MeidasTouch Podcast: People's State of the Union

Date: February 25, 2026
Hosts: Joy Reid & Katie Fang (guest MCs alongside the Meiselas Brothers, MoveOn, and many congressional leaders and activists)
Theme: In protest of President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union, MoveOn, the MeidasTouch Network, and allied leaders host the “People’s State of the Union”—a mass, outdoor alternate “address” amplifying the real experiences of those harmed by Trump administration policies. The night centers on impacted individuals, survivors, progressive members of Congress, and calls to organize, resist, and reclaim democracy.

Episode Overview

This extraordinary, urgent event brings together members of Congress, activists, survivors of abuse, immigrants, and ordinary Americans to amplify the lived realities ignored or distorted by the Trump administration. The gathering is a symbolic boycott of Trump’s State of the Union, marking resistance against authoritarian power, ICE violence, attacks on health care, assaults on civil rights, government corruption, and the abuse of marginalized communities.

The tone is fiery, driven, personal, and unflinching—combining somber witness with humor, banter, and hope. Key themes include:

• State violence (ICE raids, deaths in custody)
• Attacks on democracy; threats of dictatorship
• Healthcare access and economic insecurity
• Organizing against white Christian nationalism
• Accountability for the Epstein sex abuse files
• Building a movement across race, class, faith, and geography

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Opening Remarks & Purpose

[05:21–07:56] Katie Bethel (MoveOn Exec. Dir.)

• Explains the protest and boycott: “Donald Trump’s State of the Union will bear no resemblance to what’s actually happening in this country today. He will lie, distort, and ignore the real stories.”
• Highlights historic organizing: “We’re making history with the largest organized boycott of any State of the Union ever.”
• Honors courage: “This moment is only possible because of people’s bravery ... We need you.”

2. Host Introduction & Reclaiming Truth

[10:22–12:19] Joy Reid & Katie Fang

• Promise Truth: "We are not going to hear a false state of the Union. We are going to hear the true state of our union from the people impacted…”
• Reclaiming Christianity from "white Christian nationalism": “Christianity is not what you have been sold by Project 2025.”

3. Invocation: Spiritual Resistance

[13:05–17:47] Rev. Paul Brandeis Rauschenbusch, President, Interfaith Alliance

• Calls Trump administration “the most hostile to religious freedom in generations.”
• “We the people have the power... Out of many, through love, may we be one, my friends. The spiritual state of our union is strong. So help us God. Amen.”

4. Testimonies from Members of Congress & Impacted Individuals

Senator Chris Murphy & Fareshte Gonjavi [18:16–22:09]

• Murphy refuses to attend Trump’s address: “These are not normal times ... Democrats have to stop behaving normally.”
• Slams Trump policies: “ICE is out of control. It is disappearing legal immigrants... it is murdering American citizens.”
• Gonjavi (immigrant & advocate): “Fear is not abstract. It is in our classrooms, it is in our clinics, it is in our homes … This is not politics. This is humanity. This is America.”

Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12) [29:51–35:52]

• Lays bare ICE violence against Pittsburgh’s immigrant communities.
• Ties corruption, union-busting, and billionaire tax breaks to struggles of working people: “That’s the con, that’s the scam … Working people are done falling for it.”
• Announces move to impeach Pam Bondi for obstructing Epstein investigation: “Release the files.”

Sen. Ruben Gallego (AZ) [36:42–41:30]

• “They want to call [Trump’s speech] the state of the Union. It is the state of denial.”
• "Sicker, poorer, and less secure because of Trump and the Republicans."
• Shares the struggles of Steve Gomez: forced to choose between healthcare and mortgage.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen & Dr. Jenna Norton [42:47–55:49]

• Exposes retaliation against federal whistleblowers seeking health equity and accountability at NIH under Trump.
• Norton: “The lawlessness at the NIH affects all of us ... They are creating a science that serves the few instead of a science that serves all of us."

Rep. Greg Casar & Jill Kordick [57:17–65:15]

• Casar on rising health premiums and “Trump's billionaire tax cut.”
• Kordick: “Affordability looks very different today. I am making choices to defer health care ... These are real policy choices, errant policy choices, and they're harming real people like me."

Rep. Robert Garcia & Kelly Robinson, Human Rights Campaign [66:01–73:33]

• Garcia: "We have a president who is leading the single largest government cover up in modern history.” (re. Epstein and sex trafficking)
• Robinson: “[For LGBTQ people] this is our country too. We have paid for it in funerals, in freedom songs, in court cases, in classroom battles.”
• “There's nothing ordinary about this government murdering United States citizens ... These are serious times that require serious leadership.”

Sen. Jeff Merkley & Nafisa Fye [74:49–82:31]

• Denounce “troops in the street” and the SAVE Act as attempts to undermine democracy.
• Fye (Muslim, Somali-American Commissioner): “Because we have leaders willing to listen and act, our residents are also empowered... With legal support and community backing, he challenged that [ICE detention] in court and won.”

Sen. Tina Smith & Brenda Lewis (MN) [85:02–92:27]

• Smith: “When ICE came to Minnesota, Brenda sprang into action. She is a badass.”
• Lewis: “Families are torn apart ... pain and suffering and damage will last a very, very long time.”

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman & Nadia Morsi [92:34–100:11]

• Morsi: “Trump is making cuts to health care to funnel billions to ICE to build concentration camps... In the face of such blatant greed and hatred, the American people couldn’t be more clear. We want an economy that delivers for all of us."

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove & Statement from Survivor [102:07–110:43]

• Kamlager-Dove shares moving words from Jennalisa Jones, Epstein survivor: “Moments like this remind me that we are not alone, that our stories have meaning, and that there are leaders willing to stand with us.”
• "Diversity is not a threat. It is the very source of who we are as a nation."

Sen. Ed Markey & Gladys Vega Statement [111:19–123:20]

• Markey: “Trump will say the country is safer while immigrant communities live in fear ... innocent people murdered at the hands of ICE thugs operating with impunity.”
• Gladys Vega statement: “Fear paralyzes the daily lives of countless residents ... This must stop. This is un-American. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional.”

Rep. Becca Ballint & Mohsen Madhavi [124:55–135:16]

• Ballint: "We are the ones we've been waiting for ... We are the ones that are going to change the course, to turn the tide on this dark, dark time.”
• Madhavi (Palestinian refugee): “When I came to America ... I learned that the human being is not the enemy, the enemy is the system that capitalizes on fear, ignorance, and segregation.”
• “The people united will never be defeated.”

Rep. Pramila Jayapal & Lauren Hirsch [138:15–146:20]

• Jayapal: “An immoral administration that incarcerates tens of thousands of immigrants, including children... We demand all the predators, pedophiles ... be brought to justice.”
• Hirsch: “For 30 years, Jeffrey Epstein operated one of the largest sex trafficking rings in the world. ... The days of powerful men operating with impunity are officially over."

Sen. Adam Schiff & Story of Alejandro Barranco [149:03–156:25]

• “In the United States of America, they are demanding to see people's papers.”
• Reads letter from Alejandro Barranco (son of a landscaper, US Marine): “We can protect our laws without abandoning our values. We are here because America must be better, fairer, safer, and worthy…”

Rep. Delia Ramirez [158:01–164:57]

• “They cast the other as enemies, weaponize fear, perpetrate corruption, and reward cruelty ... But they will never, ever silence us.”
• Reads names of people lost in DHS and ICE custody; “we will melt ICE and dismantle the Department of Homeland Security.”

Rep. Jim Himes & Madeline Beckett [166:28–173:39]

• Himes: “What does national security mean if we don't have housing security... if we don't have dignity?”
• Beckett shares harrowing story of losing her retirement and facing homelessness due to private equity housing abuses.

Rep. Yasmine Ansari & Sonia Al Marez [176:01–182:08]

• Ansari: “Mass agents, violent raids without transparency, communities living in fear. That is not public safety. That is authoritarianism.”
• Al Marez: “For a year now, I have had to watch [Yadi’s] health deteriorate at the hands of ICE ... We demand her medical release immediately.”

Survivors’ Voices - Charlene Rochard [183:31–187:57]

• “What happened to us didn’t end when the abuse ended. Epstein’s manipulation ... changed the trajectory of many of our lives. ... Our children deserve a world where powerful people cannot harm others without consequence.”

Closing Call to Action [206:55–207:44, and Throughout]

• Repeated refrain: “We are the people. The people are America."
• Call to organize for No Kings Day 3.0, March 28.
• Joy Reid: “Maybe we should deport Donald Trump — and keep all these beautiful people.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This union is in crisis right now. Our democracy is wilting under ceaseless attack from a president who wants to be a despot.” — Sen. Chris Murphy [19:09]

• “Fear is not abstract. It is in our classrooms, it is in our clinics, it is in our homes.” — Fareshte Gonjavi [22:23]

• “Because corruption doesn’t check your voter registration before it robs you.” — Rep. Summer Lee [31:38]

• “The best of America lies in how we treat those who have arrived to this country fleeing terror and torture and desperation.” — Sen. Chris Murphy [21:24]

• “We who believe in freedom cannot rest.” — Kelly Robinson, citing Ella Baker [72:47]

• “ICE is out of control. It is disappearing legal immigrants ... It is murdering American citizens.” — Sen. Chris Murphy [20:11]

• “We will melt ICE and dismantle the Department of Homeland Security.” — Rep. Delia Ramirez [164:57]

• “I'm here for the parents that are tossing and turning at night over the safety of their queer youth ... this is our country too.” — Kelly Robinson [70:55]

• “When I came to America ... I learned that the human being is not the enemy, the enemy is the system that capitalizes on fear, on ignorance and on segregation.” — Mohsen Madhavi [128:03–129:15]

• “If we can't do better than [this], I don't even know what to tell you.” — Joy Reid [188:28–189:44]

• “The people united will never be defeated.” — Mohsen Madhavi and crowd [134:40]

Engaging Segments & Calls to Action

• Housekeeping for “MAGA trolls”: “Your bullshit is not welcome here … Go back and pay attention to your orange lying friend.” — Joy Reid [28:28]

• Passionate musical performance & singalong:
  “They cannot imprison us all!” — Alice Goldberg (Melting Virgo) [205:15]

• Strong rebuke of silence and complicity:
  “This should not be happening in the United States of America.… This is not about speeches. This is about change. We have to stop this regime.” — Joy Reid [188:28–188:44]

• Final rallying cry:
  “Go to sotosotu.org for No Kings Day 3.0 March 28 … the People’s State of the Union.” — Katie Fang [207:31]

Timestamps – Highlighted Segments

• [05:21–07:56] – Opening, Why We Boycott
• [11:25–12:19] – The True State of Our Union
• [13:05–17:47] – Invocation: Spiritual Resistance
• [19:09–20:11] – Murphy: This Union is in Crisis
• [22:23–22:41] – Gonjavi: “Fear is not abstract...”
• [29:51–31:38] – Summer Lee: The Scam That Hurts Us All
• [36:42–41:30] – Gallego: “Sicker, Poorer, Less Secure...”
• [51:33–55:49] – Dr. Jenna Norton: Whistleblowing for Public Health
• [70:55–72:47] – Kelly Robinson: “We who believe in freedom…”
• [102:07–110:43] – Kamlager-Dove: Survivor Testimony and Democratic Values
• [128:03–135:16] – Mohsen Madhavi: “If we believe in justice, there is no power that can intimidate us.”
• [146:47–149:00] – Adam Schiff: “No failure is more glaring...”
• [176:01–182:08] – Ansari & Sonia Al Marez: Medical Cruelty in ICE Detention
• [183:31–187:57] – Charlene Rochard: Survivor Speaks Out
• [205:15–206:19] – Alice Goldberg: Song “They cannot imprison us all…”
• [207:31–207:44] – Final Call to Action

Conclusion

The People’s State of the Union is a clarion call for truth, unity, and resistance. The evening emphasizes that real American strength lies not in the words of a president, but in the voices and stories of its people—especially those most under siege. Throughout the episode, the speakers demand action, solidarity, and resilience as the antidote to authoritarianism, calling for mass mobilization, progressive legislation, and unwavering defense of democracy through November and beyond.

Memorable takeaway:
“We are the people. The people united will never be defeated.”