The MeidasTouch Podcast – September 30, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett & Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
In this fiery and fast-paced episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect the looming government shutdown orchestrated by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. They call out rampant disinformation about everything from supposed “alien med beds” to bizarre budget lies, and highlight the dangers of right-wing propaganda dominating the media ecosystem. With signature banter, sharp political analysis, and a real sense of urgency, the brothers expose the Republican strategy of chaos, distraction, and scapegoating—while connecting these tactics to broader threats to democracy and the American public.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Looming Government Shutdown & Trump’s Role
- Closed-Door White House Meeting: Trump blocked press coverage of a pivotal White House meeting with Congressional leaders, then let MAGA leaders like J.D. Vance spin lies about Democrats demanding outrageous policies ("$1.5 trillion for illegal aliens and transgender surgeries in Peru").
- Shutdown as a Political Weapon: Trump and allies want a shutdown to halt economic reporting (like inflation data) and delay other politically damaging disclosures (e.g., Epstein files), while shifting blame to Democrats for the resultant chaos.
- Corporate Media’s Failure: The brothers highlight the absence of critical questioning by mainstream outlets in the face of obvious disinformation and Trump’s increasingly authoritarian moves.
“It’s the Trump-Jeffrey Epstein shutdown.”
– Ben ([03:06])
2. Disinformation, Lies & Absurd MAGA Talking Points
- “Med Bed” Scandal: Trump posted (and left up for hours) a ludicrous AI-generated clip claiming miraculous alien health technology (a QAnon conspiracy) will cure Americans. The media barely covered it.
- J.D. Vance’s Outlandish Claims: Vance parroted talking points about “transgender surgeries in Peru” and massive spending for “illegals”—all proven false, but dominant in the right-wing media sphere.
- The Propaganda Playbook: Lies aren’t just about policy—they’re a strategy to confuse the public, scapegoat minorities, and get people to vote against their own interests (“noun, a verb, and transgender/illegals”).
“How demented do you have to be…for the President of the United States, to be posting that?”
– Brett ([06:38])
“They want transgender for everybody.”
– Ben ([14:45])
3. Economic Reality vs. “Golden Age” Gaslighting
- Contradicting Facts on the Economy: Trump claims a “golden age,” while groceries, housing, and inflation reach record highs and farmers are teetering on bankruptcy.
- Budget Lies Debunked: Trump’s team claims $17 trillion in new revenue, ignoring the real $2 trillion deficit and actual funding cuts to programs like SNAP and Medicaid.
“So of course they lied in the meeting... Why is there even an issue with funding if we brought in $17 trillion? ...Because he is a freaking liar about everything.”
– Ben ([14:19])
4. The MAGA Approach: Secrecy, Narrative Control, Bullying
- Refusing Transparency: Trump moves meetings and negotiations behind closed doors to avoid public accountability and to better control the narrative.
- MAGA as “Predators” and “Pushovers”: The brothers mock the MAGA leaders’ cowardice for refusing public debate, while noting their only consistent motivation is appeasing Trump—not their constituents.
“There’s no transparency ever. And it’s all about owning the narrative.”
– Jordy ([20:11])
5. Manipulating the Media and Social Platforms
- Right-Wing Media Machinery: Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) and the Murdoch empire serve as outlets for pro-Trump propaganda—pushing outright fabrications and covering up damaging truths (e.g., cropping out Trump evidence from crime stories).
- Lies About Shootings & Cultural Events: Right-wing influencers Photoshop and invent false connections (e.g., Penn State’s “whiteout” honoring Charlie Kirk), instantly spread by compliant media like the New York Post.
- Suppressing the Truth: The noise of viral lies drowns out fact-based debate—and the truth becomes “unknowable for the average American.”
“Those lies are poison pills that are quite literally killing you.”
– Brett ([27:23])
6. Mass Shootings: Root Causes and Media/Political Scapegoating
- Data on Mass Shooters: Most mass shootings are carried out by young, isolated white males with easy access to guns, yet Republicans always try to scapegoat minorities or leftists.
- Policy Solutions: The hosts advocate both mental health funding and common sense gun reform, criticizing the GOP for prioritizing political gamesmanship over real solutions.
“...the country is systematically failing entire generations of young men by just willfully ignoring clear warning signs of isolation or chronic online behavior...”
– Jordy ([34:33])
7. Farmers, Trade Wars & Bailouts
- How Trump Screwed Farmers: Trump’s trade wars and ill-conceived bailouts have backfired—bailing out competitors like Argentina, which then undercuts American farmers.
- Leaked Texts & GOP Admission: Internal texts among Trump officials admit the bailouts are backfiring and giving China leverage.
“…China is completely outmaneuvering them…if you read this text message…”
– Brett ([65:35])
8. Authoritarian Tactics & Aggression at Home
- Military Crackdowns: Trump orders “invasions” of American cities like Portland, sends ICE to Chicago to terrorize communities, and demands the military use “full force” at his vague discretion.
- Attacks Framed as “Security”: Fishermen off Venezuela are killed and branded as narco-terrorists with no due process, and any challenge is drowned out by a media environment awash in distractions and lies.
- Violation of Law: Lawsuits (such as Oregon’s AG against Trump’s federal intervention) are filed on constitutional grounds, but the administration is unrepentant.
“…Trump Gestapo walking around throughout Chicago…trying to scare you…like it was those horror nights…”
– Ben ([57:30])
9. Strategic Distraction: Epstein Files & Congressional Maneuvers
- Delaying Justice: Part of the shutdown strategy is to prevent the swearing-in of Adelita Grijalva, whose vote would allow for a release of Epstein investigation files.
- Kicking the Can: Trump perpetually asks for “two more weeks,” using every “crisis” to stall and maintain his grip on the narrative.
“They want to shut down the government, not allow members to show up today. That’s why.”
– Ben ([56:41])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“Donald Trump is the ultimate P word. He is a predator.”
– Jordy ([09:10]) -
“Everything they say is a noun, a verb. And transgender or noun, a verb and illegals.”
– Brett ([19:47]) -
“MAGA as a regime—because that’s what they are.”
– Jordy ([20:10]) -
“Smart people do not like him. Because when people understand the issues…they go, ‘Ooh, what Trump is doing is awful.’”
– Brett ([18:09])
Important Segments & Timestamps
| Time | Segment/Topic | |--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:06 | Ben lays out the shutdown’s roots, Republican disinfo, and bizarre Trump behavior | | 06:38 | Brett eviscerates Trump’s “med bed” conspiracy and its implications | | 09:10 | Jordy on Trump as a “predator” and the manipulation of followers | | 14:19 | Ben debunks budget and shutdown lies, recounts GOP vacationing as shutdown looms | | 20:10 | Discussion of the “MAGA regime” and narrative control | | 27:23 | Brett: “Those lies are poison pills…” regarding the information environment | | 34:33 | Jordy on mass shooters, isolation, and the systematic failures leading to violence | | 56:41 | Ben explains the shutdown’s connection to the Epstein files and Congressional maneuvers | | 65:35 | Brett reads Trump admin internal texts showing the farm bailout failure | | 72:06 | Brett on killing of innocent fishermen and why we shouldn’t trust Trump’s “narco-terrorist” excuse| | 76:45 | Closing thoughts: “Ask yourself…” Ben’s three big questions |
Final Takeaways
The MeidasTouch Podcast warns of a dangerous new normal: manufactured crises, information warfare, corporate media complicity, and authoritarian tactics imported into American governance. The hosts challenge listeners to look for the truth beneath the noise—by asking basic questions and expecting real answers. In their view, the only antidote to the poison of MAGA disinformation is a relentless, fact-based appeal to Americans’ decency and a willingness to call out fascism by name.
Ending questions for listeners:
- Why did Trump hide the White House meeting from the press?
- If the economy is so great, why are everyday costs so high and farmers struggling?
- Why did MAGA Republicans cancel work right before a government shutdown?
“I think you come to a logical conclusion: Donald Trump wants a shutdown.”
– Ben ([76:45])
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