Podcast Summary: Newsom Rips Trump to Pieces in Press Conference

Podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Date: October 9, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, & Jordy Meiselas

Overview

In this episode, the MeidasTouch brothers analyze and showcase highlights from California Governor Gavin Newsom’s fiery Los Angeles press conference. Although originally intended to announce healthy food initiatives in LA public schools, the event quickly pivots to a sweeping condemnation of Donald Trump, MAGA Republicans, and their handling of healthcare, disaster relief, and national rhetoric. The Meiselas brothers blend their trademark banter with biting political analysis, underlining Newsom’s unapologetic stance and his pointed mockery of Trump and the GOP’s current leadership.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Newsom’s Press Conference: Substance and Scorching Critique

[02:46–05:14]

• The brothers play extended clips of Newsom’s remarks, labeling the presser “a massacre and a master class.”
• Newsom opens with a direct accusation:

  “They are lying. They made it up...desperate, pathetic, to knowingly lie to the American people, but particularly people in positions of power and influence…The Speaker [and] the President.” (Newsom, [03:41])

• He underscores skyrocketing health insurance premiums, stating it will “double, 97% on average for Californians,” and decries the GOP’s misinformation campaign about healthcare costs and the government shutdown.

2. GOP Withholding Disaster Relief: Hypocrisy Exposed

[05:14–08:09]

• Newsom excoriates Trump and GOP leaders for not delivering disaster assistance to California fire victims:

  “Months and months, and the President of the United States has said nothing. Speaker of the House said he’s not interested in helping the American people that were devastating lives torn asunder here...I find it shameful that they haven’t done a damn thing for the thousands of people who lost their homes.” (Newsom, [05:54])

• He points out his own bipartisan approach—sending California resources to disaster-stricken red states—but is appalled by the lack of reciprocity.

3. Real vs. Rhetorical Health Initiatives

[08:09–12:02]

• Newsom contrasts California’s sweeping health policies (universal care, efforts to make drugs like insulin affordable) with what he calls the GOP’s “radical rollbacks of coverage.”

  “We expect 600,000 Californians to lose their health coverage in January...But this is a big part of our effort. We opened…the first state in the US to provide universal healthcare, regardless of pre-existing conditions, ability to pay, and your status.” (Newsom, [08:39])

• He criticizes the GOP and RFK Jr. for “hurting science” and substituting “BS” for results.

4. Addressing State Liability and the Importance of Facts

[13:21–15:04]

• Taking a question about wildfire legal liability, Newsom insists on a fact-driven, nonpartisan process.

  “How this is done without political interference...the facts need to be pursued without any bias.” (Newsom, [14:14])

• He references his experience during Paradise fires and stresses awaiting all details before drawing conclusions.

5. Defining and Phasing Out Ultra-Processed Foods

[15:04–16:03]

• California is now the first state to define and eliminate ultra-processed foods in public schools.

  “D.C. politicians can talk all day...but we’ve been walking the walk on boosting nutrition and removing toxic additives and dyes for decades.” (Ben, paraphrasing Newsom, [15:04])

• Newsom’s policies are held up as a model, juxtaposed with national GOP rhetoric.

6. Mocking MAGA & Right-Wing Media Fantasies

[16:03–18:02]

• Newsom uses social media and humor to deflate GOP hysteria about lawlessness in cities like Portland:

  “Portland is war ravaged! Exclamation point! He’s being sarcastic. Send in the California National Guard???” (Ben, [16:20])

• The podcast plays Trump’s rambling, incoherent reply to a question about suspending habeas corpus, highlighting the contrast to Newsom’s clarity.

Notable Quote (Mocking Trump):

“Just contrast the press conference earlier with Governor Newsom, articulate, smart, good delivery, cohesive sentences, to what I’m about to show you. Just play this clip of Trump...” (Ben, [16:59])

7. Social Media Takedowns & Satire

[18:02–21:17]

• Newsom posts memes and quips mocking Trump and the conservative media—Trump as Marie Antoinette, jabs at “Dozy Don,” and satirical commentaries on “war-torn Portland.”

  “Cosplay Christie is in Portland. Hide yo dogs.” (Newsom post, [18:02]) “No health care for the stupid peasants. But look at the Queen’s golden office.” (Newsom post, [18:02])

• Newsom references Proverbs to challenge the “fake Christianity” of MAGA Republicans, calling out the disconnect between spiritual rhetoric and material harm caused by their policies.

8. The Need to Stand Up to Authoritarianism

[21:17–22:00]

• Ben Meiselas and crew praise Newsom’s style:

  “You just got to stand up to Trump...When you stand up to them, they back down.” (Ben, [21:17])

• They urge Democrats to continue taking principled stands against Trump’s regime.

9. Additional News & Rapid Fires

• Zach Bryan’s song criticizing ICE sparks MAGA outrage—labeled “total snowflakes” by Newsom.
• Texas Gov. Abbott is lambasted by Newsom for sending National Guard troops out of state instead of addressing local crime (“39% higher homicide rate than California”).
• Newsom posts a haunting image of Trump’s ICE macing an unarmed priest, calling it emblematic of “this dark period in American history.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They are lying. They made it up. And it just shows how...desperate, pathetic...to knowingly lie to the American people.”
  — Gavin Newsom ([03:41])

• “I was proud as a taxpayer, as an American, to have Speaker Johnson’s back when his district in his state was devastated by floods...That’s what makes America great. Not a word from the Republican Party...Not a word from the President of the United States.”
  — Gavin Newsom ([05:54])

• “You can’t do one without the other...We have a comprehensive strategy to health care, and then by the way, includes the environment, which is a huge part of the air we breathe, the water we drink.”
  — Gavin Newsom ([08:39])

• “I just want to know the facts, period. And ultimately then we’ll judge culpability. Those facts are...being reviewed as it relates to the fire in Altadena as well.”
  — Gavin Newsom ([14:14])

• “Cosplay Christie is in Portland. Hide yo dogs. And then here’s a photo of Portland’s war zone.”
  — Governor Newsom social post ([18:02])

• “No health care for the stupid peasants. But look at the Queen’s golden office.”
  — Governor Newsom social media, mocking Trump’s gold obsession ([18:02])

• “You just got to stand up to Trump. You got to stand up to these bullies, you got to stand up to these authoritarians. You have to. We have no choice in the matter. And when you stand up to them, they back down.”
  — Ben Meiselas ([21:17])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:46] Newsom launches into attacks on GOP lies about the shutdown and healthcare costs
• [05:14] Newsom denounces Trump and Speaker Johnson for withholding California fire aid
• [08:09] Newsom on GOP healthcare rollbacks vs. California’s real initiatives
• [13:21] Newsom responds to wildfire legal liability with a commitment to facts, not politics
• [15:04] California’s pioneering move on nutrition in schools and defining ultra-processed foods
• [16:03] Social media blitz: Newsom mocks GOP “war zone” panic and Trump’s press conference gaffes
• [18:02] Newsom’s satirical social posts escalate; biblical jabs at MAGA Republicans
• [21:17] Broader call to action against authoritarianism and praise for Democratic pushback

Episode Tone & Takeaway

The episode is relentless, fiery, and sardonic—just like Newsom’s press conference. The MeidasTouch brothers, leveraging their legal, media, and advertising smarts, celebrate Newsom’s rhetorical firepower and roast the current MAGA political landscape, making a broader call for moral and political resistance against Trumpism and right-wing authoritarianism.

A must-listen for anyone wanting both news analysis and sharp entertainment on the frontlines of American democracy.