The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Weekly Review With Clay and Buck H2 - Curtis Sliwa Calls Us
Date: November 1, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this high-energy episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton focus on the critical New York City mayoral race, just six days from Election Day. They interview Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, who defends his decision to stay in the race amidst pressure and concerns over vote-splitting, particularly against Andrew Cuomo and Democratic Socialist nominee Zoran Mamdani. The discussion dives deep into New York City politics, the threat of far-left governance, and the nature of political compromise, featuring pointed questions, memorable analogies, and candid moments about the city’s future.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Vote Splitting Concerns and Sliwa's Refusal to Drop Out

• Clay Travis opens with concern that Sliwa and Cuomo together might split the anti-Mamdani vote, potentially handing the mayoralty to "awful Marxist left-wing lunatic" Mamdani ([00:35]).
  • Clay pledges to wear a red beret and open a bar tab for Sliwa if he wins.
  • Pushes Sliwa: If vote-splitting costs the GOP/N.Y. moderates the mayoralty, will Sliwa feel responsible?
• Curtis Sliwa rebuts forcefully ([02:10]):
  • "Why would I even drop out? And by the way, you can't drop out. I'm on the ballot… I've never intended to drop out."
  • References being offered a $10 million bribe to withdraw, and that he and his wife now need armed guards due to threats.

2. Curtis Sliwa’s Path to Victory

• Sliwa frames himself as the hard-working, blue-collar candidate in subways and streets versus Cuomo’s absenteeism ([02:36], [08:21]).
  • "I'm meeting the people, the voters. I am the Republican populist, blue-collar, working-class candidate. That's my pathway to victory."
• Discusses building upon his previous 28% share from the last mayoral race.
  • Highlights a new “Independent/Protect Animals” ballot line to attract one-issue voters, particularly animal lovers: "It calls for no kill shelters and putting animal abusers in jail." ([08:21])

3. Sliwa’s Critique of Cuomo and Mamdani

• Sees little to no difference between Cuomo and Mamdani on key progressive reforms like no-cash bail and prison closures ([05:30]):
  • "I see no differentiation. They are birds of a feather, two peas in a pod. They're Democrats. They have caused the destruction of New York State."
  • "The reason that we lock up Two-Face and not criminals is the architect of no-cash bail, Andrew Cuomo, and then his apprentice is Mamdani."
• Positions himself as uncompromising and committed, likening his campaign to the defiance of Mel Gibson in Braveheart ([04:53]):
  • "Think of that last scene in Braveheart… I'm saying impale me. I will never support Andrew Cuomo, the Prince of Evil. He's cold-hearted."

4. Sliwa’s Integrity and Campaign Pressure

• Details attempts by powerful interests to bribe him to drop out ([11:27]):
  • “Ten million dollars is a lot of money to walk away from. I said, guy, you know me, I was born with nothing. I'll die with nothing. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. This sounds to me unethical. It's a bribe. It could be illegal.”
  • States his wife, an attorney, has advised recording any such future attempts.
  • Refuses to name specific bribers but warns of legal consequences if it continues.

5. Relationship with Trump and the Broader GOP

• Sliwa says Trump has not contacted or endorsed him despite previous comments about the race ([13:02]):
  • “I wish he would endorse me. He hasn't. But I've always said publicly, Mr. President... you’ve got bigger things to worry about than the New York mayoral race.”
• Argues that his win would revitalize Republican hopes in New York, referencing Giuliani and Pataki victories in the early 1990s.

6. Mamdani’s Political Strategy

• Sliwa and Buck Sexton discuss Mamdani's shift in tone and public promises to retain respected officials in his prospective administration ([09:42]):
  • Sliwa brands Mamdani as "Bill de Blasio on steroids" and questions the sincerity and practicality of his campaign promises.

7. Bigger Philosophical Debate: Is There a ‘Lesser Evil’ Between Cuomo and Mamdani?

• After the interview, the hosts dissect Sliwa’s logic and whether, practically, Cuomo would be any less destructive than Mamdani ([18:01]):
  • Buck: "I'm actually sympathetic to that point of view. I know that sounds crazy to people. Cuomo was awful."
  • Clay: "He doesn't see any difference between Mamdani and Cuomo. I think that's the essence of why he is staying in the race."
• The hosts grapple with the future of the Democratic Party and America’s capacity to reject or embrace increasingly radical politics. They debate whether “moderate Democrats” are a myth and the national implications of a Mamdani or Cuomo mayoralty ([29:46]-[32:07]).

8. Listener Reaction

• A caller from Alabama supports Clay’s concern about vote splitting and backs his “math” ([19:06]):
  • "If you are splitting the vote three ways, someone has to drop out or Mamdani wins."
• VIP emails split; one compares Cuomo to Mamdani, arguing “Let Mamdani win. At least the truth will come out about socialism” ([39:10]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Curtis Sliwa:

• “I will never support Andrew Cuomo, the Prince of Evil. He's cold-hearted. He is the worst of what the Democratic Party represents.” ([04:53])
• “I'm saying impale me. I will never support Andrew Cuomo…” – referencing Braveheart ([04:53])
• “I got 28% of the vote. So I build on the 28%. I not only have conservative Republican votes, there are two and a half times the number of independents… I have that vote and I have a new line, Independent line, protect animals.” ([08:21])
• “I've got my boots on the ground. I'm in the subways. I'm dealing with regular, average day working class people. I'll let the elites determine that while I'm in the streets.” ([10:18])
• Regarding the $10 million bribe: “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. This sounds to me unethical. It's a bribe. It could be illegal.” ([11:27])

Hosts:

• Clay Travis: “My concern... is that when we look at the final tally... we're going to see that actually the majority of New York voters voted against Mamdani. But because the anti-Mamdani vote is split... that means Mamdani is going to be the next mayor.” ([19:32])
• Buck Sexton: “I'm actually sympathetic to that point of view. I know that sounds crazy to people. Cuomo was awful. I lived in New York when he was governor. He was terrible.” ([18:50])
• On vote-splitting: “Cuomo is not Joe Manchin. Okay? Cuomo was a disastrous governor.” ([33:59])

Timestamps of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Description | |-----------|-------------| | 00:35 | Clay introduces mayoral race, vote-splitting concern, and Sliwa
| 02:10 | Sliwa challenges Clay, invokes Braveheart, assails Adams & Cuomo
| 05:30 | Sliwa explains why to him Cuomo and Mamdani are equally bad
| 08:21 | Sliwa lays out his campaign coalition, "Protect Animals" line
| 10:18 | Sliwa critiques Mamdani’s promises as disingenuous, "Bill de Blasio on steroids"
| 11:27 | Sliwa elaborates on being offered a $10 million bribe to drop out
| 13:02 | Sliwa on relationship with Trump and GOP national implications
| 18:01 | Post-interview analysis of vote splitting and Sliwa's motivation
| 19:06 | Alabama caller backs Clay's math on vote-splitting
| 22:31 | Buck and Clay dissect Sliwa’s stance on Cuomo vs Mamdani post-interview
| 29:46 | Broader debate: moderate Democrats, left-wing policies, national stakes
| 39:10 | VIP emails: listener perspectives on Cuomo vs Mamdani

Tone and Style

The episode is marked by animated, combative dialogue, sharp political analogies (e.g., Braveheart references, “Prince of Evil”), and a mix of gallows humor and seriousness about the future of New York City. Sliwa embodies the defiant, populist outsider, while the hosts balance skepticism about third-party runs with an acknowledgment of deep voter frustration on both sides.

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in New York City’s political future or broader national trends regarding progressive politics and the GOP response. Sliwa’s unwavering commitment, the hosts’ pointed questioning, and the raw debate over “lesser evilism” within Democratic politics make for riveting, thought-provoking radio.

For full context, discussions, and unique color, the conversation is best experienced in Clay and Buck’s own voices.