The MeidasTouch Podcast – September 19, 2025

Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Main Theme:
A powerful, unflinching assessment of recent threats to American democracy—zeroing in on Donald Trump’s authoritarian attacks against free speech and media, his disastrous international leadership, and the chilling political climate surrounding the Epstein files and anti-science policy shifts. The brothers use signature wit and brotherly camaraderie to break down these complex issues, laying bare the dangers of unchecked executive power and the critical importance of defending democratic norms.

Episode Overview

• Focus:
  • Trump administration’s efforts to censor critics (notably the firing of Jimmy Kimmel from ABC, FCC pressure on media).
  • Trump’s widely ridiculed and troubling UK trip.
  • Congressional hearings on high-profile issues (Epstein files, vaccine rollbacks).
  • The larger landscape of false narratives, authoritarian creep, and media complicity.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Trump, the FCC & the Firing of Jimmy Kimmel

[01:12–35:34]

• Context: Trump administration leveraged FCC power to push TV networks (particularly Disney/ABC and affiliates like Sinclair and Nexstar) to fire Jimmy Kimmel for on-air comments critiquing MAGA rhetoric after the murder of Charlie Kirk.
• The “Offending” Kimmel Quote:
  • Kimmel mocked Trump’s lack of adult grief:
    “[Trump’s] was asked how are you mourning the death of Charlie Kirk? … This is not how an adult grieves... This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.” (14:14)
• FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr:
  • Threatened further regulatory actions, stating ominously:
    “This is just the beginning. This is just the first one to drop… I think the consequences are going to continue to flow.” (15:11)
• Analysis by Ben & Brett:
  • Noted the shift from “cancel culture” as a matter of public boycott to direct state censorship:
    “The state coming in to silence people… That is simply authoritarianism.” (20:33, Brett)
  • Called out the hypocrisy of right-wing figures, contrasting this with earlier examples (Colin Kaepernick, the Dixie Chicks):
    “There has long been a cancel culture on the right as well.” (21:54, Ben)
• Sinclair Media’s Extortion Tactics:
  • Demanded Kimmel donate to the Kirk family and Turning Point USA to be considered for reinstatement – described by the hosts as naked extortion (25:04).
  • Sinclair replaced Kimmel’s time slot with a “memorial” to Charlie Kirk, beamed nationwide.

Notable Quote:

“Jimmy Kimmel said nothing wrong. And the reaction has been an authoritarian reaction.” (15:34, Brett)

2. Authoritarian Rhetoric, Lies, and Media Enablers

[35:35–44:02]

• The brothers lambast the relentless right-wing tactic of blaming “the left” for every tragedy, irrespective of facts (29:38).
  • Example: Trump and MAGA influencers immediately assigning blame for crimes, wildfires, etc., to Democrats and marginalized groups.
• Media’s failure to fact-check and challenge outright fabrications by Trump and his allies—such as the mythical “$17 trillion” in new U.S. investment and promises of “tariff rebate checks.”
  • “All the infrastructure is there for a flood of lies, and no accountability.” (33:04, Ben)
• The cost of lies and lack of accountability:
  • The public’s memory is short; the media moves on (“nobody fact checks anymore”).

Notable Quote:

“You give [Trump] an inch, he takes a life.” (25:06, Ben)

3. Trump’s Disastrous UK Visit & International Embarrassment

[39:41–55:34]

• Trip Recap:
  • Trump visits Windsor, receives “Disney princess” royal treatment—viewed as a massive waste of taxpayer funds and a PR ploy by King Charles to sway Trump’s stance on Ukraine.
  • Public protests in London and Windsor (“No Kings” demonstrations).
  • Trump’s bizarre, incoherent, and factually incorrect press conference alongside UK PM Keir Starmer.
    • Repeated “$17 trillion” investment lie ([46:55]).
    • Brazen denials of long-standing relationships with figures implicated in the Epstein scandal (notably Lord Mandelson).
    • Scattered, confused rants about the economy, wind energy, and healthcare costs.
  • Melania described as unfathomably eccentric in appearance (“looked like the Grim Reaper with this flying saucer”).

Notable Quote:

“Seventeen trillion dollars. … It’s just stupid. It’s dangerous though. It’s a lie. And it will never be reported, like, other than here…” (47:50, Ben)
“He looks like an old catcher’s mitt… let’s just be honest, let’s just not mince words. He’s wearing blackface…” (49:24, Brett quoting editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski)

4. Congressional Hearings: Epstein Files & Vaccine Rollbacks

[55:35–80:56]

• Epstein Files:

  • FBI Director Cash Patel grilled by Rep. Eric Swalwell about Trump’s name in Epstein files.
    • Evades repeatedly, refuses to provide numbers, suggests there’s no “credible information” of Epstein trafficking women to other men ([71:13–76:21]).
    • Dismissed and rebuked by Epstein survivors for lying and covering up the truths, as confirmed by court orders instructing the government to release files.
    • Hosts highlight legal sophistry and evasion: “They use ‘credible information’ as a slide to avoid naming Trump.” (76:21)

• CDC Director Dr. Susan Monorez’s Testimony:

  • Testified that the Trump administration’s health department is pushing unsafe, anti-vaccine policies—cutting MMR and chickenpox vaccine recommendations despite lacking any data to support the change ([80:04–80:49]).
  • Decision led by anti-vax officials (notably RFK Jr.), risking the health of millions of children.
  • Ben criticizes Senator Bill Cassidy (R) for trusting such assurances and likens current GOP leadership to “killing Americans based on their anti-science, anti-medicine quackery.” (80:56)

• Implication:
  The hearings became a microcosm for the administration’s dishonesty and disregard for public safety.

Notable Quotes:

“Cash Patel clearly has that, but he actually is an imposter. Like, it’s like… his imposter syndrome is warranted.” (73:13, Brett)
“CDC had never collected the science or the data… [RFK] responded that there was no science or evidence associated with the childhood vaccine schedule.” (80:18–80:49, Dr. Monorez via Ben)

5. Broader Warnings, Stand for Democracy, and Final Call-to-Action

[81:32–85:51]

• The brothers identify two “wake-up calls” for disillusioned Trump supporters:
  • The Epstein files coverup.
  • The authoritarian crackdown on free speech.
• Stress the stakes are existential—democracy, rule of law, free press, and children’s health are on the line.
• Deliver an urgent call for solidarity and activism; urge listeners to spread the podcast and support independent, pro-democracy media.

Memorable Closing:

“Now is the time to step on the gas. … We all got to have each other’s backs. Now is the time for us to act.” (84:46, Brett)
“Thank you for everything that you’re doing. … Shout out to the Meidas Mighty.” (85:18, Jordy)

Noteworthy Moments & Quotes (w/ Timestamps)

• “You can’t hit Trump. If you want to work with the federal government.” (09:01, Trump, Air Force One audio)
• “This isn’t what we voted for. This is some of the worst censorship we have ever seen.” (15:34, Brett, on right-wing pushback)
• “If somebody says I don’t like what XYZ celebrity did or said … that’s the First Amendment at work. But the state… That right there is not the First Amendment at work. That’s the crushing of the First Amendment.” (20:33, Brett)
• “He didn’t say anything bad in the first place. He was calling for people not to blame others for the horrific attack.” (25:06, Brett, on Kimmel)
• “Just think about the massive fraud. … $17 trillion Ponzi scheme… does anybody care?” (45:55, Ben, on Trump’s fabrications)
• “Could you imagine if Biden did it? … media would not stop till they got whatever answer.” (62:13, Brett, on media double standards)
• “He is a sociopath, malignant narcissist, this perpetual liar, con artist, fraud, felon. … He’s quite literally probably the greatest con artist and fraud, definitely in the history of the country…” (67:10, Ben)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump/FCC pressure, Kimmel firing, media mergers, Sinclair: 01:12–35:34
• Blame games, media lies, lack of accountability: 29:38–38:00
• Trump’s UK trip, international embarrassment: 39:41–55:34
• Congressional hearings, Epstein files grilling, CDC vaccine testimony: 55:35–80:56
• Final call to action, standing for democracy: 81:32–85:51

Tone and Style

• Forthright, irreverent, urgent, and humorous.
  The Meidas brothers mix studied legal/media insight with passionate commentary and comic banter, maintaining an unyielding pro-democracy perspective.

Conclusion

This episode is a compelling, at times darkly comic, chronicle of a tipping point in American democracy: where state-driven censorship, government lies, and the rollback of science-based policy threaten the republic. The Meidas brothers champion truth, solidarity, and active resistance—rallying listeners to stay informed, support independent media, and fight back against creeping authoritarianism.