Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Newsom Sticks the Dagger in Trump after Full Surrender
Date: January 1, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
In this lively episode, the Meiselas brothers break down California Governor Gavin Newsom’s relentless online and political campaign against Donald Trump in the wake of Trump’s Supreme Court defeat regarding the National Guard. The episode is packed with sharp political analysis, biting humor, and notable social media exchanges, illustrating Newsom's evolving role as one of Trump's most vocal and effective critics. The brothers contextualize the broader implications for American democracy and the political climate as they step into 2026.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Newsom's Victory Over Trump on National Guard Control
[00:00]
- Trump announces withdrawal of National Guard from California, Illinois, and Oregon after losing a Supreme Court case.
- Newsom claims victory: “About time that Donald Trump admits defeat. We said it from day one, the federal takeover of California's National Guard is illegal.”
- Newsom likens Trump's retreat to "you can’t fire me, I quit," emphasizing Trump’s attempt to save face post-defeat.
Notable quote:
“Trump says he's removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland … Even Elmo is getting in on the action.” — Ben [00:00]
2. Contrasting Social Media Messages From Newsom and Trump
[02:00 – 03:00]
- Newsom posts wholesome family holiday photos, a message of unity, and hope:
- “Ending this year with gratitude for each other and for stepping into 2026 with courage, hope and wisdom. Wishing you health, happiness, and so many good moments in the year ahead.”
- Trump responds with vitriol:
- “Hard to wish her a Happy New Year. Scumbag Governor. Disgusting rhinos… May they rot in hell. Free Tina Peters.”
Notable quote:
“Just think about Donald Trump’s New Year’s message… ‘rot in hell.’ Did you ever think the President of the United States… would say that on New Year’s?” — Brett [03:42]
3. Newsom's Online Takedowns of JD Vance & MAGA Figures
[03:50]
- Newsom posts photos mocking JD Vance, sparking a right-wing backlash over alleged “double standards.”
- Newsom's reply: “Calling JD Vance a female candidate is insane.” After being ratioed, the right-wing account deletes its post.
- He riffs on Trump’s association with Jeffrey Epstein: accuses Trump of “editing the Epstein files to remove himself” and mocks him as Epstein’s “best friend.”
Notable quote:
“Governor Newsom goes back in for more. Putting the dagger in, putting the screws in. Twisting the screws.” — Ben [04:30]
4. Newsom’s Viral Video: “Standing Up to Trump”
[05:02 – 07:18]
- Newsom releases a powerful video montage about California standing against Trump’s “assault on democracy.”
- He frames Trump as an “invasive species” and “historically unpopular president,” accusing him of “rigging the election before even one vote was cast.”
Notable speech excerpt [05:10]:
“We're dealing with an invasive species by the name of Donald Trump. He is a historically unpopular president... That’s just weakness masquerading as strength. That’s Donald Trump.”
“You didn’t roll over and you didn’t give in. You stepped up and you traveled... and you woke us up. You had our back in the state of California. Not only a fight we can win, but a fight worth fighting for. And that’s why I’m here.” — Gov. Gavin Newsom [05:10 – 07:14]
5. Satirical Responses and Newsom’s Continued Mockery
[07:18 – 09:30]
- Newsom calls Trump “Dozy Don” after he misidentifies a photo of an Israeli falcon as a dead American bald eagle, lampooning Trump’s ignorance.
- Posts: “Dozy Don doesn’t know what America’s birds look like.”
- Mocks Trump with a meme: “Person, woman, man, camera, eagle.”
- Blasts Trump for attacking the Kennedys after JFK’s granddaughter’s death.
- “Little men do little things to feel better about their own little selves.”
- Raises allegations over Kristi Noem’s office receiving secret contracts and links it to corruption under Trump.
- Criticizes handling of health and gaming news:
- America sees first 2,000+ measles cases in over 30 years: “Okay, I guess that’s year one of Make America healthy again.”
- Notes the delayed PlayStation 6: “The Trump administration is making gaming worse and far more expensive.”
- On delays of “Trump Mobile” phones: “Yeah, don’t say. You don’t say.”
Notable quote:
“There you have it, folks. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let’s get to 6 million subscribers… Love this video.” — Ben [09:50]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Newsom on Trump's National Guard Decision:
“We won in court and forced him to basically ramble with the political version of ‘you can fire me, I quit.’” — Ben [00:30]
-
On Social Media Contrasts:
“Compare [Newsom’s] to Donald Trump’s post: ‘Hard to wish her a Happy New Year. Scumbag Governor. Disgusting rhinos…I wish you the worst. Rotten hell. I wish you rotten hell, he says.’” — Ben [02:45]
-
On JD Vance Mockery:
“Calling JD Vance a female candidate is insane. And then that right wing account removed its post because it was getting ratioed so bad.” — Ben [04:00]
-
Governor Newsom's Video Message:
“Not what happens to us, it’s how we respond to what happens to us…They wanted to send a message. You didn’t roll over and you didn’t give in…A fight worth fighting for. And that is why I’m here.” — Gov. Gavin Newsom [05:50 – 07:14]
-
Satirical Responses:
“Dozy Don doesn’t know what America’s birds look like.” — Newsom (shared by Ben) [07:30]
“Little men do little things to feel better about their own little selves.” — Newsom (shared by Ben) [08:20]
Important Timestamps
- 00:00 – Trump’s National Guard retreat, Newsom’s response and victory lap
- 02:00 – Contrasts in holiday posts between Newsom and Trump
- 03:50 – Social media battles: JD Vance & MAGA pushback
- 05:02 – 07:18 – Governor Newsom’s viral video statement
- 07:18 – Trump’s bird photo gaffe and Newsom’s continued satire
- 08:20 – Newsom criticism of Trump’s attacks on political opponents and failures in governance
- 09:30 – Outro and encouragement to subscribe
Final Thoughts
This episode demonstrates the Meiselas brothers' talent for blending political analysis with sharp humor and real-time reporting of social media culture. Newsom’s aggressive and witty campaign against Trump is spotlighted as emblematic of shifting political communication, and the brothers delight in the dramatic contrasts between Newsom’s aspirational messages and Trump’s combative outbursts. The episode ultimately stands as both a chronicle of a pivotal moment in political accountability and a media critique on how the battleground has shifted from courtrooms to social media feeds.