The MeidasTouch Podcast – Episode Summary

Title: Trump Holds Disaster Presser in Oval as Markets Tank
Date: October 11, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, & Jordy Meiselas (with contributions from Ron Filipkowski)

Episode Overview

In this breaking news episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect the chaotic and widely criticized press conference former President Donald Trump held in the Oval Office amid a dramatic market downturn. Trump attempted to spin a series of major economic and policy failures—including a steep NASDAQ plunge, a fresh round of China tariffs, and outlandish claims about pharmaceutical prices—into positive achievements, despite evidence to the contrary. The episode is filled with the hosts’ signature blend of humorous brotherly banter, sharp legal and editorial analysis, and unwavering advocacy for democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Disaster Presser and Market Turmoil

• The episode kicks off after Trump’s latest statements result in severe market losses; the NASDAQ drops 3.5% (approx. 820 points).

• Trump announces via social media another round of 100% tariffs on China, further escalating economic tensions.

  • [00:58 | MidasTouch Host]:

    “Donald Trump just wrapped up a disastrous press conference in the Oval Office as the markets are absolutely tanking … as Donald Trump has been totally outplayed and outmaneuvered by Xi Jinping.”

• Trump bizarrely claims to have secured $18 trillion in foreign and domestic investments within eight months.

  • [02:26 | Donald Trump]:

    “At this moment, I think we just cracked 18 trillion dollars in commitments and investments. The last administration was far less than 1 trillion for four years. We’re at 18 trillion for eight months. There’s never been anything like it.”

  Analysis:
  The brothers underscore the absurdity of the $18 trillion figure and note how such grandstanding does nothing to stop or explain the market crash.

2. Absurd Pharmaceutical Pricing Claims

• Trump asserts drug prices are dropping by impossible percentages—citing numbers like “100%, 600%, 1000%” reductions.

  • [03:16 | Donald Trump]:

    “Now drug prices are going to be going down 100%, 400%, 600%, 1000% in some cases…”

  Host Reaction:
  The brothers joke that if prices drop by more than 100%, drug manufacturers would have to pay customers to take the drugs—blatantly highlighting the fallacy.

• Dr. Oz, now part of the administration, joins to discuss “massively” discounted drugs. Trump and Oz together tout “650% off” on some medications—numbers universally derided by the hosts as mathematically and economically impossible.

  • [14:23 | Donald Trump]:

    “As an example, one particular drug that’s hot, very hot—654% on inhalers, COPD and asthma as well as certain diabetics’ medications…”

3. Targeting ‘Democrat Agencies’ in Layoffs

• Trump responds to questions about government layoffs during the shutdown, saying cuts will target “Democrat-oriented” agencies and personnel.

  • [04:46 | Donald Trump]:

    “It will be Democrat oriented because we figure, you know, they started this thing, so they should be Democrat oriented … a lot of them happen to be Democrat oriented … Many of them will be fired.”

  Host Commentary:
  The brothers point out the authoritarian and retaliatory undertones, mock the incoherent logic, and reference the normalcy of impeachable language or grounds for invoking the 25th Amendment.

4. Tariff Escalation and US-China Relations

• After announcing tariffs, Trump is asked if he will cancel a meeting with President Xi Jinping.

  • [06:17 | Donald Trump]:

    “I haven’t canceled, but I don’t know that we’re going to have it, but I’m going to be there regardless … They came up with this whole import export concept and nobody knew anything about it.”

  Host Reaction:
  The hosts are incredulous at Trump's confusion regarding basic international trade concepts.

5. False Claims of War Resolution

• Trump takes credit for resolving “eight wars” and conflates them with “transactions.”

  • [07:14 | Donald Trump]:

    “I made eight deals, transactions of wars. One was 31 years going on. 10 million people were killed … They stopped fighting and they were two nuclear power. … Israel signed it just now.”

  Host Commentary:
  The brothers ridicule the historically inaccurate and factually unsupported claims, highlighting the blending of fantasy with foreign policy.

6. Campaign of Misinformation and Hostile Rhetoric

• Trump attacks Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, alleging he was “thrown out of his family business like a dog.”

  • [10:15 | Donald Trump]:

    “He’s a guy that was thrown out of his family business like a dog. And as I know his family very well, and now he’s a governor...”

• Trump supports “ICE arrests at courthouses,” displaying a disregard for due process and legal norms.

  • [10:42 | Donald Trump]:

    “Yeah. On immigration, ICE are making arrests—target arrests at courthouses in New York City … I’m happy about it. I want them to arrest criminals.”

• He describes Portland as a “war zone” and “insurrection,” invoking imagery meant to justify martial law.

  • [11:07 | Donald Trump]:

    “Every time I look at [Portland], the place is burning down … that’s almost an insurrection.”

7. Dubious Claims on Oil and General Prices

• Trump claims oil will be under $2 a gallon—contradicting prior statements—and that prices for groceries and other goods are at “record lows.”
  • [12:25 | Donald Trump]:

    “We think the oil is going to be under $2 a gallon very soon … pretty beautiful to watch.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [Hosts’ Editorial Bluntness]:
  • “I can’t believe this country made the stupidest person a dictator.” — Brett Meiselas [12:07, paraphrased by host]
• [On Trump's Grandiosity]:
  • “If you got a 1%, 2%, 5%, that’s good, you did a good job. We’re talking about 100, 200, 300, 500, 700 in some cases!” — Donald Trump [13:04]

Important Timestamps

• 00:58 – Episode transitions to post-presser analysis.
• 02:26 – Trump’s $18 trillion investment claim.
• 03:16 – Trump’s pharma price reduction “math.”
• 04:46 – Targeting “Democrat” government employees.
• 06:17 – Wavering on meeting with Xi Jinping.
• 07:14 – Claims of solving eight wars.
• 10:15 – Attack on Governor JB Pritzker.
• 10:42 – ICE courthouse arrests.
• 11:07 – Describes Portland as a war zone.
• 12:25 – Oil/grocery price claims.
• 13:04 – More exaggerated drug price reduction claims.
• 14:23 – Inhaler “654% off” claim.

Tone & Highlights

The episode is both biting and exasperated, marked by frequent incredulity and sarcastic humor directed at Trump’s many claims and gaffes. The brothers rely on legal acumen, media savvy, and relentless commitment to calling out anti-democratic behavior—making this an essential breakdown of one of the administration’s most bizarre media moments to date.

For listeners seeking a lively, critical, and comprehensive dissection of political theater, economic fallout, and presidential overreach, this episode is a must.