Ruthless Podcast

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.
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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 🔥
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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.
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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 🇺🇸
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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.
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