The MeidasTouch Podcast – "Trump Fires Kristi Noem"

Date: March 5, 2026
Host: Brett Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)
Main Theme:
A deep dive into Donald Trump’s abrupt firing of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem following a series of disastrous congressional hearings, the political fallout, and the controversial selection of her replacement, Markwayne Mullin.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the breaking political news of Donald Trump dismissing Kristi Noem from her position as DHS Secretary. The Meiselas brothers examine the circumstances that led to Noem's ouster, her self-inflicted wounds during recent Senate and House hearings, and both Democratic and Republican criticisms. It also features pointed clips from those hearings and explores Markwayne Mullin's checkered reputation as her replacement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immediate Reporting of Noem’s Firing

Brett opens with Trump’s official announcement replacing Noem with Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin effective March 31, 2026 (02:07).
Trump’s spin: Claims Noem will transition to a "special envoy" role for “Shield of the Americas,” but Brett underscores, “Make no mistake, Kristi Noem has been fired after a disastrous hearing this week where even Republicans turned on her." (02:40)

2. What Triggered The Firing? The Ad Campaign Bombshell

The catalyst: Noem’s testimony, under Senate grilling, admitting Trump approved a $200M ad campaign featuring herself, a claim Trump immediately denied having any knowledge of (04:20-05:00).
Brett: “It wasn’t her horrific handling of natural disasters or her out-of-control use of ICE and Border Patrol... it was her blaming Trump for a massive ad campaign. That’s what reportedly did it.” (04:50)

Key Hearing Exchange – The $220 Million Ad Campaign:

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) (05:07):
“How do you square that concern for waste, which I share, with the fact that you have spent $220 million running television advertisements that feature you prominently?”
Kristi Noem (05:30):
“Sir, the President tasked me with getting the message out..."
Kennedy (07:04):
“So you're testifying that President Trump approved ahead of time you spending $220 million running TV ads across the country in which you are featured prominently?”
Noem (07:17):
“Yes, sir, we went through the legal processes. Did it, correct?”

This public attribution of the spending decision to Trump was pivotal in sealing Noem’s fate.

3. Bipartisan Criticism of Noem’s DHS Tenure

GOP Frustration:

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) (09:53):
“What we’ve seen is a disaster under your leadership, Ms. Noem. A disaster. Innocent people getting detained that turn out are American citizens...”

Democratic Outrage:

Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA) (11:02):
“Has a single ICE agent or CBP officer been disciplined since you’ve been Secretary...?”
Noem’s evasiveness on accountability is repeatedly highlighted.

Jamie Raskin (MD) Highlights Tragic Mislabeling

Rep. Jamie Raskin (12:36, 14:46):
On Noem’s refusal to retract her accusation of domestic terrorism after ICE killed two Americans:
“Based on what you know today... were Renee Good and Alex Preddy domestic terrorists?”
Noem: Continues to stonewall, not retracting the accusation, offering only condolences.
Memorable moment for its emotional intensity and Noem’s refusal to accept responsibility.

4. Scandal, Embarrassment, and Ethics Concerns

Alleged Affair With Corey Lewandowski

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA) (16:19):
“Madam Secretary, have you had sexual relations with Corey Lewandowski?”
Noem (17:17):
“I am shocked that we're going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee today.”
Notably, Noem did not offer a direct denial.

Blankie-gate and Questionable Leadership

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL) (18:21):
Ridicules Noem with, “I got you a new Coast Guard blankie, the one you lost... I think the country needs a national divorce from you on biblical grounds. If Donald Trump was still Apprentice Trump... he would fire you.”
Comic relief with biting satire, highlighting the absurdity of some of the reported stories from Noem’s tenure.

5. Markwayne Mullin—Trump’s Replacement Choice

Mullin’s Reputation for Gaffes and Showmanship:

Clip of Mullin on the Iran conflict:
“This is war, and we're taking out the threat... well, we haven’t declared war. They called it war... What I was saying... They’ve declared war on us. But war is ugly.” (19:18–19:53)
In another hearing, Mullin demands:
“At one time or the next, we should say thank you. Thank you for being a strong leader. But there’s no way... you guys can ever give the President... President Trump, any credit.” (20:22)
Famous near-altercation with Teamsters President Sean O’Brien:
“You want to run your mouth? We can be two consenting adults. We can finish it here.” (21:15)

6. Recap of Noem’s “Lowlights” as DHS Secretary

Additional Controversies:

Attempt to purchase a $70 million luxury jet for DHS.
Social media “cosplay” and vanity—posting painting ideas for official portraits.
Disastrous natural disaster response in Texas:
- After initial FEMA efficiency, Noem’s staff mass firings resulted in 85% of survivor calls going unanswered.
- Delayed FEMA urban search and rescue deployments by over 72 hours after flooding began. (22:23)
Frequent episodes of mismanagement and prioritizing spectacle over substance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |-----------|------------------------|----------------| | 02:40 | Brett Meiselas | “Make no mistake, Kristi Noem has been fired after a disastrous hearing this week where even Republicans turned on her.” | | 07:17 | Sen. John Kennedy | “So you're testifying that President Trump approved ahead of time you spending $220 million running TV ads across the country in which you are featured prominently?” | | 09:53 | Sen. Thom Tillis | “What we’ve seen is a disaster under your leadership, Ms. Noem. A disaster. Innocent people getting detained that turn out are American citizens...” | | 12:36 | Rep. Jamie Raskin | “Based on what you know today... were Renee Good and Alex Preddy domestic terrorists?” | | 14:41 | Rep. Jamie Raskin | “And based on what you know today, were Renee Good and Alex Pretty domestic terrorists?” (Repeated refusal to clarify) | | 16:19 | Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove | “Have you had sexual relations with Corey Lewandowski?” | | 17:17 | Kristi Noem | “I am shocked that we're going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee today.” | | 18:21 | Rep. Jared Moskowitz | “I got you a new Coast Guard blankie, the one you lost... I think the country needs a national divorce from you on biblical grounds. If Donald Trump was still Apprentice Trump... he would fire you.” | | 19:18–19:53 | Markwayne Mullin | “This is war, and we're taking out the threat... well, we haven’t declared war. They called it war... But war is ugly.” | | 21:15 | Markwayne Mullin | “You want to run your mouth? We can be two consenting adults. We can finish it here.” | | 22:23 | Brett Meiselas | “On July 5, FEMA had received 3,000 calls from survivors, and only 1% of those calls went unanswered. But that night, Trump and Noem decided to fire the people who handled those calls. By July 7, 85% of those calls went unanswered.” | | 22:23 | Brett Meiselas | “Noem would post things like this on her social media: Images of paintings of herself on horses, asking what should be her official portrait... Like she was constantly doing cosplay. And of course, she was disastrous in the face of natural disasters.” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

02:07: Breaking news—Trump fires Kristi Noem, reads Trump’s post
05:07: Noem grilled by Sen. Kennedy over $220M ad campaign
09:53: Sen. Thom Tillis brands Noem’s leadership “a disaster”
11:02: Rep. Swalwell demands accountability for DHS abuses
12:36–15:57: Jamie Raskin presses Noem to recant terrorist accusations
16:19: Rep. Kamlager-Dove questions Noem about Lewandowski affair
18:21: Jared Moskowitz "blankie" and jokes about Noem’s leadership
19:13–21:35: Mullin’s embarrassing public moments and lack of gravitas
22:23: Noem’s controversial jet purchase, FEMA failures, and social media antics

Episode Takeaways

Kristi Noem’s fall was rapid and widely expected, driven by her own damaging testimony and compounded by already existing scandals and widespread bipartisan dissatisfaction.
The appointment of Markwayne Mullin is greeted with skepticism, given his track record of public gaffes and lack of substantive leadership qualities.
The episode closes with a sense of both closure for the “genuine disaster” of Noem’s tenure and foreboding about the future under another deeply flawed Trump loyalist.

Summary Verdict:
This episode offers an incisive, entertaining, and sometimes darkly comic account of a major political shakeup, exposing the dysfunction and chaos inside Trump’s administration, and asking what real accountability in public service should look like.

Transcript

Jackson Hewitt / Shopify / Thrive Cosmetics Advertiser (0:00)

Jackson Hewitt handles your taxes and your stress Inhale on no surprise price of 149 or less. Exhale Paying more for complicated taxes you won't inhale new tax law knowledge. Exhale Missing out on your biggest refund? Certainly not. Don't miss paying 149 or less. Rest easy. Jackson Hewitt's got your taxes. Guaranteed limited time offer for new clients on federal terms. Participating locations only. Turns@jacksonewood.com 149 Starting a business can seem like a daunting task unless you have a partner like Shopify.

Shopify / Political Commentator (0:35)

They have the tools you need to

Jackson Hewitt / Shopify / Thrive Cosmetics Advertiser (0:37)

start and grow your business. From designing a website to marketing to selling and beyond, Shopify can help with everything you need. There's a reason millions of companies like Mattel, Heinz and Allbirds continue to trust and use them. With Shopify on your side, turn your big business idea into Sign up for your $1 per month trial@shopify.com specialoffer for

Narrator / Host / Political Commentator (0:58)

everyone who solves crime from their couch, knows more about forensics than their own job, and has trust issues with small town sheriffs. Amazon Music's millions of podcast episodes are calling. Just download the Amazon Music app and start listening to your favorite true crime podcasts ad free included with Prime. This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. Last year I went through many different life changes. I needed to take a pause and examine how I was feeling in the inside to better show up for the ones who need me to be my best version of myself. When you're navigating life's changes, Talkspace can help. Talkspace is the number one rated online therapy, bringing you professional support from licensed therapists and psychiatry providers that you can access anytime, anywhere. Living a busy life, navigating a long distance relationship, becoming a first stepfather, Talkspace made all of those journeys possible. I could speak with my therapist in the office. I could speak of my therapist in the comfort of my home. I was never alone. Talkspace works with most major insurers and most insured members have a $0 copay. No insurance, no problem.

Political Commentator / Guest Speaker (2:05)

Now get $80 off your first month

Narrator / Host / Political Commentator (2:07)

with promo code space80 when you go to talkspace.com match with a licensed therapist today at talkspace.com save $80 with code space80@talkspace.com so we've got some major breaking news, Justin Donald Trump has officially fired Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. This is a major development that comes after Gnome's dis disastrous hearings in front of Congress over the past few days where she was ripped apart. Not only by Democrats, but by Republicans as well. My name is Brett Meisellis with the Midas Touch Network. Remember to hit subscribe now and help us get to 7 million subscribers. So Trump says that he is replacing Noam with Oklahoma Senator Mark wayne Mullen effective March 31st. And he's now spinning Gnomes exit as no moving to be a special envoy role for some new project he's calling the Shield of the Americas. But make no mistake, Kristi Noem has been fired after a disastrous hearing this week where even Republicans turned on her. Noem became too radioactive to keep. Here's Trump's post. He just wrote, quote, I am pleased to announce that the highly respected United States Senator from the great state of Oklahoma, Mark Wayne Mullen, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security effective March 31, 2026. The current Secretary, Kristi Noem, who has served us well, has had numerous and spectacular results, especially on the border, will be moving to be special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, our new security initiative in Western Hemisphere. We are announcing on Saturday in Doral, Florida. I thank Christie for her serveless at Homeland serving 10 years in the United States House of Representatives and three in the Senate. Mark Wayne has done a tremendous job representing the wonderful people of Oklahoma where I won all 77 out of 77 counties in 2016, 2020 and 24aMAGA warrior, blah blah blah blah blah. I think you get it right there now. Gnomes position collapsed quickly after she made what was considered a cardinal sin during her Senate hearing the other day. She had told Republic Republican Senator Kennedy that it was Trump's idea for her to do this $200 million ad campaign that she starred in. Trump, it seems, felt like no one was blaming him and he claimed that he had nothing to do with that campaign. Here's a post from Fox correspondent Bill Mulligan for this is from before the firing and he says the following DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is now treading in some dangerous waters. She testified in the Senate this week that President Trump approved of and was aware of a $200 million ad campaign that featured her prominently. Trump now tells Reuters in a he did not sign off on it, quote, I never do anything about it, Trump said. So that is what reportedly did it. It wasn't her horrific handling of natural disasters or her out of control use of ICE and Border Patrol which resulted in the deaths of multiple Americans, but rather her blaming Trump for a massive ad campaign. So let's dive into the clips that ended Kristi Noem's career. Here was Senator Kennedy grilling gnome on the $220 million worth of commercials she made that featured her prominently. Play the clip.