Ruthless Podcast – Episode Summary Episode Title: The Grand Delusions of the Democrat Party
Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Josh Holmes (“Wolf”), Comfortably Smug (absent), Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook

Overview

In this episode, the Ruthless crew—down one man as Comfortably Smug recovers from illness—takes a spirited dive into what they label “the grand delusions” of the Democratic Party. With their signature lively banter, they dissect recent moments in Democratic politics, lampoon notable figures, and critique media narratives. The show features characteristic segments, humorous detours, games, and listener Q&As, all through a next-generation conservative lens.

Main Segments and Insights

1. Gavin Newsom’s “Heroics” and Inflated Stories

Timestamps: 02:17–06:56

• The hosts open with a mocking breakdown of California Governor Gavin Newsom recounting his supposed close call with fire during the Palisades fire, scrutinizing both the story and Newsom’s penchant for making every event about himself.
• They compare Newsom’s self-aggrandizement to notorious political exaggerations, notably Hillary Clinton’s Bosnia sniper fire story and Brian Williams’ helicopter incident.
• Notable Quote:
  • Ashbrook: “He’s the Patrick Bateman of American politics.” (02:46)
  • Lee: “On what planet does he think he’s going to get away with this kind of lie? Only if you’re a Democrat and you’ve gotten away with lies for your entire career.” (05:49)
• The team reviews video footage refuting Newsom’s account, finding no evidence of a flaming incident, and poke fun at his “masculine” posturing.

2. Tim Walz and The Modern Democrat Brand

Timestamps: 07:07–09:21

• Discussion pivots to former Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz, lampooned for a shifting personal brand focused on stereotypical blue-collar masculinity, now claiming that Republican fear of his 'masculinity' drives their criticism.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Walz clip: “Some of us scare them...I think I scare them a little bit. Because I can fix a truck. They know I’m not bullshitting on this.” (08:14)
  • Wolf: “His identity is $5 billion of fraud in a Somali community...skipping down the stage...” (08:55)
• The gang highlights the contradiction between Walz’s campaign persona and the current narrative, finding it lacking in authenticity.

3. Kamala Harris as “Historic Figure”

Timestamps: 10:03–16:25

• An extended riff on Vice President Kamala Harris’ assertion (via a New York Times article) that her 'place in history is already secure’ and that there will be ‘a marble bust of me in Congress.’
• The hosts critique Harris for telling others she’s a historic figure and lampoon the lack of humility, comparing her to George Washington ‘crossing the Delaware.’
• They analyze the media turn: in 2024, coverage was “aspirational,” now it’s dismissive, signaling waning establishment Democratic support.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Ashbrook: “If you’ve gotta tell people you’re a historic figure, you aren’t exactly.” (12:09)
  • Lee: “Her place in history is already secure. She’s an idiot.” (13:19)
  • Wolf: “Who is begging for Kamala Harris to reemerge? ...You roll out of the rack...‘Where’s Kamala today?’” (13:59)
• Ashbrook likens Harris’s current state to an “aging quarterback returns to his old high school with a letterman jacket on.” (15:29)

4. Jasmine Crockett’s Counter-Intuitive Campaign Launch

Timestamps: 17:32–24:44

• Analysis of Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s Texas campaign launch, notably how her own consultants seem to hide her voice, focusing instead on video clips of Donald Trump insulting her and a musical performance where the rapper forgets his lines.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Wolf: “Her only brand...is like the furthest reaches, the far left, the resistance crew, that anything that Donald Trump says that they hate...” (19:39)
  • Lee: “Once again, you have Jasmine Crockett’s consultants letting somebody else do the talking.” (22:56)
  • Wolf: “It’s her own peeps, but it really...tells you everything about the state of the Democratic Party. Right. Like that opposition to Donald Trump is their one motivating factor.” (20:54)
• The team lampoons the notion of launching a campaign by repeating the opponent’s (Trump’s) attacks, breaking the “golden rule” of politics.

5. Listener Q&A: Delusional Democratic Narratives

Timestamps: 25:08–34:07

• The hosts open up to listener comments on which “Democrat delusion” is the most grand, offering their own examples and riffing on topics like Obamacare blame, inflation, the border, and the notion of Kamala Harris as a “historic figure.”
• They praise audience insight into how economic narratives disconnect from daily realities.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Wolf: “You all gotta get in the choir and you gotta sing it together.” (31:21)

6. Venezuela, Oil, and Military Transparency

Timestamps: 35:00–38:00

• Discussion of U.S. military transparency in operations against Venezuelan narco-terrorists and the politics of engaging with the Maduro regime, including a rare video of a U.S. military fast-rope operation to seize an oil tanker.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Lee: “There is full transparency on everything...he is showing you what is happening rather than leaving it up to the New York Times and the Washington Post to describe it in their most dem-friendly terms.” (36:15)
  • Wolf: “If we’re going to commit American assets in any real way, you have to make a case for it to the American public...” (38:00)

7. AOC’s Luxury “Grassroots” Expenditures

Timestamps: 40:02–44:56

• Critique of AOC’s campaign spending nearly $50k on lux hotels, pricey catering, and a suite at a Bad Bunny concert in Puerto Rico while railing against gentrification.
• The crew mock the congruence between “vow of poverty” themes and living lavishly, referencing the ongoing competition among Democrats for “center stage.”
• Notable Quotes:
  • Wolf: “She’s deeply proud of her investment in grassroots organizing, will continue to be active advocating for...Puerto Ricans in the diaspora.” (44:38)
  • Ashbrook: “I just think every liberal out there who watches Ms. Now chip in $5 so AOC can go to another concert. She’s doing the Lord’s work.” (44:40)

8. Dem or Journo Game: Inflation Narratives

Timestamps: 45:19–58:32

• The classic Ruthless “Dem or Journo” game returns, attempting to distinguish between Democratic politicians’ and journalists’ statements on inflation during the Biden years.
• A mix of statements are read; the hosts attempt to guess the source, but are outfoxed by the inclusion of economic advisors’ wonkish language.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Wolf: “It is excusing the action that was demonstrably wrong by saying the action that nobody felt because we can’t possibly hypothesize what actually would happen if it didn’t...” (56:29)
  • Lee: “Well, fellas, I think that aligns you with our audience who feels tricked by the mainstream media every single day.” (56:04)

9. Variety Segment: College Football Scandal

Timestamps: 58:36–63:12

• Recaps the sudden firing and arrest of Michigan football coach Sharon Moore for off-field conduct, contrasting it with previous scandals and lampooning the “Michigan man” moniker.

10. Bonus Variety: Skydiving Flag World Record, Arizona Daredevil, Big Boy Graveyard, Skyline Chili

Timestamps: 63:14–71:00

• Celebrates American skydivers reclaiming a world record from Libya (with Senate candidate Tim Sheehy participating).
• Enjoys a viral Arizona teen’s dirt bike stunt (against neighborhood scolds), and laments hedge fund destruction of Big Boy restaurants in Ohio—complete with passionate defense of their menu and rivalry with Skyline Chili.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Lee (on Skyline): “It’s so flavorful. You guys don’t like flavor, that’s your problem.” (70:32)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Ashbrook: “He’s the Patrick Bateman of American politics.” (02:46)
• Lee: “On what planet does he think he’s going to get away with this kind of lie? Only if you’re a Democrat and you’ve gotten away with lies for your entire career.” (05:49)
• Ashbrook: “If you’ve gotta tell people you’re a historic figure, you aren’t exactly.” (12:09)
• Lee: “Her place in history is already secure. She’s an idiot.” (13:19)
• Wolf (on Kamala): “Who is begging for Kamala Harris to reemerge?...You roll out of the rack…‘Where’s Kamala today?’” (13:59)
• Wolf: “Her only brand...is like the farthest reaches, the far left, the resistance crew…” (19:39)
• Lee: "Once again, you have Jasmine Crockett’s consultants letting somebody else do the talking." (22:56)
• Wolf: “If we’re going to commit American assets in any real way, you have to make a case for it to the American public…” (38:00)
• Wolf: “She’s deeply proud of her investment in grassroots organizing, will continue to be active advocating for...Puerto Ricans in the diaspora.” (44:38)
• Lee (on Skyline Chili): “It’s so flavorful. You guys don’t like flavor, that’s your problem.” (70:32)

Key Takeaways

• The episode lampoons Democratic figures for perceived self-aggrandizement, media double standards, and tone-deaf campaign strategies.
• The “Democrat delusions” theme weaves through examples: Newsom’s dramatics, Kamala’s self-praise, Crockett’s campaign launches, AOC’s luxury expenses, and shifting inflation narratives.
• The show’s tone is sardonic and irreverent, with the hosts finding humor in media missteps, political contradictions, and even Ohio’s culinary debates.

Noteworthy Timestamps

• 02:46 – Newsom “Patrick Bateman” comparison
• 05:49 – VIDEO: No fire on Newsom’s head
• 10:18 – Kamala “I’m a historic figure” NYT quote
• 19:00 – Jasmine Crockett’s Trump-attack campaign footage
• 40:25 – AOC’s $23k Bad Bunny expense
• 45:19 – Launch of Dem or Journo game (inflation narratives)
• 63:14 – US skydivers reclaim world record
• 68:33 – “Big Boy” graveyard in Cincinnati

Episode Tone

Ruthless as ever: irreverent, mocking, quick-witted, and deeply skeptical of Democratic narratives and mainstream media coverage, but also ready to poke fun at pop culture, sports, and themselves.

For New Listeners

This episode delivers a humorous yet pointed critique of Democratic politics and media alliances, punctuated with insider jokes, signature games, and candid commentary. If you enjoy conservative analysis with sharp punchlines and pop culture references, Ruthless delivers—in spades.