The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Weekly Review With Clay and Buck - Hour 2 - Vote for Matt Van Epps!
Date: November 29, 2025
Host: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton
Notable Guest: Matt Van Epps (Congressional Candidate), Kayleigh McEnany (Former White House Press Secretary)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the upcoming special congressional election in Tennessee's 7th District, as the hosts urge listeners to vote for Republican candidate Matt Van Epps. The episode dives into the importance of voter turnout, draws a sharp contrast between Van Epps and his Democratic opponent Afton Bain, and widely discusses affordability, national politics, and the state of the Republican Party. The conversation is energetic, blending political urgency with relatable anecdotes and moments of humor.

Key Discussion Points

1. Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District Race (03:20–14:00)

• Urgency of the Election:

  • Hosts remind listeners of the odd timing (holiday season) and the necessity of high Republican turnout.
  • Confusion due to newly redrawn district lines is highlighted.

• Candidate Introduction – Matt Van Epps:

  • Van Epps describes himself as a husband, father, combat veteran, West Point graduate, former Commissioner of General Services, and ongoing member of the TN Army National Guard.
  • Strongly criticizes Afton Bain as a “crazy left wing radical” and claims she wants “higher taxes, defunding the police, [and] gender surgeries for minors without parental consent.”

    "If you don't want higher taxes, defunding the police, gender surgeries for minors without parental consent, you must vote to stop this person." – Matt Van Epps (04:45)

• Democratic Strategy and Republican Response:

  • Both Van Epps and the hosts argue that Democrats are hoping for low awareness and reduced turnout among Republicans.

    "The Democrats are hoping that we don't turn out and we've got to fight against this just crazy, radical left wing agenda." – Matt Van Epps (07:42)

• Van Epps's Key Issues:

  • Affordability (battling inflation, cheaper gas, supporting veterans)
  • Secure borders
  • Promotes nuclear energy and reduced utility costs
  • Increased healthcare competition; “getting government out of the way”
  • Maintaining low property taxes and cooperative work between federal, state, and local governments

    “We stand for battling inflation, secure borders, tax cuts, protecting our kids, cheaper gas, supporting veterans and law enforcement, ending wars around the globe. And the affordability piece here is, is top of the top of the agenda." – Matt Van Epps (09:11)

• District Geography and Voter Mobilization:

  • District covers Fort Campbell, Clarksville, Nashville (Franklin, Brentwood), and parts of 14 counties, stretching from Kentucky to Alabama (10:37–11:35).
  • Early voting through November 26; Election Day is December 2, 2025.

• Get Involved:

  • Campaign website: matt4tn.com

    "Would be honored to have folks [support] and their vote. And together we're going to get this done and we're going to win decisively on December 2nd." – Matt Van Epps (13:12)

2. Callers and Listener Engagement (19:16–23:42)

• Debate Over Trump’s Approach with Mayor Mamdani:

  • Callers are split on whether Trump is too soft or playing smart politics with New York’s Mayor Mamdani.

    "I think Trump handled them well. You can't have an adversarial relationship with them...He's got to have an open channel of communication..." – Phil, Orange County Caller (20:12) "We can't have New York fall away for four years. It's bad for the city." – Phil (20:52)

  • Clay and Buck agree Trump needs to work with the city’s leadership, but criticize the leftist tilt in NYC government.

• Housing and Affordability:

  • Zoning and regulation issues highlighted as root causes of housing scarcity and high rent in NYC.

    “The only way for the cost of living in New York City to come down is to increase the amount of housing availability in New York City. The zoning regulations...ensuring that rates remain high.” – Clay Travis (22:00)

• Judicial Process Concerns:

  • Frustrations aired about liberal judges dismissing Republican-led cases, with Buck advocating to end the Senate blue slip process.

    “Democrats put in ideologues all the time...I think we should get rid of the blue slip process because somehow they're able to stack the deck a whole lot more…” – Buck Sexton (23:58)

3. Featured Guest: Kayleigh McEnany (26:06–38:06)

• Legal Insight into Dismissed Indictments:

  • McEnany explains that dismissals against Letitia James and James Comey were procedural, not merit-based.

    "They didn't get to the heart of the matter. What they're saying is...the manner in which she was appointed was unconstitutional and therefore any case stemming from her appointment is...dismissed without prejudice." – Kayleigh McEnany (26:26)

• Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Resignation:

  • McEnany notes the risk to House GOP majority if more resignations follow and urges members to stay for the country’s sake.

    “All these congressmen need to look in the mirror and realize what’s best for the country, stay on board. The people put you there for a reason. Stay for the long haul.” – Kayleigh McEnany (28:04)

• Affordability and Republican Messaging:

  • McEnany stresses the need for the GOP to acknowledge affordability issues and tout “working solutions” such as 50-year mortgages and health care reforms.

    "We're not going to be the Biden administration that say, you know, 'oh, there's no problem.' ... I love that we have an administration with creative solutions." – Kayleigh McEnany (29:45)

• Women, Law Careers, and Family:

  • Kayleigh shares personal advice for young women:

    “If God put that desire on your heart to have a child, it is there for a reason. And if he put a desire on your heart to be a working mom, that's there for a reason, too... You find a way. And if God puts it on your heart that it's there, then he's going to see it through and he's going to help you in that endeavor.” – Kayleigh McEnany (31:53)

• Humorous Segment: Whispering Angel “Controversy”:

  • The team pokes fun at Clay Travis for being pictured with a glass of Whispering Angel (rosé) at an event, with Kayleigh sharing her family’s light-hearted ribbing and plans for a tongue-in-cheek “press rollout.”

    “Clay Travis drinks Whispering Angel? ... It’s pink. It's a woman's drink. He's drinking that? What is wrong with this man?” – Kayleigh McEnany (quoting her family) (33:56) “That's just a—he had a bad night.” – Kayleigh’s father (35:50)

4. Additional Calls and Last Segments (43:08–46:25)

• Changes in Memphis After Federal Action:

  • Caller from Memphis credits federal intervention for improved safety:

    “Since the feds came in... It’s a different city, everything's calmer... Absolutely, this was the right thing to do.” – Mike, Memphis Caller (43:25)

• Speculation on Democratic Statesmanship:

  • Caller predicts Momdani is positioning himself as a future leader, highlighting a rare example of Democratic statesmanship.

    "I think he's a model for statesmanship for the rest of this...the crazy Democrats." – Mike, Memphis Caller (44:30)

• Trump’s Political Calculus:

  • Caller opines Trump is “killing them with kindness” towards socialist programs in NYC, not wanting to be blamed for their failure.

    “He’s killing them with kindness, all the while giving them the rope to hang themselves.” – Kathy, Caller (45:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We've got to have our side get out there and vote. The Democrats are hoping that we don't turn out...”
  — Matt Van Epps (07:42)

• “We just need everyone to get out and vote... She's endorsed by the socialists because she’s one of them.”
  — Matt Van Epps (06:09)

• “All these congressmen need to look in the mirror and realize what’s best for the country, stay on board.”
  — Kayleigh McEnany (28:04)

• “You find a way. And if God puts it on your heart that it's there, then he's going to see it through...”
  — Kayleigh McEnany (31:53)

• “That's just a—he had a bad night.” (On Clay drinking rosé)
  — Kayleigh McEnany's father (35:50)

Segment Timestamps for Reference

| Timestamp | Topic / Segment | |---------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:20–14:00 | Matt Van Epps Interview, Tenn. Dist. 7 Election Focus | | 19:16–23:42 | Callers: Trump strategy with NYC, housing, judicial process | | 26:06–38:06 | Kayleigh McEnany: Legal analysis, GOP, affordability, humor | | 43:08–46:25 | Callers: Memphis safety, Dem statesmanship, Trump calculus |

Tone and Style

The show walks a line between serious political discussion and friendly, accessible banter. Clay and Buck are direct, passionate, and at times irreverent, keeping the audience both informed and entertained. Guests like Matt Van Epps and Kayleigh McEnany maintain a focused but warm tone, blending advocacy and personal anecdotes.

Summary Takeaway

Listeners are implored to recognize the importance of the Tennessee 7th District special election and the broader dangers perceived from Democratic policies locally and nationally. The episode is loaded with calls for action, policy contrasts, grassroots organizing advice, and moments of levity that connect with the show's core conservative base.