Ruthless Podcast Episode Summary: "What Is Driving Trump’s Historically High Approval Rating?"

Release Date: February 11, 2025

The latest episode of the Ruthless Podcast, hosted by Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug (Smug), Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook, delves deep into the factors contributing to former President Donald Trump's unprecedented approval ratings. The discussion navigates through Trump's policy implementations, the effectiveness of his administration, the obstacles posed by Democrats, and insights from special guest Austin Bishop, CEO of the New American Industrial Alliance.

1. Introduction to Trump's High Approval Ratings

The episode kicks off with Smug highlighting the stark contrast between the chaotic policies of the previous administration and Trump's methodical approach:

[00:00] Smug: "Americans saw what happens when the left, when the media decides for four years what the policy in this country is going to be like. And it was absolute chaos."

Josh Holmes echoes this sentiment, emphasizing Trump's commitment to his campaign promises:

[00:21] Josh Holmes: "And the only people in all of the world that seem to not understand that when you talk about something and then you go do it, that that's just like part of what you do here are Democrats."

2. Trump's Approval Ratings: A Statistical Overview

Josh Holmes presents recent polling data illustrating Trump's surge in approval:

[07:16] Josh Holmes: "President Trump's early approval ratings show he's settled into office in a better spot than 2017... 53% of Americans approve of Trump so far, according to a newly released CBS News."

Smug adds depth by discussing demographic shifts, notably among younger voters:

[08:32] Smug: "Among like 18 to 29 year olds, Trump's up 10% plus 10."

This significant increase challenges the long-held belief that Democrats dominated younger demographics.

3. Policy Execution and Promises Kept

Central to Trump's high approval is his unwavering commitment to executing campaign promises. Josh Holmes underscores this point:

[09:11] Josh Holmes: "People heard the campaign message and they understood the campaign message... Democrats are like, 'yeah, well, he's actually doing all the things that got him elected.' What an outrage."

Smug reiterates the public's satisfaction with Trump's actions:

[09:54] Smug: "Americans. This is a politician who actually followed through on what he promised. Aren't you mad?"

Key policies discussed include border security, economic management, and innovative measures like the penny ban. Josh Holmes humorously critiques the opposition from industry groups:

[03:07] Smug: "Yeah, did you guys see he banned the penny? ... But my favorite part in the initial write-ups of the penny were like industry association groups, like Big Penny..."

4. Democratic Opposition and Judicial Challenges

The hosts critique Democratic strategies to counter Trump's policies, focusing on litigation and judicial opposition. Josh Holmes explains the systematic efforts by Democrats to impede Trump's agenda:

[04:01] Smug: "It's unbelievable. ... Democrats have basically tried to fashion their opposition... They don't know what the hell they're doing."

John Ashbrook emphasizes the uphill battle Democrats face in the courts:

[07:55] John Ashbrook: "Couldn’t have come at a better time... President Trump is just rolling through things left and right and the culture is shifting."

5. Specific Policy Highlights: Banning the Penny

One notable policy achievement discussed is the banning of the penny. Smug explains the rationale and opposition faced:

[03:09] Josh Holmes: "Did you guys see he banned the penny?"

The hosts mock the resistance from industry groups, highlighting the absurdity of opposing cost-effective measures:

[04:28] Smug: "Like, hah, I didn't even realize that cost $0.02 to make. $0.01 seems like a good idea. And now they have to take the other side."

6. Comedic Relief: The Big Balls Segment

Injecting humor into the discussion, the hosts introduce a comedic segment about Big Balls, a fictional (or possibly real) individual working under Elon Musk within the supposed Department of Government Efficiency:

[52:50] Smug: "And Big Balls in charge of American air traffic control... He's like cutting waste."

The segment satirizes media distractions and the often absurd nature of political reporting, offering listeners a light-hearted break from the intense political discourse.

7. Guest Interview: Austin Bishop on Reindustrialization

A pivotal part of the episode features an in-depth interview with Austin Bishop, CEO of the New American Industrial Alliance. Bishop discusses the critical need for reindustrialization in America, emphasizing sovereignty over supply chains and bipartisan support for revitalizing manufacturing:

[60:03] Austin Bishop: "We're building really a coalition of leaders across companies, capital, and government who care about one thing, which is reindustrializing the U.S."

Bishop outlines the organization's focus areas:

• Education and Advocacy: Promoting smart trade and industrial policies.
• Deregulation: Reducing bureaucratic hurdles that hinder manufacturing growth.
• Workforce Development: Enhancing skills to meet modern industrial demands.
• Leveling the Playing Field: Ensuring American companies compete fairly without excessive regulatory burdens.

John Ashbrook relates Bishop's efforts to personal experiences in Ohio's manufacturing sector:

[60:00] John Ashbrook: "My father is in manufacturing, low tech. My grandfather was in manufacturing..."

Bishop highlights successful initiatives and the transformative impact of COVID-19 on public perception of supply chain vulnerabilities:

[66:12] Smug: "It really opened a lot of people's eyes of how much we rely on China for stuff that we could be making here in America."

The conversation underscores the alignment between Trump's policies and the goals of organizations like the New American Industrial Alliance, portraying a unified front towards economic revitalization.

8. Conclusion and Future Outlook

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the implications of Trump's effective policies and the diminishing efficacy of Democratic opposition:

[47:23] Josh Holmes: "The grift is falling apart. ... All Trump is doing is just following the letter of the law."

They also announce a significant milestone for the podcast, celebrating the upcoming 500th episode with plans for a live event, further engaging their growing audience.

The episode concludes with a Question of the Day, encouraging listeners to humorously speculate on what Vice President Kamala Harris would be doing if she had won the election instead of Trump. This interactive segment aims to foster listener engagement and inject additional levity into the political discourse.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Smug: "[00:00] Americans saw what happens when the left, when the media decides for four years what the policy in this country is going to be like. And it was absolute chaos."

• Josh Holmes: "[00:21] And the only people in all of the world that seem to not understand that when you talk about something and then you go do it, that that's just like part of what you do here are Democrats."

• Smug: "[09:54] Americans. This is a politician who actually followed through on what he promised. Aren't you mad?"

• Austin Bishop: "[60:03] We're building really a coalition of leaders across companies, capital, and government who care about one thing, which is reindustrializing the U.S."

• Josh Holmes: "[07:16] President Trump's early approval ratings show he's settled into office in a better spot than 2017... 53% of Americans approve of Trump so far, according to a newly released CBS News."

• Smug: "[08:32] Among like 18 to 29 year olds, Trump's up 10% plus 10."

Key Takeaways

1. Policy Execution Drives Approval: Trump's consistent delivery on campaign promises has significantly boosted his approval ratings across various demographics, including younger voters.

2. Effective Administration Management: Compared to the previous administration's perceived chaos, Trump's focused approach to border security, economy, and regulatory reforms resonates positively with Americans.

3. Democratic Challenges: Efforts by Democrats to obstruct Trump's policies through litigation and judicial opposition have largely failed, highlighting a shift in political dynamics.

4. Reindustrialization Efforts: Organizations like the New American Industrial Alliance play a crucial role in advocating for the revitalization of America's manufacturing base, aligning with Trump's economic strategies.

5. Engaged and Growing Audience: The Ruthless Podcast continues to garner substantial support, nearing significant milestones and fostering active listener participation.

This episode of the Ruthless Podcast offers a comprehensive analysis of the factors behind Donald Trump's soaring approval ratings, the strategic execution of his administration's policies, and the broader implications for American politics and industry. Through insightful discussion and engaging segments, the hosts provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the current political landscape.