Hour 3 - Why South Carolina Matters

Summary

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The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 3 – Why South Carolina Matters
Date: July 24, 2026
Key Guests: Ann Coulter, Senator Jim Banks (Indiana)
Main Theme:
A wide-ranging discussion on the shifting dynamics of the Democratic primary calendar with South Carolina now in the lead-off position, the political consequences for 2028, the ongoing Iran war and its domestic ripple effects, the evolution of immigration debate, outrage culture in sports, and the Save America Act’s fate in Congress.

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Episode Overview

Hour 3 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show dives deep into why the Democratic Party’s new primary schedule matters—especially with South Carolina kicking off the 2028 season. The hosts, joined by Ann Coulter and later by Senator Jim Banks, further unpack intra-party fights among Democrats, implications for figures like Kamala Harris, foreign policy fallout from the Iran war, and the enduring frustrations around immigration policy. There’s also an extended, unfiltered look at cultural flashpoints in women’s sports and the state of college athletics.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Democratic Primary Shakeup: South Carolina Goes First

Timestamp: [02:30–05:01, 20:51–22:37]

• Breaking news: The DNC announces Michigan, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Nevada as its first four primary states, with South Carolina leading.
• Ann Coulter comments that South Carolina’s prominence highlights the party’s focus on black Democratic voters, contrasting with New Hampshire’s “anti-DSA (Democratic Socialists of America)” streak.
  • “By starting with South Carolina in Democratic primaries, that is heavily, heavily black Democrats... I assume the powers that be in the Democratic Party don't want to front load it with a lot of DSA types.” —Ann Coulter [03:32]
• Clay Travis predicts Kamala Harris will benefit the most, given her dominance with black voters in South Carolina.
  • “Kamala Harris is going to win the state of South Carolina and begin the 2028 Democrat primary process with a dub. This is the best result for her large black audience.” —Clay Travis [21:05]
• Buck Sexton offers caution: many candidates have won the first primary but failed to secure the nomination.

2. Intra-Democrat Struggles and Socialism's Outliers

Timestamp: [05:01–06:09]

• Buck highlights rising far-left influence in select areas: “The left is ascendant right now... but is that a now thing or part of who's calling the shots?”
• Ann Coulter stresses that socialist victories (referencing Zohran Mamdani in NY) are exceptions, with foreign policy as the main driver of their distinctness. She laments Trump's “new wars” as leaving Republicans vulnerable to the socialist anti-war critique.

3. Advice to Trump on Iran

Timestamp: [06:09–07:33]

• With the Iran war ongoing and gas prices high, Clay asks Ann what she’d tell Trump.
  • “Declare victory and get out... Let the Strait of Hormuz get opened. Let gas prices go down and try not to absolutely destroy the midterms for Republicans when that happens.” —Ann Coulter [06:47]
• Ann underscores that staying risks Republicans’ midterm performance and hands Democrats a major issue.

4. Immigration: How Many Are Really Here?

Timestamp: [07:33–11:45]

• Buck wonders about the true number of illegal immigrants.
• Coulter, referencing her book, insists the figure is at least 40 million, far higher than official estimates.
  • “It was absolutely minimum 30 million illegal aliens 20 years ago. Who knows what the number is now... minimum 40 million.” —Ann Coulter [08:56]
• She criticizes both parties for perpetuating what she calls a “ratchet effect” where more illegal immigrants enter than are ever deported.

5. Optimism for Immigration Reform?

Timestamp: [10:56–13:26]

• Clay seeks optimism; Ann credits the American public for overwhelmingly opposing illegal immigration.
  • “It's hard for politicians to keep defying the will of the people and the will of the people is so clearly against illegal immigration...” —Ann Coulter [11:45]
• She’s encouraged that even mainstream hosts now echo her rhetoric on birthright citizenship and anchor babies, citing a close Supreme Court decision.

6. Viral Takes: Women’s Haircuts and Pop Culture

Timestamp: [13:26–16:21]

• Buck’s viral post: “Always remember: the friend who tells you ladies you'd look great with short hair is the friend who secretly hates you.” [14:00]
  • Ann agrees, recounting her childhood experience with forced short haircuts:
    “For some reason our mothers really want us to look like lesbians. They're always cutting our hair to a short little thing.” —Ann Coulter [14:10]
• Brief pop culture takes: Ann hits the opera and a Yankees game, dismisses “The Odyssey” as likely “PC nonsense.”

7. Women’s Sports, Sophie Cunningham & Woke Culture

Timestamp: [23:40–34:03]

• Clay spotlights WNBA player Sophie Cunningham’s viral shoe launch following her pro-women’s sports stance. Senator Banks celebrates her courage.
  • “These are the women that I want my daughters to look up to... I couldn't be more proud.” —Sen. Jim Banks [24:36]
• Discussion turns to the latest sports culture war, with USA Today attacked for a column likening Caitlin Clark’s fanbase to “white nationalists.”
  • “I thought the country spoke loud and clear that we're not going to put up with that kind of garbage... The only discrimination... is against Caitlin Clark.” —Sen. Jim Banks [32:25]

8. Save America Act, Voter ID & Non-Citizen Voting

Timestamp: [25:43–29:37]

• Senator Banks rails against Senate inaction on the Save America Act (voter ID/election security).
  • “If you don't fight for the Save America act, the Trump voters aren't going to show up and vote for you in the midterm election.” [26:28]
• He notes a New Jersey scandal where non-citizens appeared on voter rolls and voted, countering claims that such fraud “never happens.”

9. College Athletics Reform

Timestamp: [29:37–31:47]

• Clay and Banks discuss the Cruz-Cantwell bill on college sports reform.
• Banks is wary the bill unfairly targets the Big Ten, wants “to fix the problem but doesn't single out the Big Ten just because they've been successful.” [30:17]

10. Midterm Outlook & Iran War’s Domestic Impact

Timestamp: [34:03–36:41]

• Buck queries Republican chances amid rising gas prices from the Iran war.
• Banks remains hopeful, arguing lower gas prices when Iran yields will benefit Republicans, and framing the election as a fight with the “Communist Democrat Party.”
  • “President Trump more than anybody will make that very clear... that's where I have hope that we can keep the majorities in the House and the Senate and fight for two more years with President Trump to save our country.” —Sen. Jim Banks [36:36]

11. Closing Bits: Iran War, DNC Primary Calendar, Viral Athletics

Timestamp: [40:55–44:17]

• A caller accuses Trump of being blackmailed by Netanyahu; hosts dismiss it.
• Clay reports Bahrain and Kuwait's involvement in bombing Iran, Israel's abstention.
• Lighthearted close: Sophie Cunningham’s shoe is still sold out, speculation about sports celebrity branding.

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Notable Quotes

• Ann Coulter:

  • "Declare victory and get out... Now please just stop. Let the Strait of Hormuz get opened. Let gas prices go down and try not to absolutely destroy the midterms for Republicans when that happens." [06:47]
  • “Minimum 40 million [illegal immigrants]... You can't just let them move it in and millions in and have it be a ratchet effect.” [08:56]
  • “All Rupert Murdoch properties have been pushing mass open borders... I think people have spoken on that.” [11:45]
  • "For some reason our mothers really want us to look like lesbians. They're always cutting our hair..." [14:10]

• Clay Travis:

  • "Kamala Harris is going to win the state of South Carolina and begin the 2028 Democrat primary process with a dub." [21:05]
  • "No matter. You don't have to be a genius to know that people don't like paying more for gas." [06:16]

• Senator Jim Banks:

  • "If you don't fight for the Save America act, the Trump voters aren't going to show up and vote for you in the midterm election." [26:28]
  • "The only discrimination that's happening in the WNBA is against Caitlin Clark." [32:25]
  • “President Trump more than anybody will make [the difference between Republicans and Democrats] very clear.” [36:41]
  • "These are the women that I want my daughters to look up to... I couldn't be more proud." [24:36]

• Buck Sexton:

  • “The woke us are always, it's always the prototypical white sort of second tier school but masters in irrelevant degree that dyes their hair purple, joins Antifa...” [04:14]
  • On viral hair tweet: "...the ladies, don't cut your hair. Every husband, every boyfriend... they're like, ladies, don't cut your hair." [14:47]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:30] Democratic primary schedule breaking news & Ann Coulter analysis
• [05:01] Intra-Democrat struggles and socialist outliers
• [06:09] Policy advice for Trump on Iran
• [07:33] Immigration numbers: How many are there really?
• [11:45] Signs of optimism for immigration enforcement
• [13:26] Viral tweet: Women’s haircuts and pop culture sidebar
• [20:51, 21:52] South Carolina primary news
• [23:40] Sophie Cunningham shoe, women’s sports, and Senator Banks segment
• [25:43] Save America Act and election security
• [29:37] College sports and Cruz-Cantwell bill
• [32:25] Caitlin Clark, WNBA, and media culture wars
• [34:03] Midterm forecast, gas prices, and Iran war impact
• [40:55] Caller segment, Iran update, and closing notes

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Memorable Moments

• Ann Coulter’s blunt summary of Democratic primary “strategery” and foreign policy.
• Buck’s viral take on women’s haircuts takes over social media, with Ann backing him up hilariously.
• Senator Banks’ proud, culture-war defense of Sophie Cunningham and outrage over the “woke” attack on Caitlin Clark.
• Discussion of the true, much higher-than-reported size of the illegal immigrant population.
• Real-time breaking of the final 2028 primary calendar and rapid-fire predictions on Kamala Harris’ prospects.

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This episode is rich with headline analysis, sharp-tongued humor, and cultural asides, making it a must-catch for those following presidential politics, immigration, and the ongoing intersection of sports and broader societal debates.

Transcript

[Buck Sexton]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human if you're trying to grow spiritually while juggling a busy life, InTouch.org is a great place to pause and refocus. You can dive into practical teaching from Dr. Charles Stanley, read a quick devotional, or check out free study guides that speak to real life situations. Whether you need direction, comfort, or just a little encouragement, there's something helpful waiting for you. See how it can support your [e-mail]

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[Clay Travis]

Welcome back. In hour number two Friday edition of the program, we are rolling through a huge number of different Stories again, the biggest breaking news I would say the DNC has just decided that the first four states that they are going to have primaries in, Michigan, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, we bring in and Coulter, I don't know if you'd seen that news that just popped in the last 10 minutes or so. Do you have any strong read on what Democrats are going to try to do? I know the midterms are coming up in a couple of months, but this is going to start the tongues wagging a little bit. South Carolina presumably very strong for Kamala. New Hampshire very strong according to recent polls for AOC and, and Mayor Pete. Michigan Mayor Pete lives there. Is it too early to start handicapping things or now that those four states we know are the first four, does anything come to your mind?

[Ann Coulter]

It's definitely too early to handicap anything. We don't even know who's running. But I, I do think that by starting with South Carolina in Democratic primaries, that is heavily, heavily black Democrats and New Hampshire which doesn't, I mean even the Democrats in New Hampshire I don't think are big on the Democratic Socialists of America. And I assume the powers that be in the Democratic Party don't want to front load it with a lot of DSA types. So that's all I notice about that they're trying to. Oh and by the way, black Democrats hate wokeness way more than white Democrats.

[Buck Sexton]

Yeah, the woke us are always, it's always the prototypical white sort of second tier school but masters in irrelevant degree that dyes their hair purple, joins Antifa and tries to, you know, throw rocks at ICE or cops or whatever. So we've definitely seen that play out a lot. But in terms of the dynamic within the Democrat Party right now and going we got the midterms so people are paying more attention to this. I'm going to pay a lot more as it gets just weeks away. The left is ascendant right now. Mamdani seems to be the Democrat who gets more ink, so to speak, than anybody else. Is that just a now thing or do you think that's part of what, who's, who's actually calling the shots going forward?

[Ann Coulter]

I never know the answer to anything involving the Democrats. I think they're completely crazy. But, but it seems to me looking in from the outside that the places where people like Mamdami are winning are not really representative, certainly not of the country. No one there is not an expression. As New York City goes, so goes the country. And I don't think even particularly representative of the Democratic Party, though I guess we'll find out. I think there are a few issues that are driving the socialists in the Democratic Party and probably the biggest one is foreign policy. So it's unfortunate that Trump changed his mind on what his position on foreign policy was, which was no new wars and then gets us in a lot of new wars, including one that seems to be never ending and is to quote Democrats on all the wars we win unwinnable. So I think Republicans could, could really crush the socialist aspect of the Democratic Party if they want back to their more pacifist roots.

[Clay Travis]

What would and this is probably going to get people fired up in the comments. We now are on YouTube every day and, and so you can watch both Buck and myself and you on video as well. If President Trump asked you what should I do on Iran, you would say, what would you just say? Just cut and run. At this point, there is no benefit to being there. What would your advice be particularly given what we're sitting here three, four months away from the midterm and gas prices being up. No matter. You don't have to be a genius to know that people don't like paying more for gas. What would you tell them at this point?

[Ann Coulter]

It's a disaster. It's been a disaster from the beginning and basically two weeks in what I'd recommend the same thing I am recommending now. Declare victory. Victory and get out. Just come to any deal. It doesn't matter. Don't worry, we will back you up. We'll tell you it's a great deal. You've done a fantastic job. We're so glad you bombed Iran. Now please just stop. Let the Strait of Hormuz get opened. Let gas prices go down and try not to absolutely destroy the midterms for Republicans when that happens. Very, very, very bad things happen when Democrats have control, especially a large super majority control of the House and the Senate. Now May won't get that, but this is the strongest issue for them.

[Buck Sexton]

Yeah, it is concerning seeing some of the polling and to be sure, how are we doing on deportations? How's the immigration situation? We've given Trump lots of credit here. We continue to for securing the border. Did that right away. Great interior enforcement though. We had 10 plus million illegals come into the country under Biden. Everyone, even our friend Bill Maher has admitted that that is crazy that they did that, but they did it. Now we're being told, I think it's, I don't know, 300,000 or something this year and I'm looking at the clock. And I'm saying, okay, well we're halfway through the year. How is this going? What could change? What do you think needs to happen?

[Ann Coulter]

Well, I don't want to criticize the administration. I think they're doing the best they can. But it needs to be more. You're definitely right. It needs to be more. Who knows if we'll ever get this opportunity again. And I mean it's crazy that Democrats, and I might add some Republicans spend all this time bringing in tens of millions of illegal aliens. And as I said in a tweet this week, it was 30 million back in 2005. This is explained in Adios America. It was absolutely minimum 30 million illegal aliens 20 years ago. Who knows what the number is now?

[Buck Sexton]

What would you guess? And I gotta ask you, what would you guess that the number is now? I mean you've looked at this a lot for, for quite some time. Like what do you think the number is?

[Ann Coulter]

Well, minimum 40 million. There are ways of calculating this. People I think should probably be growing suspicious that they've been claiming it's 11 million for the past 50 years and it's never budget. Not one more illegal alien has come in. And so the things I, I cite in the book that you can look up yourself is first a couple of Pulitzer Prize winning journalists spent a year investing their Bartlett and Steel. They have their own in Wikipedia, very famous investigative journal spent investigative journals. They spent a year investigating the border in 2005 and concluded then, then 3 million were coming in a year. Then a couple of analysts same year at Bear Stearns did an analysis to advise people on things that matter to their money. Something very important. They looked at remittances, what immigrants and illegal immigrants most of all send back to the home country. They looked at the number of housing permits and school graduation rates in illegal immigrants enclaves. I don't know if it was they or someone else pointed out back around then early 2000s our, our census said there were about 8,000, I don't know, a few thousand, I don't know if it was 8,000 Brazilians in New York City. But both the Brazilian consulate and, and its embassy concluded there were hundreds of thousands of Brazilians just in New York. Which is to say we have no idea. They're minimizing it as much as they can. And you got to, you can't just let them move it in and millions in and have it be a ratchet effect where they move in 20 million in, in four or five years and we can only deport 100,000 a year. This is a ratchet effect. We never ever, ever can win that way. All the resources of the federal government ought to be going to deporting illegal aliens and I might add, not starting pointless endless wars.

[Clay Travis]

What are you optimistic about? Is there any. There we go. Is there anything out there on the horizon? I didn't get to talk to you, I don't think since the birthright citizenship decision came down. But I actually was somewhat encouraged, as you well know through the law. A lot of times dissents are written that end up emerging as the predominant decision. 20, 30, 40 years, as we've seen. A lot of times it was taken far more seriously than I think a lot of quote unquote experts said. I know you started this argument in a significant way. Are there any things out there that you are optimistic about as you look on the horizon beyond four, six months, even beyond this presidential term, is there anything trend wise that you find to be positive?

[Ann Coulter]

Well, at least the American people are completely won over on illegal immigration. I might add legal immigration too. I mean to have the illegal or the anchor baby issue sort of figures into this. All Rupert Murdoch properties have been pushing mass open borders, mass third world immigration because third worlders work harder than Americans do and we don't want our kids picking tomatoes. Well, I think that people have spoken on that and talk radio hosts and TV hosts who would never have said the things they're saying now sound like they're reading straight from Adios. I think it's hard for politicians to keep defying the will of the people and the will of the people is so clearly against illegal immigration and a big major change in legal immigration. As for the anchor baby, I mean that's perfectly illustrated. I think I was the only person on Fox defending Trump on his anchor baby position and was frequently cut off, not allowed to talk about it. All I heard was from legal experts on Fox news that oh, it's going to be 9 0. He's trying to overrule the 14th amendment. Apparently he's not. It was a 5, 4 decision and John Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett on one side with Gorsuch, Thomas Alito Kavanaugh on the other side. I think you know who was right on this one. But we don't have 30 years to, to waste. I hope, I hope we get another chance to, to make and something, something

[Buck Sexton]

not quite as important, not quite as important to the future of the republic. But I did wanted to get you to weigh in on, you know, sometimes I'm sure you've experienced this. You'll just throw a little thought out there on Twitter X and it all of a sudden catches fire. I am not known for my fashion sense, nor am I a guy who gives people hair advice generally. But I did weigh in on a video that showed a lady who had her hair cut from very long to very short. And I just wrote the following. Always remember the friend who tells you ladies you'd look great with short hair is the friend who secretly hates you.

[Ann Coulter]

This will be.

[Buck Sexton]

This is coming up on 10 million views, by the way. 10 million views of this tweet will have happened. Do you co sign this? What do you think?

[Ann Coulter]

I completely co sign. This is something a lot of us girls have talked about it for some reason. I don't know if this is still going on when, when, when you're little. Like, you know, four, maybe up to age eight. For some reason our mothers really want us to look like lesbians. They're always cutting our hair to a short little thing. And I had older brother is begging my mother, would you please stop cutting her hair.

[Buck Sexton]

There we go.

[Clay Travis]

10 million views on that buck. What is the overall consensus? Is it mostly positive? Like, as you can assess? What would you say the take is reacted to this?

[Buck Sexton]

It is hilarious. 100% of guys are like, absolutely. They're like, ladies, don't cut your hair. Every. Every husband, every boyfriend, every. Every straight guy that's weighing in, the ladies, don't cut your hair. And then I'd say it's 8020. Because there's some men who are like,

[Senator Jim Banks]

but what about, you know, and I'm

[Buck Sexton]

like, I'm trying to do you a favor, ladies. I'm trying to do you a favor. However long your hair can be. And you know, and then people are like, what about if somebody has a medical issue? I'm like, we're not talking people with medical issues, okay? I'm talking about somebody who went to a salon and paid some guy in Turke €500 to chop off all of her hair. And it has gone mega viral. Not a good idea. And approves. And Queen Anne has weighed in play. So there we go.

[Ann Coulter]

Yeah, we'll have to get into tattoos

[Clay Travis]

next time, by the way, as we get ready for the break. Do you engage in a big way in pop culture? Like, when's the last time you went to a movie theater?

[Ann Coulter]

Well, this week I went to the opera and a Yankees game. Do either of those count?

[Clay Travis]

That's a pretty good. That's a pretty good stretch out there. I was Just curious if you had a take on the Odyssey. Everybody's weighing in on the Odyssey. Like do you though I have.

[Ann Coulter]

I think it's gonna, it's gonna be a complete bore. PC nonsense. I would never see it in a million years. And from people I respect who have actually taken the trouble to watch it, that's what they say. It's no fun there. There's no, there's no fun involved. And it's not, it's not. It's a slog to sit through is what from reviewers I trust.

[Buck Sexton]

There is always fun on Ann Coulter Substack guys. Go follow, go check it out. Unsafe on substack and follow her obviously on X. Ms. Coulter, always great to see you. Thanks for being here.

[Ann Coulter]

Good to see you. Thank you.

[Clay Travis]

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[Buck Sexton]

a world of crazy, Clay and buck have your back. If you're trying to grow spiritually while juggling a busy life, intouch.org is a really helpful place to pause and catch your breath. Sometimes you just need a moment to refocus, and that's exactly what you'll find there. You can dive into practical, down to earth teaching from Dr. Charles Stanley, read a short devotional that fits into your day, or explore free study guides that speak to real life situations you might be dealing with. Whether you're looking for direction, comfort, or simply a little encouragement to keep going, there's always something meaningful waiting for you. It's easy to use, it's available anytime, and it meets you right where you are in your walk with God. When you're ready for a bit of clarity or a spiritual reset, take a moment to see how InTouch.org can support your day. It might be exactly what you need.

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[Clay Travis]

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[Senator Jim Banks]

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[Clay Travis]

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[Ann Coulter]

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[Clay Travis]

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[Senator Jim Banks]

Dad?

[Clay Travis]

Lingokids, please. When did we become the Lingokids House?

[Senator Jim Banks]

No idea.

[Buck Sexton]

Last week, dinosaurs.

[Clay Travis]

This week it's Lingokids. Why Lingokids?

[Ann Coulter]

Because it's the best thing ever.

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[Senator Jim Banks]

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[Clay Travis]

Welcome back, kids. Welcome back. Hey, and Buck. We are rolling through. Buck, Breaking news. We'll dive into this on the backside here. More breaking news. South Carolina is officially going to be the first Democrat primary of the 2028 calendar. Just voted on, narrowly beat Nevada. So South Carolina will be the debut location for the Democrat primary in 2028. Buck, go ahead and write it down. You guys can save it. I will make the prediction right now. Kamala Harris is going to win the state of South Carolina and begin the 2028 Democrat primary process with a dub. This is the best result for her large black audience. The numbers just came out. I just flagged it. Buck, I'll hit you with it on the backside. Nobody's even close to Kamala right now in black voter support. And I just think it's going to be hard to pry this away from her.

[Buck Sexton]

Well, I think your. Your South Carolina take is not controversial. I think most people would. Would agree. But a lot of people win the first. Get the first domino, so to speak, to fall in their favor and don't get all the rest of it to go their way. I don't think that Kamala is a lock for Nevada or New Hampshire or Michigan or any of these places. So, you know, I'm not judging. Look, look, buddy, you eat a little highfalutin because Kamala's obviously running again.

[Senator Jim Banks]

Okay?

[Buck Sexton]

I don't know what I was thinking.

[Clay Travis]

The first primary and she's going to win it big.

[Buck Sexton]

The first primary is not that big of.

[Clay Travis]

I will say this, it's a sign that people are not lining up aggressively against her because South Carolina winning means their support for. We'll talk about it. We come back.

[Buck Sexton]

Yeah, yeah, for sure. Meat lovers, you're in luck.

[Senator Jim Banks]

Today.

[Buck Sexton]

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[Clay Travis]

Welcome back in Clay and Buck. We are rolling through the Friday edition of the program. We are joined now by Senator Jim Banks of Indiana. A little bit of news for you, Senator. Sophie Cunningham, who plays on the Fever WNBA franchise in your state, released a new shoe earlier today. It is now sold out in all sizes for both men and women. This comes on the heels, no pun intended, of her making the decision to say something incredibly radical, that women should be able to play women's sports without men being involved and also men should not be able to come into women's locker rooms. Their response has been, I would say, overwhelmingly positive for her. Republicans do buy sneakers, too, as evidenced by the number of shoes that she is selling. What's your reaction as you represent the state of the franchise in which she plays?

[Senator Jim Banks]

Well, I couldn't be more proud. You remember, Michael Jordan said the same thing way back in the day. Republicans buy Nike, Nike Jordans as well. So this isn't a new notion, but Sophie Cunningham has figured it out. My, my daughter saw her and Caitlin play a couple of nights ago in Indianapolis. They won big there. They play exciting basketball. But, but who would have ever thought that saying out loud what's common sense to most of the rest of America would, would also be popular for the sport and popular for Sophie Cunningham's brand? Obviously, that's true. I couldn't be more proud as a Hoosier that this is the type of player that the fever has attracted. These are the type of women that I want. My daughters are. I have three teenage daughters. I'm a girl, dad. So, and this is a rough time in life with three teenage daughters at home. But these are the women I want my daughters to look up to. These are the women that I want them to look at and say, I want to be more like Sophie Cunningham. So this is this, this makes me very proud.

[Buck Sexton]

Hey, Congressman, appreciate you being with us. We feel like we're heading here pretty soon into the August recess. Things are going to slow down a little bit on Capitol Hill, the Save America Act. Not a day goes by where we don't get at least a few emails, a few people saying you've got to push for this, you've got to do more on the Save America Act. Where do you stand on this and is it your hope that the Senate might still decide to do something to show people they're willing to do something?

[Senator Jim Banks]

Yeah, it's very frustrating. I know it's frustrating for you and for your listeners. I'm new in the Senate, I served eight years in the House.

[Buck Sexton]

And I'm sorry, I meant to say, Senator. Pardon me. I said Congressman, old habit. Senator, go ahead.

[Senator Jim Banks]

I'm not offended at all because I'm frankly frustrated with the Senate, the lack of fight. This is what President Trump came a couple weeks ago. He had lunch with the, with the Senate, with the Republican senators and he brought this message, it was a tough love message to the Republican senators. If you don't fight for the Save America act, the Trump voters aren't going to show up and vote for you in the midterm election. I think he's exactly right about that. We, we haven't seen the fight in the Senate that we've seen in the House to pass the Save America Act. This was frustrating about it. Senate leadership needs to put it on the floor, give us a chance to vote for it. We've had a couple of amendment votes that failed because they didn't get 60 votes. But one of those amendment votes that Mike Lee put on the floor, that was a Save America act, did get 50 votes. And with Vice President Advance's tie breaking vote, that would pass if we had a functioning Senate that could pass it, if you change the Senate rules to allow it to move forward. Which by the way, guys, I'm all for it. I mean, I think these Senate traditions and rules that prevent us from passing something fundamental like the Save America act that protects our elections and makes sure that only Americans vote in American elections is fundamental to the future of our country. But the big news of the week, guys, that CNN and NBC, all the mainstream media didn't cover is what the liberal Democrat governor in New Jersey came out and said out loud this week that they accidentally added 6,600 non citizens to the voter rolls in the state of New Jersey. And in the last two elections they've had about 400 of them that they can confirm who actually voted. And I thought listening to the Democrats and the left wing mainstream media, I thought they were saying all along that that never happened, that illegals didn't vote in our elections and that now you have a Democrat governor in New Jersey saying actually it did happen and it was a mistake when they showed up to get their driver's license, which raises a lot of other questions. And an id, they clicked a box that said we're non citizens, but they were added to the voter rolls anyway. And then hundreds of them actually showed up and voted. If that happens in New Jersey, then we know something like that could happen anywhere else. And it's why we have to pass the Save America act to protect our elections. And I'm as frustrated by anybody at the lack of fight in the Senate. Most of my Senate colleagues will tell you, will come on your show and say, I'm for the Save America act, but what are you willing to do to pass it? That's the question. And I think we have to change the Senate rules, put it on the floor, force Republicans who maybe don't want to vote for it, some of them don't want to vote for it, force them to vote for it and force the Democrats to vote for it. Because the vast majority of the American people believe that you should show an ID when you show up to vote and we should vote on it, make it the national law that voter ID is necessary and fundamental to save our elections and save our speaker.

[Clay Travis]

We're talking to Senator Jim Banks of Indiana. I went in early, voted yesterday in Tennessee. Encourage all of you to get out there and get your voting done, too, as primary season either has already happened or is rapidly getting closer for many people across the country. There's also a bill out there that a lot of people are focused on. Senator Ted Cruz, who's been on a bunch of times on this program, Maria Cantwell. They have a bill trying to fix the mess of college athletics. I know you're in a state with not only a Big Ten school, a lot of schools, frankly, but also Notre Dame. What is your take on this bill? Do you think it's going to pass? What's the latest so far as you can tell?

[Senator Jim Banks]

Well, no one denies that college sports is a mess and we have to do something about it. I had Charlie Baker from the NCAA in my office this week. The NCAA is headquartered in Indianapolis. And we talked about the crews can't. Well, Bill, we also talked about keeping boys, men out of women's sports and, and what the NCAA is doing on his watch to stop that from happening. And then right after he came to my office, I had Petiti, the, the Big Ten commissioner come to my office, too. And the, the, the way that this, what I'm, I'm concerned about and, and the reason that I'm not fully on board with the cruise Cantwell bill is this, this bill seems to penalize specifically the Big Ten which has been very successful. Look, I'm an IU fan, I'm an IU grad and this, you know what just happened in Indiana University winning the national championship. I mean a miracle happened in Bloomington, Indiana and actually happened in winning the national championship in Miami. I was there for it and we're going to do it again next year by the way. I don't want to mess that up so I want to make sure that we get it right and making sure that we don't unfairly punish one one league. I think the SEC is still holding out support as well and working with, with Cruz, Senators Cruz and Cantwell try to get this bill to a place where it makes sense, fixes the problem, but doesn't single out the Big Ten and punch the Big Ten just because they've been successful.

[Clay Travis]

We're talking to Senator Jim Banks. I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you what your reaction. I mentioned Sophie Cunningham saying men shouldn't be playing women's sports. Caitlin Clark was attacked by the USA Today which published one of the, one of my buddies who's in sports media said it might be the worst column ever published by a sports written sports writer ever. Where it blamed her for having white nationalist fans and compared in some way Caitlin Clark and Emmett Till. It was a crazy column. I'm sure you saw it, I'm sure you read it. What was your reaction?

[Senator Jim Banks]

Well, it was really gross. I mean I thought, I thought we put all this stuff behind us. I mean I thought the election in 2024, Donald Trump winning big. The, the, winning the, the popular vote. I thought that was like a rejection of all of this woke BS that we had to deal with over the last, the last four or five years. A lot of stuff like articles written like that, that, that I thought, I thought that the country spoke loud and clear that we're not going to put up with that kind of garbage by left wing so called reporters and columnists. So it's really gross. It's an attack on. At the end of the day it's an attack on Hoosiers and a lot of people in places like Indiana and Tennessee and middle America who are excited about Caitlin Clark who comes to play every night and all of the other, the other teams, the other players, I mean they beat up on her. I mean the only discrimination that's happening in the WNBA is against Caitlin Clark. I mean I think that's a fact. She wasn't added to the Olympic, the women's Olympics team. She wasn't added to the All Star team for the wnba, even though she's the single best player that has ever played in the wnba. So the article was really gross and I hope USA Today fires the calmness if that hasn't happened already. I imagine that there'll be enough outcry about that. They'll dump this columnist in a hurry.

[Buck Sexton]

Senator, how are you feeling about chances to retain the majority going into this midterm? Given that there's this overhang now of gas prices from the Iran war, there's some concerns about AI in the overall stock market and how that might ripple into the economy. What's your take on how we're looking right now for Senate control to stay in the hands of the good guys?

[Senator Jim Banks]

Well, you know, history is not on our side. But and I've been following this election since a year ago, there are a lot of really tough races for Republicans and fewer tough races for incumbents, Democrats. But all of a sudden things, you know, in spite of the, you know, gas prices have ticked up as the, as things heat up in Iran. And you know, by the way, what President Trump is doing there is so important and he understands the dynamics here that Hoosiers and, you know, working class Americans, hardworking Americans, are paying too much for, for gas. And he wants those gas prices to come down. The difference between him and Biden and Democrats is as what you saw with the mou when he signed the mou, gas prices immediately plummeted. And what Democrats did for four years under Biden, they intentionally, through their green New Deal radical policies, they permanently raised gas, gas prices and, and inflation through the roof. And we've seen inflation good, good news on the inflation front. That's plummeted and over the last month. And gas prices are going to plummet again as soon as Iran cries uncle, which I think is bound to happen with the pressure that President Trump is putting on them. At the end of the day, though, the difference between Republicans who are fighting for Americans and what we did, from the big beautiful bill to what we're trying to do across the board to make life easier and more affordable for Americans versus the, the communist wing that has taken over the Democrat Party, I mean, that's what's going to be on full display when we get closer to the November election is how radical and crazy all of these Democrats have become. This is not my grandpa. My grandpa was a Union Democrat. This is not my grandpa's Democrat Party. This is the Communist Democrat Party. So President Trump more than anybody will make that very clear and our candidates out on the campaign trail make that clear against the radical candidates have been nominated in Democrat primaries. That's where I have hope that we can keep the majorities in the House and the Senate and fight for two more years with President Trump to save our country.

[Buck Sexton]

Senator Banks from Indiana appreciate you sir. Have a great weekend.

[Senator Jim Banks]

Have a good day.

[Buck Sexton]

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[Clay Travis]

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[Buck Sexton]

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[Buck Sexton]

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[Clay Travis]

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[Buck Sexton]

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[Clay Travis]

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[Senator Jim Banks]

No idea.

[Buck Sexton]

Last week it was dinosaurs.

[Clay Travis]

This week it's Lingokids. Why Lingokids?

[Ann Coulter]

Because it's the best thing ever.

[Clay Travis]

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[Ann Coulter]

So no dinosaurs. And dinosaurs.

[Clay Travis]

Everything kids love, download it for free. Welcome back in Clay and Buck. We are rolling through the Friday edition of the program and we are closing up shop here. Scott in Kentucky has been waiting for like three hours to say this. Scott, what you got for us?

[Senator Jim Banks]

Afternoon, gentlemen. Thank you for taking my call. This war in Iran is going to go on. Trump has already lost the Iran war. He could all the bombs he wants, but the Iranian people are not going to break. Look, what troubles me the most is Trump is being blackmailed by Netanyahu.

[Clay Travis]

Yeah. All right, hang up. Look, producer Greg, like these guys who just want a filibuster. We got to. We got to nip them in the bud here. But yes, the war in Iran is continuing. We'll talk about what's going on in the Strait of Hormuz Iran is obliterated in many ways, but is committed to religious fundamentalism. And so how do you negotiate with religious fundamentalists? To Buck's credit, he's been saying this for months on the program and we will see how it ends up resolving. Okay.

[Buck Sexton]

My advantage in this whole process. Clay, I would say of analyzing this from what a lot of people have been saying in the media is I know how crazy the crazy gets with these types.

[Senator Jim Banks]

Yeah.

[Buck Sexton]

With these, the ayatollahs. I, I, it's a level of crazy that a lot of people, I don't know if Trump really even understood the level of crazy he was dealing with. I think that's been a surprise to him.

[Senator Jim Banks]

Go ahead.

[Clay Travis]

News. We've been breaking some of this news during the course of the program. DNC has officially signed off on a calendar, according to Alex Thompson. You were asking date, Buck. January 22, 2028. That is not very long from now. That will be the South Carolina primary. It will be followed by Nevada on February 1, New Hampshire on February 8, New Mexico on February 15, Michigan on February 29, and Virginia on, I guess it's a leap, Leap Day, February 29th. Then there's a week off before Super Tuesday. So that is the calendar that is in place. We will be talking 2028 legitimately within a day or two of the midterms actually having, taking, having taken place. Couple other news I, I jotted down, Buck. I wanted to mention this. Bahrain and Kuwait actually have been participating in the strikes on Iran, using their own fighter jets to bomb Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal, which is at least somewhat interesting. Israel has not been involved in these attacks and the Dodgers were at the White House, much to the chagrin of many in the left wing sports media out there. And I do want to reiterate again, it's pretty cool. Sophie Cunningham, same week she came out and said men shouldn't be in women's sports. Her overall shoe is completely sold out in all sizes for men and women everywhere.

[Buck Sexton]

You gonna wear Sophie Cunningham jersey anytime soon, buddy?

[Clay Travis]

I am not. I do not wear jerseys of people that are younger than me. I think that's a little bit weird. So with one exception, I did have a US Men's soccer jersey that, that I would wear, but those guys are all younger. But I feel like if you're rooting for the usa, it's different.

[Buck Sexton]

If so, Sophie Cunningham did a, a shoot right now with Siren of what's her, what's her name?

[Clay Travis]

Sydney Sweeney's lingerie company. Brilliant.

[Buck Sexton]

She would be. She'd be worth like 50 to $100 million, I guarantee, within a year. So there's that.

[Senator Jim Banks]

Amen.

[Buck Sexton]

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[Clay Travis]

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[Commercial Announcer (Okta)]

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[Buck Sexton]

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[Clay Travis]

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[Buck Sexton]

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[Clay Travis]

That's Lingo Kids, please. When did we become the Lingo Kids House?

[Senator Jim Banks]

No idea.

[Buck Sexton]

Last week it was Dinosaurs this weekend.

[Clay Travis]

Why lingokids?

[Ann Coulter]

Because it's the best thing ever.

[Clay Travis]

We can play games with astronauts, wild animals, and superheroes. With more than 4,000 interactive games, songs and shows, LingoKids is the number one entertainment platform for young kids.

[Buck Sexton]

So no dinosaurs and dinosaurs, Mango kids, everything kids love.

[Senator Jim Banks]

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