Shawn Ryan has publicly distanced himself from President Donald Trump just months after supporting him during the 2024 election cycle. The former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor expressed deep frustration with the administration’s direction, revealing a significant shift in his political stance during a recent interview.
Ryan, who previously wanted Trump to win the presidency now openly acknowledges his changed perspective.
“I’m not really happy about anything that’s happening right now,” he stated plainly. “I think he’s totally gone against what he said he was going to do.”
The podcaster’s concerns center primarily on America’s involvement in Iran and what he perceives as foreign policy decisions that prioritize other nations’ interests over American ones. Ryan expressed confusion about the administration’s military deployments, saying he sees no positive outcome for America in the current situation.
When discussing the matter with his former military colleagues, he reports they believe American forces are involved for another country’s interests. He specifically named Israel as having the majority of the interest in the conflict.
Ryan rejected the Trump administration’s narrative about nuclear weapons being the driving factor for military action in Iran, calling any explanation he might offer “speculative.”
However he firmly stated, “I don’t think they’re for our interests.” When pressed on why Trump would pursue actions benefiting a non-American country, Ryan admitted he doesn’t know the answer.
Perhaps most striking is Ryan’s assertion that the two major political parties have become indistinguishable. When asked if America would have been better off with a Democratic victory, he suggested that Republicans and Democrats are “seemingly more and more to be one and the same.”
This disillusionment has led him to step back from political engagement entirely.
The podcaster’s disappointment extends beyond foreign policy to domestic concerns. He criticized what he views as America’s self-destruction while other nations particularly China, watch and benefit.
Ryan pointed to inconsistent policy decisions, citing Canada as an example of how American foreign relations have deteriorated under schizophrenic leadership that penalizes allies for decisions forced upon them by previous policy changes.
Ryan also voiced frustration with American politicians whom he believes have totally abandoned everyday citizens. He expressed interest in documenting poverty across all 50 states, questioning why substantial funds flow to foreign countries while domestic problems remain unaddressed.
The shift represents a significant departure for Ryan, who had Trump on his show during the campaign without any topic restrictions. He also attempted to host Vice President Kamala Harris, engaging in discussions with her team about potential topics, though those conversations ultimately fell through when her team balked at his proposed outline.
Looking ahead to the 2028 election, Ryan indicated he probably won’t get involved unless a viable third-party candidate emerges. He stated he doesn’t see any strong candidates among the current political landscape and expressed little enthusiasm for participating in the existing two-party system.
Ryan’s public criticism carries particular weight given his platform’s reach. His show consistently ranks among the top podcasts globally, drawing 150 to 200 million views monthly.
The podcaster acknowledged that his political involvement exceeded his comfort level and that virtually every politician who appeared on his show has misled him. This realization has contributed to his decision to redirect his content toward faith-based programming, despite facing advertiser pushback for that choice.
