Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Team 47 – Butler Reveal
Date: November 23, 2025
Hosts: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton (iHeartPodcasts)
Featured Guests: Miranda Devine (NY Post), Senator Ron Johnson (WI), Senator Markwayne Mullin (OK)

Main Theme Overview

This episode zeroes in on new revelations concerning Thomas Crooks, the would-be assassin of Donald Trump at the Butler, PA rally, and allegations of FBI inaction regarding Crooks’ extensive online footprint. Clay and Buck explore the potential implications of these findings, including issues of law enforcement transparency, alleged cover-ups, and the interplay of mental health and ideology in political violence. Additional discussions include legislative updates with Senator Ron Johnson, the fight for the release of the Epstein files, and strategies against drug trafficking with Senator Markwayne Mullin.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Miranda Devine on the Thomas Crooks Investigation

[03:19–18:11]

• Verification of Online Accounts:

  • Miranda Devine details how her source, using open-source tools and web archives (not law enforcement databases), uncovered 17 online accounts tied to Crooks.
  • Quote:
    "Our source found 17 online accounts that Thomas Crooks had signed up to using his own name, ... phone number ... and his email addresses ... so he's cross checked it and is very satisfied that this is the Thomas Crooks." — Miranda Devine [04:03]

• Crooks’ Radicalization Trajectory:

  • Crooks began very pro-Trump, then flipped to extreme anti-Trump sentiment in early 2020; violent rhetoric escalated, especially regarding political assassinations.
  • He abruptly went silent online after August 2020.

• FBI Awareness & Response:

  • Miranda's FBI sources and a former agent assert it’s "inconceivable" Crooks wasn’t on the FBI’s radar, given his violent, trackable posts.
  • Quote:
    "It is inconceivable that a kid with this kind of online communications and ... rhetoric would not have been visited or be on the radar of the FBI." — Miranda Devine [06:12]
  • When asked for comment, the FBI provided only "no comment"; Secret Service deferred responsibility to the FBI.

• Online Identity and Gender Issues:

  • Crooks reportedly used "they/them" pronouns; maintained accounts on DeviantArt, a known "furry hub."
  • No direct evidence of Crooks posting "furry" content, but interactions suggest interest in violent and gender-altering imagery.
  • Quote:
    "He uses they them pronouns on deviant art. That’s the first time we’ve seen that. Clearly some sort of gender confusion or exploring gender identity." — Miranda Devine [13:17]
  • Discussion ties this pattern to other mass shooters exhibiting gender dysphoria or alternative identities.

• Congressional Oversight & Transparency:

  • Senator Ron Johnson has subpoenaed documents on Butler, facing repeated stonewalls even during the Trump administration.
  • Quote:
    “Ron Johnson was very angry that in July, on the one year anniversary of Butler, he had to subpoena Cash Patel for the documents he’s been asking for.” — Miranda Devine [14:16]

• Hunter Biden Personal Attack:

  • Clay/Buck play a clip in which Hunter Biden personally insults Miranda Devine; she responds philosophically, noting he never disputes her factual reporting.
  • Quote:
    "He never refutes any of it ... He just attacks my appearance and hilariously calls me a whore. So, I mean, it’s ridiculous and I think I just ignore it." — Miranda Devine [16:22]

2. Senator Ron Johnson on FBI Transparency and Legislative Priorities

[21:45–34:34]

• FBI Oversight and Butler Investigation:

  • Johnson is frustrated by the lack of FBI transparency regarding Crooks, citing slow-walked document requests and forced reliance on phone/social media records.
  • Both agree there may be crucial info the FBI possesses but hasn’t made public.

• Epstein Files Release:

  • Johnson explains the bipartisan push to release the Epstein files, describing legislative hurdles, concerns over privacy, and expectations for a 30-day timeline post-signature.

• Healthcare and Legislative Action:

  • Ongoing efforts to address Obamacare's legacy and health insurance market distortions, reiterating GOP alternative plans involving HSA accounts and market-based reforms.
  • Johnson expresses willingness to end the filibuster if Republicans regain unified government, distinguishing their intentions from Democrats.

• FBI “Arctic Frost” Investigation:

  • Describes the "Arctic Frost" initiative as a “massive partisan dragnet” against Republicans and Trump affiliates, citing invasive data grabs and legal warfare intended to "cripple the Republican Party."
  • Quote:
    "They are literally trying to destroy a person of unbelievable integrity, Judge Troopas ... It's just shameful." — Sen. Ron Johnson [32:30]

3. Senator Markwayne Mullin on Drug War and Critique of FBI Investigations

[37:40–51:52]

• US Drug War Tactics:

  • Mullin defends recent drug boat strikes as effective, citing rising street prices for cocaine/fentanyl as indirect proof of disrupted supply chains.
  • Details the "all-out assault" on cartels, targeting both international shipments and US distribution lines.

• On the Butler Shooter and "Conspiracy Theories":

  • Expresses skepticism toward media revelations (e.g., Tucker Carlson, Miranda Devine), suggesting trust in classified intelligence over journalist investigations.
  • Quote:
    "It’s really hard for me to believe that someone like Tucker Carlson would have a better research department than the FBI." — Sen. Markwayne Mullin [44:00]
  • Cautions against chasing "conspiracy theories," trusting intel community procedures instead.

• War Powers and Rand Paul Critique:

  • Defends the legality of strikes on drug boats and criticizes Senator Rand Paul for opposing war powers, repeatedly calling him a "libertarian" in Republican clothing.

• College Football Sidebar:

  • Light interlude about the University of Oklahoma–Alabama football game, culminating in a discussion about civic duty and motivations for running for office.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Miranda Devine on Crooks’s Online Activity:
  "In the space of two months, he’s gone from rabidly pro-Trump, he goes to rabidly anti-Trump. He’s got flipped 180 degrees. And then his rhetoric gets more and more violent and disturbing..." [06:47]

• Buck Sexton on FBI Competency:
  "How is it possible that your person, your source was able to find this online but the FBI wasn’t able to? Right? ... Are we to be told they’re that incompetent? That’s just, it’s mind-blowing." [08:54]

• Miranda Devine Responding to Hunter Biden’s Insult:
  "He never refutes any of it... He just attacks my appearance and hilariously calls me a whore." [16:22]

• Ron Johnson on the Deep State:
  "They are literally trying to destroy ... people just have to support the Republican Party and President Trump. They are trying to destroy all these people." [33:18]

• Markwayne Mullin on Skepticism Toward Media Investigations:
  "I believe in facts and it’s really hard for me to believe that someone like Tucker Carlson would have a better research department than the FBI ... I’ve seen nothing period to support Tucker Carlson’s theory on this one. Not saying it can’t be realistic, but I just don’t believe it until I actually see it." [44:00]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Miranda Devine on Butler/Crooks Investigation: [03:19–18:11]
• Hunter Biden clip and Miranda’s response: [15:30–17:17]
• Senator Ron Johnson on FBI transparency: [21:45–34:34]
• Discussion of Epstein Files Legislation: [26:00–28:12]
• FDA Arctic Frost Dragnet: [32:07–33:51]
• Senator Markwayne Mullin on Drug Boat Strikes: [37:40–43:04]
• Mullin on media investigations and FBI competency: [43:04–45:02]
• Rand Paul critique & constitutional authority: [45:21–47:27]
• Football & motivations for office: [47:27–51:51]

Tone and Style

• The episode blends investigative seriousness (Butler revelations, FBI critique) with trademark Clay & Buck humor and a dash of fighting spirit, especially regarding political and media adversaries.
• Guest analyses remain direct, sometimes confrontational, and skeptical of bureaucratic explanations.
• Personal rapport and camaraderie with guests inject moments of levity (e.g., football banter, Thanksgiving menu discussion).

For those who missed the episode:
This podcast delivers detailed reporting on the opaque aspects of the Trump assassination attempt investigation—highlighting digital footprints, the FBI’s role, political motives, and the intersection of ideology, mental health, and violence. Intertwined are insights into current legislative battles, especially those exposing potential government overreach or malfeasance. The direct, no-nonsense tone of Clay, Buck, and their guests keeps the story both accessible and engaging throughout.