Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Weekly Review With Clay and Buck H1 - Does Curtis Want Zohran to Win?
Date: October 25, 2025
Source: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton broadcast live from Fort Wayne, Indiana, discussing the turbulent state of the New York City mayoral race, controversial moments in national and state politics, and the ongoing cultural debates dominating the headlines. With only days left before key elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City, the hosts critique political strategies, media coverage, and social issues—with an extra focus on Curtis Sliwa's candidacy and whether his continued participation is effectively aiding Zohran Mamdani, the left-wing frontrunner. The tone remains lively and contentious, with listener call-ins adding to the debate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Chaos of the New York City Mayoral Race

• Curtis Sliwa’s Role: Sliwa, former radio host and perennial candidate, is refusing to drop out of the race despite pressure from various political circles—including those offering him jobs or monetary incentives.

• Strategic Implications: Clay and Buck debate if Sliwa's persistence actually hands victory to Zohran Mamdani (referred to as "Mom Donnie"), the far-left Democratic candidate, by splitting the non-left vote and preventing former Governor Andrew Cuomo from consolidating an anti-Mamdani coalition.

• Trump Weighs In: Highlighting the stakes, Donald Trump comments on the situation, expressing a (very mild) preference for a Democrat over a “Communist,” underlining the perceived extremism of Mamdani.

  "If he [Sliwa] dropped out, maybe Cuomo would have a little bit of a chance, but not much. It's really a question of would I rather have a Democrat or a Communist? And I would rather have a Democrat than a Communist." – Donald Trump (24:07)

2. Voter Frustration and Political Realism

• Electoral Math: The hosts discuss the hard numbers facing Republicans in New York City, explaining to callers that even if Cuomo dropped out, his supporters—largely Democrats—would not vote for Sliwa.

• Listener Call-Ins: Passionate call-ins from New Yorkers, notably “Jacqueline,” challenge the hosts' analysis, arguing that polling data is skewed and that Curtis Sliwa could still theoretically win if Cuomo exited.

  "How come you don't turn it around and take the opposite viewpoint, that if Cuomo were to drop out, that Curtis is the one that actually has the best chance of winning this election?" – Jacqueline, Brooklyn (32:12)

3. Wider Culture Wars: Transgender Athletes and Policy Evasion

• Spanberger and the Transgender Debate: The conversation pivots to the Virginia governor’s race and Democrat Abigail Spanberger’s evasive answers about boys in girls’ bathrooms and sports. Buck accuses mainstream Democrats of sidestepping hard questions and prioritizing political correctness over the safety and rights of women and girls.

• Personal Testimony: Clay references Sam Ponder’s viral tweet about her daughter facing boys in New York sports, illustrating how the issue resonates with parents nationwide.

• Feminism Critique: Buck brands institutional feminism as “anti-civilization,” arguing that it now aligns against girls’ interests on the trans sports issue.

  "It also is not courteous and not kind to support people in a mental health delusion. That is what is going on here. It is not possible to change your gender. We're finally allowed to say this." – Buck Sexton (06:34)

4. Senate Primary Chaos and the Nazi Tattoo Scandal

• Maine’s Senate Primary: The show briefly covers the Democratic primary in Maine, where candidate Graham Platner faces controversy over a past Nazi tattoo. The hosts lampoon the candidate's explanation and question the Democrats’ internal vetting process.

  "This is the Democrat side, as one... Does an actual Nazi tattoo. Not to, not the way they call everybody a Nazi... This is actual Nazi paraphernalia tattooed on his arm. Is that right?" – Buck Sexton (02:27)

5. National Political Implications

• Impact Beyond NYC: Clay speculates that a Mamdani win could inadvertently benefit Republicans nationally, especially in House and Senate races, by making Democrats appear too radical in America’s most visible city.

• Comparison to San Francisco: Buck likens NYC's decline to San Francisco’s troubles but warns New York’s downfall would have much broader significance due to its status as America’s “first city.”

  "It's like, would you rather step in gum or poop? ...Mom Donnie is poop and Cuomo is gum. And most people would rather step in gum than step in poop." – Clay Travis (25:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sliwa Staying In the Race:

  • "If you have a 0% chance to win and you are 100% guaranteeing that mom Donnie is going to win, you should have to explain what the rationale for your candidacy is." – Clay Travis (19:05)

• On Feminist Organizations and Trans Issues:

  • "It's also a reminder that institutional feminism in this country is an anti-civilization destructive force that does not actually care about women." – Buck Sexton (12:16)

• On the Likely Outcomes for NYC:

  • "Sliwa winning would be the biggest shock election win, I think by the numbers of all time... he would be coming back from... Because, well, what are we got people—" – Buck Sexton (31:07)

• On the National Impact of NYC Politics:

  • "Who controls the House, who controls the Senate matters way more. I also think this helps Elise Stefanik in a governor's race statewide in New York." – Clay Travis (27:56)

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Opening & Show Context / Election Chaos in NYC (00:39–04:03)
• Maine Senate Tattoo Controversy (02:27–03:22)
• The Transgender Debate in Virginia Politics (04:03–12:16)
• Discussion of Sliwa Candidacy & NYC Mayoral Math (17:36–19:05)
• Inviting Curtis Sliwa On-Air / Realpolitik of NYC Election (18:24–20:57)
• Trump on the NYC Mayoral Race (23:32–24:29)
• Gum vs. Poop Analogy for Candidate Choices (25:26–26:03)
• Listener Call-Ins and Pushback (Jacqueline from Brooklyn) (32:04–37:56)
• National Consequences and NYC's Broader Value (40:15–41:21)

Tone & Takeaways

The episode is energetic, combative, and tinged with dry humor, especially as the hosts dissect what they see as the hard realities and irrationalities of urban politics. While critical of both left-wing and mainstream Democratic candidates, Clay and Buck urge honesty about electoral odds and implications, both for local outcomes in New York and their ripple effects nationally. The episode’s through line is a demand for clarity and principle in politics and an encouragement for listeners to engage and vote, no matter how bleak the choices may appear.

For listeners interested in heated political analysis, culture war commentary, and the mechanics of urban elections, this episode offers both insight and plenty of quotable moments.