Ruthless Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: The Gayatollah? + CNN Goes Pro-Iranian

Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Air Date: March 17, 2026
Theme:
The episode serves up the classic Ruthless blend of cutting conservative commentary and dark humor, focusing on recent headlines about Iran’s new Supreme Leader allegedly being gay (the "Gayatollah"), America’s intelligence and media response, and ongoing, often ludicrous, media bias regarding Iran. The panel moves from international intrigue to the US media and politics, while keeping the tone irreverent and fast-paced.

Main Episode Segments

1. "The Gayatollah" Scandal

Begins at 00:00, Main Segment Starts at 03:17

• Headline Discussion:

  • The New York Post’s report that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Majtaba Khomeini, may be gay ("the Gayatollah").
  • Hosts revel in the language (“the power behind the robes,” “the tip is solid”) and the comedic possibilities, given Iran’s extreme anti-gay policies.
  • “Iran, of all countries, might be the most homophobic and terrible.” – Josh Holmes (00:32)
  • “If there’s one country that’s tough to be a gay leader, it’s probably Iran.” – Comfortably Smug (00:38)

• Speculation & CIA Satire:

  • Hosts riff on scenarios involving MI6/Mossad spying, suggesting an unlucky “Seth” had to go undercover as a “gay honeypot.”
  • “We need you to confirm this.” – Michael Duncan (05:17)
  • “You gotta be our gay honeypot.” – Michael Duncan (05:55)

• Iran’s Policies on LGBT People:

  • Openly discuss the brutal treatment of homosexuals in Iran and the odd policy of pushing transgender reassignment instead of execution.
  • “They have accepted transgender surgeries as an alternative to execution.” – Josh Holmes (07:34)

• President Trump’s Reaction:

  • Trump reportedly “laughed out loud” when briefed on the intelligence, as did senior officials.
  • “One senior intelligence official has not stopped laughing about it for days.” – Josh Holmes (08:01)
  • The panel jokes this is rare levity in otherwise grim wartime briefings.

• Parallels with Royal Scandals:

  • Smug compares Khomeini’s predicament to the UK royals—those “not next in line” attract more rumors and leaks.
  • “If you’re not next in line, no one cares about you” logic applied to Iran and British royalty (13:29).

• Mockery as Psychological Warfare:

  • Duncan posits that ridicule is the “ultimate victory”—that mocking opponents beats bombs (14:04).
  • “The ultimate victory is mocking your opponents relentlessly.” – Michael Duncan (14:04)
  • The panel jokes about airdropping “oppo” (opposition propaganda) and copies of the New York Post in Tehran (15:09).

• Memorable Quote:

  “Can we stomp on that for a minute? The power behind the robes.” – Josh Holmes (09:21)

2. CNN’s Iran Coverage & Media Bias

Segment at 17:25

• CNN Critique:

  • CNN is mocked for recycling “fired” journalists and bringing in fringe left-wing commentators (Stelter, McGowan).
  • “They have to fill out the roster on that horrible show … it goes viral because of the insanity they posit.” – Josh Holmes (20:11)

• Examples of Pro-Iran Slant:

  • Clip of CNN's Lee McGowan suggesting “we started a war for no reason,” prompting hosts to parody her logic.
  • “Did you just say we’re the bad guys?” – Comfortably Smug (19:48)
  • “Every liberal when it comes to foreign policy has amnesia. When America does something, that’s when history begins.” – Michael Duncan (21:01)

• Obama/State Dept. Ties:

  • The panel critiques the Obama administration’s approach to Iran, referencing “pallets of cash,” Valerie Jarrett, and embedded Iranian influencers in the State Dept.
  • “Influencers in the sense of an op, not folks who dance on TikTok.” – Comfortably Smug (22:01)

• Hack Madness Announcement:

  • Lighthearted interlude for the annual “Hack Madness” tournament, highlighting media hacks.

• CNN Executives at Iranian Embassy:

  • Newsbusters reports that CNN’s London bureau chief and chief global affairs correspondent attended a celebration at Iran's UK embassy.
  • “CNN officials didn’t appear to be attending the event as journalists. No camera, no notepads, no credentials. Wow.” – Josh Holmes (32:15)
  • Hosts question British officials attending despite Iran’s history of expropriating British assets (BP) and recent human rights abuses.

• Joy Reid’s Hot Take:

  • Reid compares US and Iranian oppression of women, suggesting America is “marginally better” because both countries oppress women for religion.
  • “We’re doing it for Christianity, they’re doing it for Islam. …Trying to spread the belief America is the worst.” – Comfortably Smug (34:13)

• Moral Relativism:

  • “It’s the moral relativism of the American left. It knows no end.” – Michael Duncan (34:17)
  • The hosts mock the logic that “everywhere is better than here” (US).

3. Other Notable Segments & Quotes

Audience Comments: Democrats’ Worst Excuses

Starts ~36:33

• Comedic recounting of Democrats' excuses for misbehaviors—including NASA's Sheila Jackson Lee and Rep. Eric Massa’s “tickle fight” defense (39:02).
• “Who amongst us doesn’t roll into the old schedule in the legislative department … [for] a tickle fight?” – Josh Holmes (39:13)
• Discussion of Graham Plantner, Maine Senate candidate with a Nazi tattoo, and Democrats’ dilemma (“the mummy or the Nazi?”) – (42:54)

Ninth Circuit “Swinging Dicks” Dissent

Begins at 46:07

• Panel discusses the legal battle over a Korean women-only spa forced to admit transgender women with male genitalia.
• Read directly from the dissent:

  "This is a case about swinging dicks." – Judge Van Dyke, as quoted by Josh Holmes (47:30)

• “Women don’t want to be naked around swinging dicks.” – Michael Duncan (46:54)
• Point made that laws to protect women’s spaces are needed.

Democrats’ Congressional Approval Hitting Record Lows

Begins at 50:21

• CNN’s own Harry Entnan shares Democrats in Congress have a net approval rating “lower than the Dead Sea”—down 55 points, lowest ever (50:23).
• “If everybody just got on the same page … we can beat these guys.” – Michael Duncan (51:27)

Bizarre Democrat Candidate: Jack Schlossberg

Starts at 54:04

• JFK’s grandson keeps a skeleton in his house, dressed in JFK’s robe, claims it helps him “study posture” and consult his grandfather (55:19).
• Panel calls this “psycho” and highlights that he has four trust funds, “received no earned income in 2025” (57:11).

Oscars’ Diversity Quotas

Segment from 59:34

• Panel reviews new Oscar rules: racial/LGBTQ/disability quotas for film consideration (60:11).
• “I didn’t think you could put barriers around art.” – Josh Holmes (63:29)
• Argues "art for the mind to explore" is being undermined by politics.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "Iran, of all countries … might be the most homophobic and terrible."
  – Josh Holmes [00:32]

• “We need you to confirm this.”
  – Michael Duncan [05:17]

• "The ultimate victory is mocking your opponents relentlessly."
  – Michael Duncan [14:04]

• "Did you just say we’re the bad guys?"
  – Comfortably Smug [19:48]

• "Every liberal when it comes to foreign policy has amnesia. When America does something, that’s when history begins."
  – Michael Duncan [21:01]

• "They have to wear ghost costumes in their country. Let's be real..."
  – Michael Duncan [34:24]

• "This is a case about swinging dicks."
  – Judge Van Dyke dissent, read by Josh Holmes [47:30]

• "Democrats in the minds of the American public are lower than the Dead Sea."
  – Josh Holmes (citing Harry Entnan) [50:23]

Memorable Moments

• The "gay honeypot" riff on Mossad operations (05:17-05:59)
• The idea of mocking Iran by airdropping New York Post headlines (14:24)
• Judge Van Dyke's explicit language in a judicial dissent (47:30)
• Joy Reid and panel’s take on media moral relativism about US vs. Iran (34:13-35:11)
• The JFK skeleton story and the oddities of modern Democratic candidates (55:19+)
• Oscars’ diversity rules discussion (59:34+)

Conclusion

Packed with running jokes, sharp asides, and caustic asides about the media and politics, this Ruthless episode skewers the latest Iran headlines, mocks left-leaning media coverage, and lampoons the general state of politics and culture. The show’s tone remains unapologetically snarky, with the hosts gleefully embracing the role of cultural provocateurs, making it clear that for them, ridicule (not just analysis) is a weapon in the conservative arsenal.

Key Timestamps for Segments

• Gayatollah Segment: 00:00-16:25
• CNN & Media Segment: 17:25-35:07
• Audience Q&A and Excuses: 36:33-43:39
• Spa Case & Legal Dissent: 46:07-49:46
• CNN/Harry Entnan Poll Data: 50:21-53:21
• Schlossberg Skeleton Segment: 54:04-57:44
• Oscars DEI Rules: 59:34-65:11