The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Has Awful Morning as Entire Gov Crumbles

Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett & Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode zeroes in on the chaotic morning for Donald Trump, marked by government dysfunction, sharp rebounds within the Republican Party, and new depths of unpopularity for Trump himself. The Meiselas brothers provide a scathing review of the ongoing political upheaval, key legislative drama around the Affordable Care Act, and the criminal investigations circling Trump. The episode is characterized by their trademark mix of wry humor, righteous anger, and brotherly banter—underscoring their advocacy for democracy and accountability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

FBI and Law Enforcement Mishaps Under Trump

• Opening Critique: The episode kicks off with Ben lambasting the current state of federal law enforcement under Trump.
  • He mocks the FBI’s ineffective methods following an incident in Rhode Island, saying agents are left "kicking the snow out of the way" (01:06).
  • This is framed as emblematic of widespread "utter incompetence and corruption" from the Trump regime.
  • Quote: “That is what our FBI has been reduced to under the Trump regime. … There is utter incompetence, corruption, just bizarre behavior from this deranged Trump regime.” — Ben, (01:15)

House Republican Revolt & Affordable Care Act Subsidies

• Legislative Shake-up: Focus shifts to the GOP in disarray: three House Republicans have defected by signing a Democratic discharge petition to extend ACA subsidies.
  • The brothers cast this as a significant blow to Speaker "MAGA Mike" Johnson and further evidence of a splintering Republican Party (01:38).
  • “If there hasn’t been a bigger indictment of MAGA Mike than this, I don’t know what is.” — Ben (01:38)

Border Patrol Abuses and “War Criminal” Allegations

• Greg Bevino, described as Trump’s “head border patrol goon,” is called out for his reported atrocities in Chicago, including use of chemical agents and terrorizing communities.
  • The brothers play audio of Bevino boasting about Title 8 immigration enforcement while mocking the community.
  • Quote: “Some of the biggest atrocities and crimes against humanity taking place … have been at the hands of this war criminal, Bevino, bringing war to the streets in the United States…” — Ben (02:26)
  • Memorable segment of Bevino belittling and antagonizing locals, including a crude “ho ho ho” taunt (04:21–04:38).
  • Ben’s condemnation: “This is not the banality of evil. This is like pure Nazism in my view.” (03:08)

Trump’s Approval Ratings: Historic Lows

• The brothers gleefully highlight Trump’s historic unpopularity, referencing a new Ipsos/CNN poll:
  • Trump’s net approval is negative for 281 straight days—“He has spent more time underwater than Jacques Cousteau, for goodness sake.” — CNN segment quoted by Ben (05:52)
  • Trump is “underwater” on key issues: Immigration (-6), Foreign Policy (-14), Trade (-15), Economy (-16), and the Epstein case (-29).
  • Memorable Quote: “The American people don’t like what Trump’s doing and they haven’t liked what Trump’s doing for a long period of time.” — CNN guest, played by Ben (06:22)

Trump's Broken Health Care Promises

• Ben praises Rep. McGovern's House floor takedown of Trump’s repeated, unkept health care pledges going back nearly a decade.
  • McGovern lists, with dates, Trump’s public promises of a “phenomenal health care plan”—each one coming to nothing (09:05–11:46).
  • Quote: “People are sick and tired of the empty rhetoric. … All you want to do is undermine health care for hardworking, average Americans.” — Rep. McGovern (11:25)
  • The moment is portrayed as “brilliant,” putting Trump and Republicans on blast for policy failures.

Special Counsel Jack Smith: Private Testimony Amid Republican Stonewalling

• Jack Smith attempted to testify publicly on his Trump cases; MAGA Republicans refused.
  • Smith’s opening statement (shared by the hosts) reiterates the evidence against Trump, both on election interference and classified documents.
  • Quote/Paraphrase: “Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Donald Trump … engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the Results of the 2020 Presidential [election]…” — Special Counsel Jack Smith, via Ben (11:46)

Mike Johnson’s Sidestepping and Republican Infighting

• As ACA subsidies cause a House GOP revolt, “MAGA Mike” Johnson is questioned by CNBC about the political ramifications.
  • Johnson deflects by blaming Democrats for healthcare woes and insists Republicans are “fixing it” (14:22–14:57).
  • Ben reads Johnson’s subsequent statement, which tries to pass blame to defecting moderates.
  • Quote: “So, I mean, they made the choice. But I understand that there’s a desire by a number of those members that they really want to have a vote, and we tried to do it. So we’ll see how it turns out today. Well, we did see how it turned out today, and that’s how it turned out today.” — Ben, mocking Johnson (14:57)

Trump’s Attacks on Brown University & Economic Fallout

• Trump, facing criticism for campus security failures, attacks Brown University’s lack of cameras while deflecting responsibility.
  • Ben snipes at Trump’s penchant for blaming others and supposedly “taking control” of Brown following a settlement.
• The brothers attribute part of the national “affordability crisis” and job loss to Trump’s tariffs, quoting Bloomberg opinion.
  • Rising Black unemployment is specifically mentioned as evidence against Trump’s handling of immigration and economic policy (15:52–16:50).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On FBI’s state under Trump:
  “That is what our FBI has been reduced to under the Trump regime... utter incompetence, corruption, just bizarre behavior from this deranged Trump regime.” — Ben (01:15)

• On Greg Bevino’s conduct:
  “Some of the biggest atrocities and crimes against humanity ... have been at the hands of this war criminal, Bevino, bringing war to the streets ...” — Ben (02:25)
  “This is not the banality of evil. This is like pure Nazism in my view.” — Ben (03:08)

• On Trump’s poll numbers:
  “He has spent more time underwater than Jacques Cousteau, for goodness sake.” — CNN segment, played by Ben (05:52) “The American people don’t like what Trump’s doing and they haven’t liked what Trump’s doing for a long period of time.” (06:22)

• On Trump’s health care promises:
  “People are sick and tired of the empty rhetoric. … All you want to do is undermine health care for hardworking, average Americans.” — Rep. McGovern (11:25)

• On Jack Smith being denied public testimony:
  “[Republicans] just go on state regime media known as Fox, and ... lie about you. We won’t ever let you actually talk about these things to the American people.” — Ben (11:46)

• On GOP infighting:
  “If there hasn’t been a bigger indictment of MAGA Mike than this, I don’t know what is.” — Ben (01:38)

Important Timestamps

• 01:06–01:15: FBI “kicking the snow” anecdote; start of government incompetence critique
• 01:38–02:58: Three House Republicans defect on ACA subsidies; discussion of Republican infighting
• 02:25–04:38: Greg Bevino’s actions in Chicago; accusations of brutality and villainy
• 05:52–06:29: Discussion of Trump’s low approval ratings with CNN poll details
• 09:05–11:46: Rep. McGovern’s speech on Trump’s empty health care promises (extensive quote list)
• 11:46–14:57: Jack Smith’s opening statement; congressional stonewalling; GOP chaos commentary
• 14:22–14:57: Mike Johnson interview and statements on the ACA standoff
• 15:52–16:50: Trump’s attacks on Brown University; economic and labor force fallout analysis

Themes & Tone

• Tone: Candid, biting, and laced with comedic asides and righteous indignation. The brothers balance policy discussion with mockery of Trump, GOP dysfunction, and the authoritarian drift of current politics.
• Theme: Trump-era government dysfunction, loss of public trust, and Republican self-destruction—with a strong emphasis on the threat to democracy and need for accountability.

For New Listeners

This episode is a furious, funny, fact-filled rundown of the latest political chaos, perfect for listeners who want the news filtered through humor and progressive analysis. The hosts’ urgency and frustration are matched by deep policy knowledge and an unwavering pro-democracy stance.

If you missed it:

• The Meiselas brothers offer a lively, comprehensive critique of the unraveling Trump government, backed by concrete examples, sharp wit, and direct audio from the week’s biggest political moments.