The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode Title: Trump in Terror as Newsom Twists the Screws in Him
Date: August 18, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the escalating online feud between California Governor Gavin Newsom and former President Donald Trump. The Meiselas brothers dive into how Newsom’s witty, mocking online tactics are not just ruffling Trump’s feathers, but rattling the entire MAGA influencer ecosystem and right-wing media. The brothers break down Newsom’s social media strategy, analyze why it’s so effective, and revel in examples of Newsom using humor, memes, and sharp retorts to undermine Trump and his supporters. Throughout, the tone is brash and comedic, heavily lampooning Trump and right-wing media for their reactions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gavin Newsom: The “Anti-Trump” Troll

• Strategic Mocking: Newsom is using Trump's own online bombardment tactics against him, throwing Trumpian insults and memes right back at MAGA figures, Fox News, and Trump himself.

• Turning the Tables: Newsom’s approach is effective because he not only mocks Trump, but does it in a way that gets under the skin of Trump’s allies. This includes posts with comically doctored images and pointed retorts.

  Quote:
  "You have California Governor Newsom just smoking out the behavior of Trump, punching Donald Trump back in his face, metaphorically of course, his orange face, and slamming him and humiliating him in public."
  — Ben Meiselas [00:28]

2. Highlight Reels: Newsom’s Greatest Trolls

• Beta/Bella Debacle: Trump posts “Bella” (misspelling “Beta”); Newsom replies, mockingly correcting him and calling him “Donald Tiny Hands” and “fired beta.”
• MAGA Outrage: MAGA influencers and Fox News personalities complain about Newsom’s tactics, calling them “immature” and “inauthentic.” Newsom responds with “okay bud” and more memes.
  Quote:
  "You don't become the main act by reducing yourself to a heckler."
  — Michael Knowles (quoted) [02:20]
• Mocking Trump’s Use of AI: Newsom parodies Trump’s penchant for AI images (e.g., Trump with Taylor Swift) by posting AI images of himself with Kid Rock, Hulk Hogan (as an angel), and more.
• Just Dance Vance: Newsom dubs J.D. Vance “Just Dance Vance” in response to his involvement in Indiana redistricting, and riffs on his “eyeliner lines.”
  Quote:
  "Not even JD Just Dance Vance can save Trump from the disastrous maps war he has started... He will fail as he always does. Sad."
  — From Newsom's social (read by Ben) [04:00]

3. MeidasTouch Analysis: Why the Trolling Works

• Undercutting MAGA's Own Brand: By giving Trump a taste of his own medicine—with better delivery—Newsom exposes MAGA’s lack of substance and humorlessness.
• Riling Up the Right: MAGA influencers and Fox hosts are so flustered that their complaints actually amplify Newsom’s message.
• Media Frenzy: The brothers highlight how even mundane or silly posts from Newsom generate headlines and outrage on right-wing media, showing the impact of his strategy.
• The Ratio Game: Newsom brags about “ratioing” Trump’s accounts, i.e., getting more engagement and positive response than Trump’s original posts.

4. Newsom’s FOIA Lawsuit Against Trump

• Newsom announces a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit to expose the use of federal agents at a California legislative event, suggesting Trump or Kristi Noem might've sent them to intimidate.
• The Meiselas brothers praise this as further evidence of Newsom not just trolling, but taking concrete action.

5. Fox News & MAGA Pushback—And Newsom’s Replies

• Fox News (notably, host Trey Gallagher) insists Newsom is acting “childish” and unbecoming of a governor.
  Quote:
  “I think he's trying to be funny. I think, I mean, I don't know what he's trying to do... But it comes across as childish. And what are you, the governor of the biggest state in the union? What are you doing?”
  —Trey Gallagher (Fox News, quoted) [08:36]
• Newsom hits back, calling Gallagher “bird brain” and mocks Fox’s low ratings and lack of influence.
• Izzy Garden (Newsom’s communications director) becomes part of the show, amplifying and lampooning right-wing responses.
• Right-wing influencers (Libs of TikTok, Conservative Mike, etc.) jaw at Newsom, who snarkily dismisses their critiques.

6. Memes, Muscle Photos, and “Meatball Ron”

• Visual Comedy: The hosts and Izzy Garden share and comment on viral memes such as Newsom shirtless riding sharks, bears, lions ("Meatball Ron"), and even a T-Rex, poking fun at the hyper-masculinity of right-wing memes and contrasting Newsom’s "winning" image with Trump’s.

• Newsom and his team relentlessly mock fringe Republican figures (Kevin Kiley, Don Jr., etc.) and the notion of "alpha" status.

  Quote:
  "Here he is on a Tyrannosaurus rex with two guns. And then Izzy Garden goes, 'clearly a fake photo. Gavin Newsom has much better hair than this.'"
  — Ben Meiselas [11:25]

7. Substantive Critiques of Trump

• Newsom steps beyond memes, calling Trump “a wartime president” but not in a flattering way—arguing Trump has declared war on Americans: war on women, voting rights, minorities, and even American cities.
  Quote:
  "He's a wartime president. He's the head of a war party. War on women, war on voting rights, war on Hispanics, war on this state, war on institutions, war on history. ... He sent the United States Marines into the United States of America in one of the bluest cities in this country..."
  — Gavin Newsom (clip, [15:22])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Newsom’s Online Style:
  "I love that he's doing it because Donald Trump is. Donald Trump is a weak man's view of what a strong man is. Trump is a weak man's pathetic loser in every aspect of his life."
  — Ben Meiselas [06:32]

• On Newsom's FOIA Lawsuit:
  "We're filing a FOIA lawsuit to expose Trump's deployment of federal agents at our legislative announcement last week regarding redistricting. Did Trump or the cosplay commander Kristi Noem send the masked agents to intimidate us? Will find out."
  — Read from Newsom's announcement [07:53]

• Gavin Newsom schools Don Jr.:
  "Tough choice. One now leads the world's fourth largest economy. The other sells cell phones."
  — Gavin Newsom, responding to high school photos comparison [06:55]

• On Newsom's "war" accusation:
  "It's about the United States of America. He doesn't believe in that ... He is a wartime president."
  — Gavin Newsom (clip, [15:22])

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Opening on Newsom vs. Trump Social Media War: [00:28–04:40]
• Discussion of MAGA/Right-Wing Media Meltdown: [04:40–08:36]
• Fox News Criticism & Newsom’s Mockery: [08:36–09:20]
• Highlighting Viral Newsom Memes: [10:46–13:00]
• Newsom’s FOIA Lawsuit Announcement & Accountability Moves: [07:53–09:13]
• Newsom Calls Trump a "Wartime President": [15:22–16:10]

Episode Tone & Style

The episode is unapologetically irreverent, blending sharp political commentary with raucous comedy and a clear anti-Trump stance. The brothers cackle at Newsom’s jabs and add their own colorful analysis, referencing internet culture and right-wing outrage in equal measure. The roast is relentless, but underpinned by concern for democracy and a desire to see substantive pushback against Trumpism.

Summary

This episode is a rollicking, meme-filled breakdown of the Newsom vs. Trump online war, highlighting how Newsom has weaponized wit and social media to throw Trump and MAGA influencers off their games. The Meiselas brothers trace how Newsom’s digital strategy has become not just effective political theater but a source of real consternation for the right, and they argue that this kind of rhetorical pushback is both necessary and entertaining. Newsom’s ability to troll, meme, and maneuver is painted not just as comedy, but as a kind of bravery in today’s political battles.