The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump Is Scared to Death by Unexpected Pushback…"

Release Date: August 14, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Description: Combining humor with serious discussions on democracy, The MeidasTouch Podcast delves into current political landscapes, offering insightful critiques and support for democratic values.

1. Introduction to the Episode's Main Theme

In this episode, Ben Meiselas leads the conversation by addressing recent actions and statements by former President Donald Trump, highlighting unexpected resistance and the broader implications for American democracy.

2. Donald Trump's Kennedy Center Press Conference

A. Actions and Statements

Ben begins by dissecting Trump's recent press conference at the Kennedy Center, portraying it as a chaotic blend of personal aggrandizement and misguided policy declarations.

B. Analysis and Critique

Ben criticizes Trump's focus on superficial projects, such as redoing the grass in Washington D.C., instead of addressing pressing national issues. He emphasizes the absurdity of Trump's announcements juxtaposed with serious geopolitical conflicts.

C. Notable Quotes

• Ben Meiselas [01:35]:
  "Hey Donald, that's what happens when you go full Putin. That's what happens when you put military forces on the streets to attack people who love democracy and who are just trying to survive."

• Trump's Remarks on Grass [04:51]:
  "We're going to make it so beautiful again. We're going to be redoing the parks, redoing the grass. ... I own a lot of golf courses. And if you don't have good grass, you're not in business very long."

• Ben Meiselas [05:31]:
  "Can you just make things more affordable? Can you stop these wars which you claimed you would end on day one, but you've only made things worse."

3. Trump's Policies on Ukraine and Russia

A. International Relations

Ben highlights Trump's contentious stance on Ukraine and Russia, noting Trump's willingness to cede Ukrainian land to Putin and his plans to transfer valuable natural resources to Russia.

B. Economic Proposals

He underscores Trump's belief that such economic deals will enrich him personally, despite the detrimental impact on national security and international alliances.

C. Notable Quotes

• Ben Meiselas [01:35]:
  "Donald Trump wants to give Ukraine's rare earth minerals to Putin as well as natural resources from Alaska to Putin as part of opening up economic relations with Russia, because Donald Trump thinks it's going to make him, Donald Trump, rich to do that."

• Trump on Hacking [07:26 - 07:51]:
  Reporter: "There's a new reporting that the Russians have hacked into some computer systems that manage US Federal court documents. ...
  Trump: "I guess I could. Are you surprised? You know, he's surprised. They hack in. That's what they do. They're good at it. We're good at it. We're actually better at it."

4. Nomination of E.J. Antony to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

A. Background and Controversy

Ben exposes the questionable credentials and controversial background of Trump's nominee, E.J. Antony, for leading the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). He highlights Antony's admiration for Adolf Hitler's battleship, the Bismarck, and his presence during the January 6th Capitol insurrection.

B. Implications

This nomination raises concerns about the integrity and reliability of critical economic data under Trump's influence.

C. Notable Quotes

• Ben Meiselas [07:51]:
  "Trump's nominee to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics has a giant picture of Adolf Hitler's favorite battleship in his office."

• Ben Meiselas [07:51]:
  "E.J. Tony was spotted in the crowd at the capitol during the January 6th insurrection. The White House says that he was just a bystander who wandered over after seeing news coverage."

5. Economic Concerns under Trump's Regime

A. Inflation and Data Reliability

Ben discusses the skepticism surrounding economic data, attributing it to Trump's interference with data collection and transparency. He argues that inflation is likely higher than reported due to manipulated statistics.

B. Deficit and Trade Issues

The conversation shifts to the alarming rise in the US deficit and the trade imbalance, particularly in agriculture, exacerbated by Trump's policies and tariff implementations.

C. Employment Trends for Young Graduates

Ben highlights the troubling job prospects for young male college graduates, who are reportedly facing worse employment opportunities than their high school peers.

D. Notable Quotes

• Ben Meiselas [07:51]:
  "New YouGov poll shows that only 31% of Americans view Donald Trump as having as telling the truth."

• Ben Meiselas [09:45]:
  "US Agriculture trade deficit just hit a record high. Farmers are going to have to be bailed out again, just as they were bailed out during the first Trump regime."

• Ben Meiselas [11:15]:
  "Young men who have graduated from college will have a more difficult time getting a job in this economy than people who just out of high school."

6. Support for Labor Unions

A. Interaction with AFL CIO

Ben shares his experiences touring with the AFL CIO, emphasizing the critical role unions play in advocating for workers' rights and safer workplaces.

B. Importance of Unions

He underscores the necessity of unions in creating a balanced workplace environment where employees can voice concerns and hold management accountable.

C. Notable Quotes

• Ben Meiselas [12:29]:
  "Union because workers get a say in their workplace and something's going wrong, something's not safe."

• Ben Meiselas [13:04]:
  "We've been on that tour, by the way, with the AFL CIO and it's been an honor to be on that tour, speak with workers, speak with unions. And AFL CIO is just doing a magnificent, magnificent job."

7. Conclusion and Connection to Global Democracy Support

Ben wraps up the episode by connecting the domestic challenges posed by Trump's actions to the global struggle for democracy. He references the resilience of people in Belgrade and Ukraine, drawing parallels to the fight against repressive regimes.

C. Call for Support and Democratic Values

He concludes with a call to action for listeners to support democratic initiatives and highlights the importance of maintaining global alliances in the face of authoritarian threats.

D. Notable Quotes

• Ben Meiselas [13:04]:
  "The scenes that you see in Belgrade... where repressive Putin backed regimes have tried to do this to the citizens, it doesn't end well. That's why we don't do that in the United States of America."

• Ben Meiselas [13:20]:
  "Hit subscribe, help us get to 6 million. Thanks for watching and have a good day."

Key Takeaways

• Critique of Trump's Leadership: The episode provides a scathing critique of Donald Trump's recent actions, highlighting his misplaced priorities and detrimental policies.

• Economic Concerns: Ben emphasizes the unreliable economic data and growing deficits under Trump's regime, raising alarms about the future economic stability of the United States.

• Support for Democracy and Unions: A strong advocacy for democratic values and the importance of labor unions is evident, underscoring the podcast's commitment to supporting democratic institutions and workers' rights.

• Global Perspective: The discussion ties domestic issues to global struggles for democracy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of political actions and their international repercussions.

For those seeking an in-depth analysis of current political dynamics infused with humor and a strong stance on supporting democracy, this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast offers comprehensive insights and engaging discussions.