The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 2 – Trump 2.0
Date: January 20, 2026
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode marks the one-year anniversary of President Trump's second term, dubbed "Trump 2.0." Clay Travis and Buck Sexton review Trump’s first year of his return to the White House, discuss the administration's accomplishments and setbacks, and engage with listeners over the perceived successes and lingering issues of the Trump presidency. The hosts shine a spotlight on major domestic achievements, staff stability, political polls, and the continuing influence of cultural narratives in media.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Year-One Accomplishments (02:45 – 07:07)

• Clay Travis outlines Trump's critical achievements in his first year:
  • Secured Border: The border is now so secure, “nobody even talks about the border anymore.” (03:12)
  • High Stock Prices: Benefits are felt by average Americans with 401ks, not just the rich. (03:50)
  • Economic Metrics: 4.3% GDP in Q3, with projections above 5% for 2026. Inflation kept in check despite tariffs; “Inflation…continued to come down.” (04:18)
  • Crime: “One of the biggest murder declines we have ever seen,” especially in cities that received federal support.
  • Fentanyl: “Record fentanyl death decline.” (05:20)
  • Mortgage Rates: Down from over 7% by 1%.
  • Gas Prices: Four-year low.
• Poll Results: Clay shares a Twitter poll he ran on grading Trump’s first year—47% give an A, 34% a B, 13% a C, and only 6% a D or F.
  "In terms of what the impact is, Buck, I would give him an A." – Clay (06:47)

2. Staff Stability and Experience (07:07 – 12:04)

• Buck Sexton notes a major shift from Trump’s first term—less criticism about staff and more execution:
  • “There was a lot of, 'Oh, it's not his fault. The staff.' You don't hear any of that now.” (07:29)
  • The Trump team is now staffed by experienced allies who “understand what the Trump mission is and are getting it done day in and day out.”
• Clay points out the difference in media attacks—staff consistency and no major forced departures in the first year:
  • “Chief of staff core has remained very, very consistent.” (10:36)
  • "I’m not sure we have actually been in a stronger position as a country." (11:28)

3. Contrast to Trump Term 1 (09:33 – 12:04)

• Buck recalls the media frenzy over Russia collusion during Trump’s first term, which “consumed the media cycle, day after day after day. All a lie.” (09:34)
• The hosts agree that without that “artificial sabotage,” Trump’s agenda has moved much faster; yet they emphasize a continued willingness to hold Trump accountable for future missteps.

4. Notable Criticisms: The Pam Bondi/Epstein File (13:15 – 13:43)

• Clay and Buck agree the biggest "unforced error" was failing to release the Epstein files—“You can go back and manage…Pam Bondi and Epstein.” (13:15)
  • "The fact that they had those influencers walk in with the binders, I think that's the biggest unforced error of the first year." – Clay (13:30)
  • "They still have to get those files out… It’s too slow." – Buck (13:43)
• Other Cabinet officials, like Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, are praised for outperforming expectations.

5. Economic Policy and Supreme Court Challenge (15:36 – 16:09)

• Discussion centers on potential Supreme Court pushback against Trump’s signature tariffs:
  • Scott Besant (Treasury Secretary): “I think it's very unlikely that the Supreme Court is going to strike down a president's signature economic policy.” (15:36)
  • Clay expresses concern the Supreme Court will push back: “I think it could be a major pushback.” (15:45)

6. Caller Feedback: Faith from Tennessee (22:00 – 23:49)

• Caller Faith: Awards Trump “A plus plus plus,” acknowledges his resilience, and critiques some of his staff (Pam Bondi, Susie Wise, JD Vance).
  • “That man, despite everything they've thrown in his face, continues to do exactly what he said he's going to do.” (22:59)
  • Faith is suspicious of JD Vance—“He’s involved with Soros, he’s involved with the Deep State…just like happened in his last term, insiders he thought he could trust.” (23:24)
• Buck and Clay promise to bring JD Vance on the show for a response.

7. Media Critique: The Pam Grier “View” Controversy (25:14 – 36:52)

• Clay reacts to actress Pam Grier’s claim on 'The View' about witnessing lynchings in 1950s Ohio—a claim Travis and Sexton debunk using historical data:
  • "Pam Grier was born in 1949. The last lynching in Ohio happened in 1911." (27:09)
• Buck: Critiques the left’s culture of victimhood—“Victim status is very desirable…when you tell a victim narrative, all things in your life that haven’t gone the way you want are somebody else’s fault.” (27:48)
• Detailed discussion of lynching history, misconceptions, and media manipulation regarding racial violence data.
  • “Most lynchings didn’t involve black people at all. That is historical fact.” – Buck (31:07)
  • Travis highlights the need for objective reality—“Facts have to matter.” (34:25)

8. Trump’s Press Conference & ICE Focus (41:08 – 44:37)

• Buck and Clay cut to President Trump live at a press conference:
  • Trump highlights ICE's actions against criminals, particularly from Somalia.
    • Trump: “Somalia is not even a country…they come here, they become rich and they don’t have a job. I was told that Ilhan Omar is worth $30 million. She never had a job. She’s a crooked congressman.” (42:58)
  • Trump showcases “wanted posters” for criminal aliens; Clay and Buck provide live color commentary.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Clay Travis (on Trump’s year one):
  “The most significant accomplishment of President Trump, Buck, is the secure border. And it’s so successful that nobody even talks about the border anymore.” (03:12)

• Buck Sexton (on staff improvement over Trump 1.0):
  “There was a lot of, ‘Oh, it’s not his fault. The staff.’ You don’t hear any of that now…because overall, the agenda is being implemented.” (07:29)

• Clay Travis (on media narrative):
  “They tried to sell this idea of, ‘Oh, Trump’s base is leaving him. Oh, Trump voters are unhappy.’ I don’t think that’s remotely true.” (11:45)

• Buck Sexton (on media sabotage):
  “We’re not mired in defending against the same media nonsense with Russia collusion…and all this other stuff they’ve thrown at Trump.” (12:38)

• Clay Travis (on “The View”):
  “Pam Grier…claimed lynchings were so common, she had to not look at the trees as she walked home. This idea is totally untrue…but no one pushed back.” (27:09)

• Buck Sexton (on victim narratives):
  “Left is so deeply enmeshed in this ideology…they don’t even recognize absurd exaggeration.” (27:48)

Segment Timestamps

• Review of Trump’s Year One Achievements: 02:45 – 07:07
• Discussion on Staff Stability/Competence: 07:07 – 12:04
• Contrast Between Trump Terms: 09:33 – 12:04
• Unforced Errors (Pam Bondi/Epstein): 13:15 – 13:43
• Tariffs and Supreme Court Discussion: 15:36 – 16:09
• Caller Faith from Tennessee: 22:00 – 23:49
• Media Critique – “The View” Segment: 25:14 – 36:52
• Trump Live Press Conference & ICE: 41:08 – 44:37

Summary

Hour 2 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show provides a comprehensive and colorful review of President Trump’s first year of his second term. The hosts present a largely positive assessment, emphasizing major domestic wins, especially in the economy and border control, while acknowledging at least one high-profile misstep (Epstein files). Staff stability marks a stark improvement from Trump’s 2017-2021 administration, bolstering confidence within the GOP and among Trump supporters. The hosts also critique ongoing media narratives around victimhood and misinformation, using the day’s 'View' controversy as a springboard. The hour closes by joining a Trump press conference focusing on immigration and ICE operations, ensuring listeners are up-to-date on the latest developments.

The episode balances serious policy discussion with unfiltered political banter, validating the show’s reputation for “intelligence and humor” while providing a valuable recap of Trump 2.0’s first year.