Ruthless Podcast

Episode: This is Why Democrats Want to Shut Down the Government

Date: September 30, 2025
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Special Guest: Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith

Overview

In this episode, the Ruthless crew dives into the looming government shutdown in Washington, arguing that Democrats are strategically encouraging it for political reasons. The fellas dissect recent events, political posturing, and the continuing resolution (CR) debacle, blending sharp conservative critiques with their signature humor and irreverence. The show features a substantive interview with Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, a "workhorse" Republican from Mississippi, who shares inside perspectives from the Senate and personal anecdotes. The episode also includes colorful takes on sports heartbreaks, viral internet oddities, and listener interactions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Government Shutdown: Framing the Democratic Motive

• Chris Murphy’s Rhetoric and Democratic Framing

  • Democrats are depicted as framing the CR extension—in effect, a simple date change to Biden’s funding bill—as a moral emergency ("the end of democracy") [05:27].
  • The hosts argue that the Democrats’ reasoning for opposing the extension is not based on policy but animus towards the Trump administration now in power.
  • Quote:

    "Why would I co sign keeping the government open for an election that we lost?"
    —Josh Holmes [00:00, 10:00], paraphrasing Democrat arguments.

• Schumer’s Predicament

  • Schumer is described as unable to control his left flank—his “political life” depends on appeasing progressives [02:34, 52:28].
  • The panel calls the Democrats’ demands “unreasonable,” especially given their minority status ("triple minority") [53:05].

• Republican Viewpoint: ‘Government by Activism’

  • The hosts criticize Democrats for blurring the lines between activism and governance, arguing Dem leaders ramp up base rhetoric but don’t offer practical solutions [25:10].
  • They highlight the irony of Democrats threatening shutdown over issues they themselves created or supported (Obamacare, spending levels) [12:33].

2. “Shutting Down Over Nothing”: The Continuing Resolution Debate

• The CR Explained

  • Holmes clarifies that the CR is about maintaining current funding levels—a non-controversial move, not a policy overhaul [05:27].
  • Democrats, led by figures like Chris Murphy and AOC, reject the CR over demands tied to their agenda, despite now being in the minority [05:27, 24:50].

• Policy & Messaging Hypocrisy

  • Hosts mock Democrats for labeling things like PBS funding as essential to “democracy” [06:16], and for complaining about the unaffordability of healthcare after championing the Affordable Care Act [06:28].
    • Quote:

      "It's the end of democracy if we don't fund pbs."
      —John Ashbrook [06:16]

  • Michael Duncan argues Dems want "socialized healthcare" and have always sought to bloat the bureaucracy [06:55].
  • Hosts lampoon Democrats’ doom-and-gloom messaging around a shutdown, juxtaposing it with their willingness to force one for partisan reasons [16:18].

3. Media and Outside Influence

• Amplification and Soros Funding
  • The role of Capitol Hill reporters and liberal groups like Indivisible (funded by George Soros) in pushing the shutdown narrative is highlighted [16:41].
    • Quote:

      "George Soros is funding an organization to shut our government down and Democrats are saying sign me up."
      —Unidentified Commentator [16:49]

4. The Trump 2.0 Approach

• Deal-Making and Hardball
  • Trump’s new administration is depicted as more focused and hard-edged, less likely to make unnecessary concessions [24:24].
  • Russ Vought, OMB Director, is said to be preparing for real staff reductions if the shutdown proceeds, using the situation to advance Republican priorities [19:49].
    • Quote:

      "Ross Vaught is not to be trifled with. He is known on following through on promises, and he gets the job done."
      —Michael Duncan [22:31]

5. Political Theater & Democratic “Theater Kids”

• Base Politics Over Governance
  • Panel repeatedly frames Democrats as dominated by “radical lunatics” and “theater kids” who value activist posturing over practical governance [26:39, 74:18].
  • Example of Chicago teachers’ union mourning Assata Shakur highlights the panel’s view of Dems’ radicalism [26:08].
    • Quote:

      "The party is completely broken."
      —Michael Duncan [26:42]

  • Host skepticism about prominent Senate Democrats’ seriousness, with recurring jokes about Cory Booker making grandstanding speeches [27:05].

6. Listener Engagement & Variety Segments

• Question of the Day:

  • Predicting the shutdown's duration/outcome. Majority view: Democrats will “cave” [28:43].
    • Quote:

      “I think it has to be an abject cave from the Democrats, cuz I just don't understand how Republicans could play a losing hand here.”
      —Josh Holmes [28:43]

• Listener Comments:

  • Satirical takes on Democratic leadership (e.g., "three David Hoggs in a trench coat," "old leadership are the Muppet guys, new leadership is Bert and Ernie/Stewie from Family Guy") [31:02].
  • Panel responds in good humor, riffing on the state of Dem leadership [31:12, 31:46].

• Odd News and Internet Viral Clips:

  • Viral KFC recipe "leak" from Colonel Sanders’ descendant, lambasting KFC’s marketing [39:12–42:12].
  • Clip of anti-ICE protester accidentally driving her car into a lake, used to ridicule activist tactics [36:12–38:05].

• Sports Heartbreak:

  • Extended segment bemoaning recent “bad beats” in sports—Penn State, Minnesota Vikings, Ryder Cup—using them as an allegory for losing streaks and disappointment [43:00–49:49].

Interview Segment: Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (00:12–01:22)

Inside the Senate: Shutdown, Democratic Strategy, & Mississippi

• Senate Culture & Democrat Strategy

  • Chatter and uncertainty about the White House and Schumer’s motives; Dems "over a barrel" but emboldened by base [51:57, 55:13].
  • Hyde-Smith marvels at Democrats’ private normalcy and public radicalism, calling it "just insanity" [53:29–53:56].
    • Quote:

      "They come in and then it is just insanity."
      —Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith [53:29]

• On Obamacare and Medicaid

  • Senator notes high Medicaid rates in Mississippi and willingness to discuss healthcare, but calls shutdown over a CR “ludicrous” [56:16].

• Security & Political Climate

  • Shares personal security concerns—automatic weapon shells found at her driveway, targeted for pro-life work—a sign of rising political hostility [56:49–57:51].

• Trump Relationship

  • Details her path to the Senate and unique, trusted relationship with President Trump; recounts stories of 5am calls, deep policy involvement [61:58–62:34].

• Tariffs, Trade, and Agricultural Policy

  • Argues that Trump’s tough stance will eventually benefit American farmers, even if current input costs and market pain are high [67:34–69:45].
  • Stresses direct communication with cabinet members, ongoing advocacy for local businesses and agriculture [72:18].

• 2025 Re-election Race

  • Details opponent’s strange, Soros-backed campaign, complete with “creepy bedtime video”; notes national Democratic money and attention—suggesting out-of-touch, performative opposition [72:47–74:36].
    • Quote:

      "We have a guy that's backed by George Soros... he says, good night. This is his announcement day."
      —Sen. Hyde-Smith [73:04, 74:02]

• Personal Insights

  • Would have become a developer or small business entrepreneur if not in politics [78:14].
  • Motivated by both thrill of victory and agony of defeat, with a special drive to prove doubters wrong [80:50].
    • Quote:

      "Of course, you love accomplishments. And when somebody looks at me and says, oh, this can't be done, I'm the one that'll say, oh, yeah, we're going to get it done."
      —Sen. Hyde-Smith [81:03]

  • Favorite last meal: Thin-fried catfish from Man Shack, Louisiana, and a Barq’s root beer [77:23].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On shutdown’s true motivation:

  "If you listen to them talk, it all translates to, we don't like Donald Trump, therefore we're shutting the government down."
  —Unidentified Commentator [24:50]

• On Democratic rhetoric:

  "Democrats have always been about government control of everything."
  —Josh Holmes [11:58]

• On performative politics:

  "They're all theater kids... There's nothing genuine about them."
  —Unidentified Commentator [74:18]

• On sports heartbreak:

  "It's not enough to just lose—it’s that they have to come all the way back... in order to break your heart."
  —Josh Holmes [45:47]

Timestamps of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–02:34 | Opening discussion: Dems’ motives for shutdown | | 04:53–06:55 | Chris Murphy’s remarks, Democratic messaging dissected | | 07:27–12:33| Health care debate & Republican counter-arguments | | 16:41–17:00| Soros-funded activism behind shutdown | | 19:49–22:43| Russ Vought’s OMB "hardball" and personnel layoff talk | | 24:50–28:24| Dems’ lack of message; governance vs. activism | | 31:02–32:58| Satirical listener comments on Democratic leadership | | 36:12–38:05| Anti-ICE protester viral moment ridiculed | | 39:12–42:12| KFC recipe leak segment | | 43:00–49:49| Sports heartbreak and losing streaks | | 51:22–82:53| Interview: Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith | | 77:23–78:51| Hyde-Smith’s “last meal” and career reflections |

Episode Tone and Style

Witty, irreverent, and combative—maintaining “variety progrum” energy with frequent in-jokes, listener engagement, and a blend of sarcasm and industry insight. The hosts are unapologetically partisan, lampooning Democrats as unserious and out-of-touch, but balance critique with "yucks," pop culture references, and [sometimes dark] sports analogies.

Summary

This episode of Ruthless provides a comprehensive (and often comedic) conservative critique of the 2025 government shutdown drama. With sharp attacks on Democratic strategy, media narratives, and left-wing activist influence, the hosts position Republicans as practical and outcome-oriented, in contrast with the performative, base-driven Democratic Party. The interview with Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith adds a valuable insider’s perspective—highlighting both the seriousness and the absurdity of D.C. politics, and reinforcing the panel’s recurring themes: the importance of authenticity, pragmatism, and not losing sight of “why you’re there in the first place.”