Ruthless Podcast

Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook

A variety progrum. Smug, Holmes, Duncan, and Ashbrook bring next generation conservative talk to the next level with RUTHLESS. There is no shelter for anyone as the fellas provide a lighter analysis of the news (and fake news) of the day.

  1. 11 HR AGO

    How the Liberal 'Hot Take' Economy Got Iran Completely Wrong - It's All Fake

    Is the outrage real—or is it all just a performance? When the facts start coming in and the narrative falls apart, why do the loudest voices double down instead of backing off? The fellas—Michael Duncan, Comfortably Smug, and John Ashbrook—discuss the chaos surrounding Iran and expose what might be the biggest problem in modern politics: the “hot take economy.” Because here’s the reality no one wants to admit—when the conflict started, the takes were locked in. Outcomes didn’t matter. Facts didn’t matter. And when the ceasefire hit? The same people just… flipped the script. So what are we actually watching—analysis, or just people chasing clicks and cash? In this episode…The Iran ceasefire vs the media meltdown that followedHow the “hot take economy” locks in narratives before facts existDemocrat infighting exploding in California primaries2028 candidates running from their own 2020 positions PLUS, A CORPORATE RETREAT SO INSANE IT INVOLVES NAVY SEALS, FIRE ANTS, AND A NEEDLE TO THE BUTT. And it doesn’t stop there. The fellas dig into Swalwell allegations coming from inside the Democrat machine, break down why primaries are where the real knives come out, and expose how politicians are trying to memory-hole their own records before 2028 even starts. Then it’s Hack Madness Championship time—where two all-time media hacks go head-to-head for ultimate glory. Question of the Day:Is the Iran conflict over? Or is the pause temporary? If you’re not subscribed, you’re missing it. Hit subscribe, follow us everywhere, and jump into the comments—we read it all and use your takes on the show. 00:03:08 Ceasefire with Iran Sparks Immediate Political Firestorm 00:04:55 Take Economy Accused of Bias Against Trump on Iran 00:06:08 Military Gains in Iran Conflict vs Political Backlash 00:08:38 Libertarian Right Splits Over War Strategy 00:10:44 Democrats Flip Messaging After Ceasefire Announcement 00:14:08 AOC and Critics Double Down Despite Ceasefire 00:18:31 Trump Outlines Ceasefire Terms and Iran Objectives 00:22:15 JD Vance Warns Against Political Black-Pilling 00:24:18 Eric Swalwell Scandal Allegations Surface from Democrats 00:37:48 Democrats Quietly Abandon 2020 Positions Ahead of 2028 00:55:05 Newsom Family Controversy and Criminal Justice Debate 01:00:01 Georgia Special Election Signals Midterm Warning Signs ➢ Subscribe on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ruthless/id1535384390 ➢ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Uj2OGFyb9QnrpZw1nYv7E ➢ Visit our website: https://www.ruthlesspodcast.com/ ➢ Ruthless on X: https://x.com/RuthlessPodcast ➢ Ruthless on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRuthlessPodcast ➢ Ruthless on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthlesspod ➢ Ruthless on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialruthlesspod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1hr 20min
  2. 2 DAYS AGO

    Trump Hammers Big Government — We Can’t Be Your Daycare + WH Science & Tech Advisor Michael Kratsios

    Is the federal government supposed to run your life—or just protect your freedom? When politicians start promising childcare, healthcare, housing, and everything in between… are they helping you, or making you dependent? The fellas—Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, and John Ashbrook—jump straight into one of the biggest fights shaping the future of the country: what is the role of government in America today? Because this isn’t just policy—it’s direction. One side wants more control, more spending, more dependence. The other is asking a question we haven’t seriously debated in over a decade: what happens when the system gets too big to manage—and too easy to exploit? In this episode… Trump’s argument on federal vs state power—and why it’s blowing up online How government programs are being exploited at scale Why fraud, waste, and abuse are no longer just talking points—they’re visible everywhere The growing cracks inside the Democratic Party’s own base PLUS, A NAKED BURGLAR IN VIRGINIA THAT SOMEHOW TURNS INTO A POLITICAL ARGUMENT. We also break down the ActBlue investigation that could shake up Democratic fundraising, CNN admitting Dem voters don’t trust their own leadership, and a Hack Madness Final Four update! And yes… Fun Time Friday delivers again. It always does. Special Guest: Michael Kratsios (White House Director of Science & Technology) – The national AI framework and why it matters for everyday Americans 🤖 – How the U.S. plans to win the global AI race—especially against China 🌎 – Why AI could spark a blue-collar boom, not just replace jobs 🔧 – Protecting families, lowering costs, and keeping innovation American 🇺🇸 If you’re not subscribed, you’re missing the real conversation. Hit subscribe, follow us everywhere, and jump into the comments—we read all of it. #RuthlessPodcast #Politics #Trump #GovernmentSpending #AI #ActBlue #Democrats #FederalGovernment #America #PoliticalCommentary ➢ Subscribe on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ruthless/id1535384390 ➢ Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Uj2OGFyb9QnrpZw1nYv7E ➢ Visit our website: https://www.ruthlesspodcast.com/ ➢ Ruthless on X: https://x.com/RuthlessPodcast ➢ Ruthless on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRuthlessPodcast ➢ Ruthless on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthlesspod ➢ Ruthless on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialruthlesspod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1hr 13min
  3. 2 APR

    Lib Sabotage of Trump Justice + OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap

    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

    1hr 26min
  4. 31 MAR

    Who’s Behind The ‘No Kings’ Money Grab & Why Do They Hate Their Own Supporters?

    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

    1hr 38min
  5. 27 MAR

    Sedition or Stupidity? Why Are Democrats Defending Iran?

    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

    1hr 29min
  6. 24 MAR

    Why CNN’s Demise is Accelerating

    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

    1hr 43min

About

A variety progrum. Smug, Holmes, Duncan, and Ashbrook bring next generation conservative talk to the next level with RUTHLESS. There is no shelter for anyone as the fellas provide a lighter analysis of the news (and fake news) of the day.

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