The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Hour 2 – Trump Blames Democrats for Shutdown
Date: September 26, 2025
Podcast Host: iHeartPodcasts
Overview
In this hour, Clay and Buck focus on the looming federal government shutdown, putting the spotlight on Donald Trump’s comments blaming Democrats for the situation. The discussion pivots around the political maneuvering over funding for healthcare—especially for illegal immigrants—Obamacare, border security, and the broader ongoing dysfunction of the U.S. healthcare system. Later in the episode, Jack Ciattarelli, Republican candidate for Governor of New Jersey, joins to discuss his campaign and New Jersey’s key political issues. Listener interaction and calls round out the hour, reinforcing skepticism about shutdown drama and offering political analysis.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s Rhetoric on the Pending Shutdown
Timestamps: 02:35–04:07, 14:11–15:11
- Clay plays two recent Trump soundbites where the former president blames Democrats for orchestrating the government shutdown as a ploy to send “trillions” to illegal immigrants.
- Trump (03:23):
“The Democrats want to shut it down because they want to give billions, ultimately trillions of dollars to illegal migrants... It's crazy, the Democrats. So if it has to shut down, it has to shut down, but they're the ones that are shutting down.”
- Trump asserts Democrats favor open borders and social policies around gender and sports participation, equating the shutdown standoff to a broader left-wing agenda.
2. Debate Over Health Care Subsidies for Illegals
Timestamps: 04:07–11:42
- Clay and Buck stress that a core fight is over extensions of Obamacare (ACA) subsidies, some of which, they say, benefit undocumented immigrants.
- They argue the health care system is a "slush fund" that burdens taxpayers, with Clay condemning Democrats’ drive to "subsidize everybody else's health care while theirs gets more expensive and worse."
- Clay recounts personal stories illustrating the system’s opacity and perverse incentives, such as being billed less for a doctor’s visit when “without health insurance.”
- Clay (11:42):
“It's broken… if you believe that it should be a market, it's functioning the way that the Democrats want: you're paying for everybody else, including illegals…”
3. The Futility & Cynicism Around Shutdowns
Timestamps: 12:02–12:30, 15:11–16:36
- Both hosts express skepticism that shutdown threats matter much to average Americans, noting these are routine “political food fights” resolved at the last minute.
- Buck suggests there may be an opportunity to cut some federal jobs if the shutdown occurs, representing “a jobs cutting moment in time for the federal bureaucracy.”
- Buck (15:26):
“I don't think anybody cares. The overall shutdown dynamic... eventually there is going to be some form of resolution... we're going to end up spending way more money than we should.”
- Clay notes the political risk for Democrats if voters start to realize the shutdown is about funding healthcare for illegal immigrants in an election year.
4. The Political Message War: Trump’s Megaphone vs. Democrat Leadership
Timestamps: 15:11–16:51
- Clay argues that Trump has an unmatched ability to dominate the narrative, putting Democrats such as Chuck Schumer on the defensive regarding border and spending policy.
- Both emphasize the importance of framing the health care debate in terms of economic burden and fairness to citizens.
5. Structural Problems in U.S. Healthcare
Timestamps: 17:20–17:38
- Buck laments the non-market structure of healthcare, pointing to distortions from employer-based insurance systems and the expectation that “everything should be free.”
- Clay agrees, stating the continual rise in health premiums is driven in part by subsidizing new arrivals’ healthcare.
Notable Quotes
- Trump on Shutdown Standoff:
“They want to give money away to illegals... They want to give a massive federal money and we don't want to do that because it means everyone's going to just keep pouring back.” (14:11)
- Clay on Health Care Dysfunction:
"Obamacare is a straight up failure, but the Democrats... use it as a ruse to get them to subsidize everybody else's healthcare while theirs gets more expensive and worse.” (05:50)
- Buck on Shutdown Cynicism:
“The idea that they tried—the political media tries to gin up—oh, this is a huge story. Oh, my goodness. Spoiler alert: Here's how it's going to end. We're going to go further in debt and they're going to eventually reach a conclusion.” (12:02)
- Buck on Market Failure in Healthcare:
“You don't go to a—buy a car and go tour a car lot and say, ‘Okay, what's the Rolls Royce cost?’... The reason healthcare is broken is because there's almost no market-based component to it.” (06:45)
- Clay on Government Spending:
“Well, that's all—the government's going to keep spending too much money. That's all for sure. That's baked into it.” (15:49)
Interview: Jack Ciattarelli (Republican for Governor, New Jersey)
Timestamps: 24:14–35:47
Campaign Outlook & Policy Platform
- Ciattarelli reflects on his close 2021 gubernatorial race, optimism about current polling, and voter frustration with Democratic leadership.
- Discusses governing priorities:
- Lowering electricity rates by pulling out of regional carbon tax agreements.
- Ending sanctuary city/state policies on day one.
- Supporting law enforcement and parental rights in schools.
- Criticizes his opponent’s stock trading while in Congress and failure to commit not to raise taxes.
- Jack C. (29:31):
“On day one, I'll end the immigrant trust directive. We'll no longer have sanctuary cities and we will not be a sanctuary state.”
- Argues New Jersey is swinging red due to failed economic and education policies under Democrats.
Culture & Education
- Emphasizes opposition to “biological boys playing in girls sports” and mandates for LGBTQ+ curriculum without opt-outs.
- Targets late-breaking and independent voters as crucial to his election hopes.
Memorable Moments
- Fun banter on NJ sports allegiances, with Ciattarelli declaring himself “a Yankees guy.” (35:13)
Listener Feedback & Calls
Timestamps: 40:54–44:31
- Listener Karen writes in to express cynicism about the actual impact of government shutdowns.
Karen via email (41:54):“For 50 years I've lived through government shutdown threats... My life never ended, period. You're right. Food fights in middle school.”
- Callers ask about hypothetical plea deals for James Comey; hosts agree he would likely refuse out of ego and confidence in beating charges.
- Clay: “I think he likes the attention at some level. Honestly, that's who James Comey is.” (44:31)
Segment Timestamps for Quick Reference
- Trump’s shutdown commentary: 03:23, 14:11
- Healthcare debate & personal stories: 04:07–11:42
- Shutdown cynicism and political context: 12:02–16:36
- Jack Ciattarelli Interview (NJ Governor’s race): 24:14–35:47
- Listener email on shutdowns: 41:54
- Call-in re: James Comey plea deal: 43:08–44:31
Tone and Style
- The show retains its signature blend of political analysis, skepticism, relatable anecdotes, and banter.
- Clay and Buck remain critical of Democrats, consistently emphasizing perceived policy failures and tying economic concerns to political narratives for the 2024/2025 election cycle.
Summary
This episode offers an in-depth, conservative perspective on the government shutdown fight—framing it as a conflict over taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants and broader dysfunction engineered by Democrats. Through interviews, anecdotes, and listener engagement, Clay and Buck drive home their distrust of government spending, skepticism toward media hysteria, and support for candidates like Jack Ciattarelli promising to cut taxes, challenge progressive policies, and restore law and order at the state level.