns about immigration policy to the ballot box” rather than engage in violence (27:17).

  • Final Exchange:

    • Reiterates tragedy of the situation, condemns media implications of “murder,” and affirms ICE agent’s right to self-defense.

    “What I am certain of is that she violated the law. … That officer had every reason to think that he was under very serious threat. … The idea that this was not justified is absurd and I think everybody knows it in their heart.” — Vance (32:35)

• Host Reaction:

  • Buck Sexton and Clay Travis praise Vance’s performance, calling it a “masterclass” in press management (33:10).

  • Buck points to uneven coverage, noting CNN and Fox aired the presser but MSNBC did not (33:18).

    “CNN, to their credit, has covered that entire press conference ... Not one minute of J.D. Vance talking has been covered by MSNBC. Of course, not one minute.” — Clay (33:18)

4. Humorous Moment: Marco Rubio’s Statement (35:35)

• Marco Rubio issues a tongue-in-cheek statement denying he’s leaving politics to coach the Miami Dolphins, poking fun at himself as a football fan and the rumor mill.

  “I will not be a candidate for the currently vacant head coach and GM positions with the Miami Dolphins. While you never know what the future may bring, right now my focus must remain on global events…” — Rubio (35:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ryan Graduski (on Minnesota’s political profile):

  “As we have won more support from rural areas, we’ve been losing support from the suburbs.” (00:57)

• Buck Sexton (on Minneapolis):

  “It is absolutely doable [to win Minnesota], but wow, Minneapolis is nuts.” (07:06)

• Caller Don (New Mexico):

  “The Democrats just want to keep their slaves again, they're fighting for it tooth and nail.” (16:13)

• Vance (on media coverage):

  “You guys are meant to report the truth. How have you let yourself become agents of propaganda of a radical fringe that’s making it harder for us to enforce our laws?” (30:40)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |:-------------:|:---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:04–02:11 | Can Minnesota go Republican? Ryan Graduski’s demographic/political breakdown | | 04:31–06:51 | Fallout from George Floyd, ICE protests, and Minneapolis’ political shift | | 07:25–10:17 | Media narratives and Walz’s controversial Gettysburg comparison | | 15:32–16:23 | Caller Don’s Civil War analogy and hosts’ discussion about it | | 19:19–33:00 | LIVE: J.D. Vance and Caroline Levitt White House press conference | | 33:10–33:35 | Host reactions, coverage commentary | | 35:35–36:57 | Humor break: Marco Rubio’s Dolphins joke |

Takeaways

• Minnesota’s political complexity: Shifts in demographics and partisan alignment have made it more competitive, yet Democrats retain a stubborn edge due to urban and suburban dynamics.
• Media polarization: Both hosts and Vice President Vance lambast media narratives, arguing they mislead the public and endanger law enforcement.
• Deteriorating rhetoric: Comparisons to the Civil War and accusations of “domestic terrorism” underscore rising political tensions and the challenge of having measured debate on immigration and law enforcement.
• J.D. Vance’s aggressive communication: In his extended presser, Vance seeks to set the narrative forcefully, blaming the left and portions of the media for stoking unrest and endangering ICE.

This summary captures the episode's central political analysis, heated debate over the Minneapolis ICE incident, and the key rhetoric and memorable moments that shaped the hour.