Clay Parties with the Men's Hockey Team
State of the Union buzz and a culture‑war flashpoint: the Team USA men’s Olympic hockey gold becoming a lightning rod after a celebratory call from President Trump. Clay recounts joining the U.S. team’s celebration at E11EVEN Miami, where players and fans sang the national anthem, Lee Greenwood and other patriotic anthems—viral videos that, in his view, capture a broader cultural shift among younger male athletes who are openly pro‑USA. The hosts argue this moment echoes America’s “Miracle on Ice” era, noting that while the historic upset came against the USSR, the 1980 gold was clinched versus Finland—and they spotlight how Walter Mondale and President Jimmy Carter publicly congratulated that team, contrasting yesterday’s normalcy with today’s backlash.
This is America
Clay introduces Small Business Administration head Kelly Loeffler and Jimmy’s Famous Seafood co-owner John Minadakis. John recounts watching the overtime game from church and his viral takedown of HuffPost after the outlet scolded Americans for cheering the hockey team. Loeffler praises Jimmy’s as an example of American small‑business excellence, symbolizing hard work, innovation, family tradition, and patriotism. Clay then breaks news live on air that Team USA has arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, greeted by applauding troops—an image the hosts call the purest representation of American exceptionalism.
Avoid Energy Vampires
Clay and Buck discuss why the men’s team’s unapologetic patriotism resonates so strongly, why the left’s negative reaction is backfiring, and how open displays of pride—like Quinn Hughes thanking the troops—deeply connect with everyday Americans. They argue that Democrats’ cultural instincts are increasingly out of step with normal people, especially young men, and explain how attempts to police humor, language, and celebration alienate voters.
Steal the Bacon!
Americans react to the controversy over Trump’s joking comment about having to invite the women’s team to avoid impeachment. Far from finding it offensive, most callers—especially female listeners—mock the outrage and argue the women’s decision not to attend the State of the Union is childish and politically motivated. Clay and Buck underscore that when Olympic athletes represent the United States, meeting the president is a patriotic honor regardless of party. They highlight polls showing Democrats increasingly struggle to relate to male voters, noting how effortlessly the Hughes brothers and their teammates embody a patriotic, masculine energy that resonates with young men across the country.
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