The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Gets Rude Awakening as Protests Strike Home

Date: August 24, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

In this fiery episode, the Meiselas brothers cover escalating protests against Donald Trump’s deployment of military force in American cities and discuss the broader implications for American democracy. The episode dives deep into Trump’s authoritarian maneuvers, his attempts to federalize the National Guard in states like Illinois, and his administration’s handling—and alleged cover-up—of the Epstein files. The brothers combine their signature irreverence and biting commentary to dissect MAGA talking points, media meltdowns, and the coordinated pushback from political leaders like Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. D.C. Protests and Militarization

[03:14] – [09:09]

• Protests in Washington D.C. have grown, with footage described from the U Street Corridor showing significant and vocal opposition to Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard.
• D.C. residents are largely opposed: 79% don’t want the National Guard present; restaurants and streets are strikingly empty, echoing the atmosphere of the COVID lockdown.
• Trump’s ambitions to expand military occupation to Illinois is strongly condemned.
  • Quote (Host, 04:10):
    “We’re talking about Donald Trump doing military deployments in states in the United States of America. I don’t want that to be lost on us. What level of fascism we have right now...”
• Governor J.B. Pritzker’s unequivocal rejection:
  • Quote (Pritzker’s statement, read by host, 05:05):
    “The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority. There is no emergency that warrants the President... federalizing the Illinois National Guard... or sending active duty military within our own borders. Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working class families.”
• The hosts criticize media’s framing of “crackdown”—arguing it normalizes fascist invasion of blue states.

2. Trump’s Health and Bizarre Public Behavior

[09:09] – [09:53]

• The brothers discuss Donald Trump’s apparent efforts to obscure a possible health condition, with speculation about his discolored hand, possibly from blood draws for a heart condition, and his odd behavior in press conferences.
  • Quote (Host, 08:35):
    “Trump played up a nick on his ear like it was a serious combat wound for months. But we’re all supposed to just ignore everything going on with his hands and ankles.”

3. The Epstein Files and Accusations of Cover-Up

[09:53] – [16:15]

• Of 33,000 document pages produced by the DOJ, 97% were already public, failing to meet the subpoena’s aims for transparency in the Epstein case.
  • Host characterizes the document dump as “total and utter bullshit” and a deliberate distraction tactic.
• Republican Jim Jordan defends the completeness of the document release, parrots MAGA talking points, and takes the word of Ghislaine Maxwell:
  • Quote (Jim Jordan, 11:52):
    “We knew President Trump didn’t do anything wrong here. He said that repeatedly... based on what we got from the interview of Ms. Maxwell.”
• Host’s sharp rebuke:
  • Quote (Host, 10:25):
    “So the Republican Party just says, we’re the party that just embraces the word of convicted sex traffickers. So utterly despicable.”
• Interview with Rep. Robert Garcia (14:49):
  • Quote (Garcia, 14:49):
    “What we got was complete bullshit... 33,000 pages of essentially documents that have already been in the public domain... Instead of actually sending us the client list information related to Epstein and his crimes... we didn’t get any of that. That is incredibly concerning for us.”
  • Garcia also blasts efforts to portray Ghislaine Maxwell as credible:
    “She’s a sex trafficker and a known liar. She should not be trusted. And once again, Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, Mike Johnson, they’re all involved in a massive cover up.”

4. Media and MAGA Meltdowns

[12:34] – [13:32]

• Mark Levin, Fox host, is played melting down over California Governor Newsom’s strong pushback against Trump:
  • Quote (Levin, 12:55):
    “It’s Donald Trump—the success of business, success of politics. He’s a massive success. He’s a winner… Gavin Newsom is a loser. He’s a buffoon.”
• Levin bizarrely labels Newsom a “confederate” and discusses nullification (13:32), drawing ridicule from the hosts.

5. Harsh Enforcement & Protester Repression in D.C.

[16:15] – [16:44]

• Clips describe ICE actions and police tactics targeting protesters and people of color in D.C. metro stations, including body slamming a person “literally eating crabs in public.”
  • Quote (Host, 16:44): “If you happen to have brown skin, this was someone who was just literally eating crabs in public. Got thrown to the ground.”

6. Trump’s Desperate Fundraising and Communications

[16:44] – [17:45]

• The hosts lampoon Trump’s barrage of increasingly desperate fundraising emails, highlighting subject lines such as “I don’t need help,” “You just won the gold medal in the Trump world,” and “You’ve just been awarded the Golden Trump Award certificate.”
  • Quote (Host, 17:45):
    “Ben, this is getting sad. I’ve asked you so many times to complete my official MAGA poll. I’m worried about you. This is the last chance right here. This is the last chance.”

7. Newsom’s Social Media Trolls of Trump

[17:45] – [18:40]

• Newsom continues to use humor and social media trolling against Trump, teasing “Term limits are just suggestions” merchandise, mocking MAGA boat parades, and lampooning GOP figures as “the Three Stooges.”
• Newsom admonishes Trump directly:
  • Quote (Newsom, 18:40): “Stop peddling the same lies you used in Los Angeles to infect other cities and states with your authoritarian regime. Stop using our honored military as pawns in your twisted game. Stop the theatrics and attacks on our own citizens.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Host, 04:10: “What level of fascism we have right now in the United States.”
• Governor Pritzker, Statement (read by host, 05:05):
  “There is no emergency that warrants the President... deploying the National Guard... Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working class families.”
• Host, 10:25: “The Republican Party just says, we’re the party that just embraces the word of convicted sex traffickers.”
• Rep. Garcia, 14:49: “What we got was complete bullshit... instead of sending us the client list, we got public docs. The coverup continues.”
• Mark Levin, 12:55/13:32:
  “He’s a winner... Gavin Newsom is a loser... he’s a confederate. Oh yes, he’s a confederate.”
• Host, 16:44: “ICE is body slamming people onto the ground... if you happen to have brown skin.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• D.C. Protests & National Guard: [03:14] – [09:09]
• Trump’s Health Concerns Discussed: [09:09] – [09:53]
• Epstein Files Coverage & Interview with Garcia: [09:53] – [16:15]
• MAGA/Media Reaction Clips: [12:34] – [13:32]
• ICE Actions & Protester Repression: [16:15] – [16:44]
• Trump’s Fundraising Email Lampoon: [16:44] – [17:45]
• Newsom Social Trolling & Closing Remarks: [17:45] – [18:40]

Tone

The episode is unapologetically critical of Trump’s actions, with a blend of urgency, biting wit, and brotherly banter. The hosts combine serious analysis (“What level of fascism we have...”) with moments of levity and mockery, especially when dissecting Trump’s emails or Mark Levin’s rants. Political faith in activism and the power of peaceful protest are recurring themes, alongside a clear disdain for authoritarian tactics and cover-ups.

This summary captures all major discussion topics, quotes, and the distinctive MeidasTouch tone, offering a thorough guide for listeners and non-listeners alike.