Ruthless Podcast – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Spectacular Media Fails of 2025
Date: January 2, 2026
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Overview
This episode of the Ruthless Podcast kicks off 2026 by taking a rollicking, sharp-tongued look back at the most egregious media blunders of 2025. Featuring the hosts' trademark banter and irreverence, the episode mixes biting critique of legacy media and progressive culture with lighter moments and interviews with top conservative political figures. The focus is skewering the out-of-touch narratives and ideological follies that dominated the news cycle, highlighting how shifting political winds have pressured the mainstream press into repeated self-owns.
Segment Breakdown & Key Insights
1. Introduction: Setting the Tone
- Theme: 2025 was filled with “media fails”—the hosts’ main agenda is to spotlight the most absurd, egregious, and culturally telling flubs.
- Quote: “There was an embarrassment of riches to choose from.” (Comfortably Smug, 02:27)
2. Sydney Sweeney’s 'Good Genes' Ad & Manufactured Outrage
- Timestamps: 02:29–07:26
- The hosts dissect the media outcry over Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ‘good genes’ ad.
- Legacy media, per the hosts, leapt to frame it as “Nazi propaganda” and evidence of white supremacy.
- The panel ridicules the premise, arguing it's emblematic of progressive overreach and the left's obsession with identity politics.
- Memorable Moment:
- Comfortably Smug: “No serious person believes this for years and for way too long. This whole, like, America is just covered in white supremacy, and it's the greatest threat we have...” (04:10)
- Analysis:
- Hosts credit Trump’s 2025 presidency for shifting the Overton window, making such stories laughable rather than destructive.
3. Irish Deportation Comparisons on CBS (John Dickerson; St. Patrick’s Day)
- Timestamps: 07:27–12:23
- CBS and Dickerson equate ICE’s enforcement with historic Irish discrimination.
- The panel mocks this as an egregious stretch and a patronizing appeal to white liberal guilt.
- Michael Duncan: “This is their view of the world. ...They look differently than us. There's no way they're doing something wrong.” (11:38)
- Comfortably Smug: “When they juxtapose the argument with like images ... getting sent to El Salvador prison, it's like, what are you trying to say here?” (09:52)
- Theme: Identity matters more than facts or culpability in the media’s current framing.
4. Jim Acosta Interviews Dead Children via AI
- Timestamps: 12:33–14:11
- CNN’s Acosta is lambasted for “interviewing” a murdered child recreated by AI to push gun control.
- Hosts unanimously agree this was the most ghoulish, morally bankrupt media moment of 2025.
- Michael Duncan: “This is the crown. This is like the degenerate left of media fails at its top.” (14:06)
5. Taylor Lorenz and Assassin Chic
- Timestamps: 14:22–17:12
- Taylor Lorenz is mocked for suggesting that women “stan” (idolize) a presumed assassin because he is “morally good.”
- The segment illustrates, say the hosts, how some progressive talking heads lionize criminality and invert moral logic.
- “You know, put on your beret like your Che Guevara.” (John Ashbrook, 16:57)
- Reference to CNN tweeting a GoFundMe for the defense of an alleged assassin.
6. Miscellaneous 2025 Media Lowlights
- Timestamps: 17:12–20:44
- Hosts recall moments such as cheering for Tesla-burning, liberal celebration of right-wing figures’ assassinations, and the general unhinged behavior on legacy late-night comedy.
7. Brief Jim Cramer Take (The 'Inverted Cramer')
- Timestamps: 20:44–21:48
- Jim Cramer’s on-air antics discussed as ongoing meme fodder: "Any investment advice he provides, you just want to go the opposite.” (Josh Holmes, 20:44)
8. Olivia Nuzzi Saga
- Timestamps: 21:48–26:40
- The hosts recount Olivia Nuzzi’s personal and professional unraveling—alleged improper campaign involvement, professional fallout, and her failed attempt to cash in with a book.
- Comfortably Smug: “We know what she's terrified of. It's accountability.” (23:13)
- Her actions and the substack exposé are mocked as emblematic of media class dysfunction.
9. Bill Belichick’s Bizarre Year
- Timestamps: 26:42–28:35
- Lighthearted look at the coach’s relationship drama and media's coverage of it.
10. Anderson Cooper vs. Chris Sununu (Luxury Hotels for Migrants)
- Timestamps: 28:35–30:06
- Anderson Cooper admonishes Sununu, telling him “don’t be a dick” during a heated exchange about FEMA funds. Hosts lampoon Cooper’s sense of entitlement.
Political Interviews: Highlights & Quotes
Interview: The Vice President (beginning at ~30:44)
On Media’s Sweeney Outrage:
- “My political advice to the Democrats is: continue to tell everybody who thinks Sydney Sweeney is attractive is a Nazi. That appears to be their actual strategy.” (VP, 33:18)
- Analysis: VP calls out Dems for attacking “basic American life” and being hostile to normalcy.
On the Job:
- Tells story of never driving again after VP nomination (36:14), and bringing the nuclear football on family hikes.
Interview: Speaker Mike Johnson (37:47–44:31)
On House Majority:
- “It's an advantage to be underestimated sometimes... We defied expectations to do that.” (38:35)
- “There were articles the night before the election... saying we were going to lose the majority. I never believed that.” (38:35)
On Immigration & Riots:
- “We had existing federal law. The President had the authority to do it. Biden tried to argue with us. He never had the authority. ...They opened the border intentionally.” (40:08)
- “If the local and state officials... are unable or unwilling to keep law and order... then the President must. That’s called leadership.” (43:32)
Interview: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (44:40–49:16)
On the 'Big, Beautiful Bill':
- “It was an incredibly comprehensive piece of legislation... generational... national security, border security, energy dominance, tax relief made permanent... entitlement reform…” (46:15)
- “Not only did we avoid the $4 trillion tax increase at the end of the year, but ... there were other pieces added to it. No tax on tips, no tax on overtime...” (48:17)
Interview: Carolyn Levitt, White House Press Secretary (49:28–57:16)
On Her Role:
- “We're having a lot of fun. And I work for a boss who, believe it or not, is actually doing what he said he was going to do. So it makes my job... a heck of a lot easier.” (51:19)
On Media Transparency:
- “We announced the new media seat in the briefing room on day one. We've Brought in the ruthless podcast, you know, people like Sage Steele... Axio, Semaphore... and they don't have a seat in the room. Like, why?” (55:35)
- “This is the most transparent administration. We are not afraid to take questions from anyone.” (56:29)
Interview: Senator John Kennedy (57:16–65:53)
On Shutdown Drama:
- “The Democrats have done a pretty good job of muddying the water to make it look deep, but it’s very simple...” (58:43)
- Calls out Schumer, AOC; jokes abound (“He’s nervous as a pregnant nun”).
On Obamacare:
- “The Affordable Care act is not affordable... It sucks so much that people say, we will not buy it unless you give us the money.” (63:00–64:18)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “This is the crown. This is like the degenerate left of media fails at its top.” – Michael Duncan (14:06)
- “We know what she's terrified of. It's accountability.” – Comfortably Smug (23:13)
- “My political advice to the Democrats is continue to tell everybody who thinks Sydney Sweeney is attractive is a Nazi. That appears to be their actual strategy.” – The Vice President (33:18)
- “There's a reason they're called paddy wagons, you know, so he's bringing that up, but...to turn it into, like, Trump would have done bad things. Like, that's a stretch.” – Comfortably Smug (08:15)
- “It is their avenue, they think, to hold onto power because they can't win on their policies.” – Speaker Mike Johnson (42:15)
- “This was to me kind of what you. This is why you do this job.” – John Thune (47:51)
- “Operation Let Her Speak.” – Sen. Kennedy, on AOC (60:53)
Episode Timestamps – Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|--------------| | 02:02 | Kickoff – 2025’s media fails overview | | 02:29 | Sydney Sweeney ad controversy | | 07:27 | CBS equates ICE to Irish deportation | | 12:33 | Jim Acosta interviews AI 'dead child' | | 14:22 | Taylor Lorenz lionizes assassin | | 17:12 | Late-night/leftist celebration of violence | | 20:44 | Jim Cramer—The “inverted Kramer” gag | | 21:48 | Olivia Nuzzi’s saga | | 26:42 | Bill Belichick’s relationship | | 28:35 | Anderson Cooper–Chris Sununu spat | | 30:44 | Vice President interview | | 37:47 | Speaker Mike Johnson interview | | 44:40 | Sen. John Thune interview | | 49:28 | Carolyn Levitt interview | | 57:16 | Sen. Kennedy interview |
Conclusion
The episode’s tone is gleefully relentless, roasting the mainstream press for its perceived excesses and moral panics, while celebrating conservative political victories and cultural pushback in 2025. Interviews with prominent Republican figures showcase the administration’s legislative accomplishments and confidence in the new media environment. Through humor and pointed criticism, the Ruthless crew frames 2025 as a tipping point—a year when much of the press sabotaged itself, and the public’s appetite for alternative, unvarnished political talk reached new heights.
Final note from the team: “The best is yet to come. Believe you me, we’re working on it. ...Until next time, minions, keep the faith, hold the line and own the libs.” (66:22–66:47)