Ruthless Podcast – "Nutty Democrats Crank the Crazy"

Episode Summary: October 16, 2025
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook

Overview:

This episode of the Ruthless Podcast brings the signature irreverent, sharp-tongued conservative analysis to what the hosts call the “diagnosable clinical insanity of the Democratic Party.” Against the backdrop of the ongoing government shutdown, the fellas rip into what they see as the latest self-inflicted wounds of Democrats, touching on everything from healthcare policy to performative outrage, luxury getaways in the middle of crises, and more. Interviews with Amber Duke and Coinbase’s Chief Policy Officer add depth to the show, and the ever-popular “King of the Hill” round, listener comments, and variety segments provide laughs and biting commentary throughout.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Opening Salvo: Democrat “Insanity” and Healthcare Policy (00:00–06:30)

• The hosts set the tone by labeling current Democratic actions as “clinical insanity”, with a focus on the disconnect between Democratic policy rhetoric and their actual decisions during the government shutdown.
• Quote:
  • Josh Holmes (A): “It's just such an unmasking of the entire ideology because… they broke the market, they broke the marketplace. So everything skyrocketed, as Republicans said it would all the way back in 2010. And their answer for that is throw taxpayer dollars at it.” [04:52]
• Healthcare debates are framed as a circular problem of Democrats trying to remedy their own failed policies by throwing more money—especially by subsidizing insurance companies and expanding benefits to illegal immigrants.

2. Shutdown Shenanigans: Blame, Budget, and Napa Valley (06:32–13:41)

• The hosts mock Democratic efforts to blame Republicans for a shutdown, arguing Dems are refusing to fund a budget they’d already previously approved.
• Sharp contrast is drawn between Republicans trying to “keep the lights on” and Senate Democrats holding a retreat at a luxury Napa Valley hotel ($1,100/night at Hotel Yountville), near the infamous French Laundry.
  • Quote:
    • Holmes (A): “While Trump is solving world peace and… Senate Republicans are holding votes… these guys are in Napa at Hotel Yountville.” [06:40]
• They poke fun at Democrats’ apparent lack of shame, referencing Instagrammable moments at the retreat while troops and staffers go unpaid.

3. Performative Outrage and the Progressive Base (13:43–16:36)

• The hosts flag the shift from accountability to outright shamelessness, referencing historic Democratic figures and current progressive activism.
• Example: AOC’s “Tax the Rich” dress at the Met Gala is highlighted alongside open support for luxury and privilege within progressive circles.
• They highlight the routine use of accusations of racism and white supremacy as a last-ditch excuse:
  • Quote:
    • Holmes (A): “And then Yvette shows up with Sharpton... to say what is happening here and why the government is shut down… frankly, is white supremacy.” [14:59]

4. House Stunts and Shutdown Disinformation (16:36–20:26)

• The podcast details a liberal media stunt where Democrats, led by female House members, demand swearing in of a new member while the House is out of session, turning it into press spectacle.
• The narrative is increasingly unhinged: one viral leftist theory links the shutdown to Jeffrey Epstein conspiracy and a governmental cover-up.
  • Quote:
    • Holmes (A): “So what they are alleging is the government shutdown, I don't know, somehow tied into... covering up... [the] crimes [of] a deceased pedophile whose crimes were committed 22 years ago...” [19:19]

5. Media Coverage: The Shutdown That ‘Disappeared’ (20:26–33:42)

• The conversation pivots to the media’s refusal to cover the shutdown as responsibility shifted onto Democrats, citing front pages of the New York Times and Washington Post devoid of shutdown news.
• Mainstream bias is critiqued as not just “how” issues are covered, but “what” gets covered at all.
• Guest Amber Duke, Daily Caller:
  • Discusses the media’s unwillingness to focus on stories that might make Democrats look bad; plugs her “Unfit to Print” newsletter as a countermeasure.

6. Interview: Amber Duke on Federal Bureaucracy, Political Violence, and the Devolution of Civil Debate (23:02–45:59)

• Amber Duke offers historical perspective on government layoffs under Clinton vs. modern bureaucratic bloat.
• Quote:
  • Amber Duke (F): “Everybody used to agree that the government should be more efficient and smaller. And now there is a party that is… dedicated to actually growing government, and they view government as a jobs program. Like, every person who… doesn't have any skills—they go to work at the federal government, right?” [26:05]
• Discussion turns to Supreme Court’s Chevron decision—more bureaucracy versus democratic oversight.
• Amber details the left’s willingness to justify political violence, referencing shocking polling and the lack of Democratic condemnation for such behavior:
  • “Polling on this, it's very clear. Leftists are so more willing to justify political violence against their political opponents than the right. It's an order of like 25% to 4% in pretty much every poll.” [35:11]
• The hosts and Amber discuss how language and “systemic violence” are used by the left as justification for real-world violence.

7. Transgender Issues, Virginia Politics, and ‘Radical’ Candidates (42:23–47:04)

• Virginia’s gubernatorial race becomes a focal point for debates about the trans movement, with particular ridicule for Democratic candidates’ avoidance of clear stances.
• The infamous “Dick Cox” case is mocked for both the name and the absurdity the hosts see in trans policy debates.
  • Quote:
    • Holmes (A): “You're like, maybe we shouldn't have naked pedophiles in showers and perhaps wishing the death upon your political opponent.” [48:01]

8. King of the Hill: Conway vs. Kristol, Social Media Meltdown (56:32–68:41)

• Signature segment where tweets from George Conway and Bill Kristol are pitted against each other for peak self-importance and absurdity.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Smug slams George Conway’s projection: “If he could understand a woman's body language, he wouldn't be divorced.” [61:48]
• The back-and-forth highlights the melodrama and self-righteousness that the hosts see in never-Trump Republican commentary.
• Winning Tweet: Conway’s complaint about lack of scrutiny on Trump’s health:
  • “Is it just me, or does it seem the press is actually and completely terrified to report about real Donald Trump's physical and mental health? The way. The way. Again, again, terrible writing. It would have. If anyone else were president.” [66:49]

9. Zoo Gorilla Attack Segment: The Parable of Denny the Gorilla (70:26–75:35)

• The hosts riff on viral news of a gorilla breaking glass at the San Diego Zoo, comparing it to audience misbehavior and lamenting social decay (e.g., staring at phones instead of animals).
• Quote:
  • Comfortably Smug (B): “I think Denny's a hero. Check out the humans in their natural environment, glued to their phones, eating popcorn and letting their children run wild.” [72:30]

10. Interview: Faryar Shirzad, Coinbase Chief Policy Officer – Crypto, Regulations, and the Trump Administration (76:00–94:17)

• Segment Begins [76:00]
• Shirzad credits the Trump administration's crypto policy with ending a "war on crypto" and bringing jobs back to the US, as opposed to pushing innovation offshore (as under Biden).
• Discusses legislation like the Genius Act and Clarity Act, bipartisan support for crypto, and the fight against big banks trying to block stablecoin rewards.
• Quote:
  • Shirzad (E): “We're fighting a fight… because the banks were able to get a ban on stablecoin issuers being able to share some interest in you with their customers… But you can be a foreign issuer… lighter regulatory touch… banks win, the Trump admin loses.” [83:35]
• Explains how crypto is a natural evolution of the internet, allows instant transfer of value, and empowers individuals over “legacy” finance.
• Mentions Daily Caller’s role in covering under-served news and explains how “standwithcrypto.org” can get listeners involved politically.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Holmes on luxury while troops go unpaid:
  • “While Trump is solving world peace... these guys are in Napa at Hotel Yountville.” [06:40]
• Amber Duke on government work:
  • “Everybody used to agree that the government should be more efficient and smaller. And now… they view government as a jobs program.” [26:05]
• Smug on the left and violence:
  • “Polling… shows… leftists are so more willing to justify political violence… than the right. It's an order of 25% to 4%.” [35:11]
• Holmes on Democratic talking points:
  • “What's the worst Democratic talking point on the shutdown we've covered? It's that there's white supremacy. It's Epstein. There's… the No Kings rally.” [49:44]
• Smug—Gorilla at the zoo as parable:
  • “I think Denny's a hero. Check out the humans in their natural environment, glued to their phones, eating popcorn and letting their ch. Children run wild.” [72:30]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening Rant & Healthcare Policy: 00:00–06:30
• Napa Valley, Democratic Retreat: 06:32–13:41
• Media, Outrage, and Pelosiisms: 13:43–16:36
• House Staging & Epstein Theory: 16:36–20:26
• Amber Duke Interview (Shutdown, Bureaucracy): 23:02–45:59
• King of the Hill: 56:32–68:41
• Zoo Gorilla Segment: 70:26–75:35
• Faryar Shirzad (Coinbase) Interview: 76:00–94:17

Tone and Language

The tone remains biting, comedic, and unfiltered throughout. Hosts use strong language at times, are quick to drop pop culture references, and are unsparing in their criticism of both Democrats and the more earnest elements of never-Trump Republican resistance.

Conclusion

This episode is ruthlessly on-brand: barbed takedowns of the Democrats' latest maneuvers, derision for left-wing groupthink and media priorities, and a heavy dose of inside-conservative snark about political and pop culture absurdities. The guest interviews add substance amid the chaos, delivering perspectives on the bureaucratic state and the future of crypto legislation. If you missed the show, this summary brings together the recurring themes: progressive shamelessness, bureaucracy run wild, conservative exasperation (and glee), and a keen sense for the most darkly comic moments in American politics.