Economy remains the 2026 challenge

Hour 1 of today’s Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show dives into a packed lineup of breaking news, political analysis, and cultural commentary as we head into Thanksgiving week. Clay opens the hour discussing record-breaking Thanksgiving travel trends, with over 82 million Americans expected to hit the roads and skies. He shares personal travel plans and sets the stage for a busy holiday week. The hour features major breaking news from the White House: President Donald Trump continues the annual tradition of pardoning Thanksgiving turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, in a ceremony filled with Trump’s trademark humor. Clay reacts to Trump’s remarks, including jokes about Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, and highlights the president’s ability to make even ceremonial events entertaining. From there, Clay pivots to political developments in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, spotlighting a controversial Democratic candidate and urging local listeners to stay informed ahead of next week’s election. He emphasizes the importance of this race and contrasts far-left rhetoric with mainstream values. The discussion then shifts to President Trump’s first year in office, praising his administration’s achievements on border security and crime reduction. Clay underscores how Trump’s decisive actions have led to the most secure southern border in decades and dramatic crime declines in cities like Memphis, where murders are down 50%, assaults down 40%, and robberies down 60%. Nashville is also seeing historic lows in violent crime, reinforcing Trump’s “law and order” success story. Clay frames these wins within the EBC strategy—Economy, Border, Crime—that defined the 2024 election, noting that while border and crime issues have been largely resolved, the economy remains the key challenge heading into 2026 midterms. He candidly addresses lingering inflation concerns, rising consumer costs, and the political implications for Trump’s second year in office. Internationally, Clay breaks news on Trump’s behind-the-scenes peace negotiations. Working with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, Trump is reportedly brokering a potential Ukraine-Russia peace plan, following successful mediation in Gaza. Clay explains how Trump’s “deal-maker-in-chief” approach could deliver historic global agreements, even as skeptics question long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. The hour also includes Clay’s cultural commentary on gender and sports, reacting to a viral story about the “world’s strongest woman” title being revoked after it was revealed the winner was biologically male. He calls this a sign that common sense may be returning to competitive athletics. Finally, Clay closes Hour 1 with a humorous but heated debate on airline etiquette, labeling seat recliners as “travel terrorists” and sparking listener reactions through talkbacks. This lighthearted segment adds levity to an hour packed with serious news and sharp political insights.

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