The MeidasTouch Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Overview

Title: Fox News Panics on Air Over Trump Death Spiral
Date: December 4, 2025
Hosted by: The Meiselas brothers & guest commentator Ron Filipkowski

This episode features a deep dive into what the MeidasTouch crew dubs “state regime media” (Fox News), focusing on its on-air reactions to negative polling for Donald Trump and worsening economic indicators. The panel highlights the apparent panic among Fox hosts, the network’s attempts to deflect criticism through culture war distractions, and Fox’s response to both policy failures and cultural stories. The episode mixes critical analysis, humor, and pointed media critique with the brothers’ signature banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fox News’ Panic Over Trump’s Performance

• Main Point: Fox News is portrayed as visibly panicking due to Trump’s collapse in the polls and the dismal ADP job numbers.
• Insight: Ron Filipkowski highlights Fox’s growing discomfort in addressing “affordability,” noting Fox hosts seem hesitant to use the term in Trump’s presence for fear of rebuke.

  “They were afraid that Donald Trump would send them a text message and tell them you can’t use the word affordability because it’s one big scam.”
  — Ron Filipkowski (01:49)

2. Affordability as a Taboo Topic

• Main Point: Fox hosts awkwardly avoid using the word “affordability” on-air, demonstrating their fear of Trump’s wrath.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Clip:
    • Greg Gutfeld: “I don’t want to say the affordability agenda because he might text me…” (02:37)
    • Jesse Watters: “To improve the economy, to grow the economy. Right, John.” (02:48)

3. Deflection Through Culture War Distractions

• Sabrina Carpenter Incident:

  • Fox attacks pop star Sabrina Carpenter after she protests the Trump campaign’s unauthorized use of her music in propaganda videos.
    • Greg Gutfeld: “This is also the concert artist who at every show simulates oral sex with her dancers…” (03:39)
    • Jesse Watters: “Sabrina Carpenter. She has been in deep yogurt with feminists because… it’s too raunchy." (04:10)
  • The crew highlights Fox’s pattern: attack dissenting pop culture figures to distract from Trump’s troubles.

• Sydney Sweeney Distraction:

  • The Fox panel shifts to fawn over actress Sydney Sweeney, claiming “all Republican women are hot.”
    • Jesse Watters: “She’s getting hotter. And they’re so jealous… All Republican women are hot. Tell me that’s not true.” (05:48)
    • Greg Gutfeld: “So when you register Republican, you just get hotter.” (06:02)
  • Ben, Brett, and Jordy note the absurdity and desperation in Fox’s “red meat” culture war tactics.

• Melania Trump and Holiday Culture Wars:

  • Fox lavishes praise on Melania for “class” and “family values," segueing to the Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays debate.
    • Jesse Watters: “I’m like, merry Christmas. And I could also tell that they’re not a Republican.” (06:47)
    • Greg Gutfeld: “There’s so many ways to tell [who’s a Republican]. We don’t have time.” (06:52)

4. Slips and Freudian Admissions about the Economy

• Notable Quote:
  • Greg Gutfeld: “So I think we could be at 4% inflation. Excuse me, 4% real growth, and then inflation trending back towards targeted 2…” (07:16)
• The show lampoons this as an unintentional truth about persistent inflation concerns.

5. Targeting Gavin Newsom and California

• Jesse Watters and others attack California’s governance and Newsom’s economic record using exaggerated claims of “destruction.”
  • Greg Gutfeld: “Gavin destroyed California, but that’s a good thing if you’re a Democrat. Destruction’s the key…” (08:28)
• The brothers rebut, pointing to California’s positive economic stats and fiscal contributions.

6. Personal Attacks on Aesthetics & “Manliness”

• The Fox panel mocks Gavin Newsom for crossing his legs, resorting to playground-level jabs.
  • Greg Gutfeld: “Can we put Gavin Newsom crossing his legs? Kaylee, when you see a guy cross his legs like this, what do you think?” (10:48)

7. Manufactured Outrage on Academia & Religion

• Fox seizes on a Turning Point USA story: a pre-med student allegedly penalized for giving a religious, not scientific, assignment response.
  • Kayleigh McGee White: “She gave her reaction, which was informed by her religious worldview… Nothing about her response was wrong.” (12:24)
  • Jesse Watters: “I am saddened that they’re offended by the truth of the gospel…” (13:59–14:24)

8. Xenophobic Attacks on Somali-Americans

• Fox amplifies the narrative that “80% of crimes” in Minnesota are committed by Somali Americans, with Rep. Tom Emmer and others joining the chorus.

  • Greg Gutfeld: “80% of the crimes being committed in the Twin Cities in Minnesota are being committed by Somalis.” (16:33)
  • Critique from the hosts: This represents a pivot from attacks on Latino immigrants, with Fox looking for a new scapegoat ahead of the midterms.

• Greg Gutfeld: “It’s kind of refreshing to see Trump be able to say that stuff… because that whole identity politics thing doesn’t work anymore." (17:26)

9. Return to Celebrity Distractions

• Fox again pivots to Sabrina Carpenter and generational stereotypes, theorizing that she and other young women will eventually “learn" conservative values as they age.
  • Greg Gutfeld: “Look at her… single, no kids, no responsibilities… the things she detests today, she will learn and understand to value later…” (18:03)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Fox’s “Affordability” Censorship:
  • “They were afraid that Donald Trump would send them a text message and tell them you can’t use the word affordability…”
    (Ron Filipkowski, 01:49)
• On Sabrina Carpenter:
  • “This is also the concert artist who at every show simulates oral sex with her dancers, the male dancers…”
    (Greg Gutfeld, 03:39)
• On Culture War Distraction:
  • “She’s getting hotter. And they’re so jealous. ... All Republican women are hot.”
    (Jesse Watters, 05:48)
• Freudian Slip on Economy:
  • “So I think we could be at 4% inflation. Excuse me, 4% real growth.”
    (Greg Gutfeld, 07:16)
• On Newsom and California:
  • “They want Gavin to destroy the country just like he did the state of California. ... That’s the goal is to attack Western civilization.”
    (Greg Gutfeld, 08:28)
• On Religious Freedom in School:
  • “She gave her reaction, which was informed by her religious worldview… Nothing about her response was wrong…”
    (Kayleigh McGee White, 12:24)
• On Xenophobic Crime Claims:
  • “80% of the crimes being committed in the Twin Cities in Minnesota are being committed by Somalis.”
    (Greg Gutfeld, 16:33)
  • “It’s kind of refreshing to see Trump be able to say that stuff about Omar and not be called all these names…”
    (Greg Gutfeld, 17:26)
• On Generational Claims:
  • “The things that she detests today, she will learn and understand to value later. Like we all have.”
    (Greg Gutfeld, 18:03)

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Satirical Banter: The episode is laced with biting sarcasm and incredulous mockery, especially when quoting and reacting to Fox News soundbites.
• Cultural Critique: The hosts repeatedly call out Fox's transparent culture war distractions and pivot away from substantive policy failures.
• Sharp Rebuttals: The left-leaning, pro-democracy stance is unapologetically foregrounded, especially when debunking claims about California or immigrant communities.
• Notable Takeaway: The episode paints Fox’s coverage as desperate misdirection, focusing on manufactured outrage and divisive rhetoric to distract from Trump’s declining political fortunes and a worsening economic climate for working Americans.

Timestamps for Important Sections

• Fox News Panic & “Affordability” Segment: 00:49–02:52
• Distractions: Sabrina Carpenter & Sydney Sweeney: 03:39–06:04
• Melania/Christmas Culture War: 06:31–06:52
• Economy: Gutfeld Slip: 07:16
• Attacks on California/Gavin Newsom: 08:28–10:48
• Newsom Leg-Crossing Mockery: 10:48–11:10
• Turning Point USA Religion Story: 12:24–14:44
• Attacks on Somali-Americans: 16:33–17:50
• Closing Generational Commentary: 18:03–18:32

Final Thoughts

The MeidasTouch episode exposes what the hosts see as the collapse of substantive political coverage on Fox News in favor of hollow culture war stories and scapegoating tactics. It puts a spotlight on Fox’s reluctance to address economic hardship honestly, instead defaulting to personal attacks, distraction, and even outright bigotry. Listeners are encouraged to think critically about media narratives and are reminded that democracy requires vigilance, real information, and a focus on the issues that truly affect Americans.