The MeidasTouch Podcast – “Trump Cabinet gets Instant Repudiation in Tariff Ruling”

Date: August 31, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Focus: The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals’ sweeping rejection of President Trump’s international tariff policy, the attempted legal pressure by Trump’s cabinet, and what the ruling means for U.S. democracy and economic future.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Meiselas leads a detailed, fiery analysis of the recent Federal Circuit Court of Appeals decision that instantly shot down Donald Trump’s expansive tariff regime. With brotherly banter and legal expertise, he exposes how Trump’s cabinet tried to pressure and “set up” the courts, critiques the legitimacy of Trump’s so-called trade deals, and explains how this ruling reaffirms Congress’s constitutional powers. The episode is punctuated with insightful, sharply worded commentary and memorable courtroom drama, embodying the MeidasTouch commitment to informing listeners and defending democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Administration’s Desperate Appeal to the Court

[00:57 – 03:00]

• Before the ruling, Trump’s cabinet (Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Secretary of State Marco Rubio) submitted urgent letters to the Federal Circuit Court, arguing that an adverse judgment would:
  • “Utterly humiliate Donald Trump and the administration and harm the United States’ standing in the world.”
  • Cause “dangerous diplomatic embarrassment” and “devastating and dire consequences” ([01:40]).
• The Appeals Court “expedited” their ruling, issuing it only hours later, seemingly undeterred by the cabinet’s warnings.

Quote:
“The cause and effect right there was the Trump regime begging, ‘Please, you’re going to make us look so embarrassed.’ And then the court right away said enough is enough... We're issuing our order right before Labor Day.” – Ben ([01:27])

2. Debunking Trump’s Alleged ‘Trade Deals’

[03:10 – 06:00]

• Ben uses legal expertise and common sense to question the existence of Trump-announced trade deals with Japan, South Korea, the U.K., and the European Union.
• Says such deals are “oral arrangements that are made up in Donald Trump's mind” – there’s no paperwork or transparency as is customary for U.S. trade agreements.
• References to outlandish claims about the U.S. receiving enormous sums from foreign nations with no documentation to back it up.
• Cites Japan cancelling a U.S. trade trip and being upset about misrepresentations.

Quote:
“Show me where Japan has agreed they will give the United States $550 billion as a signing bonus, as Donald Trump says... I’d really like to see that document. Oh wait, we don’t get to see that document.” – Ben ([04:45])

Memorable Moment:
Trump dropping a so-called “trade deal” on the G7 floor that was blank except for his signature ([05:56]).

3. The Court’s Ruling – Constitutional Authority and the Illegality of Trump’s Actions

[06:05 – 09:45]

• The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals held that Trump had no authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs.
• The Constitution assigns “the power to lay and collect taxes, duties… and to regulate commerce with foreign nations” to Congress.
• Compared Trump’s overreach to “extortion” and underscored that tariffs are a tax paid by Americans, not foreign countries.

Quote:
“Tariffs are a tax. And the framers of the Constitution expressly contemplated the exclusive grant of taxing power to the legislative branch… The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals makes it very clear there.” – Ben ([08:27])

Notable Excerpt from Court (Paraphrased):

• “If Congress wanted to give away its power under Article 1… they would have said it in [IEEPA], and they didn't.”

4. Scapegoating and Political Blame Games

[09:00 – 11:30]

• Ben details how Trump and his cabinet set up the courts to take the blame for economic woes, stagflation, and foreign policy failures.
• Draws historical parallel: Trump’s pattern of scapegoating (e.g., blaming Dr. Fauci for COVID and Jerome Powell for the economy).
• Cabinet statements threatened the court, warning of major consequences if tariffs were struck down, trying to paint the judiciary as responsible for any fallout.

Quote:
“They're extorting the court. They're threatening the court, and the court didn't listen to it. But they're saying, ‘we're going to blame everything on you.'” – Ben ([10:50])

5. Impact of the Ruling & Defending Democratic Norms

[11:40 – 13:45]

• The court not only struck down Trump’s tariffs but also sent a message of judicial independence, refusing to be cowed or manipulated.
• Reiterated significance for U.S. constitutional order and the dangers of unchecked executive power.

Quote:
“You can send us all the letters you want, Besant, Rubio, Lutnick, and try to throw this on us. But we're not going to be intimidated by you. That's what they were saying. That's the message that was being sent. Powerful message.” – Ben ([13:22])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Fantastical Trade Claims:
  “All the foreign countries were waiting for this ruling to happen because they knew what Donald Trump was doing was unlawful. So they were like, okay, Donald, you can say some fake deal terms that aren't actually going to be dispositive or binding.” ([05:24])
• On the Real Economic Pain:
  “The American people are feeling how bad it is, but they're setting the court up is what they're doing.” – Ben ([09:32])
• On Judicial Resolve:
  “We're not going to be intimidated by you.” ([13:22])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:57] Introduction to the Trump tariff ruling saga
• [01:40] Cabinet letters pleading for judicial mercy
• [03:10] Fact-checking Trump’s ‘deals’; international skepticism
• [05:56] G7 “blank trade deal” anecdote
• [06:05] Deep-dive: court’s legal reasoning
• [08:27] Tariffs as taxes and constitutional powers
• [09:00] Trump’s rhetorical scapegoating
• [10:50] Cabinet “extortion” vs. court’s independence
• [11:40] Significance for democracy and constitutional order
• [13:22] The message of judicial refusal to be intimidated

Tone and Language

Ben’s legal expertise and passionate defense of democratic norms set the tone—analytical, incredulous at the administration’s overreach, and direct in its criticism. Banter and hyperbole (e.g., fanciful trade deals, “blank” agreements with Trump’s signature) provide comic relief while driving home the absurdity of the claims.

Conclusion

This episode delivers an incisive breakdown of a historic legal ruling, filled with sharp analysis, legal education, and concern for the health of American democracy. The Meiselas brothers reinforce their trademark blend of humor, constitutional seriousness, and activist spirit, urging listeners to stay vigilant and informed.