The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 3 - Gonna Be Gavin

Date: November 4, 2025
Host: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton

Overview

In this fast-paced hour, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton analyze the political mood ahead of major elections in New York City, Virginia, New Jersey, and California, with particular focus on the potential for Gavin Newsom to become the face of the Democratic party’s 2028 presidential bid. The hosts discuss voter frustration, Democratic strategy, and public safety, contrast past Republican decisions with current Democratic narratives, and reflect on the legacy of Dick Cheney upon news of his death. Through humor and candid debate, they express skepticism toward left-leaning media, explore California’s influence on national politics, and critique the persistent use of identity politics.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Elections and the National Mood

• Voter Engagement: Buck urges listeners to vote in local races, underscoring the importance of “down-ballot” offices (e.g., alderman) and the broader “vibe of frustration” among Democrats.
• Democratic Frustration: Democrats are, in Buck’s words, “vent[ing] their spleen” after repeated losses to Trump and the GOP, focusing on symbolic opposition rather than policy substance.
  • “It’s emotional manipulation in place of an argument. It’s very effective… in mass psychology and mass politics.” — Buck, [02:17]

2. Gavin Newsom as the Next Democratic Nominee

• Newsom’s Rhetoric: The hosts criticize Newsom for “blatant lying” and argue Democrats require such a candidate, since they believe the party “is wrong about everything.”

  • “It’s going to be Newsom and he’s going to lie blatantly like this.” — Clay, [05:22]

• Notable Audio:

  • “Nothing I dislike more than the politician that sits there and lies to you. And we all just sit there rolling our eyes going, give me a break.” — Gavin Newsom (clip played), [19:05]
  • Clay and Buck, with amusement, point out the hypocrisy.

• Newsom/AOC Ticket Speculation:

  • Buck theorizes a Newsom/AOC ticket could be effective, appealing to both blue-state progressives and moderate “purple” voters.
    • “I still think it’s probably AOC as VP makes the most sense, especially seeing what’s going on... Then Gavin Newsom does his whole sweet talking... and all of a sudden you have a real formidable ticket.” — Buck, [19:27]

3. Public Safety & “Trump Was Right” Narrative

• DC Crime Drop: Buck highlights a 60% drop in the Washington, DC murder rate and a 30% overall crime reduction, attributing it to Trump’s policies—contrasting this with Democrat narratives.
  • “The murder rate since Trump has tried to do his security plan in D.C. is down 60%... So it is working. It’s not perfect, but it’s working.” — Buck, [03:35]
• Newsom’s Focus: Critique of Newsom for shifting the focus to immigration and “fearmongering,” rather than crime and public safety.

4. Iraq War, Republican Accountability, & Dick Cheney’s Death

• Republican Self-Reflection: Buck and Clay both argue that the Iraq War was a foundational mistake, with Buck noting bipartisan responsibility but with “the charge... led by a Republican administration.” He reflects that the Republican Party learned from this mistake, while Democrats have yet to own miscalculations like their COVID response.
  • “Iraq war was a mistake. We should not have done it. Biggest mistake the Republican Party has made in the 21st century.” — Buck, [23:05]
• Cheney’s Legacy: Dick Cheney, who had died the previous day, is discussed with nuance:
  • “He did have a remarkable career...he loved his country....But he was wrong on some big stuff.” — Buck, [11:17]
  • Both distinguish between bad decisions made in good faith and those made with malice.
• Halliburton Myth: Buck fiercely pushes back on the narrative that Cheney profited from war contracts, citing Cheney’s divestment from Halliburton before office.
  • “He had to divest from Halliburton when he went into government. And that is what happened.” — Buck, [22:41]

5. COVID, Historical Judgment, and Political Double Standards

• Will Democrats Admit COVID Failures?: Clay questions whether Democrats will admit to mistakes during COVID as Republicans have with Iraq. Buck is doubtful, predicting that they “would do it again.”
• War Decision Parallels: The duo discuss historical military blunders, noting that poor judgment is common and should be evaluated factually rather than ideologically.

6. California, Gerrymandering, and Demographic Shifts

• Schwarzenegger Clip & Prop 50: Buck plays a clip from Arnold Schwarzenegger criticizing California’s gerrymandering, highlighting one-party dominance and the irony of Democrats decrying gerrymandering elsewhere.
  • “Even Schwarzenegger...sees what this is. They complain about gerrymandering where they’re not doing it, and they do it to the absolute max where they can.” — Buck, [32:55]
• Population Trends: Clay notes that population movement toward “red states” will impact the 2030 census and, ultimately, political power.

7. Identity Politics and Media Accountability

• Karine Jean-Pierre’s Book Tour: Clay and Buck mock Jean-Pierre’s frequent references to her own identity as a shield against criticism.
  • “No one cares that she’s black and gay. We care that she's dumb and was in a position of power.” — Clay, [38:17]

8. Humor & “On the Road” Moments

• Light banter about book promotions, Clay’s local election voting confusion, and Alexi Lalas searching for Clay’s book in California.
• A playful exchange about the notion of a single copy of Clay’s book becoming a “golden idol in Indiana Jones" at a Manhattan Beach bookstore. [39:44]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Emotional Politics:
  • “It’s emotional manipulation in place of an argument. It’s very effective, unfortunately, in mass psychology and mass politics.” — Buck Sexton, [02:17]
• Gavin Newsom on Politicians Lying (Ironically):
  • “Nothing I dislike more than the politician that sits there and lies to you. And we all just sit there rolling our eyes going, give me a break.” — Gavin Newsom (clip), [19:05]
• On Dick Cheney and Iraq:
  • “He did have a remarkable career...he loved his country....But he was wrong on some big stuff.” — Buck Sexton, [11:17]
  • “Iraq war was a mistake. We should not have done it. Biggest mistake the Republican Party has made in the 21st century.” — Buck Sexton, [23:05]
• On Identity Politics Excuses:
  • “No one cares that she’s black and gay. We care that she's dumb and was in a position of power.” — Clay Travis, [38:17]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:34] — Election coverage, Democrat frustration, opening critiques
• [03:11] — Urban crime, Trump’s public safety plan for D.C.
• [04:20] — Newsom’s “fearmongering” on immigration (audio clip)
• [05:08] — “It’s going to be Newsom” segment
• [06:44] — Iraq war as GOP’s major 21st-century mistake; Cheney legacy
• [11:17] — Reflections on Dick Cheney’s legacy and controversies
• [14:05] — 9/11 communication, history, and Cheney’s role
• [18:56] — Newsom “hates liars” audio and ticket speculation
• [23:18] — Listener challenges Cheney/Halliburton claims
• [25:48] — Clay questions if Democrats will ever admit COVID mistakes
• [32:25] — Schwarzenegger on California’s Prop 50 and gerrymandering
• [36:53] — Riffing on Karine Jean-Pierre’s use of identity as a shield

Episode Character & Tone

• Language & Tone: The episode features Clay & Buck’s trademark mix of irreverence, deep skepticism of Democratic talking points, and direct, forthright political analysis. Their humor and camaraderie contrast with sharp critiques of political hypocrisy from both parties, but with particular focus on Democratic figures.

Summary For the Uninitiated

This episode explores the growing dissatisfaction among voters, sharpens the criticisms of likely Democratic moves heading to 2028—especially around Gavin Newsom and the party’s messaging—and analyzes the lessons (and lack thereof) that parties have learned from major crises like the Iraq War and COVID-19. The hosts repeatedly call for fact-driven political arguments, lambast the shortcomings of identity-driven defenses, and remind listeners that real change often begins locally—so regardless of the ticket, “Go vote, go vote, go vote.”