The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Fox News Panics on Air as Trump Faces Total Repudiation
Date: September 25, 2025
Overview
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect Fox News’s on-air reaction as Donald Trump’s standing faces a sharp decline. The hosts deliver their signature blend of pointed political analysis and biting humor, exposing the panic and spin among Trump loyalists on Fox News. The episode highlights Fox’s attempts to bolster Trump, the network’s attacks on Democratic leaders, and how right-wing media navigates the shifting political tides with increasingly conspiratorial and defensive rhetoric.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Fox’s Desperation to Protect Trump
- Fox’s Narrative Control: The episode opens with clips of Sean Hannity fervently trying to refute allegations of Trump’s authoritarianism, while the hosts note Fox is “panicking live on air” as Trump sinks in the polls.
- Ben/Host: “State regime media known as Fox was panicking live on air. They see Donald Trump crashing in the pulse right now and they're trying to do whatever they can to protect them.” (02:20)
- Hannity’s Rationalizations: Hannity denies any comparisons between current U.S. politics and historical authoritarian regimes.
- Hannity: "This is not fascism. This is not Stalin. This is not an authoritarian country with a dictator in charge." (02:52)
- Hosts’ Analysis: The brothers point out the irony with commentary: “Actually, Hannity, there is [a dictator]. His name is Trump.” (02:27)
2. Attacks on Democratic Leaders
- Targeting Gavin Newsom: Fox News pivots to attacking California Governor Gavin Newsom, criticizing his leadership and accusing him of grandstanding.
- Hannity: "Maybe focus on actually bringing the people of California and the country together." (03:40)
- Ben/Host: “Hannity, just losing your mind.” (03:49)
- Deflection and Victimhood: The hosts note Fox’s pattern of portraying Republican figures as victims whenever Democrats respond assertively.
- Ben/Host: “They always play victim right away.” (04:21)
3. Right-Wing Media’s Escalating Rhetoric
- Immigration and Law Enforcement: Tom Homan (Fox/ICE) pushes the narrative that all lawmakers should be thanking ICE and Trump.
- Homan: "Every congressman and governor out there bad-mouthing ICE ought to be thanking President Trump for making their communities safer." (05:29)
- Authoritarian Accusations: Jesse Watters and Ron DeSantis accuse Newsom of “muzzling” dissent.
- DeSantis: "[Newsom is] wielding executive power to muzzle people." (06:03)
- Greg Gutfeld’s Hypocrisy: Gutfeld claims, “We say people are stupid, we say people are wrong, but we don't say they're evil. That is your game.” (06:59)
- The hosts mock this, noting Trump frequently dehumanizes his opponents.
4. Fox’s Grievance Machine & Notable Moments
- Hillary Clinton Attacks: Kennedy (Fox Host) rails against Hillary Clinton, blaming her for Democratic failures and suggesting ongoing infighting.
- Kennedy: "She’s just having this like insane contest with Kamala Harris, like which former female leader of the Democrat Party can say the most offensive things." (10:44)
- Hyperbolic Historical Comparisons: DHS’s Trisha McLaughlin suggests Democratic rhetoric likening Republicans to Nazis could incite violence against law enforcement.
- McLaughlin: “Of course he's likening our law enforcement in that piece of legislation to the Gestapo, to the Nazis. And what did we do in World War II against the Nazis? We fought them and we killed them.” (11:33)
5. Foreign Policy & the “America First” Contradictions
- Argentina Bailout Hypocrisy: Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant pushes for U.S. taxpayer support of Argentina (led by far-right Javier Milei), despite “America First” rhetoric.
- Bessant: "As long as President Malay continues with his strong economic policies... we're not going to let a disequilibrium in the markets cause backup in his substantial economic reforms." (13:24)
- Isolationist Statements on NATO: Bessant downplays U.S. responsibility to defend Europe, flouting NATO commitments.
- Bessant: "Putin's not marching into Boston, so [why would we defend Europe]?" (16:47)
- Ben/Host: “Don’t we have something called NATO where we will defend Europe if Russia attacks?” (16:11)
6. Climate Denial and Misinformation
- Trump’s Energy Secretary Downplays Climate Crisis: Chris Wright, Energy Secretary, claims Trump could win a 'Climate Hero' award and offers misleading statistics about extreme weather and global warming.
- Wright: "Deaths from extreme weather on a 100-year plunge. It's never been a safer time to be alive from extreme weather." (15:25)
- Ben/Host: “This guy goes... deaths from extreme weather are in a 100 year plunge. We've never been [safer].” (15:25)
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Host on Fox’s Panic:
- “You know they're scared. You know they're scared.” (06:03, Ben/Host)
- Fox Guest Deflection:
- “We say people are stupid, we say people are wrong, but we don't say they're evil. That is your game.” (06:59, Greg Gutfeld)
- DHS Official’s Extreme Rhetoric:
- “Of course he's likening our law enforcement... to the Gestapo, to the Nazis. And what did we do in World War II against the Nazis? We fought them and we killed them.” (11:33, Trisha McLaughlin)
- Energy Secretary’s Misinformation:
- “It's never been a safer time to be alive from extreme weather.” (15:25, Chris Wright)
- Treasury on NATO:
- “Putin's not marching into Boston, so [why would we defend Europe]?” (16:47, Scott Bessant)
Tone & Style
- Tone: Sharp, sarcastic, unapologetic, and combative.
- Language: Uses humor and pointed criticism, especially when exposing perceived hypocrisy or conspiratorial thinking on Fox News.
- Engagement: Frequent call-outs to listeners for support and interaction: “Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million subscribers together...” (17:44)
Episode Flow at a Glance (Key Timestamps)
- 02:20 – 04:21: Fox News panic and attacks on Newsom
- 05:24 – 06:53: Law enforcement narratives, Gutfeld’s deflections
- 09:47 – 11:11: Kennedy’s attacks on Hillary Clinton
- 11:33 – 12:07: Rhetoric reaches Nazi comparisons
- 12:58 – 13:24: America First contradictory arguments on Argentina
- 14:32 – 15:56: Climate denialism
- 16:11 – 16:47: Isolationist foreign policy statements
Summary
This episode captures the MeidasTouch approach, blending exposure of Fox News’s real-time panic with sharp, comedic commentary and deep concern over the state of democracy. By spotlighting the day’s most outrageous right-wing talking points—and dissecting them with both facts and humor—the Meiselas brothers illuminate how authoritarian-friendly narratives are constructed, the ongoing right-wing media meltdown as Trump’s fortunes fade, and the dangers of misinformation in American politics.
Whether mocking Fox’s "victim" complex, highlighting their contradictions, or delivering memorable one-liners, the brothers maintain a relentless focus on democratic values and media accountability.