The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Hour 3 – "We Can't Avoid a Shutdown"

Date: September 30, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host: Clay Travis (Buck Sexton traveling)
Guests: Senator Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma), Congressman Steve Scalise (Louisiana), Paul Finebaum (ESPN/SEC commentator)

Main Theme and Episode Overview

This hour dives deep into the fast-approaching federal government shutdown, exploring its causes, political dynamics, and impacts on everyday Americans. Host Clay Travis leads substantive discussions with Senator Markwayne Mullin, who argues the shutdown is unavoidable and lays its blame squarely at the feet of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Later, Congressman Steve Scalise reflects on political violence and the legacy of Charlie Kirk while providing further insight into the shutdown standoff. The conversation closes with sports commentary and a thought-provoking segment featuring Paul Finebaum, using the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk to spark broader reflection on public engagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Government Shutdown: Causes and Political Maneuvering

• Sen. Markwayne Mullin outlines why a government shutdown appears unavoidable:

  • Blames Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s political calculus, rooted in fear of a primary challenge from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or her allies.
  • Both parties previously voted for the same funding levels; nothing significant has changed except post-election political posturing.
  • Dispute centers on Democrats’ desire to extend COVID-era subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), allowing undocumented immigrants access to benefits with fewer checks—opposed by Republicans.

  “Chuck Schumer is so scared of AOC…he’s willing to hold the American people hostage.”
  – Sen. Markwayne Mullin [03:15]

• Impact for Listeners:

  • For the first two weeks, essential services and most paychecks (military, social security, Medicare/Medicaid) are unaffected.
  • After October 15–16, a prolonged shutdown means federal employees and military would see paychecks stopped.

• Democrats accused of acting out of “hatred towards President Trump” and trying to fight his agenda post-2024 election loss.

  “You can’t reason with crazy. And that’s what Chuck Schumer is right now. He’s crazy. He’s running scared.”
  – Sen. Markwayne Mullin [08:05]

  “Democrats had a choice…Or they could just double, triple, quadruple down on crazy. It seems like they chose the second option.”
  – Clay Travis [10:02]

2. Political Identity Crises and Shifting Party Lines

• Historical Comparison:

  • Mullin and Travis recall how Democratic positions in the 1990s now echo Republican ones.
  • Points out Chuck Schumer’s 1996 opposition to benefits for undocumented immigrants versus his current position.

  "A lot of Democrat talking points in the 90s are actually Republican talking points now.”
  – Clay Travis [09:25]

• Decline of Traditional Democratic Values:

  • Mullin: “JFK wouldn’t belong to this party anymore…This is the party of AOC and Bernie Sanders.”
  • Blames shift for electoral defeats and the party’s current “identity crisis.”

3. Leadership, Accountability, and Setting Standards

• Military & Leadership Commentary:

  • Mullin discusses Pete Hegseth’s viral address to the military on fitness, connecting it to leadership standards in business and sports.
  • Leaders must embody the standards they expect ("Lead from the front").

  “Fat generals and fat admirals walking through the Pentagon is no more. And I commend [Hegseth] for that.”
  – Sen. Markwayne Mullin [15:18]

4. Political Violence, Free Speech, and Turning Point Legacy

• Congressman Steve Scalise’s Perspective:

  • Shares reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination—deep sadness, anger, and painful echoes of his own experience with political violence.
  • Sees Kirk’s death as rallying a movement for open debate and resistance to cancel culture.

  “The idea that somebody thinks they can just take away a life because they disagree with you politically is insane.”
  – Rep. Steve Scalise [25:17]

  • After Kirk’s murder, more than 50,000 young people have sought to start Turning Point chapters.
  • Scalise: Outpouring of support signals a reversal against radical “cancel culture” and for free speech.

  “The days of trying to shut people up…are over.”
  – Rep. Steve Scalise [29:45]

5. Shutdown Debate: House vs. Senate Positions

• Scalise on the House’s Role:

  • Notes the House has already passed a bill to maintain current funding; blames “far left fringes” and Schumer for delay.
  • Calls Democrat tactics a “temper tantrum” rooted in opposition to Trump’s victory.
  • Stresses impacts: military pay at risk, TSA, federal parks, and more.

  “If there’s a government shutdown, it’s only because Schumer decided to cave to the far left…and disrupt the lives of millions.”
  – Rep. Steve Scalise [31:25]

6. Sports, Community, and Personal Leadership

• Brief detour into SEC football:
  • Scalise discusses LSU’s recent challenges and the cultural allure of Saturday night games in Tiger Stadium.
  • Travis emphasizes how sports offer a parallel for the resilience needed in politics and life.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Schumer and the Shutdown:

  • “You have a career politician, Chuck Schumer, who has decided that his job is more important than keeping the American people in the government funded.”
    – Sen. Markwayne Mullin [04:57]

• On History and Political Change:

  • “Bill Clinton, heck, 1992, would be a Republican now.”
    – Clay Travis [09:25]

• On Learning from Defeat:

  • “Some of the best lessons learned is when you lose. If you reevaluate it…you only be stronger.”
    – Sen. Markwayne Mullin [11:08]

• On Political Violence:

  • “This idea that you’ve got these people who think you can solve your political differences with violence is…against everything America stands for.”
    – Rep. Steve Scalise [25:29]

• On the Power of Example:

  • "Whatever your expectations are [as a leader], you need to set yours higher than what everybody else is below."
    – Sen. Markwayne Mullin [14:29]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:10–07:41] – Sen. Markwayne Mullin on inevitability of shutdown and specifics of what’s at stake
• [08:05–13:17] – Mullin and Travis analyze shifting Democratic values and "crazy" political strategies
• [13:51–15:44] – Mullin and Travis on military leadership, Hegseth speech, and standards in public life
• [24:59–28:43] – Rep. Steve Scalise on Charlie Kirk’s death and the impact of political violence
• [30:45–32:42] – Scalise on the shutdown: the House’s actions, blame on Schumer, and real-world impacts
• [41:27–43:39] – Paul Finebaum reflects on Charlie Kirk’s passing, public service, and reevaluating purpose

Tone and Language

• The show alternates between straightforward political critique and conversational sports banter.
• Both Senator Mullin and Congressman Scalise use vivid, sometimes confrontational language to characterize Democrats and their leadership.
• Host Clay Travis maintains his trademark blend of directness, a dash of humor, and populist appeals for engagement, whether in politics or sports.
• Throughout, the tone is combative towards Democratic leaders, personal when discussing loss and violence, and optimistic about grassroots conservative resurgence.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a pointed and passionate exploration of the anticipated government shutdown, framing it largely as a power and identity struggle within the Democratic Party, while strongly affirming the resilience and determination of the Republican base. Interpersonal reflections—on loss, violence, and leadership—add an emotional resonance and call to action for listeners, echoing in the personal stories of guests like Steve Scalise and Paul Finebaum. Both politics and college football ultimately cohere as metaphors for persistence, leadership, and learning from defeat.