Trump Gets Smothered by Town Hall Backlash

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump Gets Smothered by Town Hall Backlash"

Release Date: February 23, 2025

In this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve into the escalating tensions surrounding recent town halls involving key political figures, particularly focusing on the backlash against former President Donald Trump and his allies. The episode is a comprehensive examination of the current political climate, highlighting grassroots movements, congressional responses, and the broader implications for American democracy.

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1. Wisconsin Town Hall with Representative Scott Fitzgerald

The episode opens with a critical analysis of a town hall held in Wisconsin by MAGA Republican Congress Member Scott Fitzgerald. The Meiselas brothers highlight the intense scrutiny Fitzgerald faced from constituents who accuse him of enabling Elon Musk and Donald Trump in compromising citizens' personal data and governmental integrity.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Fraud and Abuse Concerns: Audience members expressed fears that Musk and Trump are misusing personal information to undermine government functions and economic stability.
  • Constituent Demands for Accountability: The community is demanding stringent actions, including subpoenas, to hold influential figures accountable.

• Notable Quote:

  “Red presidents are not kings. Are you going to subpoena him at some point after you're done with the budget or whatever?” (00:55)

Fitzgerald's response attempts to downplay the severity of the accusations, asserting that Musk's initiatives to eliminate waste and fraud are beneficial and that Congress will eventually provide adequate oversight.

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2. New York Town Hall with Representative Paul Tonko

Shifting focus to New York, the podcast discusses a fervent town hall led by Democrat Representative Paul Tonko. Here, the atmosphere was markedly different, with overwhelming support and encouragement from attendees urging Tonko to take bolder actions, even if it means facing civil disobedience.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Defense of Public Service: Attendees emphasized the necessity for active resistance against policies they perceive as detrimental to public rights and freedoms.
  • Historical References: Comparisons were made to civil rights leaders like Jimmy Carter and John Lewis, underscoring the moral imperative to protest unjust policies.

• Notable Quote:

  “We have to take the bluff off. We can't live for protocol. They're not playing by the rules.” (03:51)

The vibrant support in New York contrasts sharply with the reception in Wisconsin, showcasing the polarized nature of current political engagements.

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3. Absence of Republicans at Farmers Union Town Hall – Representative Mark Pocan

Representative Mark Pocan of Wisconsin addresses the troubling trend of Republican absenteeism at crucial town halls, particularly those organized by the Wisconsin Farmers Union. Pocan underscores the consequences of this absence on farmers who are grappling with significant federal funding cuts and other economic hardships.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Impact on Farmers: Discussions centered around the decline in federal support for agricultural programs, affecting everything from crop loans to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
  • Economic Strain: The reduction in funding has led to increased concerns about immigration, staffing on farms, Medicaid, and education in rural areas.
  • Political Neglect: Pocan criticizes Republicans for neglecting their constituents' needs, exacerbating the economic struggles faced by farmers.

• Notable Quote:

  “The Republican rip off, which is this four and a half trillion dollar transfer of wealth from the middle class to those aspiring to be in the middle class.” (06:10)

Pocan's remarks paint a grim picture of the economic policies under scrutiny, highlighting the tangible effects on everyday Americans.

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4. Impact of Republican Policies on Farmers and Education

The podcast delves deeper into the repercussions of the Republican-led budget, which allocates substantial tax cuts to billionaires like Elon Musk and Donald Trump, while slashing funds for critical sectors such as farming and education.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Budget Allocation Critique: The $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for the affluent is juxtaposed with nearly $700 billion in cuts affecting farmers and educational institutions.
  • Targeting Vulnerable Groups: Policies are criticized for disproportionately impacting farmers, disabled veterans, and those reliant on federal assistance programs.
  • Call to Action: Listeners are urged to hold their representatives accountable by attending town halls and voicing their concerns.

• Notable Quote:

  “You magazine Spineless idiots. You need to hear how angry we the people are when we show up at these town halls.” (07:30)

The discussion emphasizes the growing discontent among constituents and the urgent need for legislative accountability.

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5. Critique of MAGA Republicans – Representative Rich McCormick's Town Hall

Representative Rich McCormick's town hall serves as a focal point for criticism against MAGA Republicans, particularly regarding their handling of constituent questions and overall responsiveness.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Avoidance of Accountability: McCormick is portrayed as dismissive, likening constituent inquiries to the fervor seen during the January 6th insurrection.
  • Deflection Tactics: Instead of addressing pressing questions, McCormick diverts attention by focusing on unrelated topics like music and personal anecdotes.

• Notable Quote:

  “Let's not do any more questions. Let's just listen to music. Let's make it into a music. Who the hell wants to hear questions?” (15:38)

This behavior is criticized as indicative of a broader trend of evading serious discourse, undermining democratic processes.

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6. Allegations Against MAGA Republican Corey Mills

The podcast highlights unsettling news regarding MAGA Republican Congress Member Corey Mills, who is under investigation for an alleged assault. The incident involves accusations of physical abuse and coercion of a 27-year-old woman, raising concerns about character and accountability among elected officials.

• Key Discussion Points:
  • Personal Misconduct: The allegations against Mills include assault and encouraging dishonesty about the incident, reflecting poorly on his ethical standards.
  • Impact on Reputation: Such incidents contribute to the negative perception of MAGA Republicans, reinforcing narratives of extremism and misconduct.

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7. Trump's Threats Against Maine Governor

Former President Donald Trump's aggressive stance towards Governor Mills of Maine is scrutinized, particularly his threats to defund the state for non-compliance with federal directives.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Autocratic Rhetoric: Trump’s assertion, “I am the federal law,” undermines democratic principles by challenging the authority of state governance and judicial decisions.
  • Threatened Consequences: The promise to defund Maine unless compliance is achieved showcases a coercive approach to governance, igniting fears of federal overreach.

• Notable Quote:

  “I will defund your whole state. Governor Mills... I don't think you'll be in elected politics every state.” (17:59)

This confrontation exemplifies the tension between state and federal authorities, highlighting the destabilizing impact of such rhetoric on governance and public trust.

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8. Conclusion and Final Remarks

The episode concludes by reflecting on the broader implications of the discussed events, emphasizing the urgent need for active civic engagement and accountability. The Meiselas brothers encourage listeners to participate in town halls, voice their concerns, and hold elected officials responsible for their actions.

• Final Call to Action:
  • Engage in local political processes.
  • Attend and participate in town halls.
  • Utilize social media and other platforms to express dissent and demand transparency.

The podcast wraps up with a reminder of the importance of defending democratic values and ensuring that representatives genuinely act in the best interests of their constituents.

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Overall Takeaway:

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast serves as a clarion call for heightened political activism and vigilance. By dissecting recent town halls and highlighting the actions of both Democratic and Republican figures, the Meiselas brothers underscore the critical state of American democracy. The recurring theme centers on the importance of accountability, representative integrity, and the power of collective action in shaping the future of the nation.

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For more insights and detailed discussions, tune into future episodes of The MeidasTouch Podcast, available every Tuesday and Friday morning, with live video sessions on Mondays and Thursdays at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on the MeidasTouch YouTube channel.

Transcript

[Host/Presenter]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations. And they didn't like some of Scott Fitzgerald's answers. The end result of the fraud and abuse that has been discovered already, Michael Wittig is power to the people at these town halls. Americans from all political parties are having their voices heard. What you saw there at the beginning of the video was a town hall held in Wisconsin by MAGA Republican Congress member Representative Scott Fitzgerald. And you heard people there who were that he was enabling and allowing Elon Musk and Donald Trump to go through their personal data and to have access to their Social Security information and medical records while they gut and destroy the government and take and tank our economy. Let me just show you a longer clip from that town hall and then I want to show you that from Wisconsin to Georgia to New York to the west coast, people are rising up right now and having their voices heard. Red states, blue states, purple states, all of the colors. People are angry. People are people demand action. Watch this right here from that town hall. Let's play it. And they didn't like some of Scott Fitzgerald's answers. The end result of the fraud and abuse that has been discovered already. Michael Wittig is concerned with Elon Musk's role in the Trump administration. He held up a sign that red presidents are not kings. Are you going to subpoena him at some point after you're done with the budget or whatever? Are you willing to use your subpoena power to say Trump or sorry, Musk, come in here, stand in front of Congress and answer some hard questions. Congressman Fitzgerald insists Musk's efforts to find waste and fraud are working and Congress will eventually have budget oversight. Certainly the discussion in and around Doge.

[Audience Member/Teacher]

And with the probationary moves that have.

[Host/Presenter]

Already been done, they're going to have to be scrutinized at some point. So now I want to share with you what was going down in New York in Representative Paul Tonko's congressional district. Democrat, uh, Paul Tanko here at this town hall. A huge ovation as a teacher encourages Congressmember Paul Tonko, who is pushing back to do more, to work harder, even if that means getting arrested for civil disobedience. If you're in public service right now, you cannot sit idly by as Elon Musk and these billionaires take away all of people's rights and freedoms. Watch the energy in this room in New York. Play this clip.

[Audience Member/Teacher]

I'm a 20 year veteran teacher. As I said, I've been behind you in local stores. I. You came to The Albany. The 100th anniversary of the Albany library branch celebration where my band played inside. Okay. I, I saw you on TV at noaa. I saw you on TV at the Department of Education issue. What I'm saying is this. Somebody asked you what your red line was and you said, you said that the time is always right to go. Does that mean the red line has already been crossed?

[Host/Presenter]

Because.

[Audience Member/Teacher]

Because I think it has. If you ask us to show up, Congressman Tonko, we will show up. But it cannot be. We have to take the bluff off. We can't live for protocol. They're not playing by the rules. Exactly.

[Host/Presenter]

Yes.

[Audience Member/Teacher]

We have to take it through them. When I saw you at those places, I saw you next to Maxine Waters. Yet I was so proud that my representative was on the front line right there. But I thought about Jimmy Carter and I thought about John Lewis and I know what John Lewis would have done. He would have gotten arrested that day. Make them, make them outlaw you. We will stand behind you. We will be there with you. I will get arrested with you.

[Host/Presenter]

So then one of the things that we're seeing is that a lot of Republicans, surprise, surprise, because they are Spineless magazine. After all, they are not even showing up at town halls. So here Democratic Congress member Mark Pokin, he points out that these magas are not even showing up to town halls. This Congress member, the Democrat goes, I just held the town hall with Wisconsin's farmers union. They invited all elected officials in the area. Unfortunately, not a single Republican showed up, including Representative Van Orden and Representative Tiffany. The farmers I spoke to are worried about Trump and Elon Musk cutting their federal funding and contracts to all of our Wisconsin farmers. I hear you and I have your back. Let me just play this video. Let's play it then. Let's talk about it.

[Representative Mark Pocan]

This is Representative Mark Pocan from Wisconsin. I'm here in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin right now. We just had a town hall that the Wisconsin Farmers Union put on. They invited all the elected officials from the area, both in federal and state office. Unfortunately, no Republicans showed up. Derek, Rand, Tom, Tiffany, or no shows, as well as the state legislators who are Republicans in the area. But we're talking to farmers about studies, talking to people about what they're seeing. They're worried about cuts they're seeing. They're worried about what's going to happen to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for the neediest because it's all food that they're growing. They're concerned about funds that have been stopped and loans that they are using to get their crops out. They're concerned about the immigration and staffing they're going to have on farms. They're concerned about a lot of things around Medicaid and cuts to education as well in the rural areas. So we had a great conversation and I just hope that more people will hear about the Republican rip off, which is this four and a half trillion dollar transfer of wealth from the middle class and those aspiring to be in the middle class. The programs we talked about today to attack for the wealthiest because at the end of the day, that's who gets the money. You're on Musk, Donald Trump and others. I'm just really glad we had a lot of farmers sharing their very real stories and a lot of emotion today. And, you know, I hope more Republican members of Congress will be listing their constituents like the Democrats who are dear to you.

[Host/Presenter]

And that's the thing. They are crushing farmers, by the way, they crushed farmers with Trump's failed trade wars during the first term. And now it's going to be far worse devastations about to hit farmers across the country. If you look at Trump's budget, it's $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for the billionaires like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. There's close to $300 billion in cuts for farmers, close to $400 billion in cuts in education. And who are the people that they're attacking most with? Doge? The most vulnerable. Like the group they pick on the most, farmers, Disabled veterans. Disabled veterans are their number one group that they pick a disabled veterans who served our country, now working in the federal government. Because disabled veterans are often probationary employees because they go to different jobs and they travel. And also military spouses also travel a lot. So they're technically probationary. These are the people who are getting fired the most. But tens of thousands of people are being like, oh, and my thing with these spineless magas, show up, show up and hear from your constituents what you just want to live in your Twitter, which is now X elon Musk's bubble, which is not real life, because in real life people freaking hate you. And you need to hear how angry you've made us at you for your betrayal, for your support of Putin, for your support of traitorous policies for your support of destroying our country every day, for letting billionaires have access to our tax records and our Social Security information and our medical files, invading our privacy. You magazine Spineless idiots. You need to hear how angry we the people are when we show up at these town halls. And I encourage all of you midas mighty column. Call them cowards, Call them spineless magas, call up their offices, tell them what you think about them and show up at these town halls and demand they hold these town halls, not this stuff right here. This is what Elon Musk was doing during the week. While he was destroying people's lives, this is what he was doing. He was on where I was on the stage with Javier Milei who's embroiled in a massive crypto scandal right now in Argentina where he pumped and dumped a Libra Libra crypto coin causing people to lose their life savings. Sounds familiar. This is what Musk was doing. Play this clip when your car breaks.

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[Audience Member/Teacher]

This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy. Chainsaw.

[Host/Presenter]

Now going back to MAGA Republican Congressmember Rich McCormick. This was his town hall where he compared his own constituents asking tough and fair questions to being January 6th insurrectionist. Play this clip. Tyranny is rising in the White House and a man has declared himself our king. So I would like to know, rather the people would like to know what you congressmen and your fellow congressmen are going to do to rein in the megalomaniac in the White House. Thank you.

[Representative Rich McCormick]

I'm not going to give you my best Foghorn Leghorn response to that, but what I see. You can go ahead and sit down. Thank you. The when you talk about tyranny, when you talk about presidential power, I remember having the same discussion with Republicans when Biden was elected. The funny thing is, the funny thing is, the funny thing is you're sitting here and a lot of you would probably say those January sixes who are yelling just as loud as you, who are upset just like you.

[Host/Presenter]

A C SPAN caller from West Virginia reached out and said, hey, you realize that all of a sudden I'm diabetic and on Medicare and now my insulin was $6 for a 28 day supply. Now it's back up to $80. Well, yeah, because Trump reversed what Biden did on everything here, play this clip.

[Caller from West Virginia]

Yes, ma'am, I'm calling from West Virginia and which was a red state for Donald Trump and they have a place called down here, Public Debt. And a lot of my neighbors was looking for Trump. They walking around scared, crying, nervous, and they were forever Trumpers. But on a personal note, I'm a diabetic and I'm on Medicare. And when Joe Biden was in there, My insulin was $6 for 28 day supply. I just went to CVS to get my new supply. It went back up to $80, they said, because the American Recovery act was canceled. So it went from $6 to $80. So I don't know if anybody else out there on Medicare.

[Host/Presenter]

And then we also learn more about just how despicable and creepy these MAGAs are. Like, here's this MAGA Republican Congressmember Corey Mills. Look at this creep right here. D.C. police confirm that they investigating an alleged assault in D.C. by this MAGA Republican Corey Mills. He represents the Northeast District of Orlando. And it turns out what it's about is he apparently assaulted a woman 27 years old who's like his girlfriend, even though he's married. And then he told her to lie about the origin of her bruises. That's what's being reported there. Do you remember Though, the types of town halls that maybe when we showed you these videos to all the magazines out there who are now watching this, because I know there's a lot of you coming over and saying, hey, we're sorry, we were wrong, but I want to, I want to share this with you. Go back to our videos where we would say to you, hey, this was Trump at his town halls that he would hold during the campaign when he would be asked questions about Project 2025 or the economy, he would say, let's not do questions. Who wants to watch me dance? Who wants to watch me hear music? Play this clip.

[Representative Rich McCormick]

Let's not do any more questions. Let's just listen to music. Let's make it into a music. Who the hell wants to hear questions? Right? Isn't that beautiful, though? It's so beautiful. And we played that in Butler, Pennsylvania. We had a moment of silence, and then we had the bells of Notre Dame go off. And then we had a great opera singer, Christopher, who was so incredible. And a great, great opera, by the.

[Host/Presenter]

Way, a little bit more from that MAGA. Republican Congress member McCormick's town hall. Let's just play a minute and ten of this. Let's play it.

[Audience Member/Teacher]

Workers from the nuclear workers, the nnsa, our nuclear stockpile, and CDC workers working on the bird flu being fired by Doge and then having to be rehired when someone realized, oh, gosh, we need those people. Why is a supposedly conservative party taking such a radical and extremist and sloppy approach to this? So I've been down to CDC several times, actually.

[Representative Rich McCormick]

Dr. Howard, one of my former attendings.

[Audience Member/Teacher]

Works there, and I'm in close contact with the CDC. They have about, what, 13,000 employees. 13,000 employees at the CDC in the last couple years.

[Representative Rich McCormick]

Those, those probationary people, which is about.

[Audience Member/Teacher]

10% of their employee base, which is about 1300 people, which you're referring to. A lot of the work they do is duplicitous with AI. Once again, one of the problems we have.

[Representative Rich McCormick]

I happen to be a doctor.

[Audience Member/Teacher]

I know a few things, okay?

[Host/Presenter]

Oh, and here was Donald Trump on Friday attacking the governor of Maine, Governor Mills, and saying that he was going to not fund her state because she wasn't complying. He believed. He goes, I'm the federal law. You don't listen to judges. You listen to me, he says. He goes, I will defund your whole state. And she's like, no, I'm going to sue you. And she stands up to him. Democratic Governor Mills in Maine. Watch.

[Representative Rich McCormick]

This is the Maine. Here the governor of Maine. Are you not going to comply with it?

[Audience Member/Teacher]

I'm complying with state and federal laws.

[Representative Rich McCormick]

Well, we are the federal law. Well, you better do it. You better do it because you're not going to get any federal funding at all if you don't. And by the way, your population, even though it's somewhat liberal, although I did very well there, your population doesn't want men playing in women's sports. So you better come, you better comply because. Because otherwise you're not getting any, any federal funding. Every state. Good. I'll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one. And enjoy your life after, governor, because I don't think you'll be in elected politics every state.

[Host/Presenter]

And of course, you probably saw this. The stock market absolutely crashing, unfortunately, on Friday, caused by Donald Trump. As Donald Trump sends his followers emails like this. I'm Dark Maga. I'm Dark Maga. I'm Dark Maga. Elon Musk is Dark Maga. Weird stuff. Thanks for watching. Hit subscribe and let's get to 5 million subscribers.

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