Shutdown Politics and Cutting Democrat Priorities

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 takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

It's All Gonna Be Okay

Reflections on the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 21st day, framing it as a result of Democratic obstructionism. Clay and Buck also discuss President Donald Trump's $250 million White House ballroom renovation, joking about Clay’s dancing skills and the broader implications of the renovation.

A major segment focuses on the broken ceasefire in Gaza, with Buck emphasizing that Hamas remains unchanged and peace is impossible while its leadership remains intact. The hosts also highlight Judge Jeanine Pirro’s defense of Edward “Big Balls,” a man who intervened in a carjacking incident, portraying him as a patriotic hero.

The show then shifts to political media, mocking Karine Jean-Pierre’s book and criticizing the broader trend of Biden administration officials publishing memoirs. Clay and Buck argue that these books reveal a lack of awareness or integrity regarding President Biden’s cognitive decline.

A significant portion of Hour 1 centers on the heated New York City mayoral race. Curtis Sliwa refuses to drop out despite pressure, which Clay argues will ensure the election of progressive candidate “Mamdani.” The hosts debate whether Andrew Cuomo would be a better alternative and explore the strategic implications for the Republican Party. They suggest that a Momani victory could benefit national GOP efforts by making far-left politics more visible and unpopular in battleground states. The discussion includes commentary on Bill Ackman, down-ballot Republican candidates, and the broader impact on upstate New York.

NYC Mayor's Race

New York City mayoral race, where Curtis Sliwa faces mounting pressure to drop out to prevent a victory by far-left candidate Zohran Mamdani. The New York Post’s front-page plea for Sliwa to “just walk away” underscores the urgency felt by conservatives. Buck and Clay debate whether Andrew Cuomo would be a better alternative, despite his controversial record on bail reform and COVID-19 policies. They also discuss the broader political ramifications, suggesting that a Mamdani win could energize Republican campaigns in New Jersey, Virginia, and beyond.

Stripper Teachers

The fallout from a Chicago elementary school teacher who made a gesture mimicking the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a “No Kings” protest. Clay argues that public school teachers should be held to a moral standard and that such behavior warrants termination. This sparks a lively debate with listeners calling in to defend or challenge the idea, including humorous and serious takes on whether teachers should be allowed to moonlight as strippers or work at Hooters.

The hosts also revisit the Jimmy Kimmel controversy and the broader issue of free speech versus professional accountability. They emphasize that First Amendment protections do not guarantee immunity from consequences in the workplace, especially when public trust is at stake. This leads into a discussion of COVID-era hypocrisy, including the absurd restrictions placed on athletes like Kyrie Irving and the shifting public narrative around vaccine mandates. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is praised for acknowledging that Kyrie was right to resist the COVID shot, a stance that was once widely condemned.

Dishonest Democrats

Trump’s East Wing renovation, including a ballroom project and a humorous historical anecdote about JFK’s infamous White House pool parties. The hosts use this to critique the media’s long-standing romanticization of Democratic figures like JFK and FDR, highlighting how past administrations manipulated public perception with the help of a compliant press.

The conversation shifts to Trump’s speech on the shutdown, where he praises OMB Director Russ Vought—nicknamed “Darth Vader”—for cutting Democrat priorities and wasteful spending. Clay and Buck argue that the shutdown has allowed the administration to eliminate unnecessary programs, particularly in blue states, and that Democrats are struggling to justify their resistance. They mock Chuck Schumer’s attempt to frame the shutdown as a Republican failure, labeling it the “Schumer Shutdown” and pointing out the hypocrisy of Democrats who once promised Obamacare would lower healthcare costs. 

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