Podcast Summary: Verdict with Ted Cruz — Bonus: Daily Review with Clay and Buck (Dec 9, 2025)

Date: December 9, 2025
Hosts: Clay Travis, Buck Sexton
Featured Guest: Bill O’Reilly

Overview

In this bonus episode, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton break down some of the most important news stories of the day, with a particular focus on the role of ‘deep state’ bureaucrats, a Supreme Court case over executive firing authority, Trump’s political legacy and strategy, controversies over presidential rankings, and the ongoing debate about affordability in the U.S. economy. Bill O’Reilly joins to give his trademark perspective on Trump, Biden, the historic ranking of presidents, and conspiracy theories around General Patton’s death. The episode features lively debate, candid opinions, and a healthy dash of holiday-season banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court Case: Presidential Authority to Fire Executive Officials

[02:37-17:10]

• Buck and Clay analyze Supreme Court oral arguments on whether the president should have the authority to fire “forever” federal bureaucrats (executive agency personnel) and the separation of powers between the executive and Congress.

• Focus on Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s questioning—portrayed as verbose and left-leaning, with assertions she doesn’t fully understand core constitutional frameworks.

  “She talks the most by far, and unfortunately sometimes shows that she doesn't really understand the very basics of our government, which for a Supreme Court Justice, I think is a problem.” — Buck Sexton [04:40]

• Clay: Argues that independent regulatory agencies are “anti-democratic,” supports presidential firing authority, and questions the legality of Jackson’s appointment based on Biden’s explicit promise to nominate a black woman.

  “I would be a better Supreme Court justice than Ketanji Brown Jackson, and I would not be a great Supreme Court justice.” — Clay Travis [06:43]

  “It is anti-democratic. The entire process of our country is predicated on there should be people who are able to be removed if the will of the people is violated on some level.” — Clay Travis [09:26]

• Buck claims Democrats benefit from a permanent bureaucracy less answerable to the electorate (“Fauci-ite power”).

• Both hosts suggest even other Supreme Court justices view KBJ as a liability to the liberal side.

  “She makes their side look silly.” — Buck Sexton [15:33]

2. Presidential Rankings: Trump’s Legacy & Biden’s Place in History

[22:43-29:53] (With Bill O’Reilly)

• O’Reilly humorously recounts being asked by Trump directly where he ranks among presidents, saying:

  “You're never going to be number one because Lincoln was so extraordinary ... But you're in the top 10 right now, and you're the hardest working president of all time.” — Bill O’Reilly [24:09]

• On Biden: O’Reilly places him as the “second worst president” after Buchanan.

  “Worst president ever. Biden is number two. Why? Because in four years, Joe Biden did not solve one problem in this country. Not one.” — Bill O’Reilly [25:32]

3. Economic Anxiety, “Affordability,” and the 2026 Election

[27:16-29:53, 39:14-43:44]

• O’Reilly recalls Trump calling him to complain about O’Reilly suggesting affordability is Trump’s vulnerability for 2026.

• O’Reilly: The stats aren’t actually terrible (good jobs numbers, people prospering), but insurance costs are “killing working Americans.”

• Buck: Trump is making political hay out of affordability, especially via an “Econ” roundtable in Pennsylvania, and squarely blames Obamacare for rising costs.

  “Obamacare is a setup to make insurance companies rich...Obamacare is a disaster.”— Donald Trump (quoted by Buck, [40:29])

• Clay: Healthcare is the most universally disliked bureaucracy. Suggests most people would prefer cash to choose their own plan, criticizing the system’s opacity and inefficiency.

• Buck: Obamacare’s structure—needing young, healthy people to subsidize older, sicker people—is unsustainable as demographics shift.

4. General Patton’s Death: Conspiracy or Tragedy?

[29:53-36:40]

• Prompted by a listener question, O’Reilly summarizes his view from Killing Patton that it’s possible Patton was murdered, likely by the Soviets, though not proven.

  “A lot of people, including me, suspect that he was murdered. Who would want to murder him? Russia, Stalin...Patton wanted to fight them. He did not want to stop.” — Bill O’Reilly [31:27]

• Listener whose father drove the car implicates “no conspiracy,” but O’Reilly argues the evidence is still inconclusive.

• O’Reilly calls for the exhumation and testing of Patton’s remains to resolve doubts, noting the suspiciousness of Patton’s recovery followed by sudden death.

5. Immigration and “Deep State” Bureaucracy

[48:29-50:14]

• Discussion of Trump’s immigration policies, reports of “self-deportations,” and local politicians encouraging illegal immigrants to evade ICE.
• Buck: Democrats treat “illegals” as a protected class; this issue will drag them down politically.

6. Lighthearted Holiday Segment: Christmas Gifts, Traditions, and President Rankings Debate

[55:08-70:07]

• Clay admits he thinks “Christmas music is overplayed” and debates with Buck over giving gifts to adults (both advocate gifts primarily for children).
  • “I don't think anybody over the age of 18 should get gifts for Christmas.” — Clay Travis [61:15]
• Amusing stories about family gift-giving, the stress of presents, and the nostalgic demise of Toy “R” Us and Waldenbooks.
• Spirited debate over presidential rankings:
  • Steve, a caller, defends George Washington as the greatest, while Bill O’Reilly and hosts put Lincoln first, Jefferson or George Washington next.
    • “I think Washington's actually overrated in some respects.” — Clay Travis [65:33]
    • Buck strongly pushes back, defending Washington’s importance as a president.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Ketanji Brown Jackson] talks the most by far, unfortunately sometimes shows that she doesn't really understand the very basics of our government, which for a Supreme Court Justice, I think is a problem.” — Buck Sexton [04:40]
• “I would be a better Supreme Court justice than Ketanji Brown Jackson, and I would not be a great Supreme Court justice.” — Clay Travis [06:43]
• “You're never going to be number one because Lincoln was so extraordinary ... But you're in the top 10 right now, and you're the hardest working president of all time.” — Bill O’Reilly to Trump [24:09]
• “Worst president ever. Biden is number two. Why? Because in four years, Joe Biden did not solve one problem in this country. Not one.” — Bill O’Reilly [25:32]
• "[Patton] was starting to do a lot better and then he died just all of a sudden." — Listener, son of Patton’s driver [34:10]
• “I don't think anybody over the age of 18 should get gifts for Christmas.” — Clay Travis [61:15]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 02:37–17:10 | Supreme Court case, “deep state” firings | | 22:43–29:53 | Bill O’Reilly on Trump’s place in history, Biden | | 27:16–29:53 | Affordability: Trump, O’Reilly on cost-of-living | | 29:53–36:40 | General Patton’s death and conspiracy theories | | 39:14–43:44 | Obamacare, health care costs, Trump roundtable | | 48:29–50:14 | Immigration, local politicians advising illegals | | 55:08–70:07 | Christmas music/gifts, traditions, presidents debate|

Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, conversational, direct, and partisan with a humorous, sometimes irreverent flavor—typical of Clay and Buck’s style. Bill O’Reilly’s banter adds additional historical perspective, wit, and promotion of his own work.

This summary aims to encapsulate the episode’s substance and lively character, offering a comprehensive overview to listeners who missed the show.