The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode Summary: "The Truth with Lisa Boothe: How the Left is Losing Touch with American Values with Ken Paxton"

Release Date: April 24, 2025
Guest: Attorney General Ken Paxton
Host: Lisa Booth

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, host Lisa Booth engages in an in-depth conversation with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The discussion centers on the evolving political landscape, focusing on the Democratic Party's strategies, immigration policies, sports regulations, and Paxton's own campaign against Senator John Cornyn.

Democrats' Struggle with "Dark Woke"

Lisa Booth introduces the concept of "dark woke," a term coined by The New York Times to describe the Democratic Party's current ideological stance. She probes Paxton on why Democrats appear to be losing touch with their base.

Notable Quote:

"This wokeness that they promoted doesn't work. People don't benefit from it. They don't get it. They see that the results of it are bad for America and it's bad for them, bad for their families, bad for their kids."
— Ken Paxton [05:11]

Paxton argues that the Democratic focus on progressive "woke" policies has alienated voters by failing to deliver tangible benefits, leading to a struggle in redefining their message.

Immigration and Border Policy

The conversation shifts to immigration, with Paxton criticizing the Democrats for their handling of illegal immigration. He contends that the influx of millions of illegal aliens has been a strategic move to influence the census and electoral outcomes.

Notable Quotes:

"The left, their philosophy was get these people in here as fast as possible. And that's what they did. They got what it was like 3 or 4 million people a year that they pushed into this country."
— Ken Paxton [06:15]

"They see it. They see that their message doesn't help America. They see it doesn't help America."
— Ken Paxton [09:02]

Paxton emphasizes the judiciary's role in obstructing President Trump's deportation efforts and anticipates legal victories that would enable stronger enforcement of existing immigration laws.

Debate on Men's and Women's Sports

A heated discussion ensues regarding the Democratic stance on men participating in women's sports. Paxton criticizes this policy as detrimental to women's athletic opportunities.

Notable Quote:

"It effectively eliminates daughters from being able to compete in sports... it's like it's not just the gauging a war on women. They're trying to erase women."
— Ken Paxton [11:47]

Paxton expresses confusion and frustration over what he perceives as Democrats undermining protections established for women's sports, questioning the rationale behind allowing men to compete in these categories.

Ken Paxton's Senate Primary Campaign against John Cornyn

Paxton outlines his decision to challenge long-serving Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary. He criticizes Cornyn's allegiance to Mitch McConnell and his opposition to Trump's policies.

Notable Quotes:

"He's been Mitch McConnell's lap dog and he hasn't represented the people of Texas... he's been an outspoken critic of the border wall and Trump's border wall."
— Ken Paxton [17:04]

"We have one Ted Cruz, and we can see the difference. It's pretty clear that the people of Texas has two very different centers. Ted Cruz is a shining example of what you need to be. And John Cornyn is a failure."
— Ken Paxton [21:39]

Paxton positions himself as a staunch supporter of President Trump, aiming to provide stronger representation for Texas by opposing what he sees as Cornyn's ineffective and contradictory policies.

Trade Policies and Tariffs

The discussion moves to international trade, where Paxton expresses support for fair trade practices while criticizing existing trade imbalances, particularly with China.

Notable Quote:

"I'm a free trader, but I also want fair trade. The President is trying to correct the wrongs of the past that no other president was willing to do."
— Ken Paxton [19:33]

Paxton lauds President Trump's efforts to renegotiate trade deals to ensure a more balanced and equitable trading environment for America.

President Trump's Effectiveness

Lisa Booth inquires about Paxton's assessment of President Trump's performance during his term. Paxton offers a highly favorable evaluation, highlighting Trump's rapid policy implementations and economic strategies.

Notable Quote:

"Look, I think he's working faster than I've ever seen any president work... He's putting in great people into cabinet positions."
— Ken Paxton [20:10]

Paxton credits Trump with being more effective than previous presidents, noting his swift actions to eliminate regulations and stimulate the American economy.

Federal Spending and Economic Policies

When questioned about opposition to fiscal policies like "Doge stuff" and federal spending cuts, Paxton remains unshaken, attributing resistance to entrenched interests benefiting from current expenditures.

Notable Quote:

"There's entrenched power forces, people making trillions. They're making billions of dollars. Look at Stacey Abrams gets a payoff of 2 billion or whatever she got for her tiny little non-profit."
— Ken Paxton [20:56]

He defends efforts to control the national deficit and budget, portraying such measures as necessary for America's financial health despite expected pushback from powerful entities.

Conclusion and Final Remarks

As the episode draws to a close, Paxton reiterates his optimism for the future under conservative leadership and emphasizes the importance of electing the right candidates to sustain progress.

Notable Quote:

"We have a great president, we have great leadership, great vice president... If we continue to elect conservative Republicans, that will push the envelope. We have a bright future."
— Ken Paxton [22:44]

Paxton's closing remarks underscore his commitment to his campaign and his belief in the Republican Party's ability to address and rectify America's challenges effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Democratic Strategy: Paxton critiques the Democratic Party's focus on "dark woke" policies, suggesting they have failed to resonate with the electorate.

• Immigration Concerns: He argues that Democrats' immigration policies are strategically designed to manipulate census data and electoral outcomes, disadvantaging American citizens.

• Sports Policy Criticism: Paxton is against the inclusion of men in women's sports, believing it undermines the integrity and opportunities for female athletes.

• Senate Primary Challenge: Emphasizing his alignment with President Trump, Paxton justifies his decision to run against Senator Cornyn as a move to better represent Texas and uphold conservative values.

• Trade and Economic Policies: Advocates for fair trade practices and supports Trump's aggressive stance on renegotiating trade deals to benefit America.

• Optimism for the Future: Paxton remains positive about the Republican Party's direction and its capacity to overcome opposition and foster a prosperous future.

This episode offers a critical look at contemporary political issues from Ken Paxton's perspective, highlighting his positions on key topics and his strategic approach to Texas politics.