Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: "Trump gets Rude Awakening as Late Night Invasion Fails"
Date: October 6, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Main Theme

This episode breaks down Donald Trump’s failed attempts to mobilize out-of-state National Guard troops—including from Texas and California—to militarily intervene in Portland, Oregon and Chicago, Illinois. The Meiselas brothers analyze the unprecedented legal and constitutional crisis, the response of a Trump-appointed judge, escalating rhetoric from Trump and his advisors, and the broader context of authoritarian tactics and government shutdown orchestrated by MAGA Republicans.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Attempted “Invasion” of U.S. Cities

[02:47-09:30]

• Trump tried to deploy the Oregon National Guard in Portland, which was blocked by a judge.
• After the initial restraining order, Trump then tried to use California National Guard (for Portland) and Texas National Guard (for Chicago).
  • Judge (Trump-appointed) issued a second restraining order clarifying her original ban applied to all National Guard units, regardless of state, and specifically prohibited federalizing troops to invade these cities.
  • The judge admonished Trump’s DOJ lawyer, who admitted: “I don’t know. I don’t do policy, that’s above my pay grade.” ([04:30])
• Chicago’s Governor J.B. Pritzker anticipated similar legal action in Illinois.

Notable Quote:

“You are not to invade this city with the United States military. Do you understand? ... Make sure the regime understands.” – Judge in Portland (paraphrased by host, ~[04:50])

• The hosts contrast this military focus with failures in Texas, including neglecting disaster response from recent floods, and point out red states like Texas are “taker states,” receiving more from the federal government than they contribute.

Tone: Outraged, incredulous, with a strong undercurrent of democratic advocacy.

2. Authoritarian Rhetoric and Manufactured Crisis

[09:30-13:00]

• Images from Portland shown by the hosts debunk Trump’s claims of chaos, revealing peaceful everyday life, marathons, and farmers’ markets.
• Trump, at a Navy anniversary event, called Democrats “gnats,” echoing dehumanizing language associated with authoritarian and fascist regimes.

Notable Clip (played by host):

“But we have to take care of this little gnat…called the Democrats. …The place is burning down and they pretend like there’s nothing happening.” — Donald Trump ([10:28-12:24])

• The hosts draw direct parallels between Trump’s propaganda and strategies used by regimes like Vladimir Putin’s Russia:
  • Creating a false pretext for violence
  • Using militarized police tactics to provoke and then film civil unrest for propaganda

Notable Quote:

“That is the tactic of authoritarians: Create a pretext for this invasion.” — Podcast host ([07:45])

3. Healthcare, ACA Subsidies, and Government Shutdown

[12:50-16:57]

• While Trump focused on invasion rhetoric, MAGA-aligned lawmakers like Speaker Mike Johnson have shut down government, sending Republicans on a paid vacation with superior healthcare plans.

  • The expiration of ACA (Affordable Care Act) subsidies endangers millions who rely on these to afford insurance.
  • Trump gives evasive answers when asked about extending these:

    “We will want to fix it so it works. It’s not working. Obamacare has been a disaster for the people...” — Donald Trump ([14:05])

  • Host critiques: GOP’s pattern of destroying without building, proposing no healthcare alternatives.

• Mike Johnson, House Speaker, laments the “quiet” Capitol, omitting that it’s because Republicans left:

  “There's not. Margaret. Good morning. Good to hear your voice. It’s kind of quiet around here. … I pray that more Democrats in the Senate will come to their senses…” — Mike Johnson ([16:24])

• Hosts stress urgency of restoring subsidies and condemn political gamesmanship at the expense of average Americans.

4. Legal Pushback and Judicial Attacks

[16:57-18:49]

• Before Texas’s attempted troop deployment to Chicago, Gov. Pritzker condemned Trump’s overreach and highlighted a statement from Stephen Miller (Trump advisor) framing judicial opposition as “legal insurrection.”
• Commentator notes Trump’s case is "untethered from the facts," fabricating violence to justify crackdown.
• Host describes the chilling effect: militarized police, tear gas, attempts to incite disorder for justification.

Notable Quote:

“They're just making this up. And then what do they do? They fire tear gas and smoke grenades and make it look like it’s a war zone.” — Commentator ([17:44])

5. Judge Threats and Growing Violence

[18:49-19:45]

• The home of South Carolina Judge Diane Goodstein burned after she blocked voter data transfer to Trump’s DOJ.

  • Judge was targeted by right-wing influencers, received death threats.
  • Host refuses to speculate but draws attention to pattern of rhetorical incitement leading to real danger for judiciary.

• Stephen Miller quoted referring to the judiciary as protectors of “left-wing terrorists," pushing narrative of a “dire crisis for our Republican form of government.”

Notable Quote:

“Not a day goes by where Stephen Miller is not basically referring to judges as terrorists.” — Host ([19:45])

• The hosts point out even Reagan-, Bush-, and Trump-appointed judges have blocked Trump’s overreach, refuting claims that the judiciary is partisan.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Trump-appointed judge’s rebuke to Trump regime:
  “You are not to federalize the National Guard in this city from any state. Do you understand? Make sure the regime understands.” (paraphrased, [05:00])
• Trump’s “gnat” rhetoric against Democrats:
  “We have to take care of this little gnat…called the Democrats.” — Donald Trump ([10:28])
• Comparison to other autocrats:
  “We are in a weak and pathetic dictatorship right now. Allah, a Viktor Orban, a Bukele.” — Host ([09:55])
• On what the Trump regime is doing:
  “Untethered from the facts. That’s what the judge said … None of that is true: they’re just making this up.” — Commentator ([17:44])
• Host's call for universal healthcare:
  “I have a better plan called universal healthcare. … If you live in the United States, you should be able to live and then you should be able to go get health care for free. Disagree with me, debate me. All good. That’s what I think.” — Host ([14:40])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:47] – Trump attempts National Guard deployment, blocked by judge.
• [04:30] – DOJ lawyer rebuked by judge.
• [07:25] – Host shows peaceful Portland imagery, debunking Trump’s claims.
• [10:28] – Trump’s “gnats” speech to the Navy, dehumanizing rhetoric.
• [12:24] – Trump’s claims about Portland “burning to the ground.”
• [14:05] – Trump dodges ACA subsidy question.
• [16:24] – Mike Johnson on the government shutdown.
• [17:44] – Commentator explains Trump’s “untethered from facts” narrative.
• [18:49] – Host discusses threats to Judge Goodstein after her anti-Trump ruling.

Overall Tone and Closing Thoughts

• Language & Tone: Passionately critical, unapologetically pro-democracy, laced with biting humor and exasperation at the current political climate.
• Flow: The hosts move quickly between calamitous political developments and broader constitutional commentary, mixed with personal asides, data comparisons, and a persistent warning about creeping authoritarianism.

Final Message:
The episode ends urging listeners to subscribe, stay vigilant, and recognize the gravity of the current threats to American democracy. Despite the serious subjects, the brothers maintain their signature banter and energetic style, aimed at empowering their audience to stay informed and engaged.