The MeidasTouch Podcast: Governor Hochul Discusses Fighting Back Against Trump
January 29, 2026 | MeidasTouch Network
Episode Overview
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers—Ben, Brett, and Jordy—host New York Governor Kathy Hochul to discuss the urgent fight against Donald Trump’s regime and its impact on American democracy, particularly in New York. The conversation dives deep into topics including ICE raids, the fatigue of performative politics, attacks on immigrants and communities, the militarization of government agencies, economic pain under Trump’s policies, and Hochul’s concrete steps to protect and expand opportunities for New Yorkers. The governor’s candor, as well as the brothers’ characteristic mix of humor and advocacy, make for a dynamic conversation about standing up to authoritarianism and prioritizing real people over politics.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Trump’s Chaotic Leadership and Public Fact-Checking
- The brothers open with vivid observations of turmoil within Trump’s circles and the spectacle of public pushback:
- Trump’s Iowa Speech: A woman in the crowd corrects his false claims on gas prices (00:50).
- Bizarre Stunts: References Trump’s surreal event with Nicki Minaj and made-up executive orders (02:00–03:30).
Quote:
"Donald Trump said, 'I’ve lowered gas to $1.95 or $1.85 in Iowa.' The woman shouted, 'No, you didn’t... it was $2.69 at the station right outside the venue.'" – Ben (01:35)
2. Attacks on Low-Income Housing and Disaster Relief
- Trump’s opposition to rebuilding communities with low-income housing and his “fake” disaster relief orders are critiqued.
- Hosts highlight how Trump frames support for vulnerable communities as a negative (03:00–04:00).
Quote:
"Low-income housing is great. I built a lot of low-income housing, but you don’t put it there. This is one of the richest neighborhoods in the world.” – Trump (Playback, 03:37)
3. Dire Economic Realities Contradict Trump’s Claims
- Jerome Powell’s statements on stagnating jobs counter Trump’s economic narrative (04:15).
- Hosts outline how tariffs, spending, and National Guard deployments hurt American consumers (05:00–06:00).
4. Hypocrisy and Excess in MAGA Circles
- The brothers lampoon Mike Johnson for ignoring actual violence but indulging in celebrity antics (06:17).
- Melania’s NYSE appearance and massive payouts for a film no one wants are juxtaposed with mass layoffs at Amazon and elsewhere (07:00–08:30).
- Ridicule Trump for focusing on vanity projects (ballrooms at Mar-a-Lago) while the country reels from real crises (09:00).
5. Governor Kathy Hochul Joins the Conversation
- Hochul is introduced and immediately addresses Trump’s occupation of cities, particularly the use and abuse of ICE and Border Patrol (11:18).
Hochul on the Corruption of ICE:
Quote:
"They've totally lost their way... Their definition of criminals is someone who left their own country under dire circumstances, like my own grandparents did." – Gov. Kathy Hochul (11:45)
- She draws historical parallels and stakes the moment as a battle for democracy:
"As I'm continuing to watch...American Revolution...individuals who banded together as patriots and stood up to abuse of power..." (12:00)
On Federal Deflection and Failure to Lead
- The panel discusses officials blaming each other for labeling protestors "domestic terrorists"—citing Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, Border Patrol, and DHS (12:45–13:22).
- Hochul calls for a total leadership change at federal agencies (13:35).
On the Militarization and Intimidation of Civic Life
- Hochul decries ICE’s use of masks and street raids: Quote: "I'm sick and tired of masked people roaming our streets, terrorizing kids, taking kids, using them as bait... you start messing with kids, I'm going to be pissed off more than anybody." (14:20)
6. Economic and Social Consequences Under Trump
- Panel alerts listeners to Trump’s broken promises on affordability and the impact of tariffs and trade wars (16:00).
- Hochul emphasizes the real-life stakes:
- Impact on NY farmers, businesses, migrant and immigrant communities, parents.
- Cancelation of major infrastructure projects and jobs (e.g., NYC-New Jersey train tunnel).
- Medicaid cuts destabilizing hospitals.
Quote:
"This is an attack on everyone... the consequences are so severe. So I can rant all day, Ben, because you could tell this has hit a nerve as the leader of a state that I cherish..." – Hochul (18:40–19:53)
7. Trump’s "Strange Framing" and the Culture of Bullying
- The hosts play Trump’s comments about Gov. Hochul being “nice” to him before criticizing him in the press (19:43–20:13).
- Hochul responds with personal anecdotes about standing up to bullies and advocating for New York’s people—civil but firm (20:35–22:00):
Quote:
"Bullies hate being stood up to. Right. They don't like it. And I grew up in Buffalo... I know how to fight back..." – Hochul (20:35)
8. Long Island, Local Leadership, and Political Shifts
- Discussion about MAGA-aligned candidates running locally; Hochul’s commitment to challenging extremism in leadership (22:17–23:30).
- Hochul recounts directly confronting ICE agents to secure the release of an elected official—emphasizing mask-wearing as intentional intimidation (24:00–25:16).
Quote:
"It's part of the intimidation tactics—to have us be submissive, you know, to have the population terrified that this person could do something. So I must surrender my rights. And we're not doing that." – Hochul (24:45)
9. Governing for the People: Expanding Child Care
- Hochul discusses her administration's commitment to expanding child care in New York City, in partnership with Mayor Mamdani (25:16–27:06).
- Frames affordable child care as essential for family stability and economic opportunity.
- Encourages business community support for child care initiatives.
Quote:
"I've been talking about childcare for a very long time... I had to leave my job because I couldn't find childcare for my babies. And so this is personal to me." – Hochul (26:00)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “It’s not even let them eat cake. It is, let’s do more Eyes Wide Shut style parties non-stop at Mar-a-Lago.” — Ben (07:50)
- “We need a Project 2029 to know when we have a democratic president, which we must have—how to put it all back again, put the genie back in the bottle, and regain some sense of normalcy.” — Hochul (16:50)
- “These are the kind of fights that we have to take on. In addition to, I have hospitals that are teetering on the edge because they lost the money they needed from Medicaid.” — Hochul (18:20)
Important Timestamps
- 00:50 — Trump’s Iowa speech and fact-checking moment
- 03:37 — Trump’s remarks on low-income housing (audio clip)
- 04:15 — Jerome Powell’s statement on unemployment and economy (audio clip)
- 07:10 — Commentary on Melania & right-wing oligarchy on display
- 11:18 — Governor Hochul interview begins
- 13:35 — Hochul on kicking out unqualified federal agency leaders
- 14:20 — Hochul on the intimidation tactics of ICE
- 18:40 — Hochul’s warning: “This is an attack on everyone.”
- 19:43 — Trump’s comments about Hochul played
- 20:35 — Hochul on standing up to bullies and advocating for NY
- 24:45 — Hochul details her confrontation with ICE over mask-wearing
- 25:16 — Expansion of childcare in NYC and state priorities
Tone and Language
The episode balances urgency with humor, brotherly banter, and Hochul’s straight-talking, New Yorker candor. The brothers are unapologetically pro-democracy, framing the moment as a choice between decency and authoritarian chaos. Hochul matches this tone, mixing anecdotes and policy talk with fierce, personal advocacy.
Summary
Listeners come away with a sense of the acute challenges posed to democratic norms and everyday life under Trump’s regime, and the resolve of local leaders like Kathy Hochul in fighting back. The episode calls for vigilance, coalition-building, and concrete policy action—offering hope, resolve, and a blueprint for resistance amid turbulent times.