The MeidasTouch Podcast Summary

Episode: Congressman Chris Pappas Responds to Trump’s Disastrous Term
Release Date: April 19, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Guest: Congressman Chris Pappas

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the Meiselas brothers delve deep into the tumultuous tenure of former President Donald Trump, focusing on his administration's detrimental impact on data integrity, federal services, and economic policies. The episode features a candid conversation with Congressman Chris Pappas, a Democratic representative from New Hampshire who is running for the state's open Senate seat.

Trump’s Disastrous Term and Attack on Data

Ben Meiselas initiates the discussion by highlighting the cumulative failures of Donald Trump's administration, emphasizing the systematic attack on data collection and transparency.

• Ben Meiselas (00:58):
  "Donald Trump's failures continue to mount as his regime is showing what an utter disaster it is. Donald Trump's plan now is what his plan usually always is, which is just attack the data."

Ben underscores Trump's mishandling of critical situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where Trump famously stated, "Don't do the testing, then you don't know if there are cases," dismissing the importance of accurate data (00:58).

• Ben Meiselas (03:09):
  "We made this video a few years back at the Midas Touch Network."

Ben references a past video clip where Trump advised slowing down COVID-19 testing, reinforcing his point about Trump's disregard for data-driven decision-making.

Suppression of Critical Data

The discussion pivots to Trump's administration's efforts to suppress vital data across various sectors.

• Ben Meiselas (01:30):
  "Trump's war on measurement means losing data on drug use, maternal mortality, climate change, and more."

He cites a ProPublica article revealing how the FDA failed to publicize a deadly E. Coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce, delaying public awareness and safety measures (00:58).

• Ben Meiselas (02:29):
  "And this is from NBC, which found out about it. The outbreak linked to romaine lettuce killed one person and sickened at least 88 more..."

This suppression of information showcases Trump's administration's preference to manipulate data rather than address public health concerns transparently.

Misleading Communications: The Egg Price Controversy

Ben presents a clip of Trump inaccurately claiming that egg prices are dropping, which he then refutes with factual data.

• Donald Trump Clip (02:29 - 02:45):
  "And the egg prices are down 87%. But nobody talks about that. You could have all the eggs you watched. We have too many eggs."

• Ben Meiselas (02:45):
  "Just entirely false. US Egg prices have increased to record highs going into Easter."

Ben highlights the discrepancy between Trump's statements and actual market data, emphasizing the administration's tendency to distort facts.

Impact on Federal Services and Programs

The conversation shifts to the broader implications of Trump's policies on essential federal services.

• Ben Meiselas (05:56):
  "Federal spending is actually up right now. There's more federal spending than under former President Biden, and they've wrecked the federal government in the process."

Ben critiques the administration's approach, pointing out that increased spending hasn't translated into effective governance but rather has led to the dismantling of crucial services.

• Chris Pappas (06:33):
  "Deeply concerned with what they're seeing right now... they've moved to fire half the people that work for the Social Security Administration."

Congressman Pappas elaborates on the real-world consequences of these cuts, such as delays in Social Security benefits and diminished support for veterans, highlighting the human cost of the administration's policies.

Trade Wars and Economic Impact on New Hampshire

Ben and Pappas discuss Trump's erratic trade policies, particularly the imposition of tariffs that adversely affect New Hampshire's economy.

• Ben Meiselas (08:43):
  "Donald Trump declaring a trade war against the world using a made-up cockamamie formula that was based on deficits to claim what the reciprocal tariff rate was."

• Chris Pappas (09:25):
  "88% of small businesses import products in order to sell them to customers or to make something else... that's making things more expensive."

Pappas explains how these tariffs disrupt local businesses, especially those reliant on imports from Canada and exports to China, leading to increased costs and job losses within New Hampshire's vital industries like forestry.

Chris Pappas’ Senate Race and Vision for the Future

The episode culminates with Congressman Pappas sharing his motivations and goals as he campaigns for the Senate seat.

• Chris Pappas (11:56):
  "I think this is a moment where we all should look to go beyond what we're used to doing, to make sure we are raising our voices and standing up for what counts."

Pappas emphasizes his commitment to combating Trump's damaging legacy by advocating for data-driven governance, protecting essential services, and fostering economic stability. He appeals to voters by highlighting his extensive experience and dedication to addressing the pressing needs of New Hampshire residents.

• Chris Pappas (13:31):
  "People can go to ChrisPappas.org and find out more about me... we're taking nothing for granted. We're going to get out there and earn this and we'd love people's help."

Pappas calls for active civic engagement, urging the public to participate in the democratic process to restore integrity and effectiveness to government operations.

Conclusion

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast offers a thorough examination of the detrimental effects of Donald Trump's administration on data integrity, federal services, and economic policies, particularly emphasizing the adverse impact on New Hampshire. Through insightful discussions with Congressman Chris Pappas, the episode underscores the urgent need for informed, data-driven governance and active public participation to safeguard democracy and support essential services for Americans.

Find More: To learn more about Congressman Chris Pappas and his Senate campaign, visit ChrisPappas.org.