The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: "Team 47 – Thank you, Veterans"

Date: November 16, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)

Overview

This episode, timed for Veterans Day, honors U.S. military veterans and explores themes of military morale, recent changes in military culture under the Trump administration, the enduring legacy of service, and the current challenges and opportunities facing veterans. Clay and Buck feature in-depth conversations with two decorated guests: David Rutherford (former Navy SEAL and host of the David Rutherford Show) and Dakota Meyer (Medal of Honor recipient). Topics include the purpose and mindset behind military service, the implications of recent enlistment surges, the Afghanistan withdrawal, veterans' health care, and broader discussions of masculinity, gender, and national values.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Veterans Day Reflections & Military Pride

• President Trump’s Veterans Day Speech
  • Trump’s remarks at Arlington National Cemetery played, focusing on military strength and valor.
  • Emphasized a shift back to "warrior" ethos and the symbolic renaming of the Department of Defense to Department of War.
    • Quote: “Everything we have, everything our country has achieved, has been purchased by the muscle, spine, and steel of the United States military. … We owe it all to the fierce and noble men and women of the army, the Navy, the Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and the United States Marines.” (President Trump, 02:43)
    • Quote: “From now on, when we fight a war, we only fight for one reason. To win. We fight to win.” (President Trump, 04:09)
• Hosts' Commentary
  • Clay and Buck discuss how the renewed "warrior" pitch has improved enlistment numbers and morale.
    • Clay: “We want the people in the military to be in shape, and we want them to be badasses, and we want them to be a lethal fighting force.” (04:23)
  • Debate over the effect of previous inclusion-focused policies versus a return to a more traditional military ethos.

Timestamps:

• [02:43–04:23] Trump speech and commentary
• [05:28–06:50] Esprit de corps and morale discussion

2. Military Culture: Morale, Tradition, and Humility

• “Esprit de corps” and Combat Motivation
  • Buck stresses the vital role of morale, memory, and willingness to sacrifice.
    • Buck: “Morale is not just… this goes to your willingness to put yourself in jeopardy of possibly dying.” (09:02)
  • Clay recalls historical hardships (Valley Forge, Civil War, Battle of the Bulge) to illustrate the military mindset and level of sacrifice.
    • Clay: “Just living in those camps during the winter would have been brutal on a level that most of us can’t even comprehend this day.” (13:29)
• Special Forces Humility
  • Clay notes the humility of Navy SEALs and Special Forces, contrasting real warriors' behavior with "tough guy" stereotypes.
    • Clay: “I’m astounded by how humble they all are … they don’t carry themselves as if at any point in time they could kill you – they clearly could.” (07:34)

Timestamps:

• [09:02–11:28] The importance of morale and American military history
• [07:34–09:02] Humility among special operators

3. Veteran Guests: David Rutherford & Dakota Meyer

David Rutherford – Reflections as a Navy SEAL & Veterans’ Advocate

• On the Current State of Veterans and the Military
  • Celebrates the “revival taking place” in the military, driven by renewed service ethos and leadership.
    • Rutherford: “For veterans right now, there’s a rebirth. There’s a revival taking place … there’s a revitalization, and the numbers are showing that people are wanting to go in, they’re wanting to serve.” (18:41)
• Motivations for Joining the Military
  • Discusses personal journey, influence of military family history, pop culture, and the search for meaning.
    • Rutherford: “My athletic career hadn’t worked out … what is the meaning of my life going to represent. … I was influenced by Rambo and Commando and all the incredible movies … I was like, this is the thing that’s gonna put me on my way, help me figure out what I’m made of...” (21:37)
• Advice for Aspiring Special Operators
  • Emphasizes willpower, self-belief, and not letting down others in challenging selection processes.
    • Rutherford: “You have so much more in your reservoir of willpower … I didn’t want to let the guys down next to me. That was the biggest motivator. … Every time, the ultimate thing always comes down to because of the man that was next to me.” (23:44)
• Veterans’ Health and “Operator Syndrome”
  • Urges continued focus on supporting veterans, citing significant long-term effects from sustained combat and training cycles. “There is an immeasurable amount of work to be done.” (26:41)
  • Advocates for new research, such as on “Operator Syndrome,” to better address unique special operator challenges.

Dakota Meyer – Medal of Honor Recipient, Afghanistan War Veteran

• Medal of Honor Action
  • Recounts 2009 ambush in Afghanistan, attempted rescue missions, and loss of fellow soldiers.
    • Meyer: “[We] made multiple trips in the valley trying to get the team out ... after five or six hours ... we lost contact with them and then finally located them. And they’d all been killed.” (34:57)
• Reaction to the Afghanistan Withdrawal
  • Supports leaving Afghanistan, regardless of execution:
    • Meyer: “The only thing I’ll say about the pull out of Afghanistan is thank God that somebody did it. … What I am so thankful for is that not another service member is dying in that country right now.” (36:01)
  • Expresses disappointment with Afghan military failures and insists military-age males should have fought for their country rather than resettling in America.
• Veteran Support & National Legacy
  • Erases the notion that America neglects veterans, especially compared to global standards; Vietnam-era lessons prevent a repeat of previous disregard.
    • Meyer: “I don’t know that there’s a country on the face of the planet that loves their veterans or takes care of their veterans better than the United States of America.” (38:37)
• On Gender, Masculinity, and Societal Challenges
  • Strongly defends the necessity of traditional masculinity, criticizes “weak men,” and sees attacks on basic gender distinctions as societal decline.
    • Meyer: “Every problem we have is because of weak men. And until we start policing our own… Masculinity is desperately needed right now, not toxic, but masculinity.” (41:41)
  • Emphasizes the value and protection of women, linking it to national strength and global standards.

Timestamps:

• [18:04–26:41] David Rutherford segment
• [32:45–46:15] Dakota Meyer segment

4. Notable and Memorable Quotes

• On Service and Sacrifice:
  • “Morale and belief and a sense of greater purpose has to be there for that.” – Buck, 09:27
• On Masculinity and Weakness:
  • “Every problem we have in this country is because of weak men, period. Hard stop.” – Dakota Meyer, 41:41
• On the Nature of War:
  • “The essence of warfare is you are willing to put yourself in situations where you can die.” – Buck, 09:27
• On Veterans’ Support:
  • “I don’t know that there’s a country on the face of the planet that loves their veterans or takes care of their veterans better than the United States of America.” – Dakota Meyer, 38:37

Featured Books Mentioned

• "Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara
  • Clay names it as his favorite historical war novel, centering on Gettysburg. (14:28)
• "Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield
  • Buck’s pick, focused on the Spartans at Thermopylae. (14:51)
    • Buck: “It is one of my favorite just novel fun reads of all time. Gates of Fire Steven Pressfield if you like the movie 300, you will love this book.” (15:01)

Flow & Tone

• The episode is conversational, blending reverence for military service with humor and critical candor.
• While politically pointed in its critiques of past military policy and “woke” culture, the show sincerely highlights sacrifice, camaraderie, and the enduring importance of tradition and honor.

Segment Timestamps (Highlights)

• 02:43 – President Trump’s Veterans Day remarks
• 05:28 – Military morale, history, and esprit de corps
• 07:34 – Special forces humility and American warrior culture
• 14:28 – Recommended historical war novels
• 18:04 – Interview with Navy SEAL David Rutherford
• 26:41 – Veterans’ health and "Operator Syndrome"
• 32:45 – Interview with Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer
• 36:01 – Reflections on Afghanistan withdrawal
• 41:41 – Dakota Meyer’s views on masculinity and gender identity debates

Conclusion

The episode is a spirited Veterans Day tribute, blending respect for military service with sharp analysis of recent military and cultural changes. Through guest stories and host insights, it paints a picture of a military in renewal, honors the traditions and sacrifices of veterans, and calls for continued vigilance and support for those who have worn the uniform.