Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

"Normally Podcast: Trump Reappeared. Now Let’s Talk CDC Turmoil & Declining Birth Rates"

Date: September 2, 2025
Hosts: Mary Katharine Ham & Carol Markowitz

Overview

In this episode of "Normally", Mary Katharine Ham and Carol Markowitz take a thoughtful yet humorous look at several major news stories: a social media-fueled rumor about Donald Trump’s wellbeing, the ongoing upheaval at the CDC, and the left’s recent reckoning with falling birth rates among progressives. The hosts dissect media narratives, question cultural trends, and highlight how current events tie into long-term societal changes.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Brief Absence Sparks Social Media Frenzy

[03:45–11:45]

Recap of the Incident

• Over Labor Day weekend, online speculation erupted over Donald Trump’s whereabouts after a tweet from journalist Laura Rosen noted his lack of public appearances.
• Rosen’s update, Initially routine, escalated rapidly online, prompting some to question if Trump had died or suffered a health crisis.

Hosts’ Analysis

• Both hosts mock the overreaction, noting the double standard compared to President Biden’s frequent absences.
• Mary Katharine Ham: “Biden was missing for days at a time and no one cared for months at a time.” (05:25)
• Carol Markowitz: “Trump is gone for a few days…people absolutely lost their minds.” (05:28)

Critique of Political Hostility

• The hosts criticize those publicly wishing death upon political figures, calling it “classless” and corrosive.
• Carol: “It’s not going to be over policy disagreements. It’s going to be over—you’re a really bad person who is rooting for the death of a father and grandfather. … I could never do that. … Terrorists are all I could come up with.” (09:43–10:19)
• Mary Katharine: “Don’t do assassination fetishism. Don’t do wishing politicians are dead. It’s bad news.” (11:45)

On Political Strategy

• Host point out that Trump’s sudden demise would only empower his younger and capable successor, J.D. Vance, and rob the left of their main “villain.”
• “You’ve lost your chief villain, who is the person who keeps your base very excited, motivated, better or worse.” (09:35)

2. CDC Shakeup: Media Panic vs. Real Impact

[15:24–26:26]

Context of the CDC Changes

• CDC Director Suzanne Monarz, appointed just a month ago, is ousted following disputes with RFK Jr. (the head of HHS).
• Several resignations follow, igniting media proclamations of a public health crisis.

Hosts’ Take

• Ham and Markowitz assert the CDC’s failings during COVID, suggesting the organization’s dysfunction was so severe it arguably did more harm than good.
• Carol: “We could have done better without having a CDC during the worst time, the only time that we've ever needed the CDC.” (16:55)
• Mary Katharine: “If you had removed them from the formula entirely…” (16:59)

Criticism of Public Health Messaging

• They highlight the contrast in public health guidance for different groups, playing a clip of Dimitri Dasilakis (monkeypox response) advocating a harm-reduction approach for group sex but backing draconian restrictions for schools and churches during COVID.
• Mary Katharine: “During a monkeypox outbreak… we value group sex as a place of joy. But during COVID we’re going to shut schools… and tell you there is no joy in a backyard barbecue.” (20:38–21:06)

On Political Activism in Public Health

• Critique officials like Dasilakis for using progressive language (“pregnant people”) and focusing on political messaging over medical accuracy.
• Carol: “Somebody who thinks that there can be pregnant non-women is not somebody we want in positions of medical authority in this country.” (22:08)

Call for Real Reform

• Push for genuine reform: hire public health officials who were independent, courageous, and right during the pandemic.
• Praise for experts like Marty Makary, Jay Bhattacharya, and Vinay Prasad.
• Mary Katharine: “There is an opportunity to staff with people who were smart during the pandemic, who spoke up and were brave about it.” (23:05)

Critique of Media Coverage

• The hosts call out media figures like Apoorva Mendevili (NYT) for alarmist reporting and a checkered record on COVID accuracy.
• Mary Katharine: “Apoorva Mendevili… is a famous liar and dupe.” (17:38)

Highlighting Past Quiet Resignations

• They recall that vaccine specialists who quietly left the FDA during the COVID vaccine mandate push weren't met with media outcry.
• “Somehow that wasn’t a big story.” (25:06)

3. The Birth Rate Debate: Did the Right “Trick” the Left?

[29:48–35:34]

Introduction to the Conversation

• Financial Times’ John Burn-Murdoch’s Twitter thread draws attention for noting that the decline in US birth rates is driven mainly by progressives having fewer children.
• He warns the left that shunning family and children could “usher in a more conservative world.”

Hosts’ Response

• Both hosts laugh at the idea that conservatives somehow “tricked” the left into not having kids.
• Carol: “This is insanely not news. … The fact that the left is just realizing this is another tell that they don't listen to us at all.” (31:19)
• Mary Katharine: “We didn’t bring this on you, guys.” (31:21)

Historic and Cultural Trends

• Reference to the “Roe Effect”—the idea that higher abortion rates on the left would shrink their future base, while larger conservative families shift demographics.
• Discuss the left’s skepticism and even disapproval of large families, contrasted with the right’s encouragement of childbearing.

Demography as Destiny?

• Not every child grows up to share their parents’ politics, but statistically, large families with religious practice skew right of center.
• Mary Katharine: “Many kids who are growing up in a three-plus kid household, are raised in faith… are likely to become more right of center.” (32:47)

Broader Societal Impact

• Declining birth rates change a country’s sense of optimism and its future.
• They connect progressive climate anxiety and “doom” narratives to lower birth rates among the left.
• Carol: “It is a difference in the way the country sees itself, the way they look at their future…” (33:56)

Migration and Political Change

• Note the likely consequence of migration to red states and changing congressional representation to amplify conservative influence.
• Mary Katharine: “The 2030 census… migration to red states is gonna change the electoral college…” (35:34)

Final Word on Accountability

• “From our perspective over here, you did it to yourselves. And once again, we didn't trick you.” (35:34)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “You’ve lost your chief villain, who is the person who keeps your base very excited, motivated, better or worse.” – Mary Katharine Ham (09:35)
• “We could have done better without having a CDC during the worst time.” – Carol Markowitz (16:55)
• “During a monkeypox outbreak… value group sex as a place of joy. But during COVID… shut schools and churches and tell you there is no joy in a backyard barbecue…” – Mary Katharine Ham (20:38–21:06)
• “Pregnant people is not somebody we want in positions of medical authority…” – Carol Markowitz (22:08)
• “So who really cares? Have the babies, friends, have the babies.” – Carol Markowitz (34:44)
• “We didn't trick you.” – Carol Markowitz (35:34)

Timestamps of Key Segments (MM:SS)

• 03:45 Trump’s disappearance and social media panic
• 07:09 Media double standards regarding presidential absences
• 09:43 Ethics of wishing death on political opponents
• 15:24 The CDC shakeup explained
• 16:13–16:59 Was the CDC a hindrance during COVID?
• 19:58 Clip: Dimitri Dasilakis’ monkeypox advice
• 20:38–21:06 Comparing public health messaging: COVID vs. monkeypox
• 23:05–24:21 Opportunity for true CDC reform
• 25:06 Media ignores resignations over vaccine mandate controversy
• 29:48–31:19 The birth rate debate and the “Roe Effect”
• 32:47–34:44 How family, faith, and optimism tie to demographics
• 35:34 Migration and political consequences
• 35:34 “We didn't trick you” and episode close

Tone & Style

The episode is characterized by witty banter, exasperation at media excess, and a no-nonsense conservative perspective. Both hosts strike a balance between sarcasm and seriousness, making even potentially dry topics like birth rates and CDC bureaucracy engaging and relatable.