Ruthless Podcast Episode Summary
Episode Title: The Dumbest Supreme Court Justice Ever?
Date: January 16, 2026
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug (“Smug”), Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Special Guest: Bruce Pearl (legendary college basketball coach)
Overview
This episode delivers the standard "variety progrum" that Ruthless fans expect, blending irreverent conservative commentary, legal and political analysis, and a candid, in-depth interview with coach Bruce Pearl. The major theme centers around a U.S. Supreme Court case on trans athletes in women’s sports, with extensive mockery of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's perceived lack of legal understanding. The crew also riffs on current events, culture-war absurdities, and college sports, before transitioning into a sharp, personal interview with Pearl.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Supreme Court & "Dumbest Justice" Take
- The crew opens with sharp criticism of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s questioning in the recent Supreme Court case about men in women's sports, characterizing her as not understanding basic legal concepts.
- Quote:
- Smug [00:00]: “Congratulations. The Supreme Court has now stepped up to provide the dumbest people in the world. It's just incredible having someone on the Supreme Court who doesn't understand the most basic of things... She's like, well, why do there have to be rules?”
- The hosts argue Jackson’s difficulty defining “woman” exposes the incoherence in left-wing arguments around sex and gender, mocking her repeated “I don’t understand” refrains (played in a clip montage).
- Josh Holmes [10:10]: “This is the way that she's approaching issues where she's the ultimate authority.”
- They suggest the legal left is self-destructing by refusing to define clear terms, which could undermine major anti-discrimination laws if the logic is carried out.
- Josh Holmes [04:32]: “If they lose this, you probably lose every single... Affirmative action is gone. But you probably lose all discrimination cases, federal, state and whatever. Because their argument in and of itself is there's no difference.”
Notable Moments & Quotes
- Michael Duncan [05:11]: “They seem like the first questions that you would prepare for if you were going to go up against Judge Alito. I mean, and they were just basic fact based questions.”
- Smug [05:29]: “It just really crystallized in my mind how much of the left, their foundation is just like vibes. And they haven't thought out the consequences of anything they do...”
- “Fun Time Friday” segment leads into extended mocking of Jackson and left-wing legal philosophy.
2. Language, "Cisgender," and Social Contracts
- The crew ridicules “cisgender” as an invented term and pushes back against evolving language around gender identity.
- Josh Holmes [13:58]: “They made it up. They're inventing a new language.”
- They frame current progressive ideas as violating “basic social contracts” (e.g. “the sky is blue, gravity exists, water is wet”).
- Josh Holmes [17:50]: “What the modern left is up to today is a basic violation of a social contract that we all entered into as Americans at an early age.”
3. Viral Video Segment – Pushback Against Protesters
- The guys react to a viral protest video where a man with a U.S. flag drops a string of left-wing protesters trying to harass him.
- Josh Holmes [22:48]: “So you got a bunch of lefty anarchists that are saying, like, no, no, no, save our pedophiles. One guy holding a flag, they decide to accost him, and he's like, I've had just about enough of this.”
- Riff on how Americans are “sick of bullying” by activist mobs, tying it to broader cultural frustration.
- Smug [23:46]: “The left just has to learn, like, Americans are sick of the bullying. That's why we got the election the way we did in 2024...”
4. Minnesota Governor “Ride You” Gaffe
- Hosts play a clip of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz awkwardly saying, “Expect for the next 11 months for me to ride you like you've never been ridden.”
- Bruce Pearl [25:16]: [Clip]
- Josh Holmes/Snarking: “He's seeing himself as a top when I think he's more of a bottom. It's certainly not a power bottom in the classical sense…” (26:10)
5. “Dumbest Lib” of the Week & Listener Engagement
- The running bit: Is Ketanji Brown Jackson or Tim Walz the “dumbest lib this week”? Listeners are encouraged to vote in comments.
[47:00] FEATURE INTERVIEW: Bruce Pearl
On Coaching, Leadership, and NIL
- Pearl shares stories of his career arc, emphasizing hard work wherever you are and caring about the job at hand.
- Bruce Pearl [47:47]: “Do an unbelievable job with where you are. Don't worry about what's next. What's next gonna take care of itself if you do a great job where you are.”
- He laments recent chaos in college athletics caused by NIL, transfer portal rules, and the fear that non-revenue sports (like women's sports) and Olympic development will be collateral damage without congressional action.
- [53:48] Pearl: “...Now, keep in mind, dial the hands of time back five, six years ago, you couldn't buy him a hamburger. I lost my job for having a barbecue at my house. Right. Let's keep it real. Right.”
- Advocates for Congress to grant “limited antitrust ability” and a special classification for student-athletes to restore sanity to college sports finance.
On Politics, Speaking Out, and Jewish Identity
- Pearl discusses the rarity and risks of being an outspoken conservative and pro-Israel figure in college sports.
- [59:46] “Silence is complicity...I've never gone to synagogue, and I go to synagogue a lot without a police officer at the door and in the parking lot. And he's not there to park cars. He's there to protect us as worshipers...”
- He reflects on anti-Semitism, racism, and the importance of authenticity over towing the progressive line:
- [62:39] “As long as you're on the side of right versus wrong, good versus evil, and the truth. The truth. I'm okay.”
- Pearl says he flirted with running for U.S. Senate but decided against it due to party bylaws and a desire to make more impact outside politics.
- [73:00] “I'm not a diplomat. That's the problem. I'm not a politician. I'm too direct. I'm too much of an idealistic.”
On Conservative Values & Hope for the Country
- Urges listeners (and young coaches) to be authentic and stand firm in their beliefs, encouraging civil disagreement and mutual respect.
- [65:33] “We have a great melting pot. We really do. And I wish we were way more tolerant, each of different opinions...”
- Says the U.S. is still the best country in the world—optimism despite division.
Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)
- Josh Holmes [06:32]: “It's the basic question. It's the one we've been asking for years. And the left can't answer it.”
- Michael Duncan [10:43]: “You'd think it would be a prerequisite for being on the highest court in the land was, you know, understanding things.”
- Smug [17:06]: “Boys are boys, girls are girls. That's just how it's always been for a million years.”
- Bruce Pearl [47:47]: “Do an unbelievable job with where you are. Don't worry about what's next.”
- Bruce Pearl [53:48]: “Aren't you lawmakers in charge? Can you not just adjust the laws so we can be in compliance with the law?”
- Bruce Pearl [59:46]: “Silence is complicity...I'm just doing what I'm supposed to be doing.”
- Josh Holmes [63:51]: “You can stand for what you believe in. You don't need to hide it. We can all kind of be in this thing together...”
- Bruce Pearl [65:33]: “We have a great melting pot. We really do. And I wish we were way more tolerant...”
- Bruce Pearl [74:52]: “There's some amazing people up here but there's some real stupid people out here, right?...I just don't think I can do as much good in as I can out.”
Important Segments & Timestamps
- 00:00 – 05:11: Opening, Supreme Court/Jackson context
- 09:44 – 14:38: Compilation of “I don’t understand” by Ketanji Brown Jackson, analysis
- 21:01 – 25:00: Protest video, pushback on activist mobs
- 25:16 – 26:44: Gov. Walz’s “ride you” comment, hosts riff on sexual roles
- 46:16 – 77:10: Interview with Bruce Pearl—career, NIL, politics, identity, possible Senate run
- 77:14 – end: Hosts debrief, challenge fans with “dumbest lib” contest
Tone Analysis
- Language: Sarcastic, irreverent, deeply partisan, and at times gleefully combative
- Vibe: Fraternity-like ribbing; mocking of political/cultural left; proud boosterism for “old school” American values and conservative causes
- Balance: While much of the episode is tongue-in-cheek, the Bruce Pearl interview offers sincere reflection and advice
Final Thoughts
This episode exemplifies Ruthless’s “variety” blend: sharp, funny, and sometimes biting right-wing commentary on legal and sociopolitical issues, with a premiere sports guest who connects culture, leadership, and public courage. Whether you’re seeking the rundown on the latest Supreme Court flap or thoughtful advice from a legendary coach, this episode delivers both with signature Ruthless attitude.