The MeidasTouch Podcast – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Trump Has Disaster Presser as He Announces New Invasion
Date: September 15, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Main Theme:
This episode dissects Donald Trump’s latest Oval Office press conference, described by the MeidasTouch brothers as “completely disastrous,” in which Trump announces a military "invasion" of Memphis and issues a series of erratic, inflammatory, and factually dubious statements. The brothers break down Trump’s statements and the implications for democracy, public safety, and political rhetoric, with their signature mix of biting analysis and irreverent banter.
Main Segments & Key Points
1. Trump’s Disastrous Oval Office Press Conference (02:10)
- Trump’s demeanor: Described repeatedly as “very sleepy and sickly and unwell.”
- Announcement: Declares a military “invasion” of Memphis, blaming local leadership for crime.
2. Callous Response to Political Assassination (02:44–03:44)
- On lowering flags for Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman:
- Trump: “I'm not familiar with the Minnesota House Speaker.” (03:15)
- Claims he would have lowered the flag if asked, then complains that it would “be a lot of lowering.”
- Hosts note Trump and MAGA leaders spread conspiracy theories blaming the left for the murder, despite the assassin being a Republican.
3. Protest at Joe’s Seafood & Crackdown on Dissent (04:44–05:35)
- Trump’s account: Claims protestors are “professional agitators,” suggests criminal RICO cases should target them.
- Quote:
- Trump: “She was a paid agitator…they should be put in jail. What they’re doing to this country is really subversive.” (05:08)
4. Violence Against so-called ‘Narco Terrorists’ (05:35-07:11)
- Venezuelan fishing boat incident:
- Trump brags about the military shooting a “narco terrorist” boat, claims, “All you have to do is look at the cargo… big bags of cocaine and fentanyl all over the place.” (06:32)
- Hosts’ critique: Draw parallels to ISIS-style execution videos, denounce lack of evidence and transparency.
5. Pushing for Antifa to be Declared a Terror Group (08:56–10:08)
- Prompted by a leading question about leftwing violence, Trump pledges to designate "Antifa" as a terrorist organization if he has enough support.
- Quote:
- Trump: "Well, it's something I would do, yeah. If I have support from the people back here. I would do that 100%." (09:20)
6. Using Charlie Kirk’s Assassination Politically (07:11, 10:08–12:25)
- Narrative shift: Trump and MAGA try to link a 22-year-old white shooter’s motives to "leftwing radicalization," despite insufficient evidence.
- Trump repeats baseless claims: "It's radicalized on the left. He's a left." (11:39)
- Hosts’ analysis: Highlight dangerous scapegoating and constant targeting of Democrats and trans people in MAGA discourse.
7. Plans to Invade Chicago, Dismissal of Federalism (13:59–15:56)
- Trump claims Chicago is next:
- "We're going to be doing Chicago probably next…A businessman told me: 'Sir, you've got to save Chicago.'" (14:05)
- On cooperation with state officials:
- "If they don't, it's not going to matter to us at all. The police department...respect us." (19:01)
- Hosts call out: authoritarian overreach and false crime claims, note actual statistics show more right-wing than left-wing violence.
8. Attacks on Trans and Minority Communities (15:56–18:16)
- Prompted by right-wing reporter Brian Glenn: Trump rails against “trans ideology,” suggests taking down trans flags, ties them to "violence," and proposes jailing people for burning the American flag.
- Quote:
- Trump: “It really causes unrest and violence when they burn the American flag... I want anybody burns the American flag, go to jail based on freedom of speech, goes to jail immediately.” (17:15)
9. Personal Attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar (18:16–18:53)
- On Rep. Omar:
- Trump: “I think she’s a disgraceful person, a loser. ...I think she’s a disgusting person.” (18:23)
10. Show of Loyalty from Aides & Escalatory Rhetoric (20:23–22:20)
- Cash Patel: Praises Trump’s "foresight" in sending operatives into cities, touts "Operation Summer Heat."
- Pete Hegseth: Freudian slip—calls the “Department of Defense” the “Department of War,” underscoring militaristic approach.
- Trump: "Excuse me, Dow, the Department of War, I'm glad you made that correct. Correct." (21:51)
11. Wrap-up by Hosts (22:20)
- Ben and team label the press conference "utterly deranged" and urge listeners to support independent media.
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- On lowering flags for assassinated House Speaker:
- Trump: "If the governor had asked me to do that, I would have done that. ... It would be a lot of lowering. The flag would never be up." (03:22)
- On protestors:
- Trump: "She was a paid agitator...they should be put in jail. What they're doing is really subversive." (05:08)
- On military strike:
- Trump: "Big bags of cocaine and fentanyl all over the place...we have recorded proof and evidence." (06:32)
- On designating Antifa:
- Trump: "I would do that 100%." (09:20)
- On crime in Chicago:
- Trump: "We're going to be doing Chicago probably next...you can't let it go." (14:05)
- On federal intervention:
- Trump: "If they do cooperate, that's good. If they don't, it's not going to matter to us at all." (19:01)
- On trans flags:
- Trump: "A lot of people are very threatened by this flag. ... I would have no problem with it [taking them down]." (16:46)
- On Ilhan Omar:
- Trump: "I think she's a disgraceful person, a loser. ...I think she's a disgusting person." (18:23)
- On flag burning:
- Trump: “I want anybody burns the American flag, go to jail.” (17:15)
- On "Department of War" slip:
- Trump: "The DOD, excuse me, Dow, the Department of War, I'm glad you made that correct. Correct." (21:51)
Memorable Moments
- Trump conflating crowd boos with support, mischaracterizing protestors.
- Dismissing the need for gubernatorial or mayoral cooperation for invasion of Chicago: a clear act of authoritarian bravado.
- Shifting blame for MAGA violence to the left, transgender people, and Democrats, setting up a chilling pattern for scapegoating political foes.
- Aides and far-right media personalities fawning over Trump, signaling a government openly aligned with conspiracy and repressive tactics.
Tone & Style
The MeidasTouch brothers maintain a mixture of biting satire, exasperation, and fact-based pushback, seeking to show the absurdity and danger in Trump’s rhetoric and actions. Their lively sibling banter is present even amidst serious subject matter, aiming to keep the episode both informative and starkly engaging for listeners.
[End of Summary]