Trump in Utter Panic as Newsom Destroys Him on Election Night

Summary

Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: “Trump in Utter Panic as Newsom Destroys Him on Election Night”

Date: November 5, 2025
Hosts: MeidasTouch Network (Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas; guest host Aaron Parnas)
Main Theme: Gavin Newsom’s decisive Prop 50 victory as a repudiation of Donald Trump’s anti-democracy tactics—and what it means for the future of American democracy.

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Overview

This episode covers the breaking news of California’s Proposition 50 passing by a wide margin—a significant electoral win led by Governor Gavin Newsom that is interpreted as a blow to Donald Trump’s attempts to manipulate and discredit elections, both in California and nationwide. The MeidasTouch team, joined by Aaron Parnas, breaks down Newsom’s victory speech, his scathing criticism of Trump, and the wider implications of this political moment amid escalating threats to democratic institutions.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Newsom’s Leadership on Prop 50 and Beyond

• Massive Prop 50 Victory: Newsom credited for unifying Californians and energizing the electorate (“Governor Gavin Newsom brought the House down after a massive victory on Prop 50.” [01:01])
• National Significance: The “blue tidal wave” sweeping the country, spurred by California’s pushback against Trump’s efforts to “rig the midterms.”
• “Don’t Poke the Bear”: Newsom frames California’s turnout as a direct response to Trump’s provocations ([02:18]).

2. Clarity and Moral Authority in Newsom’s Rhetoric

• Rejecting Trump’s Tactics: Newsom repeatedly highlights Trump’s reliance on claims of rigged elections and intimidation tactics ([02:43], [03:43]).
• Erosion of Democratic Norms: Newsom warns about federal involvement in state elections and unconstitutional deployments of law enforcement (“Trump called up the Border Patrol, sent them to Dodger Stadium and threw a fastball at free speech” [03:43]).
• Moral Framing: “Donald Trump does not believe in fair and free elections, period and full stop.” ([02:50])

3. Newsom’s Response to Federal Interference

• Monitoring the Monitors: Newsom discusses measures to counteract potential federal overreach (“For every one person they put out there, we're going to have 10 people monitoring the monitors. We're not screwing around…” [07:55])
• Legal Preparedness: California has set aside millions for legal defense to fight any attempts to rig or undermine elections ([09:20]).

4. Trump’s Reaction and Newsom’s Counterattack

• Trump’s Claims of Election Fraud: Trump baselessly alleges that the redistricting vote was a “giant scam,” prompting Newsom and others to redouble their efforts and vigilance ([10:30]–[11:00]).
• Public Response and Ridicule: Newsom posts a meme of Trump as a baby, calling out Trump's “whining” and immaturity ([10:48]–[11:15]).
• Harsh Critiques: Newsom calls Trump’s authoritarian maneuvers “a disgusting display…by a disgusting, vile piece of trash human being” ([11:50]).

5. The National Mood and the Path Forward

• Celebration for Democracy: Newsom positions the Democratic win in California as a victory for American democracy at large ([12:12]).
• Warning for the Future: Newsom and the MeidasTouch team emphasize continued vigilance leading up to the 2026 midterms and beyond ([08:21], [09:50]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Gavin Newsom on the Meaning of the Victory

• "Tonight, after poking the bear, this bear roared with an unprecedented turnout in a special election with an extraordinary result."
  — Gov. Gavin Newsom ([02:18])

On Trump’s Attempts to Subvert the Election

• "Donald Trump does not believe in fair and free elections, period and full stop. This is not complicated and it's self-evident to anyone paying attention."
  — Gov. Gavin Newsom ([02:50])

On Attacks Against Los Angeles Voters

• "Donald Trump called up the Border Patrol, sent them to Dodger Stadium and threw a fastball at free speech right at the head."
  — Gov. Gavin Newsom ([03:43])

On Trump’s Broader Strategy

• "For every one person they put out there, we're going to have 10 people monitoring the monitors. We're not screwing around, nor is Donald Trump screwing around."
  — Gov. Gavin Newsom ([07:55])

On the Stakes for Democracy

• "It was not just a victory tonight for the Democratic Party. It was a victory for the United States of America, for the people of this country and the principles that our founding fathers lived and died for."
  — Gov. Gavin Newsom ([12:12])

Newsom’s Ridicule of Trump’s Reaction

• "Tonight California made it clear we're taking back our voice and democracy. Here's to proof that when we act together, we win."
  — Gov. Gavin Newsom ([10:08])

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Important Timestamps

• [01:01]: Summary of Proposition 50 victory and Newsom’s response
• [02:18]: Newsom’s “Don’t poke the bear” and first victory speech
• [02:50]: Newsom’s condemnation of Trump’s anti-democratic claims
• [03:43]: Trump’s Border Patrol deployment at Dodger Stadium
• [04:46]: Newsom frames Trump as “most historically unpopular president”
• [07:55]: Monitoring and countering federal election monitors
• [10:08]: Newsom’s social media posts ridiculing Trump
• [12:12]: Final Newsom speech: national significance of the win
• [13:20]: Fox News calls Prop 50 for Newsom and Democrats

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Structure & Tone

The podcast combines urgent, spirited reporting with signature Meiselas wit and progressive advocacy. Newsom’s speeches are delivered with moral clarity and legal authority; the commentary from Aaron Parnas and others is sharp, impassioned, and unapologetically pro-democracy. The episode highlights the seriousness of Trump’s ongoing threats but frames the Prop 50 victory as a moment of hope and resilience for those committed to free and fair elections.

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Final Takeaway

Governor Newsom’s decisive victory in California’s Prop 50 election is portrayed not only as a local win but as a crucial front in the national struggle against authoritarianism and electoral manipulation. The MeidasTouch Podcast episode is a clarion call—urging vigilance, unity, and unrelenting support for democracy as Trump and his allies amp up their attacks in the run-up to 2026.

Transcript

[Jeff Bridges]

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[Aaron Parnas]

Governor Gavin Newsom brought the House down after a massive victory on Prop 50. Remember when all those pundits were saying that Prop 50 was never going to pass and no was going to wipe away the yeses for this mid decade redistricting to respond with moral and formal authority to Trump trying to rig the midterms? And remember how California Governor Gavin Newsom stood up to Donald Trump, powerfully called him out and rallied the California and frankly the entire country while it was a big massive Prop 50 victory. And Governor Newsom gave this incredible victory speech with a lot of messages directed directly at Donald Trump and maga. Then he gave an interview with Aaron Parness, also from the Midas Touch network and talked about how Trump isn't even any more weakness masquerading as strength, it's weakness as weakness and fraud. And this grotesque thing. A massive repudiation of Donald Trump on Prop 50 and in the blue tidal wave that went across the country last night. And we're feeling it this morning, aren't we? So here's California Governor Gavin Newsom saying don't poke the bear. Here, play this clip.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

And tonight, after poking the bear, this bear roared with an unprecedented turnout in a special election with an extraordinary result. None of us however, are naive. This is a pattern. This is a practice. Donald Trump's efforts to rig the midterm election continue to this day.

[Aaron Parnas]

Then Governor Newsom talks about how Donald Trump was whining and trying to say the election was rigged all morning. Here, let's play this clip.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

He said this election was rigged and he's moving the to look for criminal prosecution and investigations at the Department of Justice. He is not screwing around. So tonight I'm proud, but I'm very mindful and sober of the moment we are living in. Donald Trump does not believe in fair and free elections, period, and full stop. This is not complicated and it's self evident to anyone paying attention.

[Aaron Parnas]

Governor Newsom then points out how Donald Trump sent his ice Gestapo to Dodger Stadium after the World Series victory to try to attack and threaten LA right after a World Series victory. How pathetic can you be? Watch Governor Newsom call Donald Trump out powerfully. Here, play this clip.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Just today in Los Angeles, Donald Trump called up the Border Patrol, sent them to Dodger Stadium and threw a fastball at free speech right at the head. Free expression to suppress the vote in America's second largest city. Just did that today. People in tactical gears sent out to intimidate a community that is all ready on edge. But you see, as we speak, people are still in line. People waiting up three hours to cast their vote to send a message to Donald Trump. No crowns, no thrones, no kings. That's what this victory represents, is a victory for the people of the state of California and the United States of America.

[Aaron Parnas]

More from Governor Newsom here. Talking about. We're proud of the work that the people in California did Here, play this clip.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

We're proud of the work that the people of the state of California did tonight to send a powerful message to an historic president. Donald Trump is an historic president. He is the most historically unpopular president in modern history. And every critical category. Donald Trump is underwater. He promised to make us healthier. He promised to make us wealthier. We're sicker and poor. And he fundamentally understands that. Why else, why else would he call Greg Abbott saying he's entitled to five seats? Why else is he trying to rig the midterm elections before one single vote is even cast? He understands his position at this moment in the United States of America. One thing he never counted on, though, was the state of California.

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[Aaron Parnas]

Now, this was from Governor Newsom's interview with Aaron Parnas from the Midas Touch network. Of course, he has his own independent network as well. But this is the Parnas perspective, which he does with the Midas Touch network. Watch this moment where Governor Newsom lays out the case against Trump with moral clarity, with moral authority, with formal authority. Here, play this clip.

[Interview Host]

Well, I gotta ask you before I you talk about kind of what this means nationally and the kind of next for the party. I want to ask you about a report that I kind of put out over the past day or so, and that's the Trump administration was considering sending a deputy AG out to California to monitor elections. They were sending federal monitors. People messaged me, they said that they were worried, just generally hearing that the DOJ was sending folks out to California. Do you have any response? Are things going kind of smoothly right now?

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Yeah, look, we're flooding the zone.

[Unidentified Political Commentator]

For every one person they put out there, we're going to have 10 people monitoring the monitors. We're not screwing around, nor is Donald Trump screwing around. And you may have seen what he just sent out this morning. Just a few hours ago, Donald Trump sent out a truth social saying he's looking at criminal investigation because he already is alleging this election is rigged. Again, he knows he's going to lose. This is the election Rigging Response act.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Because he also knows he's going to.

[Unidentified Political Commentator]

Lose the 2026 midterms. And this is why I keep saying, everybody, eyes wide open. This is not just about the maps here in California. He's mapping out a way of guaranteeing his victory in the midterms in 2026 and beyond. As you say, sending out election Monitors that are not needed, that have no basis, has no business being out here in a statewide election for a statewide constitutional amendment. He has mass men like Greg Bovino that showed up at the campaign kickoff of Proposition 50 intimidate folks. That is a preview of things to come at polling places all across the United States. If you thought we were overstating things in June around the federalization of the National Guard, where we said in June, this is a preview of things to come across the United States. We've seen it in D.C. in Portland, in Chicago. And you're going to see it now as he starts to put Trump personnel in military braces all across the United States. And he's organized that very openly come this January to have quick deployment. This is all around 2026. Alleging that Prop 50 is already rigged because there's mail in ballots and alleging criminal, suggesting criminal activities occurring is chilling. But trust me to your question. Forgive the long winded response. We're not screwing around. We've set aside millions of dollars for our legal defense. We're there today making sure we're monitoring the monitors so there's nothing happening that is not going to be recorded. And I think that has to be our posture as Democrats with that kind of vigilance going through 2026.

[Aaron Parnas]

Now, Governor Newsom's message was clear. He did not mince words. Here's what he posted last night. Tonight, California made it clear we're taking back our voice and democracy. Here's to proof that when we act together, we win. Governor Newsom also wrote what happened here in California tonight is a victory for the people of this country. Donald Trump's attempt to rig the midterm elections are backfiring. His attempts to silence you are backfiring. His entire presidency is backfiring. Governor Newsom posted this image. Wah wah wah. It's Donald Trump as a little frickin baby with his pacifier. Frankly, my baby is way more mature than Donald Trump behaves. I don't want to make that comparison. I apologize for even thinking in terms of babies because Trump's some grotesque creature thing. Governor Newsom writes live. Look at Trump this morning whining about California. Then when Donald Trump this morning posted the unconstitutional redistrict vote in California is a giant scam in that the entire process, in particular the voting itself is rigged. All mail in ballots where the Republicans in the state are shut out is under various cease very serious legal and criminal review. Stay tuned. Governor Newsom says said by a man who just moments ago told Americans he'd ignore a court order to feed people. A totally unserious person spreading false information in a desperate attempt to cope with his failures. Governor Newsom also wrote it's no coincidence that Trump and Miller sent their masked men in Los Angeles on Election Day. Trump and Miller are creating chaos in our communities. So people who have the right to vote stay home. It's a disgusting display of authoritarianism by a disgusting, vile piece of trash human being in Donald Trump. I added the last part there. Here's what Governor Newsom said as well. Just want to remind you when he began his victory speech for Prop 50. Let's play it.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Let me underscore, it's been a good evening for everybody, not just the Democratic Party, but what a night for the Democratic Party, a party that is in its ascendancy, a party that's on its toes, no longer on its heels from coast to coast, sea to shining sea. But it was not just a victory tonight for the Democratic Party. It was a victory for the United States of America, for the people of this country and the principles that our founding fathers lived and died for. And so we're proud, we're proud here in California to be part of this narrative this evening. We're proud of the work that the people of the state of California did tonight to send a powerful message to an historic president. Donald Trump is an historic president. He is the most historically unpopular president in modern history.

[Aaron Parnas]

And of course, my video would not be complete if I didn't show you the moment where state regime media known as Fox projected that Prop 50 will pass. Here was that moment. Let's play it.

[Fox News Anchor]

This is a special election night edition of America's Late News, Fox News at night and breaking right now. The polls are closed in California and Fox News is now projecting that Proposition 50 will pass the congressional redistricting plan from Governor Gavin Newsom that is expected to flip five seats held by Republicans.

[Aaron Parnas]

There you have it, folks. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million subscribers and.

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