Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Has Awful Friday Over More Bad News for Him
Date: September 26, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview:

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast dives into a tumultuous day for Donald Trump, as he faces mounting legal troubles, fresh revelations from the latest Epstein files, and an ongoing stream of bizarre posts and public statements. The Meiselas brothers provide their signature mix of in-depth political analysis and biting humor, exposing the absurdities and potential dangers in Trump's recent actions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

1. Trump’s Friday: Bad News and Bizarre Behavior

• Epstein Files Bombshells
  • Newly released documents suggest scheduled meetings between Epstein and prominent figures, including Peter Thiel, Steve Bannon, and a possible pending trip by Elon Musk to Epstein Island.
  • [01:46]: "A third batch and among its findings... there's evidence that Peter Thiel and Steve Bannon had scheduled meetings with Epstein, as well as evidence of a pending trip by Elon Musk to Epstein Island."
• Trump’s Medical “Advice” on Social Media
  • Trump issues incorrect and conspiratorial medical recommendations: warns against Tylenol for pregnant women and children, promotes anti-vaccine rhetoric, and misspells several drug names.
  • [02:11]: "He's giving just a bunch of incorrect medical. I wouldn't even call it opinions, I would call it conspiracies."
  • The hosts highlight his lack of expertise and potential harm in spreading such claims.
• Attack on James Comey
  • Trump labels Comey as a “dirty cop” and spreads misinformation about his legal situation, misrepresenting facts surrounding the Comey-McCabe case.
  • [03:44]: "James dirty cop Comey was a destroyer of life."
  • Host’s Critique: The brothers break down why Trump's claims are baseless and misleading, and discuss the broader implications for rule of law and political norms.

2. Inflated Claims and Lies

• Bogus Approval Ratings
  • Trump falsely claims a 57% approval rating; actual polls have him in the high 30s to low 40s percentage points.
  • [05:26]: "The latest Quinnipiac poll shows that Donald Trump's approval rate... is somewhere around 38% right now."
• Exaggerated Foreign Policy Achievements
  • Trump asserts he ended seven wars in seven months, listing countries and conflicts he had little or no involvement in.
  • [06:09]: "Trump ended seven wars in just seven months... He's making this stuff up. It's utterly, utterly deranged."
  • The hosts mock these claims and provide factual corrections.
• Claiming to Have “Saved” the Ryder Cup
  • Trump and his press secretary take credit for the Ryder Cup proceeding, saying his executive order prevented a railway strike.
  • [08:31] Caroline Levitt: "...it would not be taking place this year without President Trump's help."

3. Authoritarian Rhetoric and Divisiveness

• Populist Retaliation and “Lists”
  • Trump is questioned about who he’ll target next, suggesting future legal attacks on Democrats.
  • [11:18]: “It's not a list, but I think there'll be others. I mean, they're corrupt. These were corrupt, radical left Democrats because Comey essentially was a. He's worse than. I would say the Democrats are better than Comey, but they'll be on this..."
• Pushing for Government Shutdown Over Culture Wars
  • Trump claims government may have to shut down because “Democrats want transgender for everybody,” using hyperbole to stoke division.
  • [12:14]: “They want to have transgender for everybody. These people are crazy, the Democrats. So if it has to shut down, it'll have to shut down.”
  • The hosts lambast both the rhetoric and the lack of media pushback.

4. Media and Surreal News Clips

• MAGA Senators and Fox News Deflection
  • Senator Bill Haggerty defends Trump against claims of temper tantrums.
  • [12:56] Senator Haggerty: “Well, first, Joe, I think that's a very unfair representation. Mercurial temper tantrum. No, he saw the demands, which are so unrealistic.”
• Trump Family Monetizing the Presidency
  • Trump’s granddaughter Kai is selling expensive merch and reportedly uses the White House as a backdrop.
  • [13:50]: “She’s been using the White House to sell her sweatshirts for $130 apiece on social media.”
• “Peace in Gaza” Claim
  • Trump claims a Gaza deal is imminent and touts it as another “war solved.”
  • [14:02]: “It’s going to be a deal which is going to be peace. I think we have a deal that’ll be number eight.”
• Fox News Fixates on Elevator Malfunctions at the United Nations
  • Pundits push conspiracies about Trump’s visit being sabotaged by mechanical and audio malfunctions.
  • [15:37–16:32]: Maria Bartiromo and Senator Haggerty discuss supposed “sabotage” at the UN.
    • Haggerty: “They have some utility, but don’t trust them, that’s for sure.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Medical Advice:
  • “He doesn’t know how to spell hepatitis. He spells it hepatetus. He doesn’t know how to spell chicken pox, so he just writes chicken pee.” (Host, 02:40)
• On Trump’s Social Media Lies:
  • “The guy’s a liar about every single thing he posts this morning.” (Host, 05:39)
• On Trump “Saving” the Ryder Cup:
  • Caroline Levitt: “President Trump signed an executive order last week preventing a strike that would have crippled the New York City area...” (08:39)
• Trump on Retributive Actions:
  • Trump: “It’s not a list, but I think there’ll be others. I mean, they’re corrupt. These were corrupt, radical left Democrats...” (11:18)
• On Government Shutdown:
  • Trump: “They want to have transgender for everybody. These people are crazy, the Democrats. So if it has to shut down, it’ll have to shut down.” (12:14)
• White House Merchandising:
  • “She’s been using the White House to sell her sweatshirts for $130 apiece on social media.” (Host, 13:50)
• Gaza and “War No. 8”:
  • Trump: “It’s going to be a deal which is going to be peace. I think we have a deal that’ll be number eight.” (14:02)
• Fox News Sabotage Talk:
  • Maria Bartiromo: “Was someone at the UN Trying to sabotage President Trump this week?” (15:37)

Important Timestamps

• [01:46] – New Epstein files and Trump's morning meltdown.
• [02:30] – Critique of Trump’s unqualified medical advice.
• [03:44] – Trump attacks James Comey.
• [05:26] – Trump's fabricated approval rating.
• [08:31] – Press secretary credits Trump with “saving” the Ryder Cup.
• [11:18] – Trump discusses targeting other “radical left Democrats.”
• [12:14] – Trump on the possibility of a government shutdown.
• [13:50] – Trump’s granddaughter uses White House for merch sales.
• [14:02] – Trump claims imminent Gaza peace deal as another personal “war solved.”
• [15:37–16:32] – Fox News speculates about sabotage at the United Nations.

Tone, Language, and Closing Thoughts

The MeidasTouch brothers maintain their signature blend of sarcasm and informed outrage, regularly mocking Trump’s self-aggrandizement and the media’s failure to critically report on his statements. The episode is rich with exasperation over the surreal state of political discourse, but always tied to factual correction and democratic values. Their discussion is both urgent and comedic, intended to both inform and rally their audience.

For listeners who missed the episode:
This installment offers a comprehensive takedown of Trump’s latest falsehoods and authoritarian rhetoric, points out dangerous political trends, exposes shameless monetization of the presidency by the Trump family, and ridicules the increasingly bizarre state of right-wing media. The episode balances serious legal and ethical concerns with sardonic, brotherly banter.