Republicans RUN AWAY from Cameras after Trump Picks

Summary

Summary of "Republicans RUN AWAY from Cameras after Trump Picks"

The MeidasTouch Podcast
Release Date: November 15, 2024

---

Overview

In the episode titled "Republicans RUN AWAY from Cameras after Trump Picks," the MeidasTouch Network delves into the heightened tensions and chaotic dynamics within the Republican Party following former President Donald Trump's controversial nomination of Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. Hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas dissect the internal conflicts, the GOP's fractured responses, and the broader implications for American democracy. Through incisive analysis and spirited brotherly banter, the episode underscores the challenges facing the Republican Party as it grapples with its identity and direction.

---

1. Republican Retreat from Public Engagement

Ben Miceli opens the discussion by condemning Republican leaders for their evasive behavior in the wake of Trump's nomination of Matt Gaetz. He emphasizes the expectation that Republicans should proactively address the American populace, stating:

“Do not be cowards and run away from the camera. Republicans speak to the American people and own it.”
[00:43]

Miceli criticizes the GOP for seeking "drama" and "chaos," suggesting that their avoidance undermines their accountability and transparency. He juxtaposes this behavior against Trump's bold and divisive nominations, highlighting a significant shift in the party's engagement strategy.

---

2. Controversial Nomination of Matt Gaetz

The core of the episode centers around the nomination of Matt Gaetz and the ensuing backlash. Ben Miceli presents a series of reactions from Republican senators and their staff:

“I was shocked and I was anguished... someone who was under DOJ investigation for potential sex trafficking in the past... now Donald Trump nominates him to be the Attorney General of the United States.”
[00:52]
“I don’t know the man. Never saw him. Don’t know who he is.”
[No specific timestamp]

These responses highlight a palpable sense of unease and division within the party. Miceli underscores the lack of support from key Republican figures, suggesting that Gaetz's nomination lacks broad-based endorsement.

Matt Gaetz's Stance on the FBI:
The podcast includes audios of Gaetz expressing his disdain for the FBI:

“Feds are like cockroaches... I deserve the truth.”
[04:27]
“Maybe I should serve as Attorney General... I'd fire every little shit kicker at the J. Edgar Hoover Building and send them all packing.”
[04:50]

These statements reflect Gaetz's aggressive approach and his intention to overhaul the Department of Justice, raising concerns about the future direction of federal law enforcement under his leadership.

Defense of the FBI:
In response, Miceli defends the FBI's critical role:

“Just think about the stuff that the FBI does each and every day to keep us safe and protect the American people. You're just going to gut it?”
[05:54]

This exchange underscores the tension between Gaetz's proposed reforms and the existing structures aimed at maintaining national security and justice.

---

3. Bipartisan Criticism of Gaetz's Nomination

Congressmember Eric Swalwell voices bipartisan opposition to Gaetz's nomination:

“This pick is a middle finger to Democrats and sane Republicans... it's not being panned only by Democrats.”
[06:13]
“Considering what it oversees... it's worthy of being taken seriously... we know is never going to pass in the Senate.”
[07:11]

Swalwell's remarks highlight a rare convergence of Democratic and moderate Republican sentiment against Gaetz, emphasizing the severity of the opposition based on his qualifications and past conduct.

---

4. Trump's Recess Appointments and Additional Nominations

Ben Miceli discusses Trump's strategy of leveraging recess appointments to bypass Senate opposition, allowing him to install loyalists in key positions:

• Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence
• Christy Noem as Homeland Security Director
• Tom Homan as Border Czar
• Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel

He points out the controversial nature of these appointments, citing:

“Tulsi Gabbard... parrots Russian propaganda word for word.”

[Description without specific timestamp]

“Mike Huckabee doesn't even acknowledge the existence of the West Bank. He calls it Judea and Samara...”

[Description without specific timestamp]

These appointments signal a shift towards consolidating power within Trump-aligned figures, further igniting intra-party conflicts and raising questions about governance and policy directions.

---

5. Election of Senator John Thune as Senate Majority Leader

The episode transitions to the recent selection of Senator John Thune as the new Senate Majority Leader, marking the end of Mitch McConnell's 18-year tenure. Ben Miceli critiques the MAGA faction's disdain for traditional Republican leadership:

“MAGA influencers now attacking other Republicans... 'John Thune is the Senate majority leader. War it is.'"
[No specific timestamp]

He highlights the harsh rhetoric used by MAGA proponents against Thune, illustrating the deep-seated divisions within the party. This infighting is portrayed as detrimental to the party's unity and effectiveness in legislative matters.

---

6. MAGA Infighting and Its Consequences

Miceli elaborates on the MAGA faction's aggressive stance towards established Republicans, citing statements from prominent figures:

“Peter Navarro saying, under no circumstances can Donald Trump leave with John Thune as the majority leader.”
[No specific timestamp]
“Charlie Kirk... 'John Thune is the Senate majority leader. War it is.'"
[No specific timestamp]

These attacks signify a power struggle within the GOP, where MAGA supporters leverage social media and public platforms to delegitimize and challenge Republican leaders who do not align with their extremist views.

---

7. The Role of Media and Public Perception

The hosts argue that the internal chaos within the Republican Party feeds into the media's appetite for drama, which in turn affects public perception:

“We went from no drama. President Biden going about his job day to day... This is what you wanted.”
[Final sections]

They suggest that the GOP's infighting serves to distract and polarize the electorate, undermining constructive political discourse and stability. The implication is that the party's internal conflicts are detrimental to the nation's democratic processes.

---

8. Call to Action and Conclusion

In concluding the episode, Ben Miceli urges listeners to remain vigilant and actively support the MeidasTouch Network in its mission to inform and engage the public:

“We have to keep building this network. Hopefully people will listen... We’ll keep doing our work here at the MeidasTouch Network. That's my promise to you.”
[Final sections]

He emphasizes the importance of continued information dissemination and public engagement to counteract the chaos and uphold democratic values.

---

Key Takeaways

• Internal GOP Divisions: The Republican Party is experiencing significant internal conflicts, particularly between traditional leaders and MAGA-aligned factions.

• Controversial Nominations: Donald Trump's nominations, especially that of Matt Gaetz, have sparked widespread opposition within the party and across the political spectrum.

• Impact on Democracy: The infighting and polarizing strategies are viewed as harmful to the stability of American democracy and the effectiveness of governance.

• Media Dynamics: The chaos within the GOP feeds into media narratives, further exacerbating political polarization and public distrust.

---

Notable Quotes

• Ben Miceli on GOP's Evasion:
  “Do not be cowards and run away from the camera. Republicans speak to the American people and own it.”
  [00:43]

• Susan Collins on Gaetz's Nomination:
  “I was shocked and I was anguished... someone who was under DOJ investigation for potential sex trafficking in the past... now Donald Trump nominates him to be the Attorney General of the United States.”
  [00:52]

• Matt Gaetz on the FBI:
  “Feds are like cockroaches... I deserve the truth.”
  [04:27]
  “Maybe I should serve as Attorney General... I'd fire every little shit kicker at the J. Edgar Hoover Building and send them all packing.”
  [04:50]

• Eric Swalwell on Gaetz's Nomination:
  “This pick is a middle finger to Democrats and sane Republicans... it's not being panned only by Democrats.”
  [06:13]

---

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast provides a comprehensive and critical examination of the current turmoil within the Republican Party, highlighting the challenges posed by extremist factions and the implications for national governance and democratic integrity.

Transcript

[Ben Miceli]

This is the sound of your ride home with dad after he caught you vaping. Awkward, isn't it? Most vapes contain seriously addictive levels of nicotine and disappointment.

[Aaron Rupar]

Know the real cost of vapes brought.

[Ben Miceli]

To you by the fda?

[Matt Gaetz]

I'm having trouble. What about Matt Gaetz.

[Eric Swalwell]

Confirmation process?

[Ben Miceli]

I don't know yet. I think about that one.

[Matt Gaetz]

Do you have any concerns about it?

[Ben Miceli]

We'll see.

[Matt Gaetz]

Do you think Matt Gaetz is confirmable? We'll find out, won't we? Senator Kennedy, what do you think of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General?

[Ben Miceli]

Happy Thanksgiving. Here's the thing. This is what you wanted. Do not be cowards and run away from the camera. Republicans speak to the American people and own it. You wanted the drama. You wanted the chaos. Well, Donald Trump just said, bet Matt Gates Attorney General, and you run away and flee like cowards. By the way, this is what Senator Collins had to say in her usual. I am shocked. I am discouraged. This is all very curious. Here's what Republican Senator Susan Collins had to say. Here, watch this. Let's play the clip. I was shocked that he has been nominated. If the nomination proceeds, I'm sure that there will be an extensive background check by the FBI and public hearings and a lot of questions asked. I was shocked and I was anguished, and I was deeply disturbed by the fact that Matt Gates, someone who was under DOJ investigation for potential sex trafficking in the past, someone who was under an ethics investigation in the House for potential drug use for conduct relating to minors, now Donald Trump nominates him to be the Attorney General of the United States. Here's what a lot of Republicans are saying. They're. They're baffled. They say they're baffled. Senator Ernst, he's got his work cut out for him. Murkowski. I don't think it's a serious nomination. Brit. I got nothing. I got nothing for you on that, Cornyn. I don't know the man. Never saw him. Don't know who he is. And then you have a lot of the staff members for these Republicans saying that, you know, we think that our boss isn't going to support this. Well, one of the things that Donald Trump also has planned is something called a recess appointment where Donald Trump's going just to try to force down and jam people like Matt Gates. And, oh, by the way, Tulsi Gabbard, someone who's believed to be compromised by Russia because she literally parrots Russian propaganda word for word. She is now the Director of National Intelligence. You have Christy Noem from South Dakota, who killed her dog Cricket, to be the Homeland Security director. You've got an author of Project 2025 to be the border czar, Tom Homan, who talks about bloody mass deportation exercises. You've got Marco Rubio, who has called Donald Trump a con artist of the highest degree to now be the Secretary of State. Oh, and for everybody who was talking about, um, let's protest Vice President Kamala Harris because she's not doing enough in Gaza and the Middle east, well, guess what. Donald Trump just had Mike Huckabee become the ambassador to Israel. And Mike Huckabee doesn't even acknowledge the existence of the West Bank. He calls it Judea and Samara and says that it should be annexed by Israel forthwith. So is this the chaos? Is this what you wanted? You want someone like Matt Gaetz, who has called the FBI cockroaches, to be the head of the Department of Justice, which the FBI is under. Here's Matt Gaetz calling the FBI cockroaches. Just so you can hear it for yourself. Here, play this clip.

[Matt Gaetz]

And, you know, one thing you kind of notice is that, you know, Feds are like cockroaches. You see one outside the walls, there's probably 10 behind the walls that you don't see. And in this particular case, we deserve the truth.

[Ben Miceli]

And here's Matt Gaetz saying that if he were to become the Attorney General, he would fire many, most people in the FBI. He would gut the FBI. Here, play this clip.

[Matt Gaetz]

Maybe I should serve as Attorney General of the United States. I'd be easy on marijuana and tough on big tech. Wouldn't that be a nice reversal? If necessary, I'd fire every little shit kicker at the J. Edgar Hoover Building and send them all packing. If you really want to drain the swamp, hire a Florida man. Let's go, Matt. We've drained plenty of swamps in Florida, and we know how to finish the job. Just like the alligators in the Everglades, D.C. swamp creatures have spent seemingly millennia adapting to their surroundings. They can be very dangerous if not properly handled. But we know that the swamp isn't truly drained until the hides of the gators are hanging on the wall.

[Ben Miceli]

Now, look, I have friends who work in the FBI and law enforcement. I mean, just think about the stuff that the FBI does each and every day to keep us safe and protect the American people. You're just going to gut it? You're going to fire everybody in the FBI. Congressmember Eric Swalwell went on cnn, and here's what he had to say. Let's play it well.

[Eric Swalwell]

To the President, I say no, seriously, who is your pick for Attorney General? Because this pick is a middle finger to Democrats and sane Republicans and it's not being panned only by Democrats. Aaron, my Republican friends in the House are also clowning this pick. They're saying it publicly as you just read off, but they're also saying it privately. And that was the mood earlier at the Capitol. And so you know Donald Trump, not known for having a sense of humor. Credit to you, you landed a good joke on the country. But this is a position considering what it oversees, counterterrorism, money laundering, public corruption, child trafficking. It's worthy of being taken seriously and also should tell you everything about Matt Gaetz that he would allow himself to be used by the President to try and own the libs with something that we know is never going to pass in the Senate.

[Aaron Rupar]

Let's talk about creatine.

[Ben Miceli]

Now.

[Aaron Rupar]

If you think creatine is just for bodybuilders or athletes, let me stop you right there. Whether you're looking to tone, bulk up, or just boost your energy and focus creates creatine, gummies are a game changer. I'm getting so much focus and energy from these gummies that often I don't even need that second or third cup of coffee. Here's the best part. Krate delivers creatine in a way that's super convenient. Gummies, not powders. No mess, no hassle. Just grab a few and go. These gummies are NSF certified for sport. Made with creapure. That's the highest quality creatine you could get and they're vegan, non GMO and made with 100% natural ingredients. Plus there's no loading phase so you could just start taking them and feel the benefits. You've got four awesome flavors to choose from. Orange, Blue, Raspberry, Watermelon, and my personal favorite, Sour green apple. They taste so good that staying consistent is easy and that's key to seeing long term benefits like better focus, more energy and even improvements in bone density and muscle protection. Being so busy with Midas Touch, having something that's both convenient and effective is a big win for me. I'm no bodybuilder, but I've noticed a real difference since I started taking these. Creatine really works as advertised and I love that I could take it anywhere with no mess or hassle. Plus I just love gummies so it's perfect. Now is your chance to try it out out for yourself. Get 30% off any subscription or one time purchase of creates 90 count bags at TriCreate co slash Midas. That's Tricreate co slash mei das for 30% off your order.

[Ben Miceli]

And so on the one hand, you have from the Republicans who consider themselves to be a little more moderate right there are attacking Donald Trump's selection or they're running away from it, or trying to stop Donald Trump's selection of a MAGA extremist, Matt Gaetz, as the Attorney General. But then on the other hand, in the Senate, the majority leader, Senator John Thune, was just voted by his colleagues in the Senate to be the majority leader. Now Senator Thune, Senator from South Dakota, a Mitch McConnell protege, which Maga always thought Mitch McConnell isn't Republican enough. Maga called Mitch McConnell, who gave them the Supreme Court, who basically teed up everything for the MAGA agenda to be implemented. McConnell, they say, is not MAGA enough. They hate McConnell. And so they say that McConnell engineered the secret ballot vote to allow Senator John Thune to take over. McConnell served in that leadership position for about 18 years, the longest in history in the Republican Party. But now I just want you to take a look at what all of the MAGAs are saying about, uh, John Thune. You've got Peter Navarro saying, under no circumstances can Donald Trump leave with John Thune as the majority leader. You have Jake Lang. A January 6th goes, Beware, new Senate leader John Thune is not a friend of the J6. There's. He is one of the many spineless Rhinos that immediately threw us all under the bus on January6. Following the mainstream news media narrative and drumming up hatred against us that made it impossible for any J6 Patriots to get a fair and impartial jury in Washington D.C. all of the MAGA influencers now attacking other Republicans. Republicans attacking MAGA influencers. Hey, media, this is the drama you wanted, right? We went from no drama. President Biden going about his job day to day, doing the work of our country. But you were like, oh, he's sleepy, he's too old. We want all the chaos. Guess what? Media people aren't watching your networks anymore. Number one, because they know what you did to we the people. And two, this is what you wanted. This is. This is it. This, this was your grand plan. People like DC Drano, we do not like you. We do not trust you. Frankly, we are ashamed of you referring to Republicans in the Senate or Nick Sortor. Don't f with the American people. We overwhelmingly voted for Trump. Trump's MAGA agenda is the mandate. There's no room for negotiation or tattered. You don't work to support your colleagues. You work for us and nobody wanted you. Jonathan Gunther Eagleman. We don't want you. We don't like you. Best piece of advice, don't stand in our way. There's lots of comments like that. Or declaring Magaz, declaring war on Republicans. Senator Thune from South Dakota has been elected majority leader. War it is. Or Ivan Raiklan. Trump needs to offer everyone that voted for Thune a position in his administration, then fire them after they resign as senator. This is the quickest way to drain the Senate swamp. Or Charlie Kirk. John Thune is the Senate majority leader. He has a short window to show us he will support Trump, fill his cabinet, confirm his judges and pass his agendas. If he does it, we will work to remove him. Roseanne Barr, a big maga influencer. Get ready to primary, everyone. Guys, this will not stand. Or Anthony Sabatini, remove John Thune now. I mean, by the way, I just passed over the fact that the big maga influencer is cat turd. By the way, is an actual cat turd. I mean, it's just some of the most ridiculous things right there. So there you have it. Magazine fighting Republicans, running away, complete chaos and drama in Washington, D.C. and what were we preaching here on the Midas Touch Network? All we wanted. So they just wanted adults in the room. I just wanted normalcy, calm, stability. That's it. That's it. But now all the voters like, oh, wait a minute. Donald Trump's trying to do reparations for white people. Now he's doing, you know, reparations. Wait a minute. Donald Trump actually wants to blow up Gaza and just level the whole thing and have Israel annexed. Wait, wait a minute. You mean Donald Trump wants to pardon all the January 6th insurrection? Wait a minute. The bloody mass deportations. That means me. I thought it just applied to them, not me. Oh, I didn't know that. He said it. He said these things at his speeches. We covered them, we talked about them. And I know we were one of the lone voices that did that. We were saying, here is what he is saying. Well, we have to keep building now. We have to keep building this network. Hopefully people will listen. Hopefully people see this drama and that we, the people react to it. We'll keep doing our work here at the Midas Touch Network. That's my promise to you. Thanks for watching. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 4 million subscribers. Love this video. Make sure you stay up to date on the latest breaking news and all things Midas by signing up to the Midas touch [e-mail] newsletter.