The MeidasTouch Podcast: Senator Baldwin Addresses Trump’s Attacks on Wisconsin
Date: September 14, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Guest: Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Episode Overview
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers are joined by Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin for a candid discussion on the impact of Donald Trump’s policies—particularly tariffs, health care, and corruption—on Wisconsin families and Americans at large. The conversation provides ground-level insight into the widespread feelings of betrayal toward Trump among Wisconsin constituents and highlights upcoming legislative leverage points for Democrats. The tone is direct, urgent, and often laced with the podcast’s trademark banter and gallows humor, yet it’s rooted in real stories from the field and first-hand political experience.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
Public Frustration with Trump’s Economic Policies
- Voter Backlash: Ben opens by noting an increase in public anger, especially after summer town halls where Wisconsin Republican Congressman Brian Steele faces strong pushback for defending Trump's tariffs ([02:26]-[03:21]).
- Constituents' Questions: Local residents challenge the rationale behind tariffs affecting over 190 countries, pressing for tangible reasons for increased economic hardship.
Quote:
"My main concern is the tariffs that are coming up. I would like to know what dire economic circumstances put Trump in a position of throwing tariffs on over 190 countries."
– Wisconsin Town Hall Attendee [03:21]
Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Perspective: Betrayal and Rising Costs
- Sense of Betrayal: Senator Baldwin underscores how Trump’s promises to lower everyday costs have not only gone unfulfilled, but have resulted in the opposite—costs, especially for groceries and health care, are soaring ([04:54]-[06:14]).
- Rural Impact: She relays stories from rural hospitals and free clinics, describing fears of closures and job losses as Medicaid cuts loom.
- Magnitude: Nearly a quarter-million Wisconsinites stand to lose health insurance if current policies continue ([06:14]).
Quote:
"What I'm hearing from Wisconsinites is they just honestly feel betrayed by Donald Trump... People are seeing their costs go up and they're seeing him take actions like the tariffs that are having major impacts on the cost of groceries, the cost of things."
– Senator Tammy Baldwin [04:54]
Trump’s “Most Favored Nation” Drug Price Pledge—A Fraud?
- Broken Promises: The hosts highlight Trump’s earlier executive order promising Americans the lowest prescription drug prices in the world—and call it a “Trumpian fraud” as prices continue rising ([06:41]-[07:55]).
- Policy vs. Reality: Baldwin agrees the concept has merit if implemented, but asserts it was merely a slogan with no follow-through, leaving Americans to pay much more than those in other developed countries ([07:55]-[09:36]).
- Attack on Medicaid: Baldwin details a nearly $1 trillion planned cut to Medicaid, warning of devastating effects far beyond “fraud, waste, and abuse.”
Quotes:
"He dangled that idea of most favored nation status... The idea isn't a bad one. You just have to make it happen... It was words, it was a lie, it was betrayal."
– Senator Tammy Baldwin [07:55]
"In that signature piece of legislation that Trump put forward, it is a massive attack. Almost a trillion dollars out of Medicaid over the next decade."
– Senator Tammy Baldwin [08:55]
Economic Disparity and “Club Rose Garden”
- Corruption and Elitism: Both hosts and Baldwin criticize Trump’s normalization of self-enrichment—referencing meme coins, luxury dinner ticket sales, and the so-called “Club Rose Garden,” drawing a stark contrast to Wisconsinites living paycheck to paycheck ([09:36]-[12:01]).
- Lost American Dream: The segment highlights families struggling to save money and Baldwin suggests Trump correctly identified the problem during his campaign, but then exacerbated it as President.
Quote:
"Ways in which Donald Trump has enriched himself through the normalization of corruption, frankly, meme coins and multimillion dollar tickets to dinners with him, it's just grotesque."
– Senator Tammy Baldwin [10:39]
Democratic Opposition and Next Steps
- Legislative Strategy: With Republicans controlling government, Baldwin points to upcoming moments where Democrats have leverage—specifically bills requiring a 60-vote supermajority in the Senate. She suggests Democrats can demand an undoing of some harm done to Medicaid and insist on prescription drug price reform as conditions for cooperation ([12:23]-[14:36]).
- Enforcing Accountability: Baldwin emphasizes the need for built-in safeguards to prevent Trump from unilaterally undoing congressional deals.
Quotes:
"We have a moment like that coming up, and I think we are going to see one of two scenarios ... They agree to reverse some of the harm that has been done in Trump’s signature budget bill... or it's our way or the highway."
– Senator Tammy Baldwin [12:23]
"It's not enough to achieve those goals ... we have to curtail Trump's lawlessness, because we can't get an agreement, a bipartisan agreement ... and have Trump just the next day undo them unilaterally."
– Senator Tammy Baldwin [13:13]
Disappointment in Trump-Aligned Republican Senators
- GOP Physicians' Dilemma: The hosts criticize Republican senators who, though medical doctors (Cassidy, Barrasso), publicly condemn the administration’s health policies as “killing constituents” yet refuse to stand up to Trump in public ([14:36]-[16:14]).
- Hypocrisy and Loyalty: Baldwin calls out these senators for failing to act on broken promises made by Trump’s appointees (notably RFK Jr. as health secretary), indicating a broader culture of enabling Trump despite grave policy concerns.
Quote:
"Even if my colleagues won't stand up to President Trump, they should at least be standing up to RFK Jr and calling on him to resign or calling on the president to fire him."
– Senator Tammy Baldwin [17:14]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Trump's “Most Favored Nation” Health Care Promise:
“It was words, it was a lie, it was betrayal.” — Senator Tammy Baldwin [07:55] -
On Economic Hardship in Wisconsin:
“They're not sure they're going to be able to keep the doors open.” — Senator Tammy Baldwin, referencing clinics and hospitals [06:14] -
On Republican Senators’ Hypocrisy:
“Why are we giving agency to crazy people? Why are smart people seemingly doing that?” — Host Ben Meiselas [16:02] -
Call to Action:
“Just keep up. Keep up the fight. We have to keep up the fight.” — Senator Tammy Baldwin [17:37]
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
- [02:26] — Introduction of economic dissatisfaction and town hall pushback in Wisconsin
- [04:54] — Senator Baldwin describes feelings of betrayal over increased costs
- [06:14] — Impact of health care cuts on rural clinics and hospitals
- [07:55] — Discussion of Trump’s “most favored nation” drug price pledge as a fraud
- [10:39] — Conversation about Trump’s corruption and Club Rose Garden imagery
- [12:23] — Baldwin explains legislative strategy and leverage opportunities
- [14:36] — Debate on Republican doctors in the Senate failing to oppose Trump’s policies
- [17:37] — Baldwin’s closing message to listeners
Summary
This episode offers a passionate, detailed critique of the economic and health care realities faced by Wisconsinites and many Americans under Trump’s second term. Senator Baldwin delivers firsthand anecdotes and policy warnings, particularly around skyrocketing costs, major Medicaid and health care cuts, and a political culture that seemingly normalizes corruption and broken promises. The episode’s tone is sobering yet infused with the Meiselas brothers' signature banter and a call for vigilance, truth-telling, and continued democratic engagement.
Closing Note:
Senator Baldwin urges listeners to "keep up the fight" for democracy and accountability—reinforcing the vitality of grassroots political pressure and legislative vigilance.