The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, Buck reflects on the day that changed America and an entire generation. As a college sophomore, Buck watched the second plane hit the World Trade Center and immediately understood that America was entering a new era. What followed shaped his generation, led thousands of Americans to serve their country and fundamentally changed how we viewed the world. Buck looks back at the fear and uncertainty of September 11, the wars that followed, the courage and sacrifice of those who answered the call and the remarkable resilience of the American people.
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On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Jennifer Van Laar, managing editor of RedState and a leading investigative journalist known for uncovering major political stories.
Jennifer shares her unconventional journey—from 20 years as a courtroom stenographer working on murder trials to becoming one of the most impactful investigative voices in conservative media. She explains how her courtroom experience taught her how to build cases, analyze evidence, and ultimately break major political stories.
The conversation dives into the investigation that exposed former Rep. Katie Hill, the year-long reporting effort that scrutinized RNC leadership and spending, and the pressures journalists face when reporting critically on their own political side. Jennifer also discusses the evolving mission of RedState, why intellectual honesty matters in political media, and how conservative outlets balance breaking news with opinion.
Karol and Jennifer also explore the future of California politics, the fallout from the Palisades fire, Governor Gavin Newsom’s leadership, and whether the political pendulum could swing back in the Golden State.
Plus, Jennifer reflects on her personal life—raising three sons as a single mother, finding purpose through storytelling, and why discovering your strengths and “staying in your lane” may be the key to long-term success.
Topics Covered in This Episode:
Jennifer Van Laar’s path from court reporter to investigative journalist

The RedState newsroom and conservative media today

Major investigations that changed political careers

Reporting on corruption within your own party

California politics and the future of the state

The importance of storytelling in journalism and life

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Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show is dominated by a powerful and emotional discussion marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, with Clay and Buck reflecting on the historical significance of 9/11, the ongoing impact on American society, and the importance of preserving the memory of that day for younger generations. Drawing on personal experiences, the hosts note that a growing share of Americans were born after 9/11 and may view the attacks as distant history, underscoring the need for families and educators to pass along firsthand accounts of the tragedy and its consequences. They discuss nationwide memorial ceremonies, the heroism displayed by first responders and ordinary citizens, and the profound ways the attacks reshaped American life, foreign policy, national security, and public consciousness.

A focus on the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, featuring a deep-dive conversation with former White House national security official Steve Yates, who was serving in the George W. Bush administration on the day of the attacks. Yates provides a firsthand account of being inside the White House complex as the events unfolded, describing the transition from confusion after the first plane struck the World Trade Center to the immediate realization that America was under a coordinated terrorist attack when the second plane hit. He recounts the emergency evacuation of White House personnel, the heightened security response, and witnessing the chaos in Washington, D.C., as smoke rose from the Pentagon and fears grew that additional attacks were imminent.

A major theme throughout Hour 2 is the historical significance of 9/11 and the lasting impact it had on American national security, foreign policy, and global affairs. Clay, Buck, and Yates discuss the possibility that the White House or U.S. Capitol were intended targets of the hijacked planes and reflect on how the heroic actions of the passengers aboard Flight 93 may have prevented an even greater national catastrophe. The conversation emphasizes the symbolic importance of Washington’s government institutions and explores how the successful defense of those targets became one of the defining stories of the day.

Clay and Buck also discuss public memory and historical education, responding to listener feedback from younger Americans who were born after 9/11. Buck expresses concern that many younger people are increasingly detached from the historical reality of the attacks and argues that organizations dedicated to preserving 9/11 history play an important role in ensuring future generations understand what occurred and why it mattered. Clay and Buck contrast the atmosphere of America in the months before September 2001 with the dramatic changes that followed, recalling high-profile news stories that dominated headlines before the attacks and illustrating how suddenly the nation’s priorities shifted.

An in-depth interview featuring David Rutherford, former Navy SEAL and host on the Clay & Buck Podcast Network. Rutherford shares his firsthand recollections of September 11, explaining that he was serving as a SEAL instructor in California when news of the attacks reached his unit. He describes the shock experienced by military personnel, the realization that America had entered a new era, and how the attacks fundamentally changed the trajectory of the lives of special operations forces for the next two decades. Rutherford recounts speaking to a class of graduating SEAL candidates shortly after the attacks, telling them that some would not survive the wars to come, a prediction he said tragically proved accurate.
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Hour 1 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show is dominated by a powerful and emotional discussion marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, with Clay and Buck reflecting on the historical significance of 9/11, the ongoing impact on American society, and the importance of preserving the memory of that day for younger generations. Drawing on personal experiences, the hosts note that a growing share of Americans were born after 9/11 and may view the attacks as distant history, underscoring the need for families and educators to pass along firsthand accounts of the tragedy and its consequences. They discuss nationwide memorial ceremonies, the heroism displayed by first responders and ordinary citizens, and the profound ways the attacks reshaped American life, foreign policy, national security, and public consciousness.

The conversation explores the origins and aftermath of the attacks, including the role of al-Qaeda, the U.S. military response in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the generation of Americans who volunteered to serve in the armed forces or intelligence community in response to the terrorist attacks. Buck shares how 9/11 directly influenced his decision to pursue a career in the CIA, while both hosts reflect on the broader impact the attacks had on the trajectory of the country. They discuss the wars that followed, ongoing concerns about radical Islamic terrorism, and the argument that the threat has not entirely disappeared despite major counterterrorism successes over the past two decades.

A major theme throughout the hour is the hosts’ belief that 9/11 should be remembered primarily as an ideological and terrorist attack against the United States rather than simply a tragedy. They criticize what they view as efforts by some political and media figures to downplay the nature of the attackers’ motivations. This includes discussion of comments from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani regarding 9/11 remembrance, as well as criticism of media narratives that focus extensively on post-9/11 Islamophobia. Clay and Buck argue that historical memory should remain centered on the victims, the attackers, and the national response to terrorism.

The hosts also revisit key moments from September 11 itself, including the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the heroic actions of passengers aboard Flight 93. Special attention is given to Todd Beamer and the passengers who prevented the hijackers from reaching their intended target, potentially the U.S. Capitol or the White House. Clay and Buck emphasize how those actions may have altered the course of American history and prevented even greater devastation. They also discuss the stories of survivors, first responders, and individuals whose lives were spared by chance, including current Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who missed being in the World Trade Center because he was taking his son to kindergarten that morning.

The hour highlights the continuing work of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, including efforts to support families affected by 9/11-related illnesses and educational initiatives designed to teach younger generations about the attacks. The hosts praise the organization’s Steel Across America tour and broader mission of ensuring that the sacrifices made on September 11 are never forgotten.

Beyond the anniversary discussion, Clay briefly reviews new inflation data, noting consumer prices rose 3.4% while core inflation remained closer to the Federal Reserve’s target when energy prices are excluded. The hosts also compare the lasting societal impacts of 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic, describing both as transformative events that fundamentally changed American life in unexpected ways.

The latter portion of Hour 1 returns to debates surrounding terrorism, airport security, the creation of the TSA, and media portrayals of terrorism over the last two decades. Buck reflects on his counterterrorism experience and argues that public policy and security measures implemented after 9/11 were direct responses to the threat posed by Islamist terrorist organizations. He also discusses how political and media narratives around terrorism evolved during the years following the attacks.
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Hour 2 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show continues the program’s extensive focus on the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, featuring a deep-dive conversation with former White House national security official Steve Yates, who was serving in the George W. Bush administration on the day of the attacks. Yates provides a firsthand account of being inside the White House complex as the events unfolded, describing the transition from confusion after the first plane struck the World Trade Center to the immediate realization that America was under a coordinated terrorist attack when the second plane hit. He recounts the emergency evacuation of White House personnel, the heightened security response, and witnessing the chaos in Washington, D.C., as smoke rose from the Pentagon and fears grew that additional attacks were imminent.

A major theme throughout Hour 2 is the historical significance of 9/11 and the lasting impact it had on American national security, foreign policy, and global affairs. Clay, Buck, and Yates discuss the possibility that the White House or U.S. Capitol were intended targets of the hijacked planes and reflect on how the heroic actions of the passengers aboard Flight 93 may have prevented an even greater national catastrophe. The conversation emphasizes the symbolic importance of Washington’s government institutions and explores how the successful defense of those targets became one of the defining stories of the day.

The hosts also examine the broader consequences of the Global War on Terror, questioning whether the United States ultimately achieved victory after two decades of military operations, intelligence efforts, and counterterrorism campaigns. Yates argues that one of the central challenges following 9/11 was accurately defining and confronting the ideological threat that motivated the attacks. The discussion evaluates the Bush administration’s response, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the long-term strategic shifts that occurred after the attacks redirected America’s focus away from emerging geopolitical concerns such as China. The segment serves as a detailed reflection on U.S. national security policy, counterterrorism strategy, and the lessons learned over the past quarter century.

The program also explores an important historical question: whether the attacks of September 11 were inevitable. Yates contends that the threat posed by radical Islamist terrorism was growing and likely would have manifested in another major attack even if the hijackings had somehow been prevented. Clay and Buck debate how different American history might have been had the attacks been stopped, while considering whether the country was adequately prepared to confront the dangers developing overseas at the time.

Throughout the hour, the hosts return to the human side of the tragedy by sharing personal stories and reflections on the victims. They play excerpts from President Donald Trump’s remarks honoring those lost on September 11 and highlighting the sacrifices of Americans impacted by the attacks. Special attention is devoted to stories of families who lost loved ones in the World Trade Center and to the courage displayed by passengers and crew aboard Flight 93. Buck encourages listeners to revisit the recorded messages left by victims for their families, emphasizing the emotional and historical importance of preserving these firsthand accounts for future generations.

The hosts also discuss public memory and historical education, responding to listener feedback from younger Americans who were born after 9/11. Buck expresses concern that many younger people are increasingly detached from the historical reality of the attacks and argues that organizations dedicated to preserving 9/11 history play an important role in ensuring future generations understand what occurred and why it mattered. Clay and Buck contrast the atmosphere of America in the months before September 2001 with the dramatic changes that followed, recalling high-profile news stories that dominated headlines before the attacks and illustrating how suddenly the nation’s priorities shifted.

A significant portion of the hour focuses on recommended books and historical resources about terrorism and 9/11. The hosts praise “The Looming Tower” by Lawrence Wright and “Ghost Wars” by Steve Coll as essential reading for understanding the rise of al-Qaeda, the events leading to September 11, and the global counterterrorism fight that followed. They also discuss the importance of reading in general, arguing that strong reading habits are increasingly valuable in an era dominated by technology and artificial intelligence.
Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8

For the latest updates from Clay & Buck, visit our website https://www.clayandbuck.com/

Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton:
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Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.