Podcast Summary: "It's a Numbers Game: The Biggest Political Winners, Losers & What’s Coming Next in 2026"

Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host/Episode: Ryan Grim with guests Claire Potter and Tom Rogan
Date: December 29, 2025
Theme: Year-end political retrospective—reviewing the biggest winners, losers, defining moments, and making predictions for 2026 and beyond.

Episode Overview

This special, year-end episode of "Numbers Game" brings together journalist Ryan Grim and guests historian/professor Claire Potter and journalist Tom Rogan (former McLaughlin Group host) for a fast-paced, witty and wide-ranging roundtable. Inspired by the old "McLaughlin Group" tradition, the trio considers the best and worst politicians, most defining moments, comebacks, thinkers, and makes predictions for the political landscape in 2026. Throughout the episode, the conversation moves briskly, mixing sharp analysis, anecdote, and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biggest Winners of 2025

• Tom Rogan [10:45]:
  President of Syria Ahmed Al Shara

  • Lauded for his transformation from "jihadist to a feted statesman," recognized by world leaders, moving Syria in a surprising direction despite ongoing crises.

• Claire Potter [11:17]:
  Lachlan Murdoch

  • Cited for finally consolidating control over Fox Broadcasting after years of family drama, setting a defining conservative media center.
  • Notable quote:

    "Much as I kind of abhor a lot of stuff that comes out on Fox, it does actually create a conservative center for media against which everyone else can test themselves." – Potter [11:30]

• Ryan Grim [11:54]:
  Gavin Newsom

  • After a tough 2024, re-emerges as the "biggest national fighter against Trump," unifying Democrats in California and setting up for a strong 2028 run.

2. Biggest Losers of 2025

• Tom Rogan [12:42]:
  Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran

  • Weakened deterrence and credibility due to US-Israeli strikes.
  • Notable quote:

    "Iran has never looked weaker under his premiership." – Rogan [13:20]

• Claire Potter [13:25]:
  Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House

  • Seen as lacking political ambition and proactive leadership, holding the House out of session repeatedly to paper over internal divisions.

• Ryan Grim [14:02]:
  Elise Stefanik

  • Once a GOP rising star, now facing early political retirement after a string of missteps.

3. Best Politician of the Year

• Tom Rogan [14:29]:
  Marco Rubio

  • Successfully bridges MAGA and establishment GOP factions, consolidates power as a loyalist.

• Claire Potter & Ryan Grim [15:02, 15:41]:
  Zoran Mamdani

  • Comes from nowhere to become NYC mayor, uniting youth activists, defeats major entrenched incumbents including Andrew Cuomo.
  • Notable quote:

    "He beat Andrew Cuomo, who is one of the most horrible people on the planet...and Mamdani just like skated through." – Potter [15:15]

4. Worst Politician of the Year

• Tom Rogan & Ryan Grim [16:20, 17:39]:
  Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister
  • Rapid fall from dominant majority to historically poor approval ratings and threats of leadership challenge.
  • Notable quote:

    "[He] has an approval rating that is around the same as Prince Andrew... worst of any politician since 1977." – Grim [17:39]

• Claire Potter [17:00]:
  Jack Schlossberg
  • Derided as an unqualified "Kennedy scion" running for Congress.

5. Most Defining Political Moment

• Tom Rogan & Ryan Grim [18:16, 19:32]:
  Trump Tariff Announcements (“Liberation Day”)
  • Marked end of free trade consensus, set off international shockwaves, became central to US economic conversation.
• Claire Potter [18:47]:
  Indiana Legislature’s Refusal to Redistrict
  • Seen as a turning point showing Trump’s waning GOP control.

6. Most Charismatic Figure

• Tom Rogan [20:09]:
  Vladimir Putin
  • Remains a global manipulator with “KGB Red Banner Institute skills,” surprisingly resilient.
• Claire Potter [21:11]:
  Graham Platner
  • Unlikely Democratic candidate challenging Susan Collins in Maine; praised for working-class authenticity and handling of opposition attacks.
• Ryan Grim [22:09]:
  Giorgia Meloni
  • Italian PM becomes "lion in the EU," remarkably stable for Italian politics.
  • Notable:

    "She has managed to become the most powerful leader in Europe... the most stable leader in Western Europe, which in Italy, I mean, that was a joke within itself." – Grim [22:09]

7. Best Comeback

• Tom Rogan [22:44]:
  Gavin Newsom
  • Redefines himself with a strong social media and national profile.
• Claire Potter [23:07]:
  Mikie Sherrill
  • Wins by 13 points in a tough New Jersey race, models a new Democratic path.
• Ryan Grim [23:45]:
  Oasis (Liam & Noel Gallagher)
  • A rare culture nod—rock legends reunited after 15 years.

8. Most Original Thinker

• Tom Rogan [24:01]:
  Donald Trump
  • Ability to continually surprise and invent political narratives.
• Claire Potter [24:39]:
  Thomas Massie & Ro Khanna
  • Revives bipartisan lawmaking via discharge petitions (notably, on the Epstein case).

9. Most Stagnant Thinker

• Tom Rogan [25:57]:
  Bernie Sanders
  • Revolution overtaken by new progressive wave (AOC, Mamdani).
• Claire Potter [26:26]:
  Chuck Schumer
  • Declared politically “cooked.”
• Ryan Grim [26:53]:
  Tim Walz
  • Criticized for deflecting scandal via accusations of white supremacy.

10. Capitalist of the Year

• Tom Rogan [27:25]:
  Nvidia's Jensen Huang
  • Recognized for massive growth and controversial sales to China.
• Claire Potter [28:18]:
  Bari Weiss
  • Fast ascension from “contrarian” to CBS Newsroom chief.
• Ryan Grim [29:01]:
  Todd Graves (Raising Cane’s)
  • Surpasses KFC; Louisiana franchise now a national juggernaut.

11. Honorable Mentions

• Tom Rogan [29:25]:
  • Drone/UFO incursions in Europe.
• Claire Potter [30:06]:
  • Measles resurgence amid anti-vaccine sentiment.
• Ryan Grim [30:56]:
  • Collapsing birthrates in Latin America/Europe.

12. Best & Worst Political Theater

• Best:
  • Reaction to Charlie Kirk’s death (Rogan [31:32]), bipartisan revulsion.
  • George Santos unraveling (Potter [32:03]), "most bonkers reality show."
  • Zoran Mamdani’s debate quip (Grim [32:55]), viral moment.
• Worst:
  • Trump-Zelensky meeting (Rogan [33:26]), “unsightly” and damaging.
  • Kristi Noem’s antics (Potter [33:58]), fake uniform/gold Rolex.
  • Trump-Mamdani meeting (Grim [34:14]), confusing, poorly handled by GOP.

13. Underreported & Overreported Stories

• Underreported:
  • China’s aggression in the South China Sea (Rogan [34:52]).
  • Fate of the QAnon network (Potter [35:24]).
  • GOP internal battle over AI regulation (Grim [36:02]).
• Overreported:
  • Jamal Khashoggi focus in US-Saudi relations (Rogan [36:39]).
  • Olivia Nuzzi/Ryan Lizza breakup (Potter [37:14]), “never put your breakup on Substack.”
  • ICE raids as “lawless kidnapping” (Grim [37:58]).

14. Boldest & Worst Political Tactics

• Boldest:
  • Trump tariffs (Rogan [38:26]).
  • Dems contesting all TX congressional districts (Potter [38:51]).
  • Trump’s Middle East policy (Grim [39:24]).
• Worst:
  • Macron’s snap election (Rogan [39:48]).
  • Mike Johnson sending House home (Potter [40:17]).
  • Geert Wilders dissolving Dutch coalition government (Grim [40:59]).

15. “Sorry to See You Go”

• Tom Rogan [41:34]:
  Rob Reiner, admired for conciliatory response after Charlie Kirk’s death.
• Claire Potter [41:53]:
  Susan Brownmiller, influential radical feminist and author.
• Ryan Grim [42:17]:
  Charlie Kirk, impactful, personally remembered with affection.

16. Person of the Year

• Tom Rogan [42:39]:
  Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor
  • Rising Western leader, overhauls Germany’s defense posture.
• Claire Potter [43:09]:
  Susie Wiles, Trump’s Chief of Staff
  • First female chief, credited with campaign discipline and wins.
• Ryan Grim [43:53]:
  Marco Rubio
  • Power broker, major force in multiple foreign policy arenas.

17. Macro Predictions for 2026

• Tom Rogan [44:19]:
  No end in sight for Ukraine war; peace too far apart.
• Claire Potter [44:39]:
  Age restrictions for social media will double; likely federal action soon.
• Ryan Grim [45:14]:
  Nuclear energy push is coming to meet rising energy demands from AI/data growth.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “He has a lot of unifying support among the Democrats in the largest state in the country, certainly keeping an eye on for 2028.” – Ryan Grim on Gavin Newsom [11:54]
• “He has no experience doing anything. And he also seems to be nuts. And he’s another one of these Kennedy people who says, vote for me. Why? Because I am Jack Kennedy’s grandson?” – Claire Potter on Jack Schlossberg [17:00]
• “Whether it be President Macron at the moment or President Trump, still an ability to woo with those KGB Red Banner Institute skills, a lot of different people and maintain relevance.” – Tom Rogan on Vladimir Putin [20:09]
• “If you don’t fight everywhere, you are, in fact, going to lose.” – Claire Potter on Dems contesting Texas districts [38:51]
• “Go big or go home, guys.” – Claire Potter [38:51]
• “I knew Charlie a little bit...he always got better over time and very few people in politics do.” – Ryan Grim [42:17]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [10:17] Guest introductions and premise
• [10:45] Biggest winner of the year
• [12:42] Biggest loser of the year
• [14:29] Best politician of the year
• [16:20] Worst politician of the year
• [18:16] Most defining political moment
• [20:09] Most charismatic
• [22:44] Best comeback
• [24:01] Most original thinker
• [25:57] Most stagnant thinker
• [27:25] Capitalist of the year
• [29:25] Honorable mention
• [31:32] Best political theater
• [33:26] Worst political theater
• [34:52] Most underreported story
• [36:39] Most overreported story
• [38:26] Boldest political tactic
• [39:48] Worst political tactic
• [41:34] Sorry to see you go
• [42:39] Person of the year
• [44:19] Macro prediction for 2026

Closing

The episode concludes with resource plugs—Tom Rogan at the Washington Examiner and Claire Potter’s book and Substack ("Political Junkies")—and an expressively warm sign-off looking ahead to an eventful and unpredictable 2026.

This summary provides a comprehensive look at the episode's structure, insights, and memorable exchanges, ideal for listeners seeking the political zeitgeist as 2025 closes and 2026 beckons.