The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

On this episode of the Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Susan Crabtree, National Political Correspondent for RealClearPolitics and author of Fool’s Gold, to break down the growing concerns surrounding California’s political future.
Crabtree explains why she’s pessimistic about the direction of the state, pointing to a lack of accountability, one-party dominance, and the collapse of local media institutions. The conversation dives into controversial practices like “behest payments,” the role of investigative journalism, and how corruption stories are increasingly being uncovered through both traditional reporting and citizen journalism.
They also discuss:
The potential political future of California post-Gavin Newsom
Media bias, access journalism, and the decline of watchdog reporting
How social media platforms like X are reshaping journalism
The cultural and economic challenges facing middle-class Californians
The impact of AI and information overload on the next generation
Plus, Crabtree shares her personal journey from Washington, D.C. to California, her passion for investigative journalism, and practical advice on staying grounded in a fast-moving, high-pressure world.
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Are murders in the U.S. really at a historic low or is there more to the story? Crime expert Rafael Mangual joins to break down the reality behind the headlines, from national homicide trends to what’s actually happening in cities like New York and Memphis. Buck and Rafael dig into the data, the policies shaping crime rates, and why a drop in murders doesn’t always mean communities are safer.
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DeSantis for SCOTUS?
The unfolding fallout from President Donald Trump’s removal of Attorney General Pam Bondi. Clay walks through prediction‑market odds and top contenders to permanently replace Bondi, highlighting Lee Zeldin as the leading favorite, followed by Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general and Trump’s former personal lawyer. Additional names discussed include Judge Jeanine Pirro, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Senator Mike Lee, and earlier speculation surrounding Ron DeSantis. Clay and Buck debate the strategic implications of each option, including Senate confirmation math, midterm risks, and internal GOP power dynamics.
The hour’s most forward‑looking discussion centers on Ron DeSantis’s political future, with Buck asserting that DeSantis is likely to run for president in 2028, not accept an Attorney General role. Clay adds a provocative new angle, suggesting DeSantis could be an ideal Supreme Court nominee should a vacancy arise, citing his legal intellect, youth, and deep engagement with constitutional law. This sparks a broader conversation about the aging Supreme Court, Senate control, and the long‑term stakes of judicial appointments—drawing parallels to the Ruth Bader Ginsburg succession and warning of what could happen if Republicans lose the Senate.
Spending Like Drunken Sailors
Strong economic and public‑safety data, with Clay and Buck revisiting the March jobs report showing 178,000 new jobs added, far exceeding forecasts. They argue that the Trump economy has become a victim of its own expectations—so consistently strong that even critics struggle to attack it. Alongside job growth, the hosts highlight one of the most striking statistics of the year: the lowest murder rate in the United States in roughly 120–125 years, including a reported 21% national decline year over year. They attribute this drop to targeted federal‑local law‑enforcement cooperation in cities like Memphis and Washington, D.C., tougher U.S. attorney enforcement, increased incarceration of violent criminals, and the Trump administration’s prioritization of serious crime over politically driven investigations.
Buck introduces additional contributing factors rarely discussed in mainstream media, including declining alcohol consumption among young men, reduced crowd density due to remote work, and fewer daily interactions in high‑crime urban environments—each plausibly lowering violence rates. Clay emphasizes that these declines translate into thousands of lives saved and entire families spared devastating loss, calling it one of the most meaningful and underreported achievements of Trump’s second term. The hosts sharply contrast this approach with what they describe as Biden‑era FBI mispriorities, arguing that redirecting resources toward violent crime rather than January 6-related cases has produced measurable results.
Make America Build Again
Mike Rogers, Republican Senate candidate in Michigan, which Clay and Buck describe as the single most important pickup opportunity nationwide for GOP Senate control. Rogers outlines why Michigan is primed for change after decades of Democratic dominance, citing lost manufacturing jobs, declining education rankings, and stagnant wages. He makes the case that rebuilding the defense industrial base, restoring middle‑class manufacturing employment, and improving affordability are central to winning over independents and working‑class voters.
Rogers also addresses growing concerns about radicalism within Michigan’s Democratic primary, criticizing his rival who, according to Rogers, refused to condemn the Iranian regime or terrorist activity tied to Hezbollah. The discussion includes voter dynamics among Jewish and Arab communities in Michigan, including Christian Arab populations and Muslim voters who oppose Iran’s role as the world’s leading state sponsor of terror. Rogers argues that these shifting alliances create an opening for Republicans in a state long considered blue.
On foreign policy, Rogers offers a clear assessment of the Iran conflict, explaining that the U.S. military has moved from stealth‑focused strikes into a more conventional phase requiring lower‑flying aircraft like the F‑15E. He characterizes the downing of the jet as a fortunate but expected risk in this phase and argues the broader mission—eliminating Iran’s nuclear, missile, drone, and proxy‑terror capabilities—is succeeding rapidly and will likely conclude sooner rather than later.
Happy Easter
Clay and Buck discuss Easter plans, family life, and coaching youth sports, reinforcing the show’s trademark blend of serious policy analysis and relatable conversation.
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Hour 1 of The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show opens with urgent, breaking national‑security news as Clay Travis and Buck Sexton walk listeners through a rapidly unfolding situation in the Middle East involving a downed U.S. F‑15 fighter jet over Iran. Early in the hour, details remain unclear, with conflicting reports over whether the aircraft was shot down or experienced a mechanical failure. The central concern becomes the fate of the two American pilots, prompting intense discussion of search‑and‑rescue operations, combat extraction procedures, and the gravity of U.S. personnel operating behind enemy lines. As the hour progresses, CNN reports that one pilot has been successfully rescued and is receiving medical care, while the second remains missing, underscoring the seriousness of what the hosts repeatedly describe as an active war, regardless of official terminology used by political leaders.
Alongside the military crisis, Hour 1 pivots to major economic news, highlighting a blockbuster March jobs report that vastly exceeded expectations. The U.S. economy added 178,000 jobs, far surpassing forecasts, while unemployment dropped to 4.3 percent. Clay and Buck emphasize an eye‑catching statistic: the lowest number of federal employees since 1966, crediting DOGE‑driven government workforce reductions alongside private‑sector growth. Clips from National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett reinforce the narrative that Trump‑backed policies—tax relief, deregulation, trade investments, and energy independence—are fueling economic momentum despite geopolitical instability.
The hosts also analyze market reactions to the Iran conflict, noting that while oil prices have risen globally, there is no supply shortage and the United States’ energy self‑sufficiency keeps more money circulating domestically. They argue that if the economy were faltering, the anti‑Trump media would be relentlessly highlighting it—suggesting silence is itself an indicator of strength.
Hour 1 further covers the Artemis II space mission, shifting tone to optimism and national pride as astronauts begin their journey around the Moon—the furthest humans have traveled in more than 50 years. Clay and Buck praise NASA, private‑sector innovation, and America’s renewed leadership in space exploration. A standout moment comes from astronaut Victor Glover, who delivers a thoughtful response to a race‑focused question, emphasizing that exploration belongs to human history, not identity politics. The hosts call his answer perfect, applauding its unifying message. A viral CNN clip of a young space fan excitedly declaring, “We’re going back to the freaking Moon,” adds levity and reflects broader public enthusiasm for the mission.
Throughout the hour, listener calls react to the Iran situation, with some urging discretion in discussing military operations and others expressing confidence in the Trump administration’s ability to bring Americans home swiftly. Clay and Buck push back against claims they are revealing sensitive information, noting that the story is already dominating global headlines and that no classified details are being discussed. The hour closes with continued monitoring of the missing pilot, updates on the rescue effort, and further listener reactions—blending hard news, economic analysis, and cultural commentary into a high‑intensity opening hour.
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:
X - https://x.com/clayandbuck
FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck
Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck
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Hour 2 of The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show unfolds on Good Friday with a mix of breaking war updates, cultural commentary, and deep political analysis, anchored by continued coverage of the downed U.S. F‑15 fighter jet over Iran and major developments inside American politics. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton begin the second hour confirming that one of the two American pilots has been rescued, while an intense search continues for the second pilot, keeping national attention fixed on the Iran conflict. The hosts stress the seriousness of the situation, reiterating that this is a real, active war with U.S. service members in danger, while remaining cautious not to speculate beyond confirmed reporting.
After grounding listeners in the latest military updates, Hour 2 transitions briefly into lighter audience interaction, including listener reactions to the viral Artemis launch clip from Hour 1, before pivoting sharply into California political culture and media criticism. Clay and Buck spotlight Jennifer Newsom, the wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, after her comments about parenting, gender roles, and deliberately altering children’s books to change male protagonists into female ones go viral. The hosts react with disbelief and sarcasm, arguing that this type of ideological parenting reflects a broader “manufactured delusion” inside elite progressive politics. They frame her remarks as emblematic of what they view as California’s cultural extremism and as a liability for Gavin Newsom should he pursue national office.
The conversation widens into a broader critique of Gavin Newsom’s character, ideology, and national ambitions, with Clay and Buck recounting past personal scandals and arguing that Newsom represents a “soulless but slick” archetype within modern Democratic leadership. They contrast Newsom with more traditionally grounded political figures and contend that his appeal depends more on image and flexibility than conviction or principle. This segment blends sharp political analysis with cultural critique, resonating strongly with listeners reacting via talkbacks.
Hour 2 then returns to Washington power politics, focusing on the still‑unfolding fallout from President Donald Trump’s removal of Attorney General Pam Bondi. Clay walks through prediction‑market odds and top contenders to permanently replace Bondi, highlighting Lee Zeldin as the leading favorite, followed by Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general and Trump’s former personal lawyer. Additional names discussed include Judge Jeanine Pirro, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Senator Mike Lee, and earlier speculation surrounding Ron DeSantis. Clay and Buck debate the strategic implications of each option, including Senate confirmation math, midterm risks, and internal GOP power dynamics.
The hour’s most forward‑looking discussion centers on Ron DeSantis’s political future, with Buck asserting that DeSantis is likely to run for president in 2028, not accept an Attorney General role. Clay adds a provocative new angle, suggesting DeSantis could be an ideal Supreme Court nominee should a vacancy arise, citing his legal intellect, youth, and deep engagement with constitutional law. This sparks a broader conversation about the aging Supreme Court, Senate control, and the long‑term stakes of judicial appointments—drawing parallels to the Ruth Bader Ginsburg succession and warning of what could happen if Republicans lose the Senate.
The hour closes with listener reactions—many praising the show for allowing a Democrat guest earlier in the broadcast week to face tough questions, arguing that transparency and confrontation are healthier than ideological echo chambers. Other callers with military backgrounds weigh in on search‑and‑rescue realities, reinforcing the gravity of the Iran situation as the program heads into the next hour.
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:
X - https://x.com/clayandbuck
FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck
Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuck
Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.