The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 3 – Red State / Blue State
Date: February 2, 2026

Overview

This episode, hosted by Clay Travis (with Buck Sexton away at a NASA event), examines the shifting demographic and political landscapes of the United States, focusing on migration from "blue states" to "red states," recent dramatic decreases in crime in Washington D.C., and failures of local governance—particularly in Nashville's response to a major ice storm. The show also features an extended conversation with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on local infrastructure, utility management, and the advancement of Trump’s policy agenda. Throughout, Clay delivers his characteristically sharp, humorous, and candid commentary on the political and cultural news of the week.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Show Updates and Expansion (02:42)

• The show will debut on SiriusXM satellite radio (Triumph channel 123) on February 9, expanding access beyond AM/FM and podcast platforms.
• Plans to introduce three hours of daily video content via YouTube and other platforms later in June, underscoring the show's commitment to multi-platform reach.

2. Positive Crime and Lifespan News (04:01)

• Clay highlights positive news from recent government data:

  • Washington, D.C. crime statistics for January:
    • Homicides down 80%
    • Robberies down 58%
    • Burglaries down 28%
    • Motor vehicle theft down 57%
    • Total crime down 26%.
  • The U.S. average lifespan hit a new record last year.
  • The U.S. murder rate reached a 125-year low.

  Clay's Observation:

  "Data from Washington D.C. during January... all crime down 26%. ...People are voting with their feet as well to support good government." (04:04)

3. Red State vs. Blue State Migration (06:00)

• Census data shows Americans are migrating to states won by Donald Trump ("red states") and departing states won by Kamala Harris ("blue states").

  • Top 10 inbound states: North Carolina, Texas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Nevada—all Trump states.
  • Top outbound states: Connecticut, Hawaii, Colorado, Maryland, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois, New York, California—nine out of ten are "blue".

  Clay’s Take:

  "People are moving... to red states. Where are people leaving? Overwhelmingly states that Kamala Harris won." (07:00)

• Dispels myth that blue-state transplants are “ruining” red states by bringing left-wing politics; in fact, red states are becoming “redder.”

  "Data doesn't support it. The red states are actually getting redder. The people that are the most fed up and are relocating tend to be redder even than the states that they are going to." (08:25)

4. Critique of Local Governance: Nashville Electric Service and DEI (11:12)

• After a major ice storm, many in Nashville remain without power for weeks. Clay blames local leadership and overemphasis on DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) initiatives rather than practical infrastructure.

  "Nashville electric service had over a hundred DEI meetings and trainings last year... What I care about is turn the power on and get it back flowing." (11:50)

• Personal anecdote about leaving Nashville for neighboring Franklin, TN due to frustration with Covid-era policy and poor city management.

5. Cultural and Political Frustration (16:00)

• Clay empathizes with listeners feeling “frustrated by the stupidity that you see at the Grammy Awards” or dealing with blue-state policy failures.

• Predicts an enduring cycle where red states grow stronger as more Americans relocate, while blue states further decline due to failed governance.

  "My big thesis is post Covid, a lot of people realize they can live anywhere ... people are fed up with government that doesn't work." (15:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Red State Success:

  "Republicans make choices and govern in a way that makes everybody's lives better. And all of these blue states are starting to fall apart even more." (09:45)

• On Electoral Shifts:

  "Florida is a prime example... Now we know about three hours after the votes are cast, overwhelmingly red state voters have flowed into Florida." (08:48)

Interview: Senator Marsha Blackburn (25:14–34:55)

1. Nashville Power Outage & Infrastructure (25:14)

• Status: About 40,000 in Nashville metro still without power, over a week after the storm.

• Causes:

  • 50% of NES (Nashville Electric Service) grid failed during the storm.
  • NES admitted to “preparing for a snowstorm, not an ice storm,” despite ample warnings.
  • Poor communication systems: outage notifications incorrect, phone and online systems down.
  • Senator points to NES prioritizing 102 DEI trainings over practical tree and line management.

  Blackburn: "They have one job and it is to keep the lights on. And the communication was terrible... They were just focused on DEI and WOKE policies and not paying attention to infrastructure." (28:13)

  "You prepare for these things. And it seems that there were no lessons taken from the 1994 storm." (31:12)

• Relief Efforts:

  • National Guard, Highway Patrol, emergency agencies, and neighbors identified as critical responders.
  • Federal (FEMA) and local resources activated for aid.

2. Trump’s Policy Agenda & Senate Status (32:03)

• Trump agenda:

  • 11 of 12 appropriations bills completed, moving off “Biden budget” and onto a “Trump Republican budget.”
  • Ongoing confirmations and legislative efforts on AI policy, child savings accounts, and financial literacy.
  • Emphasizes bipartisan support for Trump initiatives.

  Blackburn: "We've done 11 of 12 appropriations bills... This gets us off of the Biden budget and onto a Trump Republican budget. That helps us bend the spending curve." (32:36)

3. Civic Participation and Cultural Appeal (20:58; 43:02)

• Clay references James Carville criticizing Democrats' loss of men due to cultural messaging and “feminization” of the party.
• Caller Ryan (43:02) affirms that Idaho is becoming redder, supports primary participation:

  "All the heavy lifting happens in the primary. By the time we get to the general, it's mostly too late if you want to make a change." (43:47)

• Clay: "You need to vote in primaries. Idaho was the ninth most popular state for people to move domestically... All 10 of the most popular states were won by Donald Trump." (44:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:42] - Show expansion, satellite radio news
• [04:01] - Positive national crime and lifespan statistics
• [06:00] - Red state/blue state migration census breakdown
• [11:12] - Nashville electric power crisis and DEI critique
• [16:00] - Cultural and political frustration, future predictions
• [25:14] - Interview begins: Sen. Marsha Blackburn on Nashville infrastructure and response
• [27:53] - Blackburn presses NES on preparation failures and priorities
• [32:03] - Trump’s agenda in the Senate; Blackburn’s campaign updates
• [43:02] - Caller Ryan from Idaho: Red state primary importance

Overall Tone & Style

Clay Travis delivers with a mix of data-driven analysis, humor, and impassioned commentary. The conversation is candid, full of personal anecdotes, and frequently leans into criticism of progressive governance and cultural drift among Democratic leaders and states. The show maintains its mission of mixing realism with optimism, highlighting success stories and the importance of civic engagement.

Summary Takeaway

The episode paints a picture of America in motion—a populace voting with its feet and its ballots, seeking competence in governance, and tilting the country’s demographic and political scales. The failures of blue cities and states, contrasted with red state appeal, frame not just a political movement but a culture war over common sense and practical priorities. The extended interview with Sen. Blackburn underscores these points through the real-world lens of a state struggling with infrastructure and leadership.