MeidasTouch Podcast – Labor Day Edition

Date: September 2, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Main Theme:
A dynamic breakdown of the Trump administration’s recent actions, with a major focus on health transparency (or lack thereof) surrounding Donald Trump, the chaos of Trump’s tariffs, the administration’s cruelty on immigration, the global perception of American leadership, and the administration’s relationship with the truth. With signature brotherly banter and humor, the Meiselas brothers call for honesty, accountability, and a fact-based approach to governance in the face of mounting propaganda and dysfunction.

Episode Overview

The MeidasTouch Labor Day Special offers a wide-ranging, passionate analysis of pressing political developments, from Trump’s (possibly failing) health to his administration's impact on the economy, foreign relations, and foundational democratic norms. The brothers blend legal expertise, TV producer polish, and advertising instincts in their unique blend of news, comedy, and advocacy for democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Donald Trump’s Health and Media Coverage (00:57–12:11)

• Proof-of-Life Speculation:
  Trump has not appeared live on camera for several days, only via distant or suspiciously old photographs. The brothers question claims from the White House that Trump is healthy, pointing to visible physical decline and noting that all public images are either old or at long-range, “as if somebody’s like spotting Bigfoot” (06:34, Brett).

• Media Double Standard:
  The brothers point out the contrast with past media frenzies around Biden’s coughs and supposed Parkinson’s (09:39), highlighting the lack of similar scrutiny over Trump’s evident issues.
  Quote:
  “We need to know why nearly 80 year old Donald Trump is literally covering up an illness from the American people.” – Ben (08:11).

• Calls for Accountability:
  Calls on journalists to demand daily transparency, referencing viral footage of Trump’s inability to walk in a straight line at a meeting with Putin (09:39).
  Quote:
  “The American people need transparency, which we know we’re for sure as hell never gonna get from the Trump regime.” – Ben (09:00).

2. Trump’s Information Manipulation and Social Media Gaslighting (12:11–16:59)

• Disinformation Campaigns:
  The administration repeatedly posts QAnon content and makes “grotesque, illogical and incoherent” statements, all while media outlets like Fox News jump to defend or distract (13:11).

• Example:
  Trump posts a QAnon meme: “The world will soon understand, nothing can stop what is coming” (13:11).

• Fact-Checking Tariff Claims:
  The brothers dissect Trump’s wild claims—such as bringing in “$15 trillion” via tariffs (16:17)—contrasting these numbers with actual trade/import figures.
  “The lies are so preposterous that it almost feels ridiculous fact-checking it.” – Jordy (16:59).

3. America’s Global Standing Erodes (18:51–22:45)

• World Leaders Mock the U.S.:
  Relays video of Xi Jinping, Modi, and Putin laughing together, noting, “the world is quite literally laughing at us right now”(18:51). U.S. isolation grows amid trade chaos and anti-alliance policies.

• Shifting Alliances:
  Nations as diverse as India, Japan, and Brazil start moving away from U.S. partnerships, incentivized by erratic leadership and damaging tariff policies.

4. The Tariffs Disaster and Unchecked Executive Authority (29:10–38:16; 58:28–64:20)

• Blanket Tariffs & Judicial Pushback:
  A recent federal appeals court (7:4 decision) ruled Trump’s use of emergency powers to declare reciprocal tariffs unlawful. The core argument: Congress—not the president—controls the power to tax/tariff (58:28).

  Quote/Explanation:
  “The court says that the power to tariff is the power of Article 1 of the Constitution, which is Congress, because Congress has the power to tax and tariffs are taxes.” – Ben (58:28).

• Tariffs “By Vibe”:
  Emphasize Trump’s approach is arbitrary, based on personal grievances, not strategic logic.
  Quote:
  “It’s like he’s picking out of a hat the countries and the tariffs and the percentages…” – Ben (64:20).

• Backlash & Blowback:
  Canadian boycotts, declining exports, falling foreign investment, disarray in global trade—all tied to the administration’s impetuous moves (62:26–64:20).

5. Cruelty as Policy: Immigration and Orphan Deportations (00:57–01:55, 72:33–76:43)

• Guatemalan Orphans:
  The administration attempted to secretly deport 600 Guatemalan orphans (ages 10–16) in the middle of the night. A federal judge blocked the move, noting the severe harm the children could face.

  Quote:
  “The cruelty is the point. …It is so despicable to see that being done in the name of the United States.” – Brett (00:57)

6. Normalizing Corruption, Nepotism, and Authoritarian Style (31:08–39:21; 39:21–43:33)

• Comparisons to Dictatorships:
  Extensive critique of the Trumpic fixation on authority, loyalty, and propaganda—citing examples like the Labor Department draping Trump’s face over the building and “King Jong Un level” cabinet praise fests.

• Nepotism:
  Lara Trump interviewing the Secretary of Treasury on Trump’s media empire is likened to Saddam Hussein’s children running Iraqi media (39:21).

7. Disconnection from Working People & Labor Day Irony (32:44–38:16)

• Secretary of Labor:
  Labor Secretary Laurie Chavez Darimer doesn’t support the major union legislation (the PRO Act), yet celebrates Labor Day and hosts a giant Trump poster reveal.

  Quote:
  “That’s not getting anything done for labor. That’s trying to suck up to Donald Trump and putting up this dictator style banner in front of the department.” – Jordy (33:23)

8. Policy by Emergency & Erosion of Democratic Institutions (33:23–39:11)

• Abuse of “Emergency” Powers:
  Trump repeatedly declares “emergencies” to assert rule-by-decree, circumventing Congress, particularly regarding tariffs and military interventions.

• Dangerous Precedent:
  The brothers warn this sets up future leaders to claim unchecked power, undermining the constitutional framework.

9. Real-World Impact: Economic Damage and Harm to MAGA Base (50:03–55:04, 65:26–76:43)

• Farmers & Small Business Owners Hurt:
  U.S. farmers lose markets as trading partners retaliate; small businesses suffer from price increases caused by tariffs.

• Low-Income & Rural Housing:
  Trump cuts critical housing grants that disproportionately aided his own supporters—“85% of the homes built out of this grant were MAGA homes” (72:33).

• Willful Ignorance:
  Supporters struggle with cognitive dissonance, voting for the administration even as it harms their livelihoods.

10. Epstein Files & Lack of Transparency (76:43–79:42)

• Stonewalling on Pedophilia Files:
  The administration claims transparency by dumping irrelevant or already-public files instead of the requested Epstein documents.

  Quote:
  “If MAGA Mike doesn’t want to get the truth out there, we’ll do our best to get the truth out there.” – Jordy (79:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We’re getting these photos of Donald Trump as if somebody’s like spotting Bigfoot…” – Brett (06:34)
• “It’s quintessential con artist… But the money is nowhere keeping up with the deficit. The deficit is at record highs. The debt is at record highs.” – Jordy (29:10, 33:23)
• “[Trump] posts QAnon memes. No, that should be disqualifying behavior right there.” – Brett (13:11)
• “The American people need transparency, which we know we’re for sure as hell never gonna get from the Trump regime.” – Ben (09:00)
• “That video of all of Donald Trump’s team just paying him the most absurd Kim Jong Un style level of compliments in that meeting—you really have to take a step back and say, this modern day Republican Party…these politicians are the most pathetic and spineless ‘leaders’ that have ever, quite frankly, existed…” – Ben (38:16)
• “It’s why you don’t tariff by vibes, right? …You need substance.” – Ben (64:20)
• “If we brought in $8 trillion, why would we need to raise our debt ceiling by $5 trillion? …Shouldn’t that go and tell you right away that they’re lying?” – Brett (39:21)
• “Literally moved Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimum security facility. They’ve rewarded her with immunity. They’re dangling a potential pardon for her.” – Brett (76:43)

Timestamps of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |---------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 00:57 | Start of main show/Labor Day context | | 01:55 | Trump health rumors and proof-of-life issues | | 06:04 | Brett commentary on media coverage | | 08:11 | Calls for transparency; media double standards | | 12:28 | Fox News & Newsom drama over Trump’s cognition | | 16:11 | Fact-checking Trump’s “tariff” numbers | | 18:51 | World leaders laugh at U.S.; isolation grows | | 29:10 | Trump as con artist; Labor Day performative politics | | 32:44 | Secretary of Labor and anti-worker policies | | 38:16 | Trumpism as authoritarian cult, not political party | | 58:28 | Key court opinion: Trump’s tariff authority slammed | | 64:20 | “Tariffs by Vibe”/international reputation | | 72:33 | Real-world impact: hurting farmers, housing cuts | | 76:43 | Epstein files, lies, and dodges | | 79:42 | Midas Health initiative plug and Canada launch |

MidasTouch Network Initiatives & Closing

• Midas Health Initiative:
  Launching a “shadow CDC” through the podcast, with Dr. Vin Gupta leading crucial health conversations and interviews with top public health officials.

• Global Expansion:
  Announcing Midas Canada launch (hosted by Charlie Angus), with plans for further international expansions to spread pro-democracy values and fact-based coverage.
  Quote:
  “The expansion is real, folks… it’s an information war.”

Final Thoughts

The MeidasTouch brothers condemn the normalization of lies, cruelty, and autocratic tendencies at the heart of Trump’s administration, highlighting the corrosive impacts on America’s democracy, economy, and global standing. They urge transparency, fact-based governance, and civic engagement, all wrapped in their sharp humor and “Midas Mighty” brotherly camaraderie.

“Things are not okay. …We’re already the victims. …He hasn’t erased inflation. People are suffering out there. …Things are not improving. And he goes, ‘Problem solved! I did it, everybody.’ And people are like, ‘Now what the hell are you talking about?’” – Brett (22:58)

For more: Subscribe to the MeidasTouch Podcast, Midas Canada, and follow their expansion for relentless fact-based news and pro-democracy advocacy.