Podcast Summary

Podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Fox Collapses on Air as Trump’s Cover Up Backfires in Their Face
Date: December 24, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect recent patterns in right-wing media coverage, focusing on Fox News’ reactions as controversies around Trump’s cover-ups, especially regarding the Epstein files, unravel on air. They break down the manipulative tactics used by what they term “state regime media” to distract, divide, and mislead the public while ensuring accountability and truth remain at the forefront. The episode is marked by its energetic banter, political analysis, and the brothers’ signature blend of humor and advocacy for democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fox News Distraction Tactics

(01:01 - 02:52)

• Fox News avoids discussing the Trump/Epstein cover-up, centering on trivialities like Pete Buttigieg’s new goatee and making absurd comparisons to Chuck Norris.
• Outlandish on-air statements, such as those from Congressman Russell Fry, suggesting Trump would rename the Kennedy Center, equate liberal actions to monument desecration, and deflect from the actual Epstein controversy.
• Quote:
  • Main Host: “Y'all are complicit in the cover-up of a child sex trafficking ring. You're not tricking us, but this is what state regime media is doing here.” (01:39)

2. Manipulation of Economic Narratives

(02:52 - 05:53)

• Fox News pushes the idea that Americans are suddenly richer due to a claimed 4.3% GDP growth under Trump, ignoring persistent economic struggles.
  • Host ridicules: “Boom, you just got 4.3% richer according to the Trump regime. That's how stupid they think we all are.” (03:41)
• Trump’s Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, appears on Fox touting misleading economic “wins.”
  • Quote:
    • Interviewer: “What that means is that Americans overall, the all of us are going to earn 4.3% more money...We've got more jobs, lower energy costs and lower interest rates coming. This is the golden age coming. 4.3% this quarter means Americans on average are making more money, more money in their pocketbooks. That makes for a great Christmas.” (03:50)
• Stephen Miller and other guests perpetuate the notion: Even if economic data is “positive,” if people feel otherwise, it’s the fault of “fake” media.

3. Authoritarian Playbook: Division and Culture Wars

(05:53 - 12:13)

• The brothers expose how Fox News pivots to culture war attacks to divide Americans, focusing on religion and academia.
  • Coverage of a story about a student allegedly failed for quoting the Bible, which is distorted and weaponized as an “indoctrination” narrative.
  • Quote:
    • Commentator: “There is this indoctrination happening where if you don't believe a certain way... you cannot put what they truly believe into their assignments when asked for their opinion…” (08:28)
• Panelists on Fox further assert the U.S. is a “Christian nation” despite being a secular republic.
  • Quote:
    • Commentator: “Yes, we are a secular republic... but we are a Christian nation. So it should come as no surprise to anybody to have the message of, of Christianity when it comes to her declaration about the Christmas season.” (11:35)
• Host insightfully explains the objective:
  • Main Host: “The tactics are how do they divide us, how do they separate us, how do they otherize us and make us point fingers at each other rather than unite against these authoritarians and these right wing billionaires and this oligarchy that's trying to subjugate us?” (10:56)

4. National Security as a Pretext for Policy

(12:13 - 14:09)

• Trump’s administration leverages national security concerns to justify halting wind and solar projects, despite the economic and environmental benefits.
  • Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, claims wind turbines create vulnerabilities to drone attacks, pushing for a 90-day “pause” on clean energy.
  • Quote:
    • Political Analyst: “Modern warfare is drone warfare… If you wanted to attack a population center... you would send a swarm of drones right through one of these wind farms. That's the basis of this understanding.” (13:22)
• Host ridicules Trump’s anti-wind energy stance as personal and self-serving.

5. Retaliatory Policy Toward Blue States

(14:09 - 15:24)

• Fox pundit (Sean Duffy) boasts about pulling federal funding from blue states as leverage, ignoring the reality that blue states subsidize red states fiscally.
  • Quote:
    • Sean Duffy: “I can pull their money... I guarantee you that the federal taxpayer is not going to fund their roads and bridges and their systems… when they're putting illegals on the roads and endangering the lives of the American people.” (15:24)
• Host points out the hypocrisy in such threats, providing numbers showing blue states contribute more to the federal budget.

6. Weaponizing Immigration Policy

(16:07 - 17:23)

• South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem introduces a program paying undocumented migrants $3,000 to “self-deport,” which the hosts note is fraught with abuse and unlikely to work as claimed.
  • Quote:
    • Kristi Noem: “...if you voluntarily want to go home now to your country... we will give you $3,000 through the holidays to send you home. We'll buy you a ticket, give you $3,000 to go home... and you might get the chance to come back to this country.” (16:46)

7. House Oversight and the Epstein Saga

(17:23 - 18:33)

• MAGA Rep. James Comer takes victory laps for supposed “transparency” over the release of the Epstein documents, claiming Trump is untouched by the scandal.
  • Comer's comments: “I applaud the Trump administration for complying with this request… so that everyone can lay eyes on them and judge for themselves who the bad guys are in this whole disastrous Epstein saga.” (17:46)
  • And: “The narrative… that Donald Trump has a huge amount of liability in this. I just don’t think that’s there.” (18:16)
• The hosts highlight the transparent attempts to exonerate Trump and shift blame or scrutiny elsewhere.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fox News Distraction Tactics:

  • Main Host: “What are you even talking about? Y'all are complicit in the cover-up of a child sex trafficking ring. You're not tricking us, but this is what state regime media is doing here.” (01:39)

• On Manufactured Economic ‘Victory’:

  • Main Host: “Boom, you just got 4.3% richer according to the Trump regime. That's how stupid they think we all are.” (03:41)
  • Interviewer: “4.3% this quarter means Americans on average are making more money, more money in their pocketbooks. That makes for a great Christmas.” (03:50)

• On Division as a Tactic:

  • Main Host: “The tactics are how do they divide us... how do they otherize us and make us point fingers at each other rather than unite against these authoritarians and these right wing billionaires and this oligarchy that's trying to subjugate us?” (10:56)

• On Wind Energy ‘Security’ Concerns:

  • Doug Burgum: “If you wanted to attack a population center... you would send a swarm of drones right through one of these wind farms.” (13:22)

• On Retaliatory Funding Threats to Blue States:

  • Sean Duffy: “I can pull their money... the federal taxpayer is not going to fund their roads and bridges...” (15:24)
  • Main Host: “California gives $85 billion more to the federal government than it takes in, whereas Texas takes, it's a leech. It takes $75 billion more than it gives.” (14:09)

Segment Timestamps

• Fox News Distraction & Banter: 01:01 – 02:52
• FOX’s Economic Messaging: 02:52 – 05:53
• White House/Fake News Blame Game: 05:53 – 06:40
• Culture Wars & Academia: 06:40 – 12:13
• Christian Nationalism Narrative: 11:35 – 12:13
• Clean Energy as National Security Threat: 12:13 – 14:09
• Federal Funding Leverage vs Blue States: 14:09 – 15:24
• Kristi Noem’s Self-Deportation Plan: 16:07 – 17:23
• Epstein Cover-Up, House Oversight: 17:23 – 18:33
• Closing Remarks: 18:33 – 19:23

Overall Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode is intensely critical of right-wing media narratives, making heavy use of irony and incredulity as the brothers expose what they see as manipulative, deceptive, and sometimes absurd propaganda techniques. With a mix of sarcasm, political clarity, and calls to action, the hosts encourage listeners to remain vigilant, united, and proactive in defending democratic norms.

For those who didn’t listen: This episode offers a masterclass in deconstructing modern media propaganda, unpacked with wit and righteous indignation. The Meiselas brothers aim to empower listeners to see through manipulative tactics and to remain solidly in support of democratic values as the nation heads into another tumultuous political year.