The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Normally Podcast: Young Conservatives, Fading Obama Influence, and the End of a Trend
Date: October 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Normally with Mary Katharine Ham and Carol Markowitz explores three central themes:

• The fallout over offensive rhetoric among Young Republicans
• The waning influence of Barack Obama and a profile of new progressive contenders
• A discussion on whether the "trans contagion" and related youth identification trends are truly receding

The hosts provide sharp commentary, critique the double standards in political discourse, and examine cultural and political trends with their trademark blend of seriousness and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Young Republicans’ Edgelord Scandal

(Starts at 04:24)

Context

• Politico published a story on offensive, racist, and shocking messages shared by Young Republicans on a group chat.
• The conversation rapidly became a flashpoint, with media tying the scandal to broader Republican culture.

Breakdown

• Edge-lording and Pendulum Swings
  Mary Katharine Ham notes, “We’ve left the time of the PC woke flag throwing, which is in many cases good for discourse... And then you go to a point where the pendulum swings, where you’re just trying to shock people as much as possible.” (04:35)

• Double Standards in Political Fallout
  The hosts point out that Republican leaders immediately demanded resignations, while Democrats facing similar scandals hold the line and resist calls for accountability.

  "The double standard is this applies to all Republicans and every Republican lawmaker will be asked about it ... Versus, by the way, these guys aren't running for office." – Mary Katharine Ham (07:09)

• Holding One’s Own Side Accountable

  “I don’t care that we’re not supposed to criticize our own side. I’ve said again and again that Republicans, conservatives do criticize their own side all the time. And this is just more evidence... I don’t stand with these people.” – Carol Markowitz (08:24)

• Severity and Condemnation
  While the hosts condemn the language used in the chat, they highlight media attempts to conflate private dumb behavior with official party policy, and contrast it with actual Democratic candidates facing serious allegations who aren't being held accountable in the same way.

Notable Quotes

• “Don’t be trash.” – Mary Katharine Ham (08:23)
• “Groiper losers are not my side. If I want to call them losers, I’ll call them losers and it will not cost us a single election.” (12:06, quoting @bancheredstate)

Takeaway

The hosts emphasize that toxic behavior deserves consequences, but spotlight how media narratives selectively amplify scandals based on political alignment.

2. Obama’s Diminishing Influence & Progressive Successors

(Starts at 18:21)

Barack Obama’s Podcast Appearance & Legacy

• Obama’s recent appearance on Marc Maron’s podcast prompts the hosts to question his ongoing relevance and the achievements of his presidency.
• Ham recalls:
  “I am sort of amazed by how little people listen to him now. And I think that that's of his own doing. He made himself irrelevant.” (19:52)
• Markowitz echoes disappointment:
  “When we look back at his presidency, other than Obamacare, which is largely a disaster, what are his accomplishments?” (20:35)

The Irrelevance Factor

• The general sentiment is that after leaving office, Obama embraced the ceremonial aspects of ex-presidency but did little of substance.
• Ham on Obama’s style vs. substance:
  “He fools himself into thinking it wasn’t divisive. Like, I think he’s still living under the illusion that he was a uniting force.” (21:34)

Biden, Trump, and the Israel Deal

• The hosts dismiss revisionist claims that Biden, not Trump, was responsible for the Middle East peace deal.
  • Markowitz: “Joe Biden was a potato. He could have never done this.” (24:14)
• They cite the essential difference in approaches: Biden’s proposed hostage deal barely resembled the accord reached under Trump because it required Israel to fully withdraw from Gaza before hostages’ release.

Emergence of New Progressive Figures

• Zoran Mamdani's rise in New York mayoral politics is dissected, described as “the new Barack Obama.”
  • The media’s celebratory 16-page New York Times profile critiques for lacking critical analysis.
    • Ham: “If you do a 16-page profile on someone, you didn't find anything you might want to just like criticize a tiny bit. That's a problem.” (26:13)
• The hosts raise concerns about Mamdani's inability to execute on lofty ideas and predict inevitable disappointment and possible scapegoating of minorities if progressive policies fail.

Notable Quotes

• “The guy with a smile doesn’t always get it done.” – Mary Katharine Ham (26:43)
• “What does he fill kind of the gap with ... maybe riling up people against Jews. And that's a very common strategy through history among failed politicians.” – Carol Markowitz (26:49)

3. The Decline of "Trans Contagion" Among Kids

(Starts at 32:12)

Overview of New Data

• Eric Kaufman's research reveals a sharp decrease in youth identifying as non-binary, with numbers falling 50% from their 2023 peak.
• Markowitz bluntly states:
  “Non binary is not a thing. And the fact that it spiked so high in 2023 ... that's fantastic.” (32:12)
• The hosts interpret this as a small cultural victory, hinting at a "vibe shift" away from identity-based social contagion among teens.

Skepticism About Real Change

• Markowitz cautions against overstating the decline:
  “I don’t actually think that the trans contagion is over. And I think we should be really careful about taking these stats to mean that.” (34:31)

• She argues that once someone adopts a trans identity, they are unlikely to self-describe as non-binary, so the real problem may persist beneath the surface.

• Ham adds:
  “This kind of affirmation and the need to get it out of some of these professional circles speaks to the need to get it out of these professional circles ... I would just like my kid to be able to talk about normal stuff that’d be great.” (37:01)

Affirmation in Therapy

• They critique the rapid adoption of affirmation-based therapies for kids dealing with gender dysphoria, contrasting past approaches to other youth issues like anorexia and self-harm.
  • Markowitz: “The affirming is what's driving this, really.” (36:08)

Notable Quotes

• “It’s the easiest one, right? ... If I were a teenager right now, and I had the kind of power that comes with declaring yourself non binary ... I would 100% be into it.” – Carol Markowitz (33:40)

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On Young Republican Scandal:
  “Don’t be trash.” – Mary Katharine Ham (08:23)
  “Groiper losers are not my side. If I want to call them losers, I’ll call them losers...” (12:06, via @bancheredstate)

• On Obama’s Legacy:
  "He fools himself into thinking it wasn’t divisive." – Mary Katharine Ham (21:34)
  “What did he think was going to happen after he left the presidency? … Name something he said other than ‘if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.’” – Carol Markowitz (20:35)

• On Declining Non-Binary Identification:
  “Non binary is not a thing. And the fact that it spiked so high in 2023 ... that's fantastic.” – Carol Markowitz (32:12)

• On Therapy and Affirmation:
  “The affirming is what's driving this, really.” – Carol Markowitz (36:08)
  “I would just like my kid to be able to talk about normal stuff that’d be great.” – Mary Katharine Ham (37:01)

Important Timestamps

• 04:24 — Young Republicans scandal discussion begins
• 08:23 — “Don’t be trash.” (Ham)
• 12:06 — “Groiper losers are not my side...” (Ham quoting X user)
• 18:21 — Segment on Obama and current progressives
• 19:52 — Ham on Obama’s relevance
• 20:35 — Markowitz critiques Obama’s accomplishments
• 24:14 — “Joe Biden was a potato...” (Markowitz)
• 26:13 — Critiquing the NYT profile of Zoran Mamdani
• 32:12 — Segment on decline in non-binary identification
• 36:08 — Critique of affirmation therapies

Episode Tone and Takeaways

• The conversation retains a skeptical, straight-talking, and witty tone.
• The hosts are unafraid to criticize their own side, but are equally vociferous about double standards and media bias.
• They encourage listeners to demand accountability, scrutinize media narratives, and remain vigilant about trends that affect youth.

Summary for Listeners

This episode offers a lively, in-depth look at the latest controversies and cultural shifts in American politics, focusing on internal Republican debates, Obama’s declining cultural impact, and the tentative decline of youth gender identity trends. The hosts challenge comfortable narratives and encourage a pragmatic, honest assessment of both allies and opponents. Perfect for listeners who want politics and culture analyzed with both humor and clarity.