Summary of The MeidasTouch Podcast Episode: "Sleepy Trump Has Disaster Interview as Pressure Grows" Release Date: March 26, 2025

In this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve into a recent interview featuring former President Donald Trump on Newsmax with Greg Kelly. The discussion critically examines Trump's performance, his statements on various national and international issues, and the hosts' analysis of his rhetoric and behavior. The episode offers listeners an insightful breakdown of Trump's interview dynamics, emphasizing the growing pressures he faces.

1. Trump’s Demeanor and Interview Performance

The episode opens with a critical assessment of Donald Trump's physical and mental state during the interview. Greg Kelly describes Trump as lethargic and "sleepy," suggesting a lack of vigor and engagement.

• Greg Kelly [00:30]: "Look at Donald Trump here throughout this interview on Newsmax with Greg Kelly this evening. He looked like he was going to fall asleep the entire time. Sleepy Donald with his eyes closed..."

This portrayal sets the tone for the hosts' skeptical view of Trump's current influence and effectiveness.

2. Claims About the 2020 Election

A significant portion of the interview focuses on Trump's unfounded claims regarding the 2020 presidential election.

• Donald Trump [00:57]: "...the 2020 election was rigged."

Greg Kelly labels these statements as whining and highlights Trump's persistent but baseless allegations of election fraud.

3. Discussion on Ashley Babbitt and January 6th

Trump addresses the tragic death of Ashley Babbitt, a supporter who died during the January 6th Capitol riot.

• Donald Trump [01:24 & 14:22]: "I did not know that now... Ashley Babbitt was a really good person who was a big MAGA fan, Trump fan... I think it's a disgrace."

The hosts highlight Trump's conflicting statements, noting his initial lack of awareness followed by praise for Babbitt, juxtaposing it with his critical remarks about the police officer involved.

• Greg Kelly [14:07]: "Ashley Babbitt is suing the government wrongful death... Shouldn't that be something that can just be settled at this point?"

4. Trade Deals and USMCA Critique

Trump discusses the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), initially presenting it as a significant achievement.

• Donald Trump [15:24]: "It's my great honor to announce that we have successfully completed negotiations on... USMCA."

However, he later criticizes the deal, contradicting his earlier praise.

• Greg Kelly [15:24]: "Yeah, Donald. So the person who made a stupid deal. Stupid. That was you, Don."

This flip-flop is used to question Trump's consistency and effectiveness in negotiating trade agreements.

5. Russia and Ukraine Relations

Trump's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is scrutinized, especially his ambiguous comments on Russia's intentions and Ukraine's actions.

• Donald Trump [06:27]: "I think Russia would like to see it end... But it could be they're dragging their feet."

Greg Kelly points out Trump's inability to take a definitive stance, highlighting potential misinformation and strategic ambiguity.

6. Social Security and Illegal Immigrants

Trump makes misleading statements regarding Social Security benefits for illegal immigrants.

• Donald Trump [05:33]: "If you have an illegal immigrant on Social Security... they lie so badly and they lie so much."

The hosts debunk these claims, clarifying that illegal immigrants are not eligible for Social Security benefits, thereby exposing Trump's misinformation.

7. Economic Policies and Tariffs

The discussion touches on Trump's economic policies, specifically his approach to tariffs and their impact on American citizens.

• Donald Trump [04:52]: "I've campaigned very hard on groceries and they're coming down very much... bringing other prices down with it."

However, he faces criticism for the actual impact of these policies on the economy.

8. Internal Communications and National Security Concerns

Greg Kelly raises concerns about the security of internal communications within Trump's administration.

• Greg Kelly [16:01]: "Donald Trump's special envoy to Russia, Steve Witkoff, was allegedly in Moscow while he was on this group chat... How dangerous is that?"

The episode references testimony from Susan Rice, emphasizing potential breaches of national security protocols.

• Susan Rice [17:24]: "...Russians undoubtedly have it."

This segment underscores the risks associated with unsecured communications at high government levels.

9. Conclusion and Hosts' Reflections

The episode concludes with Greg Kelly urging listeners to engage with The MeidasTouch Podcast community, aiming to grow their subscriber base and encourage audience interaction.

• Greg Kelly [18:05]: "Well, there you have it, folks. Let me know what you think. That was Donald Trump. Sleepy Donald Trump's appearance on Newsmax. Really weird stuff. Dangerous stuff."

Key Insights and Takeaways

• Critique of Leadership: The hosts express significant skepticism regarding Trump's current leadership capabilities, highlighting inconsistencies and perceived misinformation.

• Impact of Rhetoric: Trump's statements on sensitive issues like the 2020 election, Social Security, and international conflicts are dissected to reveal underlying misinformation and strategic ambiguity.

• National Security Risks: The episode underscores the importance of secure communications within government operations, raising alarms about potential vulnerabilities exposed by Trump's administrative practices.

• Community Engagement: The MeidasTouch Podcast emphasizes the strength of its community, the "MidasMighty," and seeks to expand its reach through active listener participation and content sharing.

Notable Quotes from the Episode

• Greg Kelly [00:30]: "Look at Donald Trump here throughout this interview on Newsmax with Greg Kelly this evening. He looked like he was going to fall asleep the entire time."

• Donald Trump [00:57]: "People knew it before, too... the 2020 election was rigged."

• Susan Rice [17:24]: "The Russians undoubtedly have it."

• Greg Kelly [15:24]: "So the person who made a stupid deal. Stupid. That was you, Don."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical analysis presented in The MeidasTouch Podcast episode, offering listeners a thorough understanding of the discussions surrounding Donald Trump's recent interview and the broader implications for American politics and governance.