Ruthless Podcast - Episode Summary

Podcast: Ruthless
Episode Title: Dems Shutdown DHS, Terrorism Skyrockets + Sean Hannity Joins The Progrum
Date: March 13, 2026
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Special Guest: Sean Hannity

Main Theme

This episode delves into the fallout from the Democratic shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), recent upticks in terrorist activity inside the U.S., political drama in California, and features an expansive, candid conversation with media legend Sean Hannity. As always, the fellas provide their signature mix of sharp conservative commentary interlaced with humor, pop culture jabs, and listener engagement.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Terror Attacks and the DHS Shutdown

(00:13 - 12:31)

• DHS Funding Crisis: The guys open with the immediate context that Democrats have blocked funding to DHS, resulting in a shutdown amid rising domestic terrorist threats.
  • “Democrats have defunded DHS at a time when we are dealing with the number one terrorist country on earth.” – Smug (00:24)
• Terror Attack at Old Dominion: The hosts highlight a recent terrorist attack at Old Dominion University, committed by a naturalized US citizen and former National Guardsman, Muhammad Jalo, who had previously served 11 years for providing material support to ISIS.
  • “How do you get parole for terrorism?” – Comfortably Smug (08:06)
  • The attacker was stopped by a heroic ROTC student, which the panel lauds as a bright spot.
  • “You walk into an ROTC class...and you want to do terrorism, you’re going to get fucked up.” – Josh Holmes (09:13)
• Critique of Leniency Toward Terrorists: The conversation moves to frustration with current systems that allow convicted terrorists back into society.
  • “If you listen to these left wing judges, they talk about it like it's some kind of trumped up marijuana charge.” – Smug (08:24)
  • The group places direct blame on Democratic lawmakers for paralyzing homeland security efforts and describes it as an abdication of basic government responsibility.

2. Democrat Accountability & Media Criticism

(12:32 - 15:00)

• Hosts criticize Democratic leadership (with direct shots at Chuck Schumer and Ro Khanna) for their handling of terror threats and the DHS shutdown.
• “Schumer should feel ashamed of himself for leading a party that wants to allow terrorists to run amok.” – Comfortably Smug (10:46)
• Media accused of enabling this leniency by not holding Democrats to account.

3. Iranian Leadership Meme War

(13:38 - 18:35)

• The conversation lightens up, mockingly referencing Iran’s leadership turmoil and the “cardboard cutout” memes emerging after attacks killed successive Iranian leaders.
  • “They got him on a cardboard cutout... They’re kissing the cardboard. He really kissed it. Are you kidding me?” – Smug & Smug (15:02)
  • Meme culture is hailed as a source of comic relief and political commentary.

4. California Political Circus: Swalwell's Residency Scandal

(22:05 - 33:23)

• Focus turns to California’s gubernatorial race where Eric Swalwell is exposed for not actually living in the state.
  • “Even the guy running for governor moved out of California.” – Comfortably Smug (24:22)
• Discussion of political strategy, online virality, and press avoidance of Democratic scandals.
• The fellas enjoy the Dem-on-Dem attacks, especially as candidates dig up dirt on each other.
• Mockery of Swalwell’s historic D.C. lifestyle and the “Fang Fang” controversy.
  • “Fang Fang was a thing and he basically just ran at it and was like, ‘How dare you’... How dare you question the fact that I was banging a Chinese spy.” – Josh Holmes (30:00)
• Reflect on the media's double-standard when scandals involve Democrats.

5. Listener Mailbag: Best/Worst Democrat Excuses

(33:23 - 37:52)

• The hosts prompt listeners to submit their favorite “worst excuses” from Democrats caught in scandals.
• Classic references: Bill Clinton, Anthony Weiner, Bob Menendez, etc.
  • “Depends on what the definition of is, is.” – Josh Holmes quoting Clinton (34:00)
• Side-debate about former presidents, contrasting the quiet example of George W. Bush with the ongoing political activity of Obama and Clinton.

6. Viral & Meme Variety: Italians, Wrestling, & Boomer Debate

(39:49 - 58:58)

• Baseball: America’s loss to Italy in baseball sparks playful jingoism, complaints about Americans playing for Team Italy, and espresso jokes.
• Wrestling Clip: Wild acrobatics in wrestling get both admiration and mockery (with some not-so-family-friendly visual analysis!).
• Heartwarming Story: A youth hockey player overcomes family tragedy to deliver a winning goal, reminding the audience (and hosts) that good can overcome darkness.
• Generational Tensions: Spirited debate erupts over a viral X/Twitter thread about boomers selling their house and millennials/gen z feeling entitled to inheritance.
  • Strong opinions on both sympathy for boomers’ hard work and criticism of generational entitlement.
  • “Nobody owes you a fucking thing. If you understand what the American dream is all about, it’s on you to try to figure it out.” – Josh Holmes (53:00)
  • “If you are a patriot like the boomers were... they should be cherished, not demonized.” – Comfortably Smug (57:28)

7. Special Guest: Sean Hannity Interview

(60:02 - 86:17)

• Opening Banter & Invite: Sean reflects on meeting the Ruthless crew previously and dishes out a live invitation to record in his Florida studio.
  • “Come down to Palm Beach. Sit down with me. We’ll have a great time. I do make drinks for guests.” – Sean Hannity (63:08)
• Podcasting Philosophy: Sean celebrates podcasting’s informal, long-form format and his mission to provide “real” conversations, not chasing trends or outrage for clicks.
  • “I’m not going to come on angry and pissed off... I’m just going to do real.” (72:58)
• Media Legacy: Hannity shares lessons from radio, TV, and how conservative media has evolved; credits Rush Limbaugh for paving the way.
  • “All of us in conservative talk, we all owe a debt of gratitude to Rush.” (78:14)
• Success Advice: Sean reflects on work ethic and gratitude:
  • “I’m not going to be outworked, period. And if you really care about your craft, you want to be successful, you gotta work hard.” (85:11)
• Show Chemistry: The crew and Hannity trade barbs and self-deprecating jokes about podcast tropes, reading habits, and media routines.

8. Final Variety Bits

(87:27 - End)

• Viral clip: Cincinnati guy eats a cigarette live on TV. The panel offers affectionate regional ribbing and lighter banter to close the show.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

On the DHS shutdown & terror threats:

• “If you listen to these left wing judges, they talk about it like it's some kind of trumped up marijuana charge. You know what I mean? Like, terrorism is a very serious thing in this country and I don't know when the left is going to take it seriously.”
  – Smug (00:39 / 08:24)

• “You walk into an ROTC class... and you want to do terrorism, you're going to get fucked up.”
  – Josh Holmes (09:13)

On Dem-on-Dem attacks:

• “Even the guy running for governor moved out of California.”
  – Comfortably Smug (24:22)

• “Depends on what the definition of is, is.”
  – Josh Holmes quoting Bill Clinton (34:00)

On Podcasting & Authenticity:

• “I’m not chasing clicks, I’m not going to be chasing algorithms. I’m just going to do real.”
  – Sean Hannity (72:58)

• “All of us in conservative talk, we all owe a debt of gratitude to Rush.”
  – Sean Hannity (78:14)

• “If you really care about your craft and you want to be successful, you gotta work hard. And that part is easy for me.”
  – Sean Hannity (85:11)

On Generational Wars & Entitlement:

• “Nobody owes you a fucking thing. If you understand what the American dream is all about, it’s on you to try to figure it out.”
  – Josh Holmes (53:00)

• “If you are a patriot like the boomers were... they should be cherished, not demonized.”
  – Comfortably Smug (57:28)

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• Terror attack/DHS Shutdown: 00:13 – 12:31
• Ro Khanna/Left Accountability: 12:46 – 15:00
• Iranian Memes/Ayatollah: 13:38 – 18:35
• CA Gov Race/Swalwell: 22:05 – 33:23
• Listener Comments/Democrat Excuses: 33:23 – 37:52
• Variety Bits (Italians, Wrestling, Heartwarming Hockey): 39:49 – 58:58
• Sean Hannity Interview: 60:02 – 86:17
• Outro/Farewell: 86:17 – End

Tone & Style

The tone remains characteristically Ruthless: irreverent, rapid, full of biting humor, and deeply skeptical of liberal political strategies. With Hannity, the episode gains reflective depth about media authenticity, conservative movement history, and personal drive, while never straying far from friendly ribbing and lighthearted in-jokes.

Summary

This episode provides a mix of serious conservative commentary about national security failures, the perils of political gamesmanship at the expense of safety, and sharp mockery of Democratic foibles—wrapped in entertaining banter and online meme culture. The extended discussion with Sean Hannity offers listeners both an inside look at conservative media greatness and a blueprint for authenticity in political conversation. Whether engaged in heated generational debates or marinating in internet absurdities, the Ruthless crew delivers a packed, variegated “progrum” that stays true to its unfiltered, next-gen conservatism.