Hour 1 - Remember Operation Chaos?


Author: iHeartPodcasts February 26, 2026 Duration: 36:51
Podcast episode
Hour 1 - Remember Operation Chaos?

Hour 1 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show opens with a fast‑paced rundown of the day’s biggest political and media stories, centered heavily on 2026 primary politics, Trump‑era investigations, FBI surveillance controversies, and reaction to Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. Clay and Buck set the tone by previewing upcoming guests—FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary—before pivoting directly into the news dominating the political landscape.

One of the major stories examined is Hillary Clinton’s testimony regarding Jeffrey Epstein, with Clay highlighting that she denied ever meeting Epstein or boarding his plane, while Bill Clinton is set to testify next. The hosts then dig into a bombshell report alleging that Susie Wiles—President Donald Trump’s chief of staff and former 2024 campaign manager—was secretly surveilled by the FBI, and that her attorney knew conversations were being monitored while she did not. This leads to a broader discussion of weaponization of the justice system, including Democrat attempts during the 2024 election cycle to keep President Trump tied up in multiple courtrooms across several states.

Buck revisits how Democrats previously pushed to remove Trump from ballots in Colorado and Maine, and how the political establishment normalized efforts to criminally prosecute Trump and even imprison him. They also recount the assassination attempts against Trump during the campaign, reinforcing the high‑stakes political climate surrounding the former and current president.

A major portion of Hour 1 focuses on the reaction to President Trump’s State of the Union address, including CNN data showing a 10‑point surge in voters who believe Trump will move the country in the right direction after watching his speech. Clay emphasizes Trump’s stamina—speaking for nearly two hours at age 80—and contrasts it with Joe Biden’s physical decline, noting feedback he received from older listeners.

The hour then pivots to the 2026 Texas primaries, which become the centerpiece discussion of the segment. Clay and Buck cover the intensifying Senate primary between Ken Paxton, John Cornyn, and Wesley Hunt, and spend substantial time on the rise of Jasmine Crockett, who has become unexpectedly competitive on the Democratic side. This sparks a flood of calls from Texas listeners admitting they engaged in “Operation Chaos”–style crossover voting, inspired by the Rush Limbaugh strategy of entering the opposing party’s primary to influence the outcome. Multiple lifelong Republicans call in to say they voted for Jasmine Crockett to help ensure Republicans face the weakest possible Democratic opponent in November. Clay and Buck analyze open‑primary rules, strategic voting, and party‑loyalty dynamics while callers debate whether gaming the Democratic primary is worth sacrificing votes in key GOP races. Clay also highlights breaking economic news: 30‑year mortgage rates dropping below 6% for the first time since 2022, describing how this could “unfreeze” the housing market after years of stagnation caused by Biden‑era inflation.

The hour closes with lively commentary on political media strategy, including Democrats boosting James Talarico through national exposure, and a humorous retrospective on the Jussie Smollett hoax, tying it into a conversation about fake hate crimes and political fundraising.

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: 

X - https://x.com/clayandbuck

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.


More episodes

Duration: 1:46:23
It is expected that President Trump will be impeached by the house today, but what will happen in the senate? Smart people say nothing. Mike Slater and Ned Ryan join that program. Learn more about your ad-choices at http…

Duration: 1:46:33
Tomorrow is the impeachment vote plus Buck thinks President Trump should pardon Flynn, Chuck Schumer starts running his mouth on impeachment. And Hunter Biden really cares about Bears. Learn more about your ad-choices at…

Duration: 1:44:30
It's impeachment week in the house. Plus a war on the word supremacy and James Comey embarrasses himself in a Fox News Interview. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck…

Duration: 1:47:25
The House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach President Donald Trump on two articles of impeachment, the UK election, plus an interview with Raheem Kassam. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastne…

Duration: 1:48:00
Michael Horowitz faces more questions on Capital Hill, Holder versus Barr, President Trump tells Greta Thunberg to "chill," and an interview with David Harsanyi from the National Review. Learn more about your ad-choices…

Duration: 1:48:26
Lindsey Graham pushes Michael Horowitz to define “spying,” AG Barr fights back, and Greta Thunberg is named TIME Magazine's Person of the Year. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFoll…

Duration: 1:47:47
Democrats have introduced two articles of impeachment, James Comey lies on CNN, and why Vegans should eat meat. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https…

Duration: 1:49:00
Despite errors, the IG Report says the Russia Probe was justified. Plus Impeachment closing arguments and the "Afghanistan Papers." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Bu…

Duration: 1:48:13
The former Vice President calls an Iowa voter a "damn liar" when questioned about his son Hunter's ties to the Ukraine. Also the economy is the best it's ever been, Nancy Pelosi speaks to Jake Tapper, and an interview wi…

Duration: 1:47:56
An impeachment witness jokes about Barron Trump’s name, causing Melania to defend her son. Also Nancy Pelosi asks Congress to proceed with impeachment and an interview with Chadwick Moore, journalist at Spectator USA. Le…

Duration: 1:48:11
Canada's Prime Minister admits that he and other world leaders were talking about Trump when they were caught on camera. Also Kamala Harris drops out of the Presidential race, plus interviews with Sean Davis of The Feder…

Duration: 1:47:51
Trump and Macron clash over ISIS, Russia, and NATO. Plus Joe Biden talks "Corn Pop" and interviews with David Harsanyi and Raheem Kassam. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Cla…

Duration: 1:48:58
Elizabeth Warren continues her far left campaign. Also Michael Bloomberg believes Xi Jinping is not a dictator, Biden rambles, and Kamala Harris has no shot. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastn…

Duration: 1:47:51
New controversial reports about Hunter Biden and how to protect Thanksgiving from the Libs. Plus it's an extended Turkey Day "Roll Call" as we respond to your questions! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ih…

Duration: 1:49:18
Trump invites hero dog to White House. Plus twitter is suspending people for facts and more on the impeachment timeline. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTu…

Logo
Select station
VOL