The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Sickly Trump Has Meltdown as Bombs Go Off
Date: August 23, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the latest political chaos surrounding former President Donald Trump amid escalating global crises, economic instability, and shocking new developments in both the Epstein-Maxwell saga and the administration’s economic policies. The Meiselas brothers employ their signature blend of sharp political analysis and irreverent humor as they dissect Trump’s public meltdowns, dubious foreign relationships, concerning health rumors, and attempts to distract from controversy through stunts and social media manipulation.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ukraine, Russia, and Trump’s Unprecedented Foreign Entanglement

• The episode opens with the hosts outlining recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, impacting both Hungary and Slovakia, and consequently sparking complaints from strongmen like Viktor Orban—who then corresponded with Trump, appealing for support.
• Quote (Political Commentator, 03:17):
  "And then Donald Trump is attacking Ukraine in this letter and it’s being used by Putin and Orban. Are you kidding me?"
• Trump’s unusual correspondence is called out for supporting adversarial regimes, undermining Ukraine, and being exploited as propaganda by authoritarians.

2. Distractions and Bizarre Oval Office Behavior

• Trump’s press conference in the Oval Office (with FIFA’s president present) is discussed as spectacle and distraction, especially as expectations were for the Epstein files to be released. Instead, only Ghislaine Maxwell’s audio and transcript are shared, whitewashing both Trump and Epstein’s reputations.
• Quote (Political Commentator, 04:56):
  “Our DOJ is literally getting into bed with a convicted sex trafficker and giving her immunity from prosecution... Donald Trump wanted all of these distractions."
• Trump holds up a photograph purportedly sent by Vladimir Putin, signing it as if granting a personal favor, while offering to host Putin at the upcoming World Cup.

3. Ghislaine Maxwell’s Testimony

• A segment is played featuring Maxwell speaking fondly of her acquaintance with Trump, calling him "very kind" and denying any wrongdoing—contradicting her conviction as a sex trafficker.
• Ghislaine Maxwell (08:21):
  “As far as I’m concerned, President Trump was always very cordial and very kind to me. And I just want to say that I find I admire his extraordinary achievement in becoming the president now. And I like him and I’ve always liked.”
• Hosts deride the DOJ for enabling this narrative and highlight the ongoing attempt to sanitize Trump’s relationships with dubious figures.

4. Trump’s Health Speculation

• The hosts raise concerns about Trump’s deteriorating health—citing public footage showing possible cardiovascular issues, swelling, and mobility difficulties.
• Quote (Political Commentator, 07:10):
  "Have you seen Donald Trump’s hand? Have you seen the discoloration? ... What you’re seeing here looks to be a very serious heart condition manifesting publicly."

5. The US Economy: Stagflation and Manipulation

• The economic situation is dissected: Unemployment and inflation are both rising, signaling "stagflation." The Federal Reserve mulls cutting rates to stave off recession, an action greeted by paradoxical spikes in the stock market even as most Americans suffer.
• Quote (Political Commentator, 08:55):
  "We’re entering stagflationary times… GDP going down, unemployment going up, inflation going up… Our economy is looking like meme coin, third world country stuff right now."
• Trump’s manipulation of supporters through constant "patriotic" emails and golden certificates is mocked as confidence scams.

6. Ground News as a Media Literacy Tool

• The hosts advocate using Ground News to escape echo chambers and see which stories are (or are not) picked up by different sides of the political spectrum.
• Quote (Political Commentator, 12:45):
  "Ground News is essential for me to see through any double standards in the current media ecosphere."

7. Immigration and Abrego Garcia Case

• The Kafkaesque saga of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a migrant ensnared in legal limbo after being deported to El Salvador (contrary to court orders) and then shuffled through the US justice system, is recounted as emblematic of Trump’s cruelty toward migrants.

8. Trump’s Tariff Announcement

• Trump’s statement about imposing tariffs on imported furniture is derided as economic nonsense and empty populism, likely to result in higher consumer costs and not new US manufacturing jobs.
• Quote (Political Commentator, 15:40):
  "What’s going to happen? You need the parts. You need lumber from Canada. You need parts from Asia and Africa and Brazil. ... And that’s passed on to consumers."

9. Federal Reserve’s Economic Outlook

• Chair Jerome Powell’s comments on labor market weakness and the sharp decline in immigration are played and analyzed.
• Jerome Powell (16:14):
  “The July employment report... showed that payroll job growth slowed to an average pace of only 35,000 per month over the past three months... Labor supply has softened in line with demand, sharply lowering the break-even rate of job creation needed to hold the unemployment rate constant.”

10. Trump, Putin, and Public Humiliation

• Trump’s gushing over a photo "sent by Putin" during an official meeting is played and roasted.
• Donald Trump (17:46):
  "I was just sent a picture from somebody that wants to be there very badly. ... That’s a man named Vladimir Putin, who I believe will be coming, depending on what happens."
• Hosts argue this is emblematic of Trump’s embarrassing subservience and insecurity on the world stage.

11. Attacks on Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook

• Trump marks an "X" over the image of Federal Reserve Board governor Lisa Cook and encourages baseless investigations into her, actions the hosts condemn as racist and authoritarian.

12. Final Thoughts on Ghislaine Maxwell

• The hosts reiterate the injustice of letting Maxwell (and by extension, Trump) control the narrative.
• CNN Segment (19:52):
  "Maxwell notably denies that any wrongdoing took place on her behalf, something that contradicts what we’ve heard from victims and clearly what she was convicted of."

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Relationship with Authoritarians:
  "[Trump’s] letter is being used by Putin and Orban. Are you kidding me?" (03:17)

• On DOJ, Epstein, and Distractions:
  "Our DOJ is literally getting into bed with a convicted sex trafficker and giving her immunity from prosecution." (04:56)

• Ghislaine Maxwell on Trump:
  "President Trump was always very cordial and very kind to me. ... And I like him and I’ve always liked." (08:21)

• On Trump’s Health:
  "What you’re seeing here looks to be a very serious heart condition manifesting publicly." (07:10)

• On Today's Economy:
  "Our economy is looking like meme coin, third world country stuff right now." (08:55)

• Trump’s Putin Moment:
  "That’s a man named Vladimir Putin, who I believe will be coming, depending on what happens." (17:46)

Timestamps for Main Topics

• 03:17 – Ukraine, Russia, Orban and Trump’s letters
• 04:56 – Ghislaine Maxwell interviews/DOJ immunity and distractions
• 07:10 – Speculation on Trump’s declining health
• 08:21 – Ghislaine Maxwell’s comments on Trump
• 08:55 – Stagflation, economic crisis, and market manipulation
• 12:45 – Media coverage and bias with Ground News
• 13:50 – Kilmar Abrego Garcia immigration saga
• 15:40 – Trump’s furniture tariff proposal
• 16:14 – Jerome Powell’s statement on the economy
• 17:46 – Trump’s Oval Office "Putin photo" moment
• 18:58 – Trump targets Federal Reserve’s Lisa Cook
• 19:52 – CNN/Ghislaine Maxwell segment wrap

Tone and Style

The episode swings between outraged sarcasm and serious concern, with the brothers’ banter providing comic relief in otherwise heavy political discussions. Their unapologetic defense of democratic values and relentless criticism of Trump-era authoritarianism remains central throughout.

This episode is a sharp chronicle of political dysfunction, institutional decay, and media spectacle, all filtered through the comedic and critical lens of the Meiselas brothers.