The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump Has Meltdown in AM After Catastrophic News"

Date: November 24, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Theme:
A breakdown of Donald Trump’s chaotic morning reactions to a series of devastating political, legal, and international developments, the growing disarray among MAGA Republicans, US-China tensions, global perceptions of American leadership, and a critique of economic messaging from the right.

Main Theme & Purpose

The episode centers on Donald Trump’s highly reactive, combative morning following a succession of disastrous headlines—both personal (legal hearings, legislative threats) and global (US-China-Ukraine tensions, faltering trade deals). The brothers dissect the ripple effects across US politics, the global stage, and American public perception while exposing false economic narratives from MAGA Republicans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Morning Meltdown and GOP Disarray

• Trump’s Online Outbursts:
  Donald Trump, facing damning headlines, took to social media with "ranting and raving like a lunatic," targeting institutions from the Supreme Court to Congress.

  • Quote:
    “Donald Trump being hit with a torrent of catastrophic news this morning. He continues to rant and rave like a lunatic on social media while this is taking place.” (06:30)

• GOP Threats to Resign:
  Growing MAGA frustration inside the House of Representatives, with reports of members (like Marjorie Taylor Greene) threatening to quit before midterms, potentially flipping the House to Democrats.

  • Quote:
    “This could potentially shift the balance of the House of Representatives to Democrats before the midterms even take place.” (06:00)

2. Foreign Affairs & Flawed Diplomacy

• Ukraine Peace Plan Flop:
  Trump tried to push a “28 point plan of surrender” for Ukraine, allegedly dictated by Russia, only for it to be rebuffed by both Ukraine and European allies.

  • Quote:
    “Trump...tried to force down Ukraine’s throat...Trump and Putin plan...Europe and Zelinsky said: you have to respect territorial integrity...” (06:30)

• China’s Leverage & Agricultural Fallout:
  President Xi Jinping flexed leverage on Trump over trade, especially on US soybean exports.

  • Trump’s promises of major soybean sales to China (12 million metric tons) remain unfulfilled; reality falls far short.
  • Highlight:
    Under Biden, China purchased over 27 million metric tons vs. Trump’s highly inflated, largely unmet pledges. (09:24)

• Japan Steps Up on Taiwan:
  Japan’s new PM publicly supports defending Taiwan in face of Chinese aggression—a signal interpreted as caused by perceived US weakness.

  • Quote:
    “Japan had to put out a statement now saying it would potentially defend Taiwan...Why is Japan saying that? Because Trump's so weak...” (18:30)

3. Tariffs, Economy, and Gaslighting

• Trump’s Threat to the Supreme Court:
  Trump openly threatens SCOTUS, saying not supporting his tariffs is un-American.

  • Quote:
    “You are serving the hostile foreign interest not aligned with the success, safety and prosperity of the United States,” Trump allegedly stated. (06:00)

• Tariff Impact Reality Check:
  Americans feel the pinch of Trump’s tariffs, with widespread bipartisan belief that tariffs worsen inflation.

  • Quote (CNN’s Harry Enten):
    “Groceries, 85%. Utilities, 78%...Americans feel like prices are rising in each and every single part of their lives...they just don’t feel...that they can catch a break.” (07:15)

  • Poll Data:
    “84% of Democrats, 74% of independents and even a majority of Republicans...the pain is being felt by the American public...” (07:58)

• MAGA Narrative vs. Reality:
  Republican Congressman Tom Emmer and others claim “groceries are down” and “gas is at a five year low”—contradicting all available data, called out as blatant gaslighting by the hosts.

  • Quote:
    “You know how brutally pathetic and cruel and unusual it is for people like that to go on and just spew with venom those lies and just treat us all like we're stupid. That's the thing with Trump and MAGA: they think you are stupid. They think we're stupid…” (14:08)

4. $2,000 Tariff Rebate – Fact or Fantasy?

• False Promises:
  MAGA Republicans float the idea of $2,000 checks for tariff “dividends,” which the hosts debunk as fiction—reminding listeners that actual average additional family costs due to tariffs exceed $2,000–$3,000 per year.
  • Quote:
    “The average American family has paid $2,000 to $3,000 more already this year as a result of Donald Trump’s tariffs…” (14:34)
  • Tom Emmer spin:
    “When the business is doing well, the shareholders, which are the American people, should be rewarded...How that turns out, we’ll see where the President wants to go with it.” (15:46)

5. Legal and International Instability

• Supreme Court ‘Certainty’ Claims:
  Howard Lutnick appears on air, confidently (and dubiously) guaranteeing the Supreme Court will support Trump’s tariffs.

  • Quote (Impression):
    “Let me tell you what’s going to happen, everybody...I was with the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court loves Donald Trump...We're going to win the case.” (16:14 and 16:42)

• Global Ramifications of Weakness:
  The episode highlights how Trump’s perceived weakness invites international instability: China pressures Taiwan, Japan issues defense pledges, and Ukraine responds directly to Russian/Trump machinations.

6. Container Ship Crisis Ignored

• Federal Apathy:
  The hosts detail an urgent container ship fire outside Los Angeles, ignored by the Trump administration despite hazardous materials, requiring federal intervention. The hosts sharply criticize Trump’s “only-help-my-supporters” approach.
  • Quote:
    “No callback from the Trump regime at all, which is unheard of, refusing...you’re harming the country by these things and you’re supposed to be the president of all of America.” (20:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Meiselas (On GOP threats):
  “This could potentially shift the balance of the House of Representatives to Democrats before the midterms even take place.” (06:00)

• On tariff impact:
  “Americans feel like prices are rising in each and every single part of their lives...they just don’t feel...that they can catch a break.” (07:15, Guest - Harry Enten, CNN)

• On MAGA economic messaging:
  “You know how brutally pathetic and cruel and unusual it is for people like that to go on and just spew with venom those lies and just treat us all like we're stupid...” (14:08)

• On international perception:
  “Japan had to put out a statement now saying it would potentially defend Taiwan if China sought to take over Taiwan. Why? Because US is being so weak and Japan feels its interests are being threatened...” (18:30)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 06:00 | Trump’s social media meltdown & Republican resignations | | 07:15 | US economic sentiment breakdown (Harry Enten, CNN) | | 09:24 | US-China trade breakdown over soybeans | | 11:11 | Fox/MAGA Republicans’ false economic messaging (Tom Emmer) | | 14:08 | Meiselas critique of MAGA economic gaslighting | | 15:46 | $2,000 “tariff dividend” rhetoric and debunking | | 16:42 | Howard Lutnick’s Supreme Court “guarantee” for Trump tariffs | | 18:30 | US, China, and Japan face-off over Taiwan; Japan’s new stance | | 20:29 | Container ship fire off LA, Trump administration’s lack of federal response |

Conclusion

The episode delivers a scathing, detailed, and often scornfully comedic examination of how Trump’s personal and political crises ripple into GOP instability, US international weakness, and economic hardship for Americans. With their signature mix of sharp political insight and brotherly banter, the Meiselas brothers offer listeners not just a news recap, but a pointed call to see through the chaos and gaslighting that have come to dominate the new political reality.

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