The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Weekly Review With Clay and Buck H1 - The Best of Clay and Buck
Date: December 27, 2025
Hosts: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Notable Guest: Jack Carr (bestselling author, former Navy SEAL)
Episode Overview
This "Best Of" episode features lively discussions from Clay Travis and Buck Sexton on recent political and cultural topics, focusing on polarization, online toxicity, mental health—especially among veterans—and American culture. A notable segment features an engaging interview with bestselling author and former Navy SEAL Jack Carr, offering insights into writing, adaptation, and military fiction. The show maintains its signature tone: a mix of sharp political critique, playful banter, and a commitment to discussing tough issues with both intelligence and humor.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Designation of Antifa Groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Timestamps: [03:02]–[04:54]
- Buck reports on the State Department’s designation of several European Antifa groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), highlighting the broader powers now available to the US in dealing with such groups.
- Quote: “Once you are at FTO, the US government's ability and tools to deal with you are considerable. They are fearsome... financial, legal, even kinetic.” — Buck Sexton [04:19]
- Juxtaposition with previous government comments—especially the FBI Director under Biden saying “Antifa was an idea,” which hosts strongly criticize.
- Quote: “That was a particularly low moment for a very... brought low... FBI.” — Buck Sexton [04:55]
2. Online Cruelty and Cancel Culture (The Fetterman Example)
Timestamps: [04:54]–[14:24]
- Buck recalls Elon Musk’s observation linking wokeness with cruelty under the cover of righteousness, particularly on the left. Clay and Buck argue that the left can be more vicious online due to a sense of moral superiority.
- Quote: “The left is way meaner because there is a self-righteousness that motivates their anger...” — Clay Travis [06:23]
- John Fetterman’s Experience:
- Fetterman (Democratic Senator) shares on CNN that online abuse from the left was more personal and vicious than from the right, including people wishing illness or death upon him.
- Quote: “On the left, it was like they want me to die or... cheering for your next stroke... I can't imagine people are wishing... I want him to die, you know, literally cheering for a stroke.” — John Fetterman (clip) [07:14–08:28]
- Clay deeply empathizes, expanding on how success doesn’t protect against depression and how toxicity of online culture exacerbates mental health struggles.
- Quote: “Imagine you win a Senate race and because of the toxicity surrounding you, your depression is such that you think about throwing yourself off a bridge...” — Clay Travis [11:23]
- Broader mental health discussion:
- Both hosts urge listeners—especially men and veterans—to seek help and destigmatize mental health conversations, commending Fetterman for candor.
- Quote: “No community has done more in our generation... to destigmatize mental health problems... than the veterans.” — Buck Sexton [15:59]
- Both hosts urge listeners—especially men and veterans—to seek help and destigmatize mental health conversations, commending Fetterman for candor.
3. Listener Participation & Culture Chat
Timestamps: [20:35]–[23:32], [40:38]–[43:44]
- Listener “Ken” humorously defends wearing a robe, Buck and Clay riff on “robe culture,” and the quirks of teen fashion (including the growing popularity of Crocs and “poofy” hairstyles among teens).
- “Renee” calls in with strong opinions on parenting, respect, and discipline (specifically involving Halloween trick-or-treat etiquette), leading to a reflection on cultural boundaries and community standards.
- Quote (Renee): “If my son had ever dumped a bowl of candy in his bag, I would have busted his ass on the spot... anyone else that would do something different is low class.” [22:43]
4. Author Jack Carr Interview: Writing, Adaptation, and Inspiration
Timestamps: [23:32]–[37:23]
a. Success of The Terminal List and Dark Wolf
- Jack discusses the rare achievement of his books and adapted TV series both being #1 hits, with promising future projects (filming in Morocco, South Africa, Toronto).
- Quote: “Both went to number one on Prime Video, which is not bad...” — Jack Carr [24:04]
- Chris Pratt was always Carr’s first choice for the lead role, with Taylor Kitsch a happy surprise.
b. Writing Process & Advice for Aspiring Authors
- Jack’s approach: Focus solely on writing the best book possible before worrying about agents, publishing, or marketing.
- Quote: “All of that bandwidth is now bandwidth that is not going into making that product... the best it can possibly be.” — Jack Carr [28:29]
- Structuring his novels:
- Starts with a working title and theme, executive summary, thorough outlining, and then fleshes out the narrative.
- Quote: “I take that one page executive summary, turn that into the outline so I know where I'm going... and then I turn that outline into the narrative.” — Jack Carr [29:31]
- Starts with a working title and theme, executive summary, thorough outlining, and then fleshes out the narrative.
c. Incorporating Current Events in Fiction
- Jack describes how real-world events often mirror his plotlines, but his primary focus is always on telling a good story—current events make their way into the narrative naturally.
- Quote: “I'm always interested in current events... what lessons we can draw from history and apply... but I just focus on the story.” — Jack Carr [31:55]
d. Inspirations and Favorites
- Lists major literary influences (Tom Clancy, David Morrell, etc.).
- Quote: “I can't pick one... all part of my foundation. Certainly Clancy, David Morrell, Nelson DeMille...” — Jack Carr [34:01]
- Top war movies: “Band of Brothers” (series), “Platoon”, “Uncommon Valor”, “Apocalypse Now,” “The Longest Day.” [35:16–36:00]
- Most surprising fan: David Morrell (creator of Rambo), whose endorsement made a huge impact.
5. American Trust and Cultural Differences (Red vs. Blue States)
Timestamps: [43:44]–[44:07]
- A listener recounts leaving his wallet at Sam’s Club with $400 cash—all returned intact—asserting there’s more honesty in “red states.”
- Clay and Buck contemplate what factors—politics, religion, social trust—culturally shape honesty and civic spirit.
Notable Quotes
- Buck Sexton [04:19]: “Once you are at FTO, the US government’s ability and tools to deal with you are considerable. They are fearsome on the financial side, on the legal side, and even on the kinetic side of things.”
- John Fetterman (clip) [07:14–08:28]: “On the left... they want me to die or were cheering for your next stroke... that’s much different than just calling me a name...”
- Clay Travis [11:23]: “Imagine you win a Senate race and because of the toxicity surrounding you, your depression is such that you think about throwing yourself off a bridge...”
- Buck Sexton [15:59]: “No community has done more in our generation... to destigmatize mental health problems... than the veterans.”
- Jack Carr [28:29]: “All of that bandwidth is now bandwidth that is not going into making that product... the best it can possibly be.”
- Renee (caller) [22:43]: “If my son had ever dumped a bowl of candy in his bag, I would have busted his ass on the spot...”
Memorable Moments
- The candid Fetterman discussion about the real human impact of online toxicity and depression, setting aside politics for empathy and mental health awareness. [07:14–14:24]
- Jack Carr’s behind-the-scenes anecdotes about The Terminal List’s television success, his writing methodology, and how reality often mirrors fiction. [24:04–33:51]
- The playful robe and Croc debate, showing the show’s lighter cultural commentary side, and listener engagement. [20:35–23:32]
Segment Timeline
- State Department & Antifa FTOs: [03:02]–[04:54]
- Online Left’s Cruelty; Fetterman’s Experience: [04:54]–[14:24]
- Mental Health Stigma & Veterans: [14:24]–[17:26]
- Listener Calls (Robes & Crocs, Parenting, Lost Wallet): [20:35]–[23:32], [40:38]–[43:44]
- Jack Carr Interview: [23:32]–[37:23]
- Discussion on American social trust: [43:44]–[44:07]
Summary
This episode delivers a blend of sharp political analysis, genuine social commentary, and entertaining engagement with listeners. The central theme revolves around the current polarization of American culture, personal and collective struggles with mental health (and the impact of social media), and the ways in which communities, both online and offline, shape our lives for better or worse.
The interview with Jack Carr stands out as a masterclass in balancing creative ambition with real-world experience, while the hosts’ ongoing dialogues keep the tone witty, provocative, and accessible for new and loyal listeners alike.