Ruthless Podcast Navigates Trump-Era Politics

Insider-Republican hosts find success in outsider era

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The hosts of the political podcast Ruthless, who have traditional Washington, D.C. backgrounds, have found success navigating the Trump-era political landscape despite their establishmentarian credentials.

Why it matters

The story highlights how some traditional Republican voices have adapted to the changing political dynamics in the years following Trump's presidency, finding ways to thrive in an era that has often rewarded more outsider perspectives.

The details

The Ruthless podcast, hosted by Josh Holmes, Comstock Partners' Kristen Soltis Anderson, and The Dispatch's Jonah Goldberg, features insider-Republican commentary and analysis. Despite their establishmentarian backgrounds, the hosts have built a loyal following by embracing an outsider mentality that aligns with the current political climate.

  • Ruthless podcast launched in 2021.
  • The story was published on February 19, 2026.

The players

Josh Holmes

One of the hosts of the Ruthless podcast and a former chief of staff to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Kristen Soltis Anderson

A host of the Ruthless podcast and a partner at the polling and analytics firm Comstock Partners.

Jonah Goldberg

A host of the Ruthless podcast and a senior editor at the conservative news outlet The Dispatch.

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What they’re saying

“We've found a way to thrive in this environment by embracing an outsider mentality, even though we have traditional Washington backgrounds.”

— Josh Holmes, Ruthless Podcast Host (Vanity Fair)

The takeaway

The story demonstrates how some Republican voices have adapted to the changing political landscape, finding ways to connect with audiences despite their establishment ties, highlighting the evolving nature of conservative media and politics in the post-Trump era.