Hour 3 - Incredible Father/Son D-Day Story

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show — Hour 3

Episode Date: June 19, 2026
Main Theme:
A mix of reflections on American history, father-son relationships (centered on an incredible D-Day story), media culture, and personal anecdotes as the hosts mark five years of the show and head into Father’s Day weekend.

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Episode Overview

Hour 3 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show pivots from current events and culture towards deeper reflections on American heritage, the evolution of media, the meaning and challenge of fatherhood, and memorable stories tying personal experience to national history. The highlight is an in-depth conversation with journalist and author Leland Vittert, live from Normandy, about the only father-son duo to land in the D-Day invasion—Teddy Roosevelt Jr. and his son.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Soccer, Patriotism, and American Culture (02:36–05:19)

• Clay and Buck reflect on the growing popularity of soccer in America, especially with the USA vs. Australia game being anticipated as one of the year's most-watched sporting events.

• Buck teases about his admiration for "the mother country" (England) due to its historical contributions like the Magna Carta and English common law.

• Clay humorously envisions Buck as a loyalist during the Boston Tea Party, poking at their different takes on patriotism.

  "I can't stop thinking about you as the Boston Tea Party was going on, you standing on the deck saying, easy, boys, easy, you brigands." — Clay Travis (05:19)

Historical Curiosities: Presidents, Accents, and Wealth (05:19–13:04)

• Lively banter ensues about what George Washington's accent might have sounded like, and curiosity about when the first presidential voice was recorded.
• Trivia: Washington only ever left the continental U.S. once—to Barbados, where he contracted smallpox (08:30).
• Discussion on the quality of life: Even “the poorest Americans today are wealthier than the wealthiest people would have been in 1920." — Clay Travis (11:02)
• Musings about how media has changed the electability of personalities based on voice and appearance, referencing Lincoln as portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis.

The Algae "Scandal" and the Media (18:58–22:54)

• Buck expresses schadenfreude at CNN’s focus on minor stories—specifically, the “algae crisis” in the National Mall’s Reflecting Pool—casting it as symptomatic of the network's decline and obsession with Trump.

  "CNN has completely self-immolated and it gets what it deserves. ...They're covering algae like it is the most significant story on the planet right now." — Buck Sexton (20:38, 20:41)

• Clay asserts that Trump’s presence drives obsessive media coverage, even of trivial stories.

  "Trump has so broken some people's minds that anything that he touches, they become obsessed with." — Clay Travis (21:23)

D-Day, Roosevelt Family, and the Meaning of Fatherhood (26:03–36:35)

Teddy Roosevelt Jr. and His Son at Normandy (26:03–29:05)

• Leland Vittert, live from Normandy, shares insights into the only father-son team—Teddy Roosevelt Jr. and Quentin Roosevelt—in the D-Day landing.
• Emphasis on the intergenerational impact: “Every son has a father. The insecurities, the need to live up to a name, the foibles... exists in all of us, in all of our relationships with our fathers.” — Leland Vittert (26:26)
• Notable: Roosevelt Jr. was the only general to land on Utah Beach and is one of only three at the American Cemetery with a Medal of Honor-identified grave.

The Significance of Visiting Normandy (29:05–30:59)

• Leland reflects on the profound impact of visiting Normandy with his father as a child, noting the enduring reverence for America in the region due to the liberation from Nazi occupation.

  "There's probably more love for the American flag here... than there are in some of the largest American cities." — Leland Vittert (29:56)

Fatherhood and Personal Stories (31:00–36:35)

• Leland opens up about his autism diagnosis and his father quitting his job to support him, themes central to his memoir Born Lucky.

  "My dad... dedicated his life to trying to adapt me to the world rather than the world to me." — Leland Vittert (31:45)

• Emphasis on the power of parental support, the loneliness and fear felt by many fathers, and the belief that “if you have someone who believes in you, everything feels possible.”

• Buck and Leland connect over childhood struggles—Buck’s speech impediment and the crucial role parents played in overcoming adversity.

  "That's when you really need parents... to give you that strength to push through." — Buck Sexton (33:23)

• Leland cautions against “taking adversity away from kids,” instead urging parents to walk with their children through challenges, as resilience is best developed by facing and overcoming hard things together.

  "...My dad didn’t [make it easy]. He took the much harder path. He held my hand through the adversity and said, we're going to walk this together." — Leland Vittert (35:21)

Show Reflection and Father’s Day Send-Off (41:21–45:03)

• Buck wishes Clay well as he begins a two-week vacation; they reflect on five years of the show, thank their audience, and exchange some inside jokes about sports questions.

• Clay notes the personal significance of the upcoming trip—including his oldest son starting college—and the importance of taking intentional family time.

  "First of all, happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. You, me, everyone who is doing their best." — Clay Travis (42:05)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The poorest Americans today are wealthier than the wealthiest people would have been in like 1920.” — Clay Travis (11:02)
• “If you have someone who believes in you, everything feels possible... That’s the Born Lucky story.” — Leland Vittert (34:11)
• “That is something where it's, it's a. That's when you really need parents. And it's a reminder of how important they are to give you that strength to push through.” — Buck Sexton (33:23)
• “He held my hand through adversity and said, we're going to walk this together. Because teaching kids to do hard things... makes a world of difference.” — Leland Vittert (35:21)
• "CNN has completely self-immolated...they're covering algae like it is the most significant story on the planet right now." — Buck Sexton (20:38)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Soccer & American Patriotism: 02:36–05:19
• Historical Curiosities (Washington, Wealth): 05:19–13:04
• Media & "Algae-gate": 18:58–22:54
• D-Day / Normandy / Roosevelt Story with Leland Vittert: 26:03–36:35
• Father’s Day Reflections & Show Anniversary: 41:21–45:03

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Episode Takeaways

• Fatherhood is central—through history (Roosevelts), personal narrative (Leland Vittert), and contemporary experience (hosts' own families).
• American legacy, both historical and cultural, remains a powerful part of the show’s identity.
• Media critique is blended with humor and sharp perspective.
• Listeners are left with both patriotic pride and an earnest invitation to appreciate family—especially fathers—over the holiday weekend.

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Transcript

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[Child]

Mom, can I have Lingokids? Dad? Lingokids, please.

[Clay Travis]

When did we become the Lingokids House?

[Announcer]

No idea. Last week it was Dinosaurs.

[Child]

This week it's Lingokids.

[Clay Travis]

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[Child]

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[Child]

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[Clay Travis]

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[Clay Travis]

final hour of the week Juneteenth Edition. We are live here with you, Clay and Buck. We hope all of you are having fantastic Fridays. We are one hour away from A game that I believe is going to be watched in record numbers. Even in Seattle, people are losing their minds over the United States preparing to play against Australia. I'm going to be watching. Buck's going to be watching. We were talking about cultural and bad matters for a long time. There was a lot of discussion, Buck, about whether soccer was ever going to matter in the United States. I think we have and I understand there's still a marketplace out there, some in this audience that are going to say I hate soccer. I do think that soccer has arrived in earnest in the United States and that this will be, other than the NFL playoffs, the most watched sporting event so far this year. And I can't wait. We're going to have a couple of friends over. We got television. I just turned it on downstairs, the scene with our friend Alexi Lawless as a part of the pregame festivities. Like I just said in Seattle, which is not to me, no offense to the people in Seattle, if you ask me what is the most patriotic city in America? Seattle wouldn't be in my top 10 yet. Everybody is decked out in their red, white and blue and there is an absolute festival like atmosphere surrounding everything having to do with this game coming up. So I cannot wait, I think, for

[Buck Sexton]

those of you who are questioning my patriotism yesterday because of my prognosis for the Benedict Buck England national team. Look, I'm sorry, some of us. Yes. Are we celebrating our 250th? Absolutely. But some of us still appreciate the greatness of the Magna Carta, of Shakespeare, dare I say even clay, of the English common law. That was the foundation for our own legal system and our Constitution itself. Some of us still have some respect for the mother country. And I don't think we have to forego all of that just because it's America's 2-50th. That is all to say I'm putting my money on England to win this whole thing because I think that that team is just nasty, man. I think that they are absolutely stacked. I think their front line is incredible. I think the way that the midfield uses those wings is absolutely in a class by itself. So, Clay, you know, people can make fun of my powdered wigs and my lobster back as we. I believe that's what my people were called in Boston at the time, the lobster backs I coats.

[Clay Travis]

I need Buck a eyed in two famous moments of Revolutionary War history because I can't stop thinking about you as the Boston Tea Party was going on, you standing on the deck saying, easy, boys, Easy, you brigands. There's no need for you to be tossing this tea into the harbor. Have some self respect. Have some decency. This is a fun. This is a fun historical question. I think I may have mentioned it to you before, but somebody asked me this. I don't know, but like a decade, 15 years ago, and it rocked my world. Do you think that George Washington spoke with a British accent? Have you ever thought about this? Like, because we know what only people have spoken. When was our first recorded presidential. This is a good question. Do you know the answer? I don't know the answer to this. Who was the first president to be recorded making an audio address in some way? Um, I think it probably would have been in the 1890s.

[Event Promoter]

Ish.

[Clay Travis]

And then obviously we started to add video, film reels, things like that on top of it. So we really don't know what anyone spoke or sounded like for the first, I don't know, hundred years. And we tend to think, because we watch movies, first hundred years of America, whatever it was, we watch movies. But if you were a British colonial subject growing up in the United States, what would you have actually sounded like? Would George Washington have had a British accent or would he have sounded substantially different than the average British soldiers that he was fighting against? I don't know. I would love to know what that voice would have sounded like. The other thing I was doing, Buck, is as we are sitting here and it is America 2:50. George Washington visited one foreign country, Buck, in his life. He never went to Europe. Do you know what George Washington's ever where he went and visited outside of the continental United States. Kind of, kind of surprising. I assumed until I read this. I was like, well, probably because most of the founding fathers at some point in time went to Europe. Obviously we talk about Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, people who had foreign affair backgrounds. I'm curious. I was kind of stunned. Foreign visit, I believe. Well, I'll tell it. Well, do you have a guess? I gave it away. He never went to Europe.

[Buck Sexton]

Wait, you're asking me where George Washington

[Clay Travis]

left the continental United States only once in his life. Where did he go? This is a great trivia question. I didn't know this till recently.

[Buck Sexton]

So the Caribbean. The Caribbean counts or does not count?

[Clay Travis]

Caribbean counts.

[Buck Sexton]

But somewhere in the Caribbean.

[Clay Travis]

He went to Barbados, where he caught serious illness, almost died in 1751. They were traveling because his brother had tuberculosis. And the idea was the climate of Barbados would be better for him. And while he was there, George Washington got smallpox Nearly died in Barbados. It was the only time that he ever left the continental United States in his entire life.

[Buck Sexton]

That's a fun fact.

[Clay Travis]

That's a rare fact. I mean, I didn't even know that I read it, by the way. Benjamin Harrison. I was close on the. On the guests. 1890.ish. Was the first time we ever heard a president's voice being able to be recorded.

[Buck Sexton]

Important question for you. Daniel Day Lewis is, I think, one of the finest living actors, period. I think he's one of the best actors alive today. I know he's retired now, basically. Right. But did his weird, high, whispery voice during the Lincoln movie kind of ruin it for you? Even though people say that Lincoln's voice was somewhat high, Was it just too weird when he was all, well, we have to do the things we're doing? You know, it was up here.

[Clay Travis]

No, it's. I actually find it to be super interesting because first of all, it appears to have been historically accurate. But also it makes you wonder how many people that are lions of American history would be totally unelectable because of what their voice sounds like or. Or how they look on television today because of the modern media environment that we're in. I think the answer is many of the greatest leaders we've ever had would not be capable of having the skill set to be elected today.

[Buck Sexton]

Well, for example, you know that George Washington did not have wooden teeth. That's absurd. He had. I believe it was whale bone teeth and. Or human teeth that were put in like other people's teeth. Yeah, it's a real thing.

[Clay Travis]

Ivory whale.

[Buck Sexton]

But these are the things what were. Check. Check this out right now. What were Washington's teeth actually made of when you check this out? A mix. Yeah, sorry, human. A mixture of human teeth, animal teeth and carved ivory. Boom. I told you, never doubt the buckster. It was not wood, though. Think about that. You wouldn't teeth. It would rot right out of your mouth. That is bizarre.

[Clay Travis]

Yeah, the whole. This is one of the many things. I flagged this because I was trying to think of something super positive as we were going into. And I sent it to my. My son as well. The poorest Americans today are wealthier than the wealthiest people would have been in like 1920. And you've talked about status versus wealth and the way in which that it is. That it is often discussed. But. But I was thinking about that in the. In the context of just being able to go to a dentist. This is from. This is really interesting. Average American today lives better than John D. Rockefeller, who I believe was the first billionaire. Elon Musk last week became the first trillionaire in the history of the United States. The first billionaire in the history of the world, I believe I'm correct, was John D. Rockefeller. And it's remarkable to think even 100 years after the first billionaire. You, me, everyone out there listening to us right now has a higher quality of life than a billionaire. The first billionaire in the history of the world. In terms of medical care, in terms of ease of travel, in terms of lifestyle, we are all wealthier than John D. Rockefeller would have been 100 years ago.

[Buck Sexton]

You want to think about just how much diet, exercise and longevity has changed. Clay George from seinfeld was like 30 when they started that show. That guy looks like he could be our dad in that show. Your and my dad, he was 30. Okay, yeah, things have changed. Things have changed a lot. You look at at like old black and white photos of people from obviously when black and white photos are thing like 1920s, 1930s and you see people who are in, you would think their 60s, they're in their. They're in their late 30s.

[Clay Travis]

Cocoon, they were 50.

[Buck Sexton]

That's really freaks me out.

[Clay Travis]

Wilford, I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, Team Wilford Brimley that all the old people in cocoon were turning 50 I think at the time of that movie. So when you look at Wilford Brimley, that was a 50 year old guy. I'll even take you a step further. Athletes, even guys that were considered to be supreme in their athleticism in general. You look at some of these guys, they look like they're 178 when they're pitching or when they're kickers or when they're offensive defensive linemen in the NFL. It's kind of wild to see. So yes. And don't even get me started on this is it's summer buck bathing suits there look I am. There is no difference hardly between the bathing suit that a 50 year old mom wears and like her 23 year old daughter wears. It used to be moms were like very mom. Like you were like that's a moment you can't even tell now. Like there are some. I see some people at beach I'm like that could be a mother and a daughter that could be sisters that could be. It's outrageous. So yes, there are a lot of positive things. Stacy's mom there even a song about her. And I want to tell you we'll take. I still want to get to CNN covering The covering the algae in the reflecting pool like it is Watergate. They got people on there, they're, they're taking water. Say I was just there, I thought it looked pretty good. But they are covering algae like it is the most significant story going on in the planet right now. But I want to tell you about our friends at Sabre and what a tremendous difference they can make with so many of their different products. And in particular right now, we love the home defense launcher. Super effective in thwarting off the bad guys. The Saber Home Defense launcher. Easy to use. Seven powerful pepper or impact projectiles, two more than most competitors right now. You can save up to 15 off select bundles. When safety matters, America chooses Saber, the number one brand trusted by police and millions worldwide. Don't wait for a close call. Get protection [e-mail] that's S-A-B-R-E protect.com 844-824 safe S A B R E saberprotect.com Check them out. 844-824 safe when hanging, you're not just learning, you're also laughing, playing buck. Just preset them on the iHeart app.

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[Clay Travis]

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[Child]

Mom, can I have Lingokids? Dad? Lingokids, please.

[Clay Travis]

When did we become the Lingokids house?

[Announcer]

No idea. Last week it was dinosaurs.

[Child]

This week it's Lingokids.

[Clay Travis]

Why Lingokids?

[Child]

Because it's the best thing ever. We can play games with astronauts, wild animals and superheroes.

[Advertiser]

With more than 4,000 interactive games, songs and shows, LingoKids is the number one entertainment platform for young kids.

[Announcer]

So no dinosaurs.

[Child]

Dinosaurs.

[Clay Travis]

Everything kids love. Download it for free.

[Buck Sexton]

Welcome back in here to Clay and Buck. Clay wanted to talk about this and I do too. I just think this is fascinating. I will never feel sorry for CNN because I remember what that place was like at the, at the height of, of Zuckerism over there where Jeff Zucker was destroying it piece by piece, show by show and turning it into a really a personal vendetta vehicle against Trump. And I mean that it was very personal for him. Jeff and Trump knew each other from before, from when he was at NBC. And I even know somebody who overheard a whole Zucker, a Zucker adjacent conversation about how CNN was going to go to war with Trump in 2016. So there's a whole thing here. So yeah, CNN has completely self immolated and it gets what it deserves. Now that all said, this is almost sad, almost sad for them. CNN is reporting here on challenges to the reflect reflecting pool of the National Mall. The reflecting pool renovations. This is 35 play it.

[Clay Travis]

The debris still floating through the water here. Lots of it. And I will point out that algae comes from microscopic spores. So that does not offer any proof that the algae is gone. What's more, that famous blue coating on the bottom look right there is some of it. And this is one of the areas that has been passed over some same all the way around here. I've walked the rim here over and over again. There are very few places, John, where you can see this famous blue color even at all.

[Buck Sexton]

Algae gate Clay.

[Clay Travis]

Aye.

[Buck Sexton]

Is that where we, Is that what CNN has turned into? They're worried about the algae in the, they're doing full blown news stories about the algae in the reflecting pool. They're covering it like the Pearl harbor bombing.

[Clay Travis]

It is really funny. I was there on Wednesday and I thought it looked pretty good. I took a picture of it. I also went to college in D.C. you lived in D.C. for a while. The reflecting pool has had a lot of challenges for a while. If Trump had not tried to fix the reflecting pool, there is a 0% chance that CNN would have a live report from the reflecting pool. And this is one of those situations where there is criticism that is sometimes fair. There is also, and look, everyone is imperfect. You can say, hey, you know what have been a better choice? If we did this, we did that. It's also the case that Trump has so broken some people's minds that anything that he touches, they become obsessed with. Did you see the footage of Jim Acosta standing outside of the, of the Kennedy center and he compared. I know we had that audio late or earlier this week. I don't think we played it. But he compared Trump's name being pulled off of the Kennedy center to the Berlin Wall coming down. Like this guy's brain has been so broken by Trump that anything that involves Trump, the derangement syndrome has taken off to such an extent. And one easy way I think a lot of media people could, could respond to this is would we have covered this as a story with a live reporter if Trump had never been involved at all? And look, I mean I think the answer is a hundred percent that that would have never happened. But this is where we are. Trump has broken the brains of cnn. It remains broken. I will say if Paramount ends up buying cnn. Warner Brothers, which owns cnn. I do think that's one of the areas, Buck, where CNN could go back to sanity really quickly if you had an owner who came in and was willing to clean house. Now, whether they are or not, I'm

[Buck Sexton]

not sure, you're already starting a new another sports site. You don't have time, buddy, for another job. So don't, don't start getting too, I think actually you'd I think I do a good job, too. I'm not going to lie. I think being a media executive, they should probably think about this more. Like people who are sports analysts are good at analyzing sports when they've, when they've actually done it a bit. I think being in media is a far better test in a lot of ways than people who have just been picking and choosing who gets to be in media their whole career. Just saying.

[Clay Travis]

Also 100%. That's true. Also, you used to only have to compete with two or three channels. Now you have to compete with the whole Internet. So it's a very different dynamic than it has been in the past. Now I'm curious if they'll remake cnn. They should. But will they have the will to do it? We'll see. In the meantime, I will tell you all about our friends at the IFCJ and all of the incredible work that they are doing that I have seen for myself in Israel, whether it is just building bomb shelters, whether it's feeding people who do not have enough to eat because they are dealing with the dangers constantly of missiles raining down, whether it's helping to protect elementary schools, hospitals, letting people be safe in them by putting hospitals in garages underground. The IFCJ is a nonprofit organization largely funded by Christians in the United States who want to help those of the Jewish faith dealing with immense difficulty. They've been on the ground for 45 years in Israel, helping the most vulnerable. And as America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the IFCJ recognizes the relationship with a USA Israel flag pen. Visit flagpen ifcj.org that's flagpen ifcj.org welcome back in Clay and Buck here as we roll through the Friday edition of the program two days in of Father's Day. Leland Vetter, News NATION chief Washington anchor, this Sunday, News Nation will present an encore presentation of born lucky at 11am Eastern hosted by Bill O'Reilly. Great book. I know we talked with you last time about that book, Leland, but team just told me first of all, good to see you on video there that you are in Normandy, where it is 8:30pm in Europe. And you have spent the day touring some of the beaches of Normandy as well as the cemetery there because you were working on a story, on a book, I believe, about the only father and son duo to land on D Day. Leland. I don't know if Buck has been to Normandy yet. I got to tour it. It is one of the coolest days that I have ever had in my life. I'm a military history nerd. But it looks so much almost identical as it did on that day. Still much of the farmland there. What can you tell us? We'll get into the father's the day element here in a sec, but what can you tell us about the story that you're working on right now?

[Leland Vittert]

Right, so Teddy Roosevelt Jr. The president's son, and his son are the only father son pair to land at normandy. Ted Roosevelt Jr. Was a general, the only general to land on Utah beach or on either of the beaches. Quinton lands on Omaha Beach. And Also Ted Roosevelt Jr. And his father, the President Theodore, are one of only two father and sons to have the Medal of Honor. So you think about how the world is defined by the father and son relationship. Every son has a father. The insecurities, the need to live up to a name, the foibles, the desire to avenge something exists in all of us, in all of our relationships with our fathers. So the first book in this following up on Born Lucky is Fathers and Theodore Roosevelt and Ted junior. So we went to where Quentin came ashore today at Omaha, where Theodore is buried at Omaha at the Normandy American Cemetery. And it's amazing. You think about. You look at his grave. Nine thousand 389 graves at the Normandy American Cemetery. Theodore Roosevelt is one of only three with gold for his Medal of Honor. He looks over where his son came ashore and finally, three weeks before he died, was able to look his father's ghost in the eyes and say, effectively, dad, I lived up to your greatness.

[Clay Travis]

The book by Atkinson about World War II. He's got a trilogy. Ted Roosevelt Jr. Is a huge part of that because in addition to landing on the beaches at Normandy, he was involved in North Africa, Sicily, and also Italy, if I'm remembering correctly. Incredible life story in his own right, irrespective of the fact that his dad happened to be Teddy Roosevelt.

[Leland Vittert]

Yeah. And that's a big part of the father son relationship. And obviously Born Lucky is about me and my dad. We want to explore in the next set of books about how sons feel the need to live up to their fathers and remember Ted Roosevelt Jr. Had migraines and was debilitated because of the amount of pressure his dad, the President, put on him to be a principal actor in the major events of the world. And his father told him not to go to West Point or Annapolis. He went to Harvard, and then he spent the rest of his life trying to find some moment of greatness. Ends up convincing Eisenhower to let him land at Utah. And he, as a general, was the only general there. And he saved the invasion at Utah because when they landed a couple of miles off course, rather than trying to reorient, as many of the junior officers wanted to do the invasion north, he said, no, we're going to start the war from here. And that's one of the very key decisions that led to the success of Utah Beach.

[Buck Sexton]

Leland, I've never been actually to Normandy. I very much want to go. I want to go check it out. What are some of the things that you would want to recommend that people who go. What are the places to see some of your already stories and memories of the experience? Because from everybody I know who has done it, it is quite middle for Americans in particular. It is quite memorable and really powerful.

[Leland Vittert]

Yeah. In Born Lucky, I write about my experience at Normandy with my father. I was about 11 years old when I came, and I still remember that moment because, as you point out, you don't forget it. The very most important thing is the American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. And then you go around through Samara Glace, where the paratroopers landed, obviously Point Duh, where Reagan gave his speech at 84. Each one of these things you've read about, you've seen, but until you experience it, it doesn't really have the ability for the human mind to comprehend. I think the most important part of coming here is realizing the difference in the French, because there's probably more love for the American flag here. My wife noted this. There's more reverence for the American flag in most of the French villages of Normandy than there are in some of the largest American cities, because they all lived under the Nazi occupation. The woman we were with today, the historian, her grandfather was part of the French Resistance. Right. And if you were caught by the Nazis, you were tortured. If they caught a woman, they would either rape the woman as a form of torture, or they would rape her children and torture her children in front of her to get her to talk. So they all knew what the Nazis were like. And the fact that the Americans liberated this area of France means that they love America many times more than many Americans. Do.

[Clay Travis]

Leland, it's two days before Father's Day. I know you wrote a book about what your dad meant to you and now you're working on a book about a very famous father son duo. How much time do you spend reflecting Bucket? Bucket's got a one year old. I've got an 18, 15, 11 year old. Three boys. We've got four boys between the two of us. How much time do you spend reflecting upon the role of fathers and certainly coming into this weekend, it's one that we've been talking about on this program quite a lot. What can we do better? What do you think culturally we can do better when it comes to dads?

[Leland Vittert]

Boy, I'm not a father and I'm not qualified to come anywhere close to that. But I can tell you, for me, every day is Father's Day. My father quit his job when I was diagnosed with autism and dedicated his life to trying to adapt me to the world rather than the world to me. That's the Born Lucky story. And I know when I start talk with Buck, when the book first came out, when Born Lucky first came out, he was sort of thinking about it because I get it. This is what my mother did for me and I think that celebration of fatherhood, my dad, I didn't realize this. All the fathers we celebrate about how scared they are, whether they're doing this right. My dad was certainly scared. He spent many nights crying by himself in the dark because of the social and the emotional and the physical cruelty I was going through. He'd spent a couple of hours talking to me and then all of a sudden he'd leave my room after I'd gone to sleep and come downstairs and just feel so alone. And what's come out of Born Lucky. And I think what we're learning about the father son relationship is how so many fathers are so scared, so many feel so alone, so many feel hopeless, but they can do such an incredible amount. If you think about Theodore Roosevelt teaching his son battles and going through military history when Ted Jr. Was a young man, that leads to Utah Beach. If you think about my father who was so scared not knowing if his son was going to be able to operate in the world, but still trying every day and what has come of me and what I've been able to accomplish, you think about Buck's mom and everything he, she did for him. That story of hope and that you're not alone is something I think that that is not told enough.

[Buck Sexton]

Yeah, my parents rallied around me, as Leland knows, and he's referring to when I had a speech impediment and needed speech therapy. And now I get to hang out with Clay every day and have a pretty big radio show. So it all worked out in the end. But when I was a kid, people would not have thought that that was going to be my pathway at all. And I also think, Leland, you know, you know what I'm talking about here. Until you've actually been in the seat or you've been in the place where people, when you're a kid are making fun of you for something that you can't control, that's not your fault. That's. That is something where it's, it's a. That's when you really need parents. And it's a reminder of how important they are to give you that strength to push through and as you said, to adapt to your circumstances.

[Leland Vittert]

Yeah. You need somebody to champion. Right. You need somebody to believe in you. And that certainly was my dad. And that is. That's the born lucky story. It's hope for every parent of a kid having a hard time.

[Clay Travis]

Yeah. For people. Let's leave. We'll give you this last word as you're working on this, for people out there that are moms and dads, dads in particular, maybe, let's say, since it's two days until Father's Day, who are fighting through all of the challenges of raising kids. For people who don't know your story, Leland, kind of give us a one minute story of exactly what your dad meant for you and then kind of propel it forward, if you could. For everybody out there that may be raising kids or grandkids that are dealing with unique challenges a bit different than what maybe the typical parenting experience is.

[Leland Vittert]

Dad was my best and only friend. He is still my best friend. When I was 8, I was diagnosed with what we now know to be autism. My parents were told they had to have me evaluated, right. So they take me one of those testing centers with linoleum floors and stale coffee. Woman comes back, he's got big problems, behavioral problems. If somebody doesn't look at him the right way, he'll slug them. Big sensory issues. Didn't have a coat on, I'd melt down. Huge learning disabilities. 20 point spread of an IQ test is a learning disability. I had a 70 point spread. And the woman says, there's just not much you can do. And my dad said, well, I don't know if doing anything is going to work, but I know what's going to happen if I don't do anything. And Born Lucky is the story of my dad dedicating his life to being there every day when I came home from school to help me and sending me to school the next morning. And if you want to sort of tie that all together, there's so many experts these days who say take adversity away from kids, make it easy on kids who are having a hard time. And my dad didn't do that. He took the much harder path. He held my hand through the adversity and said, we're going to walk this together. Because teaching kids to do hard things like I know Buck, you and I talked about, about your mom teaching you that you could do hard things. Not letting any accommodations be made makes a world of difference for a kid because there are hard things in life. Just look at what the three of us are doing. There are hard things done on D day. It's done by people who know they can do hard things. And that's taught to kids. It's not, it's not something you just are born with.

[Buck Sexton]

Born Lucky is Leland Vitter's excellent book. And Leland, appreciate you being here. We'll talk to you again soon.

[Leland Vittert]

Appreciate you guys.

[Buck Sexton]

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[Clay Travis]

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[Child]

Mom, can I have lingo Kids? Lingo Kids, please.

[Clay Travis]

When did we become the Lingokids house?

[Announcer]

No. Last week it was dinosaurs.

[Child]

This week it's Lingokids.

[Clay Travis]

Why Lingokids?

[Child]

Because it's the best thing ever. You can play games with astronauts, wild animals and superheroes.

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[Child]

So no dinosaurs and dinosaurs. Lingokids.

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[Buck Sexton]

Closing up shop today on Clay and Buck. And I'm actually gonna ask our buddy here, Mr. Clay, to give us some of his thought as we head into the weekend and Father's Day because Clay is going to be gone for two weeks, guys. It's going to be a. You're going to have a little bit of an extended buckathon. Buck Fest 2026 will be happening, leading us into the 250th celebration of America. And of course, unfortunately for some of us, England's possible win over us in soccer on the 4th of July, which is just, I'm just calling it now, but that's where we are. Mr. Clay, what are you going to be? What are you going to be up to? Anything, Anything you want to share with. He's going to be missing you guys so much, by the way. He's going to be calling me, like, are they okay? Is the audience all right? How are they doing?

[Clay Travis]

So, first of all, happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. You, me, everyone who is doing their best. Also, we want to say thank you. We've been on now for five years. Oh, yeah, Leave father.

[Buck Sexton]

This is our anniversary.

[Clay Travis]

Yeah, the five year anniversary of Buck and I coming on. We're going to be with you for a bunch of years to come, whether you like it or not. So we are excited about how well things have been going and the things that we're adding to the program in the years ahead. We're excited to be sharing with you. I'm going to Hawaii. I have never been to Hawaii in my life. We are going to check it out. Taking the family when I get back. I've got a new media company that I'M working on hard. There'll be a lot of cool parts of that that are going to be overlapping with what you and I do. Cannot wait for that. But right beforehand, this is the only time I got a kid who's obsessed with football, and it is football season all the time. They give them two weeks where they're not allowed to practice. So this is where we're going to get away. I got a kid starting college, so I'm going to get away for a little bit. And then right after America 250, I'll be back. Now, if something truly crazy happens, hopefully it'll be relatively calm. It's not like I'm going to be unreachable, but. But I'm excited about it. So going to get away a little bit.

[Buck Sexton]

Was it. Were there like three days when you were out in a row a few years back when. I think it was the, the three different indictments of Trump came down, like actual indictments by, by prosecutors. And you happen to be on vacation.

[Clay Travis]

I think every. And by the way, it wasn't even like long vacations and they were all unexpected. Every one of the indictments that came down against Trump, I was, I was out on those particular days. Yes. So hope it's relatively calm over the next couple of weeks. But. But in all seriousness, love the job. Looking forward to getting away for a little bit and checking out Hawaii, which I've heard is amazing. Never been.

[Buck Sexton]

It is incredible. Hawaii is incredible. I'm a huge fan. Obviously, like any. Some people like. Well, but Honolulu is not as whatever. Hawaii is awesome. If you go to the right places, it's incredibly beautiful and I just wish it wasn't so Democrat in its voting. But, you know, you can't have. You know what, Clay? Nobody's perfect. And Hawaii's got a lot of things going well for it. So it's. I'm a particular fan of the Big island, but it's a real, it's a real jewel of a place. And I even tried to watch some of the Jason Momoa Hawaii series, you know, I'm talking about.

[Clay Travis]

Yeah.

[Buck Sexton]

They're speaking in like, Hawaiian dialect and stuff.

[Clay Travis]

Oh, yeah, they did that. That whole. Yeah. I mean, it's supposed to be like the story of Hawaii, right? Pretty much pretty, you know, white people arriving or whatever. Yeah. So I can't wait. I'm excited to see it. People have told me amazing things about it. So that's where I will be. You will be hosting the ship, keeping it afloat.

[Buck Sexton]

Do we. Do we. People do this thing when you're out where they relay me sports questions to relay to you. Do we. Do we keep a box of those? Do you want. Do we just want a moratorium? People will send me an email, be like, hey, can you ask Clay about, you know, coach, coach Hawkeye or whatever, you know, whatever. It's always some guy with a cool name from the south, like, do you want. Do you want those questions to be stacked up when you come back?

[Clay Travis]

If there's truly something extraordinary on the sports front, I will record a talk back for you. And there we go.

[Announcer]

To.

[Clay Travis]

To hopefully, look, USA starts in five minutes. If we win, we can advance to the knockouts stage and hopefully be able to beat Buck's beloved British team.

[Buck Sexton]

We're going to beat these Aussies, by the way, and which is actually. Love Australian people.

[Clay Travis]

I really do.

[Buck Sexton]

I think Australian people are some of the greatest people, but we're going to smoke them in soccer even without Pulisic in. So that's an easy one. When we play my man Harry Kane and those Brits, we're going to have a tough time. All right, everybody have a great Father's Day. I'll be back with you Monday. We'll see you then.

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[Child]

mom, can I have Lingokids? Dad, Lingokids, please.

[Clay Travis]

When did we become the Lingokids house?

[Announcer]

No idea. Last week it was dinosaurs.

[Child]

This week it's Lingokids.

[Clay Travis]

Why Lingokids?

[Child]

Because it's the best thing ever. We can play games with astronauts, wild animals and superheroes.

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With more than 4,000 interactive games, songs and shows, LingoKids is the number one entertainment platform for young kids.

[Child]

So no dinosaurs and dinosaurs. Lingokids.

[Clay Travis]

Everything kids love, download it for free.

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