The MeidasTouch Podcast – Episode Summary (May 20, 2025)
Host: MeidasTouch Network
Guests: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Date Released: May 20, 2025
Introduction and Context
In this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the Meiselas brothers dive deep into the current political landscape, dissecting recent actions by former President Donald Trump, media biases, and significant international developments. The episode is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with Ben Meiselas celebrating his 40th birthday, bringing a personal touch to the intense political discussions.
Top News Highlights
The podcast begins with the brothers briefly touching on their recent achievements:
- YouTube Success: The Meiselas brothers have ascended to the top of YouTube's new podcast charts, marking a significant milestone in their media presence.
- Press Events: They attended a Katie Couric interview and were present when YouTube announced their chart-topping position.
- Personal Milestones: Ben celebrates his 40th birthday, adding a celebratory note to the episode.
Quote:
Ben Meiselas [00:46]: "We've been on a whirlwind trip to New York... And now back in Los Angeles, we're back in action."
Main Discussion: Media Bias and Trump's Actions
A substantial portion of the episode centers on the brothers' critique of Donald Trump's recent activities and the perceived complicity of mainstream media in amplifying his narratives without critical analysis.
Key Points:
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Trump's Middle East Deals: The brothers argue that Trump's claims of securing monumental deals, such as a $1.2 trillion agreement with Qatar, are exaggerated or misleading. They highlight Qatar's actual GDP ($200 billion) to illustrate the implausibility of such deals.
Quote:
Ben Meiselas [08:15]: "Trump is posting weird memes of himself performing... This makes absolutely no sense."
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Media Complicity: They criticize how media outlets perpetuate Trump's statements verbatim, often without scrutiny, allowing misinformation to spread.
Quote:
Jordy Meiselas [09:35]: "The press runs with everything he says verbatim, no matter how ridiculous the numbers are."
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International Relations: The brothers discuss Trump's interactions with global leaders, emphasizing his lack of effective negotiation skills and the negative impact on America's international standing.
Quote:
Jordy Meiselas [10:45]: "India is absolutely pissed at Trump right now. It's an international embarrassment."
FEMA Response and Disaster Management
A critical segment of the podcast addresses the inadequate response of former President Trump to recent natural disasters, focusing on the lack of FEMA activation and support.
Key Points:
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St. Louis Tornadoes: Despite devastating Category 3 tornadoes resulting in 28 American deaths, Trump has not activated FEMA to assist affected states like Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana.
Quote:
Ben Meiselas [14:05]: "We need federal assistance. FEMA has not been on the ground. We do not have confirmed assistance from FEMA at this point."
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Government Agency Cuts: The brothers link Trump's actions to broader government inefficiencies, including firings within critical agencies like the NIH, CDC, and Veterans Affairs.
Quote:
Ben Meiselas [16:30]: "Trump fired the head of FEMA because he refused to dismantle the agency."
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Comparison with Biden's Response: They contrast Trump's inaction with President Biden's proactive measures in responding to disasters, highlighting Biden's swift emergency declarations and federal support.
Quote:
Jordy Meiselas [18:20]: "President Biden picks up the phone instantly, declares emergencies, coordinates support."
International Politics and Elections
The Meiselas brothers examine recent international elections, drawing parallels to the Trump effect and the global pushback against right-wing authoritarianism.
Key Points:
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Canada and Australia: Both countries witnessed surprising electoral victories for centrist and center-left parties over their conservative counterparts, defeating leaders likened to Trump's populist style.
Quote:
Ben Meiselas [62:00]: "In Canada, the Liberal Party formed a minority government, a massive upset over the Conservative leader."
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Romania and Poland: Similar trends are observed in Romania and Poland, where pro-democracy candidates triumphed over far-right contenders, signaling a global resistance against authoritarianism.
Quote:
Ben Meiselas [64:30]: "Romania rallied around the centrist, pro-EU candidate, preventing it from becoming a Putin proxy."
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China's Influence: They discuss China's strategic moves to strengthen alliances through blocs like BRICS, contrasting it with Trump's erratic foreign policy.
Quote:
Ben Meiselas [66:10]: "China hosted a conference with Latin American nations, promoting stability and countering Trump's American hegemony."
Budget Bill Analysis
A significant portion of the podcast is devoted to dissecting the latest budget bill proposed by the MAGA Republicans, which the brothers argue is fiscally irresponsible and detrimental to American social programs.
Key Points:
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Deficit Increase: The budget bill is projected to add between $4 trillion to $20 trillion to the national deficit, primarily through massive tax cuts for billionaires and dismantling social safety nets.
Quote:
Ben Meiselas [32:00]: "This bill is going to add at least $4 trillion to the deficit, possibly more."
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Cuts to Social Programs: The bill aims to gut Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), and housing assistance, risking the loss of healthcare for 13-14 million Americans.
Quote:
Ben Meiselas [34:50]: "MAGA Republicans are pushing to cut Medicaid by $880 billion, risking healthcare for millions."
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MAGA Savings Accounts: Introduction of "MAGA Baby Savings Accounts," a controversial provision likened to 401(k)s for newborns, raising concerns about prioritizing wealth accumulation over essential services.
Quote:
Brett Meiselas [34:38]: "It's essentially a 401(k) for a newborn baby called a MAGA savings account."
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Caroline Levitt's Defense: The brothers critically analyze statements from Caroline Levitt of the White House, accusing her of misleading the public about the bill’s financial impact.
Quote:
Ben Meiselas [37:30]: "Caroline Levitt claims the bill does not add to the deficit and will save $1.6 trillion, which we know is false."
President Biden's Diagnosis and Media Response
The episode also touches on President Joe Biden's serious prostate cancer diagnosis, highlighting the differing reactions between Trump and Biden regarding personal health crises.
Key Points:
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Biden's Condition: Ben sends thoughts and prayers to Biden and his family, emphasizing Biden's commendable leadership and contrasting it with Trump's dismissive and conspiratorial remarks.
Quote:
Ben Meiselas [06:34]: "We send all the positivity we can to former President Biden and his family."
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Trump’s Reaction: Trump swiftly shifts the narrative by questioning Biden's diagnosis and promoting baseless conspiracy theories, showcasing the brothers' frustration with his opportunistic behavior.
Quote:
Ben Meiselas [43:10]: "Donald Trump refers to having a score of nine on the Gleason scale as stage nine cancer. It's absurd."
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Media's Role: They critique the media for not adequately covering Biden's health with the seriousness it deserves, instead focusing on Trump’s antics and misinformation.
Quote:
Jordy Meiselas [57:00]: "When we interview Biden, he's a competent human being, but the media portrays him otherwise."
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
As the episode wraps up, the brothers reflect on the importance of truth in media and the need for genuine leadership. They express hope in global shifts towards pro-democracy candidates and reaffirm their commitment to providing unbiased, in-depth coverage of critical issues.
Key Points:
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Media Accountability: A call for the media to return to its role as the fourth estate, holding power accountable rather than serving specific political agendas.
Quote:
Ron Filipkowski [12:04]: "The press is letting the ball pass them by intentionally; it's infuriating."
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Hope for the Future: Despite the challenges, the brothers remain optimistic about the rise of centrist and pro-democracy leaders globally, seeing it as a counterbalance to authoritarian influences.
Quote:
Brett Meiselas [47:00]: "It's a shame the media antagonizes genuine leaders like Biden, but we'll continue to spread the truth."
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Community Engagement: Encouragement for listeners to support the podcast through subscriptions, reviews, and sharing to amplify their message of truth and democracy.
Quote:
Jordy Meiselas [69:00]: "Share the show, let people know about The MeidasTouch Podcast, and leave those five-star reviews."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Ben Meiselas [00:46]: "We've been on a whirlwind trip to New York... And now back in Los Angeles, we're back in action."
- Jordy Meiselas [06:29]: "Happy birthday to Ben. And not just any birthday. It is Ben's 40th birthday."
- Ben Meiselas [09:27]: "Donald Trump is securing $5 trillion... But Qatar's GDP is $200 billion."
- Jordy Meiselas [10:45]: "India is absolutely pissed at Trump right now. It's an international embarrassment."
- Ben Meiselas [14:05]: "We need federal assistance. FEMA has not been on the ground. We do not have confirmed assistance from FEMA at this point."
- Ben Meiselas [34:50]: "MAGA Republicans are pushing to cut Medicaid by $880 billion, risking healthcare for millions."
- Ben Meiselas [37:30]: "Caroline Levitt claims the bill does not add to the deficit and will save $1.6 trillion, which we know is false."
- Ben Meiselas [43:10]: "Donald Trump refers to having a score of nine on the Gleason scale as stage nine cancer. It's absurd."
- Ron Filipkowski [12:04]: "The press is letting the ball pass them by intentionally; it's infuriating."
- Jordy Meiselas [69:00]: "Share the show, let people know about The MeidasTouch Podcast, and leave those five-star reviews."
Final Remarks
The MeidasTouch Podcast continues to position itself as a critical voice in the media landscape, challenging mainstream narratives and advocating for truth and democracy. This episode underscores the brothers' dedication to uncovering and discussing pivotal issues, both domestically and internationally, while celebrating personal milestones and engaging with their loyal audience, the MeidasMighty.
For more insights and detailed discussions, tune into The MeidasTouch Podcast available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a five-star review, and join their expanding community in the fight for truthful media and democratic integrity.