Clay Travis and Buck Sexton discuss the media underreporting of positive crime statistics. The hosts contend that historic declines in homicide rates, particularly in major cities such as Washington, D.C., are not receiving adequate coverage because the results reflect positively on President Donald Trump and his administration. They argue that lower crime rates disproportionately benefit vulnerable communities, including young Black men, and frame the administration's anti-crime initiatives as one of the most consequential public safety achievements of the modern era. The discussion also examines the increasingly combative tone of congressional oversight hearings, with the hosts suggesting that political grandstanding has largely replaced substantive policy debate.

An interview with Senator Eric Schmidt, who joins the program to discuss the progress of the Protect College Sports Act, legislation designed to address the ongoing chaos surrounding NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) compensation, college football, the transfer portal, athlete eligibility, NCAA governance, and revenue sharing. Schmidt explains that the bill has already received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate, earning more than 70 votes and positioning itself for additional procedural steps.

The program features several listener calls that expand the discussion. One caller, “Light Them Up Linda,” shares personal experiences from years working in a strip club, which leads to a broader conversation about attractiveness, confidence, marketing, and the power of visual appeal in commercial industries. Clay and Buck use the exchange to argue that successful entertainers, celebrities, and influencers often build financial empires by maximizing their strengths and personal brands.

Clay and Buck welcome Bill O’Reilly on the show to discuss his new book, Confronting America: What Has to Change? The conversation centers on President Donald Trump’s approach to artificial intelligence, data centers, surveillance technology, and regulation, with O’Reilly arguing that AI remains too new and insufficiently understood to significantly influence the upcoming midterm elections. Instead, he predicts that voters will be primarily focused on inflation, affordability, rising prices, economic concerns, and dissatisfaction with both political parties. O’Reilly contends that economic anxiety will be the driving factor in voter turnout and electoral outcomes far more than technology policy debates.

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In Hour 1 of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, Clay and Buck cover a wide range of political, cultural, media, and public policy topics, with a major focus on FBI Director Kash Patel, falling crime rates in America, election integrity, Texas politics, free speech controversies, and the intersection of entertainment and politics. The hosts open by briefly revisiting previous discussions surrounding media personalities and cultural controversies before turning to a spirited defense of Kash Patel following a contentious Senate hearing. They praise Patel's performance before lawmakers, arguing that he forcefully pushed back against Democratic criticism while highlighting what they describe as historic success in reducing violent crime across the United States. The hosts repeatedly emphasize data showing declining murder and violent crime rates, crediting the Trump administration, the FBI, federal law enforcement efforts, and Attorney General Todd Blanche for improving public safety and making America safer than at any point in modern history. They also discuss law enforcement's role in election integrity investigations, arguing that federal oversight of election-related crimes is a legitimate function of government.

A significant portion of the first hour centers on what Clay and Buck view as media underreporting of positive crime statistics. The hosts contend that historic declines in homicide rates, particularly in major cities such as Washington, D.C., are not receiving adequate coverage because the results reflect positively on President Donald Trump and his administration. They argue that lower crime rates disproportionately benefit vulnerable communities, including young Black men, and frame the administration's anti-crime initiatives as one of the most consequential public safety achievements of the modern era. The discussion also examines the increasingly combative tone of congressional oversight hearings, with the hosts suggesting that political grandstanding has largely replaced substantive policy debate.

The conversation then shifts to the Texas Senate race, where Clay discusses growing financial investments and advertising activity in the state. The hosts focus on Democratic candidate James Talarico after a clip surfaces in which he names a favorite drag queen during a public interaction. Clay and Buck use the exchange to argue that Talarico is out of step with typical Texas voters and suggest that cultural issues could become influential in the election. The segment broadens into a discussion of campaign messaging, political branding, and how candidates connect with everyday voters in competitive statewide races.

Later in Hour 1, the hosts dive into a broader debate about entertainment, celebrity culture, and political activism. They praise the lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls for stating that musicians should focus on entertaining audiences rather than delivering political lectures from the stage. Clay and Buck contrast that philosophy with the actions of rapper Macklemore, whose pro-Palestinian comments during performances opening for Ed Sheeran sparked controversy. The hosts review the fallout from those remarks, including reports involving stadium owners and venue operators choosing not to host future performances. This leads to a larger discussion about free speech, private property rights, cancel culture, political protest, Israel-Gaza tensions, and artist activism. They argue that while artists have the right to express political opinions, venue owners and event organizers also have the right to determine what messages they wish to associate with their businesses.

The hosts also address comments from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez regarding her criticism of Ed Sheeran and stadium owners connected to the Macklemore controversy. Clay and Buck analyze AOC's political appeal, describing her as a formidable figure within the Democratic Party and speculating about her future influence on the national stage. They discuss how political figures increasingly engage with popular culture and social media to shape public opinion and energize supporters.

Throughout the hour, Clay and Buck mix political commentary with humor, including listener reactions to the ongoing Sydney Sweeney advertising controversy that has generated significant online attention. The program closes with additional discussion about whether venue owners should be responsible for content delivered by performers and whether political activism belongs in entertainment settings. Overall, Hour 1 focuses on crime reduction, law enforcement, FBI oversight, election integrity, Trump administration policies, Texas politics, free speech, celebrity activism, the Israel-Gaza debate, media coverage, and the growing overlap between politics and popular culture, while emphasizing the hosts' belief that results, public safety, and audience-focused entertainment should take precedence over polit

Hour 2 of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show is dominated by an in-depth interview with Bill O’Reilly, followed by extended discussion of the growing Sydney Sweeney controversy, the state of American culture, political polarization, AI regulation, the 2026 midterm elections, and broader debates about media, personal responsibility, and modern social values. The hour blends political analysis, cultural commentary, listener calls, and discussions about the future direction of both the Republican and Democratic parties.

The hour begins with Clay and Buck welcoming Bill O’Reilly to discuss his new book, Confronting America: What Has to Change? The conversation centers on President Donald Trump’s approach to artificial intelligence, data centers, surveillance technology, and regulation, with O’Reilly arguing that AI remains too new and insufficiently understood to significantly influence the upcoming midterm elections. Instead, he predicts that voters will be primarily focused on inflation, affordability, rising prices, economic concerns, and dissatisfaction with both political parties. O’Reilly contends that economic anxiety will be the driving factor in voter turnout and electoral outcomes far more than technology policy debates.

A major topic during the interview is the Lindsay Clancy case, which the hosts describe as an example of broader cultural dysfunction. O’Reilly compares public support for Clancy to what he calls the “Mangione syndrome,” arguing that some Americans become emotionally attached to controversial figures regardless of underlying facts. The discussion expands into a larger examination of crime, accountability, mental health, criminal justice, and personal responsibility, with O’Reilly expressing concern about what he views as increasing irrationality in public discourse. Clay and Buck ask whether social media has amplified extreme behavior or merely exposed tendencies that have always existed beneath the surface of society.

The discussion then broadens to explore O’Reilly’s thesis that America faces a crisis of parenting, education, civic responsibility, decision-making, and cultural values. He argues that many Americans have become disconnected from rational thinking and personal accountability, creating fertile ground for political extremism and social instability. The hosts examine how cultural trends influence elections, voting behavior, and political movements, framing these issues as central themes in today’s political environment.

A substantial stretch of Hour 2 focuses on the future of the Democratic Party and the evolving landscape heading toward the 2028 presidential election. O’Reilly argues that President Trump remains the only dominant political figure in the country and suggests that Democrats currently lack a clear national leader. The conversation analyzes various potential Democratic contenders, including Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, Wes Moore, Josh Shapiro, and Pete Buttigieg, while debating the direction of progressive politics and whether the party is moving further to the left. Clay and Buck also discuss the significance of key Senate races, particularly in Texas and Michigan, and examine how Republican and Democratic strategies could shape the post-midterm political landscape.

The interview also explores Trump’s role in the upcoming elections, with O’Reilly arguing that the president’s political capital will be essential in defending Republican Senate seats and preserving his broader policy legacy. The hosts discuss campaign strategy, voter turnout, congressional control, and the consequences that losing either chamber of Congress could have on the administration’s agenda. They also revisit recent comments from Gavin Newsom regarding Kamala Harris, analyzing whether Democratic power struggles are already developing beneath the surface ahead of 2028.

After O’Reilly’s appearance, the conversation shifts heavily toward the still-expanding Sydney Sweeney media controversy, which becomes the dominant cultural topic of the remainder of the hour. Clay and Buck react to listener feedback regarding Sweeney’s appearance in a sports betting advertisement and the intense backlash surrounding it. The hosts argue that attractive spokespeople have always been a staple of advertising and marketing, framing the debate as part of a larger conflict over beauty standards, feminism, body image, celebrity culture, and gender expectations.

The program features several listener calls that expand the discussion. One caller, “Light Them Up Linda,” shares personal experiences from years working in a strip club, which leads to a broader conversation about attractiveness, confidence, marketing, and the power of visual appeal in commercial industries. Clay and Buck use the exchange to argue that successful ente

Hour 3 of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show focuses heavily on the rapidly evolving debate surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), government regulation, technology policy, economic news, college sports reform, Senate politics, media industry relocation, and the 2026 midterm elections. The hour also features an extended interview with Missouri Senator Eric Schmidt, listener reactions, and lighter discussions tied to prior conversations from the program.

The hour opens with Clay and Buck examining growing calls for AI regulation, particularly comments from Bernie Sanders, who announces plans to introduce legislation aimed at permanently banning what he describes as “artificial superintelligence.” The hosts question both the practicality and the definition of such a proposal, arguing that lawmakers who do not fully understand artificial intelligence are ill-equipped to regulate it effectively. The discussion explores the broader challenges of technology policy, with Clay and Buck debating whether government can realistically establish guardrails around a rapidly changing industry. They suggest that many politicians are attempting to regulate future technological breakthroughs before fully understanding existing AI capabilities, creating what they view as a fundamentally flawed policymaking approach.

The conversation expands to include remarks from Steve Bannon and Bill Gates, both of whom have expressed concerns about the long-term impact of AI. Clay and Buck find it notable that figures from very different ideological backgrounds are warning about potential risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence. While Buck remains skeptical of sweeping regulatory efforts, Clay acknowledges that many highly intelligent people genuinely believe AI could pose significant risks to humanity. This leads to a broad discussion of concepts often associated with AI debates, including artificial superintelligence, machine learning, technological disruption, automation, recursive intelligence growth, existential risk, and comparisons to nuclear weapons development.

A particularly notable segment centers on the challenge of controlling future AI systems once they become sufficiently advanced. Clay references ongoing arguments with his son, who believes AI poses a substantial threat, while Buck compares proposed AI controls to science fiction scenarios such as Terminator and “Skynet.” Clay argues that the most important but often overlooked factor in the AI conversation is energy production, contending that the future growth of artificial intelligence ultimately depends on access to massive amounts of electricity and computing infrastructure. The hosts discuss how energy policy, data centers, and computing power may shape the future of the industry more than regulatory frameworks.

The hour also touches on several breaking developments in business and economics. Clay notes reports that Paramount plans to leave California, leading to an extended conversation about corporate relocation trends, business-friendly states, and the migration of major companies away from high-tax states. The hosts speculate about potential destinations, with Tennessee and Texas emerging as leading contenders. This sparks a broader discussion of the rise of Nashville as a media hub, the growth of conservative media companies outside traditional centers such as New York and Los Angeles, and changing geographic trends in American business and entertainment. Clay and Buck also discuss recent economic news involving the Federal Reserve, rising interest rates, inflation concerns, and their potential impact on consumers and markets.

Another significant segment examines higher education, demographic shifts, and university competitiveness. The hosts discuss how schools such as Vanderbilt University have become increasingly selective, arguing that many students and families are reevaluating traditional academic prestige in favor of locations they perceive as safer, more stable, and more culturally appealing. The conversation broadens into a discussion of migration patterns, educational trends, quality of life considerations, and changing perceptions of elite institutions.

A major portion of Hour 3 features an interview with Senator Eric Schmitt, who joins the program to discuss the progress of the Protect College Sports Act, legislation designed to address the ongoing chaos surrounding NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) compensation, college football, the transfer portal, athlete eligibility, NCAA governance, and revenue sharing. Schmitt explains that the bill has already received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate, earning more than 70 votes and positioning itself for additional procedural steps.

During the interview, Schmitt outlines the legislation’s core provisions. He describes efforts to restore clearer eligibility rules by establishing a five-year playi

The 2026 midterms are just weeks away—and Ryan Girdusky says the latest polling contains major warning signs for Republicans.

On this episode of It’s a Numbers Game, Ryan breaks down new polling on the generic congressional ballot, President Donald Trump’s approval rating, the economy, immigration, and the issues shaping the battle for control of Congress. He also examines the impact of soaring oil and gas prices and why the cost of living could become one of the defining issues of the midterm elections.

Plus, Ryan discusses Gavin Newsom’s surprising comments about Kamala Harris and the 2028 presidential race, the legal fight over the Trump administration’s public-charge immigration policy, and why India’s growing relationships with Iran, Russia, and the BRICS nations deserve more attention in Washington.

Ryan also weighs in on the controversy surrounding Texas Republican Bo French before answering listener questions about political betting markets, Alberta’s separatist movement, and the political differences between Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Sen. John Fetterman.

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Harvard Law professor and renowned attorney Alan Dershowitz joins Tudor Dixon to discuss his new book, “Why I Quit the Dems, and So Should You: The Confessions of a Reluctant Republican,” and explain why he decided to leave the Democratic Party.

Dershowitz discusses his concerns about antisemitism, the Democratic Party’s relationship with Israel, and the political influence of the party’s progressive wing. He and Tudor also examine the political landscape in Michigan, including Abdul El-Sayed, Hassan Piker, Sen. Elissa Slotkin and Jocelyn Benson.

The conversation turns to Sen. John Fetterman, whom Dershowitz praises for breaking with members of his own party, as well as Hillary Clinton’s recent comments about Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel.

Plus, Dershowitz looks ahead to the future of American politics, the 2028 presidential field, Josh Shapiro, JD Vance and Marco Rubio, and explains why he believes the upcoming elections could determine whether the Democratic Party changes direction.

Dershowitz’s new book, “Why I Quit the Dems, and So Should You,” is scheduled for release September 29.

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Twenty-five years after 9/11 and I can't escape the same question I've been asking for thirty years: what are we actually fighting? I spent two decades going after insurgencies overseas, and I'm here to tell you the same insurgency is operating inside America right now — in our institutions, our communities, our families, and our own heads. This one's a solo. It's part briefing, part confession, and by the end, I'll admit it, part sermon.

What you'll hear:

• David breaks down what he's called "the negative insurgency" for twenty years, and why it works exactly like the ones he fought in Afghanistan and Iraq

• Why "it's always been like this" is a lie — and what 150 million dead in the last century should tell you about this one

• Why the war that was supposed to end with bin Laden never ended, and why Joe Kent isn't lying to you

• What actually happens to 300 million people when you kill their religious leader in a strike

• The tell that gives the insurgency away: everybody, on every side, is trying to convince you to hate somebody

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• "Satan rules this world," "you are the steward of God's creation," and the one reason David can't quit — and you can't either

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Lisa Boothe sits down with Crime Prevention Research Center President John Lott for a wide-ranging discussion about illegal immigration, crime, deportations, and the financial cost of prosecuting and incarcerating noncitizens accused of crimes.

Lott breaks down his recent research estimating the taxpayer costs associated with criminal prosecutions, using a Virginia fentanyl case to illustrate how legal proceedings, jail time, public defenders, prosecutors, and eventual incarceration can add up. He argues that a relatively straightforward case can cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and that violent-crime prosecutions can be substantially more expensive. His published analysis estimates that prosecuting 248,000 people at $150,000 per case would total $37.2 billion, while a $600,000-per-case scenario would approach $149 billion. Those figures are Lott's estimates and depend on the assumptions used in his analysis.

Lisa and Lott also discuss the distinction between being charged with and convicted of a crime, sanctuary policies, ICE enforcement, deportation proceedings, and the challenges of identifying criminal histories from other countries.

Later, the conversation turns to recent U.S. crime trends and Lott's argument that tougher enforcement and increased legal concealed carry can help deter crime.

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Jimmy Lai's imprisonment has become a measure of far more than one man's fate. Steve Yates examines how the jailed Hong Kong publisher's story challenges decades of U.S. assumptions about China's political future, Hong Kong's promised autonomy, and whether Beijing still has room for voices outside Communist Party control. As President Trump prepares for another meeting with Xi Jinping, the case raises difficult questions about leadership, freedom, faith, and the future of U.S.-China relations. Listen and share this episode as Congress revisits Jimmy Lai's case and policymakers weigh what comes next. Follow Nation States with Yates for clear, common-sense insights where Steve Yates serves as your personal national security advisor, breaking down world events in ways that matter to Main Street, not just Washington. Connect with the show at feedback@NationStatesYates.com and follow on X @NSWithYates.

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