Hour 3 - It's Hard to Hate the Guy 


Author: iHeartPodcasts February 17, 2026 Duration: 36:44
Podcast episode
Hour 3 - It's Hard to Hate the Guy 

Hour 3 of The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show delivers a fast‑moving blend of political intrigue, media analysis, 2026 election strategy, cultural commentary, and audience interaction. The hour opens with Clay discussing Buck’s newly released book Manufacturing Delusion, highlighting glowing reviews from Megyn Kelly, Glenn Beck, and bestselling author Jack Carr. The show reiterates how Buck’s work explores propaganda, mind‑control tactics, ideological conditioning, and his personal CIA experiences—all timely themes that anchor the hour’s larger political discussions.

The program pivots into heavy election coverage as Clay and Buck preview their upcoming trip to Texas for the first major primary of the 2026 cycle. They examine the high‑stakes Texas Senate race, noting the competitive three‑way Republican contest among John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, and Wesley Hunt, as well as a brewing controversy on the Democratic side. The hosts break down the explosive dispute surrounding Democratic candidate James Talarico’s appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert—an interview CBS declined to air over equal‑time concerns. Colbert publicly blasted CBS executives on his show, turning the incident into a political moment. Clay argues that this conveniently boosts Talarico’s visibility while sidelining rival Jasmine Crockett, suggesting Democratic power players may be orchestrating a soft‑landing for their preferred candidate just as Texans begin early voting.

From there, Hour 3 takes a deep dive into the broader media landscape. Clay and Buck discuss the FCC’s scrutiny of political favoritism in late‑night TV, referencing FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr’s challenges to the idea that partisan talk shows should remain exempt from equal‑time rules. Buck notes that corporate media dominance by left‑leaning networks is finally being openly acknowledged after decades of pretending neutrality. The hosts compare the current era to the “Daily Show effect,” where comedy was long used as a shield to disguise political messaging. They argue that Colbert’s outrage reflects the media’s desire to maintain partisan influence without regulatory scrutiny.

The hour expands into a wider election-season conversation—including the national implications of control of the House and Senate in 2026. Clay emphasizes that the Senate may hold greater long‑term stakes than the House due to aging Supreme Court justices and the potential for major judicial vacancies. They discuss prior examples, such as Justice Anthony Kennedy’s strategically timed retirement versus Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s decision to stay on the bench, underscoring how elections shape the judiciary for generations.

Clay and Buck also take VIP listener emails and talkback messages, fielding questions about potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders—including Mark Kelly, Josh Shapiro, and Gretchen Whitmer—and the role of intelligence, competence, and electability within the field. This segues into broader reflections on generational language (“back in the day”), the cultural reference points of the 1980s and 1990s, and how political memory shifts across age groups.

Near the close of the hour, they revisit the national conversation around recent transgender‑identified mass shooters. Listeners weigh in with sharp commentary about media inconsistencies, ideological blind spots, and how narratives shift depending on the identity of the perpetrator. Clay and Buck highlight how mainstream outlets often omit relevant details in cases involving trans shooters, contrasting this with how aggressively the media covers crimes associated with conservatives or gun owners.

The final portion takes a lighter, more personal turn as Buck shares stories about AI recommending suit choices, Clay recounts a Valentine’s Day wardrobe mishap, and the hosts joke about cocktails, country‑club drinks, and upcoming travel plans—including Clay’s one‑day trip to Mar‑a‑Lago. The hour concludes with heartfelt listener messages about Rush Limbaugh’s legacy and strong support for Buck’s book, ending the show on a note of gratitude and audience connection.

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: 1:52:56
The Senate finally votes to begin debate on Obamacare repeal legislation, but only because Vice President Pence issued his tie-breaking vote. Buck offers his prediction on whether Republicans can unite before it’s too la…

Duration: 1:53:02
President Trump pressures the GOP to repeal and replace Obamacare ahead of tomorrow’s vote, declaring ‘Obamacare is death.’ Plus, the Dems desperately try out a page from Trump’s playbook to rally the base, and fail mise…

Duration: 1:54:06
A Russia-free news day forces the media to concoct its next ‘anti-Trump’ narrative. Buck takes them to task. Plus, Spicy resigns! What this means for the White House going forward. Learn more about your ad-choices at htt…

Duration: 6:59
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: 10:51
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: 1:53:48
An unarmed woman in her pajamas gets shot and killed by a Muslim cop, but the streets are free from rioters, and the wall-to-wall coverage is nonexistent. Why? Because the Left has a clear hierarchy of victimology, and I…

Duration: 10:12
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: 8:53
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: 8:53
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: 9:40
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: 1:53:48
Senate Republicans push the elusive vote on Health Care to next week. Plus, the Fake News media spins itself into yet another Russian frenzy! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow…

Duration: 1:54:13
Senate Republicans fail yet again to repeal and replace Obamacare, and now they can’t even come together on just repealing the law! Is Obamacare here to stay? Buck takes their inaction to task. Learn more about your ad-c…

Duration: 1:54:01
Shameless Democrats conveniently ignore the fact that they colluded with Ukraine to hurt Trump’s bid for the White House. Buck takes their hypocrisy to task. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastn…

Duration: 1:44:33
Senate Republicans debut an updated health care bill, but will enough Republicans get on board before it’s too late? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube:…

Logo
Select station
VOL