The MeidasTouch Podcast: Trump Flees DC on Disaster Sunday as Awful News Hits

Date: September 7, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (The MeidasTouch Brothers)

Overview

This episode from the MeidasTouch Network dives into a tumultuous weekend in which Donald Trump abruptly leaves Washington D.C. amidst widespread protests and escalating global crises. The hosts lambast Trump's actions and rhetoric, highlight distressing news from Ukraine, and dissect the administration’s handling of the economy, tariffs, media, and public health. Interwoven is the brothers’ signature comedic and critical banter, aimed at spotlighting what they frame as the uniquely dire state of American democracy and leadership.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Flees D.C. Amidst Protests and Bad News

[01:05 – 03:00]

• Trump leaves D.C. as anti-military occupation protests intensify, reportedly heading to watch the US Open after yet another taxpayer-funded golf trip.
• Trump orders U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) to ban broadcasters from showing him being booed at the event.
  • Quote: "He has ordered the United States Tennis Association to direct all broadcasters not to show people booing him... How utterly pathetic can you get?" — Ben Meiselas [01:27]
• Critique of Trump rebranding the White House Rose Garden as an exclusive, elite "Club Rose Garden," while everyday Americans face dire economic hardship.

2. Trump Campaign Gimmicks & MAGA Fundraising Scams

[03:01 – 04:00]

• Discussion of Trump’s late-night fundraising emails offering “Trump Patriot Medals” for donations.
  • Quote: "You have to pay him money, of course, and then you get your fake medal. Just like Rudy Giuliani got the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I mean, what idiots fall for this?" — Ben Meiselas [03:40]

3. Trump’s Propaganda and International Weakness

[04:01 – 06:56]

• Trump posts bizarre, incendiary memes referencing “Apocalypse Now,” suggesting military action against Chicago, betraying ignorance of the anti-war context.
• Hosts warn of the real-world consequences: Projecting weakness emboldens adversaries such as Vladimir Putin.
  • Reports on Russia's largest-ever overnight drone and missile bombardment of Ukraine, including attacks on government buildings, killing civilians and children.
  • Quote: "Putin is emboldened. 805 drones, they're hitting the major government buildings." — Ben Meiselas [05:28]
• Trump remains silent on Russian aggression, instead focusing on domestic theatrics.

4. Zelensky & World Reactions to U.S.-Russia Relations

[06:57 – 07:52]

• Segue to an ABC News interview with a Ukrainian official about being excluded from the recent "Alaska Summit," where Trump publicly welcomed Putin.
  • Quote: "President Trump gave Putin what he wanted... Putin doesn't want to meet with me, but he wants very much to meet with the President of the United States to show everybody video and images that he's there." — Ukrainian Official [07:16]
• Aftermath: U.S. allies (Japan, South Korea) express frustration over policy decisions and deteriorating relations (e.g., tariff policy uncertainty, treatment of South Korean workers).

5. U.S. Media Coverage and the Value of Diverse News Sources

[07:53 – 10:30]

• Ben advocates for using tools like Ground News to escape the U.S. media bubble and understand international perspectives.
  • Quote: "As an active, responsible citizen and podcaster and reporter, it's important that I understand and analyze where's this news coming from?" — Ben Meiselas [08:42]

6. Economic Narratives: Job Reports & Tariffs

[10:31 – 13:39]

• Trump’s economic adviser Kevin Hassett suggests negative economic data is due to political bias, not actual job losses and economic decline.
  • Quote: "There are patterns in the data that look like political bias, but they could be accidental. And that's why we need to get a new set of eyes in there..." — Kevin Hassett [12:00]
• Treasury Secretary Scott Besant dismisses Goldman Sachs analysis, rejecting the reality that tariffs have mostly been paid by American businesses and consumers.
  • Quote: "You're quoting Goldman Sachs. Yes, Goldman, Yes, I made it. Good career trading against Goldman Sachs." — Scott Besant [13:33]

7. MAGA Rhetoric, Public Health, and Scapegoating

[13:40 – 15:39]

• Senator Roger Marshall blames Dr. Anthony Fauci for vaccine hesitancy, deflecting responsibility from MAGA-aligned politicians and conspiracy spreaders.
  • Quote: "Look, Anthony Fauci did more to create vaccine hesitancy than Bobby Kennedy will do in his four years or eight years, however long he is as secretary." — Senator Roger Marshall [14:44]
• Clash over anti-vaccine rhetoric and its dangers.

8. Response from Democratic Leadership

[15:40 – 16:46]

• Senator Tammy Duckworth reacts to Trump’s meme threatening military action in Chicago:
  • Quote: "The President of the United States essentially just declared war on a major city in his own nation. This is not normal... This is not acceptable behavior." — Sen. Tammy Duckworth [16:08]
• Confirms there is no evidence of imminent deployment of troops into Chicago, despite the alarmist meme.

9. MAGA Narrative in Iowa

[16:47 – 17:59]

• Congresswoman Ashley Hinson praises Trump, lauds his impact, and campaigns for Iowa Senate: “I think he's going to go down as the best president in our history...”
  • Quote: "So proud to have President Trump's full and total endorsement... In his first eight months, we've been able to secure that border and deport dangerous illegals and cut taxes and make trade deals and peace deals." — Rep. Ashley Hinson [17:26]
• The hosts question these claims in the context of economic hardship in Iowa.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "How utterly pathetic can you get?" — Ben Meiselas on Trump's USTA ban on showing boos [01:27]
• "Putin is emboldened. 805 drones..." — Ben Meiselas [05:28]
• "President Trump gave Putin what he wanted." — Ukrainian Official [07:16]
• "There are patterns in the data that look like political bias." — Kevin Hassett [12:00]
• "The President of the United States essentially just declared war on a major city in his own nation." — Sen. Tammy Duckworth [16:08]
• "I think he's going to go down as the best president in our history." — Rep. Ashley Hinson [17:26]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:05] – Trump flees D.C., golf and US Open, USTA controversy
• [03:01] – Fundraising email scams, Trump Patriot Medal
• [04:01] – Trump’s memes and real-world international consequences
• [05:28] – Russia's largest missile/drone attack, failures of U.S. response
• [06:57] – ABC interview with Ukrainian official on the Alaska Summit
• [07:53] – U.S. relationships with Japan, South Korea; media coverage
• [10:31] – Economic data debates, attacks on Bureau of Labor Statistics
• [13:40] – Anti-vaccine rhetoric, targeting of Dr. Fauci
• [15:40] – Tammy Duckworth on Trump’s threats against Chicago
• [16:47] – MAGA talking points in Iowa, Ashley Hinson

Tone and Style

The MeidasTouch podcast retains its signature blend of satirical, outraged, and deeply pro-democracy commentary. The brothers mock, dissect, and critique the MAGA leadership and rhetoric at every step, using humor and pointed skepticism to engage listeners in what they view as an urgent defense of American institutions and truth.

Conclusion

The episode paints a grim portrait of the Trump administration’s chaos — from fleeing protests and indulging in personal vanity to international humiliation and fabricating economic narratives. The hosts warn of the dangers of propaganda, dismissing expertise, and attacking democratic norms, amplifying their concerns through interviews, international news, and personal commentary. The episode concludes by rallying listeners to stay informed, vote, and be alert to ongoing threats to American democracy.