Summary of "Acosta Reacts to Trump’s Disastrous Dictator Parade" - The MeidasTouch Podcast

Release Date: June 16, 2025

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas are joined by esteemed journalist Jim Acosta to dissect former President Donald Trump’s recent event—labeled as a "dictator parade." The conversation navigates through the intricacies of the parade itself, the contrasting responses from corporate and independent media, and the broader implications for American democracy.

1. Introduction to Donald Trump’s Dictator Parade

The episode kicks off with Ben setting the stage for the discussion:

[00:28] Ben: "Jim, I gotta ask you to react to Donald Trump's disastrous dictator parade. But perhaps more importantly, the coverage, how I think independent media stepped up in covering the disastrous dictator parade accurately, how I think corporate news failed to meet the moment."

Ben introduces the central topic—Trump’s attempt to emulate a dictatorial display during his birthday celebration and the subsequent media coverage.

2. Jim Acosta’s Initial Reaction

Jim Acosta provides his immediate impressions of the event:

[01:15] Jim Acosta: "I mean, you know, it was, it was as if somebody showed the, the, the GIF or the meme of Donald Trump as a toddler riding the toy tank down Pennsylvania Avenue. I mean, that's what it looked like. [...] it was more snoozalini than Mussolini."

Acosta characterizes the parade as a poor imitation of authoritarian displays, highlighting Trump's lackluster performance and the event's underwhelming execution.

3. Critique of Corporate Media Coverage

The discussion shifts to how mainstream media outlets portrayed the parade, with both Ben and Jim expressing skepticism:

[03:23] Ben: "This was the headline that, you know, the Washington Post ran. [...] when I look at that, I go like, y' all are doing that on purpose. And. And is it that you think that we're stupid?"

Ben criticizes the Washington Post for what he perceives as an attempt to inflate the parade’s significance, contrasting it with the actual minimal attendance and disorganized presentation.

[04:37] Jim Acosta: "What they're doing and how they were reporting it on Saturday, [...] many of these outlets are running scared right now. They're just afraid to take on this president. And that's where independent media fills the void."

Acosta accuses corporate media of fearfulness and a lack of accountability, suggesting that major outlets are hesitant to challenge Trump’s narrative effectively.

4. The Power and Responsibility of Independent Media

Jim Acosta underscores the vital role played by independent media in these scenarios:

[11:21] Jim Acosta: "Independent media is where it's at right now. [...] Where would we be as a country if right now all we could do was rely upon corporate media [...]"

Acosta emphasizes that independent media outlets like The MeidasTouch Podcast are crucial for delivering unfiltered and honest reporting, especially when corporate media fails to provide comprehensive coverage.

[13:21] Jim Acosta: "They're just not going to fall for the tweets that say the tanks rolled down Pennsylvania Avenue [...] They're going to have to go to places like you and me and. And we're going to give it to them the way they want it, which is to give it to them straight."

He highlights the audience’s growing distrust in traditional media and their reliance on independent sources for accurate information.

5. Detailed Analysis of the Parade’s Execution and Symbolism

Ben and Acosta delve deeper into the specifics of the parade, analyzing its shortcomings and public perception:

[07:03] Ben: "At the core of this, though, also to me is basic competence. [...] It reminded me of, you know, when you go to like a four or five year old kid's birthday party [...] what are you even giving me?"

Ben uses an analogy of a child's poorly organized birthday party to illustrate his view of the parade's incompetence and lack of professionalism.

[08:22] Jim Acosta: "The real American strength, the real American might that was on display over the weekend, [...] was in those no Kings protests across the country. [...] Trump did over the weekend just clearly backfired like an Abrams tank."

Acosta contrasts the failed display of power with the robust and widespread protests, asserting that true American strength lies in its democratic response and civic engagement rather than orchestrated displays of might.

6. The Future of Media and Democracy

The conversation concludes with reflections on the evolving media landscape and the importance of maintaining democratic integrity:

[13:30] Jim Acosta: "You got to see, people are craving this kind of outlet. [...] We're going to give it to them the way they want it, which is to give it to them straight."

Acosta reiterates the necessity for independent media to continue providing transparent and unvarnished truth to support and sustain democratic values.

[13:33] Ben: "Hit subscribe let's get to 5 million subscribers. The truth is more important than ever."

The hosts and Acosta encourage listeners to support independent media channels to ensure the dissemination of factual and unbiased information.

Notable Quotes

• Ben Meiselas [00:28]: "How independent media stepped up in covering the disastrous dictator parade accurately, how corporate news failed to meet the moment."

• Jim Acosta [01:15]: "Donald Trump’s dictator birthday Parade [...] was more snoozalini than Mussolini."

• Jim Acosta [04:37]: "These outlets are running scared right now. They're just afraid to take on this president. And that's where independent media fills the void."

• Jim Acosta [11:21]: "Independent media is where it's at right now. [...] Where would we be as a country if we didn't have independent media right now?"

• Jim Acosta [13:30]: "We're going to give it to them the way they want it, which is to give it to them straight."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast serves as a critical examination of Donald Trump’s attempt to project an image of authoritarian strength and the subsequent media portrayal of the event. Through insightful discussion with Jim Acosta, the hosts highlight the shortcomings of corporate media in addressing such pivotal moments and celebrate the indispensable role of independent media in upholding truth and democratic principles. The conversation underscores a growing public demand for honest and direct reporting, positioning independent outlets as the torchbearers for integrity in journalism.

Listeners are encouraged to support independent media ventures like The MeidasTouch Podcast and Jim Acosta’s Substack to ensure the continued flow of unfiltered and accurate information vital for a healthy democracy.