Ruthless Podcast — Episode Summary
Episode Title: Are leftists the dumbest criminals? + HUD Secretary Scott Turner
Date: January 23, 2026
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Episode Overview
This “Fun Time Friday” episode of Ruthless blends the hosts’ signature biting, humorous analysis of current political news—especially left-wing movements, alleged criminality, and media collusion—with lighter fare, including a lively segment on former Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s tabloid troubles and a detailed interview with HUD Secretary Scott Turner. Listeners are treated to regular mockery of leftist activism, passionate calls for law-and-order, and a behind-the-scenes look “at the collapse of justice” in Minnesota. The latter half dives into Sinema’s scandalous news cycle, a dig at digital misinformation, whale hijinks, and, finally, insight from Turner on fighting fraud at HUD—with a side of NFL picks.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Quick Justice and Minnesota Church Protest Aftermath
[02:28 - 13:09]
- Follow-up on the storming of a church in St. Paul, MN led by leftist activists, including Don Lemon and Nekima Levy Armstrong.
- Federal charges (18 USC 241) brought against activists for violating religious freedom.
- "Religious freedom’s the bedrock of the United States and there is no First Amendment right to obstruct someone from practicing their religion.” — Josh Holmes [05:00]
- The show mocks activists’ attempts to justify their actions (e.g., “We did not rush in… we participated in the service” – Nakima Levy Armstrong on CNN [06:59]) versus clear video evidence of planned disruption.
- Activist William “DeWoke Farmer” Kelly also arrested (“Perp walked” repeated with glee).
- Frustration vent at a magistrate judge’s refusal to charge Don Lemon, igniting a wider discussion of blame on “activist judges.”
- Hosts express satisfaction with “swift justice” but warn of deep corruption and leniency in Minnesota’s legal system.
Notable Quotes
- “Hats off again, Department of Justice, Kristi Noem and the Homeland Security Department, they made moves here.” — Josh Holmes [00:00 & 12:00]
- “You gotta have handcuffs on these people fast.” — Smug [11:44]
- “This is a huge problem… Minnesota has become so deeply corrupt and broken that the people in charge of law enforcement are making sure criminals are allowed to get away.” — Smug [13:09]
2. Critique of Media & Left-Wing Activism
[13:47 - 18:07]
- Hosts argue Don Lemon is not a journalist but an activist (“he just becomes a full blown activist… he was a participant in this”).
- Parallels drawn between current activist tactics and Al Sharpton “pioneering the fraudulent playbook of the left.”
- Praise for independent right-wing citizen journalism (especially Nick Shirley) exposing stories mainstream media “will never touch.”
Notable Quotes
- “I think 90% of what we know about what the left is up to is not because of any of the corporate journalism…” — Josh Holmes [15:11]
- “Al Sharpton was a pioneer in this. It’s like you draw the charge on something, you put your face on camera and you make it a national news thing. This is how they distract people from things like fraud and crime…” — Michael Duncan [16:51]
3. The Kyrsten Sinema Scandal Spectacle
[22:08 - 41:06]
- In-depth discussion of tabloid accusation: Sinema allegedly had an affair with a security staffer, according to the staffer’s wife’s divorce filing.
- Hosts oscillate between feigned outrage (“breaking up a family!”), political analysis (NYT “hit piece” driven by Sinema’s centrist record), and irreverent humor over Sinema’s fashion and sexuality.
- Extended riffing on bisexuality (Michael Duncan: “I don’t think being bisexual is real” [27:32]), the “attention-seeking” nature of Sinema’s career, and playful speculation over the “victim” status of the staffer.
- Summary of lawsuit details: alleged nudes, psychedelic drug trips, concert outings, and sexually explicit messages.
- Strong dose of parody around “reverse Me Too” narratives and silly banter on what would qualify as truly scandalous evidence.
Notable Quotes
- “She's a real supporter of the filibust, has been, kind of a bedrock [issue for her]…” — Josh Holmes [38:28]
- “This is the portion where I actually think you have merit in your argument, Smug… if what he is proffering on a sexting deal is missionary style sex with Sinema… he hoped that was gonna do the trick I guess.” — Josh Holmes [39:24]
4. Digital Disinformation & AI Humor
[48:51 - 54:54]
- The panel mocks viral AI-generated thirst trap images involving political figures and the confusion they sow, especially for older internet users.
- Comfortably Smug posits that some “AI busty broad” accounts are actually engagement-farming schemes (possibly even run by disinformed celebs).
- Side discussion about online literacy, not shaming older or less tech-savvy people for digital gullibility.
Notable Moments
- “But that's a lesson… if there's an older person who doesn't know if something's real or not, don't be mean to them about it. Just, like, try to help them out.” — Smug [54:15]
5. Animal Antics: Riding a Dead Whale
[55:07 - 58:39]
- The crew watches and laughs at a viral video of men climbing onto a dead whale at sea.
- Extended banter about whether it’s “dangerous,” trophy stuffing, and how to best use a whale carcass for fishing credibility.
Notable Quotes
- “You want to talk about your little marlin? Come across like just reeling Moby Dick on a walleye rod.” — Josh Holmes [57:02]
6. Interview: HUD Secretary Scott Turner
[59:07 - 73:02]
A. Fighting Waste, Fraud, and Abuse at HUD
[59:33 - 64:23]
- Upon arrival at HUD, Turner discovered $1.9 billion misplaced, $84 million in improper payments (Minnesota), $5B in error payments nationwide, including thousands of dead people receiving benefits.
- DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) contracts “ended immediately.”
- “We found $4 million in DEI contracts. And so we ended those contracts immediately. You know, contracts like mindfulness, that has nothing to do with housing… And so we ended DEI at HUD.” — Scott Turner [59:41]
- Illegal immigration and misuse of HUD resources (“59% of illegal immigrant families use one or more welfare programs… costing us $40 billion/year”).
- Ongoing investigations into fraud and racial preferences violating Fair Housing Act (esp. Boston).
- “In Boston, we launched a secretary of investigation…they would use racial equity to preference and prioritize people of color… literally a violation of the Fair Housing Act…” — Scott Turner [63:31]
B. Housing Policy and Regulatory Reform
[64:23 - 67:22]
- Discussion of root causes of housing unaffordability; push for local regulatory changes and use of Opportunity Zones for more housing construction.
- Opportunity Zones “made permanent”; hopes for further reforms with Congressional action.
C. NFL Reflections & Predictions
[67:22 - 72:39]
- Turner details changes in the NFL (better pay, less intense practices, focus on safety and nutrition), praises the league as “a machine” and compares today’s players to his time.
- AFC/NFC title game picks offered (“I would love for my Broncos to beat the Patriots in the AFC championship game…” [68:36]).
- Anecdote of Turner’s playing career—pick-six in 2000 for the Chargers at Mile High Stadium.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Media & Activism Collusion
“This has been the fraudulent playbook of the left for a generation. This collusion between the activist base and the left wing media… Al Sharpton was a pioneer in this.”
— Michael Duncan [16:51]
On the Justice System
“You gotta have handcuffs on these people fast.”
— Smug [11:44]
“Minnesota has become so deeply corrupt… the people in charge of law enforcement are making sure criminals are allowed to get away.”
— Smug [13:09]
On Kyrsten Sinema Drama
“Just where’s the leadership? … I like the way she’s filibustering this dude with a towel.”
— Smug [38:22, 38:16]
“I would love to embrace it, but…at the end of the day, she picked a man.”
— Michael Duncan [27:27]
On AI & Elder Internet Users
“If there’s an older person who doesn’t know if something’s real or not, don’t be mean to them about it. Just, like, try to help them out.”
— Smug [54:15]
On Whale Hijinks
“Come across like just reeling Moby Dick on a walleye rod.”
— Josh Holmes [57:02]
On the HUD Fraud Problem
“$5 billion—that’s American taxpayer money going in this country. 200,000 ineligible recipients, including 30,000 dead people.”
— Scott Turner [59:55]
“In Boston…they would use racial equity to preference… literally a violation of the Fair Housing Act…”
— Scott Turner [63:31]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Church Protest and Minnesota Legal Fallout: [02:28 - 13:09]
- Media Collusion and Don Lemon Rant: [13:47 - 18:07]
- Kyrsten Sinema Scandal Breakdown: [22:08 - 41:06]
- Digital Disinformation Segment (AI): [48:51 - 54:54]
- Dead Whale Antics: [55:07 - 58:39]
- Secretary Scott Turner Interview: [59:07 - 73:02]
Tone & Style
Irreverent, aggressively partisan, satirical, and gleefully mocking—especially of leftists, the media, and progressive activism. The show is conversational, with long-running inside jokes and banter, but also features substantive discussion during the HUD Secretary segment.
Who Should Listen?
Anyone interested in right-wing media perspective, sharp takedowns of progressive causes, real talk on government accountability and fraud, or just fans of political media analysis with a side of locker-room humor.
Episode Highlight — Must-Listen Segment
Interview with HUD Secretary Scott Turner
[59:07 - 73:02]
A rare, serious segment covering government waste, HUD reforms, and the mechanics of federal housing oversight—paired with some entertaining NFL history and predictions.
“We found $1.9 billion of misplaced funds. How do you misplace almost $2 billion? And so we took the appropriate actions and deobligated those funds and returned them back to the treasury.” — Scott Turner [59:41]
Next Episode Preview:
More political fireworks, in-depth election coverage, and “an incredible election year in a lot of different ways.” [47:53]