Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Hour 3 - Clay Meets the Pope
Date: November 24, 2025
Hosts: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton
Platform: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Clay recounts his recent trip to Italy, where he had a special Vatican tour and an audience with the Pope. Clay and Buck weave in historical reflections, personal anecdotes, and their signature mix of humor and candid commentary. The latter half shifts into a broader discussion of current political trends, airline travel woes, manners in public life, and even Donald Trump’s taste in movies. The conversation balances lighthearted banter and critical analysis, reflecting on both personal experiences and wider cultural phenomena.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Clay’s Vatican Adventure & Meeting the Pope

[03:01-08:49]

• Clay shares details of his recent Italy trip and exclusive Vatican experience:

  • Took a private, after-hours tour of the Vatican—“the only people in the Sistine Chapel.”
  • Fascinated by the Vatican’s ancient map archives—maps as vital historical state secrets:

    “Maps of the world, in many ways, were the most valuable intelligence of that era.” (Clay Travis, 05:22)

  • Reflects on holding pieces of history: 15th-century maps drafted just after Columbus’s voyage.

• Historical context:

  • Both hosts riff on the strategic value of early maps and the intersection of religion, power, and exploration.
  • Buck introduces his family’s own cartographic connection:

    “John Speed, chief cartographer for Queen Elizabeth I in the early 1600s, is a direct descendant... My son is named for a guy who made really good maps for the Queen of England.” (Buck Sexton, 05:45)

• Historical perspective:

  • Clay marvels at the age of European architecture compared to America’s youth:

    “Every time I have the opportunity to tour a place like that, I can’t help but think just how incredibly young this nation is...” (Clay Travis, 08:03)

2. Stoicism, the Coliseum, and the Pantheon

[07:00-08:49]

• Buck provides a critical take on Marcus Aurelius:

  • Points out overlooked aspects of Stoic role models—especially Marcus’s persecution of Christians.

• **Clay admits he hasn’t read Aurelius’s ‘Meditations’; Buck quips it’s “philosophy for people who don’t want to actually put too much work into philosophy.”

• Observations on ancient buildings:

  • The Pantheon, nearly 2,000 years old, is cited as especially awe-inspiring.

3. Political Chaos, Social Media, and Attention Economies

[08:50-17:49]

• Transition to politics:

  • Clay asks for Buck’s take on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s decision to leave Congress.
  • Buck characterizes recent House Republican melodrama as “personal squabble,” not real strategy.

    “She seemed to be getting a little wacko recently… Let’s be honest.” (Buck Sexton, 10:09)

• Deeper problems on the Right:

  • Buck argues social media incentivizes extremism:

    “There’s a little bit of a disconcerting thing… people are getting crazier and crazier and somehow it’s being rewarded on the American Right.” (Buck Sexton, 11:58)

  • Clay agrees, laying blame on lack of accountability in public commentary:

    “There is almost no consequence for being wrong. All that matters is, do people pay attention to what you’re saying?” (Clay Travis, 12:34)

• Discussion of incentives in conservative media:

  • Buck plugs his upcoming book, “Manufacturing Delusion,” arguing that the “disaggregation” of conservative media leads to greater extremity for attention online.

    “It used to be there was Rush and then there was Fox News… Now it’s so disaggregated in the podcast era, people are chasing a lot of audience by being increasingly just out there.” (Buck Sexton, 14:55)

• Infighting and mission drift:

  • Buck cautions that success of Trump’s movement is breeding “ego-driven” internal battles, not “mission-driven” action.

    “I just don’t want craziness on our side… not factual, not reasonable.” (Buck Sexton, 16:16)

• Summary of risk:

  • Clay and Buck agree that the Right risks losing focus on real challenges (like affordability) due to personality dramas and performative “crazy.”

4. Everyday Costs and Consumer Frustration

[17:49-19:51]

• Clay pivots to everyday concerns:
  • Expresses shock at price inflation:

    “I was at Subway again last night with my 15-year-old and I dropped 28 bucks on a couple of Subway meals. That seems high to me.” (Clay Travis, 18:01)

  • Frames 2026 midterms as a likely referendum on affordability:

    “One of the subtexts of Trump Mamdani is Trump is recognizing that people are very frustrated about what goods cost.” (Clay Travis, 17:51)

5. International Perspective on History & Age

[23:08-24:23]

• Listener email underscores US ‘newness’:
  • A family trip to Italy highlights that “the newer section” of Rome means buildings from the 1600s.
  • Buck and Clay note England’s pubs often predate the United States itself:

    “There are lots of bars that are older than our country in England.” (Clay Travis, 24:09)

6. Thanksgiving Travel, Airline Etiquette, and Public Manners

[25:29-38:01]

• Prepping for holiday travel chaos:

  • Clay, Buck, and their wives have different travel personas—good cop/bad cop with airline staff.
  • The hosts share practical advice, with Buck noting insider grievances over airlines’ weather-related excuses for delays.

• Sean Duffy’s (tongue-in-cheek) travel etiquette:

  • “Say please and thank you. Be patient and polite. Maybe dress nicer and skip the PJs.” (Sean Duffy, as relayed by hosts, 29:39)
  • Buck and Clay’s travel outfits: joggers, hoodies, and athleisure—both resist suits except for special occasions (Pope meetings included).

• On manners and seat etiquette:

  • Buck: “If you’re asking for a seat change… it better be the exact same kind of seat.” (32:49)
  • Clay and Buck both rail against seat recliners in economy:

    “I think that people who recline their seats are the absolute terrorists of airlines.” (Clay Travis, 34:52)

• Airplane “manners gap” pet peeves:

  • Buck despises passengers who play iPad audio on speaker:

    “I would walk with a bucket of cold water up and down the aisles… pour it on offenders in this category because they deserve it.” (Buck Sexton, 35:52)

  • Clay says he doesn’t notice sounds as much as Buck does.

• Broader advocacy for manners:

  • Buck: “Please and thank you are foundational elements for civilization and we should be pushing on all these things.” (Buck Sexton, 38:01)

7. “Make Movies Great Again”: Trump’s Movie Picks

[42:35-45:31]

• Trump’s entertainment preferences revealed:
  • According to Semaphore, Trump wants to see more “Rush Hour”-style buddy cop movies.
  • Favors ‘80s and ‘90s action films; “Bloodsport” is cited as a favorite.

    "[Trump] sometimes fast forwards just to watch the fight scenes." (Buck Sexton, 44:25)

  • Clay and Buck praise Trump’s tastes as “the VHS collection of every American male in the ‘90s.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Clay on Vatican Maps:

  “The maps of the world, in many ways, were the most valuable intelligence of that era.” (05:22)

• Buck on Growing Extremes:

  “People are getting crazier and crazier and somehow it’s being rewarded on the American Right.” (11:58)

• Clay on Social Media Accountability:

  “There’s almost no consequence for being wrong... There’s actually an incentive to be crazy, and it is paying really well.” (12:34)

• Buck on Right Media Fragmentation:

  “It used to be there was Rush and then there was Fox News… Now it’s so disaggregated in the podcast era.” (14:55)

• Clay on Seat Reclining:

  “I think that people who recline their seats are the absolute terrorists of airlines.” (34:52)

• Buck’s Pet Peeve:

  “The worst people flying these days… iPad on speaker and just letting it rip.” (35:52)

• Trump’s Movie Watching Habits:

  "[Trump] sometimes fast forwards just to watch the fight scenes." (Buck Sexton, 44:25)

Important Timestamps

• 03:01 – Clay’s Vatican trip, meeting the Pope
• 05:45 – Buck shares family cartography lineage
• 10:09 – Buck on the Marjorie Taylor Greene saga
• 12:34 – Clay on lack of consequences for being wrong in the media
• 14:55 – Buck on changes in conservative media structure
• 18:01 – Clay on surprising inflation in everyday costs
• 23:08 – Listener email: the perspective of Europe’s age & America’s youth
• 29:39 – Sean Duffy’s holiday airline etiquette advice
• 34:52 – Clay’s war on airplane seat recliners
• 35:52 – Buck’s audio-on-speaker airplane gripe
• 42:35 – Trump’s ‘80s/‘90s movie nostalgia and “Bloodsport” appreciation

Episode Tone and Character

• Candid and irreverent: Both hosts are unfiltered, interspersing humor with genuine concern, particularly regarding media trends, public manners, and the current state of conservative discourse.
• Nostalgic and relatable: The segment on ancient history, public transit, and movies is loaded with relatable anecdotes and nostalgia for listeners.
• Self-deprecating and humorous: They don’t hesitate to mock themselves, each other, or the quirks of American public life.

Summary for First-Time Listeners

If you missed the episode, you’d walk away with stories about touring Vatican treasures, a frank diagnosis of today’s political and media culture, and plenty of practical (and funny) advice for surviving Thanksgiving travel. Expect a blend of historical trivia, sharp criticism of media incentives, and classic “guys in conversation” moments—rounded out by a playful look at Donald Trump’s movie-watching habits.

For Further Listening

• For the full Vatican story and reflections on Western history, start at 03:01.
• For political trends and media criticism, jump to 08:50.
• For travel and manners talk, check 25:29.
• For Trump’s movie take, visit 42:35.