Hour 3 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show focused heavily on politics, media, technology, artificial intelligence, college sports reform, and a wide-ranging interview with TX Senator Ted Cruz. The hour opened with discussion of a major media industry development involving David Ellison, Paramount, and Warner Brothers, following news that a legal challenge from several Democratic-led states had been resolved, allowing the merger to move forward. Clay and Buck argued that the deal could significantly reshape the media landscape, particularly because it would place both CNN and CBS News under the same ownership umbrella. During the interview, Senator Cruz described the lawsuit against the merger as politically motivated and suggested the outcome could lead to a more balanced media environment rather than one dominated by a single political perspective. A major portion of Hour 3 centered on the growing national debate over artificial intelligence, data centers, energy infrastructure, and economic competitiveness with China. Senator Cruz argued that opposition to new data center development is being amplified through organized campaigns and claimed that China benefits if the United States slows AI-related infrastructure growth. The conversation examined concerns about water consumption, electricity demand, and local opposition to large-scale data center construction. Cruz contended that modern facilities increasingly use closed-loop cooling systems that significantly reduce water usage and argued that the larger issue is ensuring sufficient power generation to support future AI development. The hosts repeatedly emphasized that AI infrastructure will play a decisive role in the future American economy and national security, presenting data centers as critical to maintaining U.S. leadership over China in the technology race. The discussion then shifted to the high-profile Texas U.S. Senate race, where Cruz weighed in on the contest between Ken Paxton and James Talarico. He described the race as highly competitive despite Texas’ Republican leanings and warned listeners not to underestimate Democratic fundraising and organizing efforts. Cruz argued that voters would ultimately focus on ideological differences between the candidates and encouraged conservatives to remain engaged and financially supportive as the election approached. The exchange highlighted broader concerns about Senate control, upcoming federal elections, and the national implications that key Senate races could have on future legislation and judicial appointments. Another significant segment featured Cruz discussing his new book,“Going Further: The Incomparable Clarence Thomas.” He explained that the book is based on extensive interviews with Clarence Thomas and traces the Supreme Court justice’s life from poverty in Georgia to becoming one of the most influential members of the Supreme Court. Cruz emphasized Thomas’s personal story, ideological evolution, and legal philosophy, arguing that Thomas has become one of the most consequential judicial figures in modern American history. The hosts discussed the book’s early commercial success and its appeal to readers interested in constitutional law, the judiciary, and the personal history of the justice. The conversation then moved to a bipartisan effort in Washington involving the Protect College Sports Act. Cruz argued that college athletics currently faces instability due to NIL payments, transfer portal rules, eligibility questions, and escalating financial pressures on athletic departments. He described the proposed legislation as an attempt to restore order, establish nationwide standards, and preserve opportunities for student-athletes. The hosts discussed the broad bipartisan support the measure had already received in the Senate and framed it as essential to protecting college sports programs, including Olympic and women’s sports, from financial strain and competitive imbalance. [9/21/2026 3:17 PM] Greg Chapin: Sports also surfaced in lighter moments throughout Hour 3. The hosts joked with Cruz about a hypothetical one-on-one basketball game, discussed the recent Texas victory over Ohio State, and debated the upcoming Tennessee-Texas matchup. These segments provided a lighter contrast to the otherwise policy-heavy interview while reinforcing the show’s ongoing focus on college football and sports culture. Later in the hour, Clay and Buck returned to the issue of AI and data centers, reacting to reports from media outlets such as CBS 60 Minutes highlighting local concerns in places including Loudoun County, Virginia, Chandler, Arizona, and Red Oak, Texas. The hosts challenged arguments that data centers are inherently harmful, asserting that many concerns about water use, energy costs, and development impacts can be addressed through local planning and technological improvements. They argued that some political leaders and activists are overstating the risks while ignoring the economic benefits, tax revenue, and technological advantages associated with AI infrastructure investment. The discussion repeatedly emphasized that current President Donald Trump has strongly advocated for rapid AI development and increased data center construction as part of a broader effort to keep the United States ahead of China. The final portion of Hour 3 returned to media and politics, with the hosts revisiting the Paramount-Warner Brothers merger and discussing comments from California Attorney General Rob Bonta regarding the settlement. Clay argued that the legal challenge ultimately failed to stop the transaction and suggested the merger could have significant implications for the future direction of major news organizations. The hosts also discussed the broader state of media, the influence of social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on political discourse, and the continuing transformation of how Americans consume news and information. They framed the Paramount-Warner Brothers agreement as another sign of ongoing changes in media ownership, political messaging, and the competitive battle for audience attention
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