Ruthless Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Danger of Podcast Drama - Candace Owens Attacks TPUSA + Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Air Date: December 18, 2025
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Special Guest: Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Overview

In this episode, the Ruthless crew delivers their unfiltered, often hilarious take on conservative news, media, and emerging political soap operas. The show kicks off with a sharp critique of recent podcast drama within conservative circles, namely the fallout from Candace Owens’ public criticisms involving TPUSA and the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination. The hosts argue for avoiding gossip and remaining grounded, before analyzing the left’s response to terrorism, the dangers of algorithm-driven media, and the challenge of confronting real policy issues. The episode features an in-depth, candid interview with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Arkansas politics, national security, and the state of the GOP.

The Dangers of Influencer Drama & “Just Asking Questions”

Timestamps: 00:00-18:03

• Candace Owens/Charlie Kirk Drama:

  • The hosts express disdain for the ongoing conservative influencer drama, noting the click-driven soap opera emerging after Charlie Kirk's assassination.
  • Michael Duncan observes:

    "The reason why I didn’t really want to engage in it was it didn’t feel like our place...I wanted to give the people that did know him well...every opportunity to talk about it in their own accord." (04:24)

  • Josh Holmes adds:

    "The mere idea of taking advantage of that situation, either for clicks or for clout...is a part of our movement we have a real problem with." (05:59)

• Algorithm and Conspiracies:

  • The crew slams the incentives of media algorithms that drive people to invent or platform wild conspiracy theories, especially regarding Kirk's murder.
  • Michael Duncan warns:

    "There is quite obviously today some incentive structure around inventing madness... It has real human life consequences." (11:12)

• Respect for the Audience:

  • The hosts stress respect for their listeners, rejecting drama and “pretend” for substantive, real-world discussion.
  • Smug:

    “When you bring up things that you heard on our show...we don’t want to embarrass you. We don’t want them to be like, so you listen to some crazy shit.” (12:48)

• Fighting Fake Narratives:
  John Ashbrook:

  "Read the actual facts and come to their own conclusion...I would just encourage everybody to do that in every situation..." (13:11)

Main News Segment: Left’s Responses to Terrorism & Political Evasion

Timestamps: 20:16-35:45

• Recap of Terror & Security Failures:

  • Recent events: National Guard shooting in D.C., Brown University shooting suspect allegedly shouting “Allahu Akbar,” Paris canceling New Year’s Eve over Islamic terrorism fears.
  • Hosts mock progressive pivots to “gun control” rather than confronting the roots of radicalism or immigration failures.

• Democrat & Progressive “Hard Pivots”:

  • Clips of politicians dodging questions about Islamic terrorism, refocusing blame toward Trump or America itself.
  • Josh Holmes:

    "I’m blown away that there hasn’t been 100 Jonestowns. ... The first thing that we’re talking about is who people are listening to. Like, the Kool Aid is around the corner." (23:47)

• Political Cowardice:

  • Paris cancels its celebration but won’t reconsider open immigration; Ashbrook and Duncan argue Western leaders are too weak to protect their own citizens.
  • Michael Duncan:

    "They're engaged in the suicide of the West...the values that founded this country." (26:36)

• Failure to Address Islamic Extremism Globally:

  • The show mocks the “deer in the headlights” non-response of Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister regarding radical clerics.
  • Smug:

    "Bro, that's like you're running for student council in first grade. I'm gonna put the good laws to do the good things." (33:57)

Question of the Day: What Will Wake Up Liberals on Terrorism?

Timestamps: 36:58-38:52

• Josh Holmes poses:

  "What's it going to take? How do we get liberals on board with solving the problems of radical Islamic terrorism?" (36:58)

• Consensus: Either elect honest leaders or wait for another tragedy on par with 9/11.

Listeners’ Q&A: The Needs of the American Worker

Timestamps: 39:25-42:37

• Comments highlight economic frustration, instability, and overregulation as top issues:
  • Affordable Economy:

    "I'm a 25 year old male in trade, debt free. ...a house, some land, and a financially stable family just does not seem feasible." (40:20)

  • Stability:

    "The American worker needs to know that he can count on the trajectory of today being the same day tomorrow." (40:41)

  • Consistency and Fewer Regulations:

    "As a business owner in construction. ...consistency and fewer regulations." (42:04)

King of the Hill: Political Twitter Craziness

Timestamps: 43:45-55:38

• Weekly competition between outrageously cringe former Republicans/anti-Trumpers' social media posts:
  • This week: Steve Schmidt (the "old fat man") vs. Adam Kinzinger.
  • Kinzinger wins a round for an inexplicable Flat Earth meme, but Schmidt secures overall victory with bizarre, overwrought political analogies and YouTube grifts.
  • Josh Holmes:

    “Crown above my head. My many followers and appreciation.” (55:22)

Variety Break: Viral Clips

Timestamps: 55:42-56:44

• Ja Rule accidentally smokes a photographer with a golf drive at the Derek Jeter Invitational. Amid rowdy reactions:
  • Josh Holmes:

    “It was like he was intentionally trying to kill the dude straight off the heel of the driver...” (56:20)

Featured Interview: Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Timestamps: 56:46-78:04

• Arkansas’ Success & Migration:

  • Number one state for people moving in two years running. Focus on low taxes, education, public safety.
  • Sarah Sanders:

    “We focused on things that actually matter. Lowering taxes, investing in education, public safety. And people are taking notice.” (58:28)

• On the National Guard & DC Security:

  • Sanders visits about 100 Arkansas Guard troops deployed to DC, praises their morale.
  • Sanders:

    “Seeing Guard troops around the city, just the presence...gives people a greater sense of safety and security.” (60:13)

• Challenges Facing Arkansas Farmers:

  • Massive losses in state agriculture, need for stabilized trade, end of federal COVID-era “free” programs.
  • Sanders:

    “Arkansas alone, just in our row crops, will lose about 1 billion and a half dollars...and it's our number one industry.” (65:28)

• Insight on Washington:

  • Recalls mix of nostalgia and relief returning to the White House.
  • Sanders:

    “There are other parts that feel so vastly and wildly different...it was kind of surreal to walk around for a few minutes.” (63:33)

• Political Advice & Midterm Forecast:

  • Importance of Republicans owning the economic narrative; need for Trump to campaign hard.
  • Sanders:

    “...one of the most important pieces...for this cycle is the president going out and selling and telling his story. Nobody does it better.” (69:41)

• The Need for Moral Courage:

  • On terror attacks: calls for public affirmation of American values and faith, not cowering in fear.
  • Sanders:

    “This is a season where we are supposed to be celebrating our faith, not hiding it away. ... Evil wins out when good people don't stand up and fight back.” (73:50)

• Christmas Plans:

  • Spending the holiday in Israel with family—combining faith, history, and togetherness.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Josh Holmes:

  “We’re allergic to pretend. ...This isn’t some Gossip Girl show. This is real life shit. We like to laugh and have fun.” (11:12, 12:30)

• Smug:

  “When you bring up things that you heard on our show...we don’t want to embarrass you.” (12:48)

• Sarah Huckabee Sanders (on good governance):

  “A country that is dependent on another country for food can certainly not be free, can certainly not be secure.” (66:18)

Key Takeaways

• Rejecting Conservative Podcast Drama:
  Ruthless purposefully avoids amplifying "commentary on commentary" and conspiracies, criticizing those who use tragedy as a content farm.
• Algorithmic Incentives Are Dangerous:
  The show highlights how content-for-clicks encourages fiction, noting this can radicalize and mislead audiences.
• Media and Political Distractions:
  Left-leaning politicians avoid real discussions about terrorism or root causes, focusing instead on gun control or pivoting to anti-Trump rhetoric.
• Sound Conservative Governance:
  Governor Sanders champions basic priorities (taxes, education, public safety)—an adult-in-the-room approach contrasted to the current chaos.
• The American Worker Needs Stability:
  Repeated listener comments stress the need for economic predictability and less red tape, a theme echoed across the spectrum.
• Call for Moral Leadership:
  Both the hosts and Sanders argue that only honesty and courage—rather than pandering or political cowardice—will secure the country and the movement.

“Evil wins out over good when good people don’t stand up and fight back.”
— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (73:50)

For more real talk and lighter moments, tune in Fridays for Funtime episodes, and always—keep the faith, hold the line, and own the libs!