The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Hour 3 – Justifying Violence

Date: September 17, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the aftermath and implications of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. They analyze the political and media responses, the role of public debate in American life, and broader trends in political violence and polarization. The hour features sharp critiques of media coverage, a reaction to President Obama’s statement on the tragedy, and a debate about the health of political discourse on both sides of the aisle. Notable political and economic news—such as a Federal Reserve rate cut and its impact on markets—are discussed at the top of the hour.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking Economic News — Fed Rate Cut

[03:13 – 08:04]

• Interest Rates: Clay reports the Federal Reserve’s first rate cut in nine months (25 basis points), with further cuts expected before year’s end.
• Impact: Lower borrowing costs could revive the frozen housing market, encourage refinancing, and contribute to general economic optimism.
  • “Borrowing costs just get way cheaper...The housing market has been largely frozen. This is going to start to unfreeze it.” — Clay Travis [03:13]
• Market Reaction: Stock market hits all-time highs in response.
• Comparative Politics: Buck and Clay note a lack of positive media attention for Trump’s economy, claiming that similar economic news under Democratic leadership would be celebrated.
  • “If Kamala Harris was presiding over what we’re seeing right now...it would be the major banner that MSNBC was running all the time.” — Clay Travis [08:04]

2. Media Coverage & Narrative Manipulation

[09:15 – 13:22]

• Jimmy Kimmel’s Comments: Buck and Clay respond to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about attempts to frame the assassination of Charlie Kirk for political gain, calling Kimmel’s stance “despicable” and factually wrong.
  • “There was a calculated attempt on the left to try to make it appear that this person who killed Charlie Kirk was of the right.” — Clay Travis [10:36]
• Media Echo Chambers: The hosts argue mainstream left-leaning media present a distorted narrative and prevent their audiences from understanding full context and alternative viewpoints.
• Argument for Open Dialogue: Both stress the importance of exposing audiences to a full range of arguments—a theme revisited throughout the hour.
  • “They have no idea what we really think. They have no idea what we really say...They prefer to be lied to.” — Buck Sexton [13:04]

3. Violence, Political Hostility, and Denial

[15:42 – 16:26, 21:53 – 24:26, 29:06 – 38:08]

• Danger of Politically Motivated Violence: Clay warns that unless the left acknowledges responsibility and distance from violence, further incidents like Kirk’s assassination are likely.
  • “There’s going to be more Charlie Kirks because these people think they’re heroes and they’re not being shouted down.” — Clay Travis [15:42]
• Reactions from Leadership:
  • President Obama’s Statement: Played on-air and critiqued as insufficient, with both hosts objecting to Obama’s insistence on disagreeing with Kirk’s ideas in the context of condemning the murder.
    • “We know you disagree with his ideas, Barack. We know. You don’t have to say that.” — Buck Sexton [22:54]
  • J.D. Vance’s Speech: Senator Vance calls for rejection of political violence and protection of open debate.
    • “...Young people gathering to discuss and debate, that is the thing that we cannot let pass away...I will fight for your right to speak your mind.” — J.D. Vance [28:47–29:11]
• Contrast in Political Protest: Buck and Clay recount instances where left-leaning activists confront Republicans in public, connect the rhetoric of public figures (e.g., Maxine Waters, Chuck Schumer) to heightened emotions and risk.

4. The Debate Deficit: Why the Left Avoids Public Forums

[24:26 – 29:06]

• The Charlie Kirk Model: Kirk’s efforts in debate and open challenge are contrasted with what the hosts see as the left’s reluctance to engage publicly.
• Social Media’s Role: Hosts ponder whether platforms like Twitter (post-Elon Musk) and the virality of TPUSA (Turning Point USA) events have changed mainstream discourse.
  • “There’s not one prominent leftist anywhere in the west, not just America, doing what Charlie Kirk did. That is, issuing an open debate challenge to all comers…” — Buck Sexton quoting Ben Scalan [26:51]
• Rationality of Arguments: The hosts believe that, when forced into public debate, left-wing positions often collapse or appear irrational (e.g., on gender and sports).

5. Contesting Claims of Political Violence Origins

[32:20 – 38:08]

• Statistical Arguments: Responding to Morning Joe’s citation of the Cato Institute showing more right-wing political violence, Buck dismisses Cato as lacking credibility and claims such statistics are misleading because they include minor infractions and January 6 charges.
• Case-by-case Review: The hosts argue that significant recent political violence (e.g., school shootings by individuals with left affiliations, the attempted assassination of Steve Scalise, the plot to kill Brett Kavanaugh) is more often perpetrated or incited from the left.
• Logical Endpoint: Concern that Supreme Court-sanctioned stances (e.g., affirmative action) are now being framed as radical to justify violence.

6. Listener Engagement & Show Ethos

[43:42 – end]

• Listener Email: A VIP listener, Alan, thanks the show for its approachability and depth, likening it to conversations with friends.
• Generational Communication: Discussion about social media and generational habits (e.g., texting vs. calling, referencing the Kirk assassin’s messaging).
  • “If you committed a murder and you text ‘this is where I hid the murder weapon’...it’s so insanely dumb to me.” — Clay Travis [45:40]
• Show Atmosphere: The co-hosts emphasize their camaraderie and authenticity, contrasting themselves with less harmonious radio shows.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If Kamala Harris was presiding over what we’re seeing right now...it would be the major banner that MSNBC was running all the time.” — Clay Travis [08:04]
• “They have no idea what we really think...They prefer to be lied to. And that’s what you see going on right now.” — Buck Sexton [13:04]
• “There’s going to be more Charlie Kirks because these people think they’re heroes and they’re not being shouted down.” — Clay Travis [15:42]
• “We know you disagree with his ideas, Barack. We know. You don’t have to say that.” — Buck Sexton [22:54]
• “Here’s my view, I invite you to try and prove me wrong. None of them [Democratic leaders] are willing to subject their views to that scrutiny.” — Buck Sexton [26:51]
• “Our team isn’t the team that needs to hear it...Defending the right to say things without fear of violence in this country is critical.” — Buck Sexton [30:31]
• “If now there are going to be people who justify violence against you because you take positions that the United States Supreme Court has ratified, where does that leave us, Clay, as a society?” — Buck Sexton [38:00]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Economic News & Rate Cut: [03:13 – 08:04]
• Media Coverage & Kimmel Critique: [09:15 – 13:22]
• Political Violence Reactions: [15:42 – 16:26], [21:53 – 24:26], [29:06 – 38:08]
• Obama’s Statement & Analysis: [21:53 – 24:26]
• J.D. Vance on Free Speech: [28:47 – 29:23]
• Debate Forum & Left’s Avoidance: [24:26 – 29:06]
• Cato Study/Political Violence Statistics: [32:20 – 38:08]
• Listener Email & Show Atmosphere: [43:42 – end]

Podcast Tone and Style

Clay and Buck adopt a candid, sometimes irreverent tone—critiquing political and media adversaries with sarcasm, humor, and righteous indignation. They alternate between policy analysis, cultural criticism, and lighter banter.

Final Thoughts

This episode centers on the dangers of political violence, the importance of genuine debate, and perceived dysfunction in media narratives. The assassination of Charlie Kirk is used as a lens for broader concerns about polarization, echo chambers, and the future of public discourse. Both hosts push for open argumentation and warn against trends that stifle it, while suggesting the right is more consistent in rejecting political violence and censorship.