Hollywood’s Identity Crisis Grows

Buck brings up the year’s most controversial Hollywood topic: the film Sinners, which has received a record‑breaking 16 Oscar nominations. Clay and Buck critique the movie as emblematic of Hollywood’s obsession with identity politics, explaining that its themes—vampires as metaphors for white supremacy and cultural appropriation—are precisely the kind of content Hollywood now elevates out of racial guilt rather than artistic merit. They joke about remaking historically Black‑led films with white actors in the name of “not seeing race” to expose the industry’s hypocrisy. They lament how modern filmmaking has collapsed into “superhero slop,” reboots, and political propaganda, comparing it to iconic classics like Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, and Gladiator.

Light ’em Up Linda

The return of “Light ’em Up Linda”, a Florida caller who became famous on the show for unapologetically endorsing extreme punishment for drug smugglers. Linda calls in again to declare she would “cut California off and let it float out to sea,” while offering movie takes, blasting Robert De Niro, and reaffirming her strong support for Trump. Her fiery passion delights the hosts and further fuels their Friday tradition of lively listener interaction.

The guys then move back to national headlines, focusing on the Minneapolis ICE enforcement controversy. Clay explains that left‑wing activists—desperate for a new symbol after their earlier narratives fizzled—are now claiming that ICE “arrested a five‑year‑old.” Clay and Buck clarify that the child’s father fled during an ICE operation, abandoning him, forcing ICE agents to secure the child for his own safety. They argue this demonstrates activists’ desperation to manufacture outrage because every previous attempt—such as the failed attempt to portray church‑storming protesters as victims—has backfired. 

DHS Spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin 

Clay and Buck are joined by Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Public Affairs. McLaughlin confirms that ICE officers are continuing large‑scale immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis despite violent resistance, vehicle rammings, doxxing, and death threats. She states that over 3,000 illegal aliens have been arrested, including individuals convicted of murder, homicide, drug trafficking, sexual assault, and gang activity. She reveals that hundreds of illegal immigrants arrested in Minneapolis alone have been convicted of homicide in the United States, and thousands nationwide have murder convictions either in the U.S. or their home countries. ICE has also arrested 8,000 gang members and over 1,500 known or suspected terrorists in the last year.

McLaughlin also addresses the viral claim that ICE “arrested a five‑year‑old.” She explains that the child’s father fled during an enforcement operation—abandoning his son in the cold—and ICE agents protected the child, bought him food, played his favorite music, and attempted to reunite him with his mother, who refused to take custody. The father and child were later reunited safely at a federal facility. Clay and Buck argue this is another failed attempt by activists to manufacture a sympathetic “face” for anti‑ICE protests.


FCC Chairman Brendan Carr

Clay and Buck talk to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who explains the letter he issued to major broadcast networks questioning whether politically one‑sided programming—specifically shows like The View and late‑night comedy platforms—should continue receiving “bona fide news” exemptions under federal equal‑time laws. Carr details how these exemptions have long shielded such programs from having to offer equal on‑air opportunities to opposing political candidates. He argues that many shows have wildly misinterpreted precedent, effectively granting themselves perpetual news status despite booking overwhelmingly Democratic guests and almost no conservatives. Carr lays out what enforcement could look like: notices to the FCC, forced equal‑time remedies, fines, or—in cases of repeated abuse—even jeopardized broadcast licenses.

The conversation turns fiery when Clay and Buck play Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue mocking Carr as “Trump’s ferret.” Carr laughs off the insult but doubles down, insisting that fake news shows cannot claim news exemptions while pushing partisan narratives and excluding opposition voices. He also discusses the FCC’s limited but relevant role in reviewing potential mega‑mergers—such as Netflix and Paramount’s competing bids to acquire Warner Bros.—and the long‑term consequences of media consolidation, including the possibility that NFL broadcasting rights will migrate behind streaming paywalls and weaken traditional broadcast influence.

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Hollywood&rsquo;s Identity Crisis Grows
Buck brings up the year&rsquo;s most controversial Hollywood topic: the film Sinners, which has received a record‑breaking 16 Oscar nominations. Clay and Buck critique the movie as emblematic of Hollywood&rsquo;s obsession with identity politics, explaining that its themes&mdash;vampires as metaphors for white supremacy and cultural appropriation&mdash;are precisely the kind of content Hollywood now elevates out of racial guilt rather than artistic merit. They joke about remaking historically Black‑led films with white actors in the name of &ldquo;not seeing race&rdquo; to expose the industry&rsquo;s hypocrisy. They lament how modern filmmaking has collapsed into &ldquo;superhero slop,&rdquo; reboots, and political propaganda, comparing it to iconic classics like Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, and Gladiator.
Light &rsquo;em Up Linda
The return of &ldquo;Light &rsquo;em Up Linda&rdquo;, a Florida caller who became famous on the show for unapologetically endorsing extreme punishment for drug smugglers. Linda calls in again to declare she would &ldquo;cut California off and let it float out to sea,&rdquo; while offering movie takes, blasting Robert De Niro, and reaffirming her strong support for Trump. Her fiery passion delights the hosts and further fuels their Friday tradition of lively listener interaction.
The guys then move back to national headlines, focusing on the Minneapolis ICE enforcement controversy. Clay explains that left‑wing activists&mdash;desperate for a new symbol after their earlier narratives fizzled&mdash;are now claiming that ICE &ldquo;arrested a five‑year‑old.&rdquo; Clay and Buck clarify that the child&rsquo;s father fled during an ICE operation, abandoning him, forcing ICE agents to secure the child for his own safety. They argue this demonstrates activists&rsquo; desperation to manufacture outrage because every previous attempt&mdash;such as the failed attempt to portray church‑storming protesters as victims&mdash;has backfired.&nbsp;
DHS Spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin&nbsp;
Clay and Buck are joined by Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Public Affairs. McLaughlin confirms that ICE officers are continuing large‑scale immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis despite violent resistance, vehicle rammings, doxxing, and death threats. She states that over 3,000 illegal aliens have been arrested, including individuals convicted of murder, homicide, drug trafficking, sexual assault, and gang activity. She reveals that hundreds of illegal immigrants arrested in Minneapolis alone have been convicted of homicide in the United States, and thousands nationwide have murder convictions either in the U.S. or their home countries. ICE has also arrested 8,000 gang members and over 1,500 known or suspected terrorists in the last year.
McLaughlin also addresses the viral claim that ICE &ldquo;arrested a five‑year‑old.&rdquo; She explains that the child&rsquo;s father fled during an enforcement operation&mdash;abandoning his son in the cold&mdash;and ICE agents protected the child, bought him food, played his favorite music, and attempted to reunite him with his mother, who refused to take custody. The father and child were later reunited safely at a federal facility. Clay and Buck argue this is another failed attempt by activists to manufacture a sympathetic &ldquo;face&rdquo; for anti‑ICE protests.
 FCC Chairman Brendan Carr
Clay and Buck talk to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who explains the letter he issued to major broadcast networks questioning whether politically one‑sided programming&mdash;specifically shows like The View and late‑night comedy platforms&mdash;should continue receiving &ldquo;bona fide news&rdquo; exemptions under federal equal‑time laws. Carr details how these exemptions have long shielded such programs from having to offer equal on‑air opportunities to opposing political candidates. He argues that many shows have wildly misinterpreted precedent, effectively granting themselves perpetual news status despite booking overwhelmingly Democratic guests and almost no conservatives. Carr lays out what enforcement could look like: notices to the FCC, forced equal‑time remedies, fines, or&mdash;in cases of repeated abuse&mdash;even jeopardized broadcast licenses.
The conversation turns fiery when Clay and Buck play Jimmy Kimmel&rsquo;s monologue mocking Carr as &ldquo;Trump&rsquo;s ferret.&rdquo; Carr laughs off the insult but doubles down, insisting that fake news shows cannot claim news exemptions while pushing partisan narratives and excluding opposition voices. He also discusses the FCC&rsquo;s limited but relevant role in reviewing potential mega‑mergers&mdash;such as Netflix and Paramount&rsquo;s competing bids to acquire Warner Bros.&mdash;and the long‑term consequences of media consolidation, including the possibility that NFL broadcasting rights will migrate behind streaming paywalls and weaken traditional broadcast influence.
Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis &amp; Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! <a href="http://ihr.fm/3InlkL8">ihr.fm/3InlkL8</a>
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The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Daily Review with Clay and Buck - Jan 23 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c3cace70-d8d2-48c6-a08a-b3db0147d6b7/transcript