Podcast Summary:

Podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Gets a Rude Awakening in AM as Plans Blow Up
Date: October 23, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire rundown of the latest political and economic developments, highlighting the disastrous fallout from Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout of Argentina, the state of the U.S. and world economies, Trump administration scandals, rising living costs, and continued dysfunction in Congress. The Meiselas brothers emphasize real data with their trademark blend of passionate analysis and biting humor, spotlighting the tangible impact of political decisions on everyday Americans and calling out pervasive corruption.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Failed $40 Billion Bailout in Argentina

[01:30-03:00]

• The Trump administration’s massive intervention to prop up Argentina's dictator Javier Milei and bail out the Argentine peso has failed spectacularly.
• Quote:
  "He literally just took 40 billion of your taxpayer dollars and shredded it…didn't even help prop up Argentina's dictator Javier Milei, which Donald Trump was trying to do." — [C, 01:35]
• The peso collapsed an additional 10%, overnight interest hit 157%, and U.S. taxpayer funds were lost.

2. International Instability: Middle East & Israel

[03:00-04:00]

• Israel’s Knesset is moving toward potentially annexing the West Bank, with active fighting despite a supposed ceasefire.
• Over 50 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire; no steps toward a two-state solution.

3. U.S. Economic Data: Recession Looms

[04:00-06:11]

• Federal spending is up 7% in 2025 year-over-year, contradicting claims of government belt-tightening.
• Only 18% of the country is in economic expansion, the lowest since May 2020 at the Covid onset.
• Quote:
  "Here we are, October 2025, and the percentage that we see of the country in expansion mode looks like May of 2020." — [C, 05:05]
• The hosts emphasize using quantitative data over spin:
  "The economy as of right now is in a mild recession, which could be getting worse." — [C, 05:32]

4. Soaring Health Insurance & Cost of Living

[06:11-07:00]

• Colorado’s insurance commissioner warns of 160% premium increases (up to $22,000/year), with similar spikes nationwide.
• Reference to Marjorie Taylor Greene acknowledging high costs across all consumer categories.
• Quote (clip):
  "Food prices high. Rent is high. Home prices are ridiculously high ... auto insurance, home insurance, health insurance is insane." — Marjorie Taylor Greene [F, 05:51]

5. Trump’s Record-Low Economic Approval

[07:00-08:00]

• Polling analyst Harry Enton notes Trump’s economic approval ratings have hit all-time lows for any of his terms.
• Quote:
  "We're talking about new lows for Donald Trump... in either his first term... or his second term, which is ongoing right now." — Harry Enton [E, 06:41]
  "Donald Trump is beating himself, in the way you don't want to beat yourself. Record lows." — [E, 07:22]

6. Corruption Scandals: Crypto & White House Demolition

[08:00-09:34]

• Trump pardoned Binance founder "CZ", who was implicated in laundering money for terror groups, shortly before striking a multi-billion dollar crypto deal through World Liberty Financial.
• Highlights the self-dealing nature of settlements—Trump’s DOJ paying settlements to Trump.
• The East Wing of the White House has been bulldozed without legal clearance during a government shutdown, as Trump attempts to hide the "Epstein files."
• Quote:
  "You’ve never seen corruption like this before. Utterly despicable." — [C, 09:10]

7. Government Priorities & Spending Cuts

[10:52-12:00]

• Democrats highlight a graph showing Trump administration can afford massive bailouts, luxury jets, and settlements with itself—but cuts are happening for healthcare, food assistance, and special education.
• Notable friend of Trump, Christian musician Shep Talk, is now facing felony child pornography charges—a recurring pattern among Trump associates.

8. U.S. Cattle Ranchers Versus Trump’s Tariffs

[12:00-13:39]

• Cattle ranchers suffer due to tariffs imposed by Trump; he blames them and suggests importing Argentina beef, worsening their situation.
• Nebraska rancher advocates for market forces over government meddling.
• Quote (clip):
  "We should just allow our markets to dictate the price of beef... government should just be pretty limited and not kind of meddle in free markets." — Nebraska rancher [H, 13:17]

9. Congressional Dysfunction: MAGA Mike & the Shutdown

[13:39-15:13]

• GOP House Speaker "MAGA Mike" Johnson feigns ignorance about Trump’s DOJ paying Trump’s own legal bills.
• Refuses to recall Congress to vote on worker pay to maintain leverage over Senate Democrats during the shutdown.
• Quote (clip):
  "If I brought everybody back right now and we voted on a measure... to pay essential workers, it would be spiked in the Senate... It would take the pressure off Chuck Schumer." — Mike Johnson [I, 14:53]

10. Blocking Democratic Participation and the Epstein Files

[15:13-16:39]

• MAGA Mike refuses to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, denying her ability to serve her constituents.
• Massive Epstein files dump: financial ledgers, flight logs now released; the brothers argue GOP leaders are stalling participation to cover up information.
• Quote:
  "You're refusing to, even in a pro forma basis, swear in Congresswoman Elect Grijalovo. Never happened before." — [C, 15:45]
  "They have shut the government down for political purposes and we got to get it reopened." — [C, 16:34]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "He literally just took 40 billion of your taxpayer dollars and shredded it …" — [C, 01:35]
• "The economy as of right now is in a mild recession..." — [C, 05:32]
• "Donald Trump is beating himself, in the way you don't want to beat yourself. Record lows." — [E, 07:22]
• "You’ve never seen corruption like this before. Utterly despicable." — [C, 09:10]
• "Government should just be pretty limited and not kind of meddle in free markets." — Nebraska rancher [H, 13:17]
• "You're refusing to ... swear in Congresswoman Elect Grijalovo. Never happened before." — [C, 15:45]

Key Timestamps for Reference

• 01:30 — Trump’s Argentina bailout fails; peso collapse
• 03:00 — Israel/West Bank annexation and Middle East conflict
• 04:00 — Federal spending increases, economic contraction
• 06:11 — Health insurance and living costs explode
• 06:41 — Trump’s economic approval at all-time lows
• 08:00 — Pardoning Binance founder, self-dealing, East Wing demolition
• 10:52 — Spending cuts laid out; Trump associates charged
• 12:00 — Trump tariff fallout for U.S. ranchers
• 13:39 — Speaker Johnson dodges on government spending
• 15:13 — Blocking Rep.-elect Grijalva; Epstein files released
• 16:39 — Episode conclusion

Tone & Style

Blunt, data-driven, and unapologetically pro-democracy, the brothers mix outrage with humor. The conversation is brisk, packed with news, and regularly breaks to play illustrative real-world clips.