Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Hour 3 - Riley Gaines Smokes Clay
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Host/Authors: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Platform: iHeartPodcasts
Introduction and Current News
Clay Travis and Buck Sexton kick off the hour by addressing recent headlines and ongoing political narratives. They dismiss a particular Wall Street Journal story as "crap" (00:00) and shift focus to the White House's response, mentioning comments from Caroline Levitt, the White House Press Secretary. The hosts also briefly touch upon local politics, referencing Mamdani and questioning whether Trump has the authority to influence his position, highlighting the roles of Eric Adams, Cuomo, and Sliwa (00:00).
Declassified Presidential Daily Briefing and Russia's Election Impact
A significant portion of the discussion centers around a declassified Presidential Daily Briefing (PDB) from December 8, 2016, which assesses that Russian and criminal actors did not impact the 2016 U.S. election results. Buck Sexton introduces this topic, emphasizing its importance given the ongoing narratives about Russian interference (01:24).
Notable Quote:
"We assess Russia and criminal actors did not impact recent U.S. election results... making it highly unlikely it would have resulted in altering any state's official vote result." — Presidential Daily Briefing, Dec 8, 2016 (02:20)
Clay Travis echoes Buck's sentiment, asserting that the declassified PDB reinforces the notion that the Russia collusion narrative was "a lie" and "a fabrication." He draws parallels to other political cover-ups, such as the "Biden dementia cover-up," suggesting a pattern of suppressed truths within Democratic circles (03:58).
Media Critique and Narratives
The hosts delve into a critique of mainstream media, accusing them of "laundering" stories to fit partisan agendas. Buck highlights how media outlets propagate certain narratives without transparency, thereby shaping public perception inaccurately. He specifically points out the ongoing efforts to associate Trump with Epstein-related scandals, questioning the motivations behind these attempts (06:03).
Notable Quote:
"They laundered this through people who should know better. A lie. And they basically tried to destroy the entire first Trump term over it." — Buck Sexton (07:50)
Stephen Colbert's Late Show Cancellation
Transitioning from political discourse, Clay shares breaking news about Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" being canceled next May, marking the end of late-night television as they know it. Both hosts lament the loss, attributing the demise to Colbert's pivot towards "left-wing, anti-Trump propaganda," which they believe alienated his audience and undermined the show's success (18:12).
Notable Quote:
"He removed the Late Show, and I think he destroyed late-night television." — Buck Sexton (18:32)
Alcatraz Swim Challenge and Host Banter
The conversation takes a lighter turn as Buck Sexton introduces an entertaining segment involving a challenge proposed by Riley Gaines on Sean Hannity's show. Riley, a renowned swimmer and advocate for women in sports, announced her intention to swim from Alcatraz Island to the mainland, metaphorically "splashing a cannonball" at Clay Travis. The hosts humorously debate Buck's own ability to undertake the same challenge, reflecting on his swimming skills and teasing potential outcomes (21:03).
Notable Quote:
"I'm going to swim it. I'm going to do it, and I'm going to do it on behalf of all the haters, all the doubters of whom there are many." — Buck Sexton (29:19)
Discussion on Prison Abolition and Defunding Police
Clay and Buck transition into a serious discussion about the left's stance on criminal justice, specifically the abolition of prisons and police forces. They argue that activists aim to dismantle these institutions, replacing them with social workers, a move they claim would lead to societal chaos. The hosts draw comparisons to fictional portrayals of anarchy, such as Gotham City's Arkham Asylum scenario, to illustrate the potential consequences of eliminating law enforcement structures (26:29).
Notable Quote:
"The left actually believes we need to get to a place where there are no more prisons. And also there are no more police. There are just social workers." — Clay Travis (26:46)
Conclusion
The episode concludes with Clay and Buck reinforcing their commitment to countering opposing narratives and maintaining their stance on political and social issues. They invite listeners to engage with their content, share their viewpoints, and participate in ongoing discussions about media integrity, political accountability, and societal structures.
Timestamps
- 00:00 – Introduction and dismissal of the Wall Street Journal story
- 01:24 – Introduction to declassified Presidential Daily Briefing
- 02:20 – Reading and discussion of PDB content
- 03:58 – Clay’s analysis of the PDB's significance
- 06:03 – Buck’s critique of media laundering stories
- 07:50 – Buck continues critique on media narratives
- 18:12 – Announcement of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show cancellation
- 18:32 – Discussion on the impact of the cancellation
- 21:03 – Introduction to Alcatraz Swim Challenge
- 26:29 – Transition to discussion on prison abolition
- 26:46 – Detailed analysis of the left's stance on policing
- 29:19 – Buck commits to the swim challenge
- 30:15 – Clay and Buck banter about the swim
- 33:12 – Final thoughts on the swim and hosting dynamics
- 40:35 – Buck shares personal anecdotes related to swimming
- 41:32 – Closing remarks and promotion of Family Freedom from T-Mobile
This episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show offers a blend of political commentary, media critique, and engaging host interactions, culminating in a humorous yet symbolic challenge that underscores the show's dynamic and often confrontational style.