Verdict with Ted Cruz

Bonus: Daily Review with Clay and Buck – Sep 30, 2025
Release Date: October 1, 2025

Episode Overview

This special bonus episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz" features Clay Travis and Buck Sexton breaking down the day’s major news, with analysis on culture, policy, and politics from a conservative lens. With Buck calling in from Taiwan and guest spots by Senator Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma) and Congressman Steve Scalise (Louisiana), the episode covers everything from the looming U.S. government shutdown and its electoral ramifications, to military fitness standards, the defense of meritocracy, and J.K. Rowling's recent high-profile rebuttal to critics. The show reflects on political violence’s impact, Turning Point’s ongoing influence after the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk, and lighter subjects like college football.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Buck Sexton Reporting from Taiwan

• Buck undertakes meetings in Taiwan, noting its role as a rising geopolitical flashpoint.
• He will return with more insights the following week.
• (03:02)

2. Looming U.S. Government Shutdown

• Clay Travis frames the impending shutdown as largely overblown, referencing its history and explaining the typical resolution pattern.
  • "It's eventually going to get itself fixed...they've overplayed their hand." – Clay Travis (05:45)
• Initial government shutdowns became headline news in the Clinton era, and Clay contends life for most Americans is seldom affected.
• The hosts preview interviews with Senator Markwayne Mullin and Congressman Steve Scalise for insider takes on the shutdown dynamics.
• (03:02–06:42, 41:37–47:52, 66:58–69:13)

Senator Markwayne Mullin:

• Predicts the shutdown is "inevitable" due to political posturing, mainly from Democratic leadership fearing primary challenges.
• Asserts major benefits (Social Security, Medicare, military pay) will be unaffected in the short term; issues arise after two weeks if unresolved.
• Blames the dispute on Democratic demands to extend COVID-era subsidies in the ACA, particularly objecting to subsidies for undocumented immigrants without citizenship or income proofs.
• "Chuck Schumer...is holding the American people hostage over it." – Sen. Markwayne Mullin (41:37)
• Offers a sports analogy to describe Democrats’ refusal to change strategy after electoral defeat: "It's like the kid who gets beat in wrestling and blames the ref every time.” – Sen. Markwayne Mullin (49:28)
• Applauds new military fitness standards ("lead from the front"), calling for generals and admirals to exemplify physical excellence.
• (41:37–54:04)

Congressman Steve Scalise:

• Calls Democrats’ push for a shutdown a "temper tantrum": "A temper tantrum is not an excuse to shut down the government and disrupt the lives of millions of people." – Rep. Steve Scalise (67:17)
• Explains the House passed a bill to fund the government at current levels; the holdup is with Senate Democrats pressured by the far left.
• Cautions that a shutdown would disrupt military pay, TSA agents, and federal parks, among other services.
• Expresses hope for a resolution before disruptions become tangible.
• (66:58–69:13)

3. Prescription Drug Pricing Announcement

• Trump announces a deal with Pfizer to cap U.S. drug prices to "most favored nation" levels, promising significant consumer and taxpayer savings.
  • “Pfizer has agreed to offer countless prescription medications at major discounts...We’re going to be paying the lowest price now.” – Donald Trump (06:42)
• (06:42–07:27)

4. Military Standards & Meritocracy

Pete Hegseth Speech

• Hegseth pushes for a return to universal ("highest male standard") physical requirements for all combat-related military roles, regardless of gender:
  • “Every requirement...returns to the highest male standard only. Because this job is life or death, standards must be met.” – Pete Hegseth (08:21)
• Attacks the “diversity is our strength” paradigm, arguing instead for unity and merit.
  • “Of course we know our unity is our strength.” – Pete Hegseth (09:17)
• Criticizes woke and DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) policies in the military.
• Advocates for promotions based on performance, not quotas.
  • “Would you want [your child] serving with fat or unfit...or alongside people who can’t meet basic standards? The answer is not just no, it’s hell no.” – Pete Hegseth (10:19)

Clay Travis’ Commentary

• Ties military merit to broader meritocratic ideals, using sports to illustrate the folly of racial quotas:
  • "Nobody says, hey, what's wrong here? [NBA teams] are getting this wrong—way too many black guys on it. You never hear it said...Basketball is actually among the least diverse, high earning jobs in America." – Clay Travis (11:45)
• Draws parallels between military leadership and sports, Silicon Valley, and other high-achievement domains.
• Critiques identity-based criteria for selecting Supreme Court justices and other high offices, referencing Biden’s public commitments.
• (07:27–18:19, 52:18–54:04)

5. J.K. Rowling’s Public Stand

• Clay pays tribute to J.K. Rowling’s courage in refusing to conform to “gender insanity,” reading excerpts from her viral post rebuking former "Harry Potter" stars (notably Emma Watson) for their activism and lack of insight about real women's issues.
  • "Her public bathroom is single occupancy and comes with a security man...She'll never need a homeless shelter." – J.K. Rowling, read by Clay Travis (36:05)
• Clay urges affluent or high-profile listeners: "Where is your spine? Why is J.K. Rowling willing to put everything on the line to stand for truth and you are still hiding in the shadows...?" – Clay Travis (39:45)
• Message: people of means should have the courage to speak out, rather than wear “golden handcuffs” of privilege and fear.
• (31:59–40:22)

6. Political Violence & Turning Point’s Resilience

• Steve Scalise recounts his own near-fatal attack, reflecting on the tragedy of Charlie Kirk’s recent assassination.
  • “The idea that somebody thinks they can just take away a life because they disagree with you politically is insane.” – Rep. Steve Scalise (61:30)
• Notes a surge in Turning Point USA activism in Kirk's wake—50,000+ chapters requested on campuses nationwide.
• Predicts a backlash against "cancel culture" and the silencing of conservative or dissenting voices.
  • “I don't think people are going to be worried about that cancel culture anymore. I think it's reversing the other way.” – Rep. Steve Scalise (65:56)
• (61:30–66:58)

7. College Football, LSU, and Southern Culture

• Closing segments pivot lightheartedly to LSU’s football woes—Scalise offers commentary and optimism for the Tigers, encouraging listeners to experience LSU’s stadium atmosphere.
  • “You’ve got to go up early [for the tailgating food]...You have better Cajun chefs at some of the tailgates than at some of the finest restaurants in New Orleans.” – Rep. Steve Scalise (71:11)
• (69:13–72:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It's eventually going to get itself fixed...they've overplayed their hand.”
  — Clay Travis on government shutdowns (05:45)

• "Chuck Schumer...is holding the American people hostage over it."
  — Senator Markwayne Mullin (41:37)

• “Every requirement...returns to the highest male standard only. Because this job is life or death, standards must be met.”
  — Pete Hegseth (08:21)

• "Nobody says, hey, what's wrong here? [NBA teams] are getting this wrong—way too many black guys on it...You never hear it said...Basketball is actually among the least diverse, high earning jobs in America."
  — Clay Travis (11:45)

• “Emma has so little experience of real life, she's ignorant of how ignorant she is...She'll never need a homeless shelter.”
  — J.K. Rowling, read by Clay Travis (36:05)

• "Where is your spine? Why is J.K. Rowling willing to put everything on the line to stand for truth and you are still hiding in the shadows...?"
  — Clay Travis challenges elites (39:45)

• “The idea that somebody thinks they can just take away a life because they disagree with you politically is insane.”
  — Congressman Steve Scalise, re: Charlie Kirk (61:30)

• “A temper tantrum is not an excuse to shut down the government and disrupt the lives of millions of people.”
  — Congressman Steve Scalise (67:17)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–03:02: Show intro, Buck's check-in from Taiwan
• 03:02–06:42: Clay introduces the day’s major stories; government shutdown context
• 06:42–07:27: Trump announces Pfizer prescription drug deal (audio clip from Trump)
• 07:27–18:19: Pete Hegseth’s military speech and Clay’s extended commentary on DEI, merit, and military standards
• 31:59–40:22: Clay highlights J.K. Rowling’s stance, reads viral post, and challenges privileged listeners to be courageous
• 41:37–54:04: Extended discussion with Senator Markwayne Mullin (shutdown, ACA, military, merit)
• 61:30–66:58: Interview with Rep. Steve Scalise on assassination of Charlie Kirk, Turning Point’s growth, political violence, and free speech
• 66:58–69:13: Steve Scalise on the shutdown, House action, and a call for Senate resolution
• 69:13–72:23: Clay and Scalise on LSU football, Southern culture, and sports

Final Thoughts

This episode is a fast-paced, wide-ranging review of the conservative political and cultural landscape as of the end of September 2025. It features strong opinions on leadership, the pitfalls of diversity mandates, the importance of meritocracy, and calls for free speech courage—backed up by detailed conversations with lawmakers and pointed cultural commentary. The assassination of Charlie Kirk and the response to it underscores a theme of resilience and the need for political bravery. Lighter moments about college football and humor about generational slang (“unk”) lend warmth to the discussion.

Listeners gain an insider's look at Congress during a tense budget standoff, vibrant analysis of culture war flashpoints, and rousing encouragement for principled engagement in both politics and public life.