The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show — "Hour 3: Steal the Bacon!"

Date: February 24, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts
Hosts: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton

Episode Overview

In this lively third hour, Clay and Buck deliver their signature mix of humor and sharp political commentary as they look ahead to President Trump’s State of the Union address. The conversation meanders through fond memories of childhood games, critiques of modern political speechmaking, education reform, and listener reactions to current events. The show’s lighthearted banter is interwoven with thoughtful takes on how tradition, culture, and politics intersect in America today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Previewing President Trump’s State of the Union (02:34–07:07)

• Anticipation and Predictions: Clay notes that the over/under prediction for the address is 99 minutes, lamenting the lengthy tradition:

  “Oftentimes I like to actually...read the State of the Union because I can read through it a lot faster than you can watch it with all the clapping and everything else.” — Clay (02:58)

• Both hosts discuss personal preferences, with Buck planning to multitask childcare during the speech, leading to a tangent on kids and pets at home.
• Advice for Speechmaking:

  “Great speeches are short. The best speeches are 20 minutes or less. Speeches go too long. Nobody wants to hear it.” — Buck (06:57)

• Real-life application: Both share advice for wedding and event toasts, emphasizing brevity and authenticity.

“Steal the Bacon” and Childhood PE Games (03:56–07:35, 25:56–28:37)

• Nostalgic Banter: Buck describes “Steal the Bacon,” a game neither Clay nor many listeners seem to know, sparking calls and messages from the audience.
• Cultural Differences: Discussion of regional variations of playground games, including the now-offensive “smear the queer” (05:01), noting changes in terminology and culture.
• Listener Responses:
  • A PE coach from Miami confirms "Steal the Bacon" is alive and well in schools, and even claims it teaches about life and competitiveness (27:46).
  • Jewish listener recollects her version was called "Steal the Salami" at summer camp (25:58), prompting jokes about meat and dietary laws.
• Buck’s Commentary:

  "It is a microcosm of capitalism. It's like, you know, you got to be, when you're called, when your name is up, you better get that bacon or somebody else is." — Buck (27:46)

Critiques on Political Performances & Teleprompters (12:36–17:21)

• State of the Union Attendance: Discussion of 50 Democrats skipping the event, and how their seats might be filled by first responders, soldiers, or the US men’s hockey team (09:53–11:55).
  • Notable quote:

    “I would rather stick forks in my eyes than be here tonight to listen to Donald Trump talk about the State of the Union.” — Rep. Angie Craig (09:39)

• Speech-Making Advice: Both hosts argue most politicians rely on teleprompters and would falter without them.
  • Clay:

    “If you can’t say what you’re arguing for off prompter, then you’re just an actor who is out there reading lines that somebody else wrote for you…” (16:12)

• Trump vs. Obama & Reagan: Buck notes Trump’s off-the-cuff skill, comparing favorably to Reagan and arguing Obama was only effective on prompter.

Suggestions for Trump’s Address — Substance Over Show (13:26–15:30)

• Messaging Strategy: Clay urges Trump to highlight positive data, like the 125-year low for violent crime and improvements in the economy (mortgage rates, inflation, GDP).
  • “Tell the story of violent crime hitting a 125 year low....this is your opportunity.” — Clay (13:26)
• Reaching Persuadables: They note the importance of moments when Trump can bypass legacy media and speak directly to voters who may not be deep into current political news.

Listener Reactions: Political Controversies & Patriotism (24:42–25:10)

• US Men’s Hockey Team Controversy: A female listener from Arkansas says she’s not offended by Trump’s remarks in the locker room, denounces the over-sensitivity of current culture, and calls shunning the president "unpatriotic."
  • “Can we stop normalizing getting offended and getting praised for? Instead of being called out for the lack of character and maturity...” — Kelly (24:42)
• Clay and Buck riff on generational names (“Ethel” and “Esther”) as a segue into audience feedback about games and regional differences.

Tangent: The Evolution of School PE and Teaching (28:14–38:08)

• Banter on PE Teachers: Clay jokes that PE is often the easiest teaching job, drawing mock outrage (and defense) from Buck.
  • “The number of PE teachers that had the greatest jobs on the planet and just rolled the basketballs out...overwhelmingly.” — Clay (28:57)
  • Buck retorts with respect for coaches doubling as PE teachers.
• PE and School Structure: Discussion on the lack of rigor in some PE programs, decline of exercise in schools, and nostalgia for sports-based discipline in childhood (e.g., calisthenics as punishment now being sold as boutique fitness classes).
• Education System Critique: Both hosts speculate on more efficient educational models, referencing the possibility of AI-enhanced/hybrid learning and the potential for shorter but more effective school days (32:07–35:29).
• Changing Nature of Teaching:
  • Buck suggests that economic opportunities for women outside teaching have changed the talent pool and quality of educators in public schools:

    “I do think that our generation saw the first surge of a lot of women who would have...become VPs at Morgan Stanley instead.” — Buck (35:29)

• Skyrocketing Costs: Debate over whether the $40,000 annual spending per child in NYC’s public schools is justified by results (37:38–38:08).

Childhood Swimming Anecdotes: Naked Pool Training?! (43:05–44:46)

• Listener Story: A caller from Michigan shares a memory of mandatory naked swim classes, leading to a brief, incredulous conversation on bygone norms of male club culture and co-ed pools.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On “Steal the Bacon:”

  “This is not some Buck island phenomenon. This is a widespread camp gym class game called Steal the bacon exactly as I described it.” — Buck (06:21)

• On Speechmaking:

  “I have never been to an event where people were like, frustrated or annoyed that a speech was too short. I have been to countless events where people were writhing with agony...anything to make the pain stop.” — Buck (07:35)

• On Political Authenticity:

  “If you can’t say what you’re arguing for off prompter, then you’re just an actor who is out there reading lines that somebody else wrote for you...” — Clay (16:12)

• On US Hockey & Patriotism:

  “There’s nothing less patriotic than to represent the US on the World Stage and then shun the president of your country. Now that’s offensive.” — Kelly (24:42)

• On Culture & Schooling:

  "If you had to pick a school teacher who did the least on a day to day basis...PE Was the place where it was the easiest teaching job." — Clay (28:57)

• On Public School Spending:

  “Every public school kid in New York City, we are spending 40k a year, the equivalent of on their education in public schools and many of them are getting old, awful educations.” — Clay (38:08)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• State of the Union Address Discussion: 02:34–13:26
• Steal the Bacon & PE Memories: 03:56–07:35, 25:56–28:37
• Teleprompters & Political Oratory: 12:36–17:21
• US Hockey Team & Patriotism Listener Feedback: 24:42–25:10, 26:53–27:46
• Education Reform & Public School Debate: 28:14–38:08
• Naked Swimming in School & Clubs: 43:05–44:46

Style & Tone

• Conversational and playful, with plenty of in-jokes (“Buck island”), light sarcasm, and a willingness to poke fun at themselves, their peers from childhood, and the American political class.
• Candid and critical of both left-wing and establishment right-wing traditions, while grounding arguments in personal experience and cultural zeitgeist.
• Inclusive of audience input, integrating live calls and talkback segments that reflect the show’s wide, ideologically sympathetic listener base.

Summary

This episode captures Clay and Buck at their most entertaining: weaving together nostalgia, cultural critique, political commentary, and listener engagement to offer a uniquely American, irreverent, and thoughtful hour. From the anticipation of a Trump address, to “Steal the Bacon” and critiques of education, the show walks the line between hilarity and seriousness, all with sharp wit and pointed insight. Whether discussing the quality of political speeches, the role of physical education, or the merits of teleprompters, Clay and Buck keep the conversation lively, informative, and relatable for listeners old and new.