Ruthless Podcast

Is America actually back—or are we just finally remembering who we are? When a bar full of strangers erupts like it’s the Super Bowl over a rocket launch, what does that say about the country the media keeps trying to write off? The fellas—Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, and John Ashbrook—jump straight into the tension between a rising American spirit and a political/media class that seems almost allergic to it. The fellas break it all down—calling out the nonsense and reminding everyone what happens when Americans stop buying the decline narrative. In this episode… Artemis 2 sparks a wave of genuine American pride 🚀 A country ready to win again—whether elites like it or not TMZ tries to turn DC into Hollywood—and proves how unserious politics has become A California fraud scandal so massive it shows exactly where your money is going PLUS, A STORY SO ABSURD IT SOUNDS MADE UP—BUT IT’S NOT. If you’re not subscribed yet, you’re behind. Hit subscribe, follow us everywhere, and jump into the conversation—we read all of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the system broken—or is it working exactly how the left wants it? When judges start issuing rulings on cases that don’t even matter anymore, what are we actually looking at… law, or pure political theater? The fellas—Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, and John Ashbrook —jump straight into the chaos and ask the question nobody in media wants to touch: is this about justice, or just headlines? Because when courts are making “decisions” with zero real-world impact, activists are celebrating wins that don’t exist, and journalists are spinning nonsense into narratives… you’ve got a problem. And the fellas aren’t letting it slide. In this episode… A federal court ruling that changes… absolutely nothing Why NPR’s “big win” is pure performance politics The White House ballroom fight that reveals how broken DC really is PLUS, A SUPREME COURT ARGUMENT SO INSANE IT SOUNDS LIKE IT CAME FROM A COLLEGE DORM. Special Guest: Brad Lightcap (COO, OpenAI) – Why AI is the next great American advantage :us: – How everyday people can actually use AI to build businesses and scale ideas :robot_face: – The real race with China—and what’s at stake globally :earth_americas: – Why this isn’t about replacing jobs, but multiplying what individuals can do And yes… we go there. From activist judges to wild courtroom logic to the broader question of whether the entire system is drifting away from reality, this one hits everything. Question of the Day: Is it time to start impeaching activist judges—or does that make things worse? Drop your take in the comments. If you’re not subscribed, you’re missing half the story. Hit subscribe, follow us everywhere, and jump into the comments—we read all of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Democrats losing control of their own coalition—or is this exactly where it was always headed? The fellas—Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and (briefly missing) John Ashbrook—talk about a political landscape that feels less like strategy and more like chaos. From fringe activists gaining mainstream influence to protests that look more like performance art than persuasion, the question becomes unavoidable: who’s actually in charge anymore? The fellas break it all down with zero patience for nonsense and plenty of laughs, cutting through media spin, exposing contradictions, and calling out the uncomfortable reality shaping today’s political battlefield. And yes—it gets weird. Really weird. In this episode… No Kings protests that feel more staged than organic The rise of Hasan Piker and the Democrats’ growing identity crisis Media scrambling to clean up a monster they helped create Why Michigan—and voters in Dearborn—are suddenly center stage PLUS, A CHOCOLATE HEIST SO RIDICULOUS IT SOUNDS MADE UP. Special Guests: Scott Kupor (Director, Office of Personnel Management) – Fixing the federal workforce pipeline 🏛️ – Why young talent is avoiding government—and how to change it – AI, innovation, and rebuilding American competitiveness 🤖 – The real problem with outsourcing vs in-house expertise Daniel Bassali (Americans for Prosperity) – The push to celebrate America’s 250th 🇺🇸 – One Small Step: how everyday Americans can make an impact – The Liberty Bracket and ranking the greatest champions of freedom – Why cultural confidence in America actually matters right now We also dive into Hack Madness chaos, America’s 250th birthday, and yes… somehow a debate over George Washington vs Reagan vs MLK breaks out mid-show. And just when you think it can’t get stranger… 12 TONS of KitKats vanish in Europe. No, seriously. If you’re not subscribed yet, you’re already behind. Hit subscribe, follow us everywhere, and jump into the conversation—we read it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Foreign policy chaos, media narratives spinning out of control, and politicians dodging the simplest questions… Special guests - Rep. Julia Letlow and Laurie Buckhout join us for two great interviews as we update our midterms race map! So what’s actually true—and who’s just playing politics? Don't forget to visit Ruthlesspodcast.com/map to check out all our interviews for midterm races! The fellas—Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook—jump straight into the mess. From Iran to Congress to campaign season, they break down the gap between reality and what’s being pushed in the headlines. In this episode… Schumer pressed on Iran—and can’t give a straight answer Democrats echoing foreign narratives Media vs reality on negotiations and military action Why this moment feels fundamentally different in U.S. politics PLUS, POLITICIANS ARE TAKING IRAN’S WORD OVER AMERICA—WHAT?! Then we bring in a major voice from the campaign trail as the stakes for 2026 heat up… Special Guest: Julia Letlow • Personal story of loss and public service 🇺🇸 • Senate run and Louisiana politics 🗳️ • Responding to stock trading accusations 📊 • Priorities: education, energy, and working families ⚡ And another key battleground voice… Special Guest: Laurie Buckhout • Military leadership and cyber warfare insights 🪖 • What voters actually care about on the ground 🏠 • Border security, economy, and “America First” 🇺🇸 • Taking on a vulnerable Democrat seat 🔥 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Government shutdown chaos. TSA lines out the door. Political blame flying everywhere. So what’s really going on—and who’s actually responsible? The fellas—Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook—cut straight through it. No spin, no fluff. Just the reality behind the dysfunction, the strategy, and why you’re the one stuck dealing with it. In this episode… DHS shutdown fallout and TSA chaos Chuck Schumer under pressure inside his own party ICE funding fight and political maneuvering Dem strategy exposed in immigration debate PLUS, POLITICIANS ARE PLAYING CHESS… WHILE YOU’RE STUCK IN A SIX-HOUR AIRPORT LINE We also sit down with Senator Pete Ricketts for a real look at what’s happening behind closed doors—and what it means for the country moving forward. Special Guest: Senator Pete Ricketts • DHS shutdown negotiations and political gridlock 🏛️ • Economic pressure on everyday Americans 💵 • Election strategy and “fake independent” campaigns 🗳️ • Global tensions and impact on U.S. markets 🌍 Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss what’s next. Follow us across social, drop your thoughts in the comments, and get involved—we’re watching and responding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the problem bad messaging—or is it something deeper? When legacy media starts copying podcasters and still can’t win back trust, what does that tell you? The fellas—Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook—get into it as they break down a media landscape that’s clearly shifting, a government fight that’s hitting real people, and a growing gap between what’s being said… and what’s actually happening. From CNN experimenting with a more “authentic” look to ongoing fallout from DHS funding issues, the conversation keeps circling back to one thing: credibility. And if audiences don’t trust what they’re hearing anymore… where do they go? In this episode… CNN tests new formats but struggles with audience trust DHS funding fight impacts TSA workers and travelers Hack Madness returns and spotlights media figures Cuba debate highlights contrast between messaging and reality PLUS, A BAR BUILT TO “MONITOR THE SITUATION”… WITH NO WORKING SCREENS?! We also sit down with Senator Bill Cassidy for a grounded look at what’s happening in Washington and how it’s affecting everyday Americans. Special Guest: Senator Bill Cassidy • DHS funding and TSA disruptions ✈️ • Healthcare affordability and policy priorities 🏥 • Stop Insider Trading Act in Congress 💼 • Louisiana Senate race and voter concerns 🇺🇸 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when the Democrats stop pretending to be normal? What happens when the mask slips and the people running for office start sounding completely insane? This week, the fellas jump straight into the chaos and ask the obvious question: how is this the bench the left thinks is ready to run the country? Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook are in peak form as we break down the weirdest, creepiest, and most revealing Democrat candidate moments of the week — and then unleash the most glorious tradition of the year. PLUS, IT’S HACK MADNESS SEASON. In this episode…Democrat candidates getting exposedJames Talarico’s bizarre vegan turn resurfacesA Texas congressional candidate’s truly insane music videoA New York Democrat attacking the 13th AmendmentThat’s right — the fellas officially launch Hack Madness, our annual tournament of the worst liberal hacks in media. The bracket is here. The seeds are set. The hacks are trembling. And the voting madness is about to begin. We also get some elite Trump stand-up, including his perfect St. Patrick’s Day riff on Mike Johnson and a brutally funny read on Macron. Because even in the middle of all the insanity, nobody does comic timing like Trump. What Hack Madness brings this year…Media accountability by forceThe 65 worst liberal hacks in the gameBracket drama, seeding chaos, and online warfareYour chance to vote and crown the absolute worst Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Follow us on social for clips, bracket updates, and Hack Madness voting. And get in the comments, because this one is too ridiculous not to argue about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democrats are melting down, and the fellas are not letting them hide it. When party leadership is getting dragged around by the radical left, what’s left of the “moderate Democrat” brand? And when Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries can’t even steer their own caucus, how exactly are they planning to steer the country? Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook jump into the chaos surrounding Democrat leadership, the DHS shutdown disaster, and the growing reality that there is no such thing as a moderate Democrat anymore. In this episode… Democrat leadership in free fall Abigail Spanberger’s “moderate” mask slips DHS shutdown politics and the national security fallout The SAVE Act fight and what it actually means PLUS, Why are Republicans fighting each other while Democrats hand them a winning issue? The fellas break down how Schumer and Jeffries are boxed in by their own base, why the immigration debate keeps exposing Democrat weakness, and how even purple-state Democrats govern like full-blown radicals the second they get power. It’s not subtle anymore. It’s not complicated. And voters are starting to notice. Special Guest: Rep. Buddy Carter joins the progrum to talk Georgia’s massive Senate race and the road to taking out Jon Ossoff. What Buddy Carter breaks down… Georgia’s fight to flip a key Senate seat Why Ossoff doesn’t match Georgia values How Trump voters can be turned out in a midterm What separates him from the rest of the GOP field Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Follow Ruthless on social for clips, updates, and all the Hack Madness insanity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when Iran turns into a global punchline, and the fellas decide to have a little too much fun with all of it? Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook are back, and this one goes all in. We kick things off with the wildest story in the world right now: the alleged “Gayatollah” intel bombshell out of Iran. Is this real life? Is this the weirdest regime collapse subplot imaginable? And why does every new detail somehow get even crazier? In this episode… The “Gayatollah” story and the internet’s total destruction of the new Iranian leader CNN’s absurdly soft coverage of the regime Joy Reid comparing America to Iran The media lies stacking up since the conflict began PLUS, THE NINTH CIRCUIT JUST WROTE “SWINGING DICKS” INTO A JUDICIAL DISSENT. We also get into the latest Democrat excuses; a would-be Senate candidate trying to explain away a scandalous skull tattoo, the Oscars’ insane eligibility rules, and one more brutal Harry Enten segment that shows just how deep the hole is for Democrats right now. Question of the Day: What’s the most outlandish media lie you’ve seen since the Iran conflict started? Drop it in the comments. Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday , Thursday and Friday, follow Ruthless on social for clips and updates, and get in the comments because we read the best ones on the next show. 00:02:16 Iran’s New Supreme Leader Rumor Sends the Show Off the Rails 00:04:14 Mossad’s Wildest Assignment Ever 00:13:31 Why Mockery Might Be the Best Weapon Against Tehran 00:16:43 Hack Madness Tease and CNN’s Media Circus 00:18:44 CNN Guest Says America Is the "Real Bad Guy" 00:23:15 Natasha Bertrand’s Latest Spin Gets Torched 00:28:07 CNN and the UK Caught Cozying Up to Iran 00:32:32 Joy Reid Compares America to Iran 00:39:07 Bernie-Backed Candidate’s Nazi Tattoo Disaster 00:45:50 Ninth Circuit Forces Women’s Spa to Admit Men Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices