The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Can’t Sleep and Goes on Rampage as Term Collapses

Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Main Theme

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dive into former President Donald Trump's latest late-night social media meltdown, the sharp decline of his approval ratings, his ongoing political and personal scandals, and his administration's controversial conduct, including alleged war crimes. With their characteristic blend of humor, outrage, and sharp political analysis, the brothers discuss Trump’s struggles as his presidency falters under historic unpopularity, crumbling business ventures, and mounting legal issues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Midnight Meltdown & Social Media Rant

• [02:30] The episode kicks off with a discussion of Trump's 1am tirade, including his attacks on comedian Jimmy Kimmel and network television for poor ratings and supposed bias.
  • Quote (Ben?):
    “At 1am he was ranting and raving at comedian Jimmy Kimmel for mocking and making fun of him. ... Get the bum off the air, exclamation point.”
  • Trump boasts about his first ten months as president, claiming it’s one of the “best...in USA history,” but the hosts quickly dismantle this with polling data.

2. Collapsing Approval Ratings & Economic Reality

• [03:36] Fox News Clip:

  • Polls highlight Americans’ negative views of personal finances and the state of the economy:
    • 60% rate their personal situation as only “fair or poor”
    • 76% see the national economy as negative.
  • Host Commentary:
    The hosts dissect the disconnect between Trump’s boasts (“greatest economy in history”) and everyday Americans’ lived struggles.
  • Memorable breakdown ([04:09]):
    • Coffee up 15.3%
    • Ground beef up 14.2%
    • Lettuce up 5.9%
    • Turkey prices up 40% year-over-year

• Quote (Ben?):
  “You were just an absolute liar. And while the American people are suffering, you held a convention with the Saudis and your billionaire friends yesterday.”

3. Trump’s Pandemic Delusions & Vanity

• [05:34] Trump speech clip:
  • Trump recalls fondly, “We became the king of ventilators...what a period of time that was for all of us,” framing the pandemic era as a triumph.
• Host Reaction:
  • The brothers ridicule Trump’s detachment and his choice to “post late-night photos with the Saudi royal family and billionaire buddies,” noting the contrast with average Americans struggling to put food on the table.

4. War Crimes Accusations Against Trump Administration

• [07:00 approx]
  • NBC’s breaking story: Trump’s DOJ allegedly overruled the U.S. Southern Command’s top lawyer who raised concerns over legality of fatal strikes on alleged drug boats near Venezuela.
  • Over 82 deaths—potential “extrajudicial killings/war crimes.”
  • Quote (Ben?):
    "What have I been calling it since day one? War crimes. ... War criminals who will be tried on war tribunals in the future, that's what will happen."
  • Resonance with military and Democratic leaders, emphasizing the legal responsibility not to follow unlawful orders.

5. Trump’s Failing Business Ventures

• [09:50 approx]
  • Trump Media (Truth Social’s parent) suffers catastrophic 70% stock crash, losing $5 billion in paper wealth.
  • Breakdown of how this SPAC essentially “bottomed out.”
  • Pattern: Trump continually bankrupts businesses yet seeks to “run the country.”
    • Quote:
      “Casino after casino, bankrupt, bankrupt, bankrupt... He’s a failure. ... Just look how poorly they've run Trump Media into the ground.”

6. International Affairs: Deals & Deceptions

• Trump’s relationships with foreign governments (e.g., Saudis, Qataris, Emiratis) amid questionable real estate deals and sensitive technology transfers.

  • Quote:
    “[Trump] is giving them F35 fighter jet technology and planes and nuclear technology, which will likely end up in China...he still can’t freaking run this thing to make money.”

• Fake “peace deal” announcements lampooned:

  • “Nvidia says there was no assurance of a final agreement with OpenAI despite $100 billion PACs. ... They make these announcements, the stock surges, and then—they go, ‘well, well, well...’ There’s no assurance it was a pact.”
  • Trump’s boast: If Washington and Lincoln ran together, “You'd be beating them by 25 points.” ([12:49])

7. Foreign Policy: Ukraine & Hypocrisy

• Secret negotiations with Russian and Turkish leaders, backchannel attempts to force Ukrainian surrender.
  • Details on U.S. absence at Istanbul talks and Zelenskyy being left alone to face Erdogan.

8. Economic Gaslighting & Falsehoods

• [15:07 Trump speech clip]:
  • Trump claims turkey prices are down 33% and “Thanksgiving’s going to be cheaper,” contradicting USDA data and real inflation.
  • Humorous aside about differentiating poultry from the country Turkey:
    “I’m not talking about the country of Turkey. He’s doing fine. Erdogan is doing good…He’s a friend of ours.”

9. Targeting the Fed Chair

• [15:46 Trump speech clip]:
  • Trump lashes out at the Federal Reserve chair, wishes he could “fire his ass,” blames high interest rates for economic woes:
    • “He should be fired. Guy’s grossly incompetent and he should be sued for spending $4 billion to build a little building ... if you don’t get it fixed fast, I’m going to fire your ass.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We became the king of ventilators.” – Trump, [05:34]
• “There will be a future without Donald Trump. And that future seems closer and closer as Trump gets more unpopular every single day and war crimes will be prosecuted, people will be held accountable.” – Ben, [07:45 approx]
• “Casino after casino, bankrupt, bankrupt, bankrupt... He’s a failure.” – Host, [10:50]
• “Sir, if George Washington and Abraham Lincoln came back from the dead... you’d be beating them by 25 points.” – Trump, [12:49]
• “Eggs are way down now. Mortgage rates are down despite the Fed…No, he’s…something wrong with him... I’d love to fire his ass.” – Trump, [15:46]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:30] Trump's late-night meltdown and Jimmy Kimmel attack
• [03:36] Polls expose economic pain, inflation
• [04:09] Prices up: Thanksgiving cost breakdown
• [05:34] Trump “king of ventilators” speech, hosts’ reaction
• [07:00-08:30] NBC exclusive: War crimes allegations against Trump regime
• [09:50-11:00] Trump Media crash & business failures
• [12:49] Trump’s pollster joke: Lincoln/Washington
• [13:10] Clip: Fox covers peacemaking skepticism
• [14:15] Ukraine: Secret surrenders and U.S. absence in Istanbul talks
• [15:07] Trump’s turkey price falsehood
• [15:46] Trump tirade against the Fed chair

Tone and Language

The podcast expertly blends biting satire, factual breakdowns, and unapologetic pro-democracy advocacy. The hosts' banter keeps the tone lively, engaging, and sometimes sharply sarcastic, particularly when highlighting Trump’s exaggerations or policy failures.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a robust soundtrack of Trump’s political and personal unraveling as he rails against media enemies, faces declining approval, and struggles to manage his business empire and international image. Coupled with the brothers’ signature mix of comedy and civic concern, it provides both entertainment and a pointed critique of American politics as 2025 draws to a dramatic close.