Ruthless Podcast: Why Democrats Can’t Stop Trump’s Nominees

Release Date: February 6, 2025

Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook

Introduction

In this episode of the Ruthless Podcast, hosts Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and White House correspondent John Ashbrook delve into the intricate dynamics between the Democratic Party and President Trump’s nomination strategies. The discussion is charged with critiques of Democratic policies, strategic missteps, and the effectiveness of Trump’s media and influencer outreach.

Democrats Searching for a Message

00:00 – 02:05

Josh Holmes opens the episode by criticizing the Democratic Party for being "rudderless" and struggling to find a cohesive message. He suggests that Democrats are now convinced they've found their footing in fervently defending contentious issues.

Josh Holmes (00:00): "Democrats searching for a message. Democrats rudderless, trying to find a foothold."

Michael Duncan echoes this sentiment, highlighting Democrats' focus on issues like USAID and government spending, which inadvertently bolster Republican agendas.

Michael Duncan (00:25): "Democrats think they have a winning issue. They're like, Elon Musk is cutting wasteful spending by the government..."

Critique of Medicare and Biden Administration

02:05 – 04:34

The hosts collectively condemn President Biden’s handling of Medicare, accusing him of "raiding Medicare," increasing premiums, and driving up drug costs. Comfortably Smug emphasizes Biden's failure to protect seniors and suggests that President Trump can rectify these issues.

Comfortably Smug (00:48): "Joe Biden's legacy for seniors. He raided Medicare, made premiums skyrocket, and drove up drug costs."

John Ashbrook briefly adds sarcastically, "We finally beat Medicare," to underscore Biden's perceived mismanagement.

Democrats' Inconsistent Messaging and Hyperbole

04:34 – 15:57

Josh Holmes criticizes the Democratic Party for creating chaotic and hyperbolic narratives that make Republican efforts seem easier. The hosts discuss how Democrats are prone to internal conflicts and exaggerated outrage, which dilutes their effectiveness.

Josh Holmes (03:11): "They keep one upping each other in terms of hyperbole and how outraged they are..."

Michael Duncan points out the absurdity of Democrats praising Elon Musk’s actions while simultaneously complaining about their own defunding projects.

Michael Duncan (04:34): "The Democrats are really doing their best to make us laugh. We appreciate their efforts."

USAID and Government Spending Criticism

10:02 – 13:12

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around USAID and its alleged misuse of funds. The hosts argue that USAID funds are being diverted to support progressive agendas rather than addressing American needs. They highlight instances like USAID funding LGBTQ comic books in South America and solar-powered streetlights in Afghanistan, questioning the efficacy and priorities of such expenditures.

Josh Holmes (10:11): "There is a vast majority of stuff that has been surfaced since this whole thing has come out that are just absolutely the worst shit that you've ever heard."

Michael Duncan emphasizes the frustration Democrats have with scrutinizing government spending while seemingly ignoring domestic issues.

Michael Duncan (10:02): "But our NGOs shut down the cities."

Impact of Protests and Public Sentiment

17:43 – 20:00

John Ashbrook shares firsthand experiences of encountering anti-Zionist protests near the White House, criticizing the Democratic response to international issues and public safety. The hosts lament the Biden administration's contradictory policies, such as ramping up pro-Palestine rhetoric while failing to address domestic challenges like wildfires and Fentanyl.

John Ashbrook (18:44): "Anti-Semitism here in America, a block from the White House."

Josh Holmes sarcastically comments on the administration's priorities, juxtaposing international propaganda efforts with domestic negligence.

Josh Holmes (19:04): "They're delivering things that are propaganda about, like, gender discrimination... It's a window into the insanity of a foreign policy of a Biden administration."

Role of Influencers and Media Strategy

43:37 – 87:31

A substantial segment of the episode focuses on the strategic use of new media and influencers in political campaigns. The hosts interview Alex Bruschewitz, a notable media strategist, who discusses how leveraging platforms like podcasts, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram has revolutionized Republican outreach. They highlight successful campaigns involving high-profile interviews and viral clips that bypass traditional media filters, significantly expanding Trump's reach.

Alex Bruschewitz (59:06): "We had a really fun role on the campaign and was, you know, able to do so many unique projects..."

Josh Holmes (70:40): "This is a guy who's most responsible for doing this, not only just for President Trump, but the whole Republican ecosystem..."

The discussion underscores the effectiveness of direct engagement through digital platforms, contrasting it with the inefficacy of traditional media strategies employed by Democrats.

Audience Interaction and Questions

34:46 – 40:12

The hosts engage with their audience by addressing submitted questions for a hypothetical White House press briefing. Topics include:

• Abortion and Adoption Funding: Addressing how funds might be reallocated if abortion issues are pushed to states.

  Terry Wyant (35:55): "Can the money earmarked for federal funding be moved to assist individuals that want to adopt children?"

• Waste and Fraud in Government Spending: Inquiring about identified wasteful expenditures in government programs.

  Ignatius Carboni (35:55): "How many billions of waste and fraud have been identified so far?"

• Sanctuary Cities: Asking about plans to dismantle sanctuary cities and their impact on national safety.

  Colleen Sailors (38:40): "I would ask if Trump plans on doing away with sanctuary cities. What good are they to the American people anyway?"

The hosts provide strong affirmative responses, reiterating their commitment to addressing these issues under the Trump administration.

King of the Hill: A Signature Segment

43:36 – 56:56

"King of the Hill" is the podcast's signature game segment, where hosts and guests present outrageous Democratic talking points and rebut them humorously. This recurring segment serves to highlight and ridicule what the hosts perceive as the absurdity of Democratic positions.

Round Highlights:

1. Exhibit 6: Social Security and Bank Data Breach Claims

   Josh Holmes (45:00): "Elon Musk arrested for breaching my Social Security and bank data..."

   • Judgment: The claim that the President is an enemy of the Constitution is deemed more outrageous and defamatory than concerns about data breaches.

2. Exhibit 8: The Deep State Preference

   Alex Bruschewitz (50:44): "The deep state is far preferable to the Trump state."

   • Judgment: Suggesting that the deep state is preferable undermines the very foundation of the government, resulting in the point being dismissed.

3. Exhibit 9: Hypocrisy in USAID Funding

   Alex Bruschewitz (54:51): "Trump's unilateral attempt to shut down USAID has prompted a genuine crisis..."

   • Judgment: Accusations of rape and pillaging by Trump and Elon Musk are portrayed as extreme and unfounded, leading to the dismissal of these claims.

This segment underscores the hosts' portrayal of Democratic rhetoric as extreme and disconnected from reality.

Interview with Alex Bruschewitz: Media Strategist Extraordinaire

56:56 – 88:20

In an exclusive interview, Alex Bruschewitz discusses his pivotal role in shaping the Trump campaign’s media strategy. He emphasizes the importance of embracing new media platforms to reach diverse voter demographics, bypassing traditional media gatekeepers. Bruschewitz credits his success to flexibility, rapid execution, and leveraging relationships with influencers and podcasters to amplify the Trump message.

Alex Bruschewitz (60:15): "We also had so many unique, like, friends that wanted to help us. So, like Dana White or John Shahidi..."

He contrasts the straightforward, authentic engagement strategies employed by the Republican campaign with the more rigid, superficial approaches of the Democratic campaign, particularly criticizing Kamala Harris's lack of direct communication and over-reliance on staged media interactions.

Comfortably Smug (62:03): "We didn’t have all these barriers between the operation and the candidate... toegm like the whole pitch was, hey, Mr. President, this guy's got 10 million followers."

Bruschewitz highlights successful collaborations with various influencers and the synergistic efforts between the podcast team and the Trump administration to create viral moments and authentic connections with voters.

Comfortably Smug (75:38): "Aiden had to get that back, unfortunately. Gifting rules."

He reflects on the seamless integration of campaign efforts with media strategies, attributing the Republican success in elections to these innovative approaches.

Comfortably Smug (77:05): "He actually has a great deal of respect for the presidency and he has a vision for how he believes he can make our country great again."

Conclusion and Call to Action

88:20 – End

Josh Holmes wraps up the episode by acknowledging the significant efforts of the media team and stressing the importance of continued support from listeners. The hosts encourage audience engagement through subscriptions, likes, and shares to help the podcast reach its milestone of 100,000 subscribers.

Josh Holmes (89:13): "We’re getting to be kind of a big program around here and it’s all thanks to you. Like, subscribe, tell your friends about it."

The episode concludes with a brief advertisement segment promoting podcast advertising services, which the hosts deliberately skip as per the summary guidelines.

Key Takeaways:

• Democratic Messaging Flaws: The episode highlights the perceived disorganization and inconsistent messaging within the Democratic Party, suggesting this diminishes their effectiveness against Trump’s strategic moves.

• Criticism of Biden Administration: Strong condemnation of President Biden’s policies, particularly regarding Medicare and USAID, with assertions that these policies are mismanaged and detrimental to American interests.

• Effectiveness of New Media Strategies: Emphasis on the Republican campaign’s successful use of modern media platforms and influencers to engage a broader and more diverse voter base, bypassing traditional media limitations.

• Audience Engagement: Interactive segments like "King of the Hill" and listener Q&As showcase the podcast's commitment to involving its audience in political discourse and critique.

• Strategic Campaigning: Insight into the behind-the-scenes efforts to shape public perception and political narratives through tailored media strategies and influencer collaborations.

Notable Quotes:

• Josh Holmes (00:00): "Democrats searching for a message. Democrats rudderless, trying to find a foothold."

• Comfortably Smug (00:48): "Joe Biden's legacy for seniors. He raided Medicare, made premiums skyrocket, and drove up drug costs."

• Josh Holmes (03:11): "They make the job easier than it should be. Democrats are certainly helping things out."

• John Ashbrook (18:44): "Anti-Semitism here in America, a block from the White House."

• Alex Bruschewitz (60:15): "We had so many unique projects... Dana White or John Shahidi, the co-founder of the Nelk Boys..."

This comprehensive summary provides an overview of the podcast episode "Why Democrats Can’t Stop Trump’s Nominees," capturing the key discussions, critiques, and strategic insights shared by the hosts and their guest. It serves as an informative guide for listeners seeking to understand the episode's main themes without having to listen to the full transcript.