Trump Gets Karma he Deserves as Newsom Puts the Screws in

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast

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

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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.

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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.”

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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)

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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

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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.

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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.

Transcript

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[Narrator/Commentator]

Hear the sound of Donald Trump throwing a ketchup bottle against the wall. And it's smashing in Malaysia. Right here in the United States, Trump is as California Governor Gavin Newsom is leading the way for the people here. While Donald Trump has run off to a trip in Asia, while the United States government is shut down, while 20 million Americans are on the verge of losing their health care, 40, 42 million Americans are on the verge of losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Now, Governor Newsom held a series of interviews and events over the past 24 hours. While Donald Trump is in Asia, Governor Newsom is showing what it means to lead. And he was asked, are you considering running for the presidency? To which Governor Newsom said, I would be lying if I told you I was not considering that. I'll get to that clip in a moment. But here Governor Newsom calls not Donald Trump an invasive species. He says Trump is an invasive species in the United States and the world. Like a wrecking ball destroying, like a virus that spreads, that needs to be stopped. This is how you speak with moral authority and moral clarity. Watch Governor Newsom right here. Let's play this clip.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

I mean, he's an invasive species for California, for the country, for the world. He's a wrecking ball. Not just the symbolism and substance of the East Wing. He's wrecking alliances, truth, trust, tradition, institutions.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Then Governor Newsom did a podcast called all the Smoke and Governor Newsom said Donald Trump is literally putting America in reverse right now. It's time we wake up here, play this clip.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

I can't take what's going on. I mean, no bullshit. I can't take it every single day, every single hour. And it's not even about Dems versus Republicans, about this country and what we stand for, man. They're literally putting America in reverse. I mean, quite literally. To a pre1960s world, you got the Supreme Court talking about getting rid of the Voting Rights act. And that's very real. That may likely happen in just a matter of months. I mean, they're rewriting history, censoring historical facts. It's an un unbelievable moment. All this anti woke stuff is just anti black, period, full stop. All the crt, esg, DEI stuff. That's all this is. It's this Great Purge and it's happening in real time. And I'm just, I'm sitting here and I feel like, you know, luckily I'm governor, but like we're not doing enough. We're not calling this out. We're not drawing a line here. And again, it's not about Democrats or Republicans. It's about who we've. Right and wrong, man. Yeah, goddamn wrong. Daylight and darkness.

[Political Commentator]

I feel like anytime you want to make it harder to vote, that means you can't stand and win with your policy. Anytime you want to make it tougher for people to have access to what our, our rights are, you can't stand on what your policy is.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Next. Governor Newsom talks about how California will lead the way. We will stand up for the rule of law, not the rule of don. And by the way, it's not a foregone conclusion that people like Governor Newsom would stand up and step up. We've seen history littered with authoritarians who were able just to crush all opposition. So it makes me feel good to see people like Governor Newsom leading the way and fighting here, play this clip.

[Interviewer]

Proposition 50 is about congressional maps, but you're framing it as something bigger.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Yeah, I mean, I think it's about our democracy. It's about the future of this republic. I think it's about, you know, what the founding fathers lived and died for. This notion of the rule of law, not the rule of dawn. This notion of popular sovereignty fundamentally co equal branches of government, system of checks and balances. His presidency de facto ends next November. If we're successful, we the people are successful in taking back the House and making sure that you really believe, Governor.

[Interviewer]

If the Democrats take back power in the House, his presidency is over de.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Facto as we know it today. Fire and fury signifying maybe something. But finally, you have rebalanced this system. Co equal branch of government begins to assert itself. It appears again, if you have a Speaker Johnson, we may have a third term of President Trump. I really believe that Governor Newsom on.

[Narrator/Commentator]

The all the Smoke podcast over here says, what the hell is going on in this country? He says, look, I'm the Governor of California. You know who was the governor of California as well? Ronald Reagan. And now Donald Trump's out there saying that Ronald Reagan's speeches were actually AI and that Reagan loved tariffs when we all know that Reagan did not love tariffs. Uh, Governor Newsom says, you know, Reagan would be rolling in his grave right now if he saw what the hell was happening to this Republican Party. And that's why Governor Newsom also says Prop 50 is so important right now. But more than ever. Here, play this clip.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

The hell is going on in this country, and Republican Party is nowhere to be found. Ronald Reagan's rolling his goddamn grave. I sit in Reagan's desk as the former governor of California rolling in his grave. The hell is going on in this country. So people need to speak up. And the richest, most powerful human beings are doing exactly the opposite.

[Political Commentator]

Crazy.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Back to the damn knee pads. And. And so that's why. That's why I'm. Look, man, that's why I'm here. So I'm doing the social. That's why I'm doing Prop 50. And it's not enough. I mean, it's got to be all of us standing up.

[Narrator/Commentator]

And here's the clip where Governor Newsom is asked, are you considering running for the presidency? And watch his response. Let's play it.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

I'm looking forward to who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that's the question for the American.

[Interviewer]

People they'll make after the 2026 midterms. You're going to give it serious thought.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Yeah, I'd be lying. Otherwise, I'd just be lying, and I can't do that.

[Interviewer]

Governor, you have long said that if you ever run for the White House, you need a compelling why, a reason. Are you moving closer to figuring out your own why and your own decision?

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Yeah. And he's just said, if you have a compelling why, you can endure any how. And so I don't think. I think the biggest challenge for anyone who runs for any office is people see right through you. If you don't have that why, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. And so look well, that. That will. That faith will determine that.

[Interviewer]

You certainly seem to like being on the ground in South Carolina. I have to say that seeing you up close, you were having a good time.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

I happen to. And thank God I'm in the right business. I love people. I actually love people.

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[Narrator/Commentator]

Then Governor Newsom took to social media to call out Donald Trump. We've been seeing Newsom powerfully use and command social media like his post right here. Donald Trump is literally dancing in Asia while 40 million people lose access to food. Disgusting. Cause we learn that the SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding is set to expire November 1st. 40 million. It's actually 42 million Americans will lose their benefits. And Donald Trump's out there with that ridiculous Jeffrey Epstein dance that he's doing. And he's been doing that all in Malaysia. What a clown. What a Clown. Governor Newsom then talks about. He responds to a Fox headline, I guess trying to attack him. The Fox headline is, newsom bails out planned Parenthood with $140 million to keep 100 clinics open after Trump cuts funding. And Newsom says, yep, I did that. Accurate Fox headline alert. Governor Newsom then looks at Donald Trump's post, ranting and raving like a lunatic, where Trump's like, Canada was caught red handed cheating. They're using AI of Ronald Reagan. Everybody knows that Reagan loves tariffs. Everybody knows in Canada, they. They were cheating by putting Reagan's words. And it was all AI. It's not AI. They're not cheating. Calm down, man baby. Ridiculous. Governor Newsom responds, the man child in the Oval Office got his feelings hurt, so he is punishing the American people with higher costs. In response to a KTLA story breaking a staffing shortage in Southern California's airspace trigger a ground stop affecting Los Angeles International Airport flights. On Sunday morning, the FAA said Governor Newsom writes, hell of a job. Transportation Secretary Duffy can't wait to see what you do with NASA. Right? Duffy's like, we're going to put nuclear reactor facilities on the moon. It's like, can you start off with maybe making sure that American people can keep their health care and extend the Affordable Care act subsidies? MAGA Republicans refuse to even speak with Democrats yet alone negotiate with talking about nuclear reactors on the moon. What are you even talking about? This was from Governor Newsom's interview as well with cbs. Um, and he talks about Trump and Stephen Miller, that their immigration agenda. It's not about getting criminals off the street. We all support getting the criminals and the bad guys off the street. They're targeting people in Home Depot parking lots, in farms, in factories, in restaurants. Here, play this clip.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

California cooperates as it relates to criminals. We continue to cooperate out of our state penitentiary system. Hundreds of people every month that we coordinate with ICE to go after the worst of the worst. That's not what this is about and everybody knows it. You don't just randomly show up at a car wash and tell me it's about the worst of the worst. You don't randomly show up at the showrooms or the parking lots of every Home Depot.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Then, in response to this article from cnn, Trump's Argentina beef deal angers America's struggling farmers. You're selling us out. Governor Newsom responds. Trump is sending Argentina $20 billion, actually $40 billion now, and increasing their beef imports while starving American families. There's funding available to help keep Food, benefits. But Trump just doesn't want to provide it. What will it take for him to start leading the country he actually lives in?

[Jeff Bridges]

Trump.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Trump hates America. He hates this country. He hates Americans. All he cares about is his oligarch friends to steal money from them. Basically, all he cares about is enriching himself. More rantings and ravings of Donald Trump. What's worse, the NBA players cheating at cards or the the 2020 elections were rigged.

[Jeff Bridges]

Wow.

[Narrator/Commentator]

To which Governor Newsom responds. Ramblings of an old man that knows he's going to lose. That's why Trump continues to cheat. That's why Trump wants to rig the midterms. That's why Trump wants to intimidate Californians by sending DOJ officials to show up at election sites during the Prop 50. During the voting for Prop 50, Governor Newsom writes, Trump is sending the DOJ to California to monitor the election. His intentions are clear. He wants to suppress the vote. Here, let's play this clip right here.

[Election Official/Analyst]

So today, the Trump administration announced they're sending election monitors to five specific counties here in the state of California. They have no business doing that. They have no basis to do that. In fact, we have a statewide election for a statewide constitution. This is about voter intimidation. This is about voter suppression, period.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Full stop. And it's a pattern, isn't it?

[Election Official/Analyst]

It's consistent with what they've done with the federalization of the National Guard and the intimidation and the chill that that's created. They'll do that right around election Day as well. Same thing with ice and Border Patrol. Masked men watch that space showing up in and around polling booths and voting places. But this is a bridge too far. And I hope people understand it's a bridge that they're trying to build the scaffolding for all across this country in next November's election. They do not believe in fair and free elections. Our republic, our democracy is on the line. We all need to wake up.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Then Governor Newsom says, fixed it for you, Mike Davis, who's this MAGA lawyer troll online. And Mike Davis goes, why are Democrats terrified of transparency in elections? Because they rig and steal them. To which Governor Newsom says, fixed it for you. Why are Republicans so terrified of transparency in elections? Because they rig and steal them. There you have it, folks. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe and let's get to 6 million subscribers.

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