The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Hour 2: The War on Drugs
Date: December 12, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

In this hour, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton discuss escalating U.S. military action and sanctions against Venezuela—focusing on the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, the economic strangulation of the Maduro regime, and broader implications for the region and global markets.
The episode also covers the breaking news of former Michigan football coach Sharon Moore’s criminal charges following his firing for an inappropriate relationship, and a heated caller segment on workplace affairs. The hour combines sharp political commentary, real-world economic impacts, and headline-grabbing scandal, all delivered with the duo’s trademark conversational style.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Escalation Against the Maduro Regime

[02:36–14:33]

U.S. Military and Economic Pressure

• The U.S. has seized a major Venezuelan oil tanker in the Caribbean, a significant blow to the Maduro regime, whose economy relies almost entirely on oil exports and, to a lesser extent, drug trade.
• Buck frames the U.S. actions as an economic “chokehold”:

  “90% of the Venezuelan government’s budget, essentially, is oil exports. … It really is a true economic one-trick pony.” (Buck Sexton, 03:25)

• The U.S. has also carried out 22 strikes against suspected narco boats, with 80 traffickers reported killed.
• Trump has repeatedly suggested Maduro’s days are numbered and, while not committing to boots on the ground, has not ruled out targeted strikes.

Oil Markets & Global Sanctions

• Most Venezuelan oil exports, already heavily sanctioned, are being offloaded at a discount to countries like China and Russia—those “willing to skirt or ignore US sanctions.”
• Clay points out the hypocrisy in climate policies that restrict U.S. oil production while forcing purchases from countries with dirtier extraction methods:

  “So even on their own goals here, they were morons.” (Clay Travis, 06:26)

The Effect on Venezuela’s People and Potential Regime Change

• Discussion shifts to the humanitarian impact: millions have fled Venezuela, with significant populations now in the U.S. (particularly Miami).
• Analogies are drawn with Iranian exiles post-1979 revolution; Venezuela “should be like Latin American Norway,” given its resources, but instead, decades of socialism have made it “an economic basket case.” (Buck, 10:40)
• The hosts debate what post-Maduro regime change could look like, cautioning that past U.S. interventions haven’t always ended well.
• Notable quote:

  “Communism is a virus. And when the virus takes hold and replicates, it will kill the host every time.” (Buck Sexton, 15:09)

Noteworthy Soundbite

• Trump speaks on the record about seizing the Venezuelan tanker:

  “We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. Large tanker, very large, the largest one ever seized actually. And other things are happening.” (Donald Trump, played by Buck, 12:37)

2. Broader Regional Implications: Cuba and Oil Price Impact

[13:09–16:08]

• The collapse of Venezuelan oil exports could devastate Cuba, which relies on subsidized oil from Venezuela in exchange for doctors and “security thugs.”
• Hosts argue regime change would ultimately lower oil and shipping prices, benefitting U.S. consumers:

  “If we could have a sane government in Venezuela … the price of oil and gas would come down substantially.” (Clay, 14:33)

3. Breaking News: University of Michigan Coach Scandal

[20:44–32:21]

The Charges Against Sharon Moore

• Former UM football coach Sharon Moore was fired for an inappropriate relationship, then allegedly broke into his assistant's home, threatened self-harm, and faces felony charges.
• Clay details the scandal’s rapid escalation:

  “He was fired for having an inappropriate relationship with his subordinate … then went to that assistant’s home, invaded that home … He told her he was going to kill himself right in front of her and she was going to have his blood on her hands.” (Clay, 24:20)

• The scale of Moore’s loss is highlighted—multi-million dollar contract, a young family, complete implosion in a matter of days.
• Buck offers a sober perspective:

  “This guy throwing away his career in this way and clearly having something of like a psychotic break … He needs psychiatric help.” (Buck, 27:18)

• They explain “fired for cause” means Moore loses a $13 million buyout.

4. Caller & Audience Interaction: Blaming the Assistant?

[37:05–41:57]

• A caller blames the assistant, suggesting she may “profit” from the fallout.
• Clay and Buck push back, emphasizing neither party comes out well but also noting workplace sexual dynamics:

  “You shouldn’t—I don’t think she should be able to keep her job. I certainly don’t think the University of Michigan should pay her off. … She shouldn’t profit, I guess, is what I’m saying.” (Clay, 41:16)

• Segment sees the hosts clarifying details, acknowledging reporting mistakes, and bantering about late nights.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Buck Sexton on Venezuela’s oil status:

  “It is a true economic one trick pony. It’s oil exports and then it’s drugs.” (03:20)

• Clay Travis on environmental policy:

  “Even on their own goals here, they were morons.” (06:26)

• Donald Trump, via aired soundbite:

  “We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. Large tanker, very large, the largest one ever seized actually. And other things are happening.” (12:37)

• Buck Sexton on communism:

  “Communism is a virus. And when the virus takes hold and replicates, it will kill the host every time.” (15:09)

• Clay Travis summarizing the Sharon Moore allegations:

  “He told her he was going to kill himself right in front of her and she was going to have his blood on her hands for saying that they had been engaged in a relationship.” (24:20)

• Buck Sexton on scandal fallout:

  “This guy throwing away his career in this way and clearly having something of like a psychotic break … He needs psychiatric help.” (27:18)

• Buck, moral takeaway:

  “Don’t sleep with your assistant. And definitely don’t sleep with your assistant if you’re married. … Don’t do that.” (32:06)

Flow & Tone

The hour is fast-paced, mixing geopolitical analysis (with a conservative lens) with unfiltered reaction to a major sports headline. The tone is direct, irreverent, sometimes caustic—reflecting the show's commitment to “telling it like it is” but also showing empathy (for Venezuelan exiles, for Moore’s family).
The hosts display an easy rapport, shifting from serious policy talk to lighter, self-deprecating moments and engaging actively with audience feedback.

Key Takeaways

• US policy against Venezuela is intensifying; military and economic methods aim to topple Maduro without ground invasion.
• Regime change is possible within months, with broad implications for oil prices, regional stability, and millions of Venezuelans inside and outside the country.
• Heavy criticism of socialist policies and left-leaning “virtue” environmentalism, with an argument for US energy independence.
• Major university sports scandal handled with sensitivity to due process and mental health, but also emphasis on personal responsibility and contractual fallout.
• Audience engagement brings out complex takes on workplace relationships, gender, and the limits of institutional responsibility.

For New Listeners:
This hour presents a blend of geopolitical commentary, current event breakdowns, and splashy, headline-driven conversation—punctuated by lively banter and a willingness to “go there” on touchy subjects, always with a focus on policy impact and personal responsibility.

Next Hour Teaser:
The show teases further coverage of political news and an interview with writer Ryan Girdusky.