The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (Hour 2)

Episode Title: Vote for Matt Van Epps
Date: November 24, 2025
Podcast Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show is primarily centered on the upcoming special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, featuring Republican candidate Matt Van Epps. Clay and Buck highlight the urgency of voter turnout and discuss the significance of the race, the dynamics of the district, and the broader political landscape. The episode also features guest conversations with Matt Van Epps and Kayleigh McEnany and dives into recent national news stories, judicial controversies, and lighthearted show banter.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Tennessee 7th Congressional District Special Election

(03:20–13:28)

• Clay Travis introduces the segment by framing the importance of the TN-7 election, noting the confusion over redrawn district lines and the challenge of mobilizing voters during the holiday season.

  • “There is a race eight days from now...This is going to be my congressperson. And there is a crazy left winger, Afton Bain, who is running on the other side and on the side of truth, justice, and the American way. I want all of you to go vote for him. He is Matt Van Epps.” (03:20)

• Matt Van Epps joins the show to advocate for his campaign, positioning himself as the alternative to “radical left” policies associated with his opponent, Afton Bain.

  • Van Epps emphasizes his background as a husband, father, combat veteran, and business/government leader.
  • He outlines the stakes:
    • “If you don't want higher taxes, defunding the police, gender surgeries for minors without parental consent, you must vote to stop this person.” (04:45)

• Voter Mobilization and District Awareness:

  • Buck raises concern about voter awareness, pointing out how the holidays create low turnout opportunities that Democrats might exploit with a motivated base.
    • Buck: “What can you do to help get the word out? Because I think there's been a total lack of focus, which is why the Democrats are...trying to sneak this one.” (05:36)
  • Van Epps outlines his broad local support and the risk of Republican complacency:
    • “What we can't have happen is people take it for granted. We've got to have our side get out there and vote.” (07:42)
  • He helpfully lists all the key counties and communities encompassed by the 7th District to clarify for listeners if they’re eligible to vote. (10:37–11:36)

• Central Issues: Affordability & Energy

  • Van Epps flags “affordability” as the voters' top concern, vowing to:
    • Fight inflation
    • Lower taxes
    • Expand energy production (with a special focus on nuclear advancement in Tennessee)
    • Support healthcare competition and maintain low property taxes
    • “Affordability is...top of the agenda. I think I'm pro nuclear. I think we need to unleash America's nuclear power and energy.” (09:11)

• Voting Information:

  • Early voting: Through Wednesday, Nov. 26th
  • Election Day: Tuesday, December 2nd
  • Campaign website: matt4tn.com

2. Listener Calls: Reactions to Recent Political News

(19:15–23:59; 43:09–46:08)

• Trump & New York’s Mayor Mamdani:

  • Listeners debate President Trump’s approach to working with New York’s socialist mayor, Mamdani.
    • Richard (caller): “Donald Trump better get his act together…he should have laid into the mayor of New York…he didn’t.” (19:33)
    • Phil (caller): “Whether we like it or not, communism is legal in the United States and you could be a communist. And he did get elected. So what do you want Trump to do? Alienate everyone in New York?” (20:13)
  • Clay and Buck contextualize Trump’s respectful approach, arguing that practical cooperation with city leadership is necessary despite philosophical differences, especially on issues like housing supply. (21:18–23:18)

• Judicial Dismissals of Letitia James & James Comey Cases:

  • Caller Keith asks why high-profile Democratic figures keep getting cases dismissed.
  • Buck and Clay blame the prevalence of “blue” (Democratic-aligned) judges in key jurisdictions and critique the Senate’s blue slip process, which they see as facilitating a liberal judicial pipeline. (23:43–23:59)

3. Interview: Kayleigh McEnany

(25:26–38:07)

• On Judicial Dismissals:

  • Kayleigh McEnany (former White House Press Secretary) explains the legal technicalities regarding dismissals against Letitia James and James Comey, clarifying these decisions were procedural (lack of standing or improper appointments), not acquittals on the merits.
    • “They didn’t get to the heart of the matter…the manner in which [the prosecutor] was appointed was unconstitutional and therefore any case stemming from her appointment is…dismissed without prejudice.” (26:27)

• Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (MTG) Political Future:

  • Kayleigh discusses implications of MTG losing Trump’s endorsement and the risk of a slim GOP majority if resignations mount.
    • “All of these congressmen need to look in the mirror and realize what’s best for the country…stay for the long haul because it’s about the agenda you support and not your personal self-interest.” (28:05)

• Affordability and Republican Messaging:

  • She stresses the need for Republicans to acknowledge and proactively address the cost-of-living crisis, contrasting with the Biden administration’s messaging on inflation.
    • “We are not denying that there is an issue with affordability…we have an administration with creative solutions…” (29:46)

• Balancing Career and Motherhood:

  • Kayleigh shares her personal experience as a working mom and encourages women to pursue both career and family, reflecting on the unpredictability and value of motherhood.
    • “You can have it all. Is it a harder path? Absolutely…But you find a way. If God put that desire on your heart to have a child, it is there for a reason, and if he put a desire on your heart to be a working mom, that’s there for a reason too.” (31:54)

• The “Whispering Angel” Rose Controversy:

  • A lighthearted segment centered on Clay Travis’ choice of rosé wine at a recent event, sparking playful banter, a “press rollout plan,” and defense from Kayleigh’s father.
    • Kayleigh: “My dad has been your greatest defender, Clay...Clay Travis is the best of the best.” (33:57)
    • Kayleigh’s dad: “That’s just a—he had a bad night.” (35:51)

• On Trump’s Meeting with Mayor Mamdani:

  • Kayleigh highlights Trump’s strategic approach: outwardly cordial, but likely calculating behind the scenes.
    • “He always has a plan. So sit back, hang tight. I was surprised at how complimentary it was, but you just wait.” (37:06)

4. Additional Noteworthy Listener Calls

(43:09–46:08)

• Memphis Safety since Federal Task Force Arrived:

  • Mike from Memphis describes a positive shift in city safety and calm after federal law enforcement support, with consensus from his community. (43:26)

• Political Analysis of Mayor Mamdani:

  • Callers debate Mamdani’s role as a statesman and speculate on future Democratic leadership.
  • Kathy from Maine suggests Trump is smartly “killing [Mamdani] with kindness” so social programs can fail without blame rebounding on him. (45:04)
  • Buck agrees Trump’s approach “makes it a little less effective” for Mamdani to blame the administration if policies fail. (45:16)

• Bookstore Anecdote:

  • Catherine from Augusta, a fan of Clay’s book, reports confusion at her local bookstore, which miscategorized it as sports instead of political commentary, highlighting the book’s popularity. (45:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Clay Travis on the election urgency:
  "This is going to surprise a lot of people because Thanksgiving is this week. A lot of people out in the road. You can go vote early. This is my congressional district. This is going to be my congressperson." (03:20)

• Matt Van Epps on the stakes:
  "If you don't want higher taxes, defunding the police, gender surgeries for minors without parental consent, you must vote to stop this person." (04:45)

• Kayleigh McEnany on judicial process:
  "They didn’t get to the heart of the matter…what they're saying is…the manner in which [the prosecutor] was appointed was unconstitutional and therefore any case stemming from her appointment is…dismissed without prejudice." (26:27)

• Kayleigh’s father on the rosé controversy:
  "That’s just a…he had a bad night." (35:51)

• Kayleigh on juggling career & family:
  "If God put that desire on your heart to have a child, it is there for a reason…if it’s there, you just gotta go for it." (31:54)

Important Timestamps

• 03:20: Start of main segment on TN-7th special election
• 04:45: Matt Van Epps frames the stakes of the race
• 09:11: Van Epps discusses affordability and energy policy
• 11:36: Detailed rundown of counties in the TN-7th district
• 13:12: Van Epps provides campaign website and call to action
• 19:33–23:18: Listener debate on Trump’s strategy with Mayor Mamdani
• 23:43: Judicial system discussion and blue slip critique
• 25:26: Kayleigh McEnany joins, discusses legal and political news
• 31:54: Kayleigh on being a working mom
• 33:57: The “Whispering Angel” wine running joke
• 37:06: Kayleigh analyzes Trump’s meeting with Mamdani
• 43:26: Caller feedback on Memphis safety improvements

Tone and Style

The episode maintains the show’s trademark blend of urgency, conservative activism, analytical discussion, and informal humor. Clay and Buck’s exchanges, combined with listener interaction and Kayleigh McEnany’s thoughtful contributions, give the show both topical gravitas and lighter human moments.

Summary

This fast-moving episode spotlights the high-stakes special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, underscoring the crucial role of grassroots turnout against a backdrop of shifting political lines and holiday disruption. Matt Van Epps strongly makes his case, while Kayleigh McEnany deftly breaks down recent legal news and shares personal, relatable life insights. Listener calls run the gamut from strategic political analysis to heartfelt community observations, peppered with the show’s characteristic humor and camaraderie.