The MeidasTouch Podcast Episode: Trump has Disaster Landing to DC and Looks Terrible
Date: September 8, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (Featured: Ron Filipkowski)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Donald Trump’s disastrous return to Washington D.C. after being loudly booed at the US Open, his bizarre public behavior, inflammatory comments, troubled economic policies, and growing global backlash against his administration’s handling of immigration, trade, and diplomacy. The hosts, particularly Ron Filipkowski, offer critical commentary, supported by clips of Trump and notable figures, seasoned with the MeidasTouch blend of sharp political analysis and irreverent humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Booed at the US Open & Public Behavior

• [02:23] The episode opens with viral footage and social media reactions to Trump being relentlessly booed at the US Open, including rumors about a “tablet” he was seen taking on camera.
  • Speculation about substance: “Was it generic Viagra? ... Was it Adderall? ... Was it high Grotin?... because it makes you pee and relax blood vessels for improved flow. Given what we know about Donald Trump’s inflamed ankles...” — Ron Filipkowski [02:23]
• [02:23-03:50] The hosts mock Trump’s appearance and behavior, highlighting public derision and media memes.

2. Trump’s Confrontation with Reporter & "Warlike" Rhetoric

• [05:15-06:35] Focus shifts to Trump’s aggressive response to a female reporter asking about his “war” threats against Chicago.
  • Quote from Trump responding to the reporter: “Be quiet. Listen. You don’t listen. You never listen. That’s why you’re second grade. We’re not going to war. We’re going to clean up our cities...That’s not war, that’s common sense.” — Donald Trump [06:35]
  • The hosts emphasize Trump’s misogyny and disrespect, mocking his "shut up, darling" retort.

3. Critique of Trump’s Leadership and Policies

• [06:52-08:17] The hosts lambast Trump’s character and governance, calling him “a despicable creature, a vile piece of trash,” and comparing his economic impact to the bankruptcy of his casinos.
  • Quote: “This grotesque form, this sexual abuser, this felon, this fraud, this con artist, this bankrupter, this weak, pathetic thing who's sending the United States into the dumpster...” — Ron Filipkowski [06:52]

4. Inflation, Beef Prices, and Policy Excuses

• [08:18] Trump’s claim that prices (e.g., beef, eggs, gasoline) will fall “once our policies kick in” is replayed and ridiculed.
  • Clip (Trump): “Yeah, once it kicks in. Once our policies kick in, the price of beef will go down, just like the price of eggs went down, and the price of a lot of other grocery items went down...Energy has gone way down...Beef will go down. It’ll all go down.” — Donald Trump [08:18]
  • Hosts call out the disconnect from reality: “What are you talking about? You've made things exponentially worse, you idiot.”

5. Elites, White House Access & Economic Inequality

• [09:01-10:22] Discussion moves to exclusivity and elitism at the White House, with big tech billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg and policies serving the ultra-wealthy.
  • Quote: “...as things are far less affordable ... as these oligarchs are sitting there laughing in our freakin faces...” — Ron Filipkowski [09:01]
  • Mark Zuckerberg (jokingly): “I think it’s probably going to be something like, I don’t know, at least $600 billion through ‘28 in the U.S. Yeah, it’s a lot.” — Mark Zuckerberg [10:27]
  • Trump responds: “That’s a lot. Thank you, Mark. It’s great to have you.” [10:40]

6. MAGA Ethos and Treatment of the Public

• [10:49-11:37] Hosts lampoon the Trump administration’s “Let them eat cake (or worse)” attitude toward American people and children (e.g., Sarah Huckabee Sanders making kids stand in rain while the elite dine).

7. Trump’s Confused Answers on Foreign Diplomacy

• [11:37] Trump stumbles through a question about planned visits to Japan and South Korea:
  • Reporter: “Do you have plans to go to Japan and South Korea this fall?”
  • Trump: “What does that mean?...I mean, we’ll see. But it’s going to be very interesting what comes out. I think we may have learned something...It’s complicated stuff…” [11:37-11:43]

8. ICE Raids Hyundai Battery Plant & International Fallout

• [12:05-16:42] A significant segment covers an aggressive ICE raid on a Hyundai battery factory in Georgia, detaining mostly South Korean visa-holding workers in military fashion.
  • Ron Filipkowski: “ICE did a military raid, put these people in frickin shackles from South Korea, shackled them like they were drug dealers, killers...” [13:57]
  • Public outrage in South Korea and a negative diplomatic ripple effect are discussed.
  • Trump’s statement: “I'm hereby calling on all foreign companies investing in the United States to please respect our nation's immigration laws...Thank you to your attention in this matter.” [13:20]
  • ICE’s own dramatic footage is played, depicting a militarized raid: “Look how they start the video with the military running in as though they were doing a mission in freaking Fallujah or something.” — Ron Filipkowski [15:40]

9. Economic and Diplomatic Isolation

• [16:42-18:30] The fallout from Trump’s policies on bourbon exports (due to Canadian boycott), damaged trade with Europe, and hostile rhetoric toward allies is discussed.
  • Wall Street Journal cited: “The U.S. built its economic credibility slowly over a long time. Once lost, it won’t be easy to regain.” [16:50]
  • Public opinion data is highlighted: “A new high of Americans saying immigration is good for the United States...79-80% say immigration is a net positive.” [17:20]
• [18:30-19:30] Host notes the lack of real, signed international trade deals under Trump, calling the so-called ‘deals’ “a free for all intended to be exploitive.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:23] “Just look at this grotesque specimen…what the hell is in his mouth?...Donald Trump takes a tablet of something as he watches the US Open men’s finals. He’s also getting booed. Mercilessly.” – Ron Filipkowski
• [06:35] “Be quiet. Listen. You don’t listen. You never listen. That’s why you’re second grade…” – Donald Trump
• [06:52] “Again, a despicable creature, a vile piece of trash this individual is. Who behaves like that…” – Ron Filipkowski
• [08:18] Trump, scrambling for an explanation for inflation: “Once our policies kick in, the price of beef will be going down….”
• [10:49] “This is their whole ethos. Let them eat cake. But it’s even worse than that – let them eat shit, basically.” – Ron Filipkowski
• [13:57] “ICE did a military raid, put these people in frickin shackles from South Korea, shackled them like they were drug dealers, killers…” – Ron Filipkowski

Important Timestamps

• [02:23] Trump booed at the US Open, speculation on pills/tablet
• [05:15-06:52] Trump chastises female reporter, misogynistic remark
• [08:18] Trump’s response to inflation and beef prices
• [09:01-10:27] White House elitism, Zuckerberg ‘investment’ claims
• [11:37] Trump confused by question about Asia trip
• [12:05-16:42] ICE raid of Hyundai; diplomatic and economic fallout
• [16:42] US economic isolation, poll data, trade deal critique

Summary Tone & Style

Throughout, the hosts combine sharp political analysis with their usual blend of outrage, sarcasm, and humor. The episode is a scathing critique of Trump’s behavior and policies, with Ron Filipkowski’s commentary especially biting and unfiltered. Direct clips from Trump and news events bolster the arguments, capturing the chaos, confusion, and controversy surrounding Trump’s return to D.C.

For listeners, this episode provides a vivid, critical rundown of major Trump-related news with commentary, highlights of key moments, and behind-the-scenes insights into the consequences of Trump’s leadership decisions at home and abroad.