The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show Daily Review with Clay and Buck - Aug 20 2025
This Will Make You Smile
Clay and Buck analyze a major New York Times article highlighting a dramatic decline in Democratic voter registration across 30 states, with Republicans gaining over 4.5 million voters between 2020 and 2024. They emphasize that this trend spans battleground states, deep-blue strongholds, and red states alike—signaling a nationwide political realignment. Key states like Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania are spotlighted as examples of this shift, with Nevada experiencing one of the steepest drops in Democratic support.
Clay and Buck explore the cultural undercurrents driving this transformation, including the alienation of young men, Latino voters, and black male voters from the Democratic Party. They argue that the party’s messaging has become increasingly disconnected from mainstream values, particularly on issues like crime, gender identity, and education. The hosts also discuss how Democrats’ reliance on nonprofit-driven voter registration efforts is no longer yielding the expected partisan advantage.
Saving Black Lives
Heather Mac Donald, Manhattan Institute Fellow and author of “When Race Trumps Merit” and “The War on Cops" joins the show to talk about why President Trump was right to send the National Guard to Washington. Mac Donald praises President Donald Trump’s recent “Liberation Day” speech, calling it a pivotal moment in his presidency and a bold rejection of the normalization of urban crime.
The discussion dives deep into the failures of Democrat-led cities to address violent crime, highlighting how race-based narratives have undermined law enforcement and public safety. Mac Donald critiques the “defund the police” movement and points to the New York Times’ surprising editorial shift acknowledging the consequences of anti-police rhetoric. She emphasizes the importance of police presence in high-crime communities and the damaging effects of demoralizing law enforcement.
The Real Conversation
Clay and Buck explore the statistical realities behind crime rates, questioning the integrity of reported crime drops and the political motivations behind them. They discuss the role of family structure—particularly the absence of fathers—in contributing to youth violence and criminal behavior, arguing that restoring family stability could dramatically reduce crime.
They also discuss the controversial sanctuary city policies that obstruct federal immigration enforcement, with commentary from Trump White House advisor Stephen Miller and Vice President JD Vance. They argue that these policies enable dangerous criminals to remain in communities, posing serious public safety threats. The impact of crime on business investment, urban quality of life, and the cultural shift needed to reject lawlessness. The hosts call for a return to common-sense policing and highlight New York City’s past success under leaders like William Bratton and Ray Kelly as a model for national reform.
Culture Matters
Affirmative action and higher education, with criticism of Elizabeth Warren’s past claims of Native American heritage and a call to reevaluate the racial preferences in college admissions. The hosts highlight a Wall Street Journal piece by Mike Gallagher questioning why elite universities like Harvard and Columbia admit such a high percentage of foreign students while receiving substantial federal subsidies. This leads to a broader critique of the American university system and its role in training foreign nationals who return to their home countries with advanced knowledge.
Cultural commentary continues with reflections on masculinity, fatherhood, and the importance of work ethic. A standout moment features NFL rookie Cam Ward explaining his motivation to wake up early for training, inspired by his father’s dedication to a job he disliked. The hosts use this story to emphasize the value of strong male role models and the cultural awakening among young men who are increasingly questioning mainstream narratives, especially in the wake of COVID-19 lockdowns and school closures.
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