The MeidasTouch Podcast Summary

Episode: Trump Gets Catastrophic News Before Election in Disaster AM
Date: November 3, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

In this politically charged episode, the Meiselas brothers break down a series of disastrous developments for Donald Trump and the Republican party just before a high-stakes Election Day. The episode focuses on catastrophic new polling data showing historic unpopularity for Trump, economic turmoil with massive layoffs, controversial pardons of corrupt billionaires, and even public defections from former MAGA supporters. Through their signature blend of biting humor and detailed analysis, the brothers lay out why American democracy is at a crucial juncture, previewing the significance of the coming elections.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catastrophic Trump Polling & Election Preview

• Opening Analysis ([01:00]):

  • Ben (host) highlights a “disastrous Monday morning” for Trump, citing newly released CNN polls:
    • Trump’s disapproval rating hits 63%, higher than at any point in his presidency, including post-January 6th.
    • Only 37% approve of Trump.
    • “Donald Trump is indeed a historic president. He is the most historically unpopular president at this time in history.” – Ben ([02:14])
  • Other polls (YouGov, Economist, tip poll) confirm Trump’s broad and deep unpopularity across all demographics.
  • CNN’s generic ballot: Democrats preferred to control Congress by a margin of 47% to 42% ([02:47]).
  • Trump’s net approval has cratered:
    • Down 17 points among white Americans
    • Down 28 points among Hispanic Americans
    • Down 38 points among Black Americans; at net -74 among Black Americans ([03:18])

• Election Stakes ([01:08], [16:55]):

  • Emphasis on several key races:
    • California Prop 50 (redistricting)
    • Governor races in Virginia (Abigail Spamberger), New Jersey (Mikey Sherrill)
    • NYC Mayoral election
  • Preview of live coverage and the critical importance of these contests.

2. Economic Disaster: Layoffs and Government Disarray

• Massive Layoff Statistics ([03:42]):

  • 950,000 layoffs in the first three quarters of 2025, only surpassed by the COVID-19 era and the Great Recession.
  • Data gaps cited due to Trump’s government shutdown, which has shuttered the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • “Layoffs are already higher than for any full year since 2020. Just look at 2025. You see it right there and that's the data for three quarters.” – Ben ([04:23])

• Real-World Consequences:

  • Front page news: “US Employers are becoming more comfortable with layoffs,” juxtaposed with working Americans’ anxiety ([05:01]).
  • “You know who's not more comfortable with layoffs? Hardworking Americans who want to work jobs, who are now being replaced by AI and these massive data centers.” – Ben ([05:13])
  • Rural hospitals struggling to survive, Medicaid cuts, and billions for billionaires ([05:56]).

3. Corruption: Pardons and Scandals

• Controversial Crypto Billionaire Pardon:
  • Trump pardoned CZ, Binance’s founder, involved in money laundering linked to terrorist groups ([06:41]).
  • On 60 Minutes, Trump claims ignorance: “I don’t know. The founder of Binance. My, my kids deal with that. Crypto is a good business and my kids deal with all of that.” ([08:04])
  • Hosts highlight hypocrisy: Trump attacked Biden over “auto pen” pardons, yet pleads ignorance over his own.
  • Speaker Mike Johnson ducks questions about the pardon: “I don't know anything about that. I didn't see the interview. You have to ask the President about that. I'm not sure.” ([09:15])

4. Public Perception & Defection from MAGA

• Trump’s PR Offensive & Economic Claims ([11:05]):

  • Trump tries to spin tariffs as inflation-curbing, but the brothers point to the reality of rising prices and the lack of transparency in supposed “deals” with China.
  • “Any analyst who objectively looks at what went down with China says Xi Jinping cleaned Donald Trump's clock.” – Ben ([12:51])

• Dramatic Defection: UFC Fighter Bryce Mitchell ([14:05]):

  • Bryce Mitchell, an outspoken former MAGA supporter, releases a video denouncing Trump as “corrupted,” accusing him of betrayal, and even suggesting he fits the biblical description of the Antichrist:
    • “I want y' all to know I'm not with Donald Trump no more. I don't support him. I don't like him. I think he's a corrupted leader... He tricked me. I was fooled. I admit it.” ([14:05])
    • “Go read Revelation 13. He's the only man that feeds, that fits that description. Yeah, and I'm totally done with the dude.” ([15:28])
  • Contrast with his earlier, deeply worshipful remarks: “I would take a bullet for that man. I love that man with all my heart, and I would die fighting for a battle for that man.” ([16:39])

5. Media Accountability and Political Coverage

• Media Critique ([16:45]):
  • The brothers criticize Congressional leaders like Speaker Johnson for feigning ignorance on major issues, and call on journalists to press for real answers:
    • “Do you ever read the news and do you agree it's problematic for the speaker of the House to be so woefully uninformed about major issues?” ([16:45])
  • Emphasis on the public’s awareness of what’s at stake and the role of media in holding leaders accountable.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Unpopularity:
  “Donald Trump is indeed a historic president. He is the most historically unpopular president at this time in history.” – Ben ([02:14])

• On Economic Pain:
  “Layoffs are already higher than for any full year since 2020. Just look at 2025. You see it right there and that's the data for three quarters.” – Ben ([04:23])

• On Pardoning Crypto Bad Actors:
  “I don't know. The founder of Binance. My, my kids deal with that. Crypto is a good business and my kids deal with all of that.” – Donald Trump ([08:04])

• From a MAGA Defector:
  “I want y' all to know I'm not with Donald Trump no more. I don't support him. I don't like him. I think he's a corrupted leader... He tricked me. I was fooled. I admit it.” – Bryce Mitchell, UFC fighter ([14:05])

• On Media Responsibility:
  “Do you ever read the news and do you agree it's problematic for the speaker of the House to be so woefully uninformed about major issues?” – Ben paraphrasing Aaron Rupar ([16:45])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Catastrophic Trump polling recaps: [01:00]–[03:18]
• Layoff statistics and economic impact: [03:42]–[05:30]
• Rural hospital and Medicaid cuts discussed: [05:56]
• Trump’s controversial Binance pardon and response: [06:41]–[09:15]
• Trump’s tariff claims and China deal analysis: [11:05]–[12:51]
• Defection of Bryce Mitchell segment: [14:05]–[15:49]
  • Past praise contrast ([16:17])
• Critique of Speaker Johnson and media: [16:45]

Overall Tone & Style

The episode mixes biting satire, urgency, and exasperation. The brothers interweave data-heavy analysis with incredulous commentary on GOP leadership and a sense of deep concern about threats to American democracy. The banter is fast-paced, with moments of humor, but always circles back to the serious stakes of the 2025 elections.

Summary prepared for listeners who want a comprehensive, timestamped, and engaging overview of this pivotal MeidasTouch Podcast episode.