With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, Lisa Boothe is joined by Sentinel Action Fund President Jessica Anderson for a state-by-state look at the races shaping the battle for control of Congress.

Anderson explains why she believes national polling doesn't necessarily capture what Republican campaigns are seeing on the ground, while acknowledging that several traditionally Republican Senate seats have become increasingly competitive. She discusses the GOP's turnout challenge, President Donald Trump's campaign strategy and the importance of low-propensity voters in determining the outcome.

The conversation dives into some of the biggest Senate contests, including Mike Rogers versus Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Jon Husted versus Sherrod Brown in Ohio, Susan Collins' race in Maine and Dan Sullivan's battle in Alaska. Anderson also examines Texas, Iowa and New Hampshire and explains why independent voters could behave very differently from state to state.

Plus, Lisa and Jessica discuss affordability, gas prices, the Iran conflict, President Trump's influence on turnout and the closing arguments Republicans are making to voters. The episode provides an inside look at the electoral strategy and ground game behind some of the most consequential races of the 2026 midterms.

Recent reporting also shows Republicans directing significant attention and resources toward competitive Senate races in states including Alaska, Iowa and Ohio, underscoring how broad the 2026 battleground has become.

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Clay Travis and Buck Sexton react to President Donald Trump’s Oval Office comments on diesel prices, Russia and Ukraine, and the state of the U.S. economy, including Trump’s argument that America is seeing major investment in factories and strong employment. Clay contends that the most effective Republican economic message is that the Biden administration left behind high inflation and a damaged economy that requires time to repair, while pointing to stock market performance, low unemployment, accelerating wage growth and stronger economic growth as reasons for optimism. The hosts acknowledge that many Americans remain frustrated by the cost of groceries, gasoline and other everyday expenses, and they debate how quickly improving economic indicators can translate into voters actually feeling better about their finances. They also discuss oil and gas prices amid conflict involving Iran and instability in the Middle East, as well as the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on diesel supplies.

Clay and Buck give a major update on the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and attempted to bring down the aircraft. Clay and Buck recount how the plane carrying 174 people went into a dramatic descent, passengers and crew fought their way into the cockpit, and a reserve flight crew ultimately landed the aircraft safely. They discuss reports that the co-pilot, an Omani national, had undergone Islamist radicalization and was suicidal, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments about the investigation. The hosts also play comments from President Donald Trump, who says investigators are examining whether the alleged attacker had connections to Iran and that information he was receiving suggested a possible link, while stopping short of a final conclusion. Clay and Buck examine the possibility that the timing of the attempted hijacking, shortly before the aircraft entered Israeli airspace, could indicate an intention to use the plane in a larger terrorist attack against Israel. They also discuss the suspension of Flydubai flights to Israel, whether accomplices or a broader terrorist network could have been involved, and a separate arrest of a dual Iranian-British citizen connected to an alleged terror plot near a U.S. military facility in England.

The guys analyze comments from Pete Hegseth about military culture, physical standards, DEI policies, grooming and his vision of a more traditional warrior ethos in the U.S. military. Clay and Buck particularly seize on Hegseth's reference to "beardos," wondering exactly what he means given the prevalence of beards among elite special operations personnel. The discussion evolves into a humorous but detailed history of military facial hair, stretching from the Crimean War and Civil War to World War I, Afghanistan and Iraq. Clay discusses how gas masks helped encourage clean-shaven military standards during World War I, while Buck points to the rugged appearance of modern special operators and earlier soldiers as examples of how beards have historically become associated with masculinity and military culture. They also mention Vice President JD Vance, the history of facial hair among American political leaders and the relationship between grooming standards, professionalism and public perceptions of trustworthiness.

Financial commentator Trish Regan joins for an extended discussion of the Trump economy, inflation, energy and consumer sentiment. Regan argues that today's inflation environment represents an improvement from the inflation surge during the Biden administration but says consumers remain acutely aware that prices are substantially higher than they were several years ago. She explains why lower inflation does not mean prices return to their previous levels and discusses the latest Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation reading, energy costs, gasoline prices and the movement of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. She and the hosts explore the challenge Republicans face in persuading voters that economic conditions are improving when some Americans have yet to experience those improvements personally. Regan also makes the case for continued economic policies centered on capitalism, innovation and private-sector growth while warning about the economic direction she believes Democrats would pursue.

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Hour 1 of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show opens with Clay and Buck examining the economy, inflation, energy prices and the political battle heading into the 2026 midterm elections. They react to President Donald Trump’s Oval Office comments on diesel prices, Russia and Ukraine, and the state of the U.S. economy, including Trump’s argument that America is seeing major investment in factories and strong employment. Clay contends that the most effective Republican economic message is that the Biden administration left behind high inflation and a damaged economy that requires time to repair, while pointing to stock market performance, low unemployment, accelerating wage growth and stronger economic growth as reasons for optimism. The hosts acknowledge that many Americans remain frustrated by the cost of groceries, gasoline and other everyday expenses, and they debate how quickly improving economic indicators can translate into voters actually feeling better about their finances. They also discuss oil and gas prices amid conflict involving Iran and instability in the Middle East, as well as the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on diesel supplies.

The conversation then shifts to the 2026 midterm elections and the battle for control of Congress. Clay argues that Democratic political momentum may have peaked and predicts Republican advertising could begin moving key races toward the GOP. He highlights Senate contests in Texas, Iowa, Kansas, Georgia, North Carolina, Maine and Michigan, while Buck says he is encouraged about Republican prospects in the Senate but stresses that turnout will ultimately determine the results. They discuss the flood of political advertising airing in battleground states such as Virginia, why campaigns rely so heavily on negative attack ads, and why conventional attacks against Trump have sometimes failed to achieve their intended effect. The hosts also use New York City and Zohran Mamdani as an example in their broader argument about Democratic economic policies, contending that policies intended to address affordability and housing costs can instead contribute to higher prices and rents.

Financial commentator Trish Regan joins Hour 1 for an extended discussion of the Trump economy, inflation, energy and consumer sentiment. Regan argues that today's inflation environment represents an improvement from the inflation surge during the Biden administration but says consumers remain acutely aware that prices are substantially higher than they were several years ago. She explains why lower inflation does not mean prices return to their previous levels and discusses the latest Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation reading, energy costs, gasoline prices and the movement of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. She and the hosts explore the challenge Republicans face in persuading voters that economic conditions are improving when some Americans have yet to experience those improvements personally. Regan also makes the case for continued economic policies centered on capitalism, innovation and private-sector growth while warning about the economic direction she believes Democrats would pursue.

Regan and the guys also dive into the rapidly changing media and entertainment industry, discussing Paramount Skydance, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix and CNN. The conversation focuses on the implications of consolidation in the entertainment business, Netflix's competitive position and the potential for technology to completely reshape how Americans consume movies, television and news. Regan predicts that artificial intelligence, virtual reality and personalized entertainment could eventually allow audiences to customize programming and experience news or major events in dramatically more immersive ways. The discussion expands into the future of journalism, including the growing role of citizen journalists and social platforms, and how traditional television networks and international news bureaus may need to adapt to technological disruption.

The interview concludes with a broader conversation about artificial intelligence, data centers, China, American energy production and national security. Clay raises concerns that public fears about AI infrastructure and data-center construction could leave the United States at a competitive disadvantage to China. Regan argues that winning the global AI race is both an economic and national-security imperative, with abundant and reliable energy necessary to power the data centers and computing infrastructure behind the technology. She maintains that America needs sensible safeguards while continuing to invest aggressively in AI rather than allowing fear of the technology to surrender strategic leadership to China. The discussion ties AI innovation directly to economic productivity, energy policy and the long-term competition between the United States and China.

In the lighter portion of Hour 1, Clay and Bu

Hour 2 of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show features an extended debate about a controversial Cornell University sexual assault lawsuit, focusing on consent, personal responsibility, due process and the distinction between morally objectionable behavior and conduct that meets the legal standard for a crime. Clay outlines the allegations involving a Cornell student, seven fraternity members, alcohol and drug use, emphasizing that the woman initially described the encounter as consensual before later alleging sexual assault and filing a lawsuit. Clay and Buck discuss text messages and other details surrounding the case and argue that an initial statement of consent followed by a later allegation presents substantial challenges for the accused and the legal process. They repeatedly stress that they regard the alleged conduct at the fraternity as degrading and irresponsible while maintaining that moral condemnation and criminal culpability are separate questions.

The Cornell discussion expands into a broader examination of sexual assault allegations, consent laws, due process and equal treatment under the law. Clay proposes reversing the genders in the hypothetical circumstances to test whether men and women would be treated equally, while Buck argues that the legal system must protect genuine victims while also maintaining standards designed to protect innocent people from false accusations. They reference the Duke lacrosse case, along with allegations involving Brett Kavanaugh and E. Jean Carroll, as part of a wider conversation about delayed accusations, the challenges of defending against allegations concerning events from many years earlier and the purpose of statutes of limitations. Clay also argues against laws that preserve the anonymity of sexual assault accusers while publicly identifying the accused, contending that reputational damage can remain even when criminal charges are never filed. A caller named Mary challenges the hosts' framing of the Cornell case and argues that the men involved had a basic moral responsibility to intervene when someone was intoxicated. Although Clay and Buck disagree with aspects of her legal reasoning, Buck acknowledges the strength of her argument on an ethical level, reinforcing Hour 2's distinction between morality and criminal law.

Hour 2 also turns to the death penalty following a botched execution in Tennessee, prompting Clay and Buck to debate capital punishment and different methods of execution. Buck argues that the incident will strengthen arguments made by death penalty opponents and notes the Catholic Church's opposition to capital punishment, even as he explains why he personally supports the death penalty. The hosts discuss lethal injection, the electric chair and firing squads, as well as the broader political debate surrounding execution policy. They also consider whether women sentenced to death should be treated differently from men, ultimately framing the question around equal legal responsibility regardless of sex. A retired anesthesiologist calls the program and provides his professional assessment of the failed lethal injection, saying he believes an improperly placed IV allowed medication to infiltrate surrounding tissue rather than properly entering the vein.

The capital punishment conversation leads into a historical discussion of public executions, the guillotine and execution practices in Europe. Clay and Buck examine the historical rationale for conducting executions publicly, including whether their visibility was intended to demonstrate that punishment was being administered under lawful authority and to deter others from committing crimes. Buck references historian Joel Harrington's The Faithful Executioner, a book about an executioner in early modern Germany, as the hosts discuss historical crimes that could result in execution, accusations of witchcraft and the importance once placed on employing a skilled executioner. The Tennessee controversy therefore develops into a larger philosophical and historical debate over criminal justice, state authority, transparency, deterrence and humane methods of execution.

The hour also includes a lighter discussion of music, workout songs and 1990s rock culture. A listener cites Lit's "My Own Worst Enemy," the Clay and Buck theme song, as a favorite song for getting energized before a workout, prompting the hosts to discuss iconic music and generational differences in musical tastes. Buck mentions the Foo Fighters, while Clay talks about his son's interest in rap and references Juice WRLD as an artist popular with a younger generation. The exchange continues the show's ongoing debate about the best songs for workouts, sports and getting fired up.

Overall, Hour 2 of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show centers on provocative legal, ethical and cultural questions surrounding the Cornell University sexual assault lawsuit, consent, due process, false accusation

Hour 3 of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show opens with a major update on the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and attempted to bring down the aircraft. Clay and Buck recount how the plane carrying 174 people went into a dramatic descent, passengers and crew fought their way into the cockpit, and a reserve flight crew ultimately landed the aircraft safely. They discuss reports that the co-pilot, an Omani national, had undergone Islamist radicalization and was suicidal, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments about the investigation. The hosts also play comments from President Donald Trump, who says investigators are examining whether the alleged attacker had connections to Iran and that information he was receiving suggested a possible link, while stopping short of a final conclusion. Clay and Buck examine the possibility that the timing of the attempted hijacking, shortly before the aircraft entered Israeli airspace, could indicate an intention to use the plane in a larger terrorist attack against Israel. They also discuss the suspension of Flydubai flights to Israel, whether accomplices or a broader terrorist network could have been involved, and a separate arrest of a dual Iranian-British citizen connected to an alleged terror plot near a U.S. military facility in England.

The aviation discussion also focuses on the extraordinary actions of the passengers, crew and wounded captain who prevented disaster. Clay and Buck play Trump's description of a passenger described as a plumber who reportedly grabbed the aircraft controls during the crisis despite having no formal flying experience, drawing on knowledge from watching television programs about aviation disasters. That leads into a broader discussion about aircraft emergencies, rapid altitude loss, aerodynamic stalls and how difficult it can be to recover an aircraft once a catastrophic situation develops. The hosts reflect on the terrifying experience for passengers aboard the Flydubai flight and the possibility that the intervention inside the cockpit prevented both the deaths of everyone aboard and a potential attack on the ground.

Hour 3 then returns to the death penalty and execution methods, with callers responding to the show's earlier discussion of capital punishment. One caller provocatively suggests putting executions on pay-per-view, an idea Clay and Buck reject as turning criminal punishment into public spectacle. Another caller, who says he witnessed two executions in Virginia as a member of a press pool, argues that the electric chair was fast and effective compared with complications surrounding lethal injection, including difficulties obtaining execution drugs and establishing intravenous access. Clay explains that his principal concern about capital punishment is the possibility of wrongful convictions, distinguishing cases in which guilt is absolutely established from situations where uncertainty remains. The conversation examines the tension between support for the death penalty, concerns about wrongful execution and debates over lethal injection and other execution methods.

A substantial portion of Hour 3 of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show examines comments from Pete Hegseth about military culture, physical standards, DEI policies, grooming and his vision of a more traditional warrior ethos in the U.S. military. Clay and Buck particularly seize on Hegseth's reference to "beardos," wondering exactly what he means given the prevalence of beards among elite special operations personnel. The discussion evolves into a humorous but detailed history of military facial hair, stretching from the Crimean War and Civil War to World War I, Afghanistan and Iraq. Clay discusses how gas masks helped encourage clean-shaven military standards during World War I, while Buck points to the rugged appearance of modern special operators and earlier soldiers as examples of how beards have historically become associated with masculinity and military culture. They also mention Vice President JD Vance, the history of facial hair among American political leaders and the relationship between grooming standards, professionalism and public perceptions of trustworthiness.

The beard debate develops into a wider conversation about workplace etiquette, job interviews, professional appearance and generational differences in hiring. Clay discusses reports of job applicants arriving for interviews carrying iced coffee and debates whether seemingly minor behavior can create a negative first impression. Drawing on their own experience hiring employees, Clay and Buck consider the small personal choices that can unexpectedly derail a job application. Clay recalls immediately questioning a candidate who asked about vacation policy during a first interview, while Buck recounts a governme

On today’s Clay Travis Show, Clay reacts to reports of an alleged terror attack aboard a FlyDubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, including reports that one pilot stabbed another before passengers and crew intervened. Clay also discusses how the story was covered by major American news networks.

Then it’s a loaded sports slate. Clay reacts to Texas A&M’s rough start, reveals his latest college football picks, and breaks down the continued television dominance of the SEC, including the massive audience for Texas-Tennessee.

Plus, Clay weighs in on the viral A’ja Wilson fan confrontation, provides an update on the unusual Auburn-Tennessee staffer story, discusses Sydney Sweeney’s impact on a sports betting company, and revisits his recent interview and Oval Office visit with President Trump.

Finally, Clay examines the controversy surrounding the Cornell University sexual assault case, including Sunny Hostin’s discussion of New York consent law and the conflicting accounts surrounding the allegations.

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Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down a wild week of news, starting with the midair attack aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. After an altercation between the pilots sent the aircraft into a rapid descent, passengers and crew intervened and the plane ultimately landed safely in Saudi Arabia. 

Then, Mary Katharine and Karol turn to Britain, terrorism and immigration before examining Zohran Mamdani’s plan to combat antisemitism in New York City. Karol argues the proposal fails to adequately address attacks against Jewish New Yorkers, anti-Zionism and recent campus unrest.

Plus, they dig into the disturbing allegations surrounding a Cornell University fraternity case, the conflicting accounts at the center of the civil complaint, and why due process still matters even when the alleged conduct is deeply troubling.

Finally, Sen. Eric Schmitt’s questioning of former special counsel Jack Smith produces an extraordinarily uncomfortable Senate moment after Schmitt appears to get a key detail wrong—prompting Mary Katharine and Karol to break down what happened and the reaction in the hearing room.

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Karol Markowicz sits down with Dr. Yossi Sheffi, MIT professor and author of Unsafe at MIT: A Chronicle of a Campus War on the Jews, for a candid conversation about antisemitism, campus activism and what Jewish students have experienced at one of America’s most prestigious universities.

Sheffi explains why he decided to document events at MIT, including interviews with roughly 50 students, and argues that although conditions on campus have improved, an undercurrent of antisemitism and harassment remains. He describes Jewish students being excluded from study groups and discusses why that can have a particularly serious impact in engineering programs built around collaborative work.

Karol and Sheffi also tackle a question facing Jewish parents: Should their children still attend elite universities where antisemitism has become a concern? Sheffi discusses alternatives, the difference between undergraduate and graduate education, and efforts by Jewish faculty and students to build stronger communities and academic partnerships. 

Plus, Sheffi discusses the response he's received since publishing Unsafe at MIT, why he believes speaking out is worth the consequences, and the life philosophy that guides him: do the right thing regardless of whether people applaud or vilify you.

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Clay Travis and Buck Sexton devote extensive breaking-news coverage to the reported attempted hijacking and terrorist attack aboard a Dubai-to-Israel flight, focusing on reports that a co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to take control of an aircraft carrying roughly 180 passengers. The hosts discuss the plane’s dramatic loss of approximately 14,000 feet, the struggle inside the cockpit, and the actions that reportedly prevented the incident from becoming a mass-casualty disaster. They react to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s characterization of the incident as a jihadist terror attack and consider whether the timing, destination, proximity to Israeli airspace, and approaching anniversary of 9/11 could point to a deliberately planned attack. Clay and Buck also explore questions surrounding aviation security, pilot screening, cockpit access, terrorism, lone-wolf radicalization, sleeper cells, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and airline operations into Israel, while emphasizing that information about the motive and circumstances was continuing to develop during the live broadcast.

Clay and Buck focus particularly on the wounded pilot who reportedly helped stop the alleged attacker, describing the intense physical struggle that could have unfolded inside the confined cockpit and praising the pilot, crew members, and others who intervened. A caller named Tim, a former airline pilot who flew Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft, joins the program to explain cockpit-door procedures and how cabin crew can request emergency access. He also recounts the 1994 FedEx Flight 705 attack, in which flight crew members fought an attacker inside the cockpit while the airplane was maneuvered aggressively in an effort to incapacitate him. The caller discusses post-9/11 cockpit self-defense training and the presence of emergency equipment such as a crash axe in the cockpit, providing Clay and Buck with additional context for how an extraordinary confrontation aboard an aircraft might unfold. The hosts underscore how narrowly catastrophe may have been avoided and return to the story of Flight 93 and Todd Beamer as examples of people taking action during an aviation emergency.

Clay and Buck continue breaking-news coverage of the reported attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight bound for Israel, discussing reports that a pilot stabbed his co-pilot, took control of the aircraft and sent the plane into a rapid 14,000-foot descent before the wounded co-pilot and others aboard were able to regain access to the cockpit, subdue the alleged attacker and ultimately land the aircraft safely. The hosts note that the passengers subsequently continued their journey to Israel on another plane and turn their attention to the larger terrorism and national security implications. They discuss reports of five arrests in the United Kingdom and allegations of an Iranian connection to a separate potential terror plot, asking whether investigators will examine any possible links between the incidents. Drawing on Buck’s experience as a former CIA analyst, the conversation explores how intelligence agencies respond after a suspected terrorist attack, including examining digital communications, searching for accomplices or additional plots, determining whether attackers received outside direction and assessing the possibility of remotely coordinated terrorism. Clay and Buck emphasize that possible connections remained speculative as the story developed, while discussing the broader threat environment surrounding Iran, Israel, terrorism and the 25th anniversary year of the September 11 attacks.

Fox News anchor Trace Gallagher joins Clay and Buck for the hour’s featured interview to discuss his book, Turns Out They Were Right All Along: Life Lessons I Learned... Eventually, and the experiences that shaped his views on success, family and journalism. Gallagher recounts attending legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden’s basketball camp as a teenager after earning half the $500 cost himself. Expecting elite basketball instruction, Gallagher instead remembers Wooden teaching campers the seemingly mundane importance of correctly wearing two pairs of socks to prevent blisters. Gallagher explains that he eventually understood the lesson as an example of Wooden’s emphasis on fundamentals, preparation, discipline and controlling what you can control, principles that became increasingly meaningful as he grew older. Gallagher also describes the process of developing his book with HarperCollins and explains how personal stories became vehicles for larger life lessons.

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

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