The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Fox News Collapses as Trump Gets Taste of Own Medicine"
Date: August 23, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect a noticeable meltdown at Fox News as the network and prominent MAGA conservatives take aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom. The episode spotlights a role reversal: while Trump has long used mockery and aggression in media, Newsom employs similar tactics against him – and Fox News can't handle it. The brothers break down Fox’s outrage, Republican sycophancy toward Putin, and the right’s cultural obsessions, all with their trademark irreverent analysis and comedic asides.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Fox News in Frenzy Over Gavin Newsom
The episode dives headfirst into Fox’s sustained coverage of Newsom, with hosts and commentators painting him as a new, bullying antagonist who’s beating Trump at his own game.
- Highlights:
- Fox News personalities react to Newsom’s directness and mockery, labeling his style “performative” and “confrontational.”
- Sean Hannity and Tomi Lahren decry Newsom’s “mean” social media tactics and pile on complaints that he’s copying Trump’s online persona.
“California Governor Gavin Newsom…he’s destroying us. Then you had Tommy or Tomi or Tommy Lahren…she’s on Fox. Watch what she says here.”
– Podcast Host (05:20)
Notable Quotes
- Political Commentator:
“Maybe it wins your points with the loony radical base in your party, but America is not going to vote for that record.” (03:32) - Tomi Lahren:
“He has turned his hand gestures into Twitter fingers to distract from the dismal failure of his state of California…He is landing into new personas on a weekly basis.” (05:20)
2. Fox Personalities Double Down
The brothers highlight how Fox News hooks into cultural grievances and personal jabs in their effort to diminish Newsom while propping up Trump.
Notable Moments
- Kellyanne Conway dismisses Newsom’s podcast as “cringe,” declaring:
“Donald Trump is one of one…only he can do what he’s done with social media, podcasts…900 rallies and counting.” (06:20) - Tomi Lahren ridicules Newsom:
“Go there, be an influencer, do an OnlyFans, whatever you want to do Gavin, but stop leading your state into the ground.” (07:12)
3. MAGA Fascination with Authoritarian Figures
The segment turns to Fox’s favorable coverage of rightwing strongmen and the disturbing overlap with Russian state media.
Discussion Highlights
- Russian TV rebroadcasts a JD Vance interview, with the network painting Putin as misunderstood and level-headed.
- The brothers react with exasperation at MAGA’s affection for Putin over U.S. democrats.
“When I watch what’s going on in Fox and what’s happened to the Republican Party...millions of Americans…‘maybe Putin’s the good guy’. I’m like, what the hell is actually wrong with you people?”
– Podcast Host (09:31)
Notable Quotes
- JD Vance:
“Putin…I’ve talked to him on the phone…He’s more soft spoken than you would necessarily expect…He’s very deliberate. He’s very careful. Fundamentally, he’s a person who looks out for the interests…of Russia.” (09:31)
4. Misleading Economic Claims and Right-Wing Rhetoric
The Meiselas brothers fact-check right-wing talking points, including:
- The false notion that deporting migrants lowers home prices (housing costs are rising).
- Republican efforts to whitewash American history through revision of the Smithsonian museums.
Notable Quotes
- JD Vance:
“As we kicked illegal aliens out of our country, you actually see housing costs start to level off. So fundamentally the difference between Republicans and Democrats is we care about American citizens…” (11:33) - Lindsey Halligan (Trump’s lawyer):
“We need it [the Smithsonian] to represent our country in a positive way. We’re approaching America’s 250th wonderful birthday…” (21:44)
5. Absurd Dogma and Political “Daddy” Obsession
Fox hosts lament Democrats’ lack of “dad energy” and idealize Trump’s masculine persona, revealing a fixation on patriarchal leadership.
Notable Quotes
- Political Commentator:
“In order to have masculine policies, you need to live your life as a man…Every president needs their home base…That’s what they need.” (18:04) - Podcast Host:
“Just weird kind of erotic fan fiction about Donald Trump from these magas…this MAGA cult has perverted our politics, literally, figuratively.” (19:53)
6. Final Segments: Culture, Economics, and Outlandish Plans
- Fox commentators fantasize about painting border walls black to burn migrants (17:05).
- The brothers call out support for convicted sex traffickers and Trump’s own legal woes.
- Jessica Tarlov supplies factual economic perspective amid ongoing Fox hysteria on inflation and “Bidenomics.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 03:32–06:15 – Fox News attacks Newsom’s communication style; Tomi Lahren’s criticisms.
- 06:15–09:31 – Kellyanne Conway and Tomi Lahren escalate, call Newsom “cringe”; “Just Dance Vance” segment begins.
- 09:31–12:11 – JD Vance lauds Putin, repeats right-wing immigration talking points.
- 14:39–15:42 – JD Vance outlines MAGA goals for Ukraine & Russia; discussion of misleading peace talks.
- 17:05 – Fox hosts joke about burning migrants with heated border wall.
- 18:04–19:21 – “Daddy” obsession; commentary on political masculinity.
- 19:53–21:26 – MAGA “fan fiction” about Trump’s swagger; right-wing efforts to sanitize American history.
- 22:54–23:51 – Jessica Tarlov sets economic record straight.
Notable Quotes
“He plays a role, he plays a part. Hollywood’s in his backyard. Go there, be an influencer, do an OnlyFans, whatever you want to do Gavin, but stop leading your state into the ground.”
– Tomi Lahren (07:12)
“Stop sounding like crazy people. That really is all it is…If the Democrats did that (be authentic), they’d do a hell of a lot better.”
– JD Vance (19:28)
“This MAGA cult has perverted our politics, literally, figuratively. You’re covering up the Epstein files. You’re literally helping convicted sex traffickers like Elaine Maxwell. Y'all are a bunch of sick humans. And Donald Trump’s been found liable for sexual assault.”
– Podcast Host (19:53)
Tone & Style
The brothers blend biting sarcasm with serious political critique, using Fox’s own words and attitudes to highlight the right’s hypocrisy, obsession with authoritarian imagery, and inability to handle pushback in their own style. Their signature comedic banter and emphatic support for democracy underpin the episode throughout.
Summary for New Listeners
If you missed the episode, the Meiselas brothers delivered a breakdown of the latest Fox News meltdown as Gavin Newsom trolling Trump and conservatives led to hours of Fox hand-wringing. The show dissected Republican media’s bizarre fixation on strongmen, their use of disinformation (especially about immigration and housing), embarrassing culture war moments, and the party’s odd obsession with masculinity and authoritarianism. Expect sharp quotes, plenty of clips, and the MeidasTouch signature of truth-to-power with a humorous edge.