Podcast Summary
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Hour 3 - Good News for MAHA Moms
Airdate: January 8, 2026
Theme: News, Politics, and a dose of humor—discussing current events, law enforcement, California policies, and cultural food debates. Special guest: Katie Zachariah.
Main Theme
This episode weaves together hot-button news out of Minnesota regarding an ICE officer-involved shooting, California’s political and economic woes, the intersection of “MAHA moms” (Make America Healthy Again) and parental backlash to government health advice, and a spirited, humorous discussion about regional American foods.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. ICE Officer-Involved Shooting in Minnesota (00:05–03:27; 15:16–16:37)
- Context: ICE officer who shot a woman (a mother of three) was previously dragged by a car during an enforcement operation last year.
- Clay Travis details: New DHS release shows the agent involved had previously been injured in a nearly identical situation.
- Buck Sexton and Clay Travis assert: The real culprit is “Democrat rhetoric,” which they say encourages resistance to federal law enforcement.
- Buck Sexton [15:23]: “The idea that you would say that this ICE officer committed murder when clearly he didn't want to do this, someone was driving a car at him... Democrat rhetoric killed her.”
- Both hosts argue: If the victim had complied, the fatal incident wouldn't have occurred and blame the climate of obstruction on prominent Democratic figures and social media.
2. Political Culture & Fraud in California and Minnesota (03:27–06:32)
- Guest Katie Zachariah: Discusses fraud within immigrant communities, especially daycare centers and NGOs.
- Katie Zachariah [04:22]: “There is a clear pattern of behavior from these states ... that say the laws of the land don't apply to us.”
- Claims: Gavin Newsom’s administration in California enabled fraud and sanctuary city policies that block ICE agents.
- Alleges: Billions lost in fraud under Newsom, referencing Ro Khanna wanting to investigate "$72 billion of fraud."
3. Slow Rebuilding Post-California Wildfires (05:49–08:46)
- Zachariah describes: Year after massive wildfires, almost no progress rebuilding homes in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena.
- Katie Zachariah [06:32]: “Not one full home has been rebuilt a year after... Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass have not cut all the red tape to help promote rebuild.”
- Federal emergency response (FEMA, Army Corps, EPA) handled debris removal, but state and local bureaucracy blocking progress.
- Property values plummeting; homeowners stuck paying taxes and mortgages on unlivable lots.
4. California Billionaire Wealth Taxes and Business Exodus (08:09–10:13)
- Hosts note: Big tech billionaires, like Larry Page, leaving CA over proposed retroactive 5% billionaire tax (Ro Khanna bill).
- Katie Zachariah [09:00]: “They're going to punish this group of people for their failed and reckless policies. This 5% billionaire tax will surely do it.”
- Funds intended for Medi-Cal (state health), including healthcare for undocumented immigrants. Zachariah connects this to broader outmigration and business/capital flight.
5. “MAHA Moms” & Shifts on Food and Vaccine Policy (10:13–12:29)
- Hosts and Zachariah discuss: New dietary and vaccine policy changes inspired by RFK Jr. and Trump.
- Significant excitement among “MAHA Moms” (health-conscious, often-vaccine-skeptical mothers) and moderate liberals.
- Katie Zachariah [10:47]: “There’s this weird excitement that President Trump is actually delivering on what he said he would... My third born son had a reaction to the Hib vaccine... RFK Jr. did rescind.”
- Acknowledges crossover between liberal anti-vax/anti-food dye mothers and Trump’s base.
6. California Gubernatorial Race & Steve Hilton (12:29–13:42)
- Hosts ask Zachariah: Can a Republican make a run for governor? Shoutout to Steve Hilton for hard work and solutions focus.
- Katie Zachariah [12:49]: “Steve Hilton is working around the clock... looking for solutions for Californians and that’s such a breath of fresh air... trying to find any talent, any leadership.”
Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)
- "This is, according to DHS, the same individual [ICE agent] who fired the shots...was dragged 50 yards in Bloomington, Minnesota, by an individual who refused to stop."
— Clay Travis [00:40] - “Democrat rhetoric killed her. That is the reality. She should have never been there, should have never made that choice.”
— Buck Sexton [16:21] - "Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass... have allowed the California Coastal Commission and these other environmental agencies to tie up people in the permit process..."
— Katie Zachariah [07:23] - “They're going to punish this group of people for their failed and reckless policies... the nail in the coffin... this 5% billionaire tax will surely do it.”
— Katie Zachariah [09:00] - "My third born son had a reaction to the Hib vaccine... RFK Jr. did rescind. And I was really happy to see that.”
— Katie Zachariah [11:05]
Comic Relief: "Sell a State" and Food Rants (18:09–32:35)
Listener Call-ins and State “Sell-Offs” (18:09–23:54)
- Fun listener segment: Would you sell a U.S. state to Canada or elsewhere?
- David from New Mexico [20:31]: “Leave us alone. Instead, let's take up a collection and let's sell Minnesota to Canada.”
- Brandon from Wisconsin [20:53]: “Illinois would be the no brainer. Solely because deep dish pizza is terrible.”
- Hosts banter: Tax benefits of moving to Puerto Rico or Virgin Islands (4% tax rate), personal anecdotes about licensing and potential future moves.
“Most Overrated Regional Food” Challenge (24:19–31:53)
- Hosts debate: Most overrated local food in America.
- Clay Travis: “Philadelphia cheesesteak is the most disappointing... The steak is trash... The cheese whiz. That stuff is disgusting.” [25:11, 25:36]
- Buck Sexton defends: “I like a Philly cheesesteak. I think that's really good.” [25:23]
- Honorable (dis)mentions: New England chowder (“underrated”), Puerto Rican mofongo (“not good”), Nashville hot chicken (“really good”), cobbler (“smashed up pie”).
- Liquor segment: Universal disgust at Jägermeister and Goldschlager.
- “I would rather drink, like, Nyquil in excess than Drink Jagermeister. It's disgusting.”
— Clay Travis [26:31] - “Jaeger bomb is probably the worst.”
— Buck Sexton [26:25] - Underrated drink picks: Espresso martini and sangria. Clay: “Espresso martini, very good order. ... Sangria is the most consistently underrated.”
- “I would rather drink, like, Nyquil in excess than Drink Jagermeister. It's disgusting.”
Fun Cultural Observations (29:25–31:53)
- Clay: “I feel like I work for my coffee machine. Like, it's my employer now in the morning.” [28:59]
- Buck: “Hot chicken in Nashville is really good. Kind of taken off in the last 10 or 15 years.” [31:53]
- Banter around New Haven pizza, Boston chowder, regional tacos.
Closing Notes & Listener Engagement (33:56-end)
- Hosts encourage: Send in best/worst regional cuisine via talkback or email for future discussion.
- Agree Jägermeister is universally terrible and question its ongoing popularity (“how have you convinced anyone in history to drink your swill?” — Clay [35:41]).
- Further food-and-drink jokes with listeners (“screaming Nazi” shot: Jägermeister + Rumpelminz).
Episode Timestamps (Highlights)
- 00:05 – Opening, Minneapolis ICE incident
- 02:25 – Interview with Katie Zachariah starts
- 03:27 – Fraud and sanctuary policies (Katie)
- 06:32 – Wildfire rebuild mess in CA (Katie)
- 08:46 – Billionaire wealth tax in CA (Katie)
- 10:13 – “MAHA Moms” & health policy shifts (Katie)
- 12:29 – CA governor’s race chatter (Katie)
- 14:00 – Segment ends; hosts resume solo
- 15:16–16:37 – ICE incident analysis and blame attribution
- 18:09–23:54 – Listener “sell a state” call-ins; tax haven banter
- 24:19–31:53 – Food and drink debates (“most overrated,” “most disappointing”)
- 33:56–36:48 – Show close: listener engagement, more food/liquor jokes
Tone & Style
- Lively, humorous, and direct—mixing serious political/cultural analysis with light-hearted regional jabs and food opinions.
- Provocative rhetoric toward Democratic policies and public figures, interspersed with playful banter and friendly disagreement between hosts.
In summary:
This episode covered the fallout from an ICE shooting in Minnesota (highlighting law enforcement challenges and blaming liberal rhetoric), deep scrutiny of California’s governance and failures, a celebration of “MAHA Moms” pushing against establishment health dogma, and an extended, entertaining conversation with listeners about which regions’ famous foods are overrated—as well as the perils of bad liquor. Packed with pointed opinions and memorable lines, it’s equal parts news, opinion, and comic relief.