The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Has Psychotic Late Night Meltdown as Plans Backfire
Date: October 23, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect Donald Trump's escalating late-night social media meltdowns and how various policy backfires have led to increasing chaos both in the White House and across the country. The discussion covers Trump’s recent attacks on cattle ranchers, the controversy over Argentinian beef imports, ballooning government debt, the fallout from the ongoing government shutdown, and the lack of a Republican healthcare plan. Through their signature comedic banter and sharp analysis, the brothers highlight the consequences of the Trump administration’s actions and the enthusiastic resistance from Democratic leaders and the public.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s Meltdown and Attacks on Cattle Ranchers
[02:23 – 07:08]
- Trump’s Claims: Trump is publicly claiming he “saved cattle ranchers” by imposing tariffs on imported beef, particularly from Brazil.
- Reality Check: The brothers debunk this, citing the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, which opposes Trump’s market interference and calls for the administration to stop manipulating cattle markets.
“Stop being communists... Let the free market for cattle do what it needs to do.” (Ben, 03:45)
- Argentinian Beef Controversy: Trump proposes importing more Argentinian beef to lower prices, ignoring the risks of foot-and-mouth disease and potential harm to both consumers and American ranchers.
“No, that’s how you’re going to kill Americans, you idiot.” (Ben, 04:34)
- Hypocrisy Highlighted: While 20 million Americans lose healthcare during a government shutdown, Trump orchestrates a $40 billion bailout to Argentina and allows unsafe beef imports.
2. Trump’s Lavish Spending & Ballrooms
[04:50 – 07:40]
- Exorbitant Projects: Trump seeks DOJ settlements for himself, spends hundreds of millions on vanity projects, and increases funding requests for his new golden ballroom—now up to $300 million, likened to Russia’s Winter Palace.
“Doesn't that look a lot like the ballroom at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia? Yeah, it’s basically a replica.” (Ben, 06:22)
- Escalating Costs: The requested sum for the ballroom keeps rising, signaling more questionable spending.
3. Soaring Government Debt and Shutdown Consequences
[07:40 – 09:30]
- Record Debt Levels: U.S. debt surpasses $38 trillion—an increase of $23 billion per day.
“Once again, when Donald Trump comes into office… all of a sudden there’s a straight line up with our debt.” (Ben, 07:55)
- Federal Workers Suffer: A 1200% rise in federal worker unemployment claims since the shutdown, with the Labor Department refusing to release weekly reports.
- Economic Fallout: Continuing unemployment claims reach their highest in over three years.
4. Trump’s Election Lies & Diminishing Approval
[09:30 – 12:46]
- 2020 Election Denial: Trump continues to push disproven election fraud claims, attacking Obama and Biden’s vote tallies and questioning Black voter support.
- Plummeting Poll Numbers: Trump’s approval drops to historic lows, especially among young voters, where he has “the worst approval basically in American history.”
- Resistance on the Rise: Democratic voters’ approval of their party’s Congressional job performance surges, and polling shows a strong lead for Democrats in generic Congressional ballots.
5. Public Pushback & War Crimes Accusation
[12:46 – 16:36]
- Calls for Accountability: The hosts cite whistleblowers and journalists condemning the administration’s alleged war crimes, including summary executions at sea in the Caribbean.
“I hope these war criminals are tried and prosecuted for their war crimes when we get out of this despicable and disgusting era.” (Ben, 15:40)
- Comparison to Past Scandals: References to Abu Ghraib and CIA black sites, with a warning that current events are even more brazen.
6. The Republican Nonexistent Healthcare Plan
[16:36 – 19:32]
- Pressing MAGA Mike Johnson: CNN’s Kaitlan Collins presses House Speaker Mike Johnson for the Republicans’ healthcare alternative after the end of Affordable Care Act subsidies during the shutdown.
- Dodge and Delay: Johnson repeats vague promises of a plan “coming soon” and blames Democrats, refusing to provide specifics.
“They lie about everything. If you can talk about it after, talk about it now, because the letters are going out to people and people are about to lose their healthcare.” (Ben, 18:21)
- Call for Dialogue: The brothers stress the importance of bipartisan communication, referencing “Schoolhouse Rock” to emphasize how government is supposed to function.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Trump’s Market Interference:
“You think Donald Trump knows what any of that means? No.” (Ben, 04:10)
-
On the $300 Million Ballroom:
“All of a sudden, every press conference, the number goes up… Soon you know what the number is going to be? A billion.” (Ben, 06:47)
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On Approval Ratings:
“Your approval’s the lowest in presidential history right now. Especially… with young people… now negative 39.” (Ben, 10:24)
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On US War Crimes:
“These are war crimes. And I hope these war criminals are tried and prosecuted for their war crimes when we… get out of this despicable and disgusting era.” (Ben, 15:40)
-
On the Supposed Healthcare Plan:
“So if the government reopened, would you start talking about the subsidies? ‘Yeah, yeah, I sure would.’ Yeah, I would—no, you’re a liar.” (Ben, 18:21)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:23 – Trump’s cattle rancher rant and tariffs
- 04:34 – Risks of Argentinian beef imports
- 06:22 – The golden ballroom and spending escalation
- 07:40 – Surging US national debt and economic repercussions
- 09:30 – Trump’s 2020 election lies and approval woes
- 12:46 – Biden/Dem polling and resistance momentum
- 15:40 – Allegations of war crimes in the Caribbean
- 16:36 – Republican evasions on healthcare; CNN exchanges
- 18:21 – Host frustration at ongoing dishonesty
- 19:32 – End of main content; call to action for listeners
Tone & Style
True to MeidasTouch form, the conversation is passionate, sharp, often biting, and blends dark humor with pointed policy critique. The brothers maintain high energy, frequently calling out hypocrisy and corruption while underscoring the importance of defending democracy and truth.