The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: GOP Leaders Lose Control on Live TV Over Trump’s Behavior
Date: October 2, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (with Ron Filipkowski leading coverage)

Episode Overview

This episode takes a deep dive into the ongoing government shutdown, focusing on the increasingly erratic behavior of Republican leaders—especially in relation to Donald Trump—and their attempts to dodge responsibility for harmful rhetoric and policy chaos. Through a combination of news clips, pointed analysis, and signature irreverence, the MeidasTouch team exposes how leading GOP figures are deflecting, downplaying, and outright denying Trump's divisive conduct on live TV. The episode also highlights pushback from progressive leaders like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, underlining the stakes for American democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. GOP Leaders Ducking Accountability for Trump’s Extremism

• Ron Johnson Denies Knowledge of Trump’s AI Racism

  • Senator Ron Johnson (WI) claims ignorance when confronted with Trump’s use of AI to racially caricature Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer.
    • Quote: “I honestly haven’t seen it. Don’t know what you’re talking about.” (02:48)
  • Ron Filipkowski’s reaction: “These people are so pathetic... you confront them and they go, I don’t hear it. Or they try to make a joke about it.” (02:51)

• John Thune Treats Outrage as ‘Content’

  • Thune, once seen as moderate, jokes about the “vibe” of the sombrero content instead of addressing the substance or harm.
    • Quote: “Who knew, right, you could get this kind of content and get this kind of vibe going about it.” (03:54)
  • Filipkowski’s critique: “You’re bragging about getting social media content as the leader of the Senate. It’s about Americans dying and you’re talking about sombrero content.” (03:52)

2. Republicans Reframing and Excusing Trump’s Dangerous Language

• Mike Turner Minimizes Trump’s Call to ‘Invade’ American Cities
  • Turner suggests Trump’s calls for military action were just about “public safety,” trying to divorce Trump’s literal language from its implications.
    • Turner: “He doesn’t mean it in the manner in which you said it.” (05:39)
    • Turner: “Peace through strength... the crux of his message.” (07:26)
  • Filipkowski: “That was one of the weakest, most pathetic things... Trump talked about sending the military against American cities.” (07:20)

3. Talking Points About the Farm Economy and Trump’s Tariffs

• Brooke Rollins, Trump’s Ag Secretary, Claims It’s a ‘Golden Age’
  • Rollins touts Trump’s pro-farmer record despite admitting intense economic pain amid foreign trade wars.
    • Rollins: “President Trump has been the most pro farmer president… perhaps in history.” (08:49)
    • Rollins: “It is a golden age. It’s around the corner.” (09:45)
  • Pressed for details on Trump’s farm bailout plans, Rollins refers to tariffs as an “elegant solution.”
    • Rollins: “The amount of tariff money that’s coming into our country is stunning. The whole entire world economy is now realigning around American products.” (10:54)
  • Filipkowski’s retort: “Quite the opposite… American farmers are not able to sell their produce anywhere because no one wants to do business with America.” (11:24)

4. Culture Wars as Distraction from Substance

• Senator Kramer Invokes ‘Men Playing in Women’s Sports’
  • Dodges fundamental questions about the shutdown by pivoting to trans issues and repeating talking points about Democratic obstruction.
    • Kramer: “The issue at the moment is keeping the government open. And the Democrats have chosen not to do that.” (14:13)

5. GOP Basking in the Prospect of Government Gutting

• Russ Vought (Project 2025) Admits Shutdown is Part of Agenda
  • Openly celebrates the shutdown as an opportunity to shrink and dismantle government functions.
    • Vought: “That includes reducing the size and scope of the federal government. We will be looking for opportunities to do that.” (17:04)

6. Progressives Respond: Fighting for Democracy and Social Safety Nets

• Bernie Sanders: Standing Firm Against Authoritarianism

  • Sanders decries the “my way or the highway” mentality he sees as core to Trumpism, pledging to oppose any deal that would cost Americans health care or vital services.
    • Sanders: “Damn right… I will not let tens of thousands of fellow Americans die because they’re thrown off of health care… I hope the Republicans develop a sense of morality, listen to the people of America and do the right thing.” (18:00 - 18:50)

• AOC: Authoritarianism is Overstated—GOP is Weak, Not Inevitable

  • Urges Americans not to submit to the “illusion of power and inevitability” put forward by Trump and MAGA leaders.
    • AOC: “They are weaker than they look… They rely on the impression of power, the perception of inevitability, so that people comply in advance… Donald Trump is at record levels of unpopularity in his tenure.” (19:18 - 21:48)
    • Asserts the need for resistance and solidarity: “We have to understand that standing up matters, that our voice matters, to not give in to the cynicism, because that is what they rely on…” (21:48)

7. Highlighting GOP’s Disconnect from Reality

• ‘Golden Age’ Rhetoric vs. Economic Hardship
  • Kevin Hassett (Trump’s economic advisor) claims a “golden age” is imminent, only for Senator Roger Marshall to blame struggling rural hospitals on Democrats and the “bad economy.”
    • Hassett: “The golden age that President Trump promised us is really on the way.” (22:48)
    • Marshall: “It seems very disingenuous for the Democrats to be blaming President Trump for these rural hospital struggles.” (23:03)
  • Filipkowski contrasts these statements with bleak facts on the ground for ordinary Americans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “These people are so pathetic, where you confront them with what Donald Trump says and they go, I don’t hear it.” – Ron Filipkowski (02:51)
• “Who knew, right, that you could get this kind of content and get this kind of vibe going about it.” – John Thune (03:54)
• “He doesn’t mean it in the manner in which you said it.” – Rep. Mike Turner (05:39)
• “It is a golden age. It’s around the corner.” – Brooke Rollins (09:45)
• “That includes reducing the size and scope of the federal government. We will be looking for opportunities to do that.” – Russ Vought (17:04)
• “Damn right… I will not let tens of thousands of fellow Americans die because they’re thrown off of health care.” – Bernie Sanders (18:00)
• “They are weaker than they look… They rely on the impression of power… Donald Trump is at record levels of unpopularity in his tenure.” – AOC (19:18 - 21:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:48] – Ron Johnson denies seeing Trump’s racist AI posts
• [03:54] – John Thune reduces seriousness to “content”
• [05:39] – Mike Turner recasts Trump’s militaristic language
• [08:49] – Brooke Rollins lauds Trump on agriculture despite evidence
• [10:54] – Rollins calls Trump’s tariff bailout an “elegant solution”
• [14:13] – Senator Kramer pivots to culture-war talking points
• [17:04] – Russ Vought admits intent to shrink government via shutdown
• [18:00] – Bernie Sanders fiercely opposes deadly GOP priorities
• [19:18] – AOC on the “illusion” of MAGA power, calls to resist
• [22:48] – Kevin Hassett promises “golden age” as economy suffers

Conclusion

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast showcases the GOP’s chaotic messaging, unwillingness to take accountability for Trump’s conduct, and outright embrace of anti-democratic maneuvers—all underscored by sharp analysis and humor from the Meiselas brothers and guest analyst Ron Filipkowski. The voices of Bernie Sanders and AOC serve as a call to arms—not just against Trump’s agenda, but against the complacency and cynicism it seeks to foster. The episode is essential listening for anyone seeking clarity and conviction in a moment of political tumult.