The MeidasTouch Podcast Episode Summary
Episode Title: Fox Collapses on Air after Trump's Devastating Polling
Date: February 3, 2026
Hosts: Ben Meiselas, Brett Meiselas, Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dive into the chaotic response from Fox News following a crushing set of new polls showing former President Donald Trump with historically low approval ratings and disastrous prospects for the GOP. The hosts dissect Fox’s on-air collapse—its attempts at distraction, denial, and character attacks—while highlighting the network’s efforts to prop up Trump amid mounting scandals and internal crises.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Fox News’ On-Air Meltdown Over Trump’s Polling
- The brothers highlight Fox’s panic as polling shows Trump at a devastating low, with hosts scrambling to shift the narrative.
- Ben: “State regime media, which calls itself Fox News, was collapsing on air. ... Donald Trump with the lowest approval in presidential history. Donald Trump is despised by all Americans right now and it's getting worse for him each day.” (02:27)
Desperate Deflection From Polling News
- Fox’s Laura Ingraham tries to downplay the polling bad news:
- Laura Ingraham (clip): “He's done it this time. He's finished. He's on the ropes. The polls are turning against him. ... All right, we've seen this all before.” (03:13)
- Instead of discussing the poll, Fox switches to unrelated topics to distract their audience—such as celebrity gossip.
2. Absurd Distractions: Celebrity Gossip & Lingerie
- Jesse Watters and guest Caroline Sunshine focus on actress Sydney Sweeney’s appearance instead of political issues:
- Jesse Watters: “Sydney Sweeney, she's hot, okay? ... Sydney Sweeney has huge potential to make millions of dollars off of this very smart strategy…” (03:35)
- Caroline Sunshine: “She reminds me so much of Melania Trump, who's just the most unbothered first lady I've ever met.” (04:32)
- Caroline Sunshine returns with wild culture war commentary:
- Caroline Sunshine: “Liberal women don’t buy lingerie because they hate men and they would rather burn their bra than wear them.” (11:06)
- The brothers point out the bizarre nature of the distraction:
- Ben: “Is there actually an audience for this stuff?... just show Sydney Sweeney in low cut outfits and bring in Caroline Sunshine to talk about lingerie.” (10:20)
3. Sean Hannity vs. Seth Moulton: Fox Tries to Smother Debate
- Hannity invites Rep. Seth Moulton, expecting an easy win; Moulton, a Marine vet, “destroys” Hannity.
- Ben: “As Moulton ... starts destroying Hannity ... they just start playing music as Moulton is destroying Hannity to try to cover up what Moulton is saying...” (04:38, 05:14)
- Notable quote from Moulton: “Hey, Sean, I'll give you one last chance. Hey, Sean, I didn't serve with soldiers. I served with marines. ... They would never behave like so many of these ICE officers would.” (05:53)
- Hannity tries to redirect, but Moulton stays focused, calling out Fox’s tactics:
- Seth Moulton: “What you are doing is dehumanizing, and it is inciting a mob. And you need to, as a leader, de-escalate, not escalate.” (07:32)
4. Fox’s Inflated Fallout Rhetoric
- Fox brings in financial commentator Peter Schiff predicting economic apocalypse:
- Peter Schiff: “The world is now pulling the rug out from under the US… The dollar is going to collapse.... We're headed for an economic crisis that will make the 2008 financial crisis a picnic.” (16:38)
- The brothers note Fox’s crumbling credibility and absurd catastrophizing.
5. Lindsey Graham’s Meltdown: Government Shutdown Threats & Lawsuits
- Lindsey Graham appears flustered while attacking the Biden administration and defending Trump:
- Ben: “Lindsey Graham is slurring his words on Hannity. You can judge for yourself. Play this clip.” (12:02)
- Trump sues the IRS for $10 billion, demanding taxpayer compensation for “emotional distress” over leaked tax returns:
- Ben: “Are you kidding me right now?” (15:17)
- Fox News clip: "...President Trump is suing the IRS now for $10 billion for allegedly leaking his tax returns..." (16:00)
6. Culture Wars and Race-Baiting
- Kelly Loeffler (guest, ex-Senator) asserts the Biden administration discriminates against white business owners:
- Kelly Loeffler: “The 8(a) program ... discriminated against white business owners in their entirety for 50 years.” (13:35)
- Fox pivots to Michelle Obama, suggesting she should not discuss racial hardship:
- Caroline Sunshine: “I saw a clip the other day of Michelle Obama on a podcast complaining about how hard it is to be a black woman. ... Wasn’t Michelle Obama first lady like a decade ago? ... So I’m sorry, why are we talking about this?” (12:20)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Ben Meiselas:
“State regime media, which calls itself Fox News, was collapsing on air...the height of insanity, folks.” (02:27) - Seth Moulton (to Hannity):
“I didn't serve with soldiers. I served with marines. ...They would never behave like so many of these ICE officers would.” (05:53)
“What you are doing is dehumanizing, and it is inciting a mob.” (07:32) - Peter Schiff:
"We're headed for an economic crisis that will make the 2008 financial crisis a picnic." (16:38) - Caroline Sunshine:
“Liberal women don’t buy lingerie because they hate men...” (11:06) - Ben Meiselas (sarcastic summation):
“Fox has more important things... Sydney Sweeney reminds us of Melania Trump.” (03:59) - Ben Meiselas:
“Are you kidding me right now?” (15:17) - on Trump suing IRS for $10B.
Key Timestamps
- 02:27: Fox News' "collapse" and polling panic
- 03:13–04:32: Laura Ingraham, Caroline Sunshine, and Jesse Watters bizarre distraction efforts
- 04:38–08:54: Hannity vs. Moulton segment, with Fox attempting to drown out Moulton’s critique
- 10:20–11:27: Return to culture war/sexism segments via Caroline Sunshine
- 12:02: Lindsey Graham’s on-air meltdown
- 13:35: Kelly Loeffler’s claims of “reverse discrimination”
- 14:52: Ridiculous Trump economic narrative and house demolition metaphor
- 16:00: Trump’s $10B IRS lawsuit, announced live by Laura Ingraham
- 16:38: Peter Schiff’s prediction of U.S. collapse
Conclusion
This episode provides a biting, comedic but fact-focused takedown of Fox News’ meltdown as reality catches up to their narrative. The Meiselas brothers expose Fox’s use of distraction, culture war antics, and economic fearmongering—alongside their bizarre devotion to Trump and willingness to go to almost comical lengths to avoid confronting bad political news for the former president.
Final Quote (Ben):
“There you have it, folks. ...They’re literally saying everything’s collapsing.” (17:11)