The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Fox Panics on Air Over Trump Disaster Fox Polls!!!
Date: January 29, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast centered on the dramatic shift in tone from Fox News regarding Donald Trump’s political future and recent polling data. The Meiselas brothers break down a series of recent Fox News segments in which anchors and analysts openly expressed concern over Trump’s declining poll numbers, his faltering support among independents, and the fallout from controversial immigration enforcement actions. The brothers also highlight memorable on-air clashes between Fox’s pro-Trump hosts and the network’s lone pro-democracy commentator, Jessica Tarlov, as well as the bizarre spectacle of Trump courting pop star Nicki Minaj for political cover.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Fox News’ Sudden Panic Over Trump’s Polling Woes

• (00:45, 01:51) The brothers note that Fox News, which they tongue-in-cheek call “state regime media,” is now publicly admitting Donald Trump's polling is abysmal for the upcoming midterm elections.
• Brit Hume Segment: Multiple Fox figures, including Brit Hume, cite Fox’s own polling showing Trump’s growing unpopularity, particularly with independent voters.
  • Quote (Brit Hume): “While the stock market is high and employment is relatively high, people do not feel good about this economy. This poll suggests that. … It’s not so far getting any better for them, which would be very dangerous for the Republicans in the midterm elections.” (02:18)

2. Polling Insights on Immigration and Economy

• (03:00-03:24) Fox News reports that their viewers overwhelmingly find the administration’s ICE efforts “too aggressive”:
  • Poll breakdown: "Too aggressive: 59%; Not aggressive enough: 17%; About right: 24%"
• (04:40) Discussion on Trump’s focus on issues:
  • 78% of independents surveyed feel Trump isn’t spending enough time on the economy, which is the most important issue to voters.
  • Quote (Conservative Commentator): "That poll is really disturbing...78% of independents think that Trump isn't spending enough time on the economy. That's a huge number." (05:41)

3. Jessica Tarlov on Immigration Horror Stories

• (07:08–08:20) Jessica Tarlov calls out Fox hosts for minimizing or ignoring recent ICE violence, including deadly incidents in Minnesota.
  • Quote (Jessica Tarlov): "The idea that we are just going to move past what has unfolded...including what happened to Renee Goode, getting three bullets in her, knowing that she was alive for eight minutes after that happened, but didn't receive medical care..." (07:08)
• She details ICE’s illegal actions, including attempts to invade a foreign consulate and a large number of cases of unlawful detentions.
  • Quote (Jessica Tarlov): “Kyle Cheney at Politico has been tracking the cases ... Found 2,300 cases since July alone where the judge has ruled that ICE has illegally detained someone.” (08:20)

4. Fox Hosts Flustered: Tarlov vs. Jesse Watters and Stephen Miller

• (10:08–11:19) Tarlov mocks Jesse Watters over his past comments calling Stephen Miller his "sexual matador," and skewers the ongoing infighting among Trump’s circle.
  • Quote (Jessica Tarlov): "I get you love him, the sexual matador. He is your type." (11:05)

5. Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Trump’s Desperate Outreach

• (11:19–12:23) Trump bizarrely attempts to win favor by giving Nicki Minaj a gold resident card—Fox coverage turns awkward when Laura Ingraham confuses Minaj with Cardi B.
  • Quote (Jessica Tarlov): "Thank you, Sam."
  • Quote (Conservative Commentator): "But that's Cardi B. Oh, that's how bad I am." (12:16–12:22)

6. Fox Brags About Trump’s ‘Diverse’ Endorsements

• (12:23–12:51) Senator Moreno and Fox commentators claim Minaj’s support proves Trump’s supporters aren’t racist, while also touting the endorsement of a Hispanic candidate in Ohio.

7. Trump Accounts and Parental Financial Advice

• (13:41–14:31) Treasury Secretary Scott Besant touts “Trump accounts”—tax-free investment vehicles for children—as the latest administration initiative.
  • Quote (Fox News Correspondent): “Rather than giving a toy for a birthday, for a holiday, they can contribute to these accounts... Families can add to that. So this is really a new kind of philanthropy.” (13:47–14:31)

8. Bizarre Fox Segments: Lingerie Gifts and Melania’s Unifying Vision

• (14:31–16:35) Amid these heavy political segments, Fox inexplicably debates whether men should buy women “Sweeney’s lingerie,” before interviewing Melania Trump, who brands Donald Trump as a “unifier” and “peacemaker.”
  • Quote (Melania Trump): “I think he's unifier. He's unifier not just here, United States, but around the world. He stopped many wars.” (16:01)

9. The ‘Domestic Terrorist’ Smear and Administration Stonewalling

• (16:57–17:49) Senior Homeland Security advisor Tricia McLaughlin evades directly labeling Alex Pretty a “domestic terrorist,” insisting the investigation is ongoing.
  • Quote (Jessica Tarlov): “We really need to have true, accurate information to come to light... Homeland Security investigators are leading that with the FBI supporting." (17:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brit Hume (Fox):
  “People do not feel good about this economy. This poll suggests that... It’s not so far getting any better for them, which would be very dangerous for the Republicans in the midterm elections.” (02:18)

• Conservative Commentator:
  “78% of independents think that Trump isn't spending enough time on the economy. That's a huge number.” (05:41)

• Jessica Tarlov:
  “The idea that we are just going to move past what has unfolded ... knowing that [Renee Goode] was alive for eight minutes after that happened, but didn't receive medical care ...” (07:08)
  “Kyle Cheney at Politico ... found 2,300 cases since July alone where the judge has ruled that ICE has illegally detained someone.” (08:20)
  “I get you love him, the sexual matador. He is your type.” (11:05)

• Fox News Segment:
  “That poll is really disturbing ... look at independents, look at Republicans, because that's what the Republican Party needs... (05:41)

• Melania Trump:
  “I think he's unifier. He's unifier not just here, United States, but around the world. He stopped many wars.” (16:01)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Quote | |---------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:51 | Fox covers economic polling futility for Trump/Republicans | | 03:00 | ICE deportations “too aggressive” — polling numbers | | 04:40 | Trump’s weak economic focus, panic over independents poll | | 07:08 | Jessica Tarlov on ICE violence/wrongful detentions | | 10:08 | Tarlov & Watters/S. Miller “sexual matador” banter | | 12:04 | Fox mix-up: Nicki Minaj vs. Cardi B | | 13:41 | Scott Bessant on “Trump accounts,” parental advice bizarre | | 14:59 | Melania Trump on unifying America and stopping wars | | 16:57 | DHS advisor sidesteps “domestic terrorist” label for Pretty |

Tone and Takeaways

The episode maintains the Meidas brothers’ signature blend of earnest, pro-democracy commentary and irreverent, often biting banter. Across the episode, there’s a sense of incredulity at Fox News’ on-air panic, as well as frustration and dark humor over the latest immigration scandals, Trump’s flailing public stunts, and the increasingly surreal rhetoric of right-wing pundits.

This episode will arm listeners with a play-by-play of Fox’s sudden Trump trepidation, the network’s chaotic response to polling, and the Meidas brothers’ sharp analysis that keeps viewers informed and entertained.