The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Hour 3 – “Make America Eat Healthy Again”
Date: February 26, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts
Hosts: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Special Guest: Dr. Marty Makary (FDA Commissioner)
Episode Overview
In this third hour, Clay and Buck address a mix of current events, sports controversies, and health policy—anchored by an in-depth interview with FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary. The segment navigates political and cultural divides (particularly in sports), U.S.-Cuba tensions, and the government’s evolving stance on food, medicine, and public health. The unifying theme is the intersection of politics, culture, and health—seen in how the media, government, and big institutions approach what Americans eat, how they medicate, and even how they play and consume sports.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Sports Media, Politics, and the U.S. Hockey Team
[02:41–12:29]
-
Controversy Recap:
The U.S. men’s hockey team came under fire for visiting Donald Trump at the White House, sparking outrage in sports media and among Democratic detractors.
-
Public Reaction in New Jersey:
At a New Jersey NHL game, the crowd greeted the team with overwhelming chants of “USA!” and booed Democrat Governor Mikey Sherrill, showing a disconnect between elite outrage and regular fans.
-
Speaker Quotes:
- “The vast majority of Americans love the U.S. men's hockey team ... sports media and Democrats ... are actually in no way representative of actual Americans.” – Clay Travis [05:27]
- “How is it ... sports media are somehow immune from consequences of their woke idiocy when clearly a lot of sports fans are not into that?” – Buck Sexton [07:21]
-
Media Analysis:
Clay posits that a shift in sports journalism since the Colin Kaepernick kneeling incident has led to hyper-partisan coverage. He argues social media and commoditization of information have devalued traditional reporting, leading to an echo chamber of mostly left-leaning opinions to preserve media jobs.
-
Memorable Quote:
- “Most of them have no value ... being left wing was a way to try to preserve your job.” – Clay Travis [09:40]
2. The Cuba Incident and U.S. Policy
[13:35–18:02]
- Incident Recap:
Clay and Buck discuss a little-covered story of Americans killed by the Cuban military off Cuba’s coast. They review both official accounts and alternative explanations (accident, provocation, possible Gulf of Tonkin-style incident).
- Clay: “We should just take over Cuba. I am past ... this ridiculousness with them, 90 miles off the coast from us." [15:58]
- Political Take:
Buck notes many in South Florida would agree with a pro-democracy intervention, highlighting longstanding U.S.–Cuba tensions.
3. Interview with FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary
[24:27–39:05]
FDA Reforms & Speeding Up Drug Approval
- Operation Warp Speed:
- Dr. Makary announces new drugs approved in record time (44 days), emphasizing efficiency and urgency for cures.
- “We have an announcement today of a new drug that was approved in 44 days. ... We’re doing things at operation warp-speed-like speed.” – Dr. Makary [25:43]
- Rare Diseases:
- New incentives encourage pharma companies to pursue treatments for rare diseases, affecting 1 in 11 Americans. The "plausible mechanism pathway" allows approval without randomized trials for ultra-rare diseases.
- “It’s not actually rare ... if you add it up.” – Dr. Makary [27:11]
Peptides, Weight Loss Drugs, and New Treatments
- GLP-1s and Peptides:
- Discussion on the explosion of drugs like Ozempic and "gray area" peptides not fully FDA approved but widely used.
- “Peptides is a big tent ... some are effective, some are not ... we’d like to see the data.” – Dr. Makary [29:08]
- FDA’s Stance:
- The FDA cracks down only on “copycat” drugs that bypass its process, otherwise allowing broad research.
Food Supply, Nutrition, and the MAHA Movement
- School Lunches & Food Guidance Reform:
- The FDA is rewriting food guidance based on “real science," encouraging protein and healthy fats, not avoiding them.
- “We rewrote the food pyramid because the open secret was that old food pyramid was corrupt.” – Dr. Makary [30:31]
- SNAP and school lunch programs are shifting away from supporting sugary and ultra-processed foods.
Childhood Allergies
- Rising Allergies:
- Childhood food allergies (esp. peanuts) have risen sharply.
- Dr. Makary attributes this to outdated medical advice to avoid allergens early, advising early and sustained introduction instead.
- “You can significantly, by over 80%, reduce the risk of your kid developing one of these allergies through early and sustained introduction.” – Dr. Makary [33:54]
- Parent Guidance:
- FDA roundtables now educate parents on best practices.
COVID Retrospective & Public Health
- COVID Lessons:
- Reflects on disastrous pandemic responses—school closures, masking, constant boosters—now walking back earlier policies.
- “What a disaster the public health response was to Covid ... Cloth masks on toddlers for three years.” – Dr. Makary [35:43]
- Newer guidance focuses on essential vaccines and precise, data-driven approaches.
Major Health Priorities
- Goals Under Trump Administration:
- Cures for type 1 diabetes, treatments for stage four cancer, better PTSD solutions, and a universal flu shot.
- “We want to see a cure for type 1 diabetes ... a powerful treatment for stage four cancer ... a universal flu shot.” – Dr. Makary [37:17]
- Communication:
- The FDA is ramping up transparency via social media and public roundtables.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “Let their voices be heard, even in a blue state like New Jersey.” – Clay Travis [11:40]
- “There's a lot of people in South Florida ... they're ready for a free Cuba to actually be a thing and not just a drink.” – Buck Sexton [17:23]
- “I want every parent to know you can ... reduce the risk of your kid developing ... these allergies through early and sustained introduction.” – Dr. Makary [34:00]
- “What a disaster the public health response was to Covid ... Cloth masks on toddlers for three years.” – Dr. Makary [35:43]
- Comic relief: Ongoing jokes about Clay’s bench press maximum and “El Commandante” persona for a hypothetical Cuba takeover.
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Time | Segment |
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| 02:41 | U.S. Hockey Team backlash and sports media politics |
| 06:35 | Player comment: Focus on winning, not controversy |
| 12:29 | Arena audio: “USA” chants and response to controversy |
| 13:35 | Cuba incident: Americans killed offshore |
| 15:58 | Clay advocates U.S. intervention in Cuba |
| 24:27 | FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary joins |
| 25:43 | Accelerated drug approvals at FDA |
| 27:11 | Rare disease drug incentives & pathways |
| 29:08 | Peptides, weight loss drugs, FDA policy |
| 30:31 | School lunches, nutrition guidelines, and SNAP reforms |
| 31:44 | Rising childhood allergies & modern parenting guidance |
| 33:54 | Public health communication & transparency |
| 35:43 | COVID reflections and vaccine updates |
| 37:17 | Major FDA priorities under current administration |
Conclusion
The episode weaves together cultural, political, and health narratives, anchored by a candid interview with Dr. Marty Makary. The hosts' trademark blend of humor and cultural critique underlines broader arguments about authenticity, the disconnect between elites and “real America,” and the need for government institutions (especially the FDA) to adapt more quickly, communicate openly, and focus on real-world outcomes.
Whether discussing nutrition, rare disease cures, sports controversies, or geopolitical flashpoints, Clay and Buck push for transparency, common sense, and a return to what they see as traditional American values—while maintaining a playful, conversational tone throughout.
