The co-hosts of the Ruthless Podcast, Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug (aka Shashank Tripathi), Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook. (Ruthless/Fox News)
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The “Ruthless Podcast” has filled a massive void in the political media landscape for six years, and now the popular show is coming to you live on Fox News Channel.
The Fellas — Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, John Ashbrook and Michael Duncan — will be airing a special show this Sunday from 12 noon to 1 p.m. ET on Fox News, with the critical midterm elections just over a week away.
“Ruthless” was launched in October 2020 by Holmes, a seasoned GOP strategist, and internet personality Comfortably Smug, with the mission of bringing fun to conservative politics. Duncan and Ashbrook, who worked alongside Holmes in their day jobs at their consulting firm Calvary, would later join “Ruthless” as co-hosts, rounding out the personalities on the “variety progrum.”
“Ruthless,” which began over Zoom calls during the COVID era and landed a licensing deal with FOX News Media last year, gives a behind-the-scenes look at elections and policy from people who have actually been in the rooms that shape Washington.
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The “Fellas,” as they’re known to the audience, routinely share insights from their decades of experience advising candidates at the highest levels across Republican politics.
“We felt like there was a real hole in the conservative media landscape for people who enjoy politics, but want to have fun while doing it. They want to know what’s really going on, but could do without the ideological lecture,” Holmes told Fox News Digital at the time of the launch.
Each host brings a different background and perspective to the audience. Holmes, the pride of Minnetonka, Minnesota, served as chief of staff to longtime Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and worked for decades on various political campaigns.
Ruthless host Josh Holmes. (Ruthless/Fox News)
Comfortably Smug, a political social media pioneer with a background in finance, often serves as the comedic wild card.
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Ruthless host Comfortably Smug, also known as Shashank Tripathi. (Ruthless/Fox News)
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Ashbrook, a Cincinnati native who has spent decades advising Republican politicians and elected officials, provides an insight into political media that few podcasters can match. He’s the “voice” of the Progrum and knows how the mainstream media will cover a topic before they even put pen to paper.
Ruthless host John Ashbrook. (Ruthless/Fox News)
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Duncan is also a native Midwesterner from Indiana. He started his career at the onset of the digital revolution in politics and quickly became a savant in conservative organizing online. He has a deep knowledge of advertising and the mechanics of media consumption online.
Ruthless host Michael Duncan. (Ruthless/Fox News)
The hosts of the “Ruthless Podcast” have covered the midterms at length over the last year, interviewing candidates in 19 states as part of the Ruthless Midterm Interview Series.
“Ruthless,” which typically publishes new episodes Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings, added an extra Wednesday recording during election season.