Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – Hour 3: Keep Calm, This is Not World War III

Release Date: June 23, 2025
Hosts: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Description: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics, and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with engaging conversations and opinions.

1. Iran Missile Strikes and U.S. Response

[02:42] Clay Travis:
Clay opens the discussion addressing recent events where Iran fired ballistic missiles at a U.S. base in Qatar. He notes that all missiles were intercepted, resulting in no casualties. He contextualizes this as a potential retaliation following the U.S.'s deployment of B2 bombers.

Notable Quote:
"Iran fired ballistic missiles at a US base in Qatar. Fire so far reporting is that all the missiles that Iran fired have been intercepted. No injuries to speak of yet."
— Clay Travis [02:42]

[04:08] Karen Kilgariff:
Karen provides updates, mentioning that both Saudi Arabia and Qatar condemned the Iranian strikes. She further elaborates that Iran appears to be scaling back its aggressive stance, possibly leaving strategic decisions to Israel.

[24:28] Clay Travis:
Clay questions the next steps, particularly what former President Trump envisions for the situation. He expresses uncertainty about whether Trump seeks a deal that includes regime change or a path toward normalization under scrutiny.

2. New York City Mayor’s Race: Zoran Mamdani’s Controversial Candidacy

[04:59] Clay Travis:
Clay shifts focus to the New York City mayoral race, highlighting the Democratic dominance in the city. He expresses skepticism about incumbent Andrew Cuomo’s potential re-election, suggesting a "comeback theory" that may be shaky.

[06:02] Karen Kilgariff:
Karen critiques Cuomo's legacy, referencing his mishandling of COVID-19 and personal scandals, arguing that he might be the best option Democrats have, albeit far from ideal.

[09:42] Clay Travis:
Clay introduces Zoran Mamdani, a New York State Assemblyman leading in the polls with radical proposals like reducing traditional policing and introducing alternative bodies for law enforcement.

Notable Quote:
"It's like if Gavin Newsom was running for mayor of New York and he was up against a lunatic socialist. I guess Gavin Newsom would be a better choice too."
— Clay Travis [06:33]

[11:52] Zoran Mamdani:
Zoran Mamdani articulates his platform, proposing city-owned grocery stores to combat rising food prices. He emphasizes the need for lower prices without profit motives.

[12:56] Clay Travis:
Clay criticizes Mamdani’s plan, comparing government-run supermarkets to Cuba’s inefficient system and expressing concerns about unaccountable bureaucratic control over essential services.

[15:10] Clay Travis:
The discussion evolves to the economic implications of high state taxes in New York, highlighting the migration of high earners to states with no income tax like Florida and Texas, thereby draining resources from New York.

Notable Quote:
"If you're making a million dollars a year, you're saving 140 grand on your taxes. For a lot of people, that covers a lot of their living expense."
— Clay Travis [15:20]

3. U.S. Political Climate: Media, Trump, and World War III Narratives

[26:27] Clay Travis:
Clay addresses the hysteria surrounding claims of entering World War III, particularly criticizing figures like Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for fueling fear without substantial evidence.

Notable Quote:
"We are not entering World War Three, and nuclear war is not on the horizon."
— Clay Travis [33:37]

[35:22] Karen Kilgariff:
Karen reinforces the improbability of World War III by questioning the lack of allies for Iran, emphasizing that major powers like China and Russia are not supporting Iran in a way that would escalate to global conflict.

[36:04] Clay Travis:
Clay dismisses fears by pointing out that global powers remain disengaged from escalating Iran into a wider conflict, thereby debunking the notion that current events are leading toward a global war.

4. Listener Questions and Further Analysis

[27:42] Karen Kilgariff:
Karen responds to listener concerns about the impact of the Iran situation on oil prices, explaining that China's demand for Iranian oil might actually benefit them amidst sanctions, thereby stabilizing global oil prices.

[31:11] Karen Kilgariff:
Karen challenges the narrative that Iran could effectively relocate its nuclear materials under heavy surveillance, arguing that such actions would only simplify Israeli targeting efforts.

[33:34] Clay Travis:
Clay critiques the sensationalist rhetoric used by some political figures, arguing that it hinders rational discourse and creates unwarranted panic among the public.

5. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

[36:37] Clay Travis:
Clay concludes by urging restraint and informed analysis, emphasizing that hyperbolic claims of imminent global conflict are unfounded and serve only to create unnecessary fear.

[41:00] Clay Travis:
Clay wraps up the discussion by highlighting the importance of understanding geopolitical realities over succumbing to alarmist narratives.

[47:36] Karen Kilgariff:
Karen summarizes the current Middle Eastern tensions, reassuring listeners that the situation remains contained and catastrophic scenarios like World War III are highly unlikely.

[49:05] Clay Travis:
As the show winds down, Clay hints at future discussions while maintaining a calm perspective on current events, encouraging listeners to stay informed without panic.

Closing Remarks:
Clay Travis and Buck Sexton emphasize the importance of maintaining composure amidst geopolitical tensions and political upheaval. They encourage listeners to critically evaluate sensationalist claims and focus on informed, rational discussions to navigate complex global issues.

Additional Notes:

• The episode includes discussions on domestic politics, particularly the New York City mayoral race, illustrating concerns about radical policy proposals and their economic repercussions.
• Analysis of media narratives and political rhetoric underscores the hosts' commitment to dispelling unfounded fears and promoting factual discourse.

For listeners seeking an in-depth analysis of current events without the noise of advertisements and sensationalism, this episode provides valuable insights into geopolitical tensions and domestic political dynamics.