MeidasTouch Podcast – Thanksgiving Special (Full Episode, 11/28/25)

Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Date: November 28, 2025

Episode Overview

The MeidasTouch brothers deliver a Thanksgiving-themed episode centered on gratitude, resilience, and America’s pro-democracy movement. They reflect on the nation’s challenges and progress since the previous Thanksgiving, contrast past presidential leadership with the current Trump administration, and unpack the latest developments in politics, economics, and the right-wing media ecosystem. The brothers blend heartfelt thanks with sharp, data-driven political analysis and signature brotherly banter, inviting their loyal listeners—the “Meidas Mighty”—to their metaphorical Thanksgiving table.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gratitude and the Power of Community (02:48–08:41)

• Thankfulness for Listeners & Community:
  • Ben opens with heartfelt gratitude: “We here at the Midas Touch Network are thankful for you. We're thankful for your resilience. … Your perseverance is never giving up, never caving and helping us not just build this network, but help us build what's become a movement of independent media replacing the corporate news that has capitulated and bent the knee.” (02:48)
  • Brett emphasizes the constructive attitude despite difficult times: “From the ashes, we build. … we build a strong pro democracy coalition, a strong pro democracy news network that believes in the truth and disseminating that truth as far and wide as possible.” (06:29)
  • Jordy praises the relentless support from the “Meidas Mighty,” echoing gratitude and resolve: “You guys care about this country. You care about what's happening, and you don't think it's right, and heck, you know it's not right.” (07:56)

2. Reflections on Presidential Leadership and Decency (08:41–16:49)

• The Importance of Humility in Leadership:
  • Ben recalls the Obama years, playing a compilation of Obama’s Thanksgiving messages, highlighting themes of humility, service, and national unity.
  • Ben draws a sharp contrast to Trump: “Could you ever imagine an image of Donald Trump at a food bank serving people food?“ (11:58)
  • Ben critiques the departure from tradition and dignity in the Trump era:
    • Recalls Ronald Reagan’s quote at his library: “There’s no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets credit.” (15:41)
    • Contrasts Obama’s humility with Trump’s crude public statements, including direct attacks and offensive “jokes” during public events.

Memorable Quote

• Ben on the symbolism of modest presidential traditions:
  “The White House is not supposed to have golden ballrooms. ... it's a humble abode ... The president is not above the people. The president is supposed to be with the people." (11:58)

3. Culture of Division and the Trump Era (16:49–25:16)

• Discussing Political Division:
  • Brett calls out the right-wing media narrative:
    “They live in some alternate reality where I guess they're force-fed this Fox News and this right wing propaganda garbage and they regurgitate it … Since Donald Trump appeared on the political scene, we are seeing all of this division, we are seeing all of this chaos that people are suffering because of.” (16:49)
  • Jordy links Trump’s behavior to broader societal attitudes:
    “Attitude reflects leadership, Captain. And so when you have Donald Trump up there just dividing the country ... it trickles down to the base.” (19:49)
• International Context:
  • Ben connects US authoritarian trends to global far-right movements (Orban in Hungary, Le Pen in France, etc.) (21:31–25:12)

Notable Moment

• A playful “quote-off” among the brothers, with Ben drawing from “1984” and Eugene Victor Debs to illustrate authoritarian manipulation of language and patriotism.

4. Economic Reality vs. Political Spin (30:14–39:51)

• Debunking Inflation Narratives:
  • Ben exposes false claims about falling Thanksgiving costs and inflation under Trump:
    “Everything he said was false. Quite literally, every word in that was false. Thanksgiving is more expensive. The price of turkey is more expensive. ... If we want to have an objective analysis here...” (32:45)
  • Brett and Jordy discuss misinformation, referencing Walmart’s “cheaper Thanksgiving meal” as a manipulated metric (removing items, switching to generics).
  • Brett: “You can't lie to people about something they're experiencing in their daily lives. ... Turkeys are at least 25% more costly this year than last year.” (33:14)
  • The audience is urged to see through blatant gaslighting.

Memorable Analogy

• Ben: “On last year’s Walmart list, they listed, and I’m making this up, three Mercedes … this year, they list one used Toyota and they go, okay, look, the price went down. ... It's like, no, you're a sociopath.” (35:17)

5. Polling Data and Shifts in Political Momentum (37:27–42:34)

• Polls Show Democratic Enthusiasm and GOP Troubles:
  • Harry Enten (CNN analyst) segments highlight brutal polling for Trump and the GOP (net approvals, generic ballots, Latino voter shifts).
    • “Democrats up by five points. … among those certain to vote, a nine point advantage ... huge Democratic enthusiasm.” (39:31)
    • Dramatic shift among Latino voters: “Latinos, Destiny despise, hate Donald Trump, 38 points underwater.” (39:54)
  • Ben, Brett, and Jordy banter about Enten’s style as a relatable, energetic New Yorker.

6. Healthcare Policy & Trump’s Unfulfilled Promises (42:34–56:22)

• Failing the ACA and Health Care Lies:
  • Ben details Trump’s refusal to extend ACA subsidies, despite rising insurance costs and mass drop-offs in coverage. “Trump was asked on Air Force One, ‘Are you planning to extend those subsidies?’ ‘I’d rather not.’ ... What is your plan?” (42:34)
  • Replay of Trump’s 2020 “two weeks” healthcare promise and its never-materialized results.
  • “How is that not disqualifying?” Ben asks pointedly. (45:54)
  • Brett summarizes: “You could either support people and make sure that they don't go bankrupt due to medical bills or you could not support them and have people suffer …” (53:55)
  • Jordy highlights Trump’s visible cognitive decline and inability to answer questions logically in recent years.

Notable Quote

• Ben: “He’s a bad guy. He’s a con artist. That’s it. Liar, horrible person. And that’s what we need to move beyond. That’s—we can’t normalize that. We need people with dignity being leaders, Democrats or Republicans or independents or some other party that forms in the future. I just want people with dignity who actually respect our constitution ...” (45:54–49:43)

7. Trump, Racism, and the G20 Snub (56:22–61:55)

• Ben calls out the coded racism behind attacks on Obama:
  “When Donald Trump says or MAGA says that former President Barack Obama was the most divisive president in history, what they really are trying to say … is that he was the blackest president in history.”
• Trump’s international isolation:
  • Ben breaks down Trump’s snub of the G20 summit in South Africa, the resultant international disrespect, and the reckless rhetoric about “banning” South Africa from the G20 in 2026.

8. Washington D.C. Shooting & Failed Counterterrorism (61:55–66:34)

• Shooting Details and FBI Dysfunction:
  • Ben covers the background of the Afghan shooter, his work with the CIA, and the asylum process under Trump (“Trump gave this guy asylum in April of 2025”).
  • Explains how Trump has “destroyed” the FBI’s counterterrorism division by appointing unqualified personnel:
    “All of our main counterterrorism people have been pushed out. … the FBI warned that their capabilities had been destroyed.”
• Lack of Accountability:
  • When questioned, administration officials like Cash Patel deflect responsibility, refusing to provide details.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Mysella (On Thanksgiving & Civil Society):
  "The president is not above the people. The president is supposed to be with the people… It’s a statement of simplicity, of humbleness, of walking soft but carrying a big stick, not being obnoxious and loud and fraud, but ultimately being a paper tiger and weak, which is what this Trump regime is." (11:58)

• Brett Meiselas (On Political Division):
  "Why is our politics so... charged? ... exhibit A, okay, listen to Donald Trump. Literally anything he says—it comes from the top. That is exactly what we are seeing. ... Enough is enough. We are all Americans here. Let's stop this BS." (16:49)

• Jordy Meiselas (Quote-Off):
  "Attitude reflects leadership, Captain. ... Donald Trump says things at the podium that kids in middle school would be suspended for saying." (19:49)

• Ben Mysella (On Gaslighting):
  "On last year’s Walmart list, they listed... three Mercedes. … this year, they list one used Toyota and they go, okay, look, the price went down. ... Stop telling me it was one thing the other year and it's one thing this year." (35:17)

• Ben Mysella (On Healthcare):
  "Liar. Horrible person. ... That's just what bad people do. Like, we don't have to sometimes look for it. Oh, I wonder. No, no, no, no. He's bad to his core." (45:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Opening & Thanks | Gratitude for Meidas Mighty, reflecting on progress | 02:48–08:41 | | Leadership & Decency | Obama’s Thanksgiving, contrasting presidential dignity | 08:41–16:49 | | Trump-Era Division | Rhetoric, media, quote-off, leadership matters | 16:49–25:16 | | Economic Gaslighting | Thanksgiving inflation lies, Walmart example, polling data | 30:14–39:51 | | Latino Voter Shift | Harry Enten analysis, Democratic enthusiasm, polling segments | 39:31–42:34 | | Healthcare Policy | Trump’s empty ACA promises, rising costs, party obstruction | 42:34–56:22 | | G20 & Racism | Snubbing Africa summit, underlying racism in Trump/Obama criticism | 56:22–61:55 | | DC Shooting & FBI | Shooter background, counterterrorism failures under Trump | 61:55–66:34 | | Closing Thanks | Community appreciation, plans for future content | 66:34–70:04 |

Closing Remarks & Tone

The brothers reaffirm support for their community and the pro-democracy cause, expressing both concern and hope for America’s future. The episode closes with thanks and a rallying call for continued engagement and resistance to authoritarian gaslighting. The tone throughout alternates between warm, familial gratitude and sharp, unapologetic critique of the current administration’s actions and ethics.

If you missed the episode:
This Thanksgiving special provides a candid appraisal of America’s political landscape, an honest indictment of propaganda and authoritarian tactics, and an uplifting celebration of democracy and MeidasTouch’s people-powered movement. The brothers’ mix of humor, righteous anger, and genuine gratitude makes for an engaging, accessible recap of 2025’s most pressing civic issues—perfect for both longtime listeners and new arrivals at the "Thanksgiving table."