Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Has Unhinged Meltdown in Oval as Approval Plummets

Air Date: October 22, 2025
Hosts: Ben Meiselas, Brett Meiselas, Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the rapidly deteriorating state of Donald Trump's presidency and approval ratings, zeroing in on a particularly chaotic Oval Office meeting. The Meiselas brothers break down Trump's increasingly erratic behavior, his alarming refusal to negotiate with Democrats during a government shutdown, fanciful economic claims, and bizarre spectacles in the White House—all while the nation faces compounding crises. The discussion is delivered with the brothers’ signature blend of biting commentary, humor, and concern for democratic institutions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Tanking Approval Ratings

• [00:59] The episode opens with a deep dive into Trump’s collapsing popularity:
  • “Donald Trump’s approval is just absolutely crashing. Last week it was net negative 11, now it’s net negative 17.” (Political Commentator)
  • Among 18-29 year-olds, approval has swung from +5 to -39—a net negative 44 point switch.
• The hosts link Trump’s polling collapse to his disconnect from reality and his growing reliance on falsehoods.

2. The Surreal Oval Office Meeting & Bizarre Claims

• [01:30-04:00] The brothers describe Trump’s surreal Oval Office meeting with Fortune 500 CEOs:
  • Trump is seen signing and promoting $60 Bibles he sells online.
  • He repeatedly claims, without evidence, that “grocery prices are way down,” “I have defeated inflation,” and “energy prices are way down.”
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Grocery prices are way down. Energy prices are way down. Mortgage rates are down... inflation has been defeated... the economy has been amazing.” (Donald Trump impersonation/clip, [02:43])
• The hosts note the uncritical acceptance of these claims by the business leaders present, suggesting a widespread culture of sycophancy or sell-out among corporate elites.
• Trump also claims to have brought in hundreds of billions in tariff revenues from the EU, Japan, and South Korea—claims the brothers debunk as “all a lie.”

3. Escalating Shutdown: Refusal to Negotiate

• [04:59-07:32] Trump categorically refuses to speak with Democratic leadership (Schumer and Jeffries) until they accept extreme terms, perpetuating the government shutdown.
  • Notable Exchange:
    • Reporter: “Will you meet with him before you leave for Asia on Friday?”
    • Trump: “I would love to meet... but I said one little caveat. I will only meet if they let the country open.” ([06:45])
  • Analysis from the hosts highlights the danger: “Our entire system of government depends on the parties talking to each other. So what happens when one party, in this case the MAGA Republicans, just go full fascist and say, ‘we don’t even want to talk to the other side’?” (Political Commentator, [06:32])

4. Absurd Economic Claims and Outlandish Promises

• [07:32-08:11] Trump wildly inflates purported drug cost reductions:

  • “I’m bringing prices down 600%, 700%, 900%, 200%... I had a news conference to celebrate.” (Donald Trump, [08:00])
  • Host: “If you bring down prices 900%... pharmaceutical companies would be paying customers.”

• [04:30-04:59] Trump hints at giving Americans cash from fictitious tariff revenues:

  • “I think we’re going to make a distribution over the next fairly short period of time to people because we took in so much money from the tariffs.” (Trump, [04:30])

5. White House Construction Chaos & Attacks on Obama

• [09:01-10:11] Trump’s controversial demolition of the East Wing and plans to build a golden ballroom are presented as acts of self-aggrandizement and disrespect for American tradition:
  • He blames Obama’s library construction for budget overruns, falsely asserting it was “women in DEI” who caused the issues.
  • “And do we all recognize how, in my opinion, traitorous, how treasonous, how despicable it is that they’ve destroyed and desecrated the White House... I can’t even believe I’m saying that in a sentence.” (Political Commentator, [09:01])

6. The “Arc de Trump” – Autocratic Monuments

• [16:58-17:12] Trump considers constructing an “Arc de Trump” modeled on totalitarian triumphal arches of the past:
  • Host: “Donald Trump wants a triumphal arch to celebrate himself. A reporter asked him about it...”
  • Trump: “Yeah, it’s an arch that he’s building for himself...” ([17:07])

7. Trump Turns to Personal Payouts & Self-Settlements

• [12:57-13:33] Trump is questioned about reports he may arrange for a $250 million federal payout to himself as “compensation” for government investigations:
  • Reporter: “Are you asking the Justice Department to pay you compensation...and how much?”
  • Trump: “Well, I guess they probably owe me a lot of money for that. Probably. I think. Sure. That’s very interesting. No, I get no salary... But as far as all of the litigation... yeah, they probably owe me a lot of money.” ([13:33])
• Hosts present this as emblematic of deep-seated corruption and self-dealing.

8. Corporate Complicity & International Fallout

• [17:20-17:44] CEOs of major companies such as Adobe and IBM lavish praise on Trump at the Oval Office meeting, reflecting either compliance or an “enrich-themselves” approach.
• [18:24+] The episode wraps up by noting the breakdown of international relations: Canada and China moving closer together, U.S. world leadership eroding, and foreign governments openly undermining Trump’s economic claims (such as Ontario’s $75 million U.S. ad campaign against tariffs).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Attribution | |-----------|-------|-------------| | 00:59 | “Donald Trump’s approval is just absolutely crashing... net negative 17.” | Political Commentator | | 02:43 | “Grocery prices are way down. Energy prices are way down... inflation has been defeated.” | Donald Trump (impersonation/clip) | | 04:30 | “We’ll probably make a distribution out of some of the tariff money.” | Donald Trump | | 06:45 | “I would lovely meet with them. I just want them to open up the country first.” | Donald Trump | | 08:00 | “I’m bringing prices down 600%, 700%, 900%, 200%...” | Donald Trump | | 09:01 | "Traitrous, treasonous, despicable... they've destroyed and desecrated the White House." | Political Commentator | | 13:33 | “Well, I guess they probably owe me a lot of money for that. Probably. I think. Sure. That’s very interesting.” | Donald Trump | | 16:58 | On the triumphal arch: “Donald Trump wants a triumphal arch to celebrate himself.” | Political Commentator |

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:59 – Trump's plummeting approval and youth vote exodus
• 01:30–04:00 – The Oval Office spectacle: Bible signing, false economic victory claims
• 04:59–07:32 – Government shutdown: Trump stonewalls Democrats, refuses negotiations
• 08:00 – Wildly exaggerated drug price reduction claim
• 09:01 – Destruction of White House East Wing and attack on Obama’s legacy
• 12:57–13:33 – Attempted personal payout from the Justice Department
• 16:58 – Trump’s plan for the Arc de Trump
• 17:20–17:44 – Corporate leader sycophancy

Tone & Conclusion

The episode is marked by urgency, incredulity, and a heavy dose of sarcasm. The Meiselas brothers paint a picture of governance unmoored from reality, with Trump embracing delusions of grandeur, dismantling governmental norms, and actively damaging democracy. All this is punctuated with memorable, occasionally dark humor, and a call to action for listeners to stay informed and engaged.

“We know how this story ends, right? We know how this story ends is not good.” ([19:53])

For listeners seeking a distillation of Trump’s tumultuous presidency, this episode delivers a scathing, deeply concerned chronicle—leavened by laughs—of a government in crisis and institutions under siege.