MeidasTouch Full Podcast – September 26, 2025

Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordi Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast centers on the looming U.S. government shutdown and the broader implications of Trump-era governance, authoritarian overreach, the erosion of democracy, and the manipulation of public opinion through disinformation. The Meiselas brothers blend their signature comedic banter with a serious, fact-based critique of contemporary politics, especially focusing on how Trump is steering the U.S. toward an increasingly autocratic model, its effects on policy and public discourse, and the media’s failure to hold power to account.

Main Themes & Key Points

1. Looming Government Shutdown – The Trump Playbook

[02:57–14:07]

• Polling Troubles for Trump: Trump’s favorability is at 38% with 54% disapproval ([02:57]). Across policy issues—economy, trade, immigration—approval is low, undermining MAGA’s frequent talking points.

  “Trump is weak, unpopular, and failing—treat him that way.” – Ben ([03:25])

• Shutdown Mechanics: A shutdown is likely unless Republicans and Democrats agree on a funding bill by October 1, but Trump has “ordered Republicans do not speak to Democrats… not even negotiate” ([04:00]).

• Demands & Reality: Democratic demands are minimal, focusing on Affordable Care Act tax credits, but Trump frames them as outrageous, scapegoating trans people and migrants ([05:00]).

• Weaponizing Marginalized People: Trump relies on dog-whistles—“trans, migrants, crime”—as scapegoats to fuel division ([06:00]).

  “The Democrats shut [the government] down because of trans. Because of trans. Transgender for everybody. What does it even mean!?” – Ben ([06:52])

• Shutdown as a Power Move: The brothers argue the shutdown is a strategic MAGA play to destroy governmental structures and consolidate power ([07:30]).

• Epstein Files & Discharge Petition: Delay in swearing in a Democratic Congresswoman (Adelitra Gavalha) is attributed to her support for an Epstein file discharge petition—evidence of GOP’s anti-democratic maneuvers ([08:30]).

2. MAGA’s Self-Defeating Politics & Voter Manipulation

[11:08–14:32]

• Pattern Recognition: Shutdown theatrics are routine—Republican leaders persuade their base to “gut their own healthcare… remove benefits… by saying it’s only going to hurt the illegals” ([11:30]).

  “It’s the ultimate con that Republicans have played for decades... Now they’re just so much more brazen about it.” – Brett ([12:40])

• Media Messaging: Right-wing figures (JD Vance, Stephen Miller) are called out for flagrant misinformation, blaming Democrats for MAGA policies ([13:40]).

• Control of Government: Brett points out Republicans control all branches and are responsible for the stalemate ([13:52]).

3. The Importance of a Healthy Information Environment

[14:32–18:37]

• Ben reflects on building an ‘information silo’ at MidasTouch, analogous to the evidentiary rigor in a courtroom: “Facts matter. Stick to the data.” ([14:32])

• Disinformation under Trump includes exaggerated claims about tariff revenue and economic performance, while the reality is a $2 trillion deficit ([15:00]).

• Critique of Trump family self-enrichment—Trump Vodka relaunch, Rose Garden turned into Club Rose Garden, and merch sales using the White House as a backdrop ([16:30]).

4. Trump’s Own Words: Contradictions Past and Present

[18:37–21:58]

• Don’t Talk to Democrats: Trump (on Fox) brags about telling Republicans to refuse negotiation:

  “Don’t even bother dealing with [Democrats]. We will get it through because Republicans are sticking together for the first time.” – Donald Trump ([18:45])

• 2011/2013 Flashback: Old footage shows Trump blaming the President (then Obama) for any shutdown:

  “You have to get everybody in a room. You have to be a leader. The president has to lead.” – Donald Trump (2011) ([20:34])

  “In 25 years… they’re going to be talking about who was the president at that time. They’re not going to be talking about the head of the House or the Senate.” – Donald Trump (2011) ([21:11])

• Host analysis: The hypocrisy is exposed through side-by-side comparison of Trump’s current and past stances.

5. Media Environment & the Merchants of Hate

[21:58–25:03]

• Right-wing media—Fox, New York Post et al—are described as “merchants of hate,” designed to provoke anger and misinform.

  “They are such a major component of why our country is where it is today.” – Brett ([21:58])

• Media and OMB’s threats to fire government employees are critiqued for treating workers as pawns in political games.

• Trump’s mass layoffs haven’t worked; many federal workers had to be rehired, proving essential staff cannot be cut without consequences ([24:00]).

6. Can the Public See Through the Propaganda?

[25:03–28:51]

• Jordi’s Worry: Despite MAGA responsibility, corporate media could spin the story, confusing the public about who’s at fault.

  “My fear… is that the American people at large might not necessarily realize that.” – Jordi ([25:03])

• Polls Show Blame: A Data for Progress poll: 59% of likely voters blame Trump and Republicans for the shutdown; even a majority of independents do ([27:04]).

• Information Warfare: Platforms like X/Twitter, controlled by Musk, and corporate media, are viewed as contaminated information ecosystems.

7. Authoritarianism and Foreign Policy—Trump Meets Erdogan

[35:14–43:34]

• Coverage of Trump’s bizarre Oval Office meeting with Turkey’s President Erdogan: Trump tries to impress Erdogan, but is outplayed and subtly mocked.

• Trump flip-flops on Ukraine and Gaza, making empty promises he fails to deliver.

• Authoritarian Admiration: Trump flatters Erdogan:

  “This is a tough man. This is a guy who’s highly opinionated... I always liked this one.” – Trump ([40:41])

• Erdogan’s look of disdain is called out for what it symbolizes—Trump’s weakness and desperation for approval from actual strongmen ([41:20–43:29]).

8. Autocratic Creep at Home

[43:34–47:25]

• Trump Family Self-Enrichment: Eric Trump launches “Trump Vodka,” and appears on right-wing media gushing about his father’s ‘Nobel Prizes’:

  “He literally stopped a war. In fact, I was in the office recently for another one where he stopped another one...” – Eric Trump ([44:45])

• State Media and Propaganda: The Trump family’s media dominance, and new Pentagon rules—press must pre-clear stories—are highlighted as core features of autocracies.

9. The Comey Indictment – Weaponizing the Legal System

[47:25–58:55]

• Comey Charged: Ex-FBI Director James Comey indicted after Trump publicly called for it, with Trump’s personal attorney installed as federal prosecutor.

  “A very dark day… Trump makes a social media post, indict someone I don’t like—James Comey… and James Comey gets indicted…” – Ben ([52:32])

• This sets a chilling precedent for future indictments against Trump’s adversaries (Letitia James, Adam Schiff, etc.).

• False Equivalence: Brett rails against media equivocation – “Everything they pretended to care about… was all bullshit. They are weaponizing the government for their political ends.” ([56:08])

10. Militarization of Power: The Generals' Summit

[58:55–61:40]

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth summons 800 admirals and generals to Quantico, raising alarms over the administration’s intentions and the Pentagon now requiring press to pre-clear information.

  “If the reporting has to be approved by Trump and Pete Hegseth, you’re not doing reporting. You’re doing government propaganda.” – Brett ([60:07])

11. Policy Failures: Farmers, Trade, and Foreign Bailouts

[61:40–70:19]

• Farm Crisis: Trump’s trade war has devastated American farmers, losing crucial export markets like China. The administration organizes bailouts as a band-aid ([61:40–65:08]).

• Bizarre Priorities: Despite “America First” rhetoric, the administration rushes to bail out Argentina’s right-wing government to protect MAGA oligarchs’ investments ([65:08–66:57]).

• Hypocrisy: MAGA voices hail Argentina’s president as a savior, then quietly support a bailout when the policies fail ([67:57]).

12. Closing Thoughts: Fighting for a Healthy Information Environment

[70:19–74:13]

• The brothers stress how crucial it is for Americans to seek and share real information, as democracy is undermined by both state propaganda and passive, complicit media.

  “We need—don’t give up. We gotta stay in the fight together… We’re gonna get through this together.” – Ben ([72:05])

• Listeners are called to action: subscribe, share, and support independent news to “stand strong against fascism.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the government shutdown:
  “I think that Donald Trump wants the shutdown to take place. He wants to operate as a full dictator with the government not even existing.” – Ben ([07:20])

• On media complicity:
  “Our information environment right now… is so toxic… [with] algorithms controlled by Elon Musk… it is really not an accurate representation of anything.” – Brett ([27:13])

• On authoritarian drift:
  “This is what they do in countries like Russia, North Korea, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq… You get your family members out there, they become the people who are on TV.” – Brett ([47:25])

• On Trump’s interactions with Erdogan:
  “It’s just so embarrassing seeing Donald Trump in these positions time and time again… That’s not a look of, ‘this is my buddy’… It’s a look of utter disdain.” – Jordi ([42:50])

• On hope and activism:
  “Don’t give up. We are gonna get through this together… Stay in it—we’re staying in it with you.” – Ben ([73:00])

Key Timestamps

• [02:57] – Ben breaks down Trump’s dire poll numbers and the real story of the looming shutdown
• [11:08] – Brett exposes the recurring GOP playbook on government shutdowns
• [14:32] – Ben calls for a ‘healthy information environment’ and fact-based discourse
• [18:37] – Trump, in his own words: “Don’t negotiate with Democrats”
• [20:34 & 21:11] – Trump’s 2011–13 statements: the President is responsible for shutdowns
• [35:14] – Analysis of Trump’s awkward Oval Office meeting with Erdogan
• [43:34] – Eric Trump: the Trump family declares their own Nobel-worthy heroism & business deals
• [47:25] – The James Comey indictment: government weaponizes justice for political revenge
• [58:55] – 800 generals & admirals summoned: military, press, and propaganda under threat
• [61:40] – Farmers suffer as US policy backfires, America bails out Argentina
• [70:19] – Closing rally: the brothers invoke hope, truth, and resistance

Conclusion

This episode delivers a sobering, detail-rich analysis of the authoritarian direction of U.S. governance under Trump, its devastating policy fallout—especially for ordinary Americans—ongoing assaults on democratic norms, and the urgent need for independent, fact-based information. The MeidasTouch team encourages their audience to remain active and vigilant, reminding listeners that real change comes from collective effort and unwavering truth-telling.