The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Has Disaster Saturday as Catastrophic News Hits
Date: September 20, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
This episode delves into a particularly turbulent week for Donald Trump, highlighting his recent return to Washington D.C., diplomatic controversies, escalating Russian aggression, plummeting poll numbers, internal chaos in Congress threatening a government shutdown, extreme right-wing narratives, and the mounting stress Americans face from rising grocery costs. The Meiselas brothers combine their signature comedic banter with fact-driven news analysis, signaling a catastrophic series of events for Trump, a chilling new Pentagon media policy, and revealing how manipulative MAGA fundraising tactics target Trump’s ardent supporter base.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s “Disaster Saturday” – Weakness and International Fallout
- Trump’s return to D.C. described as “weak and sickly,” with a tone of mockery and concern over global consequences.
- Ben contends Trump’s performance emboldened Vladimir Putin, leading Russia to escalate aggression in Ukraine, including a massive drone and missile barrage.
- Quote — Ben:
“Donald Trump returned to Washington D.C. and projected utter weakness which Vladimir Putin recognized right away.” (00:53)
- Bloomberg’s report: Putin interprets Trump’s pliancy as a green light to intensify attacks — both on Ukraine and NATO allies.
- Dramatic evidence: 580 drones and over 40 missiles launched against Ukraine — “from Kiev to Odessa to Sumy to Kharkiv.”
- Quote — Ben:
“Just take a look at these images that we're seeing out of Kyiv this morning. Over 40 missiles, cruise and ballistic, 580 drones of various types were launched last night by Russia.” (01:35)
- Quote — Ben:
- U.S. Policy Shift: The Pentagon now halts military aid to Baltic and NATO-bordering nations, underscoring Trump’s deference to Russian interests.
2. Pentagon's Unprecedented Attack on Press Freedom
- New decree: All defense reporters must now receive approval from Trump’s Pentagon (under Pete Hegseth) before publication.
- Washington Post source cited: “No reporter may publish any story about the Defense Department if you work within the Defense Department until it gets approval.”
- Dissenters lose credentials. Ben highlights the “chilling” suppression of the First Amendment.
- Quote — Ben:
“Pentagon demands journalists pledge to not obtain unauthorized material. A new document spells out the latest in a series of escalating restrictions placed on the press.” (03:09)
3. Abysmal Poll Numbers for Trump
- Historical unpopularity: AP-NORC poll at only 39% approval, 60% disapprove — the lowest for any modern president, including his own first term.
- On Healthcare: Trump’s net negative of -29%, with only 35% support on the issue as Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA credits are gutted or expiring.
- Quote — Ben:
“Donald Trump's approval is the lowest in modern presidential history. The person with the second lowest approval... is Donald Trump during his first term.” (04:00)
4. Looming Government Shutdown (October 1st)
- Stalemate:
- Democrats refuse to assist Republicans unless ACA credits are protected.
- Republicans refuse to negotiate, increasing risk of a shutdown—exacerbated by MAGA Speaker Mike Johnson shutting down Congressional activity on critical days due to holidays.
- Quote — Ben:
“We're heading to a shutdown right now on October 1st because Republicans want your health care costs to spike and Democrats are trying to keep it down. It's just as simple as that.” (05:37)
5. Media Suppression, Right-Wing Echo Chambers & “Ground News”
- Ben walks listeners through “Ground News,” a research tool tracking media bias.
- Illustrates how stories about ICE deporting crime victims are mostly ignored by right-wing media: “Only 7% of sources on this article are right wing sources.”
- Urges responsible citizens to broaden sources for factual information and highlights independent media’s higher factuality.
- Quote — Ben:
“As active, responsible citizens, we must get our news from reliable sources. And it helps me find what are those reliable sources. And that's why I love Ground News.” (08:04)
6. Trump’s Manipulative Grassroots Fundraising Emails
- Ben reads examples from Trump’s latest fundraising emails, mocking their over-the-top language and exclusivity ploys.
- Sample subject lines: “I've reviewed your records,” “I’m upgrading you to diamond status,” “I picked Ben for my inner circle.”
- Trump positions supporters as “Elite MAGA Platinum” or “Diamond Club,” manipulating them into repeated donations with manufactured honors.
- Quote — Ben:
“In a matter of 24 hours, he basically told his supporters they won three different awards. That’s the scam he pulls every day. … Like, let me show you what I mean.” (09:53)
7. Response to Charlie Kirk Assassination and Right-wing Media Spin
- Ben clarifies that, contrary to right-wing propaganda, there’s no evidence connecting the Kirk shooter to the left; the shooter fits the profile of radicalized “MAGA white family” supporters.
- Criticizes “dangerous” 4chan/8chan troll culture that radicalizes young men, and the right’s attempts to incite division by blaming “leftist, furry, trans” groups.
- Quote — Ben:
“This is not surprising. This wasn’t a left wing guy. This was a MAGA white family. … It’s this weird kind of 4chan, 8chan culture of Internet perversion and these … Internet trolls who believe that they're these revolutionary agitators.” (13:15)
8. Escalating Grocery Costs: The Stress on Americans
- Field Report: Real-life interviews with shoppers in Santa Clarita relaying sticker shock at the register; “$16.99 for one pack of pecans… it’s insane.”
- Quotes — Ben and Shopper:
“16.99 for one pack of pecans. It's insane.” (16:13)
“Sometimes you just pick up three things and $20. Like just small things.” (16:38)
- Quotes — Ben and Shopper:
- Data Highlights:
- Steak up 16% YOY, ground beef up 13%. Over 50% of Americans report grocery bills as a leading source of stress.
- Underlying causes: drought, tariffs, and supply chain shortages.
9. Closing (Skipped Ads/Non-content)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "Donald Trump's approval is the lowest in modern presidential history... We're nine months in and Donald Trump is way below anybody else, including himself during his first term." — Ben (04:00)
- “The Pentagon demands journalists pledge to not obtain unauthorized material. … If you refuse to sign ... you’re stripped of credentials.” — Ben (03:09)
- “I've reviewed your records and you're just one step away from joining Elite MAGA Platinum Membership Club... give me money.” — Ben, reading Trump emails (09:53)
- “It’s kind of scary that this stuff is actually working on people. … The MAGA base sees these emails and it makes them happy. It’s very, very strange stuff.” — Ben (11:05)
- “16.99 for one pack of pecans. It's insane.” — Ben, reacting to grocery prices (16:13)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Trump’s Weak Return & International Fallout: 00:53 – 04:00
- Pentagon Media Decree: 03:09 – 04:00
- Trump’s Record-Low Approval & Healthcare Crisis: 04:00 – 05:37
- Government Shutdown Dynamics: 05:37 – 07:10
- Ground News Discussion & Media Literacy: 07:10 – 09:53
- MAGA Fundraising Email Exposé: 09:53 – 11:39
- Charlie Kirk Shooting, Right-Wing Spin: 12:17 – 15:37
- Grocery Cost Crisis & Shoppers’ Voices: 16:10 – 17:36
Tone & Takeaways
The Meiselas brothers maintain their signature urgency, skepticism, and biting humor, exposing what they see as dangerous authoritarian trends, right-wing media manipulation, and real pressures facing Americans. They emphasize the importance of factual news, civic action, and resisting both misinformation and calls to surrender democratic rights.
Perfect for listeners seeking:
- Clear, passionate breakdowns of high-stakes political developments
- Scrutiny of right-wing tactics and power grabs
- Insights on media bias and practical tools for media literacy
- Everyday reflections of economic hardship alongside policy analysis
For further details, visit MeidasTouch YouTube Channel.