Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode Title: Sickly Trump Beaten to a Pulp as Newsom Makes Him Suffer
Date: September 4, 2025
Hosts: Ben Meiselas, Brett Meiselas, Jordy Meiselas

Overview

This episode dives into a high-octane week of political sparring, with California Governor Gavin Newsom ruthlessly clapping back at Donald Trump’s social media attacks and public statements. The Meiselas brothers break down this battle with signature humor and directness, highlighting Newsom’s unapologetic takedowns of Trump and the broader failures of right-wing media and politicians – particularly on issues like public health, misinformation, and hypocrisy. The episode is a whirlwind recap of memes, court rulings, Twitter feuds, and pressing policy controversies on both the state and national stage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Newsom vs. Trump: Meme Warfare and Policy Clashes

• Trump's Increasingly Bizarre Posts:
  Trump posted AI-generated memes of Newsom in MAGA gear and of himself on a punching bag, as well as photos of Rosie O’Donnell and Senator Schiff, prompting widespread ridicule.
  (01:12–02:00)

• Newsom’s Direct Response:
  Newsom calls Trump a "bumbling idiot" for his nonsensical claims about California's water management during the wildfires, correcting Trump's falsehoods with real data about full reservoirs and clarifying there’s no water "tap" from the Pacific Northwest.
  Quote:
  “Trump is a bumbling idiot. You just gotta be direct.” — Gavin Newsom, (02:30)
  (01:17–03:35)

• Mockery of Trump’s 'Sprinkler' Story:
  The brothers lampoon Trump’s assertion that houses burned in Southern California because Newsom refused to let water in from the north, thus disabling sprinklers—a story debunked with facts and sarcasm.
  Quote:
  “The hell are you talking about? The sprinklers would have put out the wildfires fueled by 110-150-mile per hour winds. What are you talking about?” — (02:54)

• Trump vs. Newsom on Military Use:
  Recent federal court ruling: Newsom defeated Trump in court, with the judge finding Trump’s use of the military as a police force (violating Posse Comitatus) to be illegal. Newsom celebrates the victory and throws shade online.
  (04:27, 17:40)

2. GOP Hypocrisy — Newsom & Hosts’ Critique

• Exposing JD Vance ("Just Dance Vance"):
  Newsom shares a supercut of JD Vance previously denouncing Trump as a fraud, contrasting this with his current hard-right loyalty.
  Quote:
  “Just Dance Vance grew a beard and lost his spine, but at least he kept his eyeliner.” — Gavin Newsom, (05:16)

• MAGA Media Meltdowns:
  Newsom posts a tongue-in-cheek "public notice" dragging a host of right-wing outlets (Fox News, Breitbart, Newsmax, etc.) for misinformation:
  Quote:
  “They are not my enemy. They are the enemy of you, the American people.” — (09:10)
  (08:54–09:20)

• West Coast Health Alliance vs. Republican Med Misinformation:
  Newsom and the hosts highlight a new California-Oregon-Washington health alliance as a pro-science alternative to federal and Florida policies under DeSantis and Surgeon General Ladapo. Newsom calls out “quacks and wackos” resisting vaccines and spreading dangerous public health rhetoric.
  Quote:
  “The Pro Life party is putting lives at risk.” — Gavin Newsom, (10:47)
  (10:00–11:00, 12:00–13:00)

• Medical Disinfo: Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, RFK Jr.:
  Hosts and Newsom go after prominent figures undermining childhood vaccination and pandemic responses—citing unscientific statements and even ICE raids filmed by Dr. Phil.
  Quote:
  “Don’t trust this nut to make your medical decisions. We do not trust him.” — Gavin Newsom (11:50–12:00)
  (11:00–13:30)

3. Gun Reform, Religious Hypocrisy & Political Outrage

• Mike Johnson Accusation:
  MAGA Speaker Mike Johnson accuses Newsom of “anti-Christian rhetoric” for saying “thoughts and prayers are not enough” after a school shooting. Newsom rebuts, invoking the Bible to call out the empty piety of those blocking gun reform.
  Quote:
  “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.” — Gavin Newsom (15:49)
  (15:15–17:00)

• Right-Wing Policy Failures & Economic Facts:
  Newsom posts stats on inflation, electric bills, and price increases during Trump’s presidency to counter GOP narratives, making a tongue-in-cheek AI “World’s Best Governor” meme in response.
  (17:40–18:30)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Water Policy Claims:
  “There’s no faucet that you turn on, Donald.” — (02:49)

• On the Dangers of Vaccine Misinformation:
  “Welcome back measles, welcome back rubella, welcome back mumps, welcome back all these diseases that we wiped away…” — Gavin Newsom (11:15–11:30)

• On RFK Jr. and “Brain Worms”:
  “I don’t know, maybe it’s your freaking brain worms, RFK.” — Gavin Newsom (11:45)

• On Federal Court Win Over Trump:
  “Trump loses again. The court agrees his militarization of our streets… is patently illegal.” — Gavin Newsom (17:42 )

• On Right-Wing Media:
  “Fox News edits the tapes, Breitbart Loons, Daily Caller Conspiracy Peddlers... They are not my enemy. They are the enemy of you, the American people.” — (09:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:12–03:30 | Newsom responds to Trump’s meme warfare and wildfire water claims | | 04:12–05:16 | JD Vance hypocrisy exposed (“Just Dance Vance”) | | 08:54–10:00 | Newsom’s viral “Fake News” public notice | | 10:00–13:30 | Vaccine policy, West Coast Health Alliance, and right-wing quacks | | 15:15–17:00 | Mike Johnson’s accusation, Newsom’s biblical rebuke | | 17:40 | Trump loses court case on militarization of police | | 18:30–end | Economic stats, Newsom’s closing jabs, promo |

Conclusion

The Meiselas brothers deliver another punchy, entertaining episode channeling the viral energy of Gavin Newsom’s media blitz. The episode lays bare right-wing misinformation, hypocrisy on science and faith, and congratulates the California-led push for evidence-based health policy while mocking Trump’s repeated legal losses and outlandish social posts. Interspersed with sarcasm and mockery, the show encourages listeners to reject normalization of right-wing lies and to “call out evil” where it’s seen—all in the name of robust, unapologetic democracy.

[End of summary.]