Podcast Summary: "It's a Numbers Game: Unpacking 'Original Sin' with Alex Thompson"

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show hosted by iHeartPodcasts delves into the intricate details of political maneuvers and media influence in its episode titled "It's a Numbers Game: Unpacking 'Original Sin' with Alex Thompson." Released on May 26, 2025, this episode offers an in-depth discussion with Alex Thompson, co-author of the controversial book Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again. The conversation navigates through the complexities of President Joe Biden’s administration, internal Democratic Party dynamics, media biases, and the personal struggles within Biden’s family.

Introduction to the Book and Author

The episode kicks off with Ryan Gradosky expressing his engrossment with Original Sin, highlighting its impact on his personal schedule:

"[07:00] Ryan Gradosky: ...I spent up two nights in a row, three o' clock in the morning each night reading Original Sin... it was a page turner."

Gradosky emphasizes the book’s gripping narrative and recommends it to listeners, particularly conservatives frustrated by mainstream media’s portrayal of Biden.

Audience and Intent of 'Original Sin'

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the intended audience of the book. Gradosky raises the question:

"[12:23] Ryan Gradosky: ... a lot of conservatives obviously feel deep frustration because they feel they'd been saying that, hey, he was in decline for a long time and felt that that was not being covered aggressively by much of the mainstream media."

Alex Thompson responds by clarifying the book’s bipartisan appeal:

"[12:25] Alex Thompson: ...we thought that actually it would be both the right and the left. We pitched that liberals are going to be sort of disoriented and want to know how, what happened, and our hope was that conservatives... would be interested in the behind-the-scenes story."

Biden's Personal and Political Decline

Thompson delves into President Biden’s perceived decline, drawing parallels with historical figures like JFK’s Camelot. He introduces the concept of "Biden Theology," emphasizing Biden’s resilience:

"[14:39] Alex Thompson: ...the first commandment of that theology is that Biden always gets back up. Biden is always counted out and he always comes back and proves his critics wrong."

Gradosky highlights Biden’s age and comments made during debates, questioning the administration's portrayal of the President’s capabilities.

Influence of Key Figures: Steven Spielberg and Ron Klain

A notable revelation from the book involves the involvement of high-profile individuals like Steven Spielberg in shaping Biden’s public image:

"[14:39] Alex Thompson: ...they had to bring in Steven Spielberg as a coach."

Thompson discusses Ron Klain’s role in pushing the administration’s policies to the left, contrasting Biden’s self-identification as a moderate with the actual policy trajectory:

"[17:00] Alex Thompson: ...Ron Klain's main purpose was to do as much as what the Progressive caucus in Congress wanted as possible. It was always to lean to the far left."

Jill Biden’s Evolving Role

The transformation of Jill Biden from a background figure to a powerful First Lady is another focal point. Gradosky notes:

"[16:28] Ryan Gradosky: ...the evolution of Jill Biden in your book is fascinating because you say in the beginning of the book that Jill did not like being a politician's wife or she wasn't a natural."

Thompson explains the factors contributing to Jill Biden’s increased influence, including her deep loyalty to Joe Biden and her embrace of the elevated lifestyle:

"[17:00] Alex Thompson: ...something seemed to change over the course of the vice presidency and then certainly in the intervening years post the vice presidency."

Internal Democratic Conflicts and Media Bias

A particularly dramatic account involves Colorado Senator John Fetterman’s confrontation with fellow Democrats post-debate:

"[18:43] Ryan Gradosky: ...John Fetterman gets up and starts screaming at his fellow Democratic senators and saying, how dare you? How dare you betray a great president."

The discussion shifts to media representation, with Gradosky expressing frustration over perceived media biases and their impact on Democrats:

"[30:00] Ryan Gradosky: ...a lot of people are kind of like hit, have egg on their face. I think this time is different than those times like the Iraq war, ..."

Thompson counters by asserting that mainstream media has not engaged in a significant self-reflection regarding its coverage:

"[32:15] Alex Thompson: ...I think there's still a defensiveness."

Hunter Biden’s Struggles and Family Dynamics

The conversation touches on Hunter Biden’s personal and professional challenges, including his struggle with addiction and business endeavors:

"[24:44] Ryan Gradosky: ...Hunter got a talent agent."

Thompson elaborates on how Hunter’s sobriety and lack of business opportunities are intertwined with the political landscape:

"[25:05] Alex Thompson: ...when Joe ran, decided to run in April 2019, Hunter was still in, like, the depths of his crack addiction, and they didn't even know where he was most the time."

Media’s Accountability and Alternative Sources

Gradosky raises concerns about media accountability, questioning why media outlets haven’t faced significant repercussions for biased reporting:

"[32:57] Ryan Gradosky: ...they were like, we were talking about age plenty ... but they were like, we didn't excavate enough."

Thompson maintains that mainstream media remains largely unaccountable, despite increased scrutiny from alternative media sources:

"[34:09] Alex Thompson: ...they were trying to destroy him [Robert Hur]."

Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, several quotes stand out, reflecting the intensity of the discussions:

• Ryan Gradosky [07:00]: “...it was really a page turner. It was quick and there were things that I learned there.”
• Alex Thompson [14:39]: “Biden is always counted out and he always comes back and proves his critics wrong.”
• Alex Thompson [17:00]: “...there was no greater virtue and no greater sin than being even perceived as disloyal.”
• Ryan Gradosky [18:43]: “John Fetterman gets up and starts screaming at his fellow Democratic senators and saying, how dare you?”

Conclusion and Recommendations

As the episode wraps up, Gradosky lauds Original Sin as a pivotal work for understanding the human and political intricacies surrounding President Biden. He recommends the book to listeners seeking a deeper grasp of the current political climate:

"[37:30] Ryan Gradosky: ...Original Sin is a great, it's a great read. One to understand the humanity of certain people that seem so distant because they are the President, the President's family, and also to see really what it is like in political circles."

Final Thoughts

The episode offers a comprehensive exploration of Original Sin, presenting a critical view of President Biden’s administration and the internal dynamics of the Democratic Party. Through Alex Thompson’s insights, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the interplay between personal struggles and political strategies, all while highlighting the persistent biases within mainstream media.

For those interested in political analysis and behind-the-scenes revelations, this episode serves as an essential listen, providing depth and perspective on one of the most debated political figures of our time.