The MeidasTouch Podcast Summary – Episode: "MeidasTouch Full Podcast - 2/17/25"
Release Date: February 18, 2025
1. Introduction
In this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve deep into the tumultuous first weeks of Donald Trump's administration. The brothers leverage their unique backgrounds to dissect political maneuvers, economic policies, and international relations, all while maintaining their trademark blend of humor and brotherly banter.
2. Donald Trump's Campaign Promises vs. Reality
Timestamp: [00:00] - [06:35]
Ben opens the discussion by revisiting Trump's campaign pledges, highlighting discrepancies between promises and actions. He emphasizes Trump's repeated assurances to reduce prices and broker peace in Ukraine within 24 hours, which remained unfulfilled post-election.
- Ben Meiselas [00:00]: "He said that there would be peace in Ukraine on day one... Hundreds of clips where Donald Trump said that there would be peace in Ukraine in 24 hours."
Brett questions the feasibility of these promises, leading to a broader critique of Trump's inability to deliver on foundational campaign vows.
3. Polling and Approval Ratings
Timestamp: [02:17] - [07:17]
Brett and Ben discuss the latest polling data, revealing a decline in Trump's approval ratings, especially among young voters.
- Ben Meiselas [02:27]: "Trump voters splinter over his rapid shakeup of Washington... I feel so stupid, guilty, regretful, embarrassed. It's a huge one. I am absolutely embarrassed that I voted for Donald Trump."
They note that despite an initial "honeymoon period," Trump's support is waning as his policies fail to resonate with younger demographics.
4. Trump's Actions as President
Timestamp: [06:35] - [14:11]
The brothers critique Trump's use of taxpayer money, citing his attendance at high-profile sporting events amidst severe storms.
- Ben Meiselas [06:35]: "While Kentucky and West Virginia, Virginia, Arkansas, also Tennessee, were suffering and literally underwater, Trump took the motorcade and went around in circles on the track."
Brett labels Trump's presidency with terms like "rug pull" and "paper straw," emphasizing the symbolic yet ineffective nature of his actions.
- Brett Meiselas [07:17]: "The receipts are more important than ever... It's never been more important than to flood the zone with the truth as they flood the zone with shit."
5. Global Impact and Relations
Timestamp: [14:11] - [22:03]
The focus shifts to Trump's strained relationships with European allies and his unsuccessful attempts to mediate peace between Ukraine and Russia without European or Ukrainian input.
- Ben Meiselas [17:29]: "Ukraine and Europe, the democracies in Europe, at least on one side. And now you have like Trump and Putin and Lavrov on the other side."
J.D. Vance's failed appearance at the Munich Conference serves as a case study of Trump's diminishing influence on the global stage.
6. Tax Policies and Economic Impact
Timestamp: [25:05] - [31:34]
Ben outlines Trump's massive tax cuts totaling $4.5 trillion, primarily benefiting billionaires, and predicts this will balloon the national debt by over $25 trillion in the next decade.
- Ben Meiselas [25:05]: "Donald Trump has made it very clear his priority is simply oligarchs and billionaires... $4.5 trillion tax cut in the budget for the billionaires."
The discussion underscores how these policies exacerbate economic disparities and burden future generations.
7. Trump Media and Financial Failures
Timestamp: [41:47] - [58:53]
Ben scrutinizes Trump Media’s financial instability, revealing a staggering loss of over $400 million in fiscal year 2024 against a mere $3.6 million in revenue.
- Ben Meiselas [57:46]: "Trump Media lost $400 million. $3.6 million in total revenue and it lost over $400 million."
This financial mismanagement is paralleled with Trump's broader administrative failures, painting a picture of incompetence.
8. Cryptocurrency Scams and International Implications
Timestamp: [58:35] - [66:33]
The episode tackles the rise of cryptocurrency scams linked to political figures like Argentina's Javier Marey and the failure of meme coins such as Smilania.
- Brett Meiselas [61:24]: "Javier Marey ... embroiled in a crypto scam... people are being roughed off by these greedy, grifty leaders."
This segment highlights global vulnerabilities to digital financial frauds exacerbated by political agendas.
9. Elon Musk's Influence
Timestamp: [66:33] - [75:42]
Brett and Jordy explore Elon Musk's increasing control over social media and government interactions, including his influence on platforms like Twitter and potential threats to news organizations.
- Ben Meiselas [72:50]: "Elon Musk's team is gaining access to all the private tax data... Doge is seeking access to your personal taxpayer data."
Musk's dual role as a tech mogul and political influencer is criticized for undermining democratic processes and privacy.
10. Government Layoffs and Cuts
Timestamp: [75:01] - [82:27]
The hosts condemn Trump's administration for slashing essential government services and laying off critical staff, including those at FEMA and the FAA.
- Ben Meiselas [73:43]: "Trump administration's FEMA is going to help their town out as well."
Brett underscores the national security risks posed by firing personnel responsible for nuclear weapons oversight.
11. Money in Politics and Oligarchy
Timestamp: [73:38] - [82:27]
A robust discussion unfolds on the detrimental effects of heavy money influence in politics, referencing the Citizens United decision and its legacy in empowering oligarchs.
- Brett Meiselas [72:12]: "The Citizens United decision is going to... let the oligarch class... use their money to dictate our elections."
The conversation highlights how financial power skews political representation away from the average citizen.
12. Rising Protests and Opposition
Timestamp: [08:51] - [75:42]
Ben and Brett observe a surge in public protests against Trump's policies, signaling a growing resistance movement among Americans and international observers.
- Jordy Meiselas [09:16]: "There are also massive protests today throughout the entire country... I am just standing in solidarity with all those protesters."
They emphasize the collective call for accountability and democratic integrity.
13. Conclusion and Call to Action
Timestamp: [75:42] - End
The episode wraps up with a passionate call to support independent media and engage in democratic activism. The brothers encourage listeners to subscribe to their Patreon, join exclusive Zoom meetings, and access daily summaries on Midasplus.com to stay informed and involved.
- Ben Meiselas [80:38]: "We lead with our values and our principles, with love, empathy, the truth... We'll keep fighting together every day."
They reaffirm their commitment to uniting against authoritarian tendencies and safeguarding democracy.
Notable Quotes:
-
Ben Meiselas [00:00]: "He said that there would be peace in Ukraine on day one... Hundreds of clips where Donald Trump said that would be peace in Ukraine in 24 hours."
-
Brett Meiselas [07:17]: "Now you have the receipts are more important than ever... It's never been more important than to flood the zone with the truth as they flood the zone with shit."
-
Jordy Meiselas [09:16]: "There are also massive protests today throughout the entire country... I am just standing in solidarity with all those protesters."
-
Ben Meiselas [25:05]: "Donald Trump has made it very clear his priority is simply oligarchs and billionaires... $4.5 trillion tax cut in the budget for the billionaires."
-
Brett Meiselas [72:12]: "The Citizens United decision is going to... let the oligarch class... use their money to dictate our elections."
Final Thoughts
The MeidasTouch Podcast delivers a scathing critique of the early Trump administration, intertwining hard data with fervent analysis. The brothers advocate for transparency, accountability, and the preservation of democratic values in the face of mounting political and economic challenges. Their unwavering commitment to "the truth" underscores the importance of informed citizenship and active resistance against authoritarian impulses.
For more in-depth discussions and to support their mission, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to their Patreon, engage with their community on social media, and explore their daily content on Midasplus.com.