The MeidasTouch Podcast: Rep. Ro Khanna on Fighting Back Against Trump and MAGA

Date: November 12, 2025
Featured Guest: Rep. Ro Khanna
Host: MeidasTouch Network (Ron Filipkowski, with contributions from Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas)

Episode Overview

This episode features a lively and candid discussion with Rep. Ro Khanna on navigating the Democratic Party’s internal battles, confronting MAGA extremism, and urgently advocating for new leadership and policies that matter to working Americans. The conversation takes place in the context of significant Democratic wins at the polls, mounting frustration with establishment Senate leaders, and pressing legislative fights over healthcare and transparency. The hosts and Khanna combine sharp political analysis, colorful analogy, and personal commentary to rally listeners towards progressive action and party renewal.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. GOP Leadership and ACA Subsidies: “Notebooks Full of Ideas”

Timestamps: 00:30–04:59

• The segment opens with montage clips of House Speaker Mike Johnson ("MAGA Mike") dodging questions about extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, crucial for millions of Americans.
• Johnson repeatedly insists the GOP has “notebooks full of ideas” but refuses to articulate any substantive plan, sparking skepticism and criticism from both the hosts and Rep. Khanna.

Rep. Ro Khanna: "Johnson keeps saying, I've got notebooks full of plans. Do you notice it never says what the plan is, not even like one sentence. The reality is the plan is basically allow these premiums to spike for 20 million Americans... For some it's going to be a debt [sic] sentence. For others it's going to mean medical bankruptcy."
(05:01)

• The human consequences are made explicit as Khanna recounts the story of a cab driver in Arizona facing catastrophic premium hikes due to cancer (from $44 to $2,600/month).

2. Frustration with Democratic Senate Leadership & The Call for Change

Timestamps: 06:05–10:09

• The hosts and Khanna vent frustration at eight Democratic senators who negotiated with Republicans in a way that, according to the panel, predictably failed to protect millions from imminent healthcare cost spikes.

• Khanna points out these senators were notably not up for re-election in 2026 and calls out political maneuvering that lacks urgency or accountability.

• Khanna directly calls for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to step down to make room for a new generation of bold, energetic leaders:

Rep. Ro Khanna: "If you've been in office for over 20 years, you shouldn't be leading the future of the Democratic Party...the backbenchers need to come to the front."
(07:19)

• The analogy of "bad coaches" in sports—leaders who hog the limelight and block internal promotions—underscores Khanna’s argument for generational change.

Ron Filipkowski (Host): "Any good head coach wants to promote their assistant coach to become a great head coach. A bad head coach wants to keep their assistant coaches as assistants for their life... At some point, part of a legacy is bringing up the new generation to lead."
(09:08)

3. Harnessing Tuesday’s “Blue Tsunami” Momentum

Timestamps: 06:05–14:02

• Khanna and the hosts reflect on the “blue tsunami” of electoral victories and the disconnect between grassroots Democratic enthusiasm and the establishment’s lukewarm response.

Rep. Ro Khanna: "We need new voices. We need new leaders...This is a time for people like Abigail and Zoran and Mikey and new voices from all parts of our party."
(07:20)

• Khanna wants to channel the fresh energy from record volunteer mobilization and voter turnout into a realignment within the Democratic Party, pushing aside leaders who remain in power out of habit, not merit.
• They note the viral resonance of Khanna's call for new Senate leadership, surpassing attention for his detailed policy work, which he interprets as an overwhelming appetite for change.

4. Exposing Corruption and Inside Deals in Congress

Timestamps: 11:37–13:29

• The conversation highlights a quietly-inserted legislative provision: certain Republican senators are poised to write themselves $500,000 checks from the Department of Justice for their own legal expenses stemming from January 6th inquiries.
• This is denounced as blatant, institutional self-enrichment.

Rep. Ro Khanna: "It's corruption in your face. It's sort of like they don't even want to hide it anymore... the American people have had it. They've had it with the kind of self dealing, the enrichment..."
(13:02)

5. The MAGA Problem—and the Hope Ahead

Timestamps: 13:29–15:34

• The panel critiques MAGA rhetoric that masks inaction (“notebooks full of ideas”) and the disconnect from lived realities like inflation, healthcare costs, and everyday bills.
• Khanna emphasizes there is renewed hope and political opportunity if Democrats mobilize popular frustration constructively.

Rep. Ro Khanna: "I don't care how effective you are and how many influencers you are... you're not going to convince people that their bills are going down. And so that's the problem. They've got reality staring at them and the American people are done with them. And that's the opportunity... Tuesday was a harbinger of bigger victories in 2026, bigger victories in 2028..."
(14:02)

6. Epstein Files Legislation: Transparency and Accountability

Timestamps: 15:34–17:09

• In a breaking update, Khanna details efforts to force a vote (with Rep. Massie) to release the “Epstein files” and end elite impunity for alleged sexual abuse and coverups.
• Khanna predicts the momentum for transparency is so strong that even many Republicans will support it, marking a major turning point.

Rep. Ro Khanna: "There's going to be so much momentum left and right to say out with the Epstein class, rich and powerful people who abused young girls who think they live by a different set of rules. America is done with you."
(16:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The backbenchers need to come to the front. Those of us in the back, we need to move to the front. And a new generation of leadership needs to emerge.” — Rep. Ro Khanna (07:21)
• “We need new voices. We need new leaders. If you've been in office for over 20 years, you shouldn't be leading the future of the Democratic Party.” — Rep. Ro Khanna (07:19)
• “It's corruption in your face. It's sort of like they don't even want to hide it anymore.” — Rep. Ro Khanna (13:02)
• “America is done with you. We're done with that kind of elite impunity and corruption.” — Rep. Ro Khanna (16:38)
• “Tuesday was a harbinger of bigger victories in 2026, bigger victories in 2028, and we're going to have a political realignment of the likes we haven't seen probably since Barack Obama in 2008.” — Rep. Ro Khanna (14:33)

Important Timestamps

• 00:30–04:59 – Clips of Speaker Mike Johnson on ACA: “notebooks full of ideas," lack of real GOP plan
• 05:01 – Khanna’s emotional health care anecdote and critique of status quo
• 07:19–07:40 – Khanna’s call for generational leadership change
• 09:08 – “Bad coach” analogy for party leadership
• 13:02 – Congressional corruption: $500,000 self-payments
• 14:02–14:33 – Hopeful message about new victories and party realignment
• 16:03–17:09 – Update on the Epstein files vote and accountability push

Tone & Style

The episode’s tone is passionate, urgent, and unfiltered—mixing populist outrage with optimism and humor. Khanna and the hosts speak directly and candidly about insider politics, openly call out leaders of both parties, and repeatedly invoke the need for new blood and bold action against corruption, MAGA extremism, and institutional inertia.

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode offers a road map for those eager to see change: new voices, urgent policies, real transparency, and a renewed fight against both MAGA extremism and complacency within the Democratic Party.