The MeidasTouch Podcast: Governor Newsom Discusses Trump’s SCOTUS Loss and New Book
Date: February 22, 2026
Host: MeidasTouch Network – Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Guest: California Governor Gavin Newsom
Episode Overview
In this noteworthy episode, Governor Gavin Newsom joins the MeidasTouch brothers to react to the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Donald Trump’s global tariffs, critique Trump’s conduct and ongoing economic policies, and reflect on Newsom’s just-released memoir, Young Man: A Memoir of Discovery. Beyond offering political insight, Newsom opens up about deeply personal experiences—from family hardship and learning disabilities to his philosophy on leadership and masculinity. The episode blends cutting political analysis with a candid, emotional conversation about vulnerability, empathy, and growth.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s Supreme Court Loss and Its Aftermath
[03:28–06:46]
- Newsom's Reaction: Newsom compares Trump’s tantrum about the Supreme Court’s ruling to a child throwing a fit, noting that Trump is even attacking his own “handpicked Supreme Court.”
- Historical Context: Newsom recalls California’s early legal challenge to Trump’s use of executive emergency powers, emphasizing how small businesses and farmers were most hurt by the tariffs.
- Financial Impact: He highlights that the average American family paid over $1,750 due to these tariffs.
- Legal Reality: Newsom asserts that the Supreme Court is "the last stop" and urges immediate refund to Americans, dismissing Trump allies’ assertions that the ruling is ambiguous.
Quote:
“There is no higher ruling. There's no board of peace here ... It's time this guy start to understand that he cannot operate as an imperial president, that he is subject to the rule of law.” (Gavin Newsom, [05:26])
- Broader Message: Newsom calls for Congress to “step up and do their job,” predicting that new Democratic leadership will usher in the end of Trump’s “wrecking ball presidency,” and warns of Trump’s continued attempts to introduce regressive policies.
2. The Global Response to Trump’s Leadership
[06:46–09:58]
- Diplomatic Observations: Newsom shares his experiences meeting with world leaders at the Munich conference, Davos, and in Brazil, noting an increased global unity against Trump and “Trumpism.”
- International Perception: He says world leaders, business leaders, and even bond markets are forcefully rejecting Trump’s tactics.
- Trump’s Weakness Exposed: Newsom claims that even as Trump tries to intimidate leaders not to meet with Newsom, this “weakness is on display globally,” signifying a turning tide internationally.
- Self-Dealing Allegations: He draws connections between Trump’s tariff policies and alleged personal business dealings abroad (Vietnam, UAE, Saudi Arabia), calling these moves part of a “great grift.”
Quote:
“The only card he had left was these tariffs ... His entire economic policy, his mass deportations, that's beginning to unravel ... So the self dealing is a big part of the story and what happened today at the Supreme Court.” (Gavin Newsom, [08:48])
3. On Trump’s Character and the Nature of Leadership
[09:58–13:15]
- Character Over Politics: The hosts stress that the Trump phenomenon shouldn’t be seen merely as a partisan issue but as a matter of human character.
- Newsom’s Assessment: Newsom labels Trump as “a broken man that tried to break this country on January 6,” warning about his ongoing threat to democracy.
- Strategy to Counter Trump: He urges Americans to display “conviction, strength, clarity, purpose” and to “fight fire with fire,” not ceding ground to the toxicity of Trump’s movement.
Quote:
“He's a paper tiger, a broken man. And the only thing standing between our republic ... is Donald Trump. We have to be mindful of what he will do between now and November and be more vigilant than we've ever been.” (Gavin Newsom, [12:23])
4. Newsom’s Memoir: Vulnerability, Family, and Masculinity
[13:15–19:00]
- Personal Revelations: Newsom speaks openly about the painful aspects of his childhood—his father’s departure, his mother’s struggle, living with dyslexia, and the trauma surrounding his mother and grandfather.
- Motivation for Writing: He says he’s “sick of wearing the mask” and wanted to provide an honest account for his children, explaining, “We’re all works in progress.”
- Critics and Supporters: Newsom cheekily invites those who dislike him to read the book for “op research,” but encourages everyone to reconsider their assumptions about him.
- Masculinity and Empathy: He reflects on toxic masculinity promoted by the MAGA movement, arguing that real strength lies in empathy, care, and compassion—not “power, dominance, and aggression.”
Quote:
“It’s about empathy, care, and compassion. Those are the superpowers. You want to talk about strength, it's defined in those terms. It's not power, dominance, and aggression.” (Gavin Newsom, [19:00])
- Advice for Young Men: Newsom emphasizes it’s okay to ask for help, to make mistakes, and to be “messy,” challenging the notion that men can’t show vulnerability.
Quote:
“The strongest people are those that bend down on one knee ... but also those that ask for help. And I had to ask for help a lot. And that's in this book.” (Gavin Newsom, [20:50])
Memorable Moments & Quotes
-
On the Supreme Court’s Limits:
“There is no higher ruling ... You can't recreate a new supreme ruling court with a billion dollar tithing and 27 of your friends from overseas.”
— Gavin Newsom, [05:26] -
On the End of Trump’s Era:
“His imperial presidency is about to come to an end. But he’s going to be, as you suggest, this last gasp of a desperate man.” — Gavin Newsom, [06:28] -
On Trump’s Weakness:
“It's weakness, period. Yeah, it's weak. And look, he's a broken man, in the spirit of your question.” — Gavin Newsom, [11:09] -
On Writing and Dyslexia:
“I can't read and write. And the irony of me writing a book and then reading, by the way, that book, the audiobook, that alone, that was 18 hours of pure hell.” — Gavin Newsom, [14:40] -
On Family Lessons:
“My mom said to me ... 'It's okay to be average.' ... I understood she was just on her journey trying to be a good parent. She was struggling herself. Just like, it's okay. You don't have to be smarter than anyone.” — Gavin Newsom, [20:00]
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Topic/Quote | |:----------:|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:28–06:46| Trump’s reaction to SCOTUS loss & Newsom's legal backstory | | 06:46–09:58| Newsom’s travels & global reaction to Trump | | 09:58–13:15| Newsom on Trump’s character & state of democracy | | 13:15–19:00| Newsom discusses his memoir and opens up about personal life | | 19:00–21:17| On masculinity, empathy, and the importance of vulnerability |
Conclusion: Episode Takeaways
- Trump’s SCOTUS Defeat: Newsom frames the loss as a turning point, signaling accountability for “imperial” overreach.
- Global Community Stands Up: Newsom’s global perspective underscores declining international tolerance for Trump’s behavior.
- Leadership Redefined: Throughout, Newsom redefines strength as rooted in empathy, vulnerability, and authenticity.
- Memoir as Testimony: The personal discussion regarding Newsom’s memoir embodies a call for emotional honesty, resilience, and growth—in politics and beyond.
This episode offers both a critical examination of contemporary politics and a rare personal look at one of America’s most prominent leaders, blending sharp analysis with profound vulnerability and hope for personal and national renewal.