The MeidasTouch Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Trump Has Terrible Wednesday as He Is Smothered with Bad News
Date: October 15, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers unpack a “terrible Wednesday” for Donald Trump, diving into a cascade of bad news, policy missteps, political scandals, and how right-wing media and GOP leadership are responding. Through sharp banter and incisive commentary, they analyze Trump’s lavish fundraising, rising grocery prices, climate disaster mismanagement, right-wing propaganda spending, and the shifting narrative surrounding the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The episode is rich in humor, frustration, and a clarion call to defend democracy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Million-Dollar Mar-a-Lago Fundraiser During a Government Shutdown

• [01:01] The brothers break the news of Trump holding a secret, $1 million-per-person fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago while everyday Americans suffer due to an ongoing government shutdown. They highlight the contrast between Trump’s extravagance and the public’s hardship:
  • Ben: “A big lavish party taking place at Mar-a-Lago while the government shutdown is taking place. It's $1 million per person… as the American people are suffering…”

2. Soaring Grocery Prices and Economic Stress

• [01:54] Discussion shifts to rising grocery costs, citing a recent Wall Street Journal article and a Chicago clerk’s reaction to price hikes caused by Trump-era economic policies:
  • Jordy (paraphrased): “A grocery store clerk… says that shoppers see the price and say, ‘what the—’ It happens all the time. Then they push that food away because they can't afford it.”
• They tie inflation and stockpiling trends directly to errors in Trump’s previous administration, equating current hardship with his governance legacy.

3. Critical Disaster Relief Cuts & Climate Catastrophe in Alaska

• [02:11] The brothers call out Trump’s decision to cut a $20 million EPA flood protection grant for the Alaskan native village of Kipnuk. This resulted in catastrophic floods after disaster preparedness systems were shelved as “wasteful DEI spending”:
  • Ben: “Residents were stranded, individuals died… very likely this could have been avoided had the emergency systems… remained in place."

4. Right-Wing Propaganda and Media Complicity

• [03:46] The episode exposes the Department of Homeland Security’s huge ad spending—hundreds of millions—on TV networks, using Kristi Noem as spokesperson in pro-Trump, anti-migrant ads during crisis moments:
  • Ben: “Why is corporate news not reporting some of this key stuff? They’re getting paid quite literally hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government in the form of these ads…”
• The brothers argue this financial incentivization dulls critical media coverage of government failures and fosters authoritarian oligarchy.

5. Tariffs and Economic Graphics – Who’s the Arsonist?

• [04:57] Referencing Harvard data circulated by Carl Quintanilla, Ben explains that prices for domestic and imported goods were falling under Biden, but began spiking as Trump took office, due to reckless policies and tariffs:
  • Ben: “We have to distinguish between the firefighter and the arsonist, and not blame the firefighter for putting out the fire of the arsonist."

6. “Naked Bicyclists” as the Supposed Top Threat

• [06:50] MAGA House Speaker “Mike Johnson” is mocked for citing “naked bicyclists in Portland” as the most threatening thing he’s seen:
  • Mike Johnson (clip, 07:08): "Most threatening thing I've seen yet was the naked bicyclers in Portland… protesting ICE down there. I mean, it's getting really ugly."
• The segment highlights his obliviousness and fixations as law enforcement abuses and more severe threats go ignored.

7. False Equivalency on Law Enforcement and Protest

• [07:20] Johnson claims ICE agents “have not crossed the line” in dealing with protesters, while calling leftist demonstrators the actual threat:
  • Mike Johnson (clip): “ICE… deserve our respect… You’re supposed to be on the side of the good, not the crazy radicals.”

8. Ceasefire in Gaza: Spin, Contradictions, and Humanitarian Toll

• [09:48] The brothers denounce Trump and Netanyahu’s ceasefire plans; neither side signed, and Hamas remains in power. They express frustration at media praise for a plan that leaves fundamental issues unsolved and highlight ongoing civilian deaths in Gaza despite the supposed truce:
  • Ben: “Trump seemed to indicate support of Hamas yesterday. He literally said it… I played the clip for you multiple times.”
• They scrutinize CENTCOM’s bolded press releases and point out ongoing violence and tank fire.

9. Trump’s Venezuela Video and Authoritarian Rhetoric

• [12:00] The show denounces Trump posting U.S. military footage bombing “fishing boats off the coast of Venezuela,” likening the videos to “ISIS style” propaganda and expressing outrage at promoting militaristic barbarism.

10. The “No Kings” Rally: Protests, GOP Gaslighting, and Dissent Suppression

• [13:34] Treasury Secretary Scott Besant is ridiculed for his mantra, “No kings equals no paychecks,” threatening dissenters with economic reprisals.
  • Scott Besant (clip, 13:43): “No kings equal no paychecks.”
• MAGA leaders label peaceful protests as “Hate America rallies” and try to conflate left-wing dissent with terrorism.
  • Mike Johnson (clip, 15:02): “I bet you see pro Hamas supporters, I bet you see antifa types, I bet you see the Marxists in full display…”

11. Media Selectivity and Hypocrisy on Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

• [15:27] The double standard: under Biden, a similar ceasefire would be “the greatest betrayal of the Jewish people,” but under Trump, leaving Hamas in control is called wise policy.
  • Ben, paraphrasing Matthew Iglesias: “When Biden was president… leaving Hamas around… was the greatest betrayal. When Trump does it, now it’s some genius plan.”

12. Netanyahu in Court & Pressure in Israel

• [16:20] Reference to Netanyahu appearing for criminal charges in Israel, as pressure grows following hostage releases and ongoing humanitarian crises.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:01] Ben: “A big lavish party taking place at Mar-a-Lago while the government shutdown is taking place. It’s $1 million per person…”
• [01:58] (Paraphrased from Chicago store clerk): "Shoppers see the price and say, ‘what the—,’ push that food away.”
• [04:57] Ben: "We have to distinguish between the firefighter and the arsonist and not blame the firefighter for putting out the fire of the arsonist."
• [07:08] Mike Johnson: “Most threatening thing… was the naked bicyclers in Portland… It's getting really ugly.”
• [13:43] Scott Besant: “No kings equals no paychecks.”
• [15:02] Mike Johnson: “We call it the Hate America rally… I bet you see pro Hamas supporters, antifa types, the Marxists…”
• [15:27] Ben, paraphrasing Iglesias: "When Joe Biden was president… leaving Hamas around to lead Gaza was the greatest betrayal… But when Trump does it, some genius plan.”

Important Timestamps

• [01:01] – Trump’s Mar-a-Lago fundraiser during shutdown
• [01:54] – Grocery price increases, economic hardship tied to Trump
• [02:11] – Disaster relief grant cuts, Alaska flooding crisis
• [03:46] – DHS propaganda ad spending, media incentives
• [04:57] – Graphic: tariffs, economic impacts
• [06:50] – MAGA Mike Johnson’s “naked bicyclists” top threat
• [07:08] – Johnson’s ICE comment
• [09:48] – Gaza ceasefire breakdown, Trump’s stance on Hamas
• [12:00] – Trump’s military propaganda/“ISIS style” videos
• [13:34] – “No kings equals no paychecks,” protest intimidation
• [15:02] – Johnson calls protest a "Hate America rally"
• [15:27] – Double standard on Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Iglesias quote
• [16:20] – Netanyahu’s criminal trial in Israel

Conclusion

The episode lays bare a harrowing and often darkly comic portrait of Trump-era policy and MAGA rhetoric: excessive self-interest, attacks on dissent, weaponized propaganda, and a cynical manipulation of suffering. Through direct fact-checks, audio clips, and banter, the Meiselas brothers warn listeners about media complicity and urge them to defend democratic values amidst chaos and misinformation.

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