The MeidasTouch Podcast – "Fox News Panics on Air as Trump Gets Major Blowback"
Date: October 22, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the latest wave of controversy facing Donald Trump, the MAGA movement, and Fox News as Trump's recent actions spark public outrage and political blowback. The Meiselas brothers break down the increasingly frantic and bizarre Fox News defense of Trump's controversial White House renovations, a massive aid package to Argentina, and policy moves that threaten Americans' healthcare. Using their signature mix of incisive commentary, pointed critique, and comedic banter, the brothers highlight Fox's hypocrisy, the disconnect between MAGA priorities and everyday Americans, and the broader implications for U.S. democracy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Fox News' Desperate Spin on Trump’s White House Actions
- Fox News' Response to Public Outrage (01:14–02:52):
- Fox hosts, notably Laura Ingraham and Rep. Josh Hawley, dismiss the government's shutdown and the controversial demolition of the White House's East Wing, proposing outlandish ideas such as installing Robert E. Lee monuments to "own the libs."
- Quote:
Laura Ingraham: "I can't wait to see the ballroom finish... He should have a whole statuary garden and bring back Robert E. Lee." (02:30)
- Commentary: The hosts mock Fox’s hyperbolic rhetoric and point out the dangers of normalizing such extreme proposals.
2. Accusations & Hypocrisy Around Media and Power
- Greg Gutfeld’s Irony (02:52–04:06):
- Gutfeld accuses other media outlets of creating “incompetent, arrogant, entitled fools," inadvertently describing Fox itself.
- Quote:
Greg Gutfeld: "An allied slobbering media does you no favors... That's the Democrat Party right now sitting on the couch." (03:22)
- Hosts’ Take: The brothers highlight the lack of self-awareness and the projection at play.
3. Healthcare Lies and Realities
- Caroline Levitt’s Defense of Trump’s Healthcare Moves (05:09–05:57):
- Levitt blames Democrats for a “broken health care system,” despite efforts by Trump and Republicans to diminish the ACA’s effectiveness.
- Quote:
Caroline Levitt: "It's this president, President Trump, who is taking on Big Pharma... working with insurance companies... to bring down the cost..." (05:09)
- Rebuttal: The hosts call for extending ACA subsidies and push for universal healthcare, slamming MAGA’s attempts to gut existing protections.
4. White House Demolition & Deceptive Justifications
- Levitt on Fake Outrage (05:57–06:24):
- She claims every president has made renovations, downplaying the historic destruction underway.
- MeidasTouch’s Pushback:
- "Never has a president taken cranes and bulldozers to knock down a wing of the White House without congressional approval. That’s never happened before."
5. Argentina Bailout and 'America Last' Policy
- Brooke Rollins on Beef Imports and Bailouts (07:16–08:51):
- Trump’s plan to purchase Argentine beef amid a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, potentially undercutting U.S. ranchers, is rationalized as part of dietary "innovation."
- Quote:
Brooke Rollins: "The President has said he's in discussions with Argentina. I think we'll be hearing more about that in the next day or two. But, Argentina is also facing a foot and mouth disease issue..." (07:20)
- Hosts’ Reaction: Stark criticism of the administration’s willingness to endanger the U.S. beef supply and agriculture industry for questionable reasons.
6. The Bizarre and Out-of-Touch Trump White House Culture
- Clubs and Pageantry in the Rose Garden (09:46–10:11):
- Fox hosts gleefully discuss Trump DJing White House dinners, transforming the Rose Garden into a club, and the import of Mar-a-Lago umbrellas.
- Quote:
Harrison Faulkner: "He has the music. He plays the music when he has dinner out there. He's the DJ with the iPad." (09:46) - Lara Trump: "I also love seeing those beautiful umbrellas there that remind me of the Mar A Lago Club..." (12:28)
- MeidasTouch Commentary: The rampant self-indulgence and tone-deafness shown by the Trumps as Americans struggle with basic needs.
7. Cult of Personality and Absurd Comparisons
- Lara Trump and the "Trump-Elvis" Obsession (13:13–13:24):
- Surreal moments where Trump’s resemblance to Elvis is celebrated.
- Commentary: The hosts label it "demented" and underline the normalization of bizarre behavior in American politics.
8. Demonization and Projection
- Don Jr. Calls Democrats Terrorists (14:15):
- Quote:
Donald Trump Jr.: "They're radical terrorist violence, preaching lunatics. And you can see it right on the screen right now." (14:15)
- Quote:
- Retort: The brothers underscore the hypocrisy, given GOP support for Jan 6th insurrectionists.
9. Ballroom Construction and Lack of Oversight
- No Transparency, No Approval (15:17–15:55):
- Claims the entire White House renovation is privately funded and "for the people," sidestepping questions about legality and oversight.
- Quote:
Caroline Levitt: "The best part of it all, it's not a dime of the taxpayers money. The President has worked hard to privately fund this entire project from start to finish." (15:17)
- Jessica Tarlov’s Reasoned Critique (16:07–17:10):
- Tarlov, as the lone moderate, addresses the "bad optics" and lack of respect for U.S. heritage and democratic procedure.
10. Unchecked Power & Institutional Decay
- Jesse Watters Praises Trump’s “Unconstrained” Power (19:06):
- Quote:
Jesse Watters: "Trump is so unconstrained and he’s so ambitious and he’s wielding executive power so confidently… nothing they can do can check his power." (19:06)
- Quote:
- MeidasTouch Analysis: Alarm at MAGA sycophancy in Congress and the Senate; lack of checks and balances has deeply harmed U.S. democracy.
11. Claims of ‘Most Transparent’ White House (20:11–20:55):
- Caroline Levitt: Asserts unprecedented access and transparency, which the hosts dismiss as obvious gaslighting.
12. Bizarre Attacks on Regular Americans and Civil Rights
- Greg Gutfeld’s Government Intrusion Rant (21:09):
- Claims that under Biden, government “invaded your bedroom,” which the hosts call out as culture war fearmongering and a distraction from real abuses of power.
- Quote:
Greg Gutfeld: "Under Biden, we actually had a government that invaded your bedroom, invaded your family's bedrooms, invaded your children's locker rooms. You can't get more unessential and intrusive than that." (21:09)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Laura Ingraham on White House Demolition (02:30):
"He should have a whole statuary garden and bring back Robert E. Lee..." - Greg Gutfeld’s Unwitting Self-Own (03:22):
"An allied slobbering media does you no favors. It leaves you as an incompetent, arrogant, entitled fool." - Caroline Levitt on Health Care (05:09):
"It's this president, President Trump, who is taking on Big Pharma..." - Brooke Rollins on Argentinian Beef (07:20):
"The President has said he's in discussions with Argentina... But, Argentina is also facing a foot and mouth disease issue..." - Harrison Faulkner on Trump's Rose Garden Parties (09:46):
"He's the DJ with the iPad. He's got the whole thing. And it's an eclectic mix..." - Lara Trump on Mar a Lago Umbrellas (12:28):
"I also love seeing those beautiful umbrellas there that remind me of the Mar A Lago Club..." - Donald Trump Jr. Demonizing Democrats (14:15):
"They're radical terrorist violence, preaching lunatics." - Caroline Levitt on White House Renovation Funding (15:17):
"The President has worked hard to privately fund this entire project from start to finish." - Jesse Watters on Trump's Power (19:06):
"He's so unconstrained and he's so ambitious and he's wielding executive power so confidently and none of their presidents ever did..." - Greg Gutfeld on 'Bedroom Intrusion' (21:09):
"Under Biden, we actually had a government that invaded your bedroom..."
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Topic | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Fox spin on Trump’s White House actions | 01:14–02:52 | | Greg Gutfeld's projection and media critique | 02:52–04:06 | | Trump’s record on healthcare, ACA & subsidies | 05:09–05:57 | | White House demolition and fake outrage | 05:57–06:24 | | Beef bailout for Argentina & foot and mouth disease | 07:16–08:51 | | Trump’s Rose Garden club & excess | 09:46–10:11 | | Lara Trump’s Mar a Lago umbrella praise | 12:28 | | Trump compared to Elvis | 13:13 | | Don Jr. & "Democrat terrorists" smear | 14:15 | | Privatized ballroom construction & lack of oversight| 15:17–15:55 | | Jessica Tarlov’s critique & funding transparency | 16:07–17:10 | | Jesse Watters on unchecked presidential power | 19:06 | | "Most transparent White House" claim | 20:11–20:55 | | Bedroom/locker room “invasion” culture war rhetoric | 21:09 |
Conclusion & Takeaway
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect Fox News’ anxious attempts to spin intensifying public backlash against former President Trump’s controversial actions—from the demolition of historic White House wings to questionable international bailouts and tone-deaf displays of excess. Amid Fox’s alternate reality and MAGA sycophancy, the hosts reaffirm the urgent need for accountability, transparency, and a functioning democracy. With quotable moments, keen insight, and sharp humor, the episode serves as both a parody and a serious warning about the current state of American political discourse and governance.