The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Sickly Trump Gets Head Bashed in as Newsom Calls His Bluff"

Date: September 8, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Theme: How Governor Gavin Newsom has escalated his public ridicule and pushback against Donald Trump’s policies and rhetoric, using sharp wit and data-driven clapbacks, and what this signals for the fight for democracy.

Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers break down the intensifying verbal and meme war between California Governor Gavin Newsom and former President Donald Trump. Newsom uses social media to expose contradictions, highlight policy failures, and ridicule Trump, while the brothers offer commentary, context, and plenty of their signature banter. They explore how Newsom’s approach is rallying pro-democracy voices and examine the facts behind commonly-used right-wing talking points about California and national politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Newsom’s Offensive Against Trump ([01:56]–[05:18])

• Trump’s “Rose Garden” Rebrand Mocked:
  Newsom dubs Trump’s newly concrete Rose Garden “Predator Patio” in response to Trump’s exclusive event, poking at the current administration’s patterns of exclusion and controversy.

  • Quote: “Welcome to Predator Patio. Admission: just prove you’re on the Epstein list.” – Governor Newsom paraphrased by podcast [01:56]

• Savage Reply to J.D. Vance:
  After Vance accuses Newsom of mimicking Trump, Newsom claps back on X:

  • Quote: “Hey, couch boy, I’m not mimicking Dozy Don. I’m mocking him. Only someone with a law degree from Chuck E. Cheese could be as dumb as you.” – Gov. Newsom [02:20]

• Response to “Deportations” Meme:
  Trump posts a meme referencing “Apocalypse Now” about military actions in Chicago, with the phrase:

  • “I love the smell of deportations in the morning. Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of War.” – Donald Trump (paraphrased) [03:12]
    Newsom calls out the normalization of authoritarian measures and militarization of American cities.

• Even Conservative Hosts Criticize Trump’s Authority Over National Guard:
  Newsom highlights Megyn Kelly’s statement:

  • Quote: “You can’t just send [the National Guard] in to random cities… You really can’t do [that] without the invitation of a governor. It very clearly is not constitutionally permissible.” – Megyn Kelly [04:41]

2. Exposing Trump’s Economic Promises and Excuses ([05:18]–[09:18])

• “I Will Immediately Bring Prices Down” – Vs. Reality:
  Trump’s past promise to lower prices “immediately” as president is contrasted with the continued rise in grocery prices and his shifting goalposts.

  • Quote: “You promised it would happen on day one… now [Trump’s] saying it won’t get better until 2027.” – Political Commentator [05:42]

• Trump Blames Others for Slow Progress:
  Trump now claims “the numbers aren’t gonna be good in 2026, maybe 2027,” laying groundwork to blame Democrats, courts, or others for economic issues.

  • Analysis: The hosts point out this is a classic “pass-the-buck” tactic.

• Clip Montage: Rising Grocery Prices

  • [07:00] Trump responds vaguely to questions about the rising cost of beef and other groceries:
    Quote: “Beef will go down. It’ll all go down. Energy has gone way down. The price of gasoline… I think you’ll be hitting $2 very soon.” – Donald Trump [07:00]

3. Challenging Red State vs Blue State Narratives ([07:43]–[10:15])

• Ashley Hinson’s “Better than California” Talking Point Debunked:
  Newsom responds to Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson saying she doesn’t want Iowa to “look like California” by citing California’s leadership in agriculture, business, manufacturing, and low homicide rates.

  • Quote: “We’re number one in agriculture… number one in manufacturing… lower homicide rate than Iowa.” – Gov. Newsom paraphrased [08:42]

• Taker vs. Giver States:
  The Meidas brothers emphasize California’s status as a “giver” state and rebuke conservative states’ reliance on federal funds provided by California and similar economies.

  • Quote: “California is the fourth largest economy… yet all these red states who are taker states… their very survival requires California to be subsidizing their existence.” – Political Commentator [09:18]

4. More Newsom Callouts & Data-Driven Dunks ([12:07]–[20:22])

• Trump’s “Peacemaker” Claim Contrasted with War Rhetoric:
  Newsom ridicules Trump’s claim that his presidential legacy will be that of a “peacemaker,” given Trump’s recent warlike memes and statements.

• Highlighting Food Price Truths:
  Newsom produces receipts: Prices for eggs, chicken, bacon, orange juice, bread, and coffee are up—contrary to Trump’s celebratory claims.

  • Quote: “[Eggs] have come down from January, February, but they’re still way higher than they were this time last year by significant amounts… all groceries are up.” – Political Commentator [13:41]

• Trump’s Russian Eggs and Ukraine Policy:
  The podcast discusses how Trump’s administration is importing eggs from Russia, which is in stark conflict with a supposed “America First” stance.

• Mockery of MAGA Politicians, Including Mike Johnson:
  Newsom lampoons Republican leaders for celebrating at the “Rose Garden Club” while major economic and healthcare issues go unresolved.

  • Quote: “After ripping health care from 17 million Americans and slashing food stamps for kids… time to toast the grand opening at Predator Patio.” – Gov. Newsom post quoted [13:41]

• Trump’s Inaccurate Energy and Economy Claims:
  Gas prices are not as low as Trump claims; supposed trade deals and revitalizations don’t exist.

  • Quote: “Trump’s claiming gas prices are 1.99—they’re not 1.99 at all… There’s not a single trade deal. Show me any signed agreement.” – Political Commentator [15:00 approx.]

• Kennedy Center Is a “Ghost Town” Under Trump’s Appointee:
  Rick Grinnell is mocked for declining ticket sales and poor management at the arts institution.

• Facts About Los Angeles Crime:
  Newsom points out, with data, that LA is among the safest major cities in the US—contradicting right-wing media narratives.

• California National Guard Drug Seizures:
  Newsom touts the full restoration and significant success of the California National Guard’s narcotics interdiction teams, detailing over 33,000 pounds of fentanyl and 50+ million pills seized since 2021.

5. Trump’s Offensive Toward Female Reporter ([20:03]–[20:22])

• Notable Moment:
  When a female reporter presses Trump about his meme threatening military action in Chicago, Trump dismisses her:

  • Quote:
    • “Darling, that’s fake news. Be quiet. You don’t listen. That’s why you’re second grade… We’re not going to war. We’re going to clean up our cities.” – Donald Trump [20:03]

• The hosts condemn Trump’s disrespectful, misogynistic tone and note this is consistent with long-standing patterns.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:20] Gavin Newsom:
  “Only someone with a law degree from Chuck E. Cheese could be as dumb as you.”
• [04:41] Megyn Kelly (highlighted by Newsom):
  “You really can’t [send in the National Guard] without the invitation of a governor... It very clearly is not constitutionally permissible.”
• [07:00] Donald Trump:
  “The price of beef will be going down. Just like the price of eggs went down... Energy has gone way down.”
• [09:18] Host:
  “California is the fourth largest economy… yet all these red states who are taker states…”
• [13:41] Newsom via podcast:
  “Groceries. Like almost—you know who uses the word? I started using the word the groceries. When you buy apples, when you buy bacon, when you buy eggs, they would double and triple the price…”
• [20:03] Donald Trump:
  “Darling, that’s fake news. Be quiet. …That’s why you’re second grade.”
• [Final Analysis] Host:
  “We need strength, we need moral authority, we need pushback. And calling Donald Trump out like this… I’m glad to see Governor Newsom doing it the way he is.” [18:40 approx.]

Important Timestamps

• 01:56: Intro to Newsom’s attacks on Trump and GOP
• 02:20: Newsom’s viral response to JD Vance
• 04:41: Megyn Kelly constitutional rebuke of Trump
• 05:35: Trump’s “prices will go down” promises revisited
• 07:00: Trump’s current economic justifications
• 09:18: Hosts dissect “giver” vs “taker” state realities
• 13:41: Food price rises, Russian egg imports, Newsom’s memes
• 16:30–18:00: Kennedy Center mismanagement, LA crime debunked
• 19:00: CA National Guard drug busts
• 20:03: Trump’s demeaning encounter with a female reporter

Tone & Flow

The episode is energetic, blunt, and laced with humor and righteous indignation. There’s a balance of data, receipts, and savage quips, reflecting both Newsom’s and the Meiselas brothers’ unapologetic support for democracy, fact-based rebuttals, and direct call-outs on misinformation.

Summary

“Sickly Trump Gets Head Bashed in as Newsom Calls His Bluff” illustrates the escalating rhetoric and meme warfare between Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump, dissecting the substance (or lack thereof) behind Trump’s claims and exposing right-wing narratives around California and national policy. Through a mix of fact-checking, wit, and disdain for authoritarian bluster, the MeidasTouch crew positions Newsom as a formidable voice pushing back against right-wing talking points—offering listeners ammunition, facts, and a few laughs for the ongoing fight for democracy.