The MeidasTouch Podcast – Full Episode Summary: November 18, 2025

Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Air Date: November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the unraveling crises within the Trump administration, focusing on the fallout from the Epstein email dump, Trump's erratic behavior, escalating corruption scandals, the explosive developments in the James Comey case, and the deepening fractures inside the MAGA movement. The Meiselas brothers dissect the administration's legal challenges, crumbling narratives about the "golden age" under Trump, and the increasing disillusionment even among MAGA loyalists—all delivered with their trademark blend of humor and relentless fact-checking.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Epstein Email Fallout & Trump's Response

• Breaking down the latest from the Epstein email release — Trump is implicated in around 1,600 of the 2,300 released threads, many in deeply disturbing ways.
• Trump bizarrely claims he supports releasing the Epstein files, but only “if Congress votes for it,” despite having the sole power to do so.
• Trump attempts to reframe the narrative, calling the focus on him a “Democrat hoax.”

Quote:

“Donald Trump doesn't need the House to pass a resolution for him to release it. Trump can order it be released. Right now. He has that power.” – Ben [10:38]

Timestamp Highlights:

• [00:30–07:00] — Setting up the Epstein file saga, Trump's public deterioration, and threats of bipartisan mass defections if files aren’t released.
• [15:20–18:09] — Trump denies involvement with Epstein, dismisses photographic evidence, and makes dubious health claims during a press conference.

2. James Comey Case & DOJ Misconduct

• Deep dive into shocking judicial findings in the criminal case against James Comey: significant misconduct by Lindsey Halligan (Trump’s handpicked prosecutor).
• Allegations include: giving false legal instructions to a grand jury, testifying using evidence tainted by attorney-client privilege, and the possibility of a forged indictment.
• Judge Fitzpatrick finds “extraordinary circumstances” and 11 independent grounds for challenging the indictments of Comey and Letitia James.

Quote:

“This magistrate judge... made very particularized findings... Lindsey Halligan may have lied to the jury about two critical, like legal issues... That’s, again, that's unheard of.” – Ben [37:17–49:51]

Timestamp Highlights:

• [37:09–54:50] — Ben’s in-depth legal breakdown, implications for Halligan, Bondi, and the collapse of Trump’s DOJ credibility.

3. Economic Messaging: The False “Golden Age” and Policy Reversals

• Trump continues to tout a “golden age” of prosperity, despite evidence to the contrary: surging inflation, record high jobless claims, and widespread financial hardship.
• Recent move: repealing tariffs on coffee and food to supposedly help with affordability—an implicit admission that the tariffs themselves caused the problem.
• MAGA media allies struggle to keep the narrative together, with even friendly interviewers pointing out contradictions.

Quote:

“It’s literally the arsonist putting out the fire and then looking around to be like, hey, you guys gonna compliment me for putting out the fire I started?” – Jordy [64:30]

Timestamp Highlights:

• [17:47–20:18] — Food prices and golden bricks (literal gold bars) being given to Trump by foreign visitors.
• [63:20–65:31] — Trump’s cognitive dissonance on tariffs and affordability.
• [65:31–69:13] — Trump’s anti-minimum wage messaging at an “affordability” forum, protecting owner profits even as workers struggle.

4. Corruption: Gift Schemes and Foreign Influence

• Discussion of Trump's acceptance of luxury gifts—gold bars from the Swiss, a Rolex desktop clock, and the implications under the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause.
• Ongoing business deals with the Saudi royal family and projects in the Maldives while negotiating sensitive U.S. weapon sales and nuclear technology transfers.

Quote:

“If you wrote it in a script, like, what’s the most outrageous thing that somebody could give a President... A Rolex clock and a gold bar.” – Brett [20:18]

Timestamp Highlights:

• [17:47–22:12] — The Swiss gift scandal and policy favors.
• [18:09–20:18] — Real estate deals and political ramifications.

5. Cracks in the MAGA Movement

• Detailed discussion of the public split between Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene (Trump’s new nickname for her: “Marjorie Traitor Greene/Brown”).
• Growing factionalism and infighting, leading to open expressions of betrayal among even the most loyal MAGA supporters.
• Trump’s conflation of criticism with betrayal, further isolating himself.

Quote:

“It’s a circular firing squad. And Donald Trump is the one that's there to oust you from the cult, no matter what.” – Jordy [28:36]

Timestamp Highlights:

• [25:52–29:59] — MAGA infighting, Trump’s attacks on Greene, and what it reveals about loyalty in the movement.

6. Media Complicity and Evasive Tactics

• Critique of White House press interactions: reporters laughing off Trump’s “blew my stack” outburst and failing to probe his erratic, potentially dangerous behavior.
• Analysis of right-wing media personalities increasingly caught between reality and forced optimism.

Quote:

“You wouldn’t accept that from corporate America... You say, she sound like a really bad boss. But they're like, oh, Donald, just, just screaming at your staff over here. Great job, buddy.” – Brett [16:52]

Timestamp Highlights:

• [15:29–17:47] — Trump's press conference and the enabling environment.
• [64:46–78:31] — Media struggles to rationalize obvious policy failures and the administration’s lack of coherent messaging.

7. Operation Charlotte's Web: Federal Overreach

• Trump regime launches a militarized immigration enforcement surge in Charlotte, NC ("Operation Charlotte's Web"), targeting brown-skinned workers, harassing communities.
• Comparison to other urban crackdowns—hosts frame this as state-sponsored terror and a warning sign for democracy.

Quote:

“They're parodies of a parody of a bad guy in a movie... I hope and look forward one day to accountability against these terrorists and war criminals for their behavior.” – Ben [81:13]

Timestamp Highlights:

• [80:11–81:55] — Update on Charlotte operations, calls for solidarity, and condemnation of federal overreach.

Notable Quotes

• On Trump’s “Golden Age”:

  • "It's so offensive, the golden age that Trump is touting... the American people are feeling the pain that Trump has been inflicting on them." – Jordy [07:00]

• On DOJ Corruption:

  • “This could really like take down his entire department of Justice.” – Brett [49:51]

• On the Epstein Files Reluctance:

  • "Nothing is more bipartisan than this. Red, blue, it doesn't matter. The American people just want to know who." – Jordy [22:12]

Conclusion & Tone

Through a mix of legal expertise, political analysis, and biting family banter, the Meiselas brothers expose the multitude of self-inflicted wounds and systemic break-downs inside the Trump administration. The tone alternates between incredulity, righteous anger, and dark humor as they puncture the myth of Trump's “golden age,” highlight abuses of power, and track the cracks forming in the MAGA coalition—reminding listeners that the fight for democracy demands transparency, accountability, and vigilance.

For full episodes, exclusive interviews, and extended legal analysis, visit the MidasTouch YouTube channel and podcast feed.