The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 3 – TN Sen. Marsha Blackburn
Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Guest: Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN)

Main Theme of the Episode

This hour revolves around the ongoing federal government shutdown, its political consequences, and broader issues at the intersection of health care, spending, and urban crime. With Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn as a featured guest, the hosts explore Democrat vs. Republican narratives on the budget impasse, the failures of Obamacare, and highlight local and national crime reduction strategies, particularly in Memphis. They also discuss media narratives around presidential history and current political figures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historical Anecdotes about the White House and Media Narratives

• JFK’s White House Reputation:
  • Trump’s anecdote about the old White House pool (now media room) sparks a conversation about how presidential legacies are shaped (“Camelot” vs. reality) and the lack of media scrutiny in the pre-digital era.
    • "JFK and Camelot and all that stuff is a... pure fabrication of the Democrat aligned media... perpetuation because it created this Kennedy dynasty… Ted Kennedy who let a woman drown in the back of his car." — Buck (04:43)
  • Comparison to media downplaying FDR's paralysis and Woodrow Wilson’s wife's role during his stroke.
• Media’s Evolution:
  • The hosts stress that public access to information and accountability has increased, meaning modern politicians can't rely on old media protections.

2. The Federal Government Shutdown: Political Realities & Blame Game (08:00–14:00)

• Trump & Russ Vought:
  • Trump praises OMB head Russ Vought (nicknamed "Darth Vader") for slashing spending on Democrat priorities during the shutdown.
    • "They're cutting Democrat priorities and they're never going to get them back." — Trump (08:11)
  • Discussion on government shutdown strategies, the inability for any one group (‘no kings’ rallies) to unilaterally reopen government.
• Chuck Schumer’s Framing:
  • Schumer’s attempt to brand the crisis as the “Trump Shutdown,” accusing Republicans of inaction.
    • "We enter another week of Donald Trump's government shutdown...” — Schumer (10:55)
  • Hosts argue that Obamacare’s failings and continued subsidies are a drain, and mock the idea that “subsidies” can fix policy.

3. Healthcare, Economics, and Democrat Policy Critique (12:04–14:24)

• Health Care Expenses & Obamacare:
  • Criticism that Obamacare raised costs and reduced flexibility for Americans.
    • "Obamacare has actually made... everything more expensive and worse than it would be if we had never fiddled with it at all." — Clay (12:44)
  • Discussion of the perpetual Democrat strategy of “government subsidies as solutions," referencing Jon Stewart’s critique.
    • "When the government promises endless funds to insurance companies... prices rise far beyond the rate of inflation." — Jon Stewart, played by Buck (13:10)

4. Interview with Senator Marsha Blackburn (23:27–31:35)

Shutdown Politics & Democrat Strategy (23:31–25:28)

• Democrats keep the government closed, hoping to “supercharge” Obamacare, aiming for single-payer health care and trying to avoid negative optics of backing down.
  • "In the beginning when they did Obamacare, they said this was a step toward a single payer system, government run health care. And this has been their goal." — Sen. Blackburn (24:08)

Republican Unity & Trump’s White House Meeting (25:28–27:36)

• Lunch in the Rose Garden with President Trump discussed protecting benefits for troops, women, infants, and the need to return to normal appropriations.
  • "Very upbeat lunch... importance of getting the government reopened so we can return to the appropriations process." — Sen. Blackburn (25:48)
• Emphasis on Democrats’ previous votes for same funding levels they now oppose, suggesting their opposition is “hatred for Donald Trump.”

Spending Cuts and “Dog on Steroids” Approach (27:05–28:56)

• OMB’s Russ Vought is targeting wasteful spending during the shutdown, focusing on blue-state infrastructure and unnecessary government programs/jobs, especially at the IRS.
  • "There’s the opportunity to eliminate some of these jobs, like over at the IRS... you can begin to cut the fat out of some of these government programs.” — Sen. Blackburn (27:57)

National Guard’s Impact in Memphis (29:44–31:35)

• Memphis had a significant drop in crime with National Guard, TBI, and federal agencies aiding law enforcement.
  • "Memphis, right at 1,200 gang members have been apprehended... 63 missing children... 227 illegal firearms... that is what has happened in the last couple of weeks." — Sen. Blackburn (30:41)
• Blackburn sees this as a possible national model for crime control.

5. Extended Analysis: Crime and Urban Reform (32:14–33:32)

• Hosts discuss the potential for crime reduction models in Memphis and D.C. to be replicated nationally, challenging the narrative that America's cities must remain “lawless crime hellholes.”
  • "This could be one of the big wins... because it will break through this idea that Democrat controlled cities can just be lawless crime hellholes for 50 years..." — Buck (31:42)
• Parallel drawn to Trump’s ability to act decisively at the border.

6. Calls and Commentary on Free Speech & Urban Politics (38:36–44:29)

• Caller stories about consequences for political speech in the workplace, with references to recent high-profile events and teacher behavior (Charlie Kirk incident).
• Callers and hosts agree cities must face the consequences of far-left governance before real change occurs.
  • "New York City needs to suffer the pain of electing a communist so that the rest of the country can see... what they want to do for the rest of the country.” — Dave, caller (43:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Presidential Myths vs. Reality:
  “This idea that he [JFK] was this strapping, handsome, you know, all American guy... it’s all a fabrication.” — Buck (05:37)
• On Obamacare’s Failure:
  “Obamacare has actually made... everything more expensive and worse than it would be if we had never fiddled with it at all.” — Clay (12:44)
• On Democrat Strategy:
  “Their solution is always subsidies... when the government promises endless funds... prices rise far beyond the rate of inflation…” — Jon Stewart, via Buck (13:10)
• On Crime-Fighting Success:
  “Memphis... 1,200 gang members have been apprehended... 63 missing children... 227 illegal firearms... that's what has happened in the last couple of weeks.” — Sen. Blackburn (30:41)
• Sen. Blackburn on Shutdown:
  "What they are wanting to do is, is to supercharge Obamacare... we can't let them continue with these enhanced Covid credit premiums..." (24:08)
• On Historical Media Complicity:
  “They pretended that FDR was not in a wheelchair… staggering complicit related media aspects.” — Clay (06:35)
• On National Policy Models:
  "We can show what we did in Memphis and that can be the model for fighting crime all across the country.” — Sen. Blackburn (30:11)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Quote Description | |:----------:|:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:43 | Buck critiques JFK “Camelot” media myth, draws parallels to Ted Kennedy, FDR, Wilson| | 08:11 | Trump (via audio) lauds Russ Vought, likening him to “Darth Vader” for budget cuts | | 10:55 | Schumer labels situation a “Trump shutdown,” sets up partisan blame game | | 12:44 | Clay denounces Obamacare as a “complete and total lie” increasing everyone’s costs | | 13:10 | Jon Stewart (clip) outlines core flaw in Democratic subsidy-driven economic policy | | 24:08 | Sen. Blackburn describes Democrat goals in shutdown - supercharge Obamacare | | 25:48 | Blackburn’s recap of White House lunch – focus on government reopening priorities | | 27:57 | Blackburn details IRS/government jobs and spending cuts enabled during shutdown | | 30:41 | Crime stats from Memphis, cited as a model for urban policy | | 31:42 | Buck: Crime reduction could be a “big win” for Trump presidency | | 43:25 | Caller Dave argues NYC must “suffer” leftist governance for national wake-up call |

Structure & Flow

The episode moves from entertaining White House stories into a pointed look at modern political media, then swiftly shifts to the government shutdown: first as a political football, then as an opportunity for policy maneuvering by the GOP (with narrative reinforcement from Senator Blackburn). The second half zeros in on health care and economics, segues to crime strategies in urban America, and ends by reinforcing the argument that high-profile political failures and urban malaise are necessary catalysts for change—wrapping with live audience engagement via calls.

Tone & Language

The tone is conversational, irreverent, often humorous in its ridicule of political opponents (Democrats/left-wing policies), alternating between casual storytelling and direct policy critique. Expect quips, inside references, and a presumption of listener familiarity with key conservative talking points.

This summary captures the core content and flow of Hour 3 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (October 21, 2025), highlighting its major themes, moments, and guest interview for those who missed the episode.