The hosts of the Ruthless Podcast, known collectively as the Fellas, will broadcast a live special on Fox News Channel on Sunday from noon to 1 p.m. ET. The airing is scheduled for the week immediately preceding the midterm elections.
Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, John Ashbrook, and Michael Duncan comprise the core team of the show. Holmes, a GOP strategist, and Comfortably Smug launched the podcast in October 2020 with the goal of making conservative political discussion more entertaining. Ashbrook and Duncan joined later as co-hosts after working with Holmes at their consulting firm, Calvary. The program began as a Zoom series during the COVID-19 era and secured a licensing deal with FOX News Media last year.
The show aims to provide behind-the-scenes perspectives on elections and policy from individuals with direct experience in Washington politics. Holmes told Fox News Digital at the launch that the hosts identified a gap in conservative media for audiences who wanted political insight without ideological lectures. The Fellas routinely share insights gained from decades of advising candidates at high levels within Republican politics.
Each host brings a distinct professional background to the panel. Holmes, from Minnetonka, Minnesota, served as chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and has worked on various political campaigns for decades. Comfortably Smug, who has a background in finance, is described as a political social media pioneer and often acts as the comedic element of the show.
John Ashbrook, a native of Cincinnati, has spent decades advising Republican politicians and elected officials. He is characterized as the "voice" of the program, with an ability to predict how mainstream media will cover specific topics before they are published. Michael Duncan, from Indiana, began his career during the early stages of digital political organizing. He possesses extensive knowledge of online advertising and media consumption mechanics.
Over the past year, the hosts have extensively covered the midterm elections through the Ruthless Midterm Interview Series, which included interviews with candidates in 19 states. While the podcast typically releases new episodes on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, it added an extra recording on Wednesday during the election season.