Hour 3 - Clay Meets the Pope

Hour 3 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show dives into a wide range of topics blending politics, culture, and lifestyle. The hour opens with Thanksgiving travel tips and personal holiday plans, encouraging listeners to subscribe to the podcast for on-the-road listening. Clay shares an exclusive story about his private Vatican tour, meeting the Pope, and exploring historical maps from the Age of Exploration, while Buck reveals his family’s genealogical ties to John Speed, Queen Elizabeth I’s chief cartographer. The conversation shifts to reflections on ancient Rome, the Coliseum’s role in sports history, and critiques of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations as “philosophy lite,” even noting Bill Clinton’s admiration for the text. Clay contrasts America’s youth with Europe’s deep history, citing experiences in Italy, Greece, and Israel, and thanks ambassadors appointed by the Trump administration for facilitating his trip. Political analysis takes center stage with discussion of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s decision to leave Congress, framed as part of a troubling trend where “crazy” behavior is rewarded in media. The hosts critique social media’s lack of accountability and ego-driven infighting on the right, warning that attention-seeking undermines conservative principles. They praise President Donald Trump for his decisive strike on Iran, arguing it brought stability to the Middle East without American casualties and strengthened the Abraham Accords. Buck promotes his upcoming book Manufacturing Delusion, exploring how political madness is weaponized, while both hosts lament the fragmentation of conservative media in the podcast era. Economic frustration surfaces as Clay predicts the 2026 election will hinge on affordability, sharing a personal anecdote about rising costs. Lifestyle segments include holiday travel stress, flight delay strategies, and etiquette tips—such as saying “please” and “thank you,” dressing appropriately, and avoiding seat reclining in cramped coach cabins. The hosts debate travel attire, share humorous takes on airline behavior, and call out “chair terrorists” and passengers who play devices on speaker without headphones. Southwest Airlines earns praise for its seating flexibility. The hour closes with a lighthearted look at President Trump’s entertainment preferences, including his push for more buddy cop movies like Rush Hour and his love for 1980s and 1990s action classics. Trump’s favorite film, Bloodsport starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, gets special mention, along with anecdotes about fast-forwarding to fight scenes—a habit the hosts admit they share. Listener emails and talkbacks add personal flavor, referencing Trump’s resilience and cultural impact.<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck" rel="payment">Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>