Clay and Buck analyze El-Sayed’s contentious Fox News interview with Martha MacCallum, including his opposition to the war in Iran, his defense of the Obama-era Iran nuclear agreement, his criticism of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, and MacCallum’s questioning about his fundraising connections to the Soros family. While strongly disagreeing with El-Sayed politically, Clay and Buck argue that Republicans would be making a mistake to underestimate him, describing him as a disciplined and effective communicator who repeatedly pivots back to voters’ concerns about gas prices, grocery bills, prescription drugs, health care and the overall cost of living. They contend that his lack of a lengthy political voting record gives him an advantage, compare elements of his political style to AOC, Zohran Mamdani and Barack Obama, and speculate that a Michigan Senate victory could position El-Sayed as a possible Democratic presidential contender in 2028.

Clay and Buck talk about the politics of inflation and affordability, with Clay arguing that angry voters can sometimes react to difficult economic circumstances without considering whether the alternative policies would actually improve their situation. Clay and Buck criticize the Biden administration’s spending agenda and discuss Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema, Modern Monetary Theory, federal spending, minimum-wage policy and the inflationary consequences they believe would have resulted from even greater government expenditures. The conversation then shifts to one of Trump’s proposals for addressing fuel costs: an executive action concerning tax-free red-dyed diesel fuel. Buck emphasizes the importance of diesel to trucking and the transportation of goods throughout the United States, while Clay connects rising diesel and energy costs to geopolitical turmoil. They discuss the Russia-Ukraine war, drone attacks on energy infrastructure and refineries, a reported tanker fire in Sochi, disruptions to Russian and Ukrainian oil and gas capacity, and tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that international conflicts are increasingly affecting American energy prices and the broader global economy. They also reflect on how American public attention has shifted from Ukraine toward the war in Gaza as overseas conflicts continue.

Clay and Buck talk about the WNBA, Sophie Cunningham, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark and fan behavior at professional sporting events. Clay and Buck react to Cunningham’s argument that professional athletes who want larger audiences must accept that opposing fans will sometimes heckle, criticize or yell at them. They contrast that position with Wilson confronting an opposing fan after he pointed at her following a foul call, and compare the episode with the far more serious Ron Artest “Malice at the Palace” incident. The hosts praise Cunningham’s approach to dealing with sports fans and take issue with criticism suggesting that she should no longer play for the Indiana Fever. They argue that some of the backlash against Cunningham also stems from her views on biological men competing in women’s sports, presenting the controversy as part of a larger debate over free speech, transgender athletes, women’s sports and which political opinions are considered acceptable in professional athletics. Buck also compares the reaction surrounding Cunningham with the treatment of Colin Kaepernick, while the conversation expands into the role that celebrity, appearance, marketability and entertainment value play in athlete endorsements and popularity, with references to Anna Kournikova, Jude Bellingham, David Beckham and Tom Brady.

Florida Senator Rick Scott joins Clay and Buck in Hour 3 for an extended conversation about the 2026 midterm elections and control of Congress. With Election Day 28 days away, Scott argues that Florida’s dramatic shift in voter registration toward Republicans strengthens the prospects of GOP candidates, expressing confidence in Byron Donalds and Ashley Moody while discussing opportunities for Republicans under Florida’s new congressional map. Scott then provides his outlook on the nationwide Senate map, identifying New Hampshire and Michigan as possible Republican pickup opportunities while discussing competitive races involving Alaska, Ohio, Maine and North Carolina. He says Republicans must focus their closing argument on inflation, the cost of living, balancing the federal budget, reducing regulation and creating better-paying jobs. The conversation also covers Republican prospects in Texas, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, with Scott predicting the GOP can retain its Senate majority and potentially increase it if key races break its way.

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