The MeidasTouch Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Fox News Collapses on Live TV as Trump War Backfires
Release Date: June 23, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Network: MeidasTouch Network

Overview

In this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the Meiselas brothers delve deep into the recent developments surrounding Fox News' coverage of former President Donald Trump's military actions against Iran. Titled "Fox News Collapses on Live TV as Trump War Backfires," the episode provides a critical analysis of Fox News' attempts to manage the narrative following Trump's strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Through incisive discussions, humorous brotherly banter, and sharp political insights, the brothers explore how Fox News' propaganda strategies are unraveling and how alternative media outlets like MeidasTouch are stepping in to inform and empower their audience.

Fox News' Struggles with Trump’s Iran Strike

Brett: "State regime media known as Fox is in a total and utter collapse as its propaganda trying to act like Donald Trump's strikes against Iran were some massive victory. It is backfiring in Fox's face and they just don't know what to do." [02:00]

The episode opens with Brett highlighting Fox News' faltering efforts to portray Trump's military action against Iran as a significant triumph. According to Brett, Fox's messaging is not resonating with viewers, leading to internal confusion and inconsistency.

Marco Rubio's Contradictory Statements

Brett: "So they tried a number of tactics yesterday. So first, they bring on Marco Rubio. And Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, tries to pretend that America is not at war with Iran because Donald Trump attacking Iran is incredibly unpopular." [01:30]

Fox News brought in Marco Rubio to downplay the severity of the situation. In an interview with Maria Bartiromo, Rubio stated:

Marco Rubio: "Are we now at war with Iran? No, we're not. We're just focusing on the nuclear program." [02:18]

However, Brett points out the inconsistency in Rubio's statements, noting that Trump later contradicted Rubio by advocating for "regime change."

Kayleigh McEnany Expands the Regime Change Narrative

Brett: "Then Fox has to pivot. So then you have Kayleigh McEnany, the on Fox, who's Donald Trump's former press secretary. And now she says every dictator is on notice right now." [02:51]

Kayleigh McEnany took to Fox to broaden the scope of Fox's foreign policy narrative:

Kayleigh McEnany: "Every dictator in the world is on notice now." [03:39]

Brett criticizes this shift, suggesting that Fox is overstating the case by implying the U.S. is poised for widespread military interventions.

Aaron Cohen’s ‘Yallah’ Call to Iranians

Brett: "So they try their usual tricks they bring on this guest who's like, to the Iranian people, I say Yallah." [05:39]

Fox aired a segment featuring Aaron Cohen urging Iranians to reclaim their country:

Aaron Cohen: "To the Iranian people I say, yallah, go, go take your country back." [05:39]

Brett finds this approach tone-deaf, arguing that foreign intervention is unlikely to resonate with the Iranian populace and may, in fact, be counterproductive.

Dissecting Fox’s Leadership Praise and Contradictions

Brett: "Then they bring on this next guest who goes on Fox and now they try to kind of push their propaganda into overdrive and they go, we are so blessed." [07:18]

Fox attempts to bolster confidence by praising key figures:

Guest: "We've got really strong leadership in the federal administration... Pete Hegsett there and the President." [07:18]

Brett counters this by highlighting the disconnect between Fox's praise and the reality of escalating tensions:

Brett: "It's not reassuring, frankly, when you have states like California, cities like Los Angeles led by people with no moral clarity." [07:37]

Mark Levin’s Warmongering Rhetoric

Brett: "Here you have Mark Levin. Mark Levin is like the biggest warmonger." [08:21]

Mark Levin, a prominent Fox personality, equates Trump with Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing their alliance:

Mark Levin: "Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu are friends... they share the same enemies, obstacles, and friends." [08:21]

Brett criticizes Levin's portrayal, arguing that such comparisons serve only to perpetuate Fox's aggressive foreign policy agenda without considering the broader geopolitical implications.

Debate on the War Powers Act and Constitutional Authority

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the War Powers Act and its constitutionality.

Ben: "John Yoo argues that the War Powers Act is inherently unconstitutional, citing Article II of the Constitution that empowers the President as Chief Executive and Commander in Chief." [11:47]

Brett: Counter-argues with constitutional references:

Brett: "Article 1, Section 8 clearly states that the sole power to declare war is held by Congress. Therefore, the War Powers Act is constitutional as it aligns with these provisions." [13:04]

The brothers delve into historical contexts, referencing Hamilton's Federalist Papers and past instances where Congress has exercised its war-declaring powers, such as in Vietnam and the Mexican-American War.

Trey Gowdy and Tim Scott’s Propagandistic Statements

Brett: "Here you have Trey Gowdy speaking with Senator Tim Scott. Tim Scott's like, let us just stop and say thank you to our president." [14:56]

During an interview, Tim Scott lauds Trump:

Tim Scott: "Thank you, Mr. President, for the flawless decision to carry out a very important strike... We can say thank you to President Trump for his endeavors." [14:56]

Brett criticizes the uncritical glorification of Trump's actions, emphasizing the real-world consequences such as increased oil prices and threats of terrorist attacks.

Nancy Mace’s Praise for Trump’s Actions

Subsequent to the discussion on Trey Gowdy and Tim Scott, Nancy Mace reinforces the pro-Trump narrative:

Nancy Mace: "Donald Trump took out three of Iran's nuclear facilities... He made good on his promise last night and we are all safer for it." [17:58]

Brett finds this assertion unrealistic, pointing out the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the State Department's warnings about potential terrorist threats against Americans.

Mark Levin’s Rhetoric Against Democrats

Mark Levin: "We have to defeat these Democrats, these isolationists... They are the enemy within." [19:36]

Levin's aggressive language targets Democratic figures and emphasizes a zero-sum view of American politics. Brett and the team highlight how such rhetoric fosters division and undermines democratic discourse.

MeidasTouch Network’s Counter-Narrative

Ben: "Mark Levin, where the media now MeidasTouch Network gets more views than you do. Maybe your propaganda crap would have worked a long time ago. Not anymore, Fox." [20:30]

The brothers assert that independent media outlets like MeidasTouch are gaining traction by providing factual and transparent reporting, contrasting sharply with Fox News' faltering narratives. They emphasize their network's growing influence, boasting 33 million views every 48 hours and a dedicated subscriber base.

Conclusion

In wrapping up the episode, the Meiselas brothers urge their audience, the "MeidasMighty," to stay informed and critical of mainstream media narratives. They highlight the importance of supporting independent media to ensure a well-informed democracy. The episode underscores the ongoing battle between traditional media propaganda and the rise of independent networks dedicated to truth and accountability.

Notable Quotes

• Brett on Fox’s Collapse: "State regime media known as Fox is in a total and utter collapse as its propaganda trying to act like Donald Trump's strikes against Iran were some massive victory." [01:30]

• Marco Rubio Denial: "Are we now at war with Iran? No, we're not." [02:18]

• Kayleigh McEnany on Dictators: "Every dictator in the world is on notice now." [03:39]

• Aaron Cohen’s ‘Yallah’: "To the Iranian people I say, yallah, go, go take your country back." [05:39]

• Mark Levin’s Comparison: "Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu are friends... they share the same enemies, obstacles, and friends." [08:21]

• Mark Levin on Democrats: "They are the enemy within." [19:36]

• Ben on War Powers Act: "The Constitution clearly says, Mark Levin, that it's Congress's power." [13:04]

• Tim Scott’s Praise for Trump: "We can say thank you to President Trump for his endeavors." [14:56]

• Nancy Mace’s Support: "He made good on his promise last night and we are all safer for it." [17:58]

Key Takeaways

1. Fox News' Inconsistent Narratives: The episode highlights Fox News' struggle to maintain a consistent and credible narrative following Trump's military actions against Iran, leading to internal contradictions and declining viewer trust.

2. Critical Examination of Media Propaganda: The Meiselas brothers dissect how mainstream media attempts to manipulate public opinion through selective messaging and partisan rhetoric.

3. Constitutional Debate: A significant focus is placed on the War Powers Act, its constitutional basis, and its implications for presidential authority, emphasizing the importance of Congressional oversight in war declarations.

4. Rise of Independent Media: Emphasizing the growing influence of networks like MeidasTouch, the brothers advocate for independent media as a necessary counterbalance to traditional media biases.

5. Call to Action: The episode concludes with a rallying cry for listeners to support independent media efforts, subscribe, and engage with content that promotes democracy and informed discourse.

Final Thoughts

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast serves as a compelling analysis of the current media landscape, particularly focusing on Fox News' handling of sensitive geopolitical events. Through insightful discussions and pointed critiques, the Meiselas brothers advocate for a more transparent and accountable media environment, encouraging listeners to seek out and support independent sources of information.