Ruthless Podcast Episode Summary: "Wishlist For Santa Trump"
Release Date: December 26, 2024
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook
In the December 26, 2024, episode of the Ruthless Podcast, hosts Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook delve into a blend of holiday anecdotes and a fervent discussion on their political aspirations for former President Donald Trump. Titled "Wishlist For Santa Trump," the episode merges humor with serious policy discussions, reflecting the hosts' commitment to advancing their conservative agenda.
1. Holiday Anecdotes: The Traveling Brooch
The episode kicks off with light-hearted storytelling. John Ashbrook shares a humorous tale about his experience as a congressional staffer struggling with last-minute Christmas shopping. His attempt to purchase meaningful gifts from the House of Representatives gift shop resulted in a fleece jacket, a blanket, and a rather unimpressive brooch adorned with an elephant—a symbol of the Republican Party. The brooch, described as "plastic painted gold with plastic ruby eyes," inadvertently elicited tears from his wife, not out of joy but in frustration at the lackluster gifts.
Notable Quote:
John Ashbrook [02:43]: "And a brooch that had... it was like, plastic painted gold with, like, plastic ruby eyes on the elephant. It was an elephant. And it was... she cried when I gave it to her."
The hosts use this story to introduce the concept of the "traveling brooch," a gag gift idea aiming to provide congressional staffers with a humorous gift option for their colleagues.
2. Wishlist for Santa Trump: Political Aspirations
Transitioning from holiday stories, the hosts outline their comprehensive "wishlist" for Donald Trump in his potential future term(s). This segment is the core of the episode, where each host presents key policy areas they believe Trump should focus on to advance the conservative movement and rectify what they perceive as the mistakes of the Biden administration.
a. Border Wall and Immigration Reform
The hosts emphasize the completion of the U.S.-Mexico border wall and comprehensive immigration reform. They criticize the Biden administration for halting construction and repurposing materials meant for the wall, viewing it as a failure to fulfill campaign promises.
Notable Quotes:
Michael Duncan [10:56]: "I mean, number one, it's finished. The wall."
John Ashbrook [12:30]: "President Trump could do anything this next term... he needs to be very smart about it because these, these people are extremely entrenched."
b. Eliminating EV Mandates and Promoting American Energy
The discussion turns to the opposition of electric vehicle (EV) mandates. The hosts argue that such policies are economically detrimental, relying heavily on foreign (particularly Chinese) resources and undermining American energy independence. They criticize the government's investment in charging infrastructure as wasteful.
Notable Quotes:
Josh Holmes [14:43]: "The first thing that I would love for him to do is eliminate the EV mandates."
Comfortably Smug [16:10]: "A complete scam to me."
c. Tax Reforms to Stimulate Economic Growth
Advocating for tax reductions, especially for middle-class workers and small business owners, the hosts argue that high tax rates stifle entrepreneurship and economic mobility. They push for policies that incentivize individual success and business growth by easing the tax burden.
Notable Quotes:
Josh Holmes [20:29]: "The economic engine in this country comes from these people who take risks because it is the only way."
Michael Duncan [20:34]: "The mom and pop shops that take the risk of going into business, and then they end up getting slammed with taxes."
d. Dismantling the Deep State and Reducing Regulatory Overreach
The hosts call for an end to what they term the "deep state," advocating for the removal of entrenched bureaucratic regulations that they believe hinder business operations and economic growth. They argue that unelected officials impose regulations that are out of touch with everyday Americans.
Notable Quotes:
John Ashbrook [23:22]: "I really want Trump this time to actually dismantle the deep state."
Michael Duncan [25:29]: "The regs thing is a really good point and sort of related to the tax thing as well."
e. Justice System Reforms and Releasing Political Prisoners
The hosts advocate for reforming the justice system by releasing individuals they consider political prisoners—those they believe were unjustly incarcerated by the Biden administration. They criticize the current system as being influenced by political biases.
Notable Quotes:
John Ashbrook [12:30]: "President Trump could do anything this next term... he needs to be very smart about it because these, these people are extremely entrenched."
Michael Duncan [13:06]: "Extremely valid... how many jails across this country are full of the people who set fire to cities?"
f. Critique of Media and George Soros Influence
A significant portion of the discussion targets media influence and the involvement of George Soros and his network in shaping Democratic agendas. The hosts assert that Soros-funded organizations manipulate political outcomes and support left-wing policies detrimental to America.
Notable Quotes:
Michael Duncan [41:09]: "Alex Soros is the son of George Soros, and he spent the past couple months... what the Soros network has done to this country is disgusting."
Josh Holmes [43:03]: "The way to get it done is you actually have legal culpability in funding crime."
3. Lightning Round: Terrible Persons to Guantanamo Bay
In a spirited lightning round, the hosts each nominate individuals they consider significant threats to American democracy to be sent to Guantanamo Bay. James Comey emerges as a unanimous choice, portrayed as a villain who undermined Trump's presidency.
Notable Quotes:
Comfortably Smug [32:58]: "If Santa Trump could deliver one terrible person to Guantanamo Bay, it would be James Comey."
Michael Duncan [41:49]: "Anyways, it's been really long."
4. Humorous Segments: Elon Musk as Ambassador to Space
Injecting humor into the episode, the hosts playfully discuss appointing Elon Musk as America's ambassador to space. They highlight his multifaceted roles and envision him as a "supreme warlord of space," capable of advancing America's extraterrestrial ambitions.
Notable Quotes:
Michael Duncan [46:26]: "I think we make him like Permanent ambassador to space."
Comfortably Smug [50:22]: "It's the most Trump thing I've ever heard. Nuking Mars."
5. Optimism for 2025 and Future Plans
Concluding the episode, the hosts express optimism for the future, anticipating a resurgence of American greatness under Trump’s continued leadership. They emphasize plans for engaging content, including games and interactive segments, aimed at energizing their listener base and promoting their conservative vision.
Notable Quotes:
Josh Holmes [53:41]: "We promise you have not seen anything yet. Like, this is going to be a fun ride."
Michael Duncan [54:21]: "We're back, baby."
Conclusion
Throughout "Wishlist For Santa Trump," the Ruthless Podcast hosts seamlessly blend personal anecdotes with passionate political discourse. Their "wishlist" encapsulates a desire for comprehensive policy reforms aimed at revitalizing American economic strength, regulatory efficiency, and national security. Coupled with humor and engaging segments, the episode serves both as entertainment and a rallying call for listeners aligned with their conservative values.
Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and highlight significant moments within the episode.