The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode Title: Fox News Crashes on Air After Trump’s Terrible Address
Date: December 18, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect Fox News’ frantic and, at times, surreal coverage following Donald Trump’s widely-panned national address. The discussion skewers Fox’s attempts at damage control, highlights the network’s propagandistic tendencies, and takes a broader look at disinformation in right-wing media. Along the way, they tackle issues ranging from the MAGA ecosystem’s accountability gap to Fox’s scapegoating after a tragic school shooting in Providence, Rhode Island.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fox News Meltdown After Trump’s Speech

• Introduction to Fox’s Reaction (01:00)

  • Ben sets the stage by describing Fox News as “state regime media” having “a nervous breakdown on live TV, collapsing on air after Donald Trump’s disastrous speech.”
  • He frames Fox’s praise for Trump’s address as sycophantic and disconnected from bipartisan criticism elsewhere.

• Fox Personalities Praise Trump in Surreal Terms

  • Various Fox hosts and guests attempt to paint Trump’s speech as “incredible,” “disciplined,” and “worthy of Ronald Reagan,” despite widespread negative reactions.

  • Notable Quotes:

    • “[Trump’s] was one of the most powerful and just engaging speeches that he’s given in a very long time.” – Fox Guest Lee (02:16)
    • “If I were a Democrat, tonight would leave me very unnerved.” – Newt Gingrich (04:01)
    • “To watch President Trump give a 19 minute disciplined speech…was worthy of Ronald Reagan.” – Newt Gingrich (05:12)

  • The brothers contrast Fox’s assessment with reality, noting that Trump’s approval is “the worst in presidential history” (04:13).

• Hosts’ Reaction

  • Ben: “It seemed like Adderall-ridden, cognitively declining bizarro world. But this is what they say on state regime media. It’s a cult, y’all.” (02:47)
  • The brothers repeatedly underline the performative praise as both laughable and dangerous.

2. Dan Bongino’s Resignation and Conspiracy Theories

• Discussion of Dan Bongino Leaving the FBI (06:14)
  • Laura Ingraham suggests Bongino left to "return to his lucrative media life," just before Epstein files are to be released, prompting widespread speculation about the timing and Trump’s potential interference.
  • The hosts imply there may be more to the story, especially given the proximity of the Epstein Transparency Act’s impact.

3. Jim Jordan, Jack Smith, and GOP Secrecy

• Jordan’s Comments on Special Counsel Testimony (08:12)

  • Jim Jordan points out Jack Smith “did not take the fifth like his deputies did,” but dodges substantive discussion, revealing a defensive posture after long public attacks on Smith and his investigation into Trump.
  • The brothers lampoon Jordan’s reticence:

    “Jack Smith was like, can I testify publicly? …and then Jim Jordan, tough guy Jim Jordan’s like, no, we’ve got to do it in private.” – Ben (09:04)

• Media Distraction Tactics

  • As scrutiny grows, Fox shifts toward distraction—interviewing Kayleigh McEnany about dating apps amid major national developments (10:24).

4. Providence School Shooting and Fox News Scapegoating

• Fox Blames Local Authorities After FBI Fumble (10:37 – 14:37)

  • In the fallout from a tragic school shooting in Providence, the FBI’s missteps in identifying the suspect provide Fox with new targets: the city, the mayor, and the university.
  • Jesse Waters goes on the attack, casting suspicion on local officials and making insinuations about Mayor Smiley’s participation in LGBTQ+ events, as if it were relevant to the tragedy.
    • “I don’t trust this guy Smiley. He seems to be covering something up. The entire leadership team is a joke.” – Jesse Waters (12:36)
    • “Smiley wasn’t tired when he was marching for gay pride or fighting Trump.” – Jesse Waters (14:23)

• Hosts Condemn Fox’s Culture War Distractions

  • Ben points out the real issues Americans face: affordability, health care, and insecurity, criticizing Fox for prioritizing “attacking gay rights” over substantive solutions.

5. Fox’s Reluctant Acknowledgment of Economic Issues Under Trump

• Discussion of Job Losses and Economy (14:56)
  • For a moment, Fox admits more job losses under Trump than Biden, with increasing unemployment. The network, however, tries to spin the numbers and distract from broader context.
    • “Industries that are creating jobs like health care are actually creating lower paying jobs…so I think there’s a lot of cracks in the labor market.” – Fox News Host 2 (14:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Meiselas (on Fox’s loyalty to Trump):

  “These people are more pathetic than the propagandists from North Korea or Russia or wherever else they do state regime propaganda.” (01:00)

• On Fox’s denial of reality:

  “Donald Trump’s approval right now is like, the worst in presidential history…But there’s still lots of people who look at that and like, oh, that makes sense to me.” – Ben (04:13)

• On Fox turning culture war into distraction:

  “Everything has to be revolving around attacking like gay people or trans people or immigrants. It’s just so pathetic. Grow the hell up, will you, and deal with the problems the American people are actually grappling with right now.” – Ben (13:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Fox News meltdown post-Trump speech — (01:00 – 06:14)
• Dan Bongino’s resignation and media spin — (06:14 – 07:11)
• Jim Jordan on Jack Smith’s testimony — (08:12 – 09:04)
• Fox’s school shooting scapegoating (Providence) — (10:37 – 14:37)
• Labor market and job losses under Trump — (14:56 – 15:28)

Conclusion

This episode serves as a blistering takedown of Fox News’ post-Trump address coverage, exposing the performative nature of its praise and the relentless pursuit of distractions and scapegoats in the face of uncomfortable truths. The Meiselas brothers blend humor, sharp critique, and a call to action for pro-democracy engagement, making the case for reality-based, accountable media—while unmasking the disinformation tactics at play in the current media landscape.

For full context and more unfiltered banter, tune in to The MeidasTouch Podcast. Don’t forget to “join the Meidas Mighty” by subscribing and supporting pro-democracy voices!