Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show look ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, now just 27 days away, as President Donald Trump prepares to campaign in Texas with Ken Paxton, with baseball legend Roger Clemens expected to introduce the President. The hosts discuss the importance of Republican voter turnout in traditionally red states such as Texas, warning against complacency and noting Democrats’ continued hopes of breaking the GOP’s long statewide winning streak. The conversation then turns to the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. Clay and Buck reflect on the Israelis murdered and kidnapped during the attack and offer a forceful defense of Israel’s military response to Hamas. They criticize Zohran Mamdani for marking the anniversary while also accusing the Israeli government of genocide in Gaza, an allegation the hosts emphatically reject. They compare October 7 to the September 11 attacks, examine the proportional impact on Israel’s population, discuss civilian casualties and the realities of warfare, and argue that Hamas bears responsibility for initiating the conflict. Clay also recalls visiting Israel, the kibbutzim attacked by Hamas and the Nova music festival site. The discussion expands to younger Americans’ understanding of October 7, social media and political messaging about Israel, and the implications of the Israel-Hamas war for American politics, including the competitive Michigan Senate race and Abdul El-Sayed’s position on Israel.
Clay highlights a speech by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Athens, Greece, praising Rubio’s defense of Western civilization and his reflections on ancient Greece’s lasting influence. Clay and Buck use the speech to launch a broader discussion of American history, Western values, ancient Greece and Rome, the Founding Fathers, historical literacy, Christianity and the common cultural foundations they believe are essential to preserving the United States and the West. They contrast that worldview with socialism, Marxism, communism, identity politics and the 1619 Project, criticizing Nikole Hannah-Jones and arguing that progressive movements too often seek to dismantle American institutions without presenting a superior replacement. The conversation also covers European welfare states, economic problems in France and comparisons between the United States and Nordic countries such as Sweden and Norway, including Norway’s oil wealth and sovereign wealth fund.
Clay and Buck welcome Yael Eckstein, president and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, to the show from Israel. Eckstein describes the day as one of mourning, prayer and remembrance for Israelis who lost family members while also emphasizing resilience and international solidarity with Israel. The conversation addresses accusations that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, including statements discussed by the hosts from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, along with pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel activism on American college campuses and in Europe. Eckstein rejects the genocide characterization and discusses the Fellowship’s Flags of Fellowship initiative, which she says has involved thousands of churches across multiple countries displaying Israeli flags as an expression of Christian-Jewish solidarity. She also discusses the organization’s work assisting persecuted Christians in Syria and Lebanon and warns about antisemitism, Islamist extremism and attempts to reshape the historical narrative surrounding October 7.
Clay and Buck welcome Congressman Matt Van Epps, who is running in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. Van Epps discusses President Trump’s upcoming rally in Clarksville and the Republican effort to win all nine of Tennessee’s U.S. House seats. He argues that Republicans should campaign on lower taxes, border security, public safety, military strength and economic prosperity while drawing ideological contrasts with Democratic candidates. Van Epps discusses his opponent Darden Copeland, his assessment of the political environment and the importance of turning out Republican voters. The conversation also examines Tennessee redistricting, with Clay describing how his own congressional district has changed and urging voters to verify which district they now live in and familiarize themselves with new candidates. Van Epps explains that his redrawn district will include significant new territory and discusses Republican congressional candidates including Johnny Garrett, Charlie Hatcher and Brent Taylor. He also highlights his congressional voting record, constituent events and legislation, including a counterterrorism measure that passed the House.
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