The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – "Team 47: Trump 2.0"
Episode Date: January 25, 2026
Main Theme:
Clay Travis and Buck Sexton mark the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump’s second term ("Trump 2.0"), assessing his accomplishments, the changing tone within the administration, policy wins, and major challenges, with a specific focus on domestic achievements, international issues (notably Greenland), and the administration’s approach versus Trump’s first term.
Episode Overview
The hosts open by reflecting on Trump’s first year back in office (“Trump 2.0”), emphasizing a review of major accomplishments and tracking how public opinion and political strategy have evolved since his first term. The episode is rooted in celebrating apparent policy successes and critiquing both external opposition (media, Democrats) and rare internal missteps.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump 2.0 – The “Sales Pitch” Year
(00:43 - 05:04)
- Clay frames 2026 as a referendum on Trump’s leadership, noting, "We are now into the sell the job that you have done stage of Trump 2.0." (00:43)
- He lists eight top accomplishments from the first year:
- Most secure border in U.S. history
- Record-high stock prices
- 4.3% GDP growth, possibly trending towards 5%
- Four-year low inflation (2.6% core)
- Record murder rate decline
- Record decline in fentanyl deaths
- Mortgage rates down from above 7%
- Gas prices at four-year lows
- Poll results from their audience: 47% “A” grade for Trump’s first year (03:34).
Memorable Quote:
“One month later, we have the most secure border in the history of the United States.”
— Clay (00:43)
2. Staff, Management & Enhanced Experience
(05:04 - 10:01)
- Buck underscores how the Trump administration’s staff is “far more unified and competent” than in 2017–2018. Personnel turnover and “blaming the staff” are no longer major narratives.
- Mentions strong contributions from “James Blair, Stephen Miller, Susie Wiles” and others:
“The chief of staff corps has remained very, very consistent.” — Clay (07:57)
- Acknowledges natural future turnover but calls current team "in strong shape."
Memorable Quote:
“We're playing so much defense back in 20, 2017… All a lie. And yes, it's to Trump's credit that he battled through all of that...”
— Buck (05:04)
3. Biggest Mistake: The Bondi/Epstein File Fiasco
(11:12 - 11:41)
- The hosts agree this was a rare, significant blunder in year one.
- Clay: “If you gave me a magic wand... I think that's the biggest unforced error of the first year.”
- Buck: “They still have to get those files out, by the way. We haven’t forgotten.”
4. Policy Deep-Dives: Tariffs & Economy
(12:36 - 14:38)
- Praise for Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant for his performance and handling of tariffs.
- Debate on whether Trump’s tariffs will withstand Supreme Court scrutiny.
- Buck: "I think it's very unlikely that the Supreme Court is going to strike down a president's signature economic policy." (12:36)
- Clay is less optimistic, predicting legal challenges and possible setbacks.
5. The Greenland Gambit
(14:38 - 26:01)
- Extended discussion about Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, both for military and resource reasons, likening it to historic U.S. acquisitions (Virgin Islands, 1917).
- Trump clip: “All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland… I won't use force. I don't want to use force. I won’t use force.” (14:38)
- Buck and Clay break down legal and diplomatic options for U.S. acquisition—“territory” vs “compact of free association.”
- Clay predicts the U.S. will secure Greenland via payout to residents rather than military force.
Notable Quotes:
“I think Trump wants… free and clear title of Greenland and the ability to develop its resources for the next hundreds of years for the United States.”
— Clay (24:11)
“You know it’s coming: without us, you’d be speaking German and Japanese.”
— Trump, clip (22:17)
6. Crime Plummets: Law & Order Wins
(26:45 - 35:02)
- Clay highlights "US murder rate hits lowest level since 1900… murders fell 21% last year, the biggest one year drop ever." (26:45)
- Emphasis on murder declines in big cities (e.g., D.C. 40% drop) tied to Trump surging federal resources.
- Buck says the administration deserves credit, highlighting the human stakes of policy.
- Both point out that most lives saved are black lives, underlining an unreported success narrative.
Memorable Exchange:
“Do you know as we hit the lowest murder rate since 1900, do you know what Donald Trump has done? He’s actually proved Black Lives Matter. Because overwhelmingly the people whose lives were saved were black.”
— Clay (30:29)
“No one has saved more black lives than Donald Trump… in the history of the presidency.”
— Clay (30:56)
7. Political & Social Commentary
- Hosts reinforce that media and Democrats will not give Trump credit for these successes.
- Frequent references to “making America great again” applying even more to safety and crime data than before.
- Discussion around ICE's enhanced role and broader public safety measures.
Notable Quotes by Timestamp
- 00:43 – Clay: “We are now into the sell the job that you have done stage of Trump 2.0.”
- 03:34 – Poll: “47% of you say A, 34% of you say B, 13% of you say C, and 6% of you say D or F.”
- 07:57 – Clay: “With James Blair, with Stephen Miller, with Susie Wiles, the chief of staff corps has remained very, very consistent.”
- 11:41 – Buck: “They still have to get those piles out, by the way. We haven’t forgotten.”
- 12:36 – Buck: "I think it's very unlikely that the Supreme Court is going to strike down a president's signature economic policy."
- 14:38 – Trump (clip): “I won’t use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland…"
- 22:17 – Trump (clip): “Without us, right now you’d all be speaking German and a little Japanese.”
- 24:11 – Clay: "I think Trump wants… free and clear title of Greenland and the ability to develop its resources for the next hundreds of years for the United States."
- 26:45 – Clay: “The murder rate in Trump 2.0 year one just hit the lowest level since 1900.”
- 30:29 – Clay: “He’s actually proved Black Lives Matter… Because overwhelmingly the people whose lives were saved were black.”
- 30:56 – Clay: “No one has saved more black lives than Donald Trump… in the history of the presidency.”
- 35:02 – Clay: “We’re not even going back to the word ‘again.’ We’re going to a new standard of excellence when it comes to safety in the country.”
Important Timestamps by Segment
- 00:43–05:04: Trump’s first-year accomplishments – the “A to F” poll and summary
- 05:04–10:01: Assessment of staffing, management, difference from first term
- 11:12–11:41: Bondi/Epstein files – consensus on biggest misstep
- 12:36–14:38: Tariffs and the Supreme Court – economic high points and warnings
- 14:38–26:01: Greenland negotiations – history, strategy, and Trump’s intentions
- 26:45–35:02: Crime statistics – historic lows, policy effects, racial impacts
Tone and Style
The episode maintains the hosts’ characteristic mix of confident analysis, humor, and pointed criticism of media and Democratic opponents. They are unapologetically pro-Trump but open about his rare missteps, and frequently mock mainstream narratives.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This installment provides a sweeping look at what Clay and Buck consider a transformative and successful year for Trump’s second administration, particularly highlighting border security, economic rebound, and law and order. They use audience engagement, signature humor, and direct quotes to frame the achievements and address ongoing policy debates, with a major focus on unheralded statistical wins and international posturing around Greenland. The episode is a notable encapsulation of the hosts’ take on the current American political landscape under Trump 2.0.