The MeidasTouch Podcast: Deja Foxx on Trump’s Attacks on Arizona Voters
Release Date: May 28, 2025
In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve into the evolving political landscape in Arizona, focusing on the impact of former President Donald Trump’s policies on local voters and the rise of Deja Foxx, a Democrat running for Arizona's 7th congressional district. Through a blend of insightful discussions, personal stories, and expert analysis, the Meiselas brothers shed light on the shifting allegiances of Arizona voters and the critical issues at stake in the upcoming special election.
Shift in Arizona Voters’ Stance Toward Trump
The episode opens with a political commentator highlighting a noticeable shift among Arizona voters who are increasingly distancing themselves from Donald Trump. The hosts explore the reasons behind this change, emphasizing that even staunch Trump supporters are beginning to harbor deep reservations about his policies and leadership.
Notable Quote:
“They are expressing, I would say, to put it mildly, deep reservations, even if they've supported him in the past.”
— Political Commentator [01:01]
Impact of Trump’s Policies on Local Residents and Businesses
To illustrate the tangible effects of Trump’s administration, the podcast features impactful stories from Arizona residents:
-
Marga Vargas’s Concerns About Medicaid:
Marga Vargas, a devout Christian and lifelong Republican who runs a business employing individuals with disabilities, expresses her fears regarding potential cuts to Medicaid. Her business, which provides vital support to 50 employees, faces uncertainty as Trump’s policies threaten to undermine essential social services.
Notable Quote:
“It's important because we need to take care of our people with disabilities and our elderly and those that depend on it, and they can't survive as it is right now. And we cannot cut.”
— Marga Vargas [01:58] -
Matt Mandel’s Business Challenges:
Matt Mandel, who helps run SunFed, discusses how Trump’s inconsistent tariff policies have created an environment of uncertainty, making it difficult for his business to plan and operate effectively. The brief imposition and subsequent removal of tariffs have disrupted supply chains, leading to increased costs for consumers and challenges for local businesses.
Notable Quote:
“The biggest problem that we have up till now is uncertainty. We have talk about tariffs and then the tariffs are off.”
— Matt Mandel [03:26]
Notable Quote Highlighting Economic Impact:
“Putting tariffs on imports is only going to limit supply, raise prices.”
— Matt Mandel [03:51]
MAGA Republicans’ Focus on Symbolic Gestures
The hosts discuss the priorities of MAGA Republicans in Arizona, noting their recent initiative to rename highways after Donald Trump. Despite the effort, the proposal failed by a single vote due to legal restrictions preventing the naming of public infrastructures after living individuals.
Notable Quote:
“But that's the type of things that they're focused on.”
— Political Commentator [04:09]
Introducing Deja Foxx: A Beacon of New Leadership
The conversation transitions to Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old Democrat running in the special election for Arizona's 7th congressional district. Deja embodies a new generation of leadership, bringing personal experience and a deep commitment to addressing the systemic issues affecting her community.
Deja Foxx’s Background and Motivations:
Deja shares her personal journey, highlighting her upbringing in a single-parent household and her reliance on social safety nets such as SNAP benefits and Section 8 housing. Despite these challenges, she graduated from Columbia University on a full scholarship, becoming the first in her family to attend college. Her experiences have fueled her passion for advocating for policies that support vulnerable populations and ensure equitable access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
Notable Quote:
“This is the American dream story that they all say they support, right? That because of good policy.”
— Deja Foxx [08:12]
Impact of Republican Policies:
Deja highlights the detrimental effects of Republican policies on essential services, particularly the attempted defunding of Medicaid and Planned Parenthood centers. She shares poignant stories, such as a neonatal doctor discussing the high rate of uninsured births and a young woman who lost her mother due to delayed cancer care resulting from financial constraints.
Notable Quote:
“How could these elected officials, these representatives, make these decisions if they had ever sat with people like us?”
— James from the Neighborhood [05:00]
Deja’s Vision for Change:
Running against entrenched school board members, Deja emphasizes the need for elected officials who are genuinely in touch with their constituents' needs. She positions herself as a fighter committed to safeguarding social programs and ensuring that policies are crafted with the lived experiences of everyday Arizonans in mind.
Notable Quote:
“I was raised by a single mom. I'm a first generation American. And I was raised in Section 8 housing, right? That's what put a roof over my head.”
— Deja Foxx [07:58]
The Road Ahead: Special Election Dynamics
With the special election slated for July 15, Deja Foxx’s candidacy represents a crucial moment for Arizona’s 7th district. The race is highly competitive, and Deja’s platform resonates with voters seeking tangible improvements in healthcare, education, and economic stability. The podcast underscores the urgency of voter engagement, highlighting the short window before ballots are cast.
Notable Quote:
“We need to spend time talking about those things and less time talking about manufacturing a Joe Rogan in a lab.”
— Political Commentator [10:14]
Conclusion: A Call to Action
As the episode draws to a close, the hosts reinforce the importance of understanding the real issues affecting Arizona voters. They advocate for supporting candidates like Deja Foxx who prioritize the welfare of their constituents over symbolic political gestures. The Meiselas brothers invite listeners to engage with the evolving political discourse and participate actively in shaping the future of their democracy.
Final Notable Quote:
“I am actually running against one of those school board members now because I believe that we need to not only fight back against Donald Trump and these MAGA extremists, but demand that Democrats do better.”
— Deja Foxx [11:34]
The MeidasTouch Podcast continues to be a vital platform for political discourse, blending humor, brotherly banter, and serious discussions to inform and engage millions of listeners across the globe.