Ruthless Podcast: Episode Summary Title: Why Libs Attack Doge And Tesla
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Description: Smug, Holmes, Duncan, and Ashbrook elevate next-generation conservative talk with a no-holds-barred analysis of daily news and "fake news."

1. Introduction and Episode Overview [01:16 - 02:06]

Josh Holmes kicks off the episode by outlining the primary focus: understanding why the political left is targeting Tesla and Doge. The hosts emphasize that their analysis goes beyond typical media narratives, aiming to uncover deeper motivations behind these attacks.

Josh Holmes [01:16]: "We're going to be talking about a bunch of things here today, including the real reason, from our perspective, that the left is attacking Tesla Doge."

John Ashbrook adds pride in the episode's unique insights, differentiating their discussion from conventional media portrayals.

John Ashbrook [01:44]: "It's not the standard discussion... but there's more to it and we really have a lot of good info on that."

2. Main Topic: Attacks on Tesla and Doge [02:06 - 36:00]

A. Increasing Violence Against Tesla Owners [07:11 - 16:03]

The hosts discuss a series of violent incidents targeting Tesla vehicles across the United States, highlighting a disturbing trend.

• Arizona Incident: A Tesla was box-encroached by a green car, leading to a violent confrontation with a 61-year-old woman.

  Josh Holmes [07:19]: "It's repetitive, it's a pattern. And the intent is to try to scare..."

• Other Incidents: Vehicles set on fire in Las Vegas, graffiti in Colorado, and keying incidents in Dallas.

Comfortably Smug emphasizes the real victims are ordinary Americans, not Elon Musk himself.

Comfortably Smug [08:49]: "When the left targets people... regular Americans suffer."

Michael Duncan underscores the pattern of repeated hostility towards Tesla and Doge, suggesting organized efforts rather than isolated events.

Michael Duncan [16:03]: "...the left is trying to brainwash all these people..."

B. Institutional Rot in Government and NGOs [26:27 - 33:16]

The discussion shifts to the overstaffing and inefficiencies within government agencies, particularly the IRS and NIH.

• IRS Overstaffing: The IRS employs 1,400 people solely for provisioning laptops and cell phones, a role that could be handled with far fewer staff.

  Michael Duncan [25:46]: "Like, every day. If he's got... you could repopulate the entire workforce."

• NIH Funding Mismanagement: Universities retain 40-45% of NIH grants, diverting funds away from crucial cancer research.

  Michael Duncan [26:27]: "If you're NIH researcher and you get a $100 grant... you get to spend 85 of that."

John Ashbrook criticizes the financial mismanagement, linking it to escalating costs in education and healthcare without corresponding improvements.

John Ashbrook [28:27]: "They have billion dollar endowments. Drag these clowns in front of Congress..."

C. Media Manipulation and Smear Campaigns [24:29 - 36:00]

The hosts argue that the left employs smear tactics against individuals like J.D. Vance and organizations like Doge to maintain institutional control and suppress dissent.

• Bret Baer Interview: Praises for the Atlantic editor Sahil Desai's critical coverage of Doge, exposing inefficiencies and corruption.

  Josh Holmes [12:47]: "Clip five, you've got overstaffing... like the IRS has got 1400 people..."

• Democratic Smear Tactics: Repeatedly attacking individuals to control narratives and eliminate opposition.

  John Ashbrook [24:09]: "They have all been paying for it... Dear listener, your tax money that's getting ripped out of your pockets..."

3. Special Elections Update [44:22 - 50:07]

Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook provide critical insights into ongoing special elections in Florida and Wisconsin, emphasizing their importance for maintaining Republican control in the House of Representatives.

• Florida Races: Highlighting races like Matt Gaetz's replacement and Mike Waltz's replacement, stressing the need for Republican voters to participate to prevent Democratic dominance.

  Michael Duncan [46:57]: "When you start losing elections in a significant way... it's pretty important that they have confidence in the coalition going forward."

• Wisconsin's Supreme Court Race: Emphasized as pivotal for future judicial appointments and maintaining conservative influence.

  Josh Holmes [45:21]: "Wisconsin, especially, at a time in which President Trump is facing so much opposition..."

4. Hack Madness Bracket Tournament [50:24 - 56:22]

The hosts delve into "Hack Madness," an interactive bracket tournament determining the biggest journalist hack in politics.

• Current Standings: Notable rise of Mika Brzezinski and Margaret Brennan as top contenders, with John Ashbrook leading the prediction rankings.

  Josh Holmes [51:43]: "...Margaret Brennan would be the number one overall seed."

• Audience Engagement: Encouragement for listeners to participate by voting through John Ashbrook's profile on X (formerly Twitter).

  John Ashbrook [50:25]: "Remember, go to my profile at Comfortably Smug on X comfortablysmug vote."

5. Variety Segment: Airline Incident [56:28 - 62:27]

A lighter, yet critical segment covering an outrageous incident on an American Airlines flight where a passenger masturbated for an hour next to a CEO, with negligent responses from flight attendants.

• Incident Details: Neil Elshriff, CEO of a vegan leather brand, sued after enduring the harassment without adequate crew intervention.

  Michael Duncan [57:05]: "An attendant did nothing... taking legal action. That must have been a stressful experience."

• Hosts' Commentary: Critique of American Airlines' handling of the situation, linking it to broader themes of institutional neglect and incompetence.

  John Ashbrook [59:58]: "There's essentially no difference anymore. They're all low cost."

6. Conclusion and Final Remarks [62:27 - 64:10]

Josh Holmes wraps up by reiterating the importance of exposing institutional corruption and encouraging listener engagement in both voting and interactive segments like Hack Madness.

Josh Holmes [63:26]: "Absolute banger of an episode. Gentlemen, thank you so much to the means."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Josh Holmes [00:03]: "Tesla and Doge. It's not because they're trying to make government more efficient. It's that they're exposing the racket."

• Comfortably Smug [08:49]: "When the left targets people... regular Americans suffer."

• Michael Duncan [25:46]: "Like, every day. If he's got... you could repopulate the entire workforce."

• John Ashbrook [28:27]: "They have billion dollar endowments. Drag these clowns in front of Congress..."

• Josh Holmes [45:21]: "Wisconsin, especially, at a time in which President Trump is facing so much opposition..."

• John Ashbrook [50:25]: "Remember, go to my profile at Comfortably Smug on X comfortablysmug vote."

• Michael Duncan [57:05]: "An attendant did nothing... taking legal action. That must have been a stressful experience."

Key Takeaways

1. Systematic Targeting of Tesla and Doge: The political left is orchestrating attacks to destabilize companies like Tesla and Doge, not out of environmental concerns but to expose and undermine perceived governmental and institutional corruption.

2. Government Inefficiency and Corruption: Significant overstaffing and mismanagement within agencies like the IRS and NIH are highlighted, with funds being siphoned off by bureaucrats, leading to inflated costs in education and healthcare.

3. Media Manipulation: The hosts argue that mainstream media and left-wing organizations employ smear tactics to control narratives, suppress dissent, and maintain institutional power, often at the expense of ordinary Americans.

4. Importance of Special Elections: Critical races in Florida and Wisconsin could determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives, affecting future legislative and judicial appointments.

5. Audience Engagement through Hack Madness: An ongoing interactive segment encourages listener participation in identifying media hacks, fostering community involvement and critical evaluation of journalistic integrity.

6. Variety Segment Insights: A discussion on an inappropriate airline incident serves to illustrate broader issues of institutional neglect and cultural failures within large corporations like American Airlines.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, introductory remarks, and closing statements to focus solely on the substantive content discussed during the episode.