Podcast Summary

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 3 - Riley Gaines vs. AOC
Date: October 28, 2025
Host: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton
Guest: Riley Gaines

Episode Overview

This episode centers on recent political headlines, with particular attention given to a social media spat between former collegiate swimmer and women's sports advocate Riley Gaines and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). The hosts also discuss contemporary issues surrounding drug policy, the Trump administration's actions, political communication, and a broader conversation about motherhood. Riley Gaines joins for an in-depth interview about her experiences and ongoing public challenges from high-profile figures.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Stock Market Milestones and Trump’s Asia Visit

Timestamp: 02:34–06:12

• Clay Travis begins on an optimistic note, highlighting record highs in the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq. He attributes ongoing economic improvements to advances made during the Trump presidency and asserts that pessimistic predictions about the market collapse in April were unfounded.
  • "If you had bought stock back in April, you’re up around 40% now on those stock purchases." (03:40)
• Discussion shifts to Trump’s diplomatic efforts during his Asia trip, possibly meeting with Kim Jong Un and Chinese Premier Xi:
  • "He’s scheduled to be in South Korea...some whispers he might meet Kim Jong Un again..." (05:41)
• The hosts preview the upcoming New York City mayoral race and the anniversary of Trump’s 2024 win.

2. Trump 2028 Speculation and Cognitive Test Challenge

Timestamp: 06:12–13:08

• Trump’s remarks on Air Force One spark discussion about whether he will run in 2028, or instead back a unity ticket (J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio).
  • Buck Sexton: “A lot can happen in two and a half years, my friend.” (08:00)
• Trump’s characteristic banter is highlighted when he lambasts Rep. Jasmine Crockett and AOC, challenging them to cognitive tests and ridiculing their intelligence:
  • Trump: "They have Jasmine Crockett, a low IQ person. They have AOC…give her an IQ test...a tiger, an elephant, a giraffe. You know, when you get up to about 5 or 6…and then when you get up to 10 and 20 and 25, they couldn’t come close to answering any of those questions.” (10:33)
• Clay and Buck reflect on Trump’s unique sense of humor and media response:
  • Clay: “His comedic timing and the fact that people don’t get his sense of humor…I really feel like so many people who have Trump Derangement Syndrome…have an inability to process tone and context.” (12:01)

3. Jasmine Crockett Responds to Trump’s Insults

Timestamp: 13:08–15:08

• Jasmine Crockett counters Trump’s low-IQ comments, citing her own merit and accusing Trump of fixating on women of color:
  • Jasmine Crockett: “He’s never been known to be an Einstein. This is someone who, but for him being born with a silver spoon, probably wouldn’t have got into anybody’s institution, unlike me...I wish people would look at the fact that you have a President of the United States who consistently is obsessing over two women of color that are members of the House.” (13:24)
• Clay and Buck lament the lack of elite intellect and communicators in Congress and argue that Trump capitalized on “lightweights” in politics:
  • Clay Travis: “We are not represented...by the most accomplished and intellectually sound and great communicators out there.” (14:08)

4. Drug Policy, Fentanyl Crisis, and Administration Response

Timestamp: 19:09–22:47

• Shift to Trump administration’s tough stance on drug trafficking, including the blowing up of drug boats:
  • Marco Rubio: “Well, I mean, the question is, bottom line, these are drug boats. If people want to stop seeing drug boats blow up, stop sending drugs to the United States...” (21:43)
• Discussion of fentanyl dangers, overdosing (or poisoning), and how the administration’s policies may be recalibrating cartel operations.
  • Clay Travis: “It’s not even overdosing...it’s poisoning. You don’t even know that you’re taking it.” (21:03)
  • Buck: “The cartels...they’re poisoning people and it’s a lethal issue and we’re responding with lethal force.” (21:11)

5. Interview: Riley Gaines on Motherhood, AOC Dispute & Women's Sports

Timestamp: 25:38–38:46

Motherhood Reflections

• Surprise at positive experiences as a new mom; counters negative cultural narratives:
  • Riley Gaines: “How easy it is…all the horror stories…none of the bad things…It has just been the most magical past four weeks…” (25:38)
  • Conversation about societal tendency to focus on negative experiences of parenthood and general life advice.

AOC Social Media Attack

• Riley recounts seeing AOC’s comment belittling her NCAA swimming achievements, saying she was "only the fifth best" in the nation.
  • Riley Gaines: “AOC mentioned you in a comment...It says something to the effect of if you channeled all of your anger towards swimming, maybe you would have been faster…Better than fifth in all of American NCAA swimmers.” (29:42)
  • Clay Travis: “You’re only the fifth best at something in the entire United States...I’d love to be the fifth best at anything.” (30:12)
• Riley highlights the misogyny of AOC’s attack, arguing that male athletes in the same position would not face such criticism:
  • Gaines: “Would she call the fifth best college football player in the nation mediocre or bad?...Of course not.” (30:33)
• Discusses AOC’s stance in the broader debate on women’s sports and the competing narratives regarding fairness and safety.

Why Did AOC Attack?

• Riley speculates AOC’s comment was more about playing to the radical activist base on social media, not a sound political calculation, pointing out most Americans—and even most Democrats—support her stance on women’s sports.
  • Gaines: “It’s not politically expedient at all. And…the terrifying point here is that this is the leader of their party…Try and think of a moderate Democrat at any level…I mean, there just isn’t one.” (36:24)

Lighthearted Banter

• The conversation turns light as Riley is roped into Clay and Buck’s ongoing fitness bets (tennis serve speed, Alcatraz swim) with plenty of playful ribbing:
  • Gaines: “I think there is a, a more plausible chance of you serving a 100 mile per hour serve. Then there is Clay Travis actually swimming Alcatraz.” (33:29)
  • Discussion of open-water swimming, sharks, and cold, with Riley poking fun at her husband’s (and Clay’s) trepidations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump’s Cognitive Test Challenge:
  “Let AOC go against Trump. Let Jasmine [Crockett] go against Trump...A tiger, an elephant, a giraffe…they couldn’t come close to answering any of those questions.” — Trump, aired by Clay Travis (10:33)
• Reflecting on COVID Lockdowns:
  “We don’t have to go back to that trauma every time...” — Buck, on NY lockdown memories (08:49)
• On Congressional Intellect:
  “We are not represented...by the most accomplished and intellectually sound and great communicators out there.” — Clay Travis (14:08)
• Rubio on Drug Boats:
  “If people want to stop seeing drug boats blow up, stop sending drugs to the United States...” — Marco Rubio (21:43)
• Riley on Motherhood:
  “It has just been the most magical past four weeks...I think the message that I want to send is that there are good stories out there too.” — Riley Gaines (25:38)
• AOC’s Attack and Riley’s Response:
  “AOC mentioned you in a comment...It says something to the effect of if you channeled all of your anger towards swimming, maybe you would have been faster or something...” — Riley Gaines (29:42)

Timestamps at a Glance

• Stock Market and Trump’s Trip: 02:34–06:12
• Trump 2028 & Cognitive Test Banter: 06:12–13:08
• Jasmine Crockett Claps Back: 13:08–15:08
• Drug Boats & Fentanyl Crisis: 19:09–22:47
• Riley Gaines Interview:
  • Motherhood: 25:38–28:32
  • AOC Attack and Debate on Women’s Sports: 29:42–38:46

Summary & Tone

True to their style, Clay and Buck infuse humor and cultural criticism while dissecting both serious and absurd headlines. Their tone combines political skepticism, sarcasm, and earnest advocacy for conservative issues. Riley Gaines’ guest segment blends positivity with pointed critique of progressive narratives around women’s athletics and gender-related policies, while her warmth on motherhood offers a refreshing counter-narrative to doom-and-gloom stories.

For Listeners: Takeaways

• The episode features energetic takes on Trump-era politics, the challenges of political communication, and cultural flashpoints like women’s sports and drug policy.
• Riley Gaines stands her ground in the face of high-profile criticism, making compelling appeals for fairness while maintaining humor and perspective.
• Frequent, memorable banter between hosts and guest keeps the conversation relatable and engaging even when tackling contentious topics.