Ruthless Podcast: "It Keeps Getting Worse for Democrats + Bret Baier Joins the Progrum"

Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Special Guest: Bret Baier (Fox News)

Episode Overview

This episode brings the signature Ruthless blend of sharp conservative analysis and biting humor to the ongoing political turbulence surrounding Democrats—particularly the government shutdown and messaging flubs. The fellas are joined by renowned Fox News anchor and author Bret Baier, who discusses the state of journalism, lessons from presidential history (with insights from his new Teddy Roosevelt book), and the intersection of news, politics, and personality. Classic Ruthless games, inside jokes, and fan commentary round out a lively, extended episode.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown & Democrat Messaging Woes

[01:42–17:53]

• Catherine Clark’s “Leverage” Gaffe:
  The hosts discuss recent remarks by House Democrat Whip Catherine Clark, who admitted the shutdown creates “leverage” for Democrats—even if it causes American families to suffer. The clip is played and mocked extensively.

  • Quote – Catherine Clark (Clip played):
    “It is one of the few leveraged times we have.” [03:20]
  • Hosts lambast the optics, noting Clark was seated “in front of a well appointed fireplace… in a thousand dollar suit,” while saying, essentially, “We know you’ll suffer, but it’s a sacrifice we're willing to make.” [04:24] — John Ashbrook

• GOP Response:
  Speaker of the House Johnson’s staff respond by installing a TV near the Speaker’s office that plays Clark’s “leverage” clip on loop, trolling Democrats who previously used the location for their own viral videos.

  • “Outstanding work by the Speaker’s team… everyone should see it. It’s like the IRL version of pinning a tweet.” — Josh Holmes & John Ashbrook [05:39-06:09]

• Media Double Standard:
  They highlight the lack of critical media coverage when Democrats are responsible for shutdowns, comparing it to “moon landing” levels of coverage when Republicans are.

  • “They cover government shutdowns like it’s a moon landing when Republicans… And when Democrats… it’s like, ‘what’s going on?’” — Michael Duncan [08:09]

• Polling & CNN’s Harry Enten:
  They play a clip of analyst Harry Enten, who notes the current shutdown isn’t hurting Trump’s approval or the GOP nearly as much as past ones.

  • “This shutdown is not hurting Trump, it’s benefiting Trump. The public understands this is a Schumer Democrat shutdown.” — Josh Holmes [09:44]

• CNN’s Business & Enten’s Role:
  Smug theorizes Enten is angling to stand out as the network’s resident truth-teller as CNN is shopped for sale:

  • “He’s peacocking a bit—he’s sodium pentothal for liberal media.” — John Ashbrook [11:02]

• Dem Coalition Fraying:
  Hosts note Senate Dems are splintering under shutdown pressure, and Democratic leaders are ironically begging Trump to insert himself to unify their side.

  • “Please, please, please, save us from ourselves.” — John Ashbrook [11:53]

2. Virginia Politics & Spanberger’s Entitlement

[12:45–17:53]

• Abigail Spanberger’s Complaints:
  The hosts lampoon Spanberger’s interview where she complains about having to answer for a controversial Democrat’s violent rhetoric:

  • “That should be so offensive to any voter anywhere… just, why won’t you just let me be the governor? Why are you asking me any questions?” — Josh Holmes [14:06]
  • “Big time Hillary Clinton energy, dude.” — John Ashbrook [14:23]

• Failure of Accountability:
  Spanberger refuses to disavow the rhetoric, seen as “harnessing the murderous energy” rather than demonstrating leadership.

  • “I’m going to disavow it—because that would require leadership.” — Josh Holmes [17:53]

3. Bret Baier Interview: Journalism, History, and the Presidency

[18:51–47:58]

A. Baier’s Career & Integrity in Journalism

[19:04–23:36]

• Baier’s Origin Story:
  Joins Fox from the beginning; learned from Brit Hume; values fair, tough interviews; maintains ratings dominance through integrity.

  • “[I try to] listen to the answer and be able to follow up. That’s literally what I try to do every time.” — Bret Baier [21:52]
  • “Sometimes I’m sad there aren’t more straight news programs. For the good of the nation, it would be better.” [22:27]

• Media Landscape:
  Baier notes the shift of his audience away from traditional broadcast, now regularly beating legacy networks in ratings.

  • “That’s just a year, maybe a year and a half, started happening. Beat CBS, NBC, ABC in big markets.” — Baier [22:56]

B. Panel Dynamics & Historical Writing

[23:59–33:44]

• Show Production & Panelists:
  Baier shares stories on his technique—timing signals to Krauthammer and Williams, leading to lively debates.

  • “Krauthammer was always my first baseman... I’d put my hand out for 30 seconds... blood leaving my fingers for 15.” — Baier [24:29]

• Authoring Presidential History:
  Baier details his research process, deep dives on Eisenhower, Reagan, FDR, Grant, Washington, and now Teddy Roosevelt. He aims to draw modern lessons from presidential crises.

  • “I’m not a historian. I’m a reporter of history. But I love that it’s page turning and ideally a young person can read this… we’re missing history in our classroom.” — Baier [33:16]

C. Teddy Roosevelt and Modern Parallels

[28:25–32:21]

• Roosevelt vs. Trump:
  Discusses similarities between Roosevelt and Trump—mastery of media, strongman persona, not easily boxed-in ideologically, both controversial in their era.

  • “Both understand the power of the press. Both have a problem with the press.” — Baier [29:37]
  • “Capitalism has to work for everybody; you couldn’t easily put him in a box on ideology.” [30:28]

• Roosevelt’s Enduring Influence:
  “This guy sort of invented [the powerful presidency].”

  • Key enduring legacy: “You can't be on the sidelines, just throwing grenades and being a critic. You have to be a doer.”* — Baier [31:30]

• Book Praise & Approach:
  Hosts note Baier’s books are lauded by top historians and feel relevant (“not just a history book”).

  • “When you write them, the historians say nice things—it’s like Jordan saying he can shoot a basketball.” — Josh Holmes [32:43]

D. Audience Interaction & Future of Conservatism

[34:53–39:17]

• Listener Questions:
  Baier flips the script, asking the hosts what issues aren’t getting enough media attention.

  • “You’re knocking it out of the park every night at six... But there’s so much going on in our country, so much of an uprising with regular people.” — Wolf [35:16]

• GOP’s Post-Trump Tensions:
  The team speculates on the challenge of reconciling the tech/innovation “new right” with the pro-labor populist coalition Trump built.

  • “There’s inevitable going to be a tension… how does that automation impact... the forgotten man and woman that brought Trump to power?” — John Ashbrook [37:00]
  • “Trump can keep this coalition together by sheer force of will… Can anybody else next?” — Josh Holmes [38:21]

E. The Classic Ruthless Endgame: Three Questions for Bret Baier

[40:00–47:44]

• Last Meal:
  “Every type of pizza and really just gorge myself. I’m a cheese pizza guy… It’s a problem.” — Baier [40:11]

• Alternate Career:
  “I’d want to be a golf pro… It could have happened. I chose a different path.” — Baier [41:45]

• Thrill of Victory vs. Agony of Defeat:
  “At the beginning, 100% agony of defeat… But over time… it has been the thrill of victory, the debate that goes off in front of 20 million people that you land, you know, it’s a dismount… Agony at the beginning, thrill now.” — Baier [43:25]

• Inside Fox News Production:
  Baier and the hosts discuss the chaos, flexibility, and adrenaline behind producing a top cable news hour, with real-time revisions and last-minute overhauls.

  • “They rip up the rundown and do stuff live all the time… you’ve got to be on TV a long time to have the confidence to even attempt it.” — Michael Duncan [45:05]

4. Ruthless Variety: Listener Comments, Satirical Segments, and "Dem or Journo"

[49:46–73:13]

• Fan Segment – Tattoo for a Progressive:
  Minions submit jokes about what tattoo best represents a leftist politico: a seahorse (“the males have babies”), AOC in her “Tax the Rich” dress in tattoo form, and a QR code with a hammer & sickle that links to donor info. [54:05]

• Classic Ruthless Skit – “Chuck and the Fat Man”
  The team airs a faux promo inspired by 1980s CBS cop shows, lampooning Chuck Schumer and J.B. Pritzker as a mismatched detective duo. [56:36–58:05]

• Game: Dem or Journo (2010 Obama White House Renovation Edition)
  In this recurring game, the panel guesses which quote is from a Democrat flack and which are from journalists, all covering the $300M White House renovations under Obama versus Trump.

  • Lamenting the evident journo bias (“took pains to ensure American made,” “inevitable howls”), they note the media’s running cover for Obama, contrasted with apoplectic coverage of Trump’s renovations. [59:21–73:13]
  • Key Takeaway:
    “When you’re a Democrat, they let you write the headline.” — John Ashbrook [73:06]

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We know you'll suffer, but it's a sacrifice we're willing to make.”
  — John Ashbrook, satirizing Catherine Clark's 'leverage' logic [04:30]

• “Harry Enten is the sodium pentothal for liberal media.”
  — John Ashbrook [11:03]

• “Big time Hillary Clinton energy, dude.”
  — John Ashbrook on Spanberger’s sense of entitlement [14:23]

• “Both [Teddy Roosevelt and Trump] understand the power of the press. Both have a problem with the press.”
  — Bret Baier [29:37]

• “I’m not a historian. I’m a reporter of history.”
  — Bret Baier [33:16]

• “When you’re a Democrat, they let you write the headline.”
  — John Ashbrook [73:06]

• “He’s like the last of the Mohicans, isn’t he?”
  — Michael Duncan on Bret Baier’s newsman integrity [47:23]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Intro & Setup: 01:05 – 01:42
• Clark’s Shutdown Comments & GOP Response: 03:20 – 06:09
• Media Coverage Double Standards: 08:08 – 09:44
• Harry Enten/CNN Segment: 08:49 – 11:02
• Democratic Coalition Fraying: 11:03 – 12:45
• Spanberger’s Response & Discussion: 12:45 – 17:53
• Bret Baier Interview Begins: 18:51
• Baier on Journalism & Show Structure: 19:04 – 23:36
• On Writing History Books: 26:29 – 33:44
• Parallels: Roosevelt and Trump: 28:25 – 32:21
• Baier Asks the Hosts — “What are we missing?” 34:53
• "Thrill of Victory/Agony of Defeat” Question: 42:15 – 43:44
• Listener Tattoos Segment: 54:04 – 54:49
• Dem or Journo Game: 58:05 – 73:13

Episode Tone, Humor, and Style

The episode is classic Ruthless: sarcastic, irreverent, sharp, and quick-witted, with an undercurrent of gallows humor about contemporary politics and media. The hosts' camaraderie, running gags, and improvisational banter keep the show lively, even as they dig into serious issues of media bias, failed Democratic messaging, and the transformation of the Republican coalition.

Conclusion

In a packed, high-energy episode, the Ruthless crew deep-dive into the Democratic Party’s mounting political struggles, highlight MSM double standards with biting satire, and expertly blend news, history, and dark comedy. Bret Baier’s guest spot offers rare insight into journalistic best practices and presidential history, while the rest of the episode features fan interaction, inside jokes, and classic Ruthless games—making it a “banger” episode for both regulars and new listeners alike.