North Korea has quietly evolved from an isolated regional challenge into a global security player with growing influence far beyond the Korean Peninsula. Steve Yates examines how Pyongyang's support for Russia's war effort, expanding missile and nuclear capabilities, cyber operations, and long-standing ties to Iran are reshaping the strategic landscape and creating new risks for the United States and its allies.

What does North Korea's growing role mean for American security, military deterrence, and future conflict scenarios? Listen and decide whether this long-overlooked challenge deserves far more attention from policymakers and citizens alike.

Follow Nation States with Yates for clear, common-sense insights where Steve Yates serves as your personal national security advisor, breaking down world events in ways that matter to Main Street, not just Washington. Connect with the show at NationStatesYates@Gmail.com and follow on X @NSWithYates.

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Social Security Commissioner and IRS Commissioner Frank Bisignano joins Lisa Boothe for an in-depth conversation about modernizing America's largest government agencies, eliminating fraud, and bringing private-sector innovation to Washington.

Drawing on decades of leadership at Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, First Data, and Fiserv, Bisignano explains why he left the corporate world to serve in the Trump administration, how technology is transforming Social Security, and what Americans should know about the future of Trump Accounts for children.

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Clay Travis and Buck Sexton discuss COVID-19 accountability, government decision-making, and the long-term historical assessment of public health leadership. Clay and Buck examined the extent of Fauci’s influence over national pandemic policy, arguing that state shutdowns, masking policies, and other mitigation measures reflected his recommendations. They contrasted Fauci’s approach with governors who resisted prolonged lockdowns, particularly Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, while also discussing how red-state leadership during the pandemic may be viewed by future historians. Senator Rand Paul’s years-long effort to investigate Fauci and challenge COVID-era narratives was also highlighted as a significant part of the conversation.

An extended interview with U.S. Senator Eric Schmidt of Missouri. The interview began with discussion of the Sophie Cunningham controversy and broader questions surrounding women’s sports and public reaction to gender-related debates. Senator Schmidt criticized the treatment of young fans attending sporting events and suggested sports organizations should focus on growing and supporting their audiences rather than alienating them.

The conversation then shifted to college sports and NIL reform, with Schmidt providing an update on ongoing negotiations surrounding proposed federal legislation affecting college athletics. Topics included Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rules, transfer portal concerns, athlete eligibility, conference governance, revenue sharing, media rights, and efforts to bring greater stability to college football and college sports overall. Schmidt described conversations with leaders from the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 and discussed ongoing efforts to build consensus around a national framework for collegiate athletics.

Clay and Buck continued discussing the controversy surrounding women’s sports and biological males competing in women’s athletics, revisiting arguments from earlier in the program. The hosts humorously speculated about a hypothetical basketball game featuring conservative media personalities competing against WNBA players and debated which well-known political and media figures would make up their roster. While presented largely as entertainment, the conversation tied back into their broader discussion about athletic competition, competitive fairness, and the ongoing national debate over gender and sports.

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Hour 1 of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show focused heavily on the continuing fallout from Dr. Anthony Fauci’s recent congressional testimony, with Clay and Buck arguing that newly revealed communications and Fauci’s repeated invocation of the Fifth Amendment are reshaping public perceptions of his role during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hosts discussed Fauci’s testimony before Congress, his decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times, and what they viewed as evidence of self-promotion and celebrity engagement during the height of the pandemic. They argued that Fauci’s legacy is increasingly being debated and that historians may ultimately judge his pandemic leadership far differently than many media outlets did during the crisis.

A major theme throughout Hour 1 was COVID-19 accountability, government decision-making, and the long-term historical assessment of public health leadership. Clay and Buck examined the extent of Fauci’s influence over national pandemic policy, arguing that state shutdowns, masking policies, and other mitigation measures reflected his recommendations. They contrasted Fauci’s approach with governors who resisted prolonged lockdowns, particularly Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, while also discussing how red-state leadership during the pandemic may be viewed by future historians. Senator Rand Paul’s years-long effort to investigate Fauci and challenge COVID-era narratives was also highlighted as a significant part of the conversation.

The hosts then analyzed the legal and constitutional implications of Fauci’s congressional testimony. They debated whether receiving a broad presidential pardon affects an individual’s ability to invoke Fifth Amendment protections and discussed comments from Rand Paul regarding potential contempt of Congress issues. Clay, drawing on his legal background, explained why he believes Fauci remains constitutionally protected in choosing not to answer questions despite criticism from political opponents. The conversation expanded into a broader discussion of constitutional rights, legal strategy, congressional investigations, perjury concerns, and how legal protections should apply regardless of political affiliation.

Hour 1 also featured reflections on the broader impact of the COVID era on public trust in institutions. Clay and Buck argued that the pandemic accelerated skepticism toward legacy media organizations, federal health agencies, and government experts. They discussed how attitudes toward institutions such as CNN, the CDC, and the NIH have shifted since 2020 and suggested that many Americans reconsidered their political beliefs during and after the pandemic. The hosts connected that shift to changing media consumption habits, the growth of independent voices, and the rise of alternative platforms for political discourse.

The conversation broadened into politics, technology, and media influence, including discussion of Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter/X and its potential impact on public debate. Clay argued that social media censorship, media narratives, and information control played a significant role during the COVID years and speculated about how the political landscape might have differed if Musk had owned the platform earlier. The hosts also discussed cultural and media influence in shaping political outcomes and the continuing battle over public opinion in America.

President Donald Trump’s remarks from the Oval Office were another key topic in Hour 1. The hosts reviewed Trump’s comments on Fauci, COVID policy, state-level pandemic responses, and Operation Warp Speed. They discussed Trump’s argument that governors should have been empowered to make decisions and revisited debates over lockdowns, mask mandates, and federal versus state authority during the pandemic response.

Additional discussion touched on immigration and international politics, including concerns about migration issues in Spain and comparisons to previous U.S. border policies. The hosts argued that immigration policy remains a defining political issue and suggested that future elections could dramatically alter border enforcement and migration trends.  The hour also included listener interaction, with callers weighing in on constitutional law, the Fifth Amendment, congressional testimony, legal accountability, and public service obligations. The hosts engaged in a substantive legal debate with an attorney caller regarding whether Fauci’s pardon limits his ability to claim Fifth Amendment protections, creating one of the most detailed constitutional discussions of the hour.

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Hour 2 of the Clay Travis and Buck Show centered on culture wars, women’s sports, transgender athlete debates, WNBA controversy, college athletics reform, Senate politics, and continued discussion surrounding Anthony Fauci and COVID-era accountability. The hour blended political analysis, sports commentary, listener reactions, and an in-depth interview with Missouri Senator Eric Schmidt.

A major focus of Hour 2 was a controversy involving WNBA player Sophie Cunningham and a highly publicized incident at a Seattle Storm game. Clay and Buck discussed reports that two teenage girls attended a game wearing pro-Sophie Cunningham apparel and carrying signs supporting her public stance against allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports. The hosts reviewed allegations that a minority owner of the Seattle Storm confronted the girls, criticized them, and used offensive language toward them. Clay argued the incident highlights broader cultural tensions surrounding the transgender athlete debate and women’s sports, while both hosts contended that many Americans support maintaining separate male and female athletic competitions. The discussion expanded into larger questions about sports fairness, free expression, and how cultural attitudes toward gender issues are evolving across the country.

The hosts further debated the issue of transgender participation in women’s sports, arguing that biological differences between men and women create significant competitive advantages. They discussed hypothetical scenarios involving male athletes competing in women’s professional leagues and maintained that the controversy remains one of the most influential culture-war issues in modern sports. The conversation also examined the role of sports leagues, team owners, and athletes in shaping public opinion on gender identity and athletics.

Throughout the hour, Clay and Buck returned to the topic of Anthony Fauci, COVID-19 accountability, and public perception of pandemic leadership. They reacted to listener feedback regarding Fauci’s recent Fifth Amendment testimony and discussed whether a formal legal reckoning is likely. While expressing skepticism that Fauci will ever face a criminal trial, the hosts argued that public opinion and historical judgment may ultimately have a significant impact on his legacy. They suggested that growing criticism of Fauci represents a larger reassessment of pandemic-era policies, government mandates, censorship concerns, and public health decision-making.

A significant portion of Hour 2 featured an extended interview with U.S. Senator Eric Schmidt of Missouri. The interview began with discussion of the Sophie Cunningham controversy and broader questions surrounding women’s sports and public reaction to gender-related debates. Senator Schmidt criticized the treatment of young fans attending sporting events and suggested sports organizations should focus on growing and supporting their audiences rather than alienating them.

The conversation then shifted to college sports and NIL reform, with Schmidt providing an update on ongoing negotiations surrounding proposed federal legislation affecting college athletics. Topics included Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rules, transfer portal concerns, athlete eligibility, conference governance, revenue sharing, media rights, and efforts to bring greater stability to college football and college sports overall. Schmidt described conversations with leaders from the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 and discussed ongoing efforts to build consensus around a national framework for collegiate athletics.

The interview also moved into Senate confirmation battles and federal judicial politics. Schmidt discussed the nomination of Todd Blanche, current debates within the Senate Judiciary Committee, and concerns raised by several Republican senators. He expressed support for Blanche’s qualifications while emphasizing the importance of filling key Justice Department leadership positions through Senate confirmation.

Additional political analysis focused on the 2026 Senate map and Republican efforts to maintain control of the U.S. Senate. Schmidt discussed key battleground states including Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Ohio. The hosts and Schmidt examined how Democratic primary candidates, progressive politics, and national political trends could affect upcoming Senate races and the balance of power in Washington.

The interview concluded with a return to COVID policy, government overreach, and Fauci’s congressional testimony. Schmidt reflected on his tenure as Missouri Attorney General, including lawsuits involving pandemic restrictions, federal agencies, social media censorship claims, vaccine mandates, and public health regulations. He argued that Americans should continue examining the decisions made during the COVID era and emphasiz

Hour 3 of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show focused on political forecasting, immigration policy, European migration challenges, the 2026 Senate map, airline travel frustrations, sports controversies, gambling issues in professional sports, and listener reactions to the continuing Anthony Fauci debate. The hour featured an extended conversation with political analyst and podcast host Ryan Girdusky, followed by listener talkbacks and lighter sports discussion.

A major topic during Hour 3 was mass immigration and border security, beginning with discussion of migration pressures facing Spain and other European countries. Clay, Buck, and Ryan Girdusky examined reports involving migrants entering Spanish territory from North Africa and debated the political consequences of large-scale immigration policies in Europe. The discussion focused on Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s immigration policies, broader European Union migration challenges, and concerns about the movement of migrants throughout Europe under existing travel frameworks. The hosts argued that immigration remains one of the defining political issues on both sides of the Atlantic and connected European developments to ongoing debates about U.S. border security and immigration enforcement.

The conversation then shifted to 2026 midterm election politics, with Girdusky providing extensive analysis of key Senate battleground races. Michigan received particular attention as the hosts discussed the Democratic primary, polling trends, voter turnout data, and the candidacy of Abdul El-Sayed. Girdusky outlined how turnout among different demographic groups could affect the race and assessed Republican opportunities in Michigan. The discussion broadened into a comprehensive review of Senate control, including competitive races in Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Alaska, Iowa, and Texas, with analysis of candidate strength, fundraising, political environments, and the likelihood of Republicans maintaining Senate control after the midterm elections.

Another major theme in Hour 3 was the political impact of economic conditions. Girdusky argued that issues such as inflation, food prices, energy costs, oil prices, and broader economic sentiment could ultimately determine whether Republicans retain congressional majorities. The hosts discussed how international events, particularly tensions involving Iran and energy markets, could influence voter behavior heading into the election cycle. The conversation emphasized the connection between economic performance and electoral outcomes, particularly in competitive swing states.

The hour also included discussion of evolving Democratic electoral strategy. Girdusky described efforts by Democrats to support independent candidates in deeply conservative states rather than running traditional Democratic nominees, arguing that this approach could help reduce the political liabilities associated with the Democratic brand in certain regions. The hosts explored how both parties are adapting their strategies in response to shifting demographics and changing voter coalitions.

A significant segment focused on airline travel problems and transportation issues. Clay and Ryan shared personal travel stories involving delayed flights, cancellations, missed connections, and communication failures from airlines. They argued that air travel reliability has deteriorated and criticized airlines for chronic delays, staffing issues, customer-service shortcomings, and operational inefficiencies. The hosts discussed concerns about airline industry consolidation, regulatory oversight, airport infrastructure, and whether policymakers should devote more attention to improving the flying experience for everyday travelers.

Sports and culture remained recurring themes throughout Hour 3. Clay and Buck continued discussing the controversy surrounding women’s sports and biological males competing in women’s athletics, revisiting arguments from earlier in the program. The hosts humorously speculated about a hypothetical basketball game featuring conservative media personalities competing against WNBA players and debated which well-known political and media figures would make up their roster. While presented largely as entertainment, the conversation tied back into their broader discussion about athletic competition, competitive fairness, and the ongoing national debate over gender and sports.

Another sports-related story involved the WNBA and sports betting controversy. Clay and Buck discussed a social media post involving WNBA players Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers that appeared to reference wagering on game outcomes. The hosts contrasted the league’s response with stricter gambling rules enforced in other professional sports, particularly the NFL, and debated the importance of maintaining public trust in sports integrity. They explored issues surro

Anthony Fauci returns to Capitol Hill—but refuses to answer key questions. Mary Katharine Ham is joined by Lauren Stewart to break down Fauci's Fifth Amendment testimony, the explosive revelations from his reported COVID-era diaries, and what the controversy could mean for government accountability moving forward.

The conversation then shifts to New York City, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani's latest policies—including taxpayer-funded grocery stores, controversial property tax proposals, and rising concerns over public safety and antisemitism—continue to generate heated debate.

Finally, they discuss WNBA star Sophie Cunningham's comments defending women's sports, why the issue continues to dominate headlines, and how the conversation around fairness and biological sex in athletics is evolving.

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National Review senior writer Dan McLaughlin joins The Karol Markowicz Show for a wide-ranging conversation about history, politics, constitutional law, and why understanding the past is essential to navigating America's future.

Dan shares his fascinating journey from practicing attorney to one of conservative media's leading writers, discusses his ambitious upcoming history book covering the transformative years of 1851-1857, and explains how events from more than 170 years ago continue to shape today's political landscape.

Karol and Dan also explore the long-term effects of the COVID pandemic, the rise of artificial intelligence, declining reading habits, political engagement, and why today's cultural battles often echo history. Dan closes with practical advice on succeeding professionally without creating unnecessary enemies.

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Clay Travis highlights dramatic moments from the hearing, including Senator Josh Hawley questioning Fauci with simple observational questions after it became clear he would decline to answer substantive inquiries. Clay also discusses legal questions surrounding Fauci’s testimony, including whether presidential pardons protect him from future liability, whether perjury concerns influenced his decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment, and what possible avenues remain for accountability. The conversation examines congressional contempt issues, the limits of presidential pardons, and whether state-level investigations or prosecutions could ever be pursued related to Fauci’s actions during the COVID era.

An extended interview with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who reflects on his long-running clashes with Fauci throughout the pandemic. DeSantis argues that Florida’s decision to keep businesses open, reopen schools, reject prolonged lockdowns, and resist mask mandates ultimately proved correct. He discusses how his administration opposed federal public health recommendations, recalls criticism Florida received during the height of the pandemic, and maintains that many of Fauci’s recommendations were politically driven rather than supported by evolving data. The governor also reacts to comments reportedly found in Fauci’s personal diary criticizing DeSantis and says those remarks validate Florida’s approach.

Clay welcomes Kristen Waggoner, President and CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom, for a wide-ranging conversation about constitutional freedoms, religious liberty, free speech, and cultural issues. Waggoner reflects on the legal battles her organization fought during the COVID years, including cases involving churches, employees, and organizations challenging government restrictions. She argues that pandemic policies exposed what she sees as growing threats to civil liberties and stresses the importance of protecting religious freedom and free expression against government overreach and censorship.

Clay speaks with Evan Barker, author of Nothing Left: Confessions of a Democrat Operative. Barker discusses her journey from Democratic political activism and fundraising to becoming an independent voter. She recounts beginning her political involvement during Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign, working within Democratic fundraising circles, and eventually helping raise more than $50 million for Democratic causes and candidates. Barker explains why she became disillusioned with what she describes as the modern Democratic Party’s focus on identity politics, progressive activism, and cultural issues rather than economic concerns affecting working-class voters. The interview examines partisan polarization, donor influence, campaign fundraising, generational political shifts, and the changing identity of the Democratic coalition.

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