The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Gets Karma he Deserves as Newsom Puts the Screws in
Date: October 27, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features the Meiselas brothers analyzing the contrasting leadership styles of Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom during a period of government shutdown and political crisis in the United States. The primary focus is on Newsom's outspoken criticism of Trump's administration, his assertive presence on social media, and the governor's candid reflections on the state of American democracy, potential presidential ambitions, and urgent policy issues like voter rights and social benefits.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Contrasting Leadership: Newsom vs. Trump

• The episode opens with a biting comparison between Trump, who is traveling in Asia during a government shutdown, and Newsom, who is active in addressing pressing domestic issues.
  • [01:01] Narrator: “You can hear the sound of Donald Trump throwing a ketchup bottle against the wall...while Donald Trump has run off to a trip in Asia, while the United States government is shut down...Governor Newsom held a series of interviews and events over the past 24 hours.”
• Newsom is praised for his “moral authority and moral clarity” in speaking about Trump.
• The brothers highlight Newsom’s responses to Trump as examples of leadership at a time of crisis.

2. Newsom’s Candid Critique of Trump and Republican Policies

• Newsom describes Trump as an “invasive species”:
  • [02:22] Gavin Newsom: “He’s an invasive species for California, for the country, for the world. He’s a wrecking ball...wrecking alliances, truth, trust, tradition, institutions.”
• Urgency about America’s direction and criticism of “anti-woke” politics:
  • [02:53] Gavin Newsom: “All this anti woke stuff is just anti Black. Period, full stop...It’s this great purge and it’s happening in real time...It’s about right and wrong, man. Yeah, goddamn wrong. Daylight and darkness.”
• Voting Rights and Democratic Norms:
  • [03:55] Political Commentator: “Any time you want to make it harder to vote, that means you can't stand and win with your policy.”

3. Democracy, Prop 50, and the Importance of Checks and Balances

• Newsom frames Proposition 50 as a battle for democracy itself:
  • [04:44] Gavin Newsom: “It’s about our democracy. It’s about the future of this republic...The rule of law, not the rule of don.”
  • States that a Democratic win in the House would rebalance government power and curtail Trump’s presidency.
• Cites the importance of restoring co-equal branches of government and combating authoritarian tendencies.

4. Republican Party Criticism and Historical Context

• Newsom invokes Ronald Reagan’s legacy to criticize the current GOP:
  • [06:21] Gavin Newsom: “Ronald Reagan’s rolling in his goddamn grave...And the richest, most powerful human beings are doing exactly the opposite” (referring to speaking out against injustice).
• The brothers and Newsom discuss disinformation about Reagan’s legacy being manipulated using AI and tariffs.

5. Newsom’s Presidential Ambitions

• Newsom admits he is considering a 2028 presidential run and talks about having a “compelling why”:
  • [07:20] Gavin Newsom: “Yeah, I’d be lying. Otherwise, I’d just be lying, and I can't do that.”
  • [07:37] Gavin Newsom: “If you have a compelling why, you can endure any how...People see right through you if you don't have that why.”
• Shows passion for grassroots politics and connecting with people on the ground.

6. Newsom’s Social Media Campaigns and Real-Time Critiques

• Newsom calls out Trump for celebrating abroad while Americans face loss of SNAP benefits:
  • [09:38] Narrator: “Donald Trump is literally dancing in Asia while 40 million people lose access to food. Disgusting.”
• Newsom owns his support for Planned Parenthood when Fox News attacks him for funding to keep clinics open.
• Responds to Trump’s online rants regarding Canada and AI by calling him a “man child in the Oval Office.”
• Lampoons Transportation Secretary Duffy for grandiose plans while basic services falter.

7. Immigration and Law Enforcement Distinctions

• Newsom distinguishes California’s cooperation with ICE on criminals versus Trump’s broad-brush immigration attacks:
  • [12:20] Gavin Newsom: “California cooperates as it relates to criminals...That's not what this is about and everybody knows it...You don't randomly show up at the showrooms or the parking lots of every Home Depot.”

8. Trade Policy and Domestic Priorities

• Newsom criticizes Trump’s trade deal with Argentina for hurting American farmers and families, asserting neglect of Americans' needs.

9. Voting Rights, Election Monitoring, and Voter Suppression

• Strong condemnation of DOJ monitoring California elections as voter suppression:
  • [14:15] Election Official/Analyst: “...This is about voter intimidation. This is about voter suppression, period.”
  • [14:36] Gavin Newsom: “Full stop. And it’s a pattern isn't it?”
• Warns this is part of a larger national blueprint to undermine democracy in 2026 and 2028.

10. Social Media Spats on Election Integrity

• Newsom claps back at accusations from MAGA lawyer Mike Davis by flipping the script on “transparency” in elections:
  • [15:13] Newsom paraphrased: “Fixed it for you...Why are Republicans so terrified of transparency in elections? Because they rig and steal them.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Gavin Newsom on Trump’s impact:
  • “He’s an invasive species for California, for the country, for the world. He’s a wrecking ball...wrecking alliances, truth, trust, tradition, institutions.” (02:22)
• Newsom on the state of the country:
  • “I can’t take what’s going on. I mean, no bullshit. I can’t take it every single day, every single hour...They're literally putting America in reverse.” (02:53)
• On anti-woke policies:
  • “All this anti woke stuff is just anti Black. Period, full stop.” (03:15)
• On democracy and the rule of law:
  • “It’s about our democracy. It’s about the future of this republic...The rule of law, not the rule of don.” (04:44)
• On considering a presidential run:
  • “Yeah, I’d be lying. Otherwise, I’d just be lying, and I can't do that.” (07:20)
• On engaging the public:
  • “I happen to [enjoy being on the ground]. And thank God I'm in the right business. I love people. I actually love people.” (08:01)
• On the pattern of voter suppression:
  • “This is about voter intimidation. This is about voter suppression, period.” —Election Official (14:15)
  • “Full stop. And it’s a pattern isn't it?” —Newsom (14:36)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [01:01] – Opening salvo on Newsom’s leadership vs. Trump’s absence
• [02:22] – Newsom brands Trump an “invasive species” and “wrecking ball”
• [02:53 - 03:55] – Newsom’s passionate critique on “putting America in reverse” and the attack on civil rights and democracy
• [04:44 - 05:41] – Newsom on Prop 50, democracy, and restoring checks and balances
• [06:21 - 06:46] – Newsom’s critique of GOP using the example of Reagan’s legacy
• [07:07 - 07:56] – Newsom openly contemplates a presidential run; discusses the importance of “the why”
• [09:38] – Coverage of Newsom’s cutting social media responses to Trump and Republican talking points
• [12:20] – Newsom on immigration enforcement and targeting vulnerable communities
• [14:15 - 14:38] – Exposure of federal election monitoring as voter suppression, expanded by Newsom and state election officials

Takeaways

• The episode provides a thorough, passionate, and sometimes scathing review of contemporary political leadership, with a particular focus on Governor Gavin Newsom’s forceful pushback against Trumpism.
• Newsom is positioned as a political leader ready to fill a national vacuum, not just through policy but through outspoken defense of democratic values and candid engagement with the public and media.
• The MeidasTouch hosts highlight these contrasts—and Newsom’s growing national profile—as essential for hopefuls who want to restore or protect American democracy amid alarming threats.

For listeners looking for an unfiltered critique of the current political climate and an in-depth look at an emerging Democratic leader, this episode is essential listening.