The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Gets Rude Awakening as His Plans Blow Up in His Face
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Date: October 1, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast centers on the political turmoil surrounding a government shutdown, with a pointed focus on Donald Trump's controversial actions and leadership failures. The brothers dissect Trump’s behavior, his administration’s recent missteps, and their implications for American democracy. The conversation is charged with urgency and laced with the Meiselas brothers’ trademark humor, righteous frustration, and unwavering advocacy for democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Unprecedented Behavior Amid Government Shutdown

[03:26–08:20]

• The hosts comment on the spectacle of Trump’s speech to military generals and admirals, describing the disgust and horror evident on the faces of top military officials.
• Trump is criticized for using military language to threaten US cities, joking and making light of a serious situation by posting AI-generated memes targeting Democratic leaders.
  • Quote:

    “Generals and admirals looked at Donald Trump with sheer disgust. A sickly, cognitively addled, rotting thing before their eyes.”
    — [Political Commentator, 03:26]

• The podcast underscores how Trump’s behavior starkly contrasts with the stress and financial difficulties facing Americans during the shutdown.

2. Economic Crisis and Public Sentiment

[04:00–05:40]

• The brothers note rising Google searches for “bankruptcy lawyer” and the lowest hiring rates in the trade and transportation sectors since 2008.
• Housing market described as “utterly destroyed,” with photojournalists facing violence in courthouses amid Trump’s ICE crackdowns.
• Trump’s approval ratings are catastrophically low in all major swing states.
  • Quote:

    “Disastrous numbers… If the elections were to be held today, it would be an utter blowout.”
    — [Political Commentator, 07:42]

3. Trump’s Oval Office Antics

[06:25–07:30]

• Discussion of Trump posting edited pictures of Oval Office meetings and mocking Democratic leaders while refusing press access.
• The hosts note the unseriousness and childishness of Trump’s attempts to troll while Americans suffer.
  • Quote:

    “He looks like literally the Trump South Park character who’s having a baby with Satan.”
    — [Political Commentator, 07:09]

4. Judicial Rebukes and Appointment Scandals

[08:21–13:30]

• Focus on scathing judicial opinions about Trump’s ICE policies, including a judge comparing ICE officers in masks to the Ku Klux Klan.
  • Quote:

    “ICE goes masked for a single reason: to terrorize Americans into quiescence ... In all our history we have never tolerated this behavior before.”
    — [Judge William Young, quoted by Political Commentator, 09:10]

• Trump administration’s failed appointments—unqualified individuals nominated for key government positions, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics and US Attorneys.
• Judges taking action against Trump’s picks due to their unfitness, sometimes calling out specific appointees as “pretenders.”

5. Epstein Files and Congressional Manipulation

[13:35–15:37]

• The show highlights MAGA efforts to delay the swearing-in of Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva (AZ-7), suspected as a tactic to stymie the discharge petition for the Epstein files.
• Played audio from Grijalva herself explaining the impact on her district and appealing directly to listeners:
  • Quote (Grijalva):

    “Every day that I am here without being sworn in, Southern Arizona loses.”
    — [Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva, 15:26]

6. International Spotlight: Moldova’s Democratic Victory

[15:37–17:30]

• The hosts pivot to positive news: Maya Sandu’s pro-EU, pro-democracy victory in Moldova against Russian interference.
• Comparisons are drawn, offering Moldova as a beacon of hope for democratic resistance, even under immense pressure from larger authoritarian powers.
  • Quote:

    “If Moldova can resist Russia’s Mordor, so can the EU. So can America. Anybody can. No more excuses. The wall of fear is cracking.”
    — [Political Commentator, 16:44]

7. Closing Reflections: America’s Fragile State

[17:31–19:50]

• The brothers express compassion for American workers and families struggling amid soaring costs, frozen job markets, and eroding healthcare.
• A call to action for listeners: remain vigilant and united against MAGA authoritarianism, highlighting Trump’s record as a “fraud” and threat to democracy.
  • Quote:

    “He is a bad human being. He is a fraud. He is dangerous.”
    — [Political Commentator, 19:06]

Memorable Quotes

• On Trump’s conduct:

  “Grow up. I mean, seriously, grow the hell up. I don’t care what political party you’re from. What are we even watching here?”
  — [Political Commentator, 08:20]

• On Trump’s appointments:

  “Think about these sociopaths that Donald Trump has put in these United States attorney positions ... The regime is a mess.”
  — [Political Commentator, 12:37]

• On American suffering:

  “Groceries are skyrocketing ... people are living paycheck to paycheck, and can they afford rent the next month? Trump’s taking away people's healthcare ... he’s a lifelong fraud ... And again, to see those faces of the military watching him talk about invading American cities, it was a horrific sight indeed.”
  — [Political Commentator, 19:02–19:31]

• On Moldova’s election:

  “Moldova just slapped Russia in the face ... Despite decades of Russian influence, nonstop social media propaganda, ... the pro-EU party just crushed it … If Moldova can resist ... so can America!”
  — [Political Commentator, 16:39]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:26] – Start of political commentary on Trump’s speech and government shutdown
• [06:25] – Trump’s Oval Office ridicule and trolling
• [08:20] – Call for maturity in leadership; judges’ rebukes of Trump regime
• [10:15] – Judicial condemnation of ICE and DOJ appointments
• [13:35] – Epstein discharge petition, Congressional swearing-in delays
• [14:59] – Congresswoman-elect Grijalva’s statement on denial of her swearing-in
• [15:37] – Moldova’s election and implications for global democratic resistance
• [17:31] – Economic distress for Americans
• [19:06] – Summary indictment of Trump’s character and closing call to action

Final Takeaways

The episode is a forceful critique of Trump-era governance, using both humor and sharp legal/political analysis. The Meiselas brothers argue that the current government shutdown, erratic policy moves, and administrative chaos stem from Trump’s personal failings and extremism. Despite this, the show draws inspiration from international victories for democracy and encourages American listeners to hold the line against authoritarianism, reminding them that solidarity and vigilance are essential in these “serious times.”