Episode Details

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.

Republicans Buy Sneakers Too

Clay Travis and Buck Sexton talk about President Donald Trump’s appearance at Madison Square Garden during a New York Knicks game, which Clay and Buck frame as a culturally significant moment in the intersection of sports, politics, and media narratives. They analyze reactions from fans, commentary from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and broader questions about the NBA’s political activism, arguing that the league may be shifting away from its previously “woke” positioning. The discussion expands into a broader critique of politics in sports, media bias, and public reactions to Trump as a New York figure.

Could Steve Hilton Win?

Steve Hilton joins the show to provide a detailed update on the California gubernatorial primary, explaining that he is highly confident of securing a top-two finish and advancing to the general election, even as official results remain delayed due to prolonged vote counting across the state. A major focus is the extended timeline for ballot processing in California, with Hilton criticizing the system as inefficient and mismanaged, particularly highlighting rules that allow ballots without clear postmarks to be accepted if they include handwritten dates. The conversation frames these practices as contributing to widespread skepticism around election transparency and trust in the vote-counting process.

The discussion then shifts to a key voter ID ballot initiative in California, which Hilton says has strong public support and could be a near-term solution to many of the concerns being raised. The proposal would require government-issued identification for voting, whether in person or by mail, reducing reliance on signature verification processes that currently slow down vote counting. Clay and Buck strongly endorse voter ID laws, arguing they are consistent with requirements for other constitutional rights and would improve election confidence. They also debate the role of absentee and mail-in voting more broadly, suggesting that widespread early in-person voting could replace much of the current mail-based system.

Election Integrity

Clay and Buck explore campaign spending dynamics, particularly the failure of billionaire Tom Steyer to secure a top-two finish in California despite massive financial investment. This leads to a broader point about the limits of political advertising, with the hosts arguing that even heavy spending cannot overcome weak voter appeal. They also revisit recent national campaigns, suggesting that increased public exposure can sometimes hurt candidates rather than help them.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville

Clay and Buck react to breaking reports involving Iran and U.S. military tensions, after news surfaces that an American Apache helicopter may have been shot down. The hosts emphasize that President Donald Trump has indicated a potential U.S. response, pending investigation into whether the incident was hostile action, mechanical failure, or friendly fire. Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville joins the show to weigh in on the escalating situation, warning that if Iran was responsible, consequences are likely. This segment highlights broader U.S.-Iran geopolitical tensions and national security concerns, underscoring the potential for rapid escalation in the Middle East.

The conversation with Senator Tuberville shifts into 2026 midterm election outlook and Senate control, wher