The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Governor Lamont Responds to Trump’s Attack on Economy

Date: September 14, 2025
Host: Ben Meiselas (with Brett and Jordy Meiselas, MeidasTouch Network)
Main Guest: Governor Ned Lamont (Connecticut)

Brief Overview

In this episode, the MeidasTouch brothers, led by Ben Meiselas, sit down with Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut to discuss recent economic developments—specifically, former President Donald Trump's false claims about inflation, his attacks on renewable energy, the abrupt cancellation of key wind projects, and the destabilizing effects of tariff policies and government budget confusion. Lamont offers candid, pragmatic insights on how these federal decisions are impacting Connecticut jobs, energy costs, business planning, and community stability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s False Inflation Claims and Attacks on Renewable Energy

• [02:18-04:39]
  • Ben highlights Trump’s current media blitz claiming, “we have no inflation, prices are down on every single thing,” which blatantly misaligns with Americans’ lived reality.
  • Trump’s history of opposing wind energy is discussed, stemming from personal grievances with wind farms near his Scottish golf resort, leading to broader policy attacks on clean energy in the US.
  • Trump is quoted saying wind “doesn’t work... it destroys everything, it looks terrible, it’s a very expensive form of energy,” advocating for a return to fossil fuels ([04:13]).

2. Consequences of Cancelling Wind Projects: Revolution Wind

• [05:47-07:34]
  • Governor Lamont explains the Revolution Wind project was 80% complete, poised to power up to 400,000 homes, lower prices by covering energy peaks, and deliver hundreds of jobs before Trump abruptly cancelled it:

    “At the very last moment... Donald Trump pulled the plug on it. Happy Labor Day. 500 of you are laid off. Absolutely the opposite of everything they had assured us up till then.” – Ned Lamont [05:47]

  • Lamont has joined with other state officials and the developer to sue for breach of contract, underscoring that “a deal is a deal,” and warning that such federal unpredictability undermines trust for all business sectors.
  • He adds:

    “I know Trump wrote The Art of the Deal. He also should have had a chapter called ‘A Deal is a Deal.’” – Ned Lamont [06:46]

3. Impact on Business Confidence and Economic Stability

• [09:15-12:17]
  • Ben and Lamont agree that the Trump administration’s erratic approach—abrupt tariff changes, lack of signed trade agreements—creates massive uncertainty.
  • Lamont notes that manufacturers like Stanley Black & Decker have already absorbed $800 million in tariff costs in half a year, warning that these costs are “very inflationary” and will soon be passed on in prices ([10:08]).
  • He cautions:

    “First of all, this confusion just stops the economy. And nobody’s going to build a factory based upon a tariff proposition that could change again tomorrow.” – Ned Lamont [10:08]

  • Even if there were signed deals:

    “I don’t think it’d be worth the paper it was written on. Nobody trusts it. You don’t have a credible counterparty there.” – Ned Lamont [12:17]

4. Health Policy Misinformation and Public Safety

• [07:34-09:15]
  • The hosts raise concern over the removal of health experts and increased anti-vaccine rhetoric at the federal level.
  • Lamont reflects on Connecticut’s successful COVID-19 response and stresses the importance of accurate, unified public health messaging:

    “It’s misinformation. And this confusion is hell. So I get together with New York and Rhode Island and Massachusetts... these vaccinations are safe and effective and it’s really important to keep your kid in school safely.” – Ned Lamont [08:31]

5. Anxiety Over Budget Process and Potential Government Shutdown

• [12:57-14:10]
  • Lamont cites the uncertainty from the “big beautiful/bankruptcy bill” and looming federal appropriations battles, which may lead to a government shutdown affecting Medicaid, food support, housing, and energy programs.
  • He conveys the public's anxiety:

    “There’s all that ambiguity and confusion out there... gives you a sense of fear.” – Ned Lamont [13:24]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Federal Unreliability:

  “I’ve got business leaders... saying, ‘I’m not sure the federal government’s a good counterparty. I don’t know if I can trust them to make an agreement going forward because you can’t have a contract and break it.’” – Ned Lamont [06:46]

• On Trump’s Economic Spin:

  “He’s talking about some top-line tariff number in exchange for which country is going to make up the biggest fake number promise... He goes out and says I’m currently investing $17 trillion... It’s crazy. He’s making up the numbers.” – Ben Meiselas [11:14]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [02:18] – Ben introduces the topic, challenging Trump’s claims and criticisms of wind energy.
• [05:47] – Governor Lamont details the abrupt cancellation of Revolution Wind.
• [06:46] – Lamont discusses legal and business responses, emphasizing contract sanctity.
• [08:31] – Lamont addresses health misinformation and regional responses.
• [10:08] – Impact of tariffs and economic instability explained.
• [12:17] – Business trust in government and the unreliability of deals with the Trump administration.
• [13:24] – Public anxiety over federal budget process and potential shutdown.
• [14:18] – Final message to listeners on the need for persistent civic engagement.

Closing Message

Governor Lamont’s Call to Action:

“Keep speaking out and talk to your friends in red states, not just in blue states... The red state guys are terrified to speak publicly. But if you talk to them, let them know how important this is... Maybe we can start moving the ball just a little bit. It’s scary out there right now.” [14:18]

This summary offers a comprehensive understanding of the episode’s focus on economic turmoil driven by federal policy reversals, instability in renewable energy investment, tariff confusion, and threats to public health integrity—punctuated by Governor Lamont’s practical, bipartisan approach and the MeidasTouch team’s signature blend of humor and advocacy.