The MeidasTouch Podcast – Detailed Summary

Episode: "Trump has Catastrophic AM as His Collapse Accelerates"

Date: November 19, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

In this high-energy, news-packed episode, the Meiselas brothers break down a pivotal, chaotic morning for Donald Trump, highlighting a cascade of legal and political crises hitting him at once. They dive deep into Trump’s unraveling legal team, escalating scandals, plummeting approval ratings, and tone-deaf online behavior, all while tying the latest news to larger themes of transparency, accountability, and democracy. Their signature blend of rapid-fire analysis, biting humor, and sharp critiques is front and center throughout the episode.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Epstein Files Released: Congressional Developments

• [00:00] The House officially sent the resolution to release the Jeffrey Epstein files to the Senate; now, it’s on Trump’s desk.
• Senate had already agreed to the release via unanimous consent. The pressure is now on Trump to act.
  • Quote (Ben, 00:10):

    "The resolution to release the files is now sitting on Donald Trump’s desk."

• The public and survivors, including former Trump supporter Hallie Robson, express strong demands for transparency and justice.

2. Catastrophic Collapse of Trump’s Legal Proceedings

• [00:41] Major revelations about Lindsey Halligan, Trump’s former personal attorney turned federal prosecutor (with no experience), and critical errors in handling the indictments against James Comey.
  • Halligan failed to present the indictment to the grand jury. The grand jury never saw or approved what she claimed; the judge rebuked her harshly.
  • Potential for Comey’s case to be dismissed entirely.
  • Quote (Ben, 02:10):

    "I can’t emphasize enough how unethical, how likely illegal. And her losing her bar license is likely going to be the least of her problems right now."

• Surprise revelation: Trump’s DOJ suppressed memos from Republican prosecutors saying there was no evidence to prosecute Comey.
• Host notes the gravity:
  • Quote (Ben, 02:56):

    “I thought that was going to be the big story. Then you find out she never actually presented the indictment and, like, likely made this whole thing up. Wow, wow, wow.”

3. Trump’s Bizarre Social Media Behavior Amid Crisis

• [01:22] Instead of addressing scandals, Trump obsessively posts about a months-old UN speech that was widely mocked at the time, and a “wall of fame” photo series in the White House.
  • Quote (Ben, 01:35):

    “Dozens of posts about his UN Speech. He’s also posting photos of himself from that bizarre wall of fame… This is how this guy is spiraling.”

• Praises Halligan despite her legal catastrophe, displaying disconnect and defiance.

4. Nobel Peace Prize Boasting & Ukraine War Catastrophe

• [03:33] Trump claims he’s up for a Nobel Peace Prize, boasting about “ending” the Russia-Ukraine war while the conflict actually intensifies.
  • Quote (Ben, 03:55):

    “He is a sick, sick, sick individual. No wonder his approval is at its lowest ever.”

5. Cratering Approval Ratings – Even Fox News Can’t Hide It

• [04:34] Reuters poll shows Trump’s approval at a historic low (38% on the screen, but Fox News tries to report it as 39%).
  • Hosts mock Fox’s attempts to spin the numbers.
  • Quote (Ben, 05:00):

    “The Fox host has to lie because they lie about everything. And they go, his approval is 39%. When, when it says 38% on the screen.”

6. Epstein Survivors Slam MAGA Leaders

• [05:42] Clip: Hallie Robson, a Republican and Epstein survivor, expresses disgust at Speaker Mike Johnson for dismissing sexual abuse survivors and stalling on Epstein file transparency.
  • Quote (Hallie Robson, 06:24):

    “This is not a hoax. There is no theater coming from us or the survivors... I’ve lost a lot of respect for him. ...In those 50 days, we needed them the most.”

• Another clip expresses deep betrayal by Trump:
  • Quote (Hallie Robson, 07:30):

    “If I could sit down with President Trump, it would be to look at him and say, where did we go wrong? ...Because I feel extremely betrayed.”

7. Trump’s Foreign Business Entanglements & Grifting

• [09:06] Trump hosts a Kennedy Center meeting with Saudi partners, openly discussing arms deals and expedited military sales with Elon Musk present.
  • Quote (Trump, 09:31):

    “We’re going to be selling Saudi Arabia some of the greatest military equipment ever built... The process will take about, would you say, 24 hours? I think so. You’re in good shape.”

• Panel outlines Trump Organization’s $63B Saudi real estate deals, Kushner’s billions from the Saudis, and implications for national security if sensitive tech ends up with adversaries.

8. The Political Landscape: Dems Surge

• [11:02] Citing new polling: Democrats now hold a 14-point lead in the generic ballot for 2026; 33-point lead among independents.
  • Hosts highlight the trend as evidence of national revulsion to MAGA chaos.

9. Trump’s Connection to Epstein Questioned

• [12:06] Clip: Jen Psaki asks an Epstein survivor if Trump knew about Epstein’s Mar-a-Lago operations; survivor unable to confirm, underscores how young many victims were.
  • “I don't know if he was aware. Actually, I can't answer that. I'm sorry.”
• Hosts frame Trump as “Epstein's friend” and tie together themes of betrayal, criminality, and lack of accountability.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Meiselas [00:41]:

  "She acted like an indictment was signed by a grand jury that they never even saw."

• Ben Meiselas [03:55]:

  "Just think about what a sick and demented and vile human being he is. ...He is a sick, sick, sick individual."

• Ben Meiselas [05:00]:

  "Fox host has to lie because they lie about everything. ...They go, his approval is 39%. When, when it says 38% on the screen."

• Hallie Robson [06:24]:

  "This is not a hoax. There is no theater coming from us or the survivors on our end."

• Hallie Robson [07:30]:

  “If I could sit down with President Trump, it would be to look at him and say, where did we go wrong?... I feel extremely betrayed.”

• Donald Trump [09:31]:

  “We’re going to be selling Saudi Arabia some of the greatest military equipment ever built... The process will take about, would you say, 24 hours?”

• Ben Meiselas [11:02]:

  “Democrats currently have a 14 point lead against Republicans on the 2026 generic ballot. …Among independents, Democrats have a plus 33 point advantage.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 - Episode kicks off; Epstein files, Trump’s morning spiral, Halligan’s legal blunders introduced.
• 01:22 – Trump’s social media meltdown, UN speech obsession, wall of fame posts discussed.
• 04:34 – Discussion of Trump’s plummeting approval ratings and Fox News’ reporting.
• 05:42 – Epstein survivor Hallie Robson’s interview criticizing MAGA Mike Johnson.
• 07:30 – Robson’s sense of betrayal and appeal to Trump.
• 09:06 – Trump’s remarks at the Saudi deal event; Elon Musk referenced; discussion of Saudi real estate deals and security issues.
• 11:02 – Polling data: Democrats surge ahead as Trump collapses.
• 12:06 – Jen Psaki and Epstein survivor discuss Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s knowledge, youth of victims.

Overall Tone

Fast-paced, unvarnished, and unapologetically critical, the brothers intertwine fact-driven analysis with scathing humor and outright disbelief at the week’s news. They blend their commitment to democracy and justice with persistent, vocal opposition to Trump-era corruption and antics, punctuated by their signature, irreverent banter and rallying cries for accountability.

For listeners: This episode offers a rapid-fire, deeply informed breakdown of Trump’s ongoing political and legal turmoil, featuring survivor perspectives, fresh polling, and clear, passionate arguments for why these developments matter for democracy and the rule of law.