MeidasTouch Podcast - October 28, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Theme:
The Meiselas brothers dive into the chaos of the current U.S. political climate, with a sharp focus on the dysfunction of Trump’s regime, the ongoing government shutdown, fake trade deals, the plight of everyday Americans, and the media’s complicity in shaping public opinion. The trio highlights overlooked but crucial stories, contrasts U.S. and Canadian leadership, and uses their signature blend of serious commentary and brotherly banter to expose threats to democracy and advocate for transparency and reform.

Major Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. Episode Kickoff & Overview

• [03:00] Host/Analyst (Ben):
  • Summarizes main topics: Trump’s disastrous Asia trip, “MAGA Mike” Johnson’s contradictory press conferences, misleading claims by Trump officials about farmers, impending benefit losses for millions of Americans, and under-the-radar confirmation hearings for Trump’s ambassadorial picks.
  • Promises to “show what a forceful offense looks like” against mainstream media MAGA talking points.

2. Shocking Ambassador Hearing Ignored by Media

• [05:51] Ben & Brett:
  • Play a clip exposing Trump’s nominee for ambassador to South Africa refusing to state opposition to discriminatory refugee and voting policies.
  • Quote (Brett, 08:25):
    "How could you not answer such a simple question? But it really is indicative of the kinds of people that Donald Trump and this regime are putting in the government."
• [08:11] Ben:
  • Emphasizes the importance of showing what’s ignored in mainstream coverage.

3. Government Shutdown & Americans at Risk

• [10:40] MAGA Mike Johnson:
  • Blames Democrats for failure to fund SNAP and health care, citing convoluted appropriations logic.
  • [13:03] Doubles down blaming “socialist” Democrats for the lack of a Republican health care plan.
• [11:19] Ben:
  • Compares priorities: “Tax shelters and benefits to people buying private jets… but 42 million Americans potentially going to starve.”
  • Discusses Medicaid, ACA, and Republican’s lack of a real health care plan.
• [17:00] MAGA Mike Johnson:
  • Claims Republicans don't control government; blames Senate rules and Democrats.
• Brett & Jordy:
  • Call out Republican gaslighting, failure to cooperate, and scapegoating:
    Quote (Brett, 17:42):
    "The heartlessness that you have to have in order to do that every day… he cloaks in this faux Christianity he wraps himself in and this faux patriotism…"
  • Note how “food bank lines reminiscent of COVID” are once again a Republican administration's feature.

4. Media & Market Manipulation: Fake Deals & Ponzi Politics

• [21:54] Ben:
  • Details Trump’s repetitive announcements of “trade frameworks” as cover for market manipulation, benefiting the wealthy and destabilizing the global order.
  • [28:22] Reiterates: “Trump’s $20 trillion investment claim is fabricated, and his 'deals' are just press releases."
• [30:00] Brett:
  • Analyses Trump’s incentive to manipulate markets for his own and allies’ gains:
    Quote (Brett, 30:00):
    “Every time he announces these trade deals or frameworks... the market spikes, right? …There are people getting extremely rich right now off this market...”
• [32:49] Jordy:
  • Slams mainstream business media:
    “They are in on the con... all of this is… at the expense of the American people… The media are willing participants.”

5. Unprecedented Power for Trump & MAGA Johnson

• [34:04] Brett & Jordy:
  • Expose MAGA Mike Johnson as Trump’s puppet and worry about Republicans’ willingness to support rule-breaking (including hypothetical third terms).
  • Notable Exchange (Brett, 34:43):
    "He is the de facto Speaker of the House… this House of Representatives… if January 6th happened today, you could be damn sure that JD Vance would not do the right thing."
• [36:18] Ben:
  • Details constitutional crisis as Congress cedes tariff/taxing powers to Trump and fails to check executive overreach.

6. International Embarrassment: Trump vs. Global Leadership

• [39:19] Ben:
  • Contrasts Trump’s petty complaints (teleprompters, escalators) and fabricated economic claims with Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney’s substantive, ambitious vision for international strategy.
    • Quote (Ben, 41:23):
      “He thinks that’s strength, where it’s weakness masquerading as strength…”
• [42:16] Brett:
  • Argues Trump seeks short-term market "sugar highs" while destroying long-term American leadership and reliability.

7. Health & Accountability: Trump’s MRIs & Cognitive Tests

• [51:08] Ben, Brett & Jordy:
  • Mock Trump’s public fixation on his “perfect” MRI and cognitive tests.
    • Quote (Ben, 51:26):
      "You know, the machine, the whole thing, it was perfect."
    • Brett, 55:09: "He thinks he's taking the SATs... they're supposed to really like measure if you have like sentient life."
  • Worry about repeated cognitive testing and lack of transparency on Trump’s health.

8. Elitism & False Empathy: Trump Regime’s ‘Working Class’ Cosplay

• [57:49] Ben & Brett:
  • Skewer Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Besant for claiming to “feel the pain” as a supposed “soybean farmer” (in reality, a billionaire landlord).
    • Quote (Ben, 58:40):
      “If you rented your house out to somebody and they were an accountant, you’re like, ‘I’m an accountant also’… you’re not a soybean farmer.”
  • Critique pattern of Trump officials pretending to be “of the people” while living in opulence.

9. Media Complicity: CNBC and Trump Propaganda

• [60:17] Jordy:
  • Relishes seeing Sen. Ruben Gallego dismantle CNBC’s Joe Kernan’s MAGA talking points live on air:
    • Quote (Jordy, 62:08):
      "It makes me feel good. Gallego obviously listens to the Midas Touch podcast… we’re getting some justice here."
  • Broader critique:
    • [64:14] Brett:
      “These companies, like CNBC, are owned by mega conglomerates… pushing the line that is best going to help the billionaire class… not concerned about ordinary Americans.”

Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• On Trump’s ambassador nominee’s refusal to denounce racist policies:
  • Brett [08:25]: “How could you not answer such a simple question?... It really is indicative of the kinds of people that Donald Trump and this regime are putting in the government...”
• On Republicans and SNAP/healthcare:
  • Ben [11:19]: “Just fund people’s health care and SNAP so Americans aren’t starving to death...”
  • Brett [17:42]: “The heartlessness that you have to have... cloaks in this faux Christianity... and this faux patriotism...”
• On media and market manipulation:
  • Brett [30:00]: “There are people getting extremely rich right now off this market when it swings in both directions. And Donald Trump knows damn well that he can manipulate these markets quite literally with a tweet.”
  • Jordy [32:49]: “They are in on the con... It makes me so angry because all of this is, again, at the expense of the American people...”
• On Trump’s grip on Congress:
  • Brett [34:43]: “He is the de facto Speaker of the House… this House of Representatives… if January 6th happened today, you could be damn sure that JD Vance would not do the right thing.”
• On international embarrassment:
  • Ben [41:23]: “He thinks that’s strength, where it’s weakness masquerading as strength...”
• On Trump’s cognitive exams:
  • Ben [51:26]: “You know, the machine, the whole thing, it was perfect.”
  • Brett [55:09]: “He thinks he's taking the SATs... they're supposed to really like measure if you have like sentient life.”
• On Trump regime fake empathy:
  • Ben [58:40]: “If you rented your house out to somebody and they were an accountant, you’re like, ‘I’m an accountant also’... You’re not a soybean farmer.”
• On CNBC and media complicity:
  • Brett [64:14]: “These companies, like CNBC, are owned by mega conglomerates... pushing the line that is best going to help the billionaire class...”

Memorable/Noteworthy Moments

• [06:53] Hearing clip where Trump’s ambassador nominee dodges denouncing racism—gist: “My personal views are irrelevant.”
• [21:54] Recurring joke about Trump’s ‘90 deals in 90 days’ — “all a scam, all a Ponzi scheme.”
• [39:19] Trump still complaining about escalators and teleprompters in Malaysia, while Canada’s leader calmly details actual trade goals.
• [51:13] Trump brags about his “perfect” MRI—hosts lampoon his focus on inconsequential bragging.
• [60:17] Senator Ruben Gallego turns tables on CNBC's Joe Kernan in live interview, refusing to play along with Republican talking points.

Tone & Style

• Language: Candid, irreverent, and direct, often moving seamlessly from humor to exasperation and back.
• Tone: Outraged but hopeful, mixing dark humor, righteous indignation, and camaraderie.
• Format: Alternates between researched exposition, rapid banter, and strategic use of audio clips to buttress arguments and entertain.
• Mission: To “deconstruct and reconstruct with facts,” giving listeners both the information and the perspective missing from mainstream media.

Important Timestamps

• [03:00] - Episode agenda and major topics previewed
• [05:51] - Trump ambassador nominee’s dodged questions on racism
• [10:40 to 15:48] - SNAP benefits, healthcare, and shutdown blame game
• [21:54; 28:22–32:49] - Trump trade “deal” cycle and market manipulation discussion
• [39:19; 41:23; 42:16] - Trump’s Asia trip absurdities vs. Canadian leadership
• [51:13; 53:32–55:17] - Trump’s “perfect MRI” and questionable cognitive focus
• [57:49–60:17] - Besant cosplay as soybean farmer and media complicity
• [60:17–64:14] - Senator Gallego eviscerates CNBC’s Kernan; discussion of media bias and billionaire incentives

Takeaways

• Trump administration volatility is unrelenting: with fake trade deals, crony appointments, and shifting blame for chaos inflicted on ordinary Americans.
• Congressional Republicans are portrayed as Trump’s puppets, unconcerned with governance or democratic norms.
• Mainstream media, especially financial news, often props up this regime—whether out of self-interest, complicity, or both.
• Contrast with global leadership: Other nations are moving on from relying on the U.S., seeking stability elsewhere.
• In sum: The episode stresses vigilance, shared responsibility, the need to call out lies/power abuse, and vital support for democratic institutions—using humor and honest outrage.

End Message:
The MeidasTouch Podcast remains a necessary, unvarnished voice in a media environment awash in propaganda and distraction, reminding listeners, as ever, to “shout out to the Midas Mighty” and to keep pushing for truth and democracy.