The Cigar Politico

Send us Fan Mail

This week, we covered a little bit of everything, with a heavy dose of sports. We broke down the latest NFL shake-ups, the growing list of quarterback injuries, and what those injuries could mean for the season. We also talked about President Trump attending the Texas–Tennessee game and the unusual situation in Texas where Keene ISD canceled its football season due to injuries.

Outside of sports, we discussed Judge Judy’s thoughts on why America is great, brought back one of our recurring conversations about the rising cost of education and student loan forgiveness, and talked about China’s visit to the United States.

We also dug into the debate surrounding diesel exports and why simply banning them could create ripple effects that ultimately cause problems we don’t want. Another packed episode of sports, politics, education, and current events.

00:00 Opening & RIP to Coach

06:04 Cigars & Weekend Update

10:23 Truck Shopping

20:05 Cowboys fall to the Ravens & NFL Injuries

29:23 Keene ISD cancels Varsity Football

43:48 UIL Requires Peace Officers for Every 1,000 People

54:34 Trump watches the Longhorns beat the Volunteers

1:07:05 Judge Judy for the Win

1:14:38 Student Loan Forgiveness

1:28:52 China visits DC

1:35:44 WH Press Pool and Trump TV

1:40:12 Midterm Polls

1:49:17 Banning Diesel Exports

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 076 — 

Episode 076 opens the way it should—with cigars, current events, and plenty to talk about. The Congressional Clown Show segment makes its return as we take a look at some of the latest happenings in Washington, including an appearance from our favorite congresswoman from Connecticut.

McConnell returned to the Senate this month after a lengthy absence following a fall and hospitalization and we discuss whether he should have stepped away versus continuing to serve.

We also spend a good amount of time talking about artificial intelligence, including thoughts from Senator Josh Hawley on the rapid growth of AI, where the technology is headed, and what it could mean for everyday life, jobs, politics, and the future.

On the political side, Pete Buttigieg is back in the presidential conversation, as we discuss his political future and another run for the White House. We also get into President Trump's win in Greenland, including the broader geopolitical and national-security issues surrounding our interest in the territory.

But we then have to take a critical look at his decision to remove CNN, Politico, and MS NOW White House reporters from the White House, and why we believe the administration crossed a line by using access to the White House as a weapon against news organizations it dislikes. The three outlets were denied access beginning September 19, and the organizations subsequently filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the administration.

It’s another wide-ranging episode covering cigars, Washington dysfunction, AI, presidential politics, Greenland, Trump, the media, and a fair amount of NFL and local sports talk.

00:00 Cigars & Current Events

16:00 (new segment) what's new in Clint's algo

21:46 Kyles GT Training & IQ

28:43 Kyle is glad there are no phones allowed on campus (new Texas state law)

31:21 Japan has over 100,000 citizens living over 100 years old

34:00 Mega church get's the flock camera ick on them a little

45:03 Return of the CCS: Kash Patel & Dick Durbin

48:04 AI talk with Josh Hawley

1:00:46 CCS part 2: Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro

1:03:25 Mitch McConnell, age limits/term limits

1:10:19 Pete Buttigieg is running for President

1:23:37 Bo French is an idiot

1:27:08 Trump wins with Greenland, plays games with the press on the Kennedy Center, but crosses a line removing press from the White House

1:33:55 Ron White doesn't want Ken Paxton to mess with his weed

1:38:45 more horrible Cowboys and NFL predictions

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 075 — Season 3 Premiere

Season 3 of The Cigar Politico is officially underway! Kyle and Clint are back on the mic with a packed episode covering football, history, and plenty of current events.

The guys kick off Season 3 by diving into the start of the 2026 NFL season, breaking down the first week of action, some of the biggest storylines, surprises, and early-season questions. With the Cowboys already back in the mix, there’s no shortage of football to talk about as the NFL gets rolling.

They also take a look at the current status of college football, including a big win by the Longhorns, other conference storylines, and what the first few weeks are telling us about the landscape heading toward the playoff picture. The guys also get into the high school football season, which is already several weeks underway, and what’s happening around the Texas high school football scene.

From football, the conversation turns serious as the guys reflect on the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. They discuss the passage of time, remembering the nearly 3,000 Americans who were killed that day, how 9/11 changed the country, and what it means for a generation that increasingly has no firsthand memory of the attacks.

The episode also marks one year since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, looking back at the impact of his death and the events surrounding the anniversary.

Finally, Clint and Kyle break down the RNC’s unusual 2026 midterm convention in Dallas, including the major speeches, themes, personalities, and discussion surrounding the Republican Party heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

00:00 Opening & Cigars

02:35 Truck Parts

07:07 El Nino means "The Nino"

12:34 NFL Opening Sunday

17:07 The Eyes of Texas are Upon You

19:00 High School Football

32:31 Clay Matthews gets a glow up

40:08 Von Miller gets #40

42:17 Justice for Tupac

44:53 Lindsey Clancy

57:35 Charlie Kirk

1:04:31 The 25th Anniversary of 9/11

1:19:03 The RNC Midterm Convention

1:22:33 Trump promises $5,000 dividends

1:28:41 Trump promises $9,000 for SAHM's

1:31:28 Bernie wants a 32 hour workweek (again)

Send us Fan Mail

In Episode 074, the Kyle and Clint tackle another week of politics, pop culture, and the stories everyone seems to be talking about. We start with some clueless college parents and then discuss new student loan limits, asking whether students, families, and ultimately colleges are finally going to have to take a more realistic look at the cost of higher education.

We also take a moment to remember country music icon Dolly Parton following news of her passing and discuss the impact she had on music, entertainment, and American culture. Then we turn to late-night television as Jelly Roll steps in to host Jimmy Kimmel Live! — and how much we don't care about artists' political opinions.

Finally, we head back to Texas politics for the latest in the Ken Paxton vs. James Talarico Senate race. We break down the candidates, the growing national attention on the race, and what could make this one of the most interesting political battles in Texas.  We discuss a little 2028 look ahead and make a bold prediction.

Another week of politics, culture, and plenty of opinions to wrap up Season Two of The Cigar Politico - we'll be back after Labor Day to kick off Season Three!

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 073 — Back to School, Football & Some Presidential Turbulence

The crew is back with a wide-ranging episode covering the start of the school year and the return of youth sports, Rep. Jared Patterson’s Save Our Summer Act, and the latest from NFL preseason.

We also get into the Lakers’  $12 billion+ sale, Gov. Greg Abbott opening a new Buc-ee’s, President Trump swapping planes, and the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln speaking out — followed by a response from the acting Secretary of the Navy.

Plus, plenty of Cigar Politico commentary along the way.

00:00 Cigars, School Starts & Youth Sports

10:32 Cigars International Cigar of the Month Club

12:06 Facebook surveys & Neighbors

18:54 Rep Patterson says it's too hot for school in Texas

25:47 the Lakers sell and NFL Preseason

36:34 Gov. Abbott chops the brisket

45:15 Michigan stops giving letter grades

50:17 Wisonsin voting irregularities

54:49 Trump Plane Swap

1:01:55 Sailors on the Abe Lincoln

1:11:02 2028 Look ahead

Send us Fan Mail

School is back in session, and we’re diving into everything that comes with it—from back-to-school shopping to the growing push to limit technology in classrooms. We also break down why Buc-ee’s seems to be suing everyone over logos, preview the start of the NFL preseason and what to watch for, discuss the WNBA finding itself in the middle of a debate to define what a woman is, and wrap up a week that was otherwise light on major headlines with plenty of commentary, laughs, and a few rabbit trails along the way.

00:00 Sports & Cigars

02:32 Kyle joined a cult

03:47 Karen's & posting with anonymous accounts

12:22 Buc-ee's suing everyone with a logo

15:29 The Texas-est corner in all of Texas

17:29 NFL HOF game and preseason

27:38 A good wife

32:04 Kid Sports & the Coach Dad

34:46 Tech in the Classroom

39:39 The W in the WNBA

52:06 Slow news week

55:08 Midterms are coming up

1:03:39 Back to School

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 071 is packed with everything from everyday life to the biggest headlines. We kick things off with back-to-school shopping and the pending return of football as the NFL preseason gets underway later this week. Then we dive into Anthony Fauci’s Senate testimony, where he invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times, discuss RFK Jr.’s new cooking show, and break down the growing controversy surrounding Flock license plate cameras, privacy, and public safety. Join us for another lively conversation covering the stories everyone is talking about.

Cigars in this episode: 

Kyle - La Aroma de Cuba Connecticut

Clint - Gurkha Beauty

00:00 Opening & Cigars

15:15 Back to School

21:30 Self-checkout going away?

24:58 Movies

29:21 What's your boring sport?

35:28 Romo

41:45 Cost Plus Drugs

51:39 Freedom Haulers

53:12 5 things no grown man should ever do (reaction)

1:02:48 Congressional Clown Show

1:14:42 RFK has a cooking show

1:22:17 Flock cameras

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 070 of The Cigar Politico covers another week of politics, current events, and plenty of spirited conversation. We discuss Taco Bell’s lettuce, the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, and Spain’s victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

We also take a closer look at the Democratic Socialists of America’s platform, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s support for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for qualified service members, and the ongoing conflict with Iran. The episode wraps up with an in-depth discussion of the Strait of Hormuz, why it’s one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, and the alternative pipeline routes that could reduce reliance on the region.

Join us for thoughtful analysis, a few laughs, and conversations that go beyond the headlines.

00:00 Opening & Cigars

02:12 Daylight Savings Time is here to stay?

08:20 Taco Bell Lettuce, colonoscopies, and orthodic sandals

18:59 Yellowstone Bison Grandpa

22:41 Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell, and Graham Platner

36:39 Congressional Clown Show

40:47 Messi

51:13 Running Track

53:28 The Emmys snub Taylor Sheridan

58:37 More women over 40 having kids

1:05:52 Texas DFPS ends contract with Empower for Foster Kids

1:11:35 DOGE officially shuts down

1:13:24 The Democrat Socialists of America want a Prime Minister and no Senate

1:29:02 Hegesth wants war fighters on TRT

1:39:09 Gina Hinojosa wants to give Texans $1500

1:44:48 Closing

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 069 – In a slow news week, the guys still found plenty to talk about. We kicked things off with FIFA and the World Cup, including the controversial red card given to Flo Balogun and the surprising decision by FIFA to reverse his suspension, sparking debate over officiating, fairness, and the state of international soccer.

We then shifted gears to America 250, including President Trump’s visit to the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library and the legacy of one of America’s most influential presidents.

The cigar world finally got a major win as the Cigar Association of America defeated the FDA in a landmark case, pushing back against years of federal regulation and changing the future landscape for premium cigars.

Plus, we covered several other current events, random headlines, and the usual conversations that happen when two guys light up cigars and try to make sense of another week in America.

00:00 Cigars & opening thoughts

10:33 FIFA World Cup and Balogun's Uno Reverse Card

23:06 The T&T Wedding

26:02 America 250

33:32 45-47 talks to 26

36:18 The Cigar Association of America defeats the FDA

44:33 Paul Pelosi, Mitch McConnell, & other conspiracy theories

49:07 Mandami and the A/C

54:01 2 Texas Virtual School shut down

58:40 Closing thoughts

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 068 – The Euros Love America

On Episode 068 of The Cigar Politico, Clint and Kyle kick things off by breaking down a viral confrontation in which a father took his young daughters into a women’s restroom, sparking an angry reaction from a man. The hosts discuss the realities parents face in public, common sense versus outrage culture, and why social media often amplifies situations that aren’t nearly as controversial as they’re made out to be.

Next, they shift to soccer and the excitement around the World Cup, including Europe’s growing appreciation for the United States—especially Texas—and Buc-ee's.

The conversation then takes a deep dive into one of today’s hottest medical topics: GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. Clint and Kyle examine emerging research on muscle loss associated with medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, and explore several medical journals suggesting a potential connection between significant muscle loss, dementia, and long-term cognitive decline. They discuss why preserving lean muscle mass should be a priority for anyone pursuing rapid weight loss.

The guys also tackle the controversy surrounding the Texas State Board of Education’s decision to incorporate Biblical texts into classroom curriculum. They separate fact from fiction, explain what was actually adopted, and argue that much of the public reaction has been driven more by headlines than reality.

They also cover a recent Supreme Court ruling allowing Mississippi to continue counting ballots received up to five days after Election Day, provided they were postmarked on time. Rather than treating the decision as partisan, they discuss why this approach can help ensure every legally cast vote is counted while maintaining election integrity.

Finally, Clint and Kyle examine the rapid expansion of data centers across America and what it means for rural communities as farmland increasingly gives way to massive technology infrastructure. They discuss the economic opportunities, environmental concerns, and how the AI boom is reshaping the American landscape.

Join us for another episode filled with current events, thoughtful discussion, and a few laughs along the way.

00:00 Cigars & Opening Comments

05:58 Dad takes his daughters to the women's restroom

17:13 Karmelo Anthony convicted in Texas

22:27 Documentaries on Netflix

28:55 Soccer brings the World to the USA

46:30 The Knicks win the NBA Championship

53:32 GLP-1 drugs, muscle loss, & links to cognitive decline

1:10:09 Congressional Clown Show Segment

1:14:18 JD Vance goes on The View

1:23:08 New AirForce One Delivered after being completed in Northeast Texas

1:24:37 Texas State Board of Education adds Biblical Texts to public school curriculum

1:37:00 House Act passes but Trump refuses to sign

1:40:22 SCOTUS rules Mississippi can receive votes up to 5 days after Election Day

1:47:13 Data Centers coming to town