The MeidasTouch Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Trump Gets Very Bad News on Monday AM as He Returns to DC
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers deliver sharp and humorous commentary on the mounting political troubles facing Donald Trump as he returns to Washington, D.C. The discussion centers on international fallout from Trump’s recent statements, escalating chaos within the Republican-led House of Representatives, controversial social media antics by Trump, and ongoing concerns about U.S. domestic and foreign policy. Infused with their trademark banter and direct tone, the brothers parse significant recent developments and how they reflect on issues of democracy, governance, and accountability.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s False Claims on India and Global Fallout

[00:43–03:37]

• The episode opens by highlighting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public denial of Trump’s claim that Modi had agreed to stop buying Russian oil after Trump’s urging. Modi stated the conversation Trump cited never occurred, branding Trump’s account as a fabrication.
• Trump’s popularity is plummeting; the brothers note his approval rating has sunk to 37%, coinciding with the historic "no Kings" mass protest movement.
• They also touch on the ongoing violence in the Middle East and the failure of Trump’s touted ceasefire deal, reporting casualties and mutual accusations between Israel and Hamas.

Notable Quote:

“Donald Trump is just getting smothered with bad news this morning... Modi saying that conversation never took place at all. Donald Trump’s a liar.”
—Host (@ 00:43)

Audio Clip of Trump:

"He assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big stop. And he’s assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia."
—Donald Trump (@ 02:48)

2. Republican House Dysfunction and Internal Criticism

[03:37–06:45]

• Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly criticizes her own party for not keeping the House in session:

  “The House should be in session, working... I have no respect for the decision to refuse to work.”
  —Political Commentator summarizing Greene (@ 03:37)

• Editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski’s analysis highlights that House Republicans have only worked 12 of the past 89 days, primarily to avoid legislative debates on controversial issues, notably the Epstein files.
• The hosts emphasize the impact on Americans, such as the risk to healthcare for 20 million people.

3. Missile Shrapnel Incident and White House Downplay

[03:37–06:45]

• Governor Newsom’s press release details an incident in which shrapnel from a Marine Corps live fire demonstration landed on police vehicles. The White House’s official account makes light of the concern, mocking a typographical error and brushing off the safety threat.

Notable Moment:

“Who the hell cares? What are you talking, shrapnel from artillery landing on cars. Someone would have died potentially if Governor Newsom did not shut down the highway.”
—Host (@ 05:50)

4. Government Shutdown and Federal Worker Pay

[08:16–09:12]

• Speaker "MAGA Mike" Johnson (Mike Johnson) is portrayed as evasive when questioned about reopening the House to approve back pay for furloughed federal workers:

  “We’re on a 48 hour notice to return everybody to do work as soon as they’ll turn the lights on or do something meaningful.”
  —MAGA Mike Johnson (@ 09:00)

5. Trump’s Social Media Stunt and GOP Apologists

[09:12–10:40]

• Trump posted a controversial AI-generated video depicting himself defecating on peaceful New York protesters, including influencer Harry Sisson. Johnson defends the post as “satire” and an example of political expression.

  “He is using satire to make a point. He is not calling for the murder of his political opponents. And that’s what these people are doing.”
  —MAGA Mike Johnson (@ 10:10)

6. Contentious Swearing-In and GOP Response

[10:40–11:02]

• Regarding Arizona’s Adelita Grijalva, Johnson promises to administer her oath promptly but suggests she focus on constituent services over social media:

  “She should be serving her constituents. She could be taking their calls... The Democrats have created [this crisis] by shutting down the government.”
  —MAGA Mike Johnson (@ 10:45–11:02)

7. Trump's Awkward Encounter with Australian Leadership

[11:02–12:29]

• Trump finally meets Australian PM Anthony Albanese after months of delays preferring meetings with authoritarian leaders. When asked about criticism from the Australian ambassador:

  “I don’t like you either. I don’t. And it probably never will. Go ahead. No, you won’t go ahead.”
  —Donald Trump (@ 12:18)

8. Trump’s Outburst over 400-Year-Old Mirror

[12:29–13:15]

• During the Albanese visit, Trump interrupts the proceedings to chastise a camera operator for supposedly damaging a centuries-old mirror:

  “You’re not allowed to break that. That mirror is 400 years old. A camera just hit the mirror... That’s hard to believe.”
  —Donald Trump (@ 12:39)

9. Kristi Noem on Immigration and Rights

[13:15–14:29]

• South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is questioned about working families’ fears related to ICE. She responds:

  “If they're in this country abiding by our laws, they have no fear... If they wait until we detain them and we have to remove them, they'll never get the chance to come back to America.”
  —Kristi Noem (@ 14:00)

10. Allegations of U.S. War Crimes in the Caribbean

[14:29–15:34]

• The hosts discuss recent reports alleging U.S. war crimes in the Caribbean, including civilian casualties among Colombian fishermen during U.S. military actions.

  “These are war crimes... The United States does not want to bring [the survivors] back. That probably tells you everything you need to know right there.”
  —Political Commentator (@ 14:29)

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Trump’s fabricated Modi conversation: “That conversation never took place at all. Donald Trump’s a liar.”
  —Host, reflecting Modi (@ 00:43)
• Marjorie Taylor Greene rebukes House GOP leaders’ inaction: “House Republicans have worked 12 days in the last three months because... they didn’t want to debate the Epstein files.”
  —Host paraphrasing coverage (@ 03:37)
• On shrapnel incident: “Who the hell cares? ... Someone would have died potentially if Governor Newsom did not shut down the highway.”
  —Host (@ 05:50)
• MAGA Mike on House schedule: "We’re on a 48 hour notice to return everybody to do work as soon as they’ll turn the lights on or do something meaningful."
  —MAGA Mike Johnson (@ 09:00)
• Trump’s awkward exchange with the Australian ambassador: “I don’t like you either. I don’t. And it probably never will.”
  —Donald Trump (@ 12:18)
• Kristi Noem on immigrant families: "If they're here illegally, go home to your country and come the right way."
  —Kristi Noem (@ 14:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump–India oil claim & international backlash: 00:43–03:37
• House GOP dysfunction & Marjorie Taylor Greene’s criticism: 03:37–06:45
• House schedule, government shutdown, and worker pay: 08:16–09:12
• Trump’s defecation video and GOP defense: 09:12–10:40
• Australian PM meeting and Trump’s awkward answers: 11:02–12:29
• Trump’s mirror outburst: 12:29–13:15
• Kristi Noem on ICE and immigration: 13:15–14:29
• Coverage of alleged war crimes: 14:29–15:34

Final Notes

The episode is a whirlwind tour of political chaos, marked by the Meiselas brothers’ unfiltered commentary and reliance on direct quotes and clips. Their analysis ties together domestic infighting among Republicans, Trump’s international missteps, and controversial uses of political power, all while warning of threats to democracy. For democracy enthusiasts and political junkies, it’s a revealing and often incredulous account of the week's biggest stories.