MeidasTouch Full Podcast – September 23, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers—Ben, Brett, and Jordy—deliver a passionate, often humorous but urgent analysis of American political dysfunction under the Trump administration in 2025. The show’s central theme is the increasing normalization and weaponization of dangerous rhetoric, blatant disinformation, authoritarian tactics, and corporate complicity in a period the hosts deem "the most traumatic timeline in modern American history." Key topics include Trump’s incendiary Tylenol/autism press conference, exploitation of tragedies, attacks on public health and democracy, the media’s failure, economic realities, and the importance of moral clarity and activism.
Main Topics and Key Moments
1. Setting the Scene: “A New Version of Hell”
[06:57–09:31]
- Ben recaps several wild Trump events, culminating in a press conference spreading medical conspiracies about autism, Tylenol, and vaccines.
- Expresses disgust at the firing of experts, attack on free speech (Jimmy Kimmel’s firing and return), and overt corruption (Tom Homan’s cash bribe).
- Points out the GOP’s deliberate government shutdown plans and the country’s economic pain.
- Quote (Ben, 05:38):
“If you’re an American and you’re not humiliated, then you have no shame or you’re so brainwashed that you have no clue what the hell is even going on.”
2. Anxiety, Shared Struggle, and Empathy
[09:31–11:06]
- Jordy stresses collective trauma, exhaustion, and the need for facts, data, and empathy. The brothers highlight their ongoing “Midas Health” series with Dr. Vin Gupta to combat misinformation.
- Quote (Jordy, 09:32):
“We’re all collectively living through one of the most traumatic timelines in modern day American history. ... Empathy should not be a dirty word, and experts should not be a dirty word either.”
3. The Call for Moral Clarity and Leadership
[11:06–16:34]
- Ben urges acting from values, not short-term transactionalism. Laments labor unions hedging on Trump, underlines the necessity of calling out specific sources of disinformation—namely Trump himself.
- Reads the statement from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists directly rebutting Trump’s Tylenol-autism claims, but criticizes failure to name Trump as the problem.
- Quote (Ben, 11:06):
“We need to speak with moral clarity ... what Trumpism represents is short-term transactional gain.”
4. Trump’s Oval Office Medical Disinformation
[16:35–22:34]
- Play-by-play of Trump’s press conference:
- Calls Tylenol dangerous for pregnant women; links it to autism with no scientific basis.
- Invokes “the Amish don’t get autism” conspiracy; mangles medical terms (“Akamata Matafin,” “acid menophen”).
- Cites rumors about Cuba’s low autism rates due to lack of Tylenol, peddles falsehoods about vaccines.
- Quoting Trump directly ([17:15, 18:10, 19:03, 19:46]):
- “Don’t take Tylenol. ... If you’re pregnant, don’t take Tylenol and don’t give it to the baby.”
- “There are certain groups of people ... don’t take vaccines ... have no autism. ... The Amish, as an example, they have essentially no autism.”
- “The FDA will be notifying physicians that the use of a sediment—well, let’s see how we say that—acid, menophen, acetaminophen ... is associated with increased risk of autism.”
- “There’s a rumor ... in Cuba ... they have virtually no autism.”
- Brett and Jordy react with alarm and scorn, drawing parallels to Trump’s COVID bleach comments and outlining the catastrophic consequences of anti-vaccine rhetoric.
5. Exploiting Tragedy and Demolishing Norms
[22:34–26:35]
- Discussion of the Kirk memorial turned political rally/hate rally, with Trump unapologetically declaring, “I hate my opponents. I don’t want the best for them.”
- Quote (Trump, 39:22):
“That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them.” - Brett: Highlights the shift from previous GOP figures at least rejecting blatant conspiracy-mongering (McCain/Obama “Arab” moment) to the current era where top leaders amplify conspiracies.
- Jordy: Describes the “predatory” tone of Trump towards pregnant women.
6. The Role and Failure of Media
[47:18–50:26]
- The brothers criticize corporate outlets for normalizing and sanitizing Trump’s unhinged rhetoric, especially CBS’s coverage of the Kirk event which ignored the hateful content.
- Media’s pursuit of “balance” enables extremism to flourish; likened to playing “the mob’s” games.
- Quote (A, 47:54):
“They make it sound like it’s a legitimate thing, which is the issue.”
7. Economy and Authoritarian Grift
[33:05–35:15, 72:26–77:29]
- Breakdown of recessionary conditions in manufacturing/construction, tech billionaires supporting Trump for AI/data center deregulation, and market bubbles.
- Trump’s attacks on California and defense of authoritarian leaders abroad are explored.
- “Magnificent Seven” tech giants hoisting up a fragile market, job losses, and Trump’s mismanagement compared to previous presidents.
- Discussion of the looming government shutdown and sabotage of health care programs.
8. Scandals, Corruption, and Authoritarian Moves
[59:00–64:14]
- Tom Homan, Trump’s “border czar,” allegedly caught on tape accepting $50,000 in cash; Trump admin’s typical cover-up playbook (“deny and hide the tapes”).
- Direct attacks on political opponents via DOJ moves, likened to fascism/unprecedented corruption.
- Reference to “more Watergates every day”—normalizing the unacceptable.
9. Authoritarian Alliances and Attacks on Democracy
[64:15–71:12]
- U.S. sanctions on Brazil’s Supreme Court judge’s wife after Bolsonaro’s conviction, tariffs on Brazil for prosecuting their insurrectionist ex-president, and subsidies for Argentina’s failed far-right regime.
- Stark contrast between prosperous, pluralistic blue states (e.g., California) subsidizing red states modeled after failing autocracies, yet themselves under constant attack.
10. Media Censorship, Corporate Capitulation, and Resistance
[71:12–82:10]
- ABC/Disney’s firing (and rehiring) of Jimmy Kimmel in response to Trump regime pressure; right-wing conglomerates (Sinclair, Nexstar) refusing to air Kimmel; debate over whether this is a win or a warning.
- Quote (A, 80:51):
“Your voice still matters. ... It just shows you that you still have this power. So take the small wins and use it.” - The importance of using collective pressure, boycotts, and public advocacy to fight corporate capitulation and defend free speech.
Memorable Quotes & Timestamps
- Ben ([05:38]): “If you’re an American and you’re not humiliated, then you have no shame or you’re so brainwashed that you have no clue what the hell is even going on.”
- Jordy ([09:32]): “We’re all collectively living through one of the most traumatic timelines in modern day American history. ... Empathy should not be a dirty word, and experts should not be a dirty word either.”
- Ben ([11:06]): “We need to speak with moral clarity ... what Trumpism represents is short-term transactional gain.”
- Trump ([17:15]): “Don’t take Tylenol. ... If you’re pregnant, don’t take Tylenol and don’t give it to the baby.”
- Trump ([39:22]): “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them.”
- Brett ([80:51]): “Your voice still matters. ... It just shows you that you still have this power. ... They are not as powerful as they are pretending to be. The people have the power. We just have to use it.”
Important Segments & Timestamps
- Trump’s medical misinformation recap: [01:27–05:38]
- Empathy, expert trust, and the health series: [09:01–10:37]
- Reading OB-GYN statement, naming the problem: [14:00–16:34]
- Clips/analysis of Trump’s press conference: [16:35–21:19]
- Kirk event turned hate rally: [39:22–45:55]
- Corporate media complicity/failure: [47:18–50:26]
- Tom Homan bribery scandal: [59:00–64:14]
- Global authoritarian alliances/Economic policy: [64:15–71:12]
- Jimmy Kimmel & media boycotts: [71:12–82:10]
Final Reflections and Takeaways
- The Meiselas brothers urge listeners to maintain moral clarity, reject normalization of authoritarian and conspiratorial conduct, and act as citizens, not just observers.
- Key themes: Stay informed, use your voice, value empathy and expertise, push back against normalization of fascism, and defend democratic principles.
- Their signature style of sharp, comedic banter underscores the seriousness of the moment while reminding the audience they are not alone—the “Midas Mighty” is in the fight together.
Further Engagement
- Midas Health series with Dr. Vin Gupta: available on YouTube, podcast feeds, and their Substack.
- Join the conversation: Patreon and YouTube memberships, Substack daily recaps, and exclusive content.
Summary faithfully captures the impassioned, direct, and sardonic tone of the hosts, providing an engaging, thorough recap for listeners who missed this vital episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast.