MeidasTouch Full Podcast - October 7, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers—Ben, Brett, and Jordy—break down the latest in U.S. politics, focusing on the government shutdown fight, health care, media narratives, and the battle over truth and disinformation. With their signature mix of political insight, sharp critique, and hilarious brotherly banter, the brothers celebrate what they see as a shift in political messaging—where truth and transparency are having an impact against the GOP’s traditional playbook. The conversation spans from dissecting Donald Trump's claims about health care and war, to in-depth discussion on propaganda tactics, to firsthand descriptions of on-the-ground actions in cities like Portland and Chicago. The episode underscores the role of independent media and the mobilization of their MeidasMighty community.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. A Shift in Political Messaging: Democrats on Offense

• Democrats' Messaging: The brothers highlight what they perceive as a reversal in the usual media dynamic: Democrats are effectively driving the narrative, staying on message about the real impacts of the government shutdown—especially the urgent need to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.
  • “They [Republicans] are losing the messaging war and for once truth seems to be dominating the discussion that’s showing up in the polls…” – Ben (04:03)
• Republicans’ Response: GOP figures like “MAGA Mike” Johnson and Donald Trump appear defensive and disorganized, unable to effectively counter the Democrats’ messaging.
  • “Gone is the pep in their step and they’re basically looking really weak.” – Ben (04:10)

Notable Quote

“I have never been happier to eat my own words, Brothers and Midas Mighty... The Dems are winning this messaging battle. The Republican Party has never looked more disorganized, more disjointed, and that says a lot for them.”
— Jordy (06:33)

2. The Substance of the Shutdown: Health Care and ACA Subsidies

• Crux of the Debate: The brothers underscore the practical consequences of expiring ACA subsidies, emphasizing the projected dramatic increase in health insurance premiums for ordinary Americans:
  • “If you were paying $541 a month… in 2026, you’re going to be paying $2,180 a month.” – Ben (07:59)
• Republicans' Deflections: GOP attempts to make the shutdown about immigration or other social issues are called out as distractions from the real economic impacts.
• Transparency and Negotiation: Democrats have repeatedly called for public negotiations, while GOP leaders avoid open discussion.
  • “We’re here, we showed up to work. We want to do this in public.” – Ben (11:56)

Notable Quote

“You can’t buy into that framework because… when you play with pigs in the mud, you’re always going to get dirty. You’re not going to win by playing in Donald Trump and MAGA’s framing.”
— Ben (07:44)

3. Disinformation, Propaganda, and Media Critique

• Lies vs. Reality: The brothers call out Trump’s pattern of making grandiose, often easily disproven claims—ranging from cutting drug prices by “2000%,” to making peace deals and ending wars, to the promise of mysterious “med bed” cancer cures.
  • “Don’t listen to the words of a con man. Don’t listen to the words of a liar.” — Brett (15:58)
• Media’s Complicity: Frustration is expressed at mainstream media for uncritically reporting Trump’s statements while fact-checking Democrats far more aggressively.
  • “Why are you taking this guy’s word for it when all the evidence… should lead you to the opposite conclusion?” — Brett (15:53)

Notable Moment

Re: Trump’s claims about war:

“He says, I solved the war between Albania and Azerbaijan, so then the leaders… mock Donald Trump and laugh in his face.”
— Ben (39:43)

4. Inside the GOP: Dysfunction and the Artifice of Power

• MAGA Mike and GOP Leadership: The podcast scrutinizes the performance of Speaker Mike Johnson, noting the tension and confusion as messaging conflicts come directly from Trump and the party’s negative reaction to transparency.
  • “It’s like every time Mike Johnson opens his mouth now, it just feels like a little part of his soul is leaving his body…” — Jordy (47:37)
• Admitting Propaganda Tactics:
  • “Repetition is the key to this. People are starting to recognize…” — Maga Mike Johnson (45:31)

Notable Quote

“His ability to just lie and lie and lie, I mean, it just… It’s so disgraceful, especially for somebody who positions himself as… a good, Christian, honest man.”
— Brett (46:22)

5. Portland & Chicago: Manufacturing Chaos for Media

• Government Overreach: The team highlights recent federal actions using ICE and National Guard to stage military-style raids—complete with film crews—intended to create the appearance of urban chaos.
  • “ICE agents, militarized vehicles, engaging in chemical warfare against United States citizens…” — Ben (64:41).
• On-the-Ground Reality vs. Narrative: Protests are largely peaceful—sometimes even whimsical (e.g., “doing the cha cha slide”)—contrasting with the administration’s attempt to depict “war zones.”
  • “You see the protests… there’s a guy dressed up in a frog costume… they’re doing dances… it’s all very peaceful.” — Brett (37:18)
• Legal Resistance: Reports on local officials and judges pushing back against federal overreach, e.g., Oregon AG and Trump-appointed judge refusing to federalize the National Guard.

Notable Quote

“Donald Trump’s deranged depiction of Chicago as a hellhole war zone… was just complete BS.”
— Governor JB Pritzker (62:59)

6. Calls to Action, Hope, and the Role of Independent Media

• Emphasis on Truth and Participation: The brothers stress the impact that accurate messaging and grassroots mobilization can have, encouraging their audience to stay informed and continue using independent media as a counter to mainstream narratives.
  • “We are showing the power right now… of what happens when independent media rises up and meets the moment.” — Brett (48:10)
• Protecting Democracy: Ben closes with an optimistic note on American resilience and inclusivity, despite ongoing struggles:
  • “I believe in America. I really do. I believe in our Constitution… That’s what I get up every single day with my brothers… and try to accomplish.” — Ben (65:10)

Notable Quote

“Stay in the fight for democracy together.” — Ben (68:20)

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• [04:10] Ben: “Gone is the pep in their step and they’re basically looking really weak.”
• [06:33] Jordy: “I have never been happier to eat my own words… The Dems are winning this messaging battle…”
• [07:44] Ben: “You can’t buy into that framework… you’re always going to get dirty.”
• [11:56] Ben: “We’re here, we showed up to work. We want to do this in public…”
• [15:58] Brett: “Don’t listen to the words of a con man. Don’t listen to the words of a liar.”
• [19:06] Ben: “A Trump appointed federal judge in Portland, Oregon… issued a restraining order against the Trump regime on Saturday, blocking the deployment…”
• [39:43] Ben: “He says, I solve the war between Albania and Azerbaijan, so then the leaders… mock Donald Trump…”
• [45:31] MAGA Mike Johnson: “Repetition is the key to this. People are starting to recognize…”
• [46:22] Brett: “Mr. Transparent, the one who’s refusing to gavel in… He’s got the worst poker face…”
• [47:37] Jordy: “It just feels like a little part of [Mike Johnson’s] soul is leaving his body every time he speaks…”
• [62:59] Governor JB Pritzker: “Donald Trump’s deranged depiction of Chicago as a hellhole war zone… was just complete BS.”
• [65:10] Ben: “I believe in America… as a whole, I believe in America. I really do. I believe in our Constitution.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Democrats Win the Messaging Battle | 04:00–08:00 | | ACA Subsidies: Real-World Examples | 07:30–12:00 | | Trump Press Conference & Health Care Lies | 22:48–25:25 | | Media Responsibility & Fact-Checking | 15:15–17:58 | | Manufactured Chaos: ICE & National Guard | 19:06–22:48, 63:48–65:10 | | MAGA Mike Johnson Pressers & Propaganda | 45:14–47:59 | | Gov. Pritzker Responds to Chicago “Invasion” | 62:59–64:41 | | Closing Remarks: Hope, Democracy, & Action | 65:10–68:27 |

Conclusion: The Battle for Truth and Democracy

The brothers bring their signature energy, emotion, and analysis to drive home their central message: standing up for democracy means harnessing truth, countering lies with evidence, and refusing to fight on the opposition’s terms. Whether dissecting Trump’s wild claims, exposing GOP hypocrisy, or celebrating the impact of the MeidasMighty community, the episode serves as a rallying cry for engagement and sustained activism.

“We are showing the power right now… of what happens when independent media rises up and meets the moment.”
— Brett (48:10)

Next Episode Tease:
Ben announces an exclusive interview with Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, promising to press on Trump’s claims about ongoing negotiations.

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• Shoutout: “Shout out to the Midas Mighty!” (68:27)

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