The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Governor Cooper Discusses Critical North Carolina Senate Race
Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Ben Meiselas (with Brett and Jordy Meiselas)
Guest: Governor Roy Cooper

Overview

In this episode, the MeidasTouch Podcast welcomes former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, now a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in a pivotal 2026 race. The discussion centers on the unique challenges facing North Carolina under recent Republican and Trump-led policies, the critical upcoming Senate election against MAGA Republican Michael Whatley, and Cooper’s vision for practical, bipartisan governance. The conversation explores economic struggles, health care, hurricane recovery, the impact of tariffs and immigration raids, and the broader state of American democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Political Mood in North Carolina

• Public Dissatisfaction with Trump (03:02–03:57)
  • Trump’s disapproval rating in NC is at 53%.
  • Economic concerns: 657k risk losing health insurance; $1,700 median household cost hike.
  • Tariffs and Trump's policies are harming local businesses, as illustrated by small business owner Wilson Jones, who jokes that Trump’s “Liberation Day... damn near liberated me from our business.”

The Effects of Trump & GOP Policies

• Tariffs, Health Insurance, and Job Losses (03:02–05:30)
  • Tariffs framed as helping NC, but causing direct harm.
  • Immigration raids (“Operation Charlotte Web”) target working families across NC, causing fear in immigrant communities—especially in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County.

Senatorial Race: Cooper vs. Whatley

• Who Is Michael Whatley? (06:30–07:35)
  • Former RNC chair and Trump’s appointed hurricane czar.
  • Accused of poor performance in hurricane recovery and out-of-touch economic claims ("things are great").
  • Whatley claims: “I support that [Trump’s] agenda wholeheartedly because we need...a regime that is going to allow North Carolina businesses to succeed.” ([07:14], Michael Whatley)

Hurricane Helene & Disaster Relief Failures

• Community Frustration with Federal Response (07:35–10:07)
  • Whatley is described as absent and ineffective in distributing FEMA funds after Hurricane Helene.
  • Residents, both Republicans and Democrats, express bipartisan frustration over slow, insufficient federal relief.

Roy Cooper’s Vision and Record

• Cooper’s Approach to Governance (10:43–14:38)
  • Emphasizes practical solutions over partisanship: “Washington is broken. People are struggling. They...promised they were going to deal with this high cost of living. Not only have they not dealt with it, they made it worse.” ([10:43], Roy Cooper)
  • Medicaid expansion: 675,000+ newly insured through bipartisan coalition-building.
  • Governing style: caring, consensus-building, and direct engagement with constituents.

The Importance of Breaking the GOP Majority

• Senate Control & National Stakes (15:16–17:47)
  • Democrats haven’t won a Senate race in NC since 2008; this is a must-win to flip the U.S. Senate.
  • Race projected to be “the most expensive US Senate race in history” due to influx of dark money.
  • Appeal for grassroots support: “We need your help...This is a seat that we have to win in order for Democrats to take back the U.S. senate.” ([16:44], Roy Cooper)

Disaster Relief as a Moral Issue

• Broken Promises & “Cruel and Unusual” Policies (17:47–20:37)
  • Flood victims still unreimbursed; federal aid slow-walked and politicized.
  • Cooper: “Trump...made this very partisan, which was frustrating to the people on the ground...Now they're talking about eliminating FEMA, maybe throwing some money to the states and saying, good luck to you.” ([18:39], Roy Cooper)

Leadership & Dignity vs. Partisan Gamesmanship

• Restoring Competence and Decency (20:37–24:24)
  • Critique of “bizarro, whiny loserville” politics reflective of Trump-era.
  • Cooper’s philosophy: “You got to stand up for what you believe, but at the same time, you got to recognize that you represent everybody—even people who didn't vote for you.” ([21:43], Roy Cooper)
  • Calls for restoring checks and balances in government and bipartisan problem-solving.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Economic Reality vs. Political Rhetoric:

  • “My opponent…keeps insisting that grocery prices are down. And people know that's not true.”
    — Roy Cooper ([10:43])

• On Real-World Impact:

  • “Too much month at the end of the money.”
    — Roy Cooper ([10:43] & [15:16])

• On Medicaid Expansion:

  • “I'll never forget handing Penny her health insurance card…tears in her eyes, and admittedly tears in mine…that day had never had health insurance before.”
    — Roy Cooper ([12:54])

• On Partisanship in Disaster Relief:

  • “[Trump] made this very partisan, which was frustrating to the people on the ground who were working so hard to try and save lives, get food and water to people. It was a devastating hurricane.”
    — Roy Cooper ([18:39])

• On Representing All Constituents:

  • “You got to recognize that you represent everybody, even people who didn't vote for you.”
    — Roy Cooper ([21:43])

Important Timestamps

• 03:02 — Discontent in NC: "No Kings" protests, Trump unpopularity statistics.
• 06:30 — Michael Whatley’s background, statements, and policies.
• 07:35–10:07 — Community's frustration with slow hurricane relief and Whatley's ineffective leadership.
• 10:43 — Governor Cooper joins; state of NC, cost of living, and vision for the Senate.
• 12:54 — Cooper reflects on passing Medicaid expansion.
• 15:16 — Cooper on the practical realities voters face versus Whatley’s rhetoric.
• 17:47 — Partisan behavior in disaster response; call for federal accountability.
• 21:43 — Cooper’s views on governance, civility, and bipartisan solutions.
• 24:34 — How to support/support the campaign: roycooper.com

Tone & Closing Remarks

The dialogue is earnest, substantive, and urgent, blending measured critique with appeals to empathy and bipartisan problem-solving. The brothers keep banter to a minimum in this policy-heavy episode, focusing on real issues while amplifying Cooper’s commitment to practical leadership and direct service to North Carolinians. Cooper ends with a call to action, recognizing the national significance of this Senate seat for the future of American democracy.

Resources

• Roy Cooper Campaign ([24:34])
• Stay updated with exclusive MeidasTouch content at Midasplus.com

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive understanding of Governor Cooper’s stance and the stakes in the 2026 North Carolina Senate race.