Hour 1 - New House Minority Leader Jim Jordan Stops By
Hour 1 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show for Thursday, November 12, 2026, opens with Clay back at the helm after speaking engagements in Houston, Michigan, Dallas, and Miami. The hosts preview the biggest stories of the day: the sudden exit of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, a sit-down with new House Republican leader Jim Jordan, and a look ahead to a White House press secretary finalist joining in Hour 2. Buck jokes that nobody believed his on-air story about why Clay was out, and the hosts then agree to start the show on a positive note after a rough two weeks for Republicans. The first major segment covers falling homicide rates across the United States. Clay cites an Axios report showing murders on pace to drop nearly 20 percent in 2026 compared with 2025, which was already an all-time low. He reads off big declines in Tulsa, Aurora, Newark, Arlington, Raleigh, Sacramento, Suffolk County on Long Island, Prince George’s County, Nashville, and Omaha. Clay credits ICE deportations of violent criminals, while Buck praises the administration’s crime strategy in Washington, D.C. and Memphis and argues that critics have never admitted they were wrong. Buck also gives credit to FBI Director Kash Patel. Clay warns that these gains depend on executive orders Congress has not codified, and says reports of migrant caravans forming in Latin America show how quickly a future Democratic administration could reopen the border. From there the hosts turn to the lame duck session and the post-midterm Senate landscape. They discuss Senate Republican leader John Thune, the push to confirm judges before January, and the prospect that no cabinet nominees get confirmed once Democrats take more seats. They joke about Democrats who said they were stuck in traffic and missed the vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, then discuss how Democrats may try again, and even try to remove him, after taking control of the House. Clay and Buck run through the Senate math, including a Democratic win in Mississippi and a tight, ranked-choice Alaska race between Dan Sullivan and his opponent that could push Democrats to 55 or 56 seats. They also note that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is in New York City doing a Fox News media tour amid early 2028 speculation. The next segment covers the Nvidia leadership shake-up, which the hosts frame as major news for investors, anyone with a 401(k), and the artificial intelligence industry. According to the hosts, the board forced out Huang over inappropriate relationships, one with an alleged Chinese spy and one with a current employee. Buck raises national security concerns, including the possibility of economic espionage involving advanced AI chips and GPUs, while noting that no proof has been presented. Clay wonders what the board knew, and the hosts note that the stock reportedly lost roughly 30 percent of its value this week. They also mention that Elon Musk posted on X that he would be honored to hire Huang. The centerpiece of the hour is an interview with Congressman Jim Jordan, the new House Republican leader. Jordan reflects on the midterm losses and says his caucus is committed to a “more freedom, lower taxes, secure border” message. He explains that House Republicans got too focused on holding their majority and failed to deliver enough after passing the big bill. He lays out the lame duck agenda: the college sports bill, government funding, FISA reauthorization before it expires in March, the debt ceiling, and an energy permitting bill. Jordan predicts Democrats will pursue Medicare for All, higher taxes, military cuts, and a third impeachment of President Trump, along with investigations of cabinet members, private sector figures, and potential 2028 Republican candidates, including JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, Glenn Youngkin, and Ted Cruz. Clay adds that executives who donated to the White House ballroom project say they have already been warned of subpoenas. Jordan also calls for housing affordability policies, including changes to capital gains taxes, to help young families buy their first home. The final stretch features listener talkbacks and further debate about Thune’s reelection as Senate Republican leader. Callers express frustration with Senate Republicans, and Clay and Buck respond that a leader can only do what his caucus will support. They describe Thune as a “cat herder” who lacked the votes to end the filibuster. Clay warns that if Democrats win 60 Senate seats, they could pass their agenda without touching the filibuster. A Michigan caller suggests Republicans can campaign in 2028 on the border reopening, and the hosts doubt voters give credit for problems already solved. Hour 1 closes with a quick Alaska Senate update and Buck’s lament about election night. 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