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Verdict with Ted Cruz

Bonus: Daily Review with Clay and Buck - Feb 17 2026

February 17

1h 1m

Episode Description

Buck's Book Launch!

Clay Travis & Buck Sexton give a reflective and emotional acknowledgment of the five‑year anniversary of Rush Limbaugh’s passing, honoring the legacy of the man whose influence built the foundation of the show’s audience. Clay and Buck describe the day as meaningful for longtime listeners and express gratitude for the community that followed Rush and now follows them. Producers Ali and Greg created a podcast honoring Rush in the Clay and Buck feed that features clips going back to the 90s and highlights many callers to the program.

From there, the hour transitions into a major milestone: the release of Buck Sexton’s first book, Manufacturing Delusion. Buck explains the book’s themes—how the political left uses indoctrination, psychological manipulation, and propaganda to reshape public thinking—and shares insight into his CIA‑related experiences that informed several chapters. Clay encourages listeners to buy the book, noting its relevance to current political and cultural battles, especially surrounding issues of mental health, identity, and media manipulation.

The conversation pivots sharply into breaking national news: yet another mass shooting carried out by a transgender‑identifying individual. Clay details the disturbing pattern of recent trans‑identified shooters—in Nashville, Minneapolis, British Columbia, and now Rhode Island—and highlights what he calls alarming media dishonesty, such as outlets refusing to identify perpetrators by biological sex. The hosts describe the Rhode Island shooter, a biological male who transitioned late in life, abandoned his family, and ultimately murdered relatives at a public hockey event before killing others. Clay and Buck argue that cultural messaging about “affirmation” has normalized delusion rather than treating mental illness, and they question whether hormone‑related medications, untreated psychological disorders, or ideological extremism contribute to the rising violence. They emphasize that society would never affirm the hallucinations of someone with schizophrenia, so affirming gender‑identity delusions is not compassionate—it’s dangerous.

The Crazy Left

Congressman Jim Jordan, who joins to discuss the latest on Capitol Hill. Jordan outlines ongoing border‑security battles, sanctuary‑city policies, and potential legislation that would allow local law‑enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities even when state governments attempt to block them. He highlights the staggering number of criminal migrants released by sanctuary jurisdictions and the urgent need for federal preemption in immigration enforcement. Jordan also offers a broad strategic look at the upcoming midterms, arguing that Republicans must contrast their record of border security, economic growth, and school‑choice initiatives with what he calls the Democratic Party’s “normal versus crazy” policy agenda.

Before closing the interview, Clay and Buck ask Jordan about other trending issues, including the Winter Olympics and the viral curling controversy, which he humorously weighs in on. The hosts then return to a high‑profile national mystery: the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. They discuss the latest update—that a glove found near her home did not match DNA inside the house—and reflect on the outsized media attention the case continues to attract despite minimal new information. Clay suggests that America’s fascination with true‑crime storytelling, especially among female viewers, is driving the intense coverage even as actionable developments remain scarce.

It's Hard to Hate the Guy

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.

Honoring Rush Limbaugh

Clay and Buck give Rush Limbaugh a hat tip and honor him on the five-year anniversary of his passing. They also 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.

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