MeidasTouch Podcast Summary — October 14, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast (10/14/25) sees the Meiselas brothers—Ben, Brett, and Jordy—delivering their signature blend of sharp political analysis, impassioned defense of democracy, brotherly banter, and comedic critique of current events. The episode is heavily focused on recent significant developments in the Middle East, ongoing domestic challenges such as the government shutdown and the looming threat to healthcare, as well as rising authoritarian rhetoric and protest movements in the US.

Main Themes

1. Middle East Ceasefire and Hostage Releases
2. Donald Trump’s Role, Behavior, and International Diplomacy
3. Authoritarianism and Erosion of Democratic Norms
4. Ongoing US Government Shutdown & Healthcare Crisis
5. No Kings Protest and the Demonization of Dissent

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Middle East: Ceasefire and Hostage Releases

• Recognition of a Ceasefire (05:32):
  Ben underscores the importance of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, highlighting the moral imperative of ending atrocities and returning hostages but warning against “spiking the football”:

  “It’s a ceasefire and there have been dozens of ceasefires in the history of that region… This is a good day but we have to report on this responsibly.” — Ben (05:32)

• Complexity and Fragility (09:43):
  Brett expands on the emotional resonance of hostages returning but is quick to caution against declaring lasting peace:

  "We've been through these ceasefires before... Phase one is kind of the easy part." — Brett (09:43)

• Corporate Media Critique:
  The brothers collectively challenge the mainstream media narrative, warning of irresponsible positivity and a lack of hard questions about next steps and durable solutions.
• Concerns Over Hamas’ Role:
  Brett emphasizes disturbing reports of Hamas executing alleged collaborators and refusing to disarm (11:00–13:00).
• Caution Toward Trump’s Claims:
  Jordy reveals reports that Trump asked Netanyahu to tank a Biden-led peace attempt a year ago for political gain, potentially extending suffering for personal ambition (14:00).

2. Donald Trump’s Middle East Diplomacy and Public Speeches

• Self-Congratulatory Tone & Limb-Focused Diplomacy (05:32, 15:20):
  The brothers criticize Trump’s appearances in Israel (Knesset) and Egypt, highlighting how he centers himself, attacks political rivals, and lacks humility:

  “Donald Trump rolled into the Middle East today... made it like a birthday party for himself… made all the world leaders show up and basically say how great he is.” — Ben (05:32)

• Evading the Two-State Solution (16:38):
  When directly pressed, Trump dodges on whether he supports a two-state solution:

  "For this, I don't have a view. I'm going to go with what they agree to." — Donald Trump [Clip] (16:48) The hosts stress how alarming such non-answers are for a supposed peacemaker.

• Trump’s Endorsement of Authoritarians & Misogynistic Comments (22:26, 37:14):

  • Trump openly praises Viktor Orbán and other authoritarian figures:

    “Victor, Victor. We love Victor... I endorsed him the last election he had, and he won by 28 points.” — Trump (22:26)

  • Ben notes how this behavior unnerves other world leaders present.
  • Trump refers to Italian PM Giorgia Meloni as a “beautiful young woman,” drawing attention to the inappropriateness (37:14).

• Tallying False Claims and Disinformation (38:40):

  • Trump claims $18 trillion in foreign investment—demonstrated to be a fabrication. Ben shreds the math behind these claims:

    “It’s just an entirely made up number… literally fraud.” — Ben (39:17)

3. Authoritarian Rhetoric and Democratic Backsliding

• Attacks on American Cities and Institutions (44:37):
  Trump lauds Egypt as being safer than “Democratic-run cities,” demeans US governors, and plays up authoritarian efficiency.

  • Brett calls out the double standard and the stark anti-Americanism in Trump’s rhetoric:

    “For the guy who everything is incredibly hyperbolic… to just constantly shit on our cities, shit on our leaders... just so demeaning to the country.” — Brett (45:22)

• Media Loyalty Pledge Demand (47:00):

  • Brett describes efforts by the Trump administration to demand “loyalty pledges” from the press to screen stories before publication—a move met with denials from major outlets.
  • Jordy quips:

    "What in the Kim Jong Un is that about? I mean, just scary..." — Jordy (48:47)

• Enemy Databases & Surveillance (78:18):

  • Ben cites Ken Klippenstein’s reporting on a new “watch list” targeting those with anti-Trump or non-conforming views, built by national security apparatus:

    "...every day they are compiling lists of people who they view as anti-American... and if you get put on a list, you get treated as though... you were a terrorist." — Ben (78:18)

4. Government Shutdown and Healthcare

• Shutdown Intransigence (56:33):
  Ben bluntly states the basics:

  “You can’t have a functioning government where that dynamic takes place… Democrats are trying to talk… Republicans saying we don't want to talk with you.”

• Healthcare at Stake—ACA Subsidies (Minutes 59:25–66:00):
  Ben outlines the stark stakes as Republicans threaten the Affordable Care Act — and repeal remains the real aim.
• GOP “Plan” Exposed (63:36):
  Speaker Mike Johnson’s bizarre “PTSD” over McCain’s thumbs-down (63:36–64:01), and his assertion that ACA “was really sinister the way it was created.”

  “He rambles on and on and on and he doesn’t give a plan.” — Ben (65:05) Brett, citing Ron Filipkowski, interprets “the roots are so deep” as code for “too popular to repeal.”

• Democrats’ Moral Clarity (59:25+):
  Ben calls for universal healthcare, financing through taxing the rich:

  “I believe the government should provide healthcare to all Americans for free... tax rich people more. That’s my view.” — Ben

5. No Kings Protests & Criminalizing Dissent

• Protest Uplift and Misrepresentation (72:54–77:42):
  • The brothers commend the “No Kings” protestors as patriots defending constitutional democracy, uplifting their actions and inviting listeners to participate and tag the podcast online.
  • The government attacks these protests as “Antifa,” “terrorist,” “anti-American,” and “paid operatives,” as demonstrated by Trump officials' soundbites:

    “No Kings means no paychecks.” — Treasury Secretary Scott Besant (73:02) “This is part of Antifa paid protesters.” — Sean Duffy (74:08) “To score political points with the terrorist wing of their party...” — Tom Emmer (76:14)

  • Brett warns of rhetoric that paints peaceful protestors as eligible for violence and legal targeting:

    “He’s essentially saying he has the right to kill anybody who participates in these protests.” — Brett

Notable Quotes & Moments

- “We have to recognize what also is taking place… Hamas not disarming, Israel saying they’re going to blow up the tunnel… what has happened?” — Ben (05:32)

- “If what's happening right now happened under the Biden administration, how would I be feeling? ...My reaction would be one of happiness... But, how now are we going to ensure that this is a lasting and durable peace?” — Brett (09:43)

- “Biden had a peace deal in place over a year ago, and it was widely reported that Trump at the time told Netanyahu to tank it… all because Trump didn’t care how fast the peace deal was actually reached, but rather who it was that achieved it.” — Jordy (14:00)

- “What is your view now on a two state solution? ...For this, I don't have a view. I'm going to go with what they agree to.” — Donald Trump (16:48)

- “Victor, Victor. We love Victor… I know a lot of people don’t agree with me, but I think I'm the only one that matters what he got. You are fantastic. He's a great leader.” — Donald Trump praising Orbán (22:26)

- “There’s nothing weirder—well, there’s a lot of things weird—but there’s nothing weirder than Donald Trump begging for a Nobel Peace Prize…” — Jordy (27:30)

- “But then, he went to the Knesset and was trashing our leaders. Like, how frickin anti-American do you have to be?” — Brett (28:55)

- “I think Trump's reference of when America was great is actually Pre World War I... but his frame of reference for how he views the world is like 1980. Like he's frozen in time...” — Ben (51:05)

- “We have plans to fix it... Can we completely repeal and replace Obamacare? Many of us are skeptical about that now because the roots are so deep. It was really sinister the way... it was created.” — Speaker Mike Johnson (63:36)

- “Republicans have not put forward a plan... My view is universal health care... Tax rich people more... That’s my view.” — Ben (59:25)

- “Every day that passes…and the government is shut down is just another reminder that Donald Trump and the Republican Party would rather protect Pedos than figure out a sustainable health care plan… once the government reopens... a vote to release the Epstein files.” — Jordy (69:46)

- “What in the Kim Jong Un is that about? ...Don't be gaslit by anyone into thinking that any of this behavior is normal.” — Jordy (48:47, 49:13)

- “Please tag us in your protest. We’re going to do our best to repost and uplift all of you... Let's peacefully do this thing.” — Jordy (77:42)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Ceasefire Discussion: 05:32–15:20
• Trump’s Two-State Solution Evasion: 16:38
• Trump’s Praise of Authoritarians: 22:26; 37:14–39:17
• Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims: 38:40–39:17
• Attacks on American Cities/Institutions: 44:37–45:22
• Press Loyalty Pledge: 47:00–48:47
• GOP Healthcare Obfuscation: 56:33–66:00
• No Kings Protest/Criminalizing Dissent: 72:54–78:04
• Authoritarian Watchlists (Klippenstein): 78:18

Tone & Language

• Tone: Outspoken, urgent, impassioned, often incredulous, with humor and irreverence.
• Language: Direct, informal, with recurring use of sarcasm and discussion of “moral clarity.”

Concluding Thoughts

The brothers urge the audience to resist normalization of authoritarian rhetoric and policies, uplift and participate in protest, and demand real solutions—not gaslighting, propaganda, or performative politics—from leaders. They champion empathy, honesty, and grassroots action as the American way.

“Stay in this fight. Stay strong. We're in this together… We'll always keep on fighting for you.” — Ben (82:30–83:06)

For more:

• Subscribe on YouTube and audio platforms
• Join the Midas Mighty community
• Attend or support the No Kings protests