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: 1:52:11
Buck highlights his interview with President Trump at The White House. Kavanaugh accuser refuses to respond to a invitation to participate in the bipartisan process. President Trump orders the declassification of key FIS…

Duration: 1:50:09
Democrats deploy another dirty trick against Judge Brett Kavanaugh and President Trump. Abuse of power at the DOJ and FBI. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on You…

Duration: 1:51:17
Democrats continuing effort to throw a presidential election. Buck interviews U.S. Assistant Attorney General Beth Williams for the Office of Legal Policy, and Aaron & McKayla Hale. Learn more about your ad-choices at ht…

Duration: 1:49:28
How the media is politicizing Hurricane Florence. Goggle's top execs have a meltdown over the Trump beating Hillary. The Democrats latest stunt to bench Judge Kavanaugh. The 'honorable' Clarence Thomas. Learn more about…

Duration: 1:50:50
The media blames Trump for Hurricane Florence before it even hits land. Norm Macdonald gets banished. Buck interviews Lee Smith and Joe Bastardi. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFo…

Duration: 1:50:51
Reflecting on the 17th anniversary of 9/11. Buck interviews Sean Parnell, author of Man of War. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.c…

Duration: 53:56
The anonymous Deep State manifesto. Serena Williams freaks out and social justice warriors come to her aid. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://w…

Duration: 1:54:11
Obama is out on the campaign trail to help the Democrats but Trump is there to neutralize him Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com…

Duration: 1:54:19
Anonymous New York Times editorial backfires on the media. Corey Booker makes a mockery of himself at the Kavanaugh hearing. Transgender desistance. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.co…

Duration: 1:51:34
The Deep State marches on with their silent coup as The New York Times publishes an anonymous editorial blasting President Trump. Day two of the Kavanaugh confirmation hearing is more of the same. Buck interviews Raheem…

Duration: 1:51:24
Pandemonium on Capitol Hill at the Kavanaugh confirmation hearing. Impeachment will happen if Democrats take the House. The political weaponization of a funeral. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodc…

Duration: 1:47:46
Happy Labor Day! 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: 1:51:05
Bloomberg breaks a cardinal rule of journalism. Buck predicts who democrats will run in 2020. Buck interviews Sean Spicer. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on You…

Duration: 1:55:03
Once again the left employs racist smear tactics to try and beat conservatives. How the left normalizes socialism. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: ht…

Logo
Select station
VOL