Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast – "Former OMB Advisor Michael Linden on Disaster Budget Bill"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The MeidasTouch Podcast
• Host/Author: MeidasTouch Network
• Description: Hosted by brothers Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas, the podcast blends comedy, news coverage, and in-depth discussions on supporting democracy. The show attracts millions of listeners and serves as a pivotal platform for interviews with top political leaders. New episodes are released every Tuesday and Friday, with live video sessions on Mondays and Thursdays.

Episode Details:

• Episode Title: Former OMB Advisor Michael Linden on Disaster Budget Bill
• Release Date: June 21, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the Meiselas brothers engage in a critical discussion with Michael Linden, the former Senior Advisor at the Office of Management and Budget and current Director of Families Over Billionaires. The conversation centers around the recently passed Senate Disaster Budget Bill, its implications, and the broader impact on American society and economy.

Overview of the Senate Disaster Budget Bill

Host 1 kicks off the discussion by expressing strong criticism of the Senate's Disaster Budget Bill, highlighting discrepancies between promises made by Republican figures like Donald Trump and MAGA Mike Johnson versus the actual contents of the bill.

Host 1 [01:45]: "Donald Trump and Maga Mike Johnson would say no tax on tips, no tax on Social Security, no tax on overtime time. Well, total bs."

He points out that the bill lacks provisions such as no tax on Social Security and significantly curtails promises like no tax on tips and overtime. Instead, the bill is portrayed as a defrauding measure against the American populace.

Impact on Healthcare and Social Programs

The conversation delves into the severe repercussions of the budget bill on essential social programs. Host 1 underscores the threat to healthcare and other assistance programs, which could leave millions without necessary support.

Host 1 [02:30]: "This disastrous budget bill is hurting the economy more broadly. It's a direct attack on healthcare. More than 15 million Americans could be losing their healthcare."

Michael Linden elaborates on these points, emphasizing the massive cuts to healthcare and nutrition assistance, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Michael Linden [05:53]: "You have massive cuts to nutrition assistance, mainly food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Three million people are going to lose their food assistance."

He explains that the funds from these cuts are redirected to provide substantial tax cuts to the wealthy, exacerbating economic inequality.

Tax Cuts Favoring the Wealthy

A significant portion of the budget bill is dedicated to tax reductions for the affluent, a move that Host 1 and Michael Linden vehemently oppose. The discussion highlights how these tax cuts disproportionately benefit the super-rich while imposing financial burdens on low and middle-income individuals.

Host 1 [08:34]: "The bill literally takes money out of the pockets of low and middle income people and gives it to rich people."

Michael Linden points out the historical context, noting that while previous tax cuts favored the wealthy, this bill marks an unprecedented move where policies explicitly make lives harder for the less affluent to benefit the richest.

Michael Linden [10:37]: "But this is the first time in modern history that the bill will explicitly and directly make people's lives worse so that they can pay for tax cuts for people at the top."

Consequences for Middle and Lower-Income Americans

The budget bill not only strips away essential services but also increases the cost of living for everyday Americans. Host 1 articulates the broader economic implications, such as higher costs for healthcare, food, and energy, which disproportionately affect those already struggling to make ends meet.

Host 1 [12:31]: "The bill literally takes money out of the pockets of low and middle income people and gives it to rich people. That is totally backwards from an economic standpoint, from a moral standpoint, from a budgetary standpoint."

Michael Linden echoes these sentiments, stressing that the bill undermines economic stability for the majority while entrenching wealth at the top.

Michael Linden [13:15]: "This bill is so unbelievably unpopular, including among Republicans and independent voters, precisely for that reason."

Michael Linden’s Insights and Recommendations

Michael Linden provides a critical analysis of the budget bill, highlighting its flaws and offering solutions to rectify the systemic issues exacerbated by the legislation.

Michael Linden [15:25]: "We could invest in people's education, in their health care. We could reduce the deficit. We could do all of those things."

He advocates for eliminating tax cuts for the wealthy as a straightforward solution to the problems posed by the bill. By reallocating funds from tax breaks for billionaires to essential services, the government can better support working-class Americans.

Michael Linden [17:46]: "If we can all have a conversation, an honest conversation about that, I think it could make a difference in the long run."

Linden emphasizes the importance of public awareness and education to combat the negative effects of the budget bill and push for policies that prioritize everyday people over the ultra-wealthy.

The Political Cycle and Public Awareness

Host 1 and Michael Linden discuss the cyclical nature of political blame games and the importance of breaking this cycle through informed public discourse. They express concern that without widespread understanding of the bill's implications, the nation may continue to face divisive politics and economic hardship.

Host 1 [17:00]: "How do we get out of this cycle? That's, I guess my question."

Michael Linden [17:05]: "People are angry. ... This bill just takes a sledgehammer to all of that."

They argue that educating the public about the true impact of the budget bill is crucial for fostering unity and driving meaningful political change.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to become informed about the budget bill and its ramifications. Host 1 emphasizes the need for grassroots education to empower voters and hold politicians accountable.

Host 1 [17:46]: "I think the key is educating people on what's really happening. Let them understand the process and let them know you're being screwed. You're the mark."

Michael Linden reiterates the potential for collective action to address economic disparities and ensure that government policies serve the broader population rather than a privileged few.

Michael Linden [19:30]: "There is an opportunity here, and maybe this terrible budget bill will be the spark of that opportunity for people to see in each other that common goal of having our government be on our side."

Key Takeaways:

• The Senate Disaster Budget Bill poses significant threats to healthcare, nutrition assistance, and housing for millions of Americans.
• The bill's tax cuts disproportionately benefit the wealthy, exacerbating economic inequality.
• There is widespread opposition to the bill, including among Republicans and independent voters.
• Public education and awareness are essential to combat the bill's negative impacts and promote policies that support everyday Americans.
• Collective action and informed discourse can drive meaningful political and economic reforms.

Notable Quotes:

• Host 1 [01:45]: "Donald Trump and Maga Mike Johnson would say no tax on tips, no tax on Social Security, no tax on overtime time. Well, total bs."
• Michael Linden [05:53]: "Three million people are going to lose their food assistance."
• Host 1 [12:31]: "The bill literally takes money out of the pockets of low and middle income people and gives it to rich people."
• Michael Linden [15:25]: "If we could just not cut taxes for rich people, you could do all the tax cuts that these people are proposing for middle income people and poor people."

Conclusion: This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast offers a thorough examination of the Senate Disaster Budget Bill, highlighting its adverse effects on the American populace and the economy. Through insightful dialogue with Michael Linden, the podcast underscores the urgency of addressing economic inequality and advocating for policies that prioritize the wellbeing of everyday citizens over the interests of the ultra-wealthy.