The MeidasTouch Podcast — Election Night 2025 (November 5, 2025)

Overview

Theme/Purpose:
This special Election Night edition of The MeidasTouch Podcast saw hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas deliver real-time coverage of a historic election night in America, marked by a sweeping series of Democratic victories up and down the ballot. With their signature blend of brotherly banter, data-driven analysis, and pro-democracy passion, the brothers broke down major election results, analyzed voter moods, brought in special guests, and streamed historic victory speeches — all while highlighting a growing grassroots movement pushing back against the Trump regime and the growing authoritarianism in the U.S.

Major Topics & Key Events

1. Historic Democratic Sweep Across the Country

• Virginia:

  • Abigail Spanberger wins the governorship, becoming the first woman governor of Virginia.
  • Gazala Hashmi wins the lieutenant governor race.
  • Jay Jones wins attorney general, completing a sweep of the three top statewide offices.
  • House of Delegates sees at least 13 (possibly up to 20) seats flip to Democrats — a tsunami in what had been considered competitive or GOP-leaning districts.
  • Quote (Ben, 01:32:30): "It’s not even close..."

• New Jersey:

  • Mikey Sherrill wins the gubernatorial race, flipping New Jersey blue in a major upset against Jack Cittarelli.
  • Quote (Brett, 14:29): "Democrat Mikey Sherrill projected to win the race for New Jersey governor. This was a hotly contested race... the fact that it is being called this early... shows you right now the momentum..."

• New York City:

  • Zoran Mamdani (Democratic Socialist) defeats Andrew Cuomo for Mayor.
  • Quote (Zoran Mamdani, Victory Speech, 198:16): "Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands, my friends..."

• California:

  • Prop 50 (mid-decade redistricting to favor fairer/stronger Democratic maps) passes overwhelmingly.
  • Quote (Gavin Newsom, Victory Speech, 231:25): "It was not just a victory tonight for the Democratic Party. It was a victory for the United States of America, for the people of this country and the principles that our founding fathers lived and died for..."

• Pennsylvania:

  • Democrats retain 5-2 control of the State Supreme Court.
  • Quote (Brett, 80:25): "Democrats will retain control of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Another very, very, very important race..."

• Minnesota:

  • Democrats take control of the State Senate.
  • Quote (Ben, 187:26): "Democrats have seized the majority in the Minnesota Senate..."

• Georgia:

  • Key local offices, including Public Service Commissioner seats, flip to Democrats for the first time in decades.

2. Public Mood and Voter Motivations

• Widespread Discontent with the Trump/Republican Regime:
  Exit polls and guest commentary emphasized that voters were "pissed at Donald Trump and this regime," showing up to repudiate chaos, mass federal layoffs, ICE raids, militarization, and government shutdowns.

  • Quote (Brett, 02:38): "We are seeing the data coming in... looking very good as of this moment for the Democrats and very, very bad for Donald Trump and the Republican Party... a major repudiation, a full-on rejection of Trump, Trumpism, and everything the Republican Party stands for."

• Over-Performance of Democrats in Special Elections:
  Multiple guests/hosts noted that Democrats have been overperforming by 10-15% (sometimes even more) in state and local races since the start of Trump’s second term.

  • Quote (Ben, 08:39): "We’ve seen a Democratic over-performance thus far of around 10-15%. In some cases, 15-20%..."

• Return of Swing and Low-Propensity Voters:
  Many former Trump voters, especially in suburban and Latino communities, returned to the Democratic column, citing the economy, healthcare, and immigration policies.

  • Quote/Voter (10:26): "I voted Trump before, but now I... look the strongest, different... the economy, I don't look good. That's a vote for democracy."

3. Media Narratives, Gaslighting, and Data

• Rejection of “Trump Is Invincible” Myth:
  Midas hosts and guests repeatedly challenged mainstream media for sustaining the myth of Trump’s invincibility — tonight’s results shattering that narrative.

  • Quote (Brett, 13:09): "If there’s anything that we are already starting to see tonight, it’s that that cloak of invincibility is vanishing before our eyes. The entire narrative could be shifting right now."

• Corporate Media Critiques:
  Strong criticism for media “gaslighting” and “sane-washing” of the Trump regime, for bothsides-ing issues, and defending indefensible actions.

  • Quote (Jordy, 16:14): "Do not let yourselves be gaslit by corporate media into thinking that any of this, of what you're seeing Trump and this administration do... is normal."

4. Guests and Notable Interviews

• Adam Kinzinger (former Republican congressman):
  Discussed the party's drift into authoritarianism, his relationship with Kevin McCarthy, and the "cult" of Trump. Stressed the importance of the pro-democracy coalition welcoming ex-MAGA figures.

  • Quote (Kinzinger, 25:54): "Donald Trump is a messiah figure. We have to understand that. He's built a cult... a lesson for us as we build this pro-democracy coalition: we have to embrace people that come out of MAGA..."

• Senator Tim Kaine (Virginia):
  Framed Virginia as a model for red-to-blue transformation via practical, "bread and butter" campaigning (affordability, jobs, education).

  • Quote (Senator Kaine, 29:19): "We rejected Trumpism. We stood for affordability, jobs, and education... we just smoked one over the fence."

• Ron Filipkowski (MidasTouch Editor-in-Chief):
  Provided data-rich analysis of the trends, pointed to the dangers for Republicans in continuing to follow Trump, highlighted the impact of redistricting and MAGA echo chambers.

• Aaron Parnas (political news personality):
  Discussed the internet’s shift of political influence and the backfiring of right-wing echo chambers and algorithmic bubbles.

• Assemblyman Isaac Bryan (California, 55th):
  Discussed Prop 50, Newsom’s leadership, and big-tent unity on affordability.

5. Celebrated Victory Speeches (with Timestamps & Quotes)

• Abigail Spanberger (Governor-elect VA, 34:22–58:48):
  Quote: "Tonight we sent a message... that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. We chose our commonwealth over chaos... we turned a page by listening to our neighbors, focusing on practical results, laying out a clear agenda, and leading with decency and determination..."

• Zoran Mamdani (Mayor-elect NYC, 197:56–220:49):
  Quote: "Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands, my friends. We have toppled a political dynasty... Let tonight be the final time I utter [Cuomo's] name as we turn the page on a politics that abandons the many and answers only to the few..."

• Mikey Sherrill (Governor-elect NJ, 129:28–130:20):
  Quote: "We're not going to give in to our darker impulses here in New Jersey. We know that this nation has not ever been, nor will it ever be, ruled by kings. We take oaths to a constitution, not a king..."

• Gavin Newsom (Governor, CA, Prop 50 speech, 231:25–241:59):
  Quote: "Instead of agonizing over the state of our nation, we organized in an unprecedented way... what a night for the Democratic Party, a party that is in its ascendancy, a party that’s on its toes, no longer on its heels, from coast to coast, sea to shining sea..."

Notable & Memorable Quotes

"Enough of the Gatsby parties and golden ballrooms while starving Americans to death and getting rid of Americans’ health care. Enough of the war crimes... Enough of this baffling fool walking around making us look stupid on the international stage. Enough is enough."
— Ben Meiselas, 29:54

"Donald Trump brought in a lot of voters... Many of them have no loyalty to the Republican Party. When Trump is on the ballot, they show up. In the off years, MAGA stays home. They don’t care about these candidates."
— Ron Filipkowski, 94:36

"[Democrats are] not waiting for permission from Chuck Schumer or the DNC anymore. Candidates like Mandami... weren’t the choice of the big donors, but the grassroots spoke loudest tonight."
— Ben Meiselas, 147:18

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–02:38: Opening calls and overview of early Democratic victories
• 14:29: Mikey Sherrill called as NJ governor by Decision Desk HQ
• 33:44–58:48: Spanberger’s historic victory speech (first woman governor, VA)
• 80:25: PA Supreme Court control announced
• 129:28–130:20: Mikey Sherrill’s brief but powerful victory speech
• 197:56–220:49: Zoran Mamdani’s electrifying victory address as new NYC mayor
• 231:25–241:59: Gavin Newsom’s speech on Prop 50 and the meaning of the night

Analysis & Insights

“Blue Tsunami”: Why Voters Shifted

• Authoritarian Overreach: Massive backlash against Trump’s militarization, ICE raids, SNAP/healthcare cuts, and general chaos.
• Kitchen Table Issues: Democratic campaigns focused relentlessly on affordability, jobs, education.
• Diversity in Candidates, Unity on Message: Wide ideological spread from center-left (Spanberger, Sherrill) to left (Mamdani), but all prioritized practical solutions and empathy.
• Media vs Reality: Podcast repeatedly noted media’s out-of-touch coverage and right-wing echo-chambers misinforming their own activists, creating a self-defeating complacency.

Community & Movement

• Midas Mighty: The community’s impact was a recurring theme — grassroots volunteers, independent media, and protestors were celebrated for their role in pushing back against “corporate news” and supporting democracy.

  • Quote (Jordy, 195:28): "This is a Midas Touch network, the community movement. This is we. This is everything that y’all have built."

• New Progressive Energy: Celebration of new leadership (Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, Mamdani, Platner in Maine) who formed critical parts of what Ron Filipkowski called “the New Left” — not radical, but recommitted to social democracy and economic justice.

Final Thoughts and Outlook

• Democratic Unity & Discipline:
  The night's "impeccable discipline" on bread-and-butter economic messaging was highlighted by Senator Tim Kaine and others as key to the victories.

• Warning Against Complacency:
  Despite the blue wave, hosts and guests stressed that authoritarian threats aren’t over and that organizing must continue for 2026, with special vigilance regarding GOP efforts to restrict voting rights.

• A Night of Hope and Momentum:
  The hosts and guests concluded with a sense of renewed optimism — “In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light.” (Mamdani, 289:20)

Listen to the Best of the Night (Suggested Timestamps)

• 34:22–58:48 — Abigail Spanberger’s governor victory & speech
• 197:56–220:49 — Zoran Mamdani’s NYC mayoral victory speech
• 231:25–241:59 — Gavin Newsom’s speech on CA Prop 50
• 119:40–130:20 — Mikey Sherrill’s NJ victory and discussion
• Throughout — Commentary with Ron Filipkowski, Adam Kinzinger, Tim Kaine, Isaac Bryan, Aaron Parnas, and Midas community messages

Summary Table of Major Victories

| Race/Measure | Winner/Result | Notable Quote | Timestamp | |-------------------------------|------------------------------|---------------------------|-------------| | VA Governor | Abigail Spanberger | “We chose pragmatism…” | 34:22–58:48 | | VA Lieutenant Governor | Gazala Hashmi | ** | | | VA Attorney General | Jay Jones | ** | 28:05 | | VA House of Delegates | Dems flip 13–20 seats | “It’s a tsunami…” | Throughout | | NJ Governor | Mikey Sherrill | “No kings…” | 129:28 | | NYC Mayor | Zoran Mamdani | “The future is in our hands…” | 197:56–220:49 | | CA Prop 50 | Passed by landslide | “We organized…” | 231:25–241:59| | PA Supreme Court | Dem 5–2 Control maintained | “Huge win…” | 80:25 | | MN Senate | Dems take control | “Democrats seized…” | 187:26 | | GA Local Races | Dems break decades-old streak| “First time in 20 years…” | Opening |

This summary captures the facts, tone, and momentous energy of a night many participants said “they had been waiting for": a hopeful, massive, multi-state affirmation of grassroots, democracy-oriented, pro-affordability politics — and a clear repudiation of MAGA authoritarianism nationwide.