Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: GOP Leaders Panic and Lose it on Air as Plan Blows Up
Date: November 10, 2025
Hosted by: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Theme:
The Meiselas brothers dissect a weekend of chaos as key Trump/MAGA Republican officials go on national television and struggle to defend broken campaign promises, especially on electricity prices, the economy, Ukraine, and more. Using direct audio clips and pointed, comedic commentary, the hosts highlight contradictions, evasions, and outright misinformation from GOP leaders under pressure as their plans unravel.
Main Episode Theme
The episode centers on the panic spreading through the Republican leadership as Trump administration officials face tough questioning on live television about unfulfilled campaign promises, rising living costs, and conflicting statements on major policies. The Meiselas brothers methodically play and discuss clips of interviews and press appearances where GOP figures attempt to rewrite history or dodge accountability, using both factual receipts and biting humor.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s Broken Pledge on Electricity Prices
- [00:00–02:14] The show begins with Ben introducing a Trump campaign promise:
- Trump, during a 2024 rally in Asheville, NC: “We’re looking to cut [electricity prices] in half... we think we'll be able to do better... your energy bills will be down by 50 to 70%.” (Trump, 01:05)
- The hosts play the actual audio (the “receipts”) to emphasize the unequivocal nature of the claim.
- This is immediately compared to current reality: energy bills are up, not down.
Notable Quote
“You will never have had energy so low as you will under a certain gentleman known as Donald J. Trump. Have you heard of him?”
— Donald Trump, [01:05]
2. Cabinet Officials Shift Blame and Dodge
- [02:14–04:13] Ben introduces clips of current cabinet members deflecting responsibility:
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen on ABC’s This Week claims electricity prices are “a state problem” and federal policies have no impact (in direct contradiction to Trump's campaign rhetoric).
- When pressed by George Stephanopoulos about rising bills and affordability, Bessen doubles down on blaming states and shifts focus to gasoline prices.
Notable Quote
“Electricity prices are a state problem... local electricity prices are not one of them.”
— Scott Bessen, Treasury Secretary, [03:33]
3. Trump’s Ukraine Promise is Walked Back
- [04:13–05:08] Trump’s campaign promise to “end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours” is played:
- “I’ll end that war between those two countries in 24 hours. It won't even take that long.” — Trump, [04:27]
- Trump now laughs off the promise: “I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that I would.” [05:08]
- Ben and brothers highlight the cynicism and irresponsibility of such statements.
Notable Quote
"I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that I would."
— Donald Trump, [05:08]
4. Administration Shifts Blame for Economic Struggles
- [05:44–08:22] Interviews with top economic advisors show them blaming the government shutdown and Democrats for faltering economic metrics:
- Jobless claims, inflation, consumer confidence are all at historical lows, but officials say only the “shutdown” is to blame.
- Claims that “we had a fantastic economy” before the shutdown, which the hosts challenge with current data.
Key Segment
“We had a fantastic economy under President Trump the past two quarters, and now there are estimates that economic growth for this quarter could be cut by as much as half if the shutdown continues.”
— Scott Bessen, Treasury Secretary, [07:32]
5. Health Care & Subsidies: Ostriching on the Facts
- [09:53–11:14]
- Questions about health care subsidies affecting Oklahomans are addressed evasively; emphasis placed on pandemic-era subsidies expiring.
- Republican officials avoid specifics, shifting blame for difficulties onto Democratic policies—even when those policies directly benefit Trump-leaning states.
6. Culture War Diversions from Policy
- [11:14–11:59]
- Lee Zeldin, EPA Director, pivots from environmental deregulation to “culture wars,” claiming Democrats believe there are “100 genders” and accusing them of socialism, as a way to distract from policy failures.
Notable Moment
“Conservatives say there are two genders. Democrats are saying that there’s 100 genders and counting and growing.”
— Lee Zeldin, [11:39]
7. The Tariff Revenue Fantasy
- [11:59–14:36]
- Stephanopoulos confronts Bessen with Trump’s claim that tariffs are bringing in “trillions of dollars.” Bessen admits this isn’t true, but insists it could be true “in a number of years.”
- Bessen repeatedly backtracks: “It’s not about taking in the revenue, it’s about rebalancing.”
Key Exchange
George Stephanopoulos: “He’s saying people that are against tariffs are fools. We’re taking in trillions of dollars. Is that true?” [12:38]
Scott Bessen: “Over the course of the next few years, we could take in trillions...” [12:48]
8. Blaming the Shutdown for Systemic Problems
- [15:00–16:43]
- Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary, blames government shutdown for air traffic controller shortages, ignoring previous administrative actions that contributed to staff depletion.
- Predicts dire Thanksgiving travel outcomes, emphasizing how shutdown fallout will persist.
Key Quotes
“I used to have about four controllers retire a day before the shutdown. I’m now up to 15 to 20 a day are retiring.”
— Sean Duffy, [15:47]
“Yesterday it was 81...a lot of them, we can miss one paycheck. They told me that virtually none of them can miss two paychecks.”
— Sean Duffy, [16:43]
9. The Brothers’ Closing Reflections
- [17:38–end]
- The brothers note how the Trump regime seems defined by blame-shifting, dishonesty, and exploiting culture wars to cover broken promises.
- Ben specifically calls for Democratic politicians to “fight harder,” using Governor Newsom and Bernie Sanders as examples of strength.
Notable Quote
“I need to see Democrats more like Governor Newsom. I need to see fighters like Bernie Sanders. Fighters, fighters.”
— Ben Meiselas, [17:38]
Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes
- Trump’s campaign hubris: “You will never have had energy so low as you will under...Donald J. Trump.” [01:05]
- Cabinet denial: “Electricity prices are a state problem.” — Scott Bessen [03:33]
- Sarcastic campaign promises: “I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that I would.” — Donald Trump, [05:08]
- Culture war dodge: “Democrats are saying that there’s 100 genders and counting and growing.” — Lee Zeldin, [11:39]
- Tariff fantasy: “We could take in trillions of dollars, George.” — Scott Bessen, [12:48]
Important Timestamps
- 00:00–02:14 — Trump’s campaign promise vs. reality on electricity prices
- 03:33 — Scott Bessen blames states for electricity prices
- 04:27 & 05:08 — Trump’s “Ukraine in 24 hours” flip-flop
- 07:32 — Bessen on the economy and blaming the shutdown
- 09:53–11:14 — Health care subsidies impact on Oklahomans
- 11:39 — Lee Zeldin’s gender/culture war comments
- 12:38–14:36 — Tariff revenue myth and backpedaling
- 15:47 & 16:43 — Air traffic controller shortages and holiday travel disruptions
- 17:38 — Hosts’ final reflections and call to action
Episode Tone & Style
The MeidasTouch brothers blend factual reporting with sharp, often biting humor and clear progressive advocacy. Their tone is unapologetically critical of MAGA officials’ evasions, and they encourage listeners to demand more from political leadership.
This summary covers the major themes, exposes the evasions, and highlights the best moments as the Meiselas brothers break down a rough week for GOP leaders attempting damage control live on air.