Ruthless Podcast Co-Host Makes a Splash at White House Press Briefing
John Ashbrook, a co-host of the popular conservative podcast “Ruthless,” made a big impression at the White House press briefing on Friday, thanks to the “new media” initiative launched by the Trump administration. As one of the 10,000 applicants to fill the newly created “new media seats,” Ashbrook was given the honor of asking the first question of the day.
Ashbrook’s question targeted the legacy media’s bias, asking White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt if the media is “out of touch” with the American people on the issue of border crises. Leavitt responded by citing a New York Times poll showing that 83% of Americans support the deportation of violent criminal illegal immigrants, and that 97% of the deportations carried out by the Trump administration were based on deportation orders from the previous administration.
John Ashbrook, a former campaign strategist to Sen. Mitch McConnell, described the experience as “exactly what I was hoping for,” noting that he saw “a lot of eye rolls and a lot of smirks” from the legacy media. He hailed the White House’s decision to incorporate “new media” voices into the briefing room, saying it was a “brand-new day in the media” and a chance for “we the people” to have a voice.
The “Ruthless” podcast has been gaining popularity for its humorous take on politics, and Ashbrook’s appearance at the White House press briefing has drawn attention to the growing influence of new media voices in the political landscape.