Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

 

Here’s a sample episode recapping four Thursday takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Charlie Kirk's Assassination

 

The tragic assassination of conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. The hosts open the hour with heartfelt reflections on the gravity of the moment, describing the national mourning and personal grief felt across the country, especially among young Americans who admired Kirk’s work in political activism and free speech advocacy.

 

The episode underscores the political motivations behind Kirk’s killing, framing it as a targeted act of violence stemming from ideological hatred. Travis and Sexton argue that the left’s increasingly hostile rhetoric—labeling political opponents as “Nazis” or “Hitler”—has created a dangerous climate that justifies violence in the minds of radicalized individuals. They draw parallels to previous acts of political violence, including the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump and other attacks on conservative figures, asserting that these incidents reflect a broader pattern of left-wing extremism.

 

Confronting Evil

 

 a compelling interview with Bill O’Reilly, who joins the program to discuss the broader implications of Kirk’s death and the rise of political violence in America. O’Reilly connects the tragedy to themes from his newly released book Confronting Evil, arguing that the nation is entering a new era of moral decay and ideological extremism.

 

The hosts and O’Reilly explore how permissive justice systems, progressive ideologies, and corporate media platforms have contributed to a climate where political violence is not only tolerated but, in some cases, celebrated. They cite disturbing reactions from left-wing platforms like BlueSky and mainstream outlets such as MSNBC and Slate, where commentators and writers either downplayed the assassination or implied Kirk’s rhetoric was to blame. The show plays audio from MSNBC contributor Matthew Dowd, who was later fired for suggesting Kirk’s own words incited the violence against him.

 

Restoring the Soul of Our Nation

 

Senator Bill Haggerty of Tennessee joins the show to reflect on Kirk’s legacy, describing him as a courageous advocate for free speech and a role model for young Americans. Haggerty condemns the celebration of Kirk’s death by some on the left, including a now-terminated dean at Middle Tennessee State University, and calls for a cultural reset rooted in respect, dialogue, and moral clarity.

 

The hosts and guests repeatedly stress the cowardice of political violence and the importance of continuing Kirk’s mission. They draw parallels to Rush Limbaugh’s influence, noting that Kirk was a “Rush baby” who learned conservatism by listening to Limbaugh’s daily monologues. This connection underscores the generational continuity of conservative thought and the importance of cultural engagement.

 

Clay's Message

 

Clay reflects on the personal impact of Kirk’s death, especially on young Americans who saw him as a role model. Clay reads an email from a father whose son was inspired by Kirk and now struggles to process the loss. Clay responds with a message of resilience, urging young people to be braver, stronger, and more committed to defending free speech and American values in the face of rising hostility. 

 

Charlie’s rejection of woke ideology, DEI mandates, and toxic political correctness made him a beacon for those seeking truth, patriotism, and liberty. His assassination is framed not only as a personal loss but as a cultural attack on free speech and ideological diversity.

 

The show closes with a solemn promise from Clay and Buck to continue Kirk’s fight, honor his legacy, and remain steadfast in their mission to defend American values. Listeners are encouraged to hug their families, stay strong, and carry the torch forward in the battle for truth and freedom.

 

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Pray for Charlie Kirk, his family and friends at this time.

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• Biden Pardons & Autopen Controversy

  • The discussion centers on claims that President Joe Biden improperly delegated or failed to personally authorize thousands of pardons and commutations at the end of his presidency.

  • Cruz argues that under the Constitution, only the President can personally make pardon decisions, and if staffers used an autopen without Biden’s direct involvement, those pardons are “null and void.”

  • The conversation highlights concerns about Biden’s alleged disengagement, potential misuse of authority by White House staff, and the legal battles that could arise if the Department of Justice revisits these pardons.

• Persecution of Christians in Nigeria

  • Cruz introduces legislation addressing severe religious persecution in Nigeria, where extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa have killed tens of thousands of Christians, attacked churches, and kidnapped priests.

  • The proposed bill, the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, would classify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” impose sanctions on complicit Nigerian officials, and reinforce designations against jihadist groups.

  • Cruz frames this as part of his long-standing advocacy for global religious freedom and draws parallels to past cases, such as Sudan’s imprisonment of Miriam Ibrahim for her Christian faith.

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Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

Here’s a sample episode recapping four Tuesday takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Honest Conversations

It's time to have an honest conversation about violent crime in America. Clay and Buck focus on two recent tragedies: the stabbing death of a 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on public transit in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the murder of Julie Gard Schnuelle, a veterinary professor in Auburn, Alabama. Both crimes were committed by individuals with extensive criminal histories, raising questions about the failures of the criminal justice system, particularly regarding repeat offenders and lenient judges.

Using these cases as a springboard, the hosts dive into broader themes of media bias, racial crime statistics, and the perceived ideological failures of progressive criminal justice reform. They argue that mainstream outlets like The New York Times and CNN downplay or distort stories that challenge left-wing narratives, especially when the victims are white and the perpetrators are black. The show critiques the media’s tendency to frame such incidents as “political symbols” rather than national tragedies, and highlights the role of viral video footage in bypassing traditional media gatekeeping.

Trump on Crime

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressing the Charlotte murder, condemning Democrat-backed policies like cashless bail and restorative justice. She announces President Trump’s executive order to identify jurisdictions with such policies and potentially cut federal funding to them. Leavitt also touts Trump’s success in securing the southern border, noting that for four consecutive months, zero illegal immigrants were released into the U.S.—a milestone in immigration enforcement.

NC Rep. Tim Moore

North Carolina Congressman Tim Moore joins the show to give a detailed analysis of the criminal justice system’s failures, and a newly released statement from President Donald Trump. The episode is rich in SEO-relevant themes including Charlotte stabbing, violent crime in America, Trump crime policy, cashless bail, restorative justice, judicial accountability, and media bias.

Congressman Moore discusses the bipartisan outrage over the murder and the systemic breakdown that allowed a repeat offender—arrested 14 times—to remain free. Moore reveals that the magistrate judge who released the suspect, Teresa Stokes, never passed the bar exam and was appointed, not elected. He and other North Carolina Republicans are demanding her removal and drafting legislation to hold judges personally liable when their decisions lead to violent crimes. Moore also supports federal efforts to withhold funding from jurisdictions that fail to enforce cash bail policies.

The hosts and Moore emphasize the need for the full release of the stabbing video, arguing that public exposure to such evil is necessary to drive reform. They compare the media’s treatment of this case to the George Floyd incident, noting the disparity in coverage and public reaction. The video reportedly shows bystanders failing to help the victim, sparking a broader conversation about societal apathy and the erosion of basic humanity.

How About Justice?

President Trump speaks out condemning Democrat-run cities for enabling violent crime through soft-on-crime policies. He calls for aggressive law enforcement, praises the success of his crime crackdown in Washington, D.C., and vows to make America’s cities safe again. Trump’s remarks reinforce his administration’s stance on law and order and highlight the political divide over criminal justice reform. 

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• The “Autopen Pardon Scandal”

  • House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced that the committee is wrapping up its investigation into President Joe Biden’s alleged use of the autopen to issue thousands of pardons.

  • Records suggest Biden’s aides, including Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, authorized pardons using the autopen without Biden’s direct involvement.

  • Critics, including Donald Trump and constitutional attorney Mark Smith (on Fox News), argue this raises questions about presidential authority, legitimacy of pardons, and executive power under Article II.

  • Defenders claim the use of autopen is legal and Republicans are politicizing the issue.

• US Military Build-up in Puerto Rico Amid Venezuela Tensions

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Kane made an unannounced visit to Puerto Rico.

  • The visit coincided with rising US-Venezuela tensions following a US military strike on a Venezuelan cartel vessel.

  • The Pentagon is considering Puerto Rico as a hub for counter-narcotics operations, deploying F-35 jets, Marines, and multiple warships to the Caribbean.

  • Officials emphasize the move is not for regime change but to combat narco-terrorism and drug trafficking networks.

  • Puerto Rico’s strategic location is highlighted as key for intercepting drug routes.

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• Alleged Targeting of Christians by the Biden Administration

  • The discussion focuses on a task force created under former President Trump, chaired by Attorney General Pam Bondi, which claims to have uncovered numerous instances of anti-Christian bias within federal agencies during the Biden administration.

  • The report accuses agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Labor, and others of mishandling or denying religious exemptions, imposing large fines on Christian universities, targeting religious groups through the DOJ and FBI, and showing favoritism toward non-Christian religions.

  • Cruz and Ferguson frame this as government “weaponization” against Christians, emphasizing violations of First Amendment rights and calling for accountability, firings, and possible prosecutions.

• Criticism of Tucker Carlson’s Recent Positions

  • The second half shifts to sharp criticism of Tucker Carlson, arguing he has become increasingly extreme and “unrecognizable.”

  • They cite his comments about offering condolences to Osama bin Laden’s family, questioning whether Hamas is a terrorist group, and sympathetic tones toward authoritarian leaders like Putin and the president of Iran.

  • Cruz and Ferguson strongly denounce these stances as “bizarre,” “unhinged,” and morally wrong, stressing that groups like Hamas and leaders like bin Laden should unequivocally be condemned.

  • They frame Carlson as betraying conservative principles and aligning with rhetoric from figures like Ilhan Omar or Rashida Tlaib, which they see as evidence of his spiral away from mainstream conservatism.

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• Criticism of JB Pritzker (Governor of Illinois):
  The speakers argue that Pritzker downplays violent crime in Chicago despite high murder rates. They compare his leadership to officials in Mexico who claim progress while cartels commit violence unchecked.

• Broader critique of Democrats:
  Democrats are portrayed as favoring criminals over victims, ignoring rising crime, and pushing policies that weaken law enforcement. The conversation frames them as ideologically extreme and out of touch with public safety concerns.

• Midterm election outlook (2025):
  The senator and host discuss Republican opportunities in upcoming elections. They note Democratic fundraising strength but also claim voters are increasingly frustrated with crime and safety issues, which could benefit Republicans.

• The “Clean DC Act”:
  The senator introduces legislation to roll back a 2022 D.C. law that reduced penalties for violent crimes. The bill is framed as a test of whether lawmakers side with “criminals or citizens.”

• Rumors about President Trump’s health:
  A viral social media claim suggested Trump was dead or incapacitated because he wasn’t seen for a few days. The speakers mock Democrats and the media for allegedly celebrating or hoping it was true. Trump himself is quoted dismissing it as “fake news.”

• Drug cartels in the U.S.:
  The conversation highlights a DEA operation in New England that arrested 171 members of the Sinaloa cartel. They emphasize the cartel’s national reach, its trafficking of fentanyl, and the dangers counterfeit pills pose to young people. The epidemic of fentanyl deaths is portrayed as a direct result of “Democratic open border policies.”

• Military and foreign policy against cartels:
  The senator describes U.S. military operations in the Caribbean and Central America targeting drug traffickers, including deploying stealth jets and naval ships. He recounts visiting prisons in El Salvador housing violent gang members to illustrate cartel influence in U.S. communities.

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• Debate on the Source of Rights

  • The episode opens with criticism of Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, who argued in a Senate hearing that constitutional rights come from the government rather than from God.

  • Cruz frames this as a radical departure from America’s founding principles, citing the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson’s writings.

  • The discussion emphasizes that if rights come from government, they can be taken away, whereas God-given rights are “unalienable.”

• Religion and the Democratic Party

  • Cruz and Ferguson argue that the Democratic Party is increasingly hostile toward people of faith (Christian, Jewish, Catholic).

  • They highlight responses from religious leaders, including Bishop Robert Barron, who strongly opposed Kaine’s remarks and defended the idea that rights come from God.

• Border Security and the Cartels

  • The podcast shifts to the issue of border security and drug cartels, especially the Sinaloa cartel.

  • They cite a DEA operation in New England that arrested 171 cartel members in one week, seizing fentanyl and counterfeit pills.

  • Cruz and Ferguson warn about the danger of fentanyl-laced pills, especially for young people, describing it as a national epidemic and the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18–45.

• U.S. Government Action Against Cartels

  • They discuss U.S. military and DEA efforts to combat cartels, including operations in Mexico, Venezuela, and the Caribbean.

  • Cruz praises the government’s recent designation of cartels as terrorist organizations and the deployment of military assets to fight drug trafficking.

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Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

 

Here’s a sample episode recapping four Thursday takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Winning Culture Wars

 

Clay highlights the record-breaking ratings of football and the success of American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney ad campaign, which he views as emblematic of a broader cultural pendulum swinging back toward sanity, beauty, and Americana. This cultural shift, he argues, is closely tied to the popularity of President Donald Trump and a rejection of progressive narratives.

 

The hosts explore the impact of woke advertising agencies, particularly those on Madison Avenue, which they claim have pushed ideologically driven campaigns that alienate mainstream consumers. They cite examples like Bud Light and Cracker Barrel, arguing that conservative consumers are now influencing corporate decisions by voting with their wallets. The success of campaigns featuring traditional beauty and sports is seen as a rejection of androgynous and politically charged marketing.

 

Clay and Buck also discuss the strategic importance of winning the culture war, asserting that cultural victories are more impactful than policy debates. They call for continued pressure on corporations to align with conservative values and celebrate companies that do so, believing success will breed imitation.

 

Bodycams Work

 

Crime and public safety, with a focus on urban violence and the Trump administration’s tough-on-crime stance. A poignant clip from a Chicago grandmother underscores the desperation felt in high-crime neighborhoods and the desire for increased law enforcement presence. The hosts criticize progressive leaders for failing to protect vulnerable communities and highlight the disconnect between elite rhetoric and everyday realities.

 

Body cameras are praised for providing transparency and protecting police officers from false accusations. The hosts argue that footage often reveals restraint and professionalism in law enforcement, countering mainstream media narratives. They also discuss the psychological toll of police work and the importance of understanding the realities officers face.

 

Toward the end of the hour, Clay and Buck address a controversial report suggesting the Trump administration is considering banning gun ownership for transgender individuals, citing mental health concerns. They acknowledge the complexity of the issue, balancing Second Amendment rights with public safety, and note the political dilemma this poses for Democrats who advocate both gun control and transgender rights.

 

Vaccine Questions

 

A discussion centered on vaccine mandates, medical freedom, and cultural politics, with a strong emphasis on parental rights and skepticism toward the healthcare establishment. The hosts begin by spotlighting Florida’s move to eliminate all vaccine mandates under Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo and Governor Ron DeSantis, framing it as a major win for medical autonomy and personal liberty. They criticize the COVID-era public health policies, especially mask mandates and vaccine coercion, calling out the authoritarian behavior of bureaucrats and airline staff.

 

Dr. Mehmet Oz joins the conversation, advocating for vaccine decisions to be made between doctors and patients, not dictated by government mandates. Clay and Buck reflect on their own parenting experiences, expressing concern over the increasing number of childhood vaccinations and questioning the pharmaceutical industry's influence. They discuss the rise in childhood allergies and illnesses, suggesting a link to overmedication and calling for a more holistic, risk-benefit approach to pediatric healthcare.

 

Politicizing Public Health

 

Dr. Nicole Saphier, Fox News analyst and host of “Wellness Unmasked” on the C&B Podcast Network reacts to the RFK Jr. Senate hearing, condemning the politicization of healthcare and calling for a return to data-driven, transparent public health policy. She highlights the erosion of trust in institutions like the CDC and HHS and urges a reevaluation of the childhood vaccine schedule, advocating for fewer shots and more nuanced messaging to combat vaccine hesitancy.

 

Dr. Sapphire also shares personal anecdotes, including her awkward first encounter with her now-husband, and promotes her podcast Wellness Unmasked, part of the Clay and Buck Podcast Network. T