The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Weekly Review With Clay and Buck - Hour 1 - CDC 86's Covid Vax
Release Date: May 31, 2025
Host: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Platform: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction and Personal Updates

The episode kicks off with Clay Travis sharing personal anecdotes and updates. He recounts an exhilarating weekend trip to the Indianapolis 500, thanks to the Good Ranchers crew. Clay expresses his appreciation for meeting numerous listeners during the event, highlighting the strong community support for the show. He also mentions a collaboration with Good Ranchers, offering listeners a $40 discount using the code "clay."

Clay informs listeners that Buck Sexton is currently out sick with the flu but expects to return the following day. Meanwhile, Clay plans to visit the newly opened Universal Studios park with his children, embracing the recent school break. He humorously notes that his wife might not be thrilled about his spontaneous announcement but emphasizes the excitement his kids have for the new roller coasters.

CDC Removes COVID Vaccine from Recommendations for Children and Pregnant Women

The core of the episode focuses on a significant development in public health: the CDC's recent decision to remove the COVID-19 vaccine from the recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. This shift marks a pivotal change from the previous stance, where the Biden administration had actively promoted additional boosters despite limited clinical data supporting their necessity.

Notable Quote:
Clay Travis (05:25): "As of today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Last year, the Biden administration urged healthy children to get yet another Covid shot despite the lack of any clinical data to support the repeat booster strategy in children. That ends today. It's common sense and it's good science."

Clay celebrates this decision, framing it as a victory for those who had reservations about the vaccine mandates. He contrasts the initial promises of widespread vaccine efficacy against COVID-19 with the reality of enforced mandates, such as vaccination requirements for attending college or accessing certain public spaces like McDonald's in New York and Los Angeles.

Impact on Individuals:
Clay shares his personal relief at not having received the vaccine and notes that his children were not mandated to get it. He empathizes with listeners who felt coerced into vaccination, highlighting the invasive nature of the mandates and expressing frustration over the perceived dishonesty from public health officials.

Public Opinion and Democratic Stance on COVID Vaccines

Delving deeper, Clay presents data from a recent Rasmussen poll conducted in January 2022, which reveals startling percentages of Democrats supporting stringent measures against the unvaccinated.

Poll Highlights:

• 60% of Democrats believed that unvaccinated individuals should be fined.
• Nearly 60% supported locking unvaccinated people at home.
• Over 40% were in favor of sending unvaccinated individuals to quarantine camps.
• 30% agreed that unvaccinated children's parents should have their children taken away.
• More than 50% supported fining and imprisoning those who criticized the COVID vaccine.

Notable Quotes:
Clay Travis (16:45): "Nearly 60% of Democrats believed that those who didn't get the COVID shot should be sent to quarantine camps... And for people like me and Buck, over about 50% of Democrats said that people who criticize the COVID shot should be fined and imprisoned."

Clay uses these statistics to underscore a perceived overreach by Democratic policies and the coercive tactics employed during the pandemic. He emphasizes the lasting anger and distrust these measures have fueled among certain segments of the population.

Critique of Legacy Media and Its Role During the Pandemic and Presidential Leadership

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to critiquing legacy media outlets, particularly focusing on their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and President Joe Biden's mental and physical capabilities.

Key Points:

• Media Failure: Clay argues that major media organizations like CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, The Washington Post, and The New York Times failed to accurately report on the ineffectiveness and politicization of the COVID-19 vaccines. He contends that these outlets either downplayed or entirely ignored flaws in the vaccine strategy, leading to widespread misinformation.

• Biden's Competency: Drawing attention to recent statements by Jake Tapper, who compared Biden's health scandal to Watergate, Clay emphasizes the media's neglect in highlighting concerns about the President's fitness for office. He criticizes the media for not proactively addressing these issues, thereby fostering a lack of trust among the public.

• Economic and Political Bias: Clay posits that the subscription-based business model of legacy media has led to a bias towards far-left-wing perspectives to retain subscribers. This, he argues, has compromised journalistic integrity, turning reputable news outlets into partisan echo chambers.

• Advertising Influence: He highlights the significant advertising revenue from pharmaceutical companies on networks like CNN and MSNBC, suggesting a conflict of interest that may have influenced positive coverage of COVID-19 vaccines despite questionable efficacy.

Notable Quotes:
Clay Travis (22:10): "How can anyone trust anyone in legacy media at this point? If they told you that your kids needed to get the COVID shot or they were in danger of death, and if they all told you that Biden was the best mental and physical version of himself... how can anyone trust these people again?"

Clay further elaborates on the historical context, comparing the media's handling of Biden to their earlier coverage of Watergate and the Clinton impeachment. He argues that the media's shift towards partisan reporting has eroded their foundational role of holding power accountable.

Jake Tapper's Comments:
Clay references an interview where Jake Tapper stated that Biden's health issues were "maybe even worse than Watergate." He uses this to highlight the media's inconsistent and, in his view, negligent coverage of presidential health and misconduct.

Notable Quotes:
Clay Travis (25:50): "How about something about Jake Tapper saying Biden's health situation was worse than Watergate? Again, this is what he said with Piers Morgan. We can cut it off right after he says worse than Watergate. But I actually think it's super emblematic of why we have arrived in the era that we have."

Callers' Perspectives and Further Analysis

Throughout the episode, Clay engages with callers who echo his sentiments and expand on his critiques.

Caller Highlights:

• Support for Donating to Dementia Research: A caller suggests Jake Tapper donate profits from his book to dementia research, reflecting the show's focus on Biden's cognitive decline.

• Republican Accountability: Another caller points out the inconsistency in the Republican Party's approach to leadership accountability, noting that while they have been vocal about removing Trump, they are quieter about addressing Biden's potential incapacity.

Clay's Response:
Clay advocates for formal investigations and hearings into Biden's health and the administration's handling of the COVID-19 vaccine mandates. He underscores the need for transparency and accountability, arguing that media and political entities have collectively failed the public.

Notable Quotes:
Clay Travis (32:15): "I think that you should not let them off the hook. You should remember this failure for the rest of their career... How can you trust anyone?"

Supporting Israel and Humanitarian Efforts

Beyond domestic issues, Clay briefly touches upon international support, specifically praising the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) for their humanitarian work in Israel. He encourages listeners to contribute to their efforts, emphasizing the importance of tangible support in conflict zones.

Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

Clay wraps up the episode by reiterating the critical themes discussed: the CDC's reversal on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, the media's failure to hold power accountable, and the broader implications for public trust and political integrity. He teases an upcoming segment featuring Riley Gaines, who will discuss the contentious issue of male athletes competing in women's sports in California, a topic that has garnered attention from former President Trump.

Final Notable Quote:
Clay Travis (45:00): "We'll talk about this more... and we are scheduled to talk with Riley Gaines top of the hour about a battle going on in California involving a male athlete trying to win women's state championships. Trump has weighed in. We'll talk about that and more with Riley in a moment."

Key Takeaways

• Public Health Policy Shift: The CDC's removal of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women marks a significant policy reversal, aligning with global trends and addressing public dissent.

• Media Accountability: A central theme is the critique of legacy media's failure to adequately report on critical issues like vaccine efficacy and presidential fitness, fostering distrust among viewers and listeners.

• Political Integrity: The discussion underscores the importance of holding political leaders accountable, regardless of party affiliation, and the role media should play in this process.

• Community Engagement: Personal stories and interactions with listeners highlight the show's commitment to addressing topics that resonate deeply with its audience.

Note: This summary distills the main content of the episode, excluding advertisements and non-substantive segments, to provide a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the podcast.