Ruthless Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode: "Don't Take the Bait – How Libs Trap Conservatives in Pointless Arguments"

Date: January 15, 2026 | Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook

Overview

This episode of the Ruthless Podcast delves deeply into contemporary political debate, emphasizing how, according to the hosts, liberals ("libs") engineer arguments that distract conservatives from substance by focusing on process, outrage, or emotional flashpoints rather than facts or policy outcomes. The show also reviews the latest controversies around sanctuary cities, ICE raids, Democratic strategies, and media coverage, accompanied by their trademark irreverent banter. An extended and candid interview with Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen highlights the influence of foreign money on American politics and the significance of state-level leadership.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. How the Left “Traps” Conservatives in Meaningless Arguments

Main Idea:
The hosts argue that liberals seldom defend their policies on substance, instead shifting arguments to “process” issues, emotional reactions, or historical analogies (often extreme), distracting from core problems like corruption or policy failures.

• Holmes: “You engage in a conversation on the pushback rather than a description of how hollow and vacant today's Democratic Party actually is when it comes to solving anybody's problems.” (00:00)
• Duncan: “The left is so intellectually bankrupt, their only identity at this point is opposing Trump. So for their supporters, they don't need to explain anything.” (00:12)

Tactics Attributed to the Left:

• Focusing on isolated incidents (e.g., ICE encounters) and ignoring broader policy debates
• Relying on “process arguments” to confuse the issues (09:18)
• Using charged labels like “fascist” or “Nazi” to shut down debate (10:22)

2. Media Coverage and Shifting the Overton Window

The hosts criticize mainstream media’s readiness to adopt left-leaning narratives about immigration enforcement and law and order, noting a rapid shift from supportive to antagonistic coverage of ICE:

• Duncan: “Mainstream media is so willing to accept the left's race to push the Overton window as far as possible... Ten years ago, CNN rode with ICE, now they platform the opposite.” (18:26)

3. Sanctuary Cities, ICE, and State v. Federal Power

A major theme is the federal response to sanctuary policies and funds being withheld from states refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

• Trump’s Policy Highlighted: “Starting February 1, we're not making any payments to sanctuary cities… because they do everything possible to protect criminals at the expense of American citizens.” (14:13)
• Discussion on State Resistance: The hosts express disbelief at Minnesota and Illinois lawsuits to ban ICE, seeing it as open insurrection and a sign of crumbling law and order:
  • Holmes: “When he says, ‘we’re at war with the federal government’... what are your options there?” (15:24)
  • Ashbrook: “It is just wild that Minnesota is like, federal law enforcement isn’t allowed here, but the pedophile murdering illegal aliens are.” (20:01)

4. Historical Analogies and Absurd Comparisons

A recurring thread is mocking the left’s and media’s penchant for extreme historical analogies—comparing contemporary law enforcement or conservatives to Nazis, fascists, or even Kristallnacht.

• Mockery of Left’s Comparisons:
  • Duncan: “They want their followers to just understand, Dog whistle, you're fighting the bad man.” (10:22)
  • Holmes: “Just like Archduke Ferdinand. I mean, they're all over the place.” (27:47)
  • Host/Moderator: “Do you hear the Karen sing singing the song of angry libs? It is the music of a party that will not be sane again.” (26:44)

5. Audience Engagement – “Question of the Day”

Listeners contributed answers about why Democrats were suddenly “anti-Hamas,” offering satirical, critical commentary on shifting political narratives. (29:25–32:13)

6. "King of the Hill" – Absurd Tweet Competition

The team played their recurring game, quoting extreme or deranged political tweets to compare who found the wildest example, with Steve Schmidt’s over-the-top "Jackie Robinson's grave" analogy emerging the champion. (32:49–37:42)

Deep Dive Interview: Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen (38:12–61:18)

Theme:
The importance of state-level officials standing against federal overreach, foreign influence (especially from China), and “asymmetric warfare” using left-wing nonprofit funding in US politics.

Highlights:

• Investigating Foreign Influence:
  • Knudsen: “There's a lot of foreign money—China is playing in America... When you start digging into a lot of these left wing organizations, you will find funding that leads to nefarious sources.” (39:57)
• Montana’s Climate Lawsuit:
  • Child plaintiffs, foreign-backed environmental litigation, and the use of courts to stymie traditional energy industries.
  • Knudsen: “Now we're in a situation where every building permit…it’s all being litigated because we didn’t adequately assess man-made global climate change. They want to kill the industry by a thousand cuts.” (46:43)
• TEMU and Slave Labor:
  • Knudsen: “TEMU is a shady operation… they're using slave labor.” (47:05)
• Second Amendment Advocacy:
  • Broad state coalition to protect gun rights against federal and Ninth Circuit judicial activism.
  • Knudsen: “We try really hard to stay on top of the Second Amendment stuff. Be a leader in that space.” (49:10)
• Personal Background:
  • Rural upbringing, accidental entry into politics, commitment to conservative values.

Notable Quotes:

• "I think if you got in a tangle with a mountain lion… maybe you jammed your fingers in his eyes… maybe you got side control, maybe a sleeper hold..." —Knudsen, on what animals he could defeat with his bare hands (54:27)
• “The Second Amendment is one that I don't just give lip service to. My wife and I are big shooters...” — Knudsen (48:04)
• “If you don’t pay attention, next thing you know you’re funding terror in Mogadishu.” —Holmes, on why state AG races matter (62:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Holmes (on Left’s strategy): “You engage in a conversation on the pushback rather than a description of how hollow and vacant today's Democratic Party actually is...” (00:00)
• Duncan (on media): “Mainstream media is so willing to accept the left's race to push the Overton window as far as possible...” (18:26)
• Host/Moderator (satire): “Do you hear the Karen sing singing the song of angry libs? It is the music of a party that will not be sane again.” (26:44)
• Holmes (on public argument): “You gotta take time to make the right arguments… there’s a lot of people who agree with us who are not getting it and they're never gonna get it from the mainstream media.” (21:11)
• Knudsen (on foreign influence): “It’s absolutely asymmetric warfare from China… they're funding this kind of green left litigation.” (44:08)
• Michael Duncan (sarcastic): “He’s punching the time card when he gets done with this situation. I want you to know I did put my JJ McCarthy jersey out for my kids...” (63:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Main discussion on left's tactics, ICE, and sanctuary cities:
  00:00 – 21:11
• Media bias and Overton window:
  18:26 – 21:11
• Historical analogy mockery / "Question of the Day":
  26:20 – 32:13
• "King of the Hill" segment:
  32:49 – 37:42
• Interview with Montana AG Austin Knudsen:
  38:12 – 61:18
• Closing, sports banter, state politics matters:
  61:20 – end

Tone and Style

The episode is brash, fast-paced, sarcastic, and full of inside jokes and sharp analogies, often laced with expletives and mocking humor. The approach is openly partisan, blending humor with pointed criticism of opposing politicians, media, and activists. Interview segments balance the banter with deeper policy content.

Summary Takeaways

Ruthless Podcast’s January 15, 2026 episode is a vigorous takedown of what the hosts see as liberal rhetorical tactics—shifting debate away from policy, leaning on historical hyperbole, and avoidance of “the real conversation.” The team calls conservatives to focus arguments on substance over surface drama, highlights state-level political stakes, and skewers the media’s meta-narratives. The extended interview with AG Austin Knudsen underscores the seriousness of foreign influence and the importance of down-ballot races, providing a practical counterpoint to the broadly satirical discussion.