The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Is Terrified by Newsom’s Final Message on Shutdown
Date: October 1, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

This episode centers on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s bold, relentless and sharply humorous social media offensive mocking Donald Trump and his administration in the lead-up to a potential government shutdown. The brothers discuss Newsom’s pointed messages, satirical posts, and how this approach delivers both comedy and effective critique. They detail how Newsom’s tactics contrast starkly with Trump’s rhetoric, policies, and leadership style, and discuss the broader stakes for democracy, government functioning, and the American people.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gavin Newsom’s Takedown of Trump and His Administration

• Newsom's Memes & Commentary (05:02–08:15)

  • Newsom posts a series of viral AI images and humorous cartoons targeting Trump’s appearance and behavior, responding to right-wing figures like Pete Hegseth (who self-styles as “Secretary of War”) and Stephen Miller.
  • Example: Satirical photos of Trump depicted as “an obese commander in chief” binge-eating McDonald’s, and jokes about “drones bringing in more Big Macs.”
  • Newsom also posts a Simpsons cartoon mocking Hegseth, highlighting GOP hypocrisy and double standards.
  • Quote [05:34, Gavin Newsom]: “It’s completely unacceptable to see a fat commander in chief in the halls of The White House...here are the drones bringing in more Big Macs.”

• Targeted Mockery of Trump’s Team and Policies

  • Newsom relentlessly parodies Stephen Miller (“time for your daily walk, Donald… no stairs,” and refers to Miller as “a fascist”).
  • Leverages AI-generated videos to lampoon JD Vance (“Couch Boy”).
  • Humor is used to expose real policy issues, like attacks on healthcare and research funding.

2. Critique of GOP Shutdown and Policy Failures

• Truth-Flooding the Airwaves (13:46–15:56)

  • Newsom “floods the zone with the truth”—countering misinformation, highlighting the real impacts of a shutdown, and refusing to cede the narrative to GOP talking points.
  • Calls out Trump and GOP for “shutting down the government to rip healthcare away from 20 million Americans.”
  • Mocks Trump’s administration fighting with Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok, highlighting their confusion and lack of focus.
  • Quote [14:05, Governor Newsom]: “Sad to see Grok is smarter than the White House.”

• Economic Context & Job Market (08:32–09:32)

  • Newsom invokes economic data (such as Heather Long’s report on an anemic hiring rate) to highlight Trump’s poor economic stewardship.
  • Describes the current job market as “on life support” and warns of a looming “MAGA meltdown.”

3. Authoritarian Rhetoric and Democratic Dangers

• Trump’s “War on Cities” (16:45–18:02)

  • Newsom and the brothers analyze Trump’s declaration of “war on our inner cities” and threats to use the military in domestic urban centers, underscoring the authoritarian and dangerous precedent of such rhetoric.
  • Quote [17:39, Governor Newsom]: “This speech should terrify anyone who cares about our country. Declaring war on our nation, cities and using our troops as political pawns is what dictators do.”

• Newsom’s Pro-Democracy Agenda and California Model (18:35–19:10)

  • Newsom contrasts California’s pro-labor, pro-women, and pro-pluralistic policies with Trump’s agenda.
  • Highlights legislative efforts to protect worker rights and provide affordable healthcare, presenting California as “the world’s fourth-largest GDP” if it were its own country.

4. Memorable Quotes & Humorous Barbs

• On Trump Caving (07:35, Newsom mocking Trump):
  • “Don’t worry, Donald will Taco Trump always chickens out. He’ll cave. He always does. Many say he’s too weak to finish anything.”
• On Stephen Miller’s Fragility (08:10, Commentary):
  • “Why is Gavin Newsom calling me a fascist? ... It is a message that his team is sending to all the crazies and lunatics.”
• On JD Vance, aka “Couch Boy” (11:07, Host quoting satirical AI clip):
  • “There are rumors that I once had an encounter with a Chesterfield…The Chesterfield isn’t just furniture, it’s an experience. And some of us know that a little too well.”

5. The Larger Narrative: Humor as a Weapon

• Emphasized throughout: Newsom’s mixture of playful ridicule and hard truths disrupts the right-wing narrative, keeping the pro-democracy base energized and exposing the absurdities and dangers of current GOP leadership.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 05:02–08:15: Newsom’s posts mocking Trump & GOP figures, breakdown of fat-shaming debate, and Miller’s “fascist” label.
• 08:32–09:32: Economic critique—job market struggles under Trump.
• 13:46–15:56: Newsom exposes shutdown motives, Grok AI controversy, and pinning shutdown responsibility on Republicans.
• 16:45–18:02: Trump’s “war” rhetoric, authoritarianism, the threat to democracy, and Newsom’s response.
• 18:35–19:10: Newsom contrasts California’s leadership and values with Trump-era policies.

Notable, Memorable Moments

• AI Satire & Mockery: Newsom’s creative use of AI-generated images and videos for sharp, viral commentary.
• Direct Calling-Out: Denouncing Stephen Miller as a fascist, labeling Trump as “Dozy Don” unfit for command, and JD Vance as “Couch Boy.”
• Saturation Messaging: Newsom’s rapid-fire, unapologetic posts—“flooding the zone with the truth” to combat misinformation and set the narrative.

Conclusion

The episode showcases how Governor Newsom’s blend of humor, moral clarity, and relentless messaging is unsettling Trump and his circle as a government shutdown looms. The MeidasTouch crew highlights how this approach not only galvanizes pro-democracy supporters but also shines a bright, unyielding light on the absurdities and dangers of current GOP politics.