The MeidasTouch Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Trump Has Midnight Meltdown as He Sneaks Out of USA
Date: October 25, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

This episode dives into the latest tumultuous events surrounding former President Donald Trump, focusing on his erratic exit from the country, bizarre press conference statements, and escalating international incidents. The Meiselas brothers dissect Trump’s meltdown, analyze its implications for democracy and the economy, and call out the hypocrisy and chaos of the current administration.

The tone is a blend of biting humor, exasperation, and deep concern for American democratic norms—all delivered through the brothers’ signature banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s “Midnight Meltdown” and Bizarre Press Conference (02:33–06:34)

Trump’s Strange Departure & Claims

• Trump was described as “a very angry and disheveled Donald Trump sneaking out of the White House last night” (02:33, Ben), en route to Malaysia.
• Trump claims the U.S. is building “an ark,” referring first to increased funding for DC’s ballroom and then pivoting to an ark:

  “Well, it could even be more than that. Probably, possibly. Assuming we can do that. You know, we’re building the ark and maybe we use it for the ark.” (03:10, Trump audio)

Banter & Satire on the Ark

• Ben jokes about the absurdity and priorities during governmental crises:

  “The big ark during the government shutdown and 20 million Americans are about to lose health care. Watch how bizarre and dangerous this is…” (02:47, Ben)

2. Attacks on Canada and Ronald Reagan Revisionism (03:35–06:34)

Canadian Ad Controversy

• Trump accuses Canada of using “AI” to fake Ronald Reagan’s words in a commercial about tariffs.
• The hosts clarify Reagan’s real stance (pro-free trade, anti-tariffs) using his actual 1987 speech.

  “Donald Trump is deranged… It was Ronald Reagan’s exact words.” (03:35, Ben)

Reagan and AI Accusation

• Trump:

  “I don’t know. They cheated on a commercial. Ronald Reagan loved tariffs and they said he didn’t. And I guess it was AI or something.” (04:12, Trump audio)

• Ben highlights the irony:

  “Pretty wild that the Republican Party apparently now hates Ronald Reagan and everything he stood for and is actively trying to destroy his actual legacy…” (04:26, Ben)

• The hosts lampoon the idea of faking historic speeches with AI just because current party positions have changed.

3. International Escalations – Colombia and More Canada (05:33–06:34)

Colombia

• Trump calls Colombian President Gustavo Petro a “drug dealer” after Petro blamed Trump for violence against Colombian fishermen.

  “Leader you want to see. He’s a drug dealer. The president of Colombia is a drug dealer.” (05:33, Trump audio)

Back to Canada

• Continued attacks over World Series ads, with threats of retaliatory “dirty play”:

  “But I can play dirtier than they can. You know, really very dishonest.” (06:12, Trump audio)

• Ben’s analogy for Democrats: “It would be like… someone right now was like, how dare you play the words of Obama? That’s AI. Obama didn’t say that. Obama said hate. It’s like, that’s like the equivalent of what it is.” (06:34, Ben)

4. Trump’s Latest Conspiracy – “Operation Arctic Frost” (06:34–09:45)

• Trump posts wild accusations against top federal officials:

  “Documents show conclusively that Christopher Wray, deranged Jack Smith, Merrick Garland, Lisa Monaco and other crooked lowlifes… signed off on Operation Arctic Frost… They cheated and rigged the 2020 presidential election.” (07:13, Ben reading Trump post)

• Host commentary exposes the logical fallacy: all accused were not in government during 2020.
• Jack Smith’s desire to testify publicly is used to highlight Republican hypocrisy:

  “Doesn’t that say it all? That the Republicans… when Jack Smith says, okay, let’s talk publicly, I’m free to do it? They go, no, no, no, no, no…” (08:42, Ben)

5. Economic Data Manipulation, Debt, and Inflation Narrative (09:45–11:50)

• Trump accused of firing Bureau of Labor Statistics officials and suppressing economic data using the shutdown as cover.
• Ben recalls COVID tactics: “If you don’t test, then people don’t get sick. That’s what he said during COVID. Right. He’s doing the same thing with the economy right now.” (10:24)
• Inflation data discussion:

  “They claim inflation rose 3%. I believe it’s more. But 3% is still going in the wrong direction… It’s literally going up basically on a straight line at this point.” (10:41)

• Lays blame for inflation and debt on Trump’s spending (“Trump added $8 trillion of debt… It’s now past $38 trillion for the first time.”) and summarizes the Republican media spin.

6. Trump’s Failing Hispanic Support and Social Safety Net Cuts (11:50–13:15)

• Recent AP/NORC poll shows only 27% approval among Hispanics for Trump.

  “73% of Hispanics now disapprove of Donald Trump.” (12:08)

• Trump’s cuts to food aid and healthcare:

  “40 million people are set to lose food aid next week… the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been gutted…” (12:47)

7. “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up” – Odd Admin Details (13:15–14:45)

• Disposed White House East Wing rubble being used for a DC golf course:

  “White House East Wings construction rubble is now being used to create mounds on a golf course…” (13:26)

• $130 million military donation from unnamed friend, used to skirt Congressional authority:

  “Trump wants to keep creating the precedent that he doesn’t need Congress to do funding, that they’ll just go around Congress and have rich people pay for things…” (13:54)

8. Harsh Crackdowns in Chicago (14:45–15:05)

• Describes ICE raids and the use of chemical agents in upper-class Chicago neighborhoods:

  “It’s beyond comprehension that scenes like this have become routine in Chicago. Masked soldiers carelessly lobbing chemical weapons…” (14:35, quoting Sean)

• Audio from the scene:

  “Good job Nazi. Good job Nazi.” (14:47, protestor audio)

Memorable Quotes

• Ben, on Trump’s “ark” project:

  “I think it’ll be more than $300 million and we’re building an ark. By the way, my next big project, the big ark during the government shutdown and 20 million Americans are about to lose health care.” (02:43)

• Trump, attacking Ronald Reagan’s legacy:

  “I don’t know. They cheated on a commercial. Ronald Reagan loved tariffs and they said he didn’t. And I guess it was AI or something. They cheated badly.” (04:12)

• Ben, on Republican revisionism:

  “Pretty wild that the Republican Party apparently now hates Ronald Reagan and everything he stood for…” (04:26)

• Trump, on Colombia:

  “He’s a drug dealer. The president of Colombia is a drug dealer.” (05:33)

• Ben, on media distortions:

  “If you don’t test, then people don’t get sick. That’s what he said during COVID. He’s doing the same thing with the economy right now.” (10:24)

Notable Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:33 | Trump’s departure, “ark” project, press conference | | 03:35 | Canada/AI/Reagan ad controversy | | 05:33 | Trump attacks Colombian president | | 06:12 | Trump vows to “play dirtier” with Canada | | 06:34 | Trump’s “Operation Arctic Frost” conspiracy | | 10:24 | COVID and economic data analogy | | 12:08 | Trump’s low Hispanic approval revealed by AP/NORC poll | | 13:26 | White House rubble repurposed at DC golf course | | 13:54 | $130m private military donation and Congressional power | | 14:35 | ICE chemical weapons in Chicago (protest audio at 14:47) |

Conclusion

The hosts wrap with outrage and satire, underscoring the absurd and alarming state of American politics under Trump: meltdowns, distractionary projects, misinformation, and a chilling normalization of bureaucratic chaos and civil rights abuses. This episode’s blunt commentary and rapid-fire rundown ensure listeners are entertained, informed, and motivated.