The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show: "Hour 3 – Trump’s Midterm Strategy"

Guest Host: Tudor Dixon, with Kyle Olson
December 30, 2025 | iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This hour, guest host Tudor Dixon (from The Tudor Dixon Podcast) steps in for Clay and Buck, broadcasting from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The episode zeroes in on GOP midterm strategies under Donald Trump’s leadership, economic messaging, and Republican prospects amid ongoing Democratic resistance. Tudor interviews James Blair (former Trump 2024 campaign and RNC political director) for insight into the party’s plans and challenges. Later, the discussion turns to Republican fractures, notably Marjorie Taylor Greene’s public criticisms, and finally to allegations of widespread fraud in Minnesota with Congressman Pete Stauber.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Trump’s Economic and Campaign Strategy for the Midterms

Guest: James Blair, former Trump 2024 campaign & RNC political director

Highlights:

• Republican Economic Achievements and Messaging

  • Blair attributes prior inflation and reduced wages to Democratic policy:

    “They’re the ones that gave us the record high prices through record high inflation… President Trump and the Republicans are fixing it.” (04:57 – 05:15)

  • He emphasizes new federal tax reforms:

    “No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security… People are going to get those tax returns in April. They’re going to feel that money back in their pocket.” (05:15 – 06:00)

  • Blair claims the average earner lost $3,000 during Biden, but under Republicans, it’s “back up $1300.” (06:00)

• State-Level Democratic Pushback

  • Some Democrat governors refusing to implement no-tax-on-tips/OT overtime at the state level.
  • Blair’s take:

    “Democrat governors are basically pocketing the tax refunds people are due.” (07:05)

  • He argues Republicans should use Democratic pushback as a political weapon at the state level.(06:48 – 08:03)

• Midterm Forecasts & Historical Trends

  • Despite historic midterm losses for the ruling party, Blair is optimistic.

    “I think it’s going to be a narrow House majority either way. The question is, who controls it? The Republicans are in a very offensive position. We absolutely have all the tools to win.” (08:31 – 09:04)

  • Stresses the importance of clear contrasts, accomplishments, and proactive policies:

    “As long as we do that, we will be successful.” (09:41)

• Trump's Unique Role in the Midterms

  • On putting Trump “on the ballot”:

    “That looks like the President traveling the country getting out the vote… He is our party leader, the agenda setter and the vision setter.” (09:58 – 10:10)

  • Anecdotes of Trump’s ceaseless campaigning:

    “I can affirmatively say he’s not sleeping, he’s just working.” (11:02 – 11:32)

• Policy Focus: Lowering Utility Costs and Trade Deals

  • Blair points to stalled pipelines and Democratic opposition in NY, impacting high utility bills, especially in the Northeast.

    “If they would just get out of the way … the average Northeasterner’s home utility bill would go down almost $3,000 a year.” (13:02 – 13:24)

  • States international trade deals and tariffs are helping the domestic economy:

    “What that does is that drives down interest rates. That makes it more affordable for people to buy a home, to buy a car.” (13:49 – 14:00)

2. Republican Fractures: Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Betrayal?

Segment with Tudor Dixon & Kyle Olson
(18:35 – 23:55)

Highlights:

• Tudor and Kyle express bewilderment and disapproval over Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s public criticism of Trump and media outreach.

  “Marjorie Taylor Greene texts the New York Times writer. I mean this is like texting the enemy, in my opinion.” (18:35)

• They note her distancing from “MAGA” branding and pivot to “America First” rhetoric.
• Kyle Olson:

  “What they try to do is...find someone who is a loyalist...and then they turn them, and it’s like proof that, you know, Trump is bad.” (21:17 – 22:02)

• Tudor’s pointed critique:

  “I think this is a true betrayal. And to wait until she gets her pension? I just think it’s safe.” (23:04)

3. Minnesota Fraud Scandal and Political Fallout

Guest: Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN)
(25:07 – 35:59)

Main Points:

• Uncovering Massive Fraud in Minnesota

  • Stauber alleges $9–11 billion in fraud under Gov. Tim Walz, covering “housing fraud, Medicaid fraud, medical transportation fraud, childcare fraud, and the list goes on.” (25:34 – 26:30)
  • He stresses the Trump administration’s active investigation:

    “The Trump administration is putting all their efforts into making sure that fraud...will be [prosecuted].” (26:19 – 26:32)

• Election Vulnerabilities

  • Stauber and the hosts highlight a Minnesota law allowing one voter to vouch for eight others for same-day registration, facilitating alleged fraud.

    “You can show up on election day…with eight friends…if you are a legal Minnesota resident, you can say, hey, trust me, these guys are good. You should let them vote today.” (30:29 – 30:51)

  • Stauber:

    “That’s exactly the laws within the state of Minnesota. And it was brought to us by the Democrat legislature.” (30:51 – 30:59)

• Accountability and Media Bias Allegations

  • Stauber claims local media shielded Walz until national scrutiny forced the issues into view.
  • Calls out lack of oversight, especially for “childcare centers that don’t even have one child in them” yet receive millions in public funds.

    “We have child care deserts up in northern Minnesota...then we look down in the Twin Cities, and there’s hundreds of millions of dollars going out...that don’t even have one child in them.” (32:06 – 32:40)

• Political Impact

  • Stauber expresses hope that the Trump administration will issue subpoenas and bring those responsible to justice, blaming both Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison for lack of state accountability.

4. Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On Trump’s Relentless Schedule:

  “He’s not sleeping. He’s just working ... right now a bunch of us are down here in Florida with him and he’s spending his day taking meetings, preparing for the new year. There’s no such thing as a big holiday break...”
  — James Blair (11:02 – 11:32)

• On Tax Policy Messaging:

  “Democrat governors are basically pocketing the tax refunds that people are due.”
  — James Blair (07:05)

• On Marjorie Taylor Greene:

  “I think this is a true betrayal. And to wait until she gets her pension? I just think it’s safe.”
  — Tudor Dixon (23:04)

• On the Minnesota Fraud Scandal:

  “Minnesotans are literally outraged...it looks like it’s going to be between 9 and 11 billion [dollars].”
  — Rep. Pete Stauber (25:34)

5. Patriotic Reflection: Honoring World War II Veterans

(40:16 – 44:31)

• Tudor shares her admiration for veterans she featured recently, including a 101-year-old Normandy survivor and a 104-year-old who played saxophone at an Islanders game.
• Kyle Olson reflects on his own grandfather’s WWII POW experience and a family trip to Poland.
• Dixon:

  “We have so much to learn. That’s why we have to keep talking to them for as long as they are still here. They are an amazing generation.” (43:37)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:19: Tudor Dixon introduces James Blair
• 04:36 – 14:30: Trump’s economic agenda and the 2026 midterm map
• 18:35 – 23:55: Analysis of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s split with MAGA/Trump
• 25:07 – 36:06: Rep. Pete Stauber details Minnesota fraud case & impacts
• 40:16 – 44:31: WWII veterans segment & reflections on national character

Tone & Style

The conversation remains punchy, conversational, and direct, mirroring the hosts’ blend of outrage, humor, and strategy-focused analysis. There’s a strong focus on practical political messaging for Republican candidates, critiques of Democratic leadership, and pride in American history and veterans.

Summary Takeaways

• Midterm Outlook: Republicans, under Trump’s leadership, are focusing on tax relief and cost of living concerns to reverse any Democratic gains. State-level Democratic pushback on federal tax cuts is framed as a political vulnerability to exploit.
• Republican Messaging: Clear economic contrasts and essentials like “restoring affordability” are priority themes. Trump remains front and center as party leader and campaigner.
• Internal GOP Tensions: Marjorie Taylor Greene’s apostasy is viewed as a significant betrayal, used by media to harm Trump.
• Local Scandals: Minnesota’s massive fraud allegations serve as both a warning and a campaign issue, with broad concern about electoral integrity.
• Patriotic Reflection: Highlighting WWII veterans offers a unifying, uplifting close to the otherwise hard-edged political conversation.

For those who missed the episode: This hour provides a roadmap of Republican campaign thinking going into the 2026 midterms, framed through a mix of insider insight, political strategy, and grassroots-level critiques of both Democratic governance and internal party disunity.