The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Normally Podcast: Blocking Traffic Won't Get You Peace!
Release Date: June 12, 2025

In this episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Mary Kathryn Ham and Carol Markowitz delve into the escalating protests across major U.S. cities, the shifting political landscape among immigrant voters, the upcoming New York City mayoral election, and recent high-profile apologies from Simone Biles and Elon Musk. Through insightful discussions and sharp commentary, Ham and Markowitz provide listeners with a comprehensive analysis of current events shaping the nation.

1. Escalating Protests and Public Order

The episode opens with an in-depth conversation about the ongoing protests in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Tampa. Ham and Markowitz express concern over the increasing frequency and intensity of these demonstrations, highlighting the implications for everyday city life.

• Curfews and Control Measures:
  Markowitz (03:10) notes, “The mayor of Los Angeles did impose a curfew last night, which is odd for protests that are not spreading and are super contained.”

• Impact on Civilians:
  They discuss how these protests frequently lead to road blockades, disrupting normal activities for residents who need to work or attend to daily responsibilities.
  Ham (04:47) emphasizes, “Already in New York City where protests have begun, you have folks blocking traffic. And you know what that means, Carol, is that normies can't do normal things because there are people who just need to run errands and there are people who need to pick up their kids from daycare or go to work.”

• Protesters' Demand for Peace:
  The hosts critique the protesters' message, pointing out the contradiction between the call for peace and the resulting chaos.
  Ham (07:04) states, “They just like, don't do those things.”

2. Media Reporting and Misinformation

Ham and Markowitz address the role of media in shaping public perception during these turbulent times, specifically focusing on the Los Angeles Times' efforts to counteract misinformation.

• Fact-Checking Amid Rumors:
  They scrutinize reports circulating on social media about ICE raids, pointing out that the LA Times debunked several sensational claims.
  Markowitz (10:22) remarks, “There was another story about ICE raiding a hotel and taking out workers. That didn't happen either.”

• Advice to Listeners:
  The hosts advise caution when consuming breaking news, urging listeners to verify information before accepting it as truth.
  Markowitz (10:25) advises, “Give it a minute. I take this approach to anything really, to any major story breaking. Give it a second to see what develops.”

3. Immigrant Voters and Political Shifts

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing recent polling data indicating a notable shift in the political alignment of immigrant voters.

• Shift to the Right:
  Ham (11:55) introduces a segment featuring CNN's Harry Enson, who presents data showing that immigrant voters have increasingly leaned towards the Republican side over recent years.
  Enson (12:27) highlights, “Immigrant voters were in the Democratic camp. Jump forward to 2024, 2025. Look at that shift. A 40 point shift to the right among immigrant voters.”

• Support for Donald Trump:
  The discussion reveals that Donald Trump's support among immigrant voters has grown significantly, challenging previous assumptions about his appeal.
  Enson (13:18) states, “Trump's vote share in presidential elections among immigrant citizens... Look at this. In 2024, all the way up to 47% of the vote.”

• Implications for Future Elections:
  Ham and Markowitz explore the potential impact of this shift on upcoming elections, suggesting that increased support for Trump among immigrant communities could reshape political dynamics.

4. New York City Mayoral Election

The hosts transition to the imminent New York City mayoral primary, examining the candidates and their potential influence on the city's future.

• Candidate Overview:
  Markowitz (23:08) and Ham (23:10) discuss the candidates, including Eric Adams running as an independent, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamandi.
  Markowitz (23:31) warns, “If you were still living in New York, I would be holding on to Eric Adams with both hands.”

• Potential Outcomes and Challenges:
  They express concerns about Mamandi's campaign tactics and Cuomo's unpopularity, questioning whether any candidate can effectively address the city's pressing issues.
  Ham (24:12) states, “He wants free buses, government-run grocery stores, and freezing the rent. I mean, again, full-on communist government-run grocery stores.”

• Cultural Nuances – Bagel Orders:
  Adding a lighter touch, the conversation shifts to the significance of candidates' bagel orders during debates, symbolizing their connection (or lack thereof) with New Yorkers.
  Markowitz (29:07) humorously critiques a candidate's bagel order: “Zoran's was toasted. Correct? Was that where he went wrong?”

5. Public Figures' Apologies: Simone Biles and Elon Musk

Towards the end of the episode, Ham and Markowitz critique recent apologies from high-profile individuals Simone Biles and Elon Musk, assessing their authenticity and impact.

• Simone Biles' Apology:
  Markowitz (35:45) criticizes Biles' apology as insincere and poorly timed.
  Markowitz (36:06) remarks, “It made no sense to me. So I just, it’s aggressive, yes, yes.”

• Elon Musk's Apology:
  Contrastingly, Elon Musk's apology is analyzed for its genuine tone despite its awkward delivery.
  Markowitz (37:18) notes, “I believe him. Again, a three in the morning apology.”

• Donald Trump's Response:
  The discussion touches on Donald Trump's measured response to Musk's apology, highlighting the unpredictable nature of these public exchanges.
  Markowitz (38:24) comments, “He didn’t say whether he was willing to let bygones be bygones with Tesla and SpaceX and Musk in general.”

Conclusion

Mary Kathryn Ham and Carol Markowitz wrap up the episode by emphasizing the need for calm and reason amidst the chaos of protests, misinformation, and political shifts. They encourage listeners to stay informed, critically evaluate news sources, and engage thoughtfully in the democratic process.

Notable Quotes:

• Carol Markowitz (03:10): “The mayor of Los Angeles did impose a curfew last night, which is odd for protests that are not spreading and are super contained.”

• Mary Kathryn Ham (04:47): “Already in New York City where protests have begun, you have folks blocking traffic. And you know what that means, Carol, is that normies can't do normal things because there are people who just need to run errands and there are people who need to pick up their kids from daycare or go to work.”

• Harry Enson (12:27): “Immigrant voters were in the Democratic camp. Jump forward to 2024, 2025. Look at that shift. A 40 point shift to the right among immigrant voters.”

• Mary Kathryn Ham (13:18): “Trump's vote share in presidential elections among immigrant citizens... Look at this. In 2024, all the way up to 47% of the vote.”

• Carol Markowitz (35:45): “Simone Biles. Her apology was very scripted.”

This episode provides a thorough exploration of the intersection between public protests, media narratives, political realignments, and the behavior of prominent figures, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of the current socio-political climate.