The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show: Hour 3 - "Trump 3.0?"
Release Date: April 1, 2025

In the third hour of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosted by Premiere Networks, Clay and Buck delve deep into the evolving political landscape, focusing primarily on former President Donald Trump's potential return to the political arena, the significance of upcoming elections in Florida and Wisconsin, and commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa. The episode is enriched with insightful discussions, listener interactions, and historical reflections, making it a comprehensive listen for those keen on understanding current political dynamics.

1. Election Day Highlights: Florida and Wisconsin

Clay Travis kicks off the discussion by emphasizing the critical elections taking place in Florida’s most northern districts and Wisconsin, labeling Wisconsin as the "number one battleground state in America right now." He underscores the slim margins that define electoral outcomes in these regions:

• Florida's 1st District: "Go vote in, in our opinion, for Jimmy Petronas, who is going to do an amazing job representing the Panhandle..." [00:00]

• Florida's 6th District: "Randy Fine, if you are living in the 6th congressional district of Florida... Both Matt Gates and Mike Waltz are being replaced in these special elections." [00:00]

Clay highlights the significant financial disparities in these races, noting that Jimmy Petronas was outspent five to one, and Randy Fine faced a nearly 10 to 1 funding disadvantage. He urges listeners to support these candidates to send a strong message to the opposition.

In discussing Wisconsin, Clay points out the state's pivotal role in shaping national outcomes: "Every single election in Wisconsin is right there on the margin of going one way or the other. If Wisconsin voters who voted for Trump come out, they will win that Supreme Court race and all three of those races will be used in many ways as a referendum on the first 70 some odd of the Trump White House." [00:00]

2. Trump's Speculated Third Term: A Strategic Distraction?

The conversation takes a sharp turn towards the intriguing topic of Donald Trump's potential bid for a third presidential term. This speculation arises from Trump’s comments, particularly his interaction with Kristen Welker on NBC's Meet the Press, where he expressed interest in running against Barack Obama.

Buck Sexton responds to Clay’s query about the seriousness of Trump's third-term talk:

"That reminds me of Gladiator... Maximus vs. Titus of Gaul. Trump is a showman, and his ultimate political opponent would be Barack Obama." [06:26]

Clay Travis elaborates on the strategic implications:

"I view it as a little bit of a smokescreen or a distraction technique for the media because they're going to spend a lot of time talking about something that is completely irrelevant right now other than for the amusement factor. [07:00]

Buck concurs, suggesting that Trump’s musings about a third term could serve to divert media attention from pressing issues like tariffs and economic policies: "This takes some of the heat off." [06:26]

Notable Quote: “I think Trump will [...] endorse J.D. vance. That's what I would predict as we sit here in the April 1st of 2025.” – Clay Travis [10:22]

3. Endorsement Speculations: J.D. Vance as Trump's Heir

Delving deeper into the succession narrative, Clay posits that Trump’s endorsement of J.D. Vance for the 2028 Republican nomination is a calculated move to ensure the continuation of his political legacy:

"I think Trump wants J.D. Vance to be seen as the heir to Trump." [10:53]

Buck muses on the uncertainty surrounding Trump's willingness to be a "kingmaker" and the potential impact on the Republican Party's future:

"I felt like Trump is going to view the successor as a version of The Apprentice for the leader of the free world." [10:56]

Clay Travis further analyzes the dynamics between Trump and potential successors, emphasizing the importance of maintaining party momentum:
"He wants there to be another generation continuing the work that he started." [10:35]

4. The 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa: A Listener's Tribute

Shifting from politics to history, Clay and Buck commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa by sharing a poignant listener call from Jim Shiretta. Jim recounts his father's experiences as a World War II combat veteran at Hacksaw Ridge, highlighting the sacrifices made during one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific:

"80 years ago today, the war in the Pacific reached Okinawa... Dominic Shiretta was my father. He was a World War II combat veteran who fought on Hacksaw Ridge." [19:35]

Jim provides a detailed narrative of the 77th Infantry Division's grueling training and combat experiences, earning numerous honors and medals. He also references the acclaimed film Hacksaw Ridge, praising its accurate portrayal of heroism and sacrifice:
"Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge is terribly relevant to me, knowing that my father fought on and survived that battle." [22:24]

Buck Sexton adds his appreciation for the film, noting its critical acclaim and the remarkable story of Desmond Doss:
"Going into a battlefield full of grievously wounded Americans, crawling with Japanese... to save dozens," [23:56]

5. Historical Literacy and Contemporary Reflections

Clay Travis underscores the importance of historical knowledge in understanding current events and overcoming future challenges:
"Historical illiteracy is one of the biggest challenges that we face in this country. If you don't know your history, then you are likely to believe that every single moment is the most catastrophically dangerous that this country has ever faced." [36:19]

Buck echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the need for Americans to grasp their past achievements to navigate present and future adversities effectively.

6. Listener Interactions and Community Engagement

Throughout the episode, Clay and Buck engage with their listeners through talkbacks and calls, addressing various topics from pop culture to constitutional debates. Notably, VIP Listener Don raises a question about the 12th Amendment and the feasibility of Trump running for vice president as a pathway to a third term:

*"He would be a vice president [...]" – VIP Listener Don [28:13]

Clay Travis responds by dissecting the complexities of the 12th Amendment and expressing skepticism about the practicality of such a maneuver:
"Trump floated it as a possibility... I think Trump is having some fun with this." [28:13]

Another listener, Jimmy from Agawam, Massachusetts, offers his thoughts on Sydney Sweeney's portrayal in media, prompting Clay to advocate for greater public support of creative endeavors:
"I think it's genius. All genius is not immediately supported by the entire American populace." [35:19]

7. Social and Cultural Observations

In a lighter segment, Buck shares his plans to introduce Clay to the vibrant fitness culture of South Florida, highlighting societal trends like workout recording and social media influence:
"Clay's coming to a Miami beach gym tomorrow... people record their workouts." [33:54]

This segment adds a personal touch to the show, showcasing the hosts' camaraderie and engagement with their local community.

Conclusion

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show masterfully intertwines political analysis, historical reflection, and listener engagement to provide a multifaceted exploration of contemporary issues. From dissecting Trump's political strategies to honoring the valor of WWII veterans, Clay and Buck offer listeners a rich tapestry of discussions that inform, entertain, and provoke thought. Whether you're a political enthusiast, history buff, or casual listener, this episode delivers valuable insights and compelling narratives that resonate beyond the airwaves.

Notable Quotes:

• “I believe he's going to have a very successful term in office here. He's gonna have to leave, I believe, in 2029.” – Clay Travis [08:13]

• “That's what Trump floated as a possibility in his interview with Kristen Welker of NBC News.” – Clay Travis [28:13]

• “Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge is terribly relevant to me...” – Jim Shiretta [22:24]

Timestamp Highlights:

• [00:00] Election Day in Florida and Wisconsin
• [06:26] Discussion on Obama vs. Trump as political opponents
• [10:22] Speculation on Trump's endorsement of J.D. Vance
• [19:35] Listener Jim Shiretta’s tribute to the Battle of Okinawa
• [36:19] Importance of historical literacy

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, ensuring that both regular listeners and newcomers can grasp the key discussions, insights, and emotional narratives shared by Clay Travis and Buck Sexton.