Ruthless Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Is This The End For Iran? + NASA's Jared Isaacman Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

War in Iran continues — and the fellas are not holding back.

Does Iran have a Navy or just expensive toys? And why do Democrats suddenly sound like they don’t know what they believe?

Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook jump straight into the politics of war.

The fellas break down what the Iran operation signals about American power, why the isolationist panic might be missing the point, and how the left keeps getting the messaging wrong. From Chuck Schumer confusion to House Democrat word salads, it’s a masterclass in political incoherence.

Then it’s off to Texas — where John Cornyn shocks the field, Ken Paxton gears up for a runoff, and Jasmine Crockett flames out in spectacular fashion. What does it mean for 2026? Who’s up? Who’s cooked?

Special Guest: NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman 🚀
• Trump’s mission to return to the Moon 🌕
• Beating China in the new space race
• Building a permanent moon base
• The future of Mars and American dominance in orbit

This one covers everything — war, primaries, media meltdowns, and literal space exploration.

Question of the Day: What’s Jasmine Crockett’s next move? Cable news contract? Podcast? TikTok prophet? Drop your funniest prediction in the comments.

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What Comes Next In Iran? w/ Sen. Kennedy Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Trump green-lights the strike on Iran—and Washington instantly splits into two camps: strength vs. “what did you just start?”

So what’s the real play here… and do you trust Trump’s plan, or are we walking into the world’s messiest endgame?

The fellas—Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook—jump in fast, cutting through the spin and asking the questions everyone’s thinking but nobody on cable will touch.

In this episode…
Trump’s Iran strike and the nuclear clock
Why China and Russia stay weirdly quiet
DHS shutdown chaos vs. “big boy stuff” reality
A palate-cleanser that somehow gets even more unhinged

Special Guests: Senator John Kennedy + Brian Hook
🇺🇸 Kennedy on why Trump owns the moment—and why Capitol Hill can’t stop making it political
🧠 Hook on the 1979 origin story, proxies, missiles, and why “negotiations” so often turn into a time-buying trap
🎯 What “success” looks like when you’re trying to stop a nuclear breakout—not win a news cycle
🌍 The regional chessboard: allies, Abraham Accords math, and what comes after the ayatollah

Question of the Day: Do you trust Trump’s plan for Iran—or do you think this spirals? Drop your take and tell us what people in your group chat are saying.

Hit subscribe right now so you don’t miss the next drop, follow the show on your socials for clips, and comment like you mean it—because we’re reading them and bringing the best ones into the next episode.

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What Democrats Keep Getting Wrong w/ Michael Knowles Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

When Michael Knowles joins the fellas, the gloves come off. The culture war isn’t slowing down — it’s exposing who’s ready for the moment and who isn’t. Why do Democrats keep misreading the country? Why do they double down on the exact messaging that turns voters away? And is the cultural fight now more decisive than any policy debate? Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook kick off with Michael Knowles and dig into what’s really driving the political realignment. In this episode… • Why the culture war is remains a battlefield heading into 2026 • What Democrats keep getting wrong about voters • How elite institutions overplay their hand every time • The messaging mistakes Republicans still need to fix PLUS, A STATE OF THE UNION HARD PIVOT THAT DESERVES ITS OWN AWARD. Special Guest: Michael Knowles 🎙️ • The deeper cultural divide shaping national politics • Why Democrats can’t stop misreading middle America • Faith, identity, and populism in the modern Right • Where the movement goes from here Special Guest: Congressman Wesley Hunt 🇺🇸 • His closing argument in the Texas Senate primary 🗳️ • Youth, energy, and the next generation of GOP leadership • Why Texas could reshape the national Senate map Special Guests: Nick Shirley and David Hoch 🎥 • The fraud investigations forcing DC to pay attention • How independent journalism is driving accountability • What happens when grassroots reporting outpaces legacy media And we roll out ruthlesspodcast.com/map — click your state, watch every candidate interview, and decide for yourself. No spin. No filters. Just the fellas asking the questions. Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Fun Time Friday. Follow Ruthless on social for clips all week.

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What Does The SOTU Mean For The Midterms? Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

🎤 Trump turns the State of the Union into a midterm war map — and Democrats can’t decide whether to sit, shout, or show up in frog costumes. Is this the moment that resets 2026? Or just another viral night in the circus? Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook break down the speech the way the MSM won’t. The optics. The traps. The binary choice moments. And why some Democrats might wish they had just stayed home. In this episode… • The “stand up if you agree” moment that froze the Democrats cold • Why sitting might haunt Democrats in campaign ads • Trump’s closing argument for the midterms • The alternative “State of the Swamp” disaster PLUS, DEMOCRATS ROLL OUT A GIRAFFE AND FROG BRIGADE. YES, REALLY. Then we deliver on a promise. Special Guest: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 🇺🇸 • The high-stakes Texas Senate primary showdown • Runoff math and what happens if no one hits 50% 🗳️ • How he answers the impeachment and personal attacks • Why Texas could shape the national Senate map We also sit down with Jessica Anderson of Sentinel Action Fund 📊 • Can Republicans break the midterm curse? • The economic message that actually moves voters • How to keep the Trump coalition engaged And we unveil something big: RuthlessPodcast.com/Map — click your state, watch the candidates, decide for yourself. No filter. No spin. Just the fellas asking the questions. Question of the Day: Did this State of the Union change the midterm trajectory — or not? Drop your take in the comments. Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Fun Time Friday. Follow Ruthless on social for clips all week. Comment, share, and send this to the group chat. 00:02:30 State of the Union sets the 2026 midterm battlefield 00:05:52 Congress stock trading crackdown and the political optics 00:08:24 Minnesota fraud scandal and the immigration culture clash debate 00:13:15 The stand-or-sit moment that becomes campaign ammo 00:16:52 Why the “they’re crazy” line lands with voters 00:20:22 New interactive map to vet candidates by state 00:27:44 Democrats’ disruptions and the sanctuary cities flashpoint 00:31:59 The alternative SOTU meltdown and why it backfires 00:36:59 Democrats mock American heroes and the backlash case 00:40:04 Trump’s “golden age” pitch and the midterm contrast strategy 00:48:59 Question of the Day: Does this SOTU move votes? 00:50:21 Listener responses on Democrats’ biggest midterm liability 00:52:20 Interview: Texas AG Ken Paxton on the Texas Senate primary 01:18:55 Post-interview: Can Paxton clear 50% or trigger a runoff? 01:21:19 King of the Hill: Bill Kristol vs. Joe Walsh meltdown tournament 01:32:49 Interview: Jessica Anderson on winning the midterms with data 01:49:36 Strategy debrief and why the map could change primaries

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Democrats’ 2028 Problem Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

Team USA delivers gold — and the Democrats deliver… whatever this is.

The fellas break down Gavin Newsom’s bizarre “I’m just like you” pitch, Gretchen Whitmer freezing on Ukraine, and Andy Beshear wrapping progressive policy in Sunday-morning language.

Then it gets worse: Democrats quietly admit their 2024 problem in a locked-up autopsy they don’t want you reading.

Also in this episode:

• The Texas Democrat primary FCC “equal time” twist no one in media wants to talk about

• Trump’s greatest stand-up hits (yes, we play them)• Canada coping after hockey heartbreak

• A runaway hog with maximum confidence

Then — Featured Interview: Stephen Moore 📈💰

• What’s really driving inflation right now

• The outlook heading into the State of the Union

• Tax policy, spending fights, and the midterm stakes

• Why energy policy and deregulation matter more than headlines

• How voters should actually think about growth, wages, and the economyA straight-up economic breakdown from one of the architects behind major tax reform — no spin, just the numbers and what they mean going forward.

Sports pride. Political malpractice. Variety the way it’s supposed to be.

Question of the Day: What’s the Democrats’ biggest liability right now?

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Mugged By Reality: Mamdani Is Already In Trouble + Todd Ricketts Joins The Progrum Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

New York just dropped a $127 BILLION budget — and somehow you’re still not getting what you paid for. Where’s the money going? And how long before this model spreads to every blue state in America? The fellas — Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook — dive headfirst into the insanity. New York’s Mamdani budget math doesn’t add up. $50 billion for schools. Massive spending hikes. “Tax the rich” — except it never stops there. Is this the future Democrats want nationwide? IN THIS EPISODE… • The jaw-dropping NYC budget breakdown • Why raising taxes never fixes the problem • Eric Swalwell’s resurfaced poetry • Trump’s stand-up moments at the Board of Peace PLUS, A LIBERAL PARENTING GROUP CHAT TURNS INTO A WAR ZONE. Yes. A DC mom group melts down over Israel, Gaza, and “comrades.” You truly can’t make this up. Then — Featured Interview: Todd Ricketts 🇺🇸⚾ • Cubs season outlook • The MLB salary cap fight • Bears stadium drama • Launching the new “Free Spoke” search engine Serious policy. Cultural absurdity. Sports. Politics. All in one. Question of the Day: What’s your favorite Trump stand-up moment — and why? Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Fun Time Friday. Like. Comment. Share. Stay ruthless.

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The Truth About The Colbert Hoax + Coach Derek Dooley Joins The Progrum Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Colbert says he was “silenced.”

Reality: CBS lawyers reminded him the FCC equal-time rule exists — and he didn’t want to give the other Democrat equal airtime.

So instead of booking other candidates, he kicked the interview online and cried censorship.

This wasn’t Trump.

It wasn’t the FCC storming the studio.

It was a late-night host trying to tilt a primary on broadcast TV — and getting boxed in by the rulebook.

Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook break down the spin, the fundraising play, and the Democrat-media machine that treats late night like a campaign arm.

In this episode:• The Equal Time rule Colbert pretends doesn’t apply• Why CBS lawyers stepped in• How a “banned interview” turns into a multi-million dollar outrage haul• The real reason Jasmine Crockett didn’t get the same invite PLUS — we actually believe in equal time.

Featured Interview: Coach Dooley, candidate for U.S. Senate in Georgia 🇺🇸• Why he’s running• What makes this Georgia race critical• How Republican primaries are shaping up nationwide• What voters in Georgia are really focused on.

Then it’s King of the Hill chaos — Bill Kristol vs. Steve Schmidt — because no episode is complete without a little courtroom carnage.

Question of the Day: Should CBS pull Colbert off air for turning his show into a Democrat campaign shop?

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AOC’s Catastrophic Collapse + Rep. Andy Barr Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

AOC hits the Munich Security Conference and faceplants on foreign policy—so why is the media acting like it was a breakout moment?

Is this the Democrats’ next presidential contender… or a kingmaker they’re trying to polish in real time?

The fellas break down the Taiwan dodge, the Venezuela spin, the “global south” rhetoric, and the press running cover like it’s their full-time job.

Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook connect the dots—and then pivot to the chaos back home.

In this episode…
AOC’s Munich meltdown and the 2028 implications
Rubio’s contrast and the Western values fight
Democrats shutting down DHS—who owns it?
The media’s “just a few stumbles” spin cycle

PLUS, OBAMA SAYS ALIENS ARE REAL… AND NOBODY FOLLOWS UP?!

Special Guest: Congressman Andy Barr 🇺🇸
Why he’s running for Senate
How he plans to win a tough GOP primary 🗳️
What Kentucky voters are actually talking about
Why this race matters nationally

Question of the Day: Can AOC actually win the White House? Why or why not? Drop it in the comments.

Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Fun Time Friday. Follow Ruthless on social for clips all week. And jump in the comments—we read them.

#RuthlessPodcast #Ruthless #AOC #Munich #Politics #ForeignPolicy #MarcoRubio #DHS #ICE #AndyBarr #Kentucky #SenateRace #PoliticalPodcast

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It’s worse than you think in Minnesota + Daniel Cameron joins the Progrum Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

Minnesota Mayhem, Irish Heat, and Kentucky Senate Showdown | Ruthless Podcast Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook kick off another Fun Time Friday with the Ruthless Podcast crew tackling the week's most unbelievable stories. This episode features incredible congressional testimony that has to be heard to be believed, some well-deserved heat thrown at Minnesota's left-wing imports, and the Irish finally getting their turn in the hot seat. 🎙️ What's in This Episode: Unbelievable congressional testimony from Thursday that we couldn't ignore Why every horror seems to come from Minnesota (sorry, Josh) The Irish take some heat - it's not just the Italians anymore Serious topics delivered with the signature Ruthless sense of humor FEATURED INTERVIEW: Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron joins us to discuss his 2025 Senate primary campaign. Cameron breaks down his vision for Kentucky, explains his approach to the competitive three-way Republican primary race against Andy Barr and others, and shares why he's focused on kitchen table issues like groceries, gas prices, and summer leagues instead of political drama. Get an inside look at one of the most closely watched Senate primaries in the country. 🔔 Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ruthless 💬 Drop a five star review 👍 Like if you enjoyed this Fun Time Friday episode

Question of the Day: What’s the most obvious fake-news immigration story you’ve seen in the last year? Drop it in the comments—local stories welcome.

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How China Funds the American Left + Sen. Cornyn Joins The Progrum Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

The fellas discuss one of the biggest political stories flying under the radar: a State Department report identifying far-left activist groups as potential vectors of Chinese influence operation. That’s not just politics — that’s national security. Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook break down: • The State Department naming Code Pink and The People’s Forum in a report to Congress • How foreign influence exploits U.S. nonprofit networks • Why Minnesota protests and ICE clashes don’t look organic • The money trail behind radical “riot-on-demand” activism • Ways & Means Chairman Jason Smith launching investigations into foreign-backed nonprofits Then it’s media malpractice time. Axios had to delete a headline after reporting that crime plunged in major cities “despite” Trump’s crackdown. The fellas unpack what that framing says about the press — and why enforcing laws suddenly became controversial. Plus: • A liberal columnist admits broken windows policing might actually work • The SAVE Act panic — and why requiring ID to vote is suddenly “controversial” • Somalia requiring voter ID before Democrats can agree on it And it’s primary season. Senator John Cornyn joins the program to discuss: • His reelection fight in Texas • Border security and ICE enforcement • Texas securing $11 billion in federal reimbursement • Performance politics vs actual legislating • The stakes of a contentious Republican primary Texas voters have a big decision ahead — and the outcome could impact Senate races nationwide. Question of the Day: What’s the most obvious “revelation” a liberal has had during the Trump era? Drop your answer in the comments.

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