Ruthless Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Theme:
Democrats Caught in Another Massive Lie + Gov Glenn Youngkin Joins the Progrum
Release Date: October 28, 2025
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Guests: Governor Glenn Youngkin (Virginia), Caitlin Sutherland (Americans for Public Trust)

Overview

This episode delivers the Ruthless crew’s trademark, irreverent conservative analysis on Democratic Party controversies, the upcoming pivotal Virginia election, intra-party Democratic divisions, and the influence of foreign money in American politics. Highlights include a deep-dive interview with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin as the state approaches a contentious off-year election, and an exposé with Caitlin Sutherland on liberal dark money. The hosts also ridicule recent Democratic messaging, dissect the ongoing government shutdown, and unpack the rift between union interests and the Democratic establishment.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Democratic Party "Shape-Shifting" and Lack of Leadership

00:00–12:25

• Hosts open with withering mockery of Gavin Newsom’s attempt to rebrand his privileged upbringing as one of hardship, only to be undercut by evidence of his wealth and social connections.
  • “Rich ass Gavin Newsom acting like 8 Mile is his life story... That is the most embarrassing shit I have seen in a very long time.” —Michael Duncan [03:35]
• Discussion turns to Newsom’s flip-flopping on “woke” issues, DEI, and attempts to position himself as both anti- and pro-woke depending on his audience.
  • “He is such, so... he is such like a lizard person, dude. Like, he has no feelings. He doesn't believe in anything.” —Michael Duncan [09:14]
• Broader critique that today's Democratic Party is defined by a lack of principles and core beliefs; leadership is subservient to the loudest activist factions.
  • “They believe in nothing.” —Josh Holmes [10:10]

2. Karine Jean-Pierre's Book and Lack of Introspection

12:25–16:00

• Segment lampoons Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s book “Independent,” ridiculing her inability to answer basic questions or reflect on the failures of the Biden administration.
  • “It all just goes back to the talking points on identity in order to paper over all of the failure.” —John Ashbrook [14:28]
• Hosts criticize Democratic identity politics as a replacement for substantive governance.

3. Democrats' Handling of Biden’s Frailty & Campaign Issues

16:00–18:50

• Examination of claims from Kamala Harris and others about Joe Biden’s age and capability to be president, arguing Democrats downplay or obscure major leadership concerns.
  • “It’s a lot tougher to be out there on the campaign trail. The auto pen works just fine.” —Michael Duncan [17:07]

4. Interview: Governor Glenn Youngkin on Virginia's Election & Policy Successes

21:05–48:05

Achievements as Governor

• Deregulation: Over 30% of state regulations eliminated, saving Virginians $1.2 billion per year.
• Jobs & Economy: $143 billion in company investment; 277,000 more jobs; business-friendly reforms and right-to-work defense.
  • “Virginia is for lovers. It’s also for jobs.” —John Ashbrook [24:29]
• Education: Reversal of pandemic learning loss, higher standards, protection of women’s sports and locker rooms from trans inclusion policies.
• Public safety: Reduction in crime through strong law enforcement collaboration; against sanctuary policies.

The Stakes in Virginia

• Upcoming election presented as pivotal for the nation, with Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger depicted as without moral compass.
  • “She doesn’t have a moral compass and so she doesn’t really know what she believes. She’s just going to say whatever she needs to say in order to try to get elected.” —Gov. Youngkin [28:04]
• Expressed alarm at Democratic refusal to disavow violent or extremist rhetoric from party members.
  • “How far lost is the Democrat Party? Just so lost.” —Gov. Youngkin [36:20]
• Warns of policy reversals if Democrats win: loss of right-to-work, retreat on school safety, sanctuary state policies, reversal of climate and economic reforms.

National Lessons and Messaging

• Emphasizes that Republican victories set narrative and policy agendas for the nation (e.g., education, energy, public safety).
• Democrats are accused of rallying around anger, division, and “preserve power in any way possible…”
• Hosts and Youngkin urge turnout: “Go vote, go vote, go vote.” —Gov. Youngkin [48:00]

5. Question of the Day & Listener Interaction

50:04 onwards

• Read and discuss listener submissions on what news stories deserve more coverage.
• Common themes: media bias, education system’s leftward shift, Democratic dishonesty on ICE/deportation, and lack of media fact-check accountability.
  • “The story that needs to be reported is the non story that Dems keep repeating about ice ... Their lies are not reported enough.” —Listener Cindy Brewer [53:03]

6. Government Shutdown: Democrat-Union Divide

55:12–61:10

• AFGE (federal workers’ union) calls publicly for Democrats to end the shutdown, opening a major rift.
• Hosts ridicule Democrats for risking their core government union constituency for the sake of the party’s activist/left bloc.
  • “There is a union entirely comprised of people who make their paycheck off of your tax dollar. And then this union is lobbying against you.” —Josh Holmes [57:25]
• Analysis that establishment Dems are at odds with the left-wing activist base and are acting against their own voters’ interests out of fear of primary challenges.
• Hosts predict Democrats will “cave” and reopen government as pressure mounts but mock media for neglecting coverage of the schism.

7. Theater vs. Policy in Democratic Politics

62:32–66:53

• Mocking of Rep. Eric Swalwell and Democrats for prioritizing symbolic gestures (“wrecking ball to Trump’s ballroom”) and social media clout over policy wins.
  • “You can either try to make a point, or you can try to make a difference.” —Michael Duncan [64:39]
• Trump is described as blending theater and real policy shifts, while Dems imitate only the showmanship.

8. Who Funds the Left? — Interview with Caitlin Sutherland

69:36–85:20

• Sutherland exposes massive, often foreign, funding of left-wing causes via “dark money”—from Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss to newly uncovered British donor Sir Christopher Hohn.
  • “We were able to trace that over 500 million in foreign money has come from his UK based charity into US based organizations.” —Caitlin Sutherland [72:57]
• Foreign money funneled to groups such as Tides, Arabella Advisors, NRDC, EDF, driving aggressive climate and election activism.
• Issue advocacy, voter drives, and protests are legal entry points for foreign cash; only direct campaign donations are banned.
• Reform efforts underway at state and federal level to close these loopholes; efforts already dissuaded Hohn from further donations after exposure.
  • “They’re benefiting from the foreign money with their voter turnout operation and everything else that is bankrolling their unpopular and dangerous policies.” —Caitlin Sutherland [82:44]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gavin Newsom’s relatability act:
  “Rich ass Gavin Newsom acting like 8 Mile is his life story…bro, that is the most embarrassing shit I have seen in a long time.” —Michael Duncan [03:35]

• On Newsom’s ideological flexibility:
  “He is such like a lizard person, dude. Like, he has no feelings. He doesn’t believe in anything.” —Michael Duncan [09:14]

• On KJP’s book:
  “It’s the same thing as the Gavin Newsom stuff. There’s a vacancy to all of it. There’s no introspection.” —John Ashbrook [14:28]

• On government union revolt:
  “There is a union entirely comprised of people who make their paycheck off of your tax dollar. And then this union is lobbying against you.” —Josh Holmes [57:25]

• On Democrats ceding leadership:
  “Their whole party is based on one metric of success, and that’s not getting any policy wins. That’s attention.” —Michael Duncan [63:57]

• On foreign money and activism:
  “We were able to trace that over 500 million in foreign money has come from his UK based charity into US based organizations.” —Caitlin Sutherland [72:57]

Important Timestamps

| Segment / Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Ruthless panel roasts Gavin Newsom’s “hard life” | 00:00–06:13 | | Democrats & “shape-shifting” leadership | 10:00–12:25 | | Karine Jean-Pierre’s non-answers | 12:25–16:00 | | Kamala Harris & Biden’s frailty | 16:00–18:50 | | Governor Youngkin Interview begins | 21:05 | | Youngkin: Economy, jobs, deregulation | 22:38–25:32 | | Youngkin: Education, women’s sports, public safety| 26:59–32:20 | | Youngkin: Debate, Spanberger, and violent rhetoric| 28:04–37:13 | | Youngkin: Shutdown, union, federal employees | 44:28–48:04 | | Listener Qs: media, education, ICE “lies” | 50:04–53:50 | | Government shutdown, Democrats–unions split | 55:12–61:10 | | Theatrical politics: Swalwell & Trump ballroom | 62:32–66:53 | | Guest Caitlin Sutherland, dark money exposé | 69:36–85:20 |

Final Thoughts & Tone

This episode is sharp, highly critical, and sarcastic, with the hosts pulling no punches on Democratic failures, internal contradictions, and leadership gaps. Guests Glenn Youngkin and Caitlin Sutherland provide substance and reinforce the conservative critique of left-of-center politics, while the hosts intersperse comic relief and listener engagement, maintaining their signature “no shelter for anyone” irreverence.

In sum:
The Ruthless crew eviscerates Democratic leadership, exposes the party’s alignment with activist donors (including foreign billionaires), and elevates Youngkin’s record as a contrast—urging listeners to “keep the faith, hold the line, own the libs,” and, most of all, vote.