The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Hour 3 – Jesse Kelly Hangs With Us
Date: February 12, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Overview
This lively episode features host Clay Travis and Buck Sexton welcoming radio personality Jesse Kelly for a wide-ranging conversation on the current state of American politics, culture, education, and more. The hosts keep the mood humorous as they discuss everything from Super Bowl party etiquette to the seriousness of victims’ responsibilities in the Epstein case, the outlook for the 2026 elections, the impact of modern pop culture, and challenges in education. Listener calls add further color, touching on issues like school curriculum changes, mustache culture, and the decline of major American cities.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Super Bowl Party Behavior and Masculinity
- Ice Water Controversy (Starts ~04:06)
- Jesse Kelly faces friendly ribbing for drinking ice water at a Super Bowl party rather than an alcoholic beverage.
- Kelly: "I haven't watched the NFL in years because of all the Black Lives Matter stuff...I left at halftime after I made everybody turn off the Bad Bunny halftime show and turn on the other one." (04:06)
- Discussion about what defines masculine choices at a party, with playful references to cucumber wedges and Brussels sprouts.
- Buck jokes: "Brussels sprouts for the table versus cucumber wedged ice water at a Super bowl party. I...think that I'm the more masculine choice here." (05:21)
- Jesse Kelly faces friendly ribbing for drinking ice water at a Super Bowl party rather than an alcoholic beverage.
2. Jesse Kelly’s New Book – “Jesse's Little Red Book”
- Overview and Availability (06:18 – 07:40)
- Kelly announces his free e-book, a collection of thoughts on politics, culture, and even food, offered as a riff on Mao’s Little Red Book:
- “It's free. It's not a gimmick or a scam...Just a little booklet that's obviously a riff on Mao's Little Red Book, which he used to slaughter all kinds of people in China. No one will be slaughtered after my Little Red Book.” (06:37)
- Book available via email at www.jessekelly.com.
- Kelly announces his free e-book, a collection of thoughts on politics, culture, and even food, offered as a riff on Mao’s Little Red Book:
3. Responsibility of Victims in the Epstein Case
- On Moral Obligation to Name Names (07:40 – 11:06)
- Clay expresses frustration that victims repeatedly hold press conferences about abuse by powerful men but refuse to name names.
- Clay: "If you're on your 20th press conference...and it's the 20th time, you haven't named a single name. I'm sorry, I need to hear some names now." (09:32)
- Jesse agrees, relating it to the MeToo movement and acknowledging the tension between privacy and public responsibility.
- Clay expresses frustration that victims repeatedly hold press conferences about abuse by powerful men but refuse to name names.
4. 2026 Election Outlook
- Predictions and Economic Impact (11:47 – 12:40)
- Jesse Kelly forecasts the Republicans will likely lose the House but keep the Senate, emphasizing the outsized impact of the economy on “normie” voters:
- “Normies...vote on 'Can they afford chicken? Can they afford a plane ticket to go see their mother?'...They have to feel it in their pocketbook. Are they feeling it?” (11:47)
- Potential for a tumultuous two years of a Trump presidency if re-elected, including repeat impeachments.
- Jesse Kelly forecasts the Republicans will likely lose the House but keep the Senate, emphasizing the outsized impact of the economy on “normie” voters:
5. Cultural Lightning Round: Taylor Swift and Pop Icons
- Comparison to The Beatles (12:40 – 13:39)
- Clay asks Jesse to react to claims that Taylor Swift is becoming the Beatles of the 21st century.
- Jesse: "I'd almost want to figure out, is he hurt? Is there something wrong inside...? If I met somebody that broken and wrong, I would want to find out." (13:00)
- Buck: “She is an absolute icon, and long after three of us are gone, her music is going to echo throughout the world, bringing everyone together.” (13:39)
- Clay asks Jesse to react to claims that Taylor Swift is becoming the Beatles of the 21st century.
6. Listener Call-Ins & Mustache Debates
- On Style and Personal Grooming (21:46 – 23:44)
- Several listeners weigh in playfully on mustache versus beard maintenance:
- AJ from Wisconsin: "A mustache takes far more discipline...Beards are symbols of laziness..." (22:20)
- Listeners also defend or poke fun at Clay’s and others' facial hair choices.
- Several listeners weigh in playfully on mustache versus beard maintenance:
7. Education: Standardization and Teacher Choice
- Teacher Jackie on Curricular Control (25:35 – 30:16)
- Jackie, a high school English teacher, laments the lack of teacher autonomy and "race-baiting" content in mandatory, standardized workbooks from College Board:
- “I have no anonymity in my choices in my classroom...they're race baiting in all the stories...anti-American, like colonialism is the root of all evil.” (25:35)
- She highlights diminished opportunities for teaching classic texts and cross-content creativity.
- On diminished reading skills among students: "100% Inability to read deeply...They don't have the stamina for that." (29:10)
- Buck and Clay express concern that AI will accelerate the loss of critical reasoning and textual analysis skills.
- Jackie, a high school English teacher, laments the lack of teacher autonomy and "race-baiting" content in mandatory, standardized workbooks from College Board:
8. Urban Decline, Drugs, and Baseball
- Listener Input on Drugs and Urban Decay (35:30 – 38:10)
- Callers from the Pacific Northwest and San Francisco describe visible increases in drug use and homelessness, citing the impact of drug policy changes:
- "Seattle and Portland both have gone down the tubes. And it seems to coincide with the legalization and the uptick in pot..." (37:00)
- Portland’s decline affects prospects for major events, such as losing out on a potential Major League Baseball franchise to Salt Lake City.
- Buck: "Portland is going to lose a Major League baseball team and Salt Lake City is going to get it." (37:19)
- Callers from the Pacific Northwest and San Francisco describe visible increases in drug use and homelessness, citing the impact of drug policy changes:
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Jesse Kelly on Masculinity and Super Bowl Parties:
“I like ice water...I don't like to rub my wealth in anyone's face, but I have an ice machine. It makes endless amounts of ice. And so I spend my days drinking icy cold water as if I'm on an Arctic expedition.” (05:58) -
On Victim Accountability:
Clay Travis:
“If you're going to come out publicly and say, I was abused, you have to deliver the goods...I need to hear some names now.” (09:32)
Jesse Kelly:
“As soon as people start getting paid on this stuff, start getting famous on this stuff, that is inevitably going to invite scammers and scummy people, too, who love to give press conferences every other day.” (09:32) -
Cultural Barbs about Taylor Swift:
Jesse Kelly: “If I met somebody that broken and wrong, I would want to find out. Is it rehab? Look, I'll pitch in some money, Buck.” (13:00) -
On Teacher Autonomy & Indoctrination:
Jackie (NC teacher):
“There is no longer teacher choice...You have no choice. You can supplement, I suppose, but you have to be in lockstep with College Board SAT Spring Board.” (27:47) -
Worries about Youth Literacy and AI:
Buck Sexton:
“With the power of AI, these kids are going to lack the ability to even understand when they're being manipulated by the algorithms that govern AI...If kids don't have the depth of knowledge to grapple with complex issues...we're in trouble.” (31:23) -
On Urban Decline:
David from Idaho (caller):
“Seattle and Portland both have gone down the tubes. And it seems to coincide with the legalization and the uptick in pot in those towns.” (37:00)
Important Segment Timestamps
- Jesse Kelly joins, Super Bowl party/masculinity banter: 01:09 – 06:18
- Jesse’s Little Red Book discussion: 06:18 – 07:40
- Epstein victims’ responsibilities: 07:40 – 11:06
- 2026 Election predictions: 11:47 – 12:40
- Taylor Swift vs. The Beatles debate: 12:40 – 13:39
- Listener calls and mustache/beard talk: 21:46 – 23:44
- Teacher Jackie on loss of curriculum autonomy: 25:35 – 30:16
- Concerns over AI and student literacy: 31:15 – 32:07
- Urban decline, drugs, and MLB chat: 35:30 – 38:10
Tone and Style
The episode maintains a snappy, joking camaraderie, even when addressing serious topics. The dynamic between the hosts and Jesse Kelly is playful and brash, poking fun at each other and at political targets with irreverence but occasionally pivoting to grave concerns about culture and politics. Listener calls connect the show to grassroots experience and provide additional flavor, especially around lighthearted debates over mustaches and music selection.
For listeners seeking insights into conservative commentary on political, cultural, and educational trends—delivered with wit, skepticism, and plenty of banter—this episode offers a strong, representative sample of Clay & Buck at their most engaging.