The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode Title: Trump Gets Thrown Under Bus by His Own Pick at Major Hearing
Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the explosive U.S. Senate hearing where Dr. Susan Monterez, Donald Trump’s own pick as CDC director, turns whistleblower against both Trump and current HHS Secretary RFK Jr. The Meiselas brothers closely analyze Dr. Monterez's and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Houry's testimonies, revealing troubling efforts to sideline scientific expertise in national vaccine policy. The podcast is a blend of urgent reporting, brotherly banter, and biting political commentary, with the hosts highlighting the critical clash between science and ideology in public health.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Trump’s CDC Pick Testifies Against Him

• Dr. Susan Monterez, appointed by Trump and confirmed by a Republican-led Senate, testifies about being pressured to abandon scientific evidence in vaccine policy decisions.
• Dr. Monterez claims she was fired for refusing to "rubber-stamp" vaccine recommendation changes without supporting science, specifically changes pushed by RFK Jr.
• The brothers emphasize the hearing’s significance and the broader threat to public health posed by politicizing science.

Ben (Narrator/Host, 00:28):
"Dr. Monterez, the former CDC director appointed by Trump, confirmed by the Senate, testified yesterday ... RFK Jr had no data, no science to point to when he butchered the vaccine recommendations."

2. The Senate Hearing: What Went Down

Dr. Monterez’s Testimony

• On Data and Science:
  Dr. Monterez recounts RFK Jr. insisting on changing vaccine schedules absent any scientific justification.

  • Quote (02:12), Dr. Monterez:
    “He did not have any data or science to point to ... [RFK Jr.] responded that there was no science or evidence associated with a childhood vaccine schedule.”

• Unethical Demands and Firing:
  Recounts being ordered to pre-approve recommendations and fire scientific staff without cause.

  • Quote (07:11), Dr. Monterez:
    "Secretary Kennedy demanded two things of me that were inconsistent with my oath of office and the ethics required of a public official. He directed me to commit in advance to approving every ACIP recommendation regardless of the scientific evidence. He also directed me to dismiss career officials responsible for vaccine policy without cause."

• On Integrity and Resignation:

  • Quote (10:02), Dr. Monterez:
    “I refused to do it because I have built a career on scientific integrity and my worst fear was that I would then be in a position of approving something that would reduce access of life-saving vaccines to children and others who need them.”

• On Gag Orders:
  Instructed not to communicate with Senators, contradicting the administration’s claims of transparency.

  • Quote (10:31), Dr. Monterez:
    “I was instructed to not speak directly with senators.”

Dr. Houry’s Testimony

• ER Doctor, CDC’s Chief Medical Officer.
  She reveals learning about crucial policy changes via social media, not through briefings or evidence-sharing as would be standard.

  • Quote (03:13), Dr. Houry:
    "I first learned that the Secretary had changed our CDC COVID vaccine guidance on an X social media post ... CDC scientists have still not seen the scientific data or justification for this change."

• Lack of Access to Secretary Kennedy (RFK Jr):
  She and other experts were never allowed to advise or brief the secretary.

  • Quote (05:07), Dr. Houry:
    “I never briefed him. I accompanied him on a tour of CDC after the shooting.”

• Indicting Critique:
  Hesitates at first, then calls for Secretary Kennedy’s resignation due to endangering public health.

  • Quote (11:57), Dr. Houry:
    “After seeing his Senate finance testimony and the number of misstatements, seeing what he has asked our scientists to do and to compromise our integrity and the children that have died under his watch, I think he should resign.”

3. Senate Response: Defending Science vs. Political Attacks

• Democratic Senators (e.g., Tammy Baldwin, Senator Kaine, Elsa Brooks):
  Repeatedly emphasize the dangers of making public health decisions without scientific input, highlight the ethical breaches, and defend the CDC officials’ integrity.

• Republican Senators (notably Markwayne Mullin and Bill Cassidy):
  Senator Mullin accuses Dr. Monterez of lying, claims there is a secret recording, which creates a procedural and potential legal uproar. Cassidy rebukes Mullin’s implication and demands transparency if a recording exists.

  • Quote (17:16), Sen. Markwayne Mullin:
    “It was a recorded meeting. So you can testify one way or you can prove that you're lying ...”
  • Quote (19:15), Sen. Cassidy:
    "...if materials have been provided to Senator Mullen and invoked in official committee business, their committee records and all other senators on the committee have the right to see those records."

• Further Host Commentary:
  The brothers highlight how the attempt at a ‘gotcha’ moment by MAGA senators only exposed chaotic and unethical tactics. They point out the hypocrisy and political theater, ridiculing lines of questioning about “networks” or conspiracies against the administration.

  • Ben’s recap (20:59):
    "Cassidy is just fully fed up with MAGA Republican Mark Wayne Mullen's antics..."

4. Notable Exchanges and Revelations

• On RFK Jr.’s Approach:

  • Refused briefings and scientific advice (“Very much so [harmful],” Dr. Houry, 05:32).
  • Ordered website takedowns and allowed misleading presentations (03:13).

• Shooter Incident at CDC:
  Monterez testifies she did not receive a call from the Secretary of HHS following an active shooter event (“He did not call me,” 15:52).

• Resignations in Protest:
  Dr. Houry and colleagues jointly agreed to resign after Dr. Monterez’s firing, citing compromised scientific ethics (24:49).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Integrity:

  • “Even under pressure, I could not replace evidence with ideology or compromise my integrity.”
    (Dr. Monterez, 08:10)

• On Transparency:

  • “[Kennedy] has prioritized [radical transparency] ... Yet, putting a gag order on a CDC director ... is a very serious matter.”
    (Sen. Kaine, 11:08)

• On the State of U.S. Health Policy:

  • “We’ve got a bunch of quacks with RFK Jr and Dr. Oz and these idiots right here who are doing things that are going to potentially kill us ... This is a red alert, folks.”
    (Narrator/Host Ben, 06:05)

• Rebuke by Dr. Houry:

  • "...and the children that have died under his watch, I think he should resign.”
    (Dr. Houry, 12:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:28-02:12: Introduction to Dr. Monterez’s whistleblower testimony
• 03:13-04:01: Dr. Houry: Learning about policy changes via social media, not through official channels
• 04:43-05:34: Senator Baldwin grills Dr. Houry on lack of scientific consultation
• 07:11-09:11: Dr. Monterez describes pressure to violate ethics, and threats of removal
• 10:02: Dr. Monterez on the real-life risks of abandoning evidence-based policy
• 10:31-11:20: Senators question Dr. Monterez on gag orders and transparency
• 11:57-12:32: Dr. Houry’s call for Secretary Kennedy’s resignation
• 14:25-15:03: Dr. Houry on measles outbreak and CDC funding concerns
• 15:32-15:54: Dr. Monterez on lack of support during CDC shooting
• 17:16-21:10: Markwayne Mullin’s claims of secret recordings and committee fallout
• 24:00-25:00: Dr. Houry and colleagues decide to resign in protest after Monterez’s termination

Summary Flow

The episode provides an urgent, detailed look at the latest congressional hearing where Trump’s own CDC director turns on the administration and RFK Jr., exposing attempts to undermine science in vaccine policymaking. The Meiselas brothers walk listeners through gripping testimonies, the Senate’s dramatic responses, and the ethical breach evident in the proceedings. Notable moments include Dr. Monterez’s refusal to abandon her scientific integrity, Dr. Houry’s public resignation, and the meltdown of the hearing as MAGA senators escalate political attacks. The episode ends emphasizing the danger of political interference in public health and the heroic stands taken by career medical officials.

For those who missed the hearing, this episode distills the facts, drama, and implications into an accessible and vivid breakdown — underscoring what’s at stake when science is sidelined for politics.