Clay Travis & Buck Sexton dive into the aftermath of Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special election, where Republican Matt Van Epps secured a decisive nine-point victory over Democrat Afton Bain. Clay and Buck break down why this off-calendar election mattered, emphasizing low turnout—roughly half of a typical congressional race—and how Democrats hoped to flip a Trump-leaning district but failed. The hosts credit grassroots awareness and strong support from President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson for the win, reinforcing a key takeaway: “Running with Trump is how you win.” Van Epps himself echoed this sentiment in his victory speech, signaling the GOP’s strategy heading into 2026.
The discussion also explores voter behavior in special elections, contrasting Republican voters’ busy family lives with Democrats’ identity-driven activism. Clay shares personal insights on living in Williamson County, Tennessee, and why he refuses to support Davidson County after its COVID policies. Buck adds humor about avoiding a “communist dystopia” in Clay’s district, while callers from Alabama, Florida, and Michigan weigh in on the race’s significance and the broader political landscape, including battleground states like Michigan.
Congressman Jim Jordan joins the show, he outlines the GOP’s legislative priorities before the 2026 campaign season kicks into high gear. Jordan emphasizes healthcare reform focused on choice and competition, rejecting expanded Obamacare subsidies, and highlights the need for tax cuts and regulatory reform to combat lingering inflation. He warns that despite progress under President Trump, prices remain painfully high for everyday Americans—a reality that could shape the 2026 midterm elections. Jordan also stresses the importance of passing a real budget, avoiding endless continuing resolutions, and protecting civil liberties during the upcoming FISA reauthorization, citing alarming revelations about government surveillance.
Then the hosts tackle a major controversy in Minnesota—President Trump’s fiery remarks on the Somali fraud scandal, where scammers allegedly billed for 125 million fake meals under a child-feeding program, siphoning off billions in taxpayer funds. Clay and Buck dissect the cultural and political implications, questioning whether fear of appearing “xenophobic” allowed systemic fraud to flourish. They draw parallels to the UK’s grooming gang scandals and debate assimilation challenges, spotlighting cases where defendants cite Somali cultural norms as a defense in U.S. courts. This segment raises urgent questions about immigration policy, law enforcement, and cultural accountability.
Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8
For the latest updates from Clay & Buck, visit our website https://www.clayandbuck.com/
Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton:
FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck
Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuck
Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
