Hour 3 - Brendan Carr Challenges TV Gatekeepers


Author: iHeartPodcasts January 23, 2026 Duration: 36:53
Podcast episode
Hour 3 - Brendan Carr Challenges TV Gatekeepers

Hour 3 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show centers on a major media‑regulation showdown, high‑stakes immigration enforcement reporting, and on‑the‑ground updates from Minneapolis following weeks of violent anti‑ICE protests. Clay and Buck open the hour with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who explains the letter he issued to major broadcast networks questioning whether politically one‑sided programming—specifically shows like The View and late‑night comedy platforms—should continue receiving “bona fide news” exemptions under federal equal‑time laws. Carr details how these exemptions have long shielded such programs from having to offer equal on‑air opportunities to opposing political candidates. He argues that many shows have wildly misinterpreted precedent, effectively granting themselves perpetual news status despite booking overwhelmingly Democratic guests and almost no conservatives. Carr lays out what enforcement could look like: notices to the FCC, forced equal‑time remedies, fines, or—in cases of repeated abuse—even jeopardized broadcast licenses.

The conversation turns fiery when Clay and Buck play Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue mocking Carr as “Trump’s ferret.” Carr laughs off the insult but doubles down, insisting that fake news shows cannot claim news exemptions while pushing partisan narratives and excluding opposition voices. He also discusses the FCC’s limited but relevant role in reviewing potential mega‑mergers—such as Netflix and Paramount’s competing bids to acquire Warner Bros.—and the long‑term consequences of media consolidation, including the possibility that NFL broadcasting rights will migrate behind streaming paywalls and weaken traditional broadcast influence.

Hour 3 of the program then shifts to breaking coverage from Minneapolis as Daily Wire reporter Mary Margaret Olohan joins the show after spending a full day embedded with Vice President J.D. Vance and ICE agents during the height of the city’s unrest. Olohan offers firsthand accounts of the vice president’s meetings with federal officers, his remarks emphasizing rule of law, and the shocking reality that Minneapolis police officers have allegedly been instructed not to assist ICE agents even when they are under attack. She also describes the freezing conditions, the presence of professional activists imported from other cities, and the widespread circulation of misinformation—including debunked claims about ICE “detaining a five‑year‑old” and the false narratives surrounding the church‑storming incident that triggered nationwide attention.

Olohan details Vance’s response to conservatives urging the administration to invoke the Insurrection Act, explaining that Vance believes federal law enforcement can still manage the situation—though the door remains open if violence escalates. She recounts her questions to Vance about whether he had spoken with the ICE officer involved in the Renee Goode shooting and confirms that White House officials have briefed themselves on the case while allowing investigations to proceed. She also warns that the anti‑ICE protest movement will likely continue because many activists are paid organizers, incentivized to sustain unrest despite debunked claims and diminishing public support.

The hour concludes with Clay and Buck reflecting on Olohan’s insights into press access inside the Trump White House, where reporters—friendly and hostile alike—now enjoy direct, daily opportunities to question the president. Olohan contrasts this with the near‑absence of media access during the Biden years, describing how legacy reporters privately admit they prefer the Trump administration’s engagement, even as they publicly attack it.

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: 1:50:23
Pelosi says they will not impeach Trump. Pushing back against the lies of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The left goes after Tucker Carlson. Buck interviews Todd Bensman and Raheem Kassam. Learn more about your ad-choices at…

Duration: 1:51:24
Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 felony counts. Paul Manafort is sentenced and the media freaks out. What Democrats will do if Bernie win. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay…

Duration: 1:51:26
The media has been consistent on Russia, consistently wrong. Democrats have normalized anti-semitism. Buck interviews David Harsanyi. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay &…

Duration: 1:50:19
Why Democrats favor illegal immigration. Defending against socialism. Democrats delay antisemitism vote. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.…

Duration: 1:51:45
The border crisis. Climate alarmists are nuts. change. The latest on Ilhan Omar. Buck interviews Dr. Caleb Rossiter and Erielle Davidson. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Cla…

Duration: 1:51:38
No Collision, so now obstruction, what's next? Green New Deal nonsense continues. Buck interviews Ana Rosa Quintana. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube:…

Duration: 1:47:13
Ben interviews Stephen Yates and Dr. Matt Peterson. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener…

Duration: 1:50:50
The Green New Deal is a disaster. Trump walks away from Little Rocket man in Hanoi. Buck interviews Mattie Duppler. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: h…

Duration: 1:50:34
President Trump meets Little Rocket Man in Vietnam. The Michael Cohen circus. Buck interviews retired U.S. Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Tony Shaffer. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwor…

Duration: 1:51:46
Michael Cohen begins his testimony on Capitol Hill. Bernie Sanders has a soft spot for hardcore socialists. Senate Democrats vote for infanticide. Buck interviews Raheem Kassam. Learn more about your ad-choices at https:…

Duration: 1:50:37
The great green leap forward. Dianne Feinstein shutdown a group of kids asking her to sign the Green New Deal. Trump to meet KJU in Vietnam. The media now blames Chicago Department racism for Smollett lie. Learn more abo…

Duration: 1:49:35
Trump will veto measure blocking national emergency declaration. When will Mueller mania end? There is no truth to Jussie Smollett's story. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow C…

Duration: 1:49:40
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration: 1:49:55
President Trump is not even phased by sellout Bernie Sanders. The Jussie Smollett collapse continues. Buck interviews Saager Enjeti, John Daniel Davidson and Raheem Kassam. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www…

Logo
Select station
VOL