Podcast Summary: "Which Lib Journo is the Biggest Hack? - YOU DECIDE - Hack Madness 2025"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Ruthless Podcast
• Hosts/Authors: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook
• Description: A variety program where Smug, Holmes, Duncan, and Ashbrook elevate next-generation conservative talk with a ruthless edge, offering a lighter analysis of daily news and "fake news."
• Episode Title: Which Lib Journo is the Biggest Hack? - YOU DECIDE - Hack Madness 2025
• Release Date: March 22, 2025

Introduction to Hack Madness

The episode kicks off with Michael Duncan announcing the fifth annual "Hack Madness" tournament—a bracket-style competition reminiscent of March Madness, but focused on identifying the "biggest liberal hack journalists." With 64 participants, expanded to 66 through play-in games, the tournament is divided into four categories: Liberal Activists, Way to Online, Fake News, and Establishment.

Duncan (00:00):
"You're in for a treat here. Today we have 64 of the absolute biggest hacks... These are the worst journalists in all."

Smug (00:29):
"This is the cream of the crop when it comes to hacks, and they're going head to head. It's up to you to decide."

The hosts emphasize audience participation, encouraging listeners to vote online and engage with the tournament via Smug's social media profiles.

Liberal Activist Division

Top Seeds and Key Matchups

Nicole Wallace enters as the number one seed in the Liberal Activists division. Duncan highlights her influence and impact over the past year.

Duncan (02:08):
"Nicole Wallace... I hope he lives the life he wants to live. He wants to be a cop... but I hope he never has to defend the United States Capitol against Donald Trump."

Wallace's controversial comments position her prominently within the bracket. She faces off against Josh Boak of the AP in a captivating play-in game.

Josh (03:01):
"Not exactly a household name, but if he upsets Nicole Wallace in the first round... this is a guy who you will never forget."

Other notable matchups include Yamiche Alcindor versus Josh Boak, and perennial contenders like Tim Alberta vs. Michelle Goldberg, Glenn Kessler vs. Matt Iglesias, and Simone Sanders vs. Ezra Klein.

Smug (05:07):
"That's a heck of a match." (Referring to Bill Crystal vs. Joy Behar)

Duncan (05:23):
"Rachel Maddow... facing off against Sahil Kapoor."

Notable Quotes and Highlights

• Nicole Wallace (01:59):
  "And I hope he has a long life as enforcement officer, but I hope he never has to defend the United States Capitol against Donald Trump."

• Smug (13:22):
  "She's really been out there just always week after week after week just with the hackery. She's really gonna be tough to beat." (Referring to Margaret Brennan)

Way to Online Division

This division features internet-centric journalists and commentators. Eugene Daniels secures the number one seed due to his aggressive online presence and partisan behavior.

Ashbrook (07:27):
"He has a hard time running against Vice President Harris because she's a black woman..."

Daniels faces Will Sommer and Peter Alexander, with Smug predicting strong eliminations.

Smug (07:54):
"I'm so tired of this man... These are the worst people."

Josh (08:28):
"This is clearly a guy who came to police. He's a number one seed."

Notable Matchups

• Don Lemon (8 seed) vs. Rachel Bade
• Anna Navarro (5 seed) vs. Tom Nichols
• Caitlyn Collins (5 seed) vs. Jonathan Carl (12 seed)

Smug (09:45):
"They're going to see the most familiar names because a lot of these people are the ones out there grinding on X."

Fake News Division

Margaret Brennan dominates as the number one seed in this division, praised for her relentless fact-checking and high-profile reporting.

Duncan (14:39):
"Margaret Brennan... has not stopped producing like week after week."

Brennan's matchup against David Klepper of the Associated Press highlights the strength of this bracket.

Josh (16:47):
"This is the guy who wrote the story about Tulsi Gabbard that was taken down obviously belongs here..."

Other significant matchups include Abby Phillip vs. Tom Llamas, and Sam Stein vs. John Dickerson.

Smug (15:50):
"She's really gonna be tough to beat."

Establishment Division

Representing mainstream media giants, Norah O'Donnell of CBS takes the number one seed in the Establishment division, reflecting her influential presence in corporate media.

Smug (22:26):
"Amazing." (Referring to Norah O'Donnell)

O'Donnell faces Peter Jameson, a newcomer, while other key matchups include Jake Tapper vs. Maureen Dowd, and George Stephanopoulos vs. Lawrence O'Donnell.

Duncan (22:25):
"Norah O'Donnell... this is a night in and it's night out and it's story selection."

Notable Moments

• Norah O'Donnell (22:25):
  "CBS News, the highest priority of the president of the United States is the safety and security of the American people."

• Smug (23:11):
  "She's so mad."

Tournament Insights and Host Commentary

Throughout the episode, the hosts provide critical analysis and predictions for various matchups, often injecting humor and sarcasm.

Josh (06:17):
"Just because you're a one or two seed doesn't mean you're headed for a championship."

Smug (25:13):
"We use a very sophisticated mathematical computational algorithm to decide... if the math added up that you're having a married couple go against each other."

The discussion delves into the dynamics of legacy media versus new media, the impact of social media on journalists' reputations, and the evolving landscape of political journalism.

Ashbrook (30:00):
"She has had a hard time adjusting to... trying to replicate the success that he's seen in her career." (Referring to Jennifer Rubin)

Josh (30:19):
"I think we got a good chance of seeing them play against each other."

Audience Engagement and Voting Process

The hosts consistently encourage listeners to participate by voting in the tournament and filling out their own brackets.

Smug (32:50):
"Hit my profile, vote in the bracket and fill your bracket out asap."

Duncan (33:05):
"Fill it out, put it up, make sure everybody knows, let's get in the competition here."

They highlight the communal aspect of Hack Madness, emphasizing its growth over five years and the increasing number of participants.

Concluding Insights and Future Projections

As the tournament progresses, the hosts reflect on the state of liberal journalism, noting the dominance of outlets like CBS and the rise of new media figures.

Smug (27:37):
"CBS has two number one seats that's like dynasty status."

Josh (30:00):
"The media landscape is changing."

They predict a shift towards new media dominance in future tournaments, recognizing the influence of viral content and social media presence.

Josh (30:19):
"She needs much, much more aggression if she's gonna to be Ben Smith."

Ashbrook (32:26):
"I say the latter, particularly when it comes to like the CBS folks..."

The episode wraps up with a call to action for audience participation, reinforcing the interactive nature of Hack Madness and its role in engaging listeners in media critique.

Duncan (33:25):
"Hope you appreciated the selection show. We love doing it."

Smug (34:17):
"Until next time, Minions, keep the faith, hold the line, and own the libs. Stay ruthless."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Duncan (00:00):
  "Today we have 64 of the absolute biggest hacks... These are the worst journalists in all."

• Nicole Wallace (01:59):
  "I hope he never has to defend the United States Capitol against Donald Trump."

• Smug (07:54):
  "I'm so tired of this man... These are the worst people."

• Margaret Brennan (14:39):
  "We have so much to get to, Margaret."

• Norah O'Donnell (22:25):
  "CBS News, the highest priority of the president of the United States is the safety and security of the American people."

• Smug (32:50):
  "Hit my profile, vote in the bracket and fill your bracket out asap."

Conclusion

"Which Lib Journo is the Biggest Hack? - YOU DECIDE - Hack Madness 2025" offers a scathing yet engaging critique of liberal journalists through a competitive bracket format. The hosts combine humor, sharp commentary, and audience interaction to dissect the performances and influence of various media personalities. By encouraging listeners to vote and participate, the episode fosters a community-driven analysis of media bias and journalistic integrity, all while maintaining the Ruthless Podcast's signature entertaining style.