The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Holds Disaster Cabinet Meeting on Live TV
Date: August 26, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode dissects a recent, widely broadcast “cabinet meeting” held by Donald Trump, which the MeidasTouch brothers describe as “disastrous.” The brothers break down Trump’s on-air statements, highlight his falsehoods and strange tangents, and comment on the sycophantic behavior of his assembled cabinet and allies. The show blends sharp political critique with the hosts’ signature humorous banter and genuine concern for democracy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Outlandish Claims and Rhetoric

• On Black Women and the National Guard

  • Trump boasts about support from “an army of black women” allegedly begging him to “invade their cities” with the National Guard.
  • Quote [00:52]:

    “You have a force of black women. Black women, they, they're like only Trump. They want Trump to come in and you see him, they're all over the place in Chicago.” — Donald Trump

• Personal Attacks & Bizarre Observations

  • Trump fixates on Governor Gavin Newsom’s appearance and claims he has “strange hand action.”
  • Quote [01:16]:

    “He's got some strange hand action going. I don't know what the hell is. Probably weird, to be honest. A little something shaky going on there.” — Donald Trump

• Admission of “Dictator Talk”

  • Trump flirts with being labeled a dictator, seeming to embrace the term in the context of “stopping crime.”
  • Quote [02:00]:

    “Most people say if you call him a dictator, if he stops crime, he can be whatever he wants. I'm not a dictator, by the way, but he can be whatever he wants.” — Donald Trump

• Above the Law Assertion

  • Trump claims the presidency provides unchecked authority.
  • Quote [02:47]:

    “Not that I don't have the right to do anything I want to do. I'm the president of the United States. If I think our country is in danger ... I can do it.” — Donald Trump

2. Misleading Statements & False Information

• Distorted Data on Prices & Wages

  • Trump asserts grocery prices, energy, and gas are down, contradicting real conditions.
  • Quote [05:23]:

    “Groceries are down, energy is way down. It was four and five dollars for a gallon of gas ... now it's probably $2.25.”

• Wild Claims about Drug Prices and Foreign Payments

  • Trump says he cut prescription drug prices by “1,500%” and that “trillions” are pouring into the U.S. from trade deals — both easily debunked.
  • Quote [13:55]:

    “We're talking about a 1,500% cut...” — Donald Trump

  • Quote [14:25]:

    “Trillions of dollars is coming into our country. Trillions far beyond billions.” — Donald Trump

• Fabricated Emergency Response

  • Trump claims credit for delivering water to fight California wildfires, despite the facts showing otherwise.
  • Quote [16:07]:

    “We send hundreds of millions of gallons of water a day into the Pacific Ocean. ... I actually had to do it using force.” — Donald Trump

3. Foreign Policy and Ukraine

• Undermining Zelensky & Supporting Russia’s Narrative

  • Trump casts doubt on Ukraine President Zelensky’s “innocence” and questions U.S. support, reinforcing Russian talking points.
  • Quote [03:20]:

    “Not everybody, you know, Zelensky is not exactly innocent either. Okay. ... We have a much different relationship because now we're not paying any money to Ukraine.” — Donald Trump

• Dismisses Russian Objections as “Bullshit”

  • When confronted about Russia refusing to negotiate with Zelensky, Trump responds dismissively and with profanity.
  • Quote [04:39]:

    “Doesn't matter what they say. ... It's all bullshit. Okay. Everybody's posturing.” — Donald Trump

4. Trump’s View of Democrats and Social Issues

• Democrats “Love Crime”

  • Trump accuses Democrats of supporting crime, a claim the hosts dissect as a childish, baseless smear.
  • Quote [07:51]:

    “We’re against crime. The Democrats like crime. I don’t know why.” — Donald Trump

• Objectification and Outdated Gender Norms

  • Trump comments on Pam Bondi’s appearance, then backtracks, claiming he can't compliment her beauty for “political” reasons.
  • Quote [08:07]:

    “I would never say she's beautiful because it’d be the end of my political career.” — Donald Trump

5. Nostalgia Economics and Job Fantasies

• Grandchildren “Should Learn Furniture Making”
  • Trump encourages North Carolina families to train children and grandchildren in furniture making, suggesting mass manufacturing jobs will return.
  • Quote [09:03]:

    “Start getting the grandchildren and the children, start teaching them. ... That’s what’s going to happen.” — Donald Trump

6. Sycophantic Cabinet Reactions

• Praise Parade: Cabinet and Allies Laud Trump

  • Cabinet members, including Kristi Noem, Tulsi Gabbard, Kelly Loeffler, Laurie Chavez-DeRemer, Steve Witkoff, Howard Lutnick, Doug Burgum, and Marco Rubio, offer excessive praise, reminiscent of authoritarian regimes.

  • Selected Quotes:

    • Kristi Noem [17:01]:

      “Today the average family ... is safer than they've been in years because of what you've done.”

    • Tulsi Gabbard [17:33]:

      “This is just such a great opportunity really to recognize your leadership as a true champion for working people.”

    • Howard Lutnick [19:35]:

      “Intel agreed to give us 10% of their company, which of course was worth $11 billion. So it's not socialism.”

    • Doug Burgum [20:04]:

      “Your respect for law enforcement is so incredible, it's making a difference.”

    • Marco Rubio [20:15]:

      “You were elected as the president of working Americans. And that's why this Labor Day is ... so meaningful for me personally.”

  • Hosts mock the performative nature of this praise, likening it to North Korean “suck-up” sessions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On False Authority:
  “I'm the president of the United States. If I think our country is in danger ... I can do it.” — Donald Trump [02:47]
• On Lies About Prices:
  “There’s no inflation because there’s been decreases, tremendous decreases... now it’s probably $2.25 [for gas].” — Donald Trump [05:23]
• On Refusing to Answer about Russia:
  “Doesn't matter what they say. ... It's all bullshit. Okay. Everybody's posturing.” — Donald Trump [04:39]
• On Fantasies of Manufacturing Comeback:
  “Start teaching [grandkids furniture making]. ... It's going to happen like magic.” — Donald Trump [09:03]
• On Cabinet Praise:
  “Working for this government for you is the greatest honor of my life.” — Steve Witkoff [18:37] "You were elected as the president of working Americans." — Marco Rubio [20:15]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:52] — Trump claims Black women want National Guard intervention
• [01:16] — Trump on Newsom’s hands and appearance
• [02:00] — Trump discusses being a “dictator” to stop crime
• [02:47] — Trump asserts “I have the right to do anything”
• [03:20] — Trump’s equivocation about Zelensky/Ukraine
• [04:39] — Trump uses profanity to dismiss Russian objections
• [05:23] — Trump fabricates economic data (prices, gas)
• [06:35] — Trump urges blue-state governors to call him for invasion
• [09:03] — Trump encourages teaching grandchildren to make furniture
• [10:52] — Trump claims to have reopened D.C. restaurants
• [13:55] — Trump boasts about cutting drug prices “1,500%”
• [14:25] — Trump claims “trillions” flowing into U.S. Treasury
• [16:07] — Trump on “using force” to turn on California water
• [17:01–20:41] — Extended segment featuring over-the-top cabinet praise

Tone and Style

Throughout, the MeidasTouch hosts employ a tone of incredulity, sarcasm, and concern, frequently interjecting factual corrections and sharp asides:

• On Trump’s outlandish claims:
  “Donald Trump lies about everything here.” — Host [09:50]
• On the sycophantic cabinet:
  “A weird, anti-American, Kim Jong-un-ist way.” — Host [16:41]
• On the whole meeting’s absurdity:
  “All very weird and strange.” — Host [20:41]

Final Takeaway

This episode offers a rapid-fire, fact-checked rundown of Trump’s live “cabinet meeting,” showing in vivid detail how misinformation, authoritarian posturing, and cult-like loyalty dominate Trump’s circle. The hosts’ blend of humor and substance ensures listeners come away both informed and entertained — and with plenty to talk about.

For more, subscribe to The MeidasTouch Podcast for biweekly in-depth political commentary with a comedic twist.