Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Team 47 – Election Lessons

Date: November 9, 2025
Hosts: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton analyze the latest election results, focusing on high-profile races in New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia, plus the broader implications for the Republican Party and future elections. They discuss shifts in voter turnout, demographic breakdowns, political messaging, and the challenges facing the GOP in energizing its base. The hosts combine sharp political insight with their trademark humor while highlighting lessons learned and future opportunities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New York City Mayoral Election: Zoran Mamdani’s Victory

[03:16–07:48]

• Clay’s Take: Not a true upset—Mamdani won with a majority in a record-turnout election. Curtis Sliwa never had a real chance; if Andrew Cuomo had gone head-to-head with Mamdani, the result might have been closer.
• Buck’s Take: Polls were accurate; demographic breakdowns matched pre-election expectations, notably Mamdani capturing over 90% of the Black vote.
• Turnout: A majority of recent NYC arrivals (within the last decade), particularly younger and college-educated voters, supported Mamdani.
• Quote (Buck, 05:10):

  “We’ve got a Communist mayor of New York City inbound. Clay, I am wearing Soviet Union red today in solidarity with Comrade Zoran.”

2. Lessons from New Jersey and Virginia Elections

[07:48–10:14]

• Low GOP Turnout: Roughly 600,000 fewer Trump voters showed up in New Jersey and Virginia compared to the previous presidential election.
• Trump-Driven Turnout: Democrats “who hate Trump… show up,” even for school board votes, but Trump supporters are less likely to vote if his name isn’t on the ballot.
• Implication for 2026/2028: This could be a harbinger for future GOP electoral struggles if turnout doesn't increase.
• Quote (Clay, 08:46):

  “The people, Buck, who hate Trump, they show up; their brains are broken.”

3. Personality, Campaigning, and Alinsky’s Playbook

[10:14–12:11]

• Charisma as a Factor: Mamdani’s fun, engaging campaign echoed Saul Alinsky’s “make it fun” approach from Rules for Radicals.
• Trump Parallel: The MAGA movement’s cultural energy mirrors that of the left, but question remains how it transitions post-Trump.
• Quote (Buck, 11:16):

  “Zoran managed to… make activism something people want to show up to because they'll feel cool and they'll laugh and they'll be with their friends.”

4. Demographics, Immigration, and Voting Blocs in NYC

[13:26–17:06]

• Impact of New Immigrants: Large share of new arrivals voting as a coherent bloc is changing local politics.
• Concern Over Assimilation: Worry expressed about the difference in integration compared to earlier immigrant waves.
• Quote (Buck, 13:26):

  “If you have the largest city in America with being largely determined, its future being determined by people who have been in America for only a couple of years. That's a problem.”

5. Government, Economic Messaging, and Communism

[25:11–26:13]

• Iconic Contrast: Reagan’s warning—"I'm from the government and I'm here to help"—contrasted with Mamdani’s declaration.
• Quote (Mamdani, 25:40):

  “We will prove that there is no problem too large for government to solve and no concern too small for it to care about.”

• Clay’s Reaction: Calls Mamdani’s approach “my worst nightmare” for NYC.

6. Mamdani Makes it About Trump

[28:28–29:11]

• Victory Speech: Mamdani positions his win as part of a broader movement to defeat Trumpism.
• Quote (Mamdani, 28:28):

  “If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him.”

7. Republican Opportunities & Elise Stefanik’s Run

[36:08–39:34]

• Silver Lining: Elise Stefanik announces a gubernatorial run—seen as a rational option against the unpopular Hochul.
• Swing Potential: Election cycles can swing rapidly; Mamdani’s win might motivate stronger GOP turnout next year.
• Quote (Stefanik, 38:06):

  “We have seen decades of single party rule led by Democrats and Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America.”

8. Pelosi’s Retirement & Trump’s Response

[39:59–41:27]

• Trump Responds: Calls Pelosi’s exit “perhaps the greatest act of patriotism she has ever made.”
• Buck’s Commentary: Pelosi’s era is over; questions about who will hold House Democrats together.

9. Government Shutdown Dynamics & John Fetterman’s Surprising Reasonableness

[43:59–45:35]

• Airport Frustrations: Both agree lawmakers feel pressure only once everyday life, like air travel, gets affected.
• Surprise Praise for Fetterman: Clay marvels at how “rational” John Fetterman has become compared to expectations.
• Quote (Clay, 44:28):

  “We need five or six more John Fettermans in order to get the country back up and running, get the government open.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We lost races we were supposed to lose. Yep. There was no big shock or surprise at all. And that's just the way it's gonna go sometimes. So we dust ourselves off, we move forward.”
  — Buck Sexton [39:59]

• On Sliwa’s Loss:
  “He got seven and a half percent of the vote… I think I could have gotten seven and a half percent of the vote, honestly.”
  — Buck Sexton [17:24]

• Satirical Tweet:
  "The richest, whitest, most sheltered girl you know… is posting a picture of Zoran Mamdani on her story right now, captioned ‘Power to the people’ from her SoHo apartment that's paid for by her wealthy conservative father."
  — Clay Travis [12:29]

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|-----------------------------| | 03:16 | Analysis begins: NYC mayoral race, turnout, Sliwa’s chances, Cuomo’s hypothetical | | 05:10 | Buck on the polls, demographic breakdown, Mamdani’s support base | | 07:48 | Clay on New Jersey/Virginia results, impact of Trump no longer on ballot | | 10:14 | Off-year elections, candidate charisma, Alinsky tactics | | 13:26 | Demographic change and immigration’s electoral impact | | 25:11 | Reagan’s famous line vs. Mamdani’s government vision | | 28:28 | Mamdani celebrates victory, makes it about defeating Trump | | 36:08 | Elise Stefanik’s gubernatorial run announcement and significance | | 39:59 | Pelosi's retirement, Trump and Buck commentary | | 43:59 | Government shutdown discussion, praise for John Fetterman | | 47:13 | Mechanics of government shutdowns and filibuster debate |

Tone & Style Observations

• Conversational, Candid, and Sarcastic: Clay and Buck blend serious analysis with humor, often taking jabs at political opponents (“Comrade Zoran,” “chef’s kiss” regarding Pelosi’s timing, etc.)
• Self-Referential: Hosts reference previous predictions and their reliability, including “we told you so” moments about the polls and electoral outcomes.
• Pop Culture Nods: Includes references to Ace Ventura, Miami Dolphins, and TV/film moments, contrasting past and present cultural sensibilities.
• Optimistic Outlook: Despite GOP setbacks, they end on the note that “we dust ourselves off, we move forward” and urge listeners not to lose faith.

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

• Zoran Mamdani’s win in NYC reflects demographic and cultural shifts, along with the power of exciting, personality-driven campaigns.
• The GOP faces challenges with voter motivation when Trump is not personally on the ballot, especially in blue-leaning states.
• Future prospects rest on how the MAGA movement transitions, effective economic messaging, and learning from left-wing campaign tactics.
• Elise Stefanik’s gubernatorial bid presents a GOP opportunity as voter fatigue grows with New York’s one-party rule.
• Pelosi’s retirement and the government shutdown are seen through both strategic and satirical lenses.
• Throughout, Clay and Buck employ their trademark energetic style—blending sharp criticism with humor and a bit of self-deprecation—to keep the show lively, relevant, and accessible.