The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Gets Frantic as His Plans Suddenly Collapse
Date: October 16, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, & Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
This episode dives into Donald Trump’s increasingly chaotic strategies as his administration faces mounting crises at home and abroad. The Meiselas brothers break down the Trump team’s erratic new policies on the economy and trade, international confusion, embarrassment over failed products, scandals around foreign aid, and continued Republican hypocrisies. True to their brand, the brothers blend sharp analysis with humor, holding Trump and his allies to account while championing pro-democracy perspectives.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s Cognitive Decline & Disastrous Public Statements
- Ben underscores Trump’s “total panic mode” during his recent press conferences, highlighting his repeated inability to distinguish between nations like Iran and India, or Albania and Armenia.
- Quote (Ben, 00:43):
“I mean this is someone who is deeply unwell and cognitively deteriorating before our very eyes.”
- The brothers emphasize the Trump administration’s tendency to conflate essential facts, fueling both international and domestic instability.
2. Trump’s “Communist” Economic Turn: Official Price Floors
- Trump’s response to failed trade wars with China is drastic; his administration announces plans to introduce price floors across various industries.
- Quote (Ben, 00:50):
“The Trump regime, they are communists… Subsidies for the billionaires.”
- Analysis:
The hosts argue that Trump’s plan is the very definition of state-run markets, calling out the hypocrisy of labeling opponents as socialists while embracing “communist” policy to protect wealthy allies.
3. Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Unraveling & Trump’s Opportunism
- The hosts revisit the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire, noting that neither Israel nor Hamas signed the deal or met its conditions.
- Quote (Ben, 01:51):
“Hamas and Israel never signed the ceasefire deal. They are not signatories to it which you would expect in a ceasefire deal.”
- Trump’s Comments:
Trump boasts that Israeli action in Gaza would resume “as soon as I say the word,” staking a claim on international decisions. - Quote (reading Trump, 02:29):
“Israeli forces could return to the streets as soon as I say the word.”
4. International Scandals & Aid to Argentina
- The Trump administration dramatically increases financial aid to Argentina, with mysterious terms.
- Quote (Ben, 06:39):
“He’s giving $40 billion to Argentina. Now you may be saying, Ben, didn’t you report it was 20 billion? Nope, it’s actually going to be 40 billion. The number increased in 24 hours.”
- Bloomberg Segment ([08:10–09:19]):** The reporting finds little clarity or logic in the funding arrangements, with experts openly skeptical about the feasibility and reasoning behind the loans.
- Quote (Mike McKee, Bloomberg, 08:59):
“The idea of somebody spending $20 billion to buy bonds in Argentina, given Argentina’s track record of paying it back… seems a little fanciful.”
5. Domestically: Cutting Social Programs While Boasting About It
- Trump brags about defunding “Democrat projects,” including health, food assistance, and emergency management.
- Quote (Trump clip, 11:15):
“We got the people that we want paid… We’re terminating those programs and they’re going to be terminated on a permanent basis.”
- Ben’s Reaction:
“You screwed New York. Maga. We’re going to give 40 billion to Argentina. Maga.”
6. Trump’s Trump-Branded Watch Scam
- The hosts mock Trump’s failed attempt to sell luxury watches to supporters, reading negative reviews and highlighting stories of customers feeling scammed.
- Quote (Ben, reading review, 05:36):
“They’ve had the watch longer than he had it. Horrible, horrible company. Oh my God, Donald Trump is scamming you.”
7. Campus Crackdown and Resistance
- Trump tries to force universities into compliance in exchange for federal funding. Brown and MIT refuse to cooperate.
- Quote (Ben, 12:51):
“Brown University rejects the White House deal for special treatment. Brown was the second university after MIT to turn down the deal…”
8. GOP Scandals: Nazi Group Chat & Indifference
- The brothers call out Senator J.D. Vance for downplaying a disturbing group chat among young Republican staffers filled with Nazi references and violent jokes.
- Exchange (13:46–14:17):
The hosts press a right-wing media guest to condemn the group chat, who tries to deflect:“Do you condemn it?”
“Well, we can talk about it.”
9. Trump’s Federal Reserve Pick Under Fire
- Trump’s recent Fed governor appointee is fact-checked live on CNBC for his lack of preparedness and confused statements.
- Exchange (14:48–16:18):
The appointee wrongly claims Fed meetings are every six months; he is quickly corrected by the host. - Quote (Fed Appointee, 15:25):
“Sorry. Every six weeks. Sorry. Thank you.”
- Quote (Host, 15:51):
“That’s not how the Fed operates though.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Trump’s confusion about international affairs:
“This is where Donald Trump did not know the difference between India and Iran.” (10:04)
- On Trump priorities:
“Donald Trump’s too busy building a 90,000 square foot golden ballroom or what. He wants to build the triumphant arch.” (06:52)
- Campus pushback:
“Brown University, the latest hat tip to them, standing up to the Trump regime.” (12:38)
- On the state of Republican discourse:
“That’s just how the Republicans talk these days. Sick, sick, sick.” (13:57)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Trump’s Cognitive Crash & Policy Flip-Flops: 00:43–03:20
- Price Floors and “Communist” Economic Moves: 00:50–01:30
- Ceasefire in Middle East and Trump’s Bragging: 01:43–03:20
- Trump Watch Scandal: 05:33–06:39
- Argentina Aid Scandal & Bloomberg Analysis: 07:50–09:19
- Cutting Social Programs Clip & Reaction: 09:51–12:32
- Campus Resistance to Trump Admin: 12:32–13:10
- Nazi Group Chat Scandal & Republican Denial: 13:46–14:17
- Trump Fed Nominee Flounders: 14:48–16:18
Conclusion
This episode captures Trump’s flailing strategic pivots, self-serving priorities, and mounting contradictions as the 2025 landscape intensifies. The Meiselas brothers provide clear, fact-based analysis with their trademark wit, exposing hypocrisy and calling for vigilance to protect democracy.
Final Thought (Ben, 16:18):
“Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe, let’s get to 6 million. We appreciate you.”