The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Looks Extremely Ill as He Falls Apart at White House
Date: December 3, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Main Contributor (This Episode): Ron Filipkowski (filling in extensively)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a scathing, detailed critique of Donald Trump’s recent conduct and health at the White House, focusing on his appearance and behavior during a cabinet meeting and subsequent Oval Office events. The hosts dissect Trump’s erratic priorities, controversial pardons, ongoing interference in international events, and the mounting dysfunction—and moral decline—of his administration. The show weaves analysis and dark humor with direct quotes and multimedia breakdowns, providing context on political developments, media suppression, and the state of the 2025 U.S. political climate.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Donald Trump's Health and Demeanor

• Trump’s visible decline: Described as "deeply unwell," Trump appeared frail, lethargic, and “withering.” He slept through much of a cabinet meeting.

  • "Donald Trump was looking like a very sick, decrepit, withering human being yesterday. Sleeping for most of the cabinet meeting, then just looking demented throughout the day."
    — Ron Filipkowski [02:33]

• Bandaged hand & MRIs: Noted visible bandages and reports of “repeated MRIs,” supposedly for preventative reasons—called out as implausible.

• Cabinet room observations: Highlights on minor details, like Russ Vogt (Office of Management and Budget Director) appearing disengaged and “doodling,” and scrutiny over Pete Hegseth’s “SS Secretary” name placard.

2. Trump’s Rambling Priorities: Ballrooms and “The Arch”

• Trump’s remarks during press conference: His focus appeared confused and fixated on unnecessary construction projects—like a new White House ballroom and a massive arch dedicated to himself.
  • “We’re doing ballrooms, we’re doing ARCs… we have a thing that’s being planned that’s going to be a great tribute to the country. As you know, you probably heard about it. The arc that we’re looking at by the bridge, by near Arlington… building a ballroom that they’ve wanted at this beautiful White House for 150 years…”
    — Donald Trump [04:50–06:13]
• Hosts’ response: These priorities, at a time of national and international crisis, are highlighted as examples of disconnection or cognitive decline.

3. The Pardoning of Juan Orlando Hernandez

• Context: Trump faced press questions after pardoning Juan Orlando Hernandez, ex-president of Honduras and convicted major drug trafficker.
• Trump’s justification: He framed it as a “Biden witch hunt” and downplayed Hernandez’s crimes:
  • “Well, he was the president and they had some drugs being sold in their country and because he was the president, they went after him. That was a Biden horrible Witch hunt… I feel very good about it.”
    — Donald Trump [07:00]
• Political fallout: Coverage of Speaker Mike Johnson’s evasiveness when pressed about the pardon.
  • “I don’t know anything about it, President. I don’t know. I don’t have an opinion on it.”
    — Mike Johnson [07:47]

4. Election Interference—Honduras

• US interference: Trump and MAGA allies’ support for right-wing candidate Nasry Asfura is noted, with Trump claiming “fraud” when his candidate trails.
• Media coverage: Mainstream outlets finally pick up on Trump’s public lapses; Washington Post analysis finds nine instances of Trump sleeping during a 1 hour+ cabinet meeting.
  • “Washington Post did an analysis of multiple video feeds of the meeting Tuesday showing that there were nine separate instances of Donald Trump falling asleep…”
    — Ron Filipkowski [08:20]

5. Pentagon, Media Suppression, and Right-Wing Takeover

• Pentagon’s new press approach: New press secretary Kingsley Wilson holds her first briefing, attended only by right-wing media after mainstream outlets were excluded for refusing editorial oversight.

  • “They've kicked out all of like Reuters and AP and New York Times and Bloomberg and Wall Street Journal because they're requiring the press to allow the Pentagon to like edit their work…”
    — Ron Filipkowski [10:53]

• Conflicting accounts on military strikes: Wilson asserts that Trump and Hegseth (newly installed “SS Secretary”) approved controversial strikes, amidst contradictory official statements.

  • “The Secretary and the President are the ones directing these strikes…”
    — Kingsley Wilson [11:25]

6. Republican Division and Moral Outrage Over Military Conduct

• Intra-party outrage: Some Republicans express concern over apparent war crimes (“killing of survivors”), demanding high-level accountability.
  • “If somebody actually did this, they should be held accountable and it should be at the top, not the bottom.”
    — Unnamed Congressman [12:10]
• Media and expert condemnation: Citing George Will:
  • “The killing of the survivors by this moral slum of an administration should nauseate Americans. A nation incapable of shame is dangerous, not least to itself.”
    — George Will quoted by Ron Filipkowski [13:04]

7. Trump’s Racist Comments on Somali Americans

• Trump’s anti-immigrant remarks: A new clip surfaces of Trump disparaging Somali Americans with openly racist language:
  • “Somalians, ripped off that state for billions of dollars, billions every year, billions of dollars and they contribute nothing… I don’t want them in our country. I’ll be honest with you.”
    — Donald Trump [14:34]

8. International Machinations – Kushner and Russia

• Kushner’s involvement: Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff meet with Russian officials, reportedly in the context of a controversial “surrender plan.”

  • “They met with Yuri Ushakov and other Russian agents who they conspired with to launder the 28 point plan of surrender…”
    — Ron Filipkowski [15:25]

• Ukraine peace developments: Russia indicates refusal to Trump plans; Ukraine continues to plead for ceasefire.

9. U.S. Local Election Updates

• Tennessee: Democratic candidate Afton Bain overperformed but lost; swing suggests possible large Democratic gains in 2026 midterms.
  • “A 14 point shift or over performance for the Democratic candidate there in Tennessee…”
    — Ron Filipkowski [16:21]
• Georgia: Democrat Mary Robichaw flips the mayor’s office in Roswell, signaling broader shifts.

10. Trump Campaign Fundraising and Propaganda

• Fundraising emails: Trump’s team deploys manipulative “Founders Club” and fake snow-themed solicitations, playing on supporters’ loyalty and urgency.

  • “Trump requests your presence in the 47th President Founders Club… You’re not asleep. But yes, most people dream of receiving an email like this one…”
    — Trump fundraising email, read by Ron [17:20]

• Pop culture backlash: White House accused of using pop singer Sabrina Carpenter’s music in anti-immigrant propaganda.

  • “This video is evil and disgusting. Don’t ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
    — Sabrina Carpenter, quoted by Ron [18:45]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Health:
  “This individual is deeply unwell.” — Ron Filipkowski [02:38]

• On Ballrooms and Arches:
  “We're doing some other things for Washington itself and for the country itself. But a lot of the people that have, you know, gone in and done a real job with that, the ballroom…” — Donald Trump [05:28]

• On Pardoning Hernandez:
  “It was a Biden horrible Witch hunt … I feel very good about it.” — Donald Trump [07:03]

• On Republican Scramble:
  “It's not really my issue.” — Mike Johnson on the Hernandez pardon [07:52]

• On White House Anti-Immigrant Video:
  “This video is evil and disgusting.” — Sabrina Carpenter, via Ron Filipkowski [18:45]

• On Trump’s Racism:
  “They contribute nothing. The welfare is like 88%. They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country.” — Donald Trump on Somali immigrants [14:34]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:33] Trump’s health and Cabinet behavior
• [04:44] Trump’s rambling about the ballroom and “the Arch”
• [06:13] Trump questioned about pardoning Juan Orlando Hernandez
• [07:38] Speaker Mike Johnson’s evasive response to the pardon
• [08:20] Washington Post coverage of Trump’s repeated sleeping in meetings
• [10:50] Pentagon press conference — media censorship and confusion over military operations
• [12:10] Congressional reactions to possible military misconduct
• [13:04] George Will’s condemnation of the administration’s morality
• [14:34] Trump’s racist comments about Somali immigrants
• [15:14] Kushner, Russia, and the ‘surrender plan’
• [16:21] Tennessee and Georgia election results
• [17:20] Trump’s manipulative fundraising emails
• [18:45] Pop star Sabrina Carpenter denounces White House propaganda

Tone and Style

The hosts blend sharp, critical political analysis with sardonic, brotherly humor, maintaining their trademark snark and unapologetic pro-democracy stance. The tone is informal but urgent, offering both news and entertainment to listeners who value both detailed critique and lively banter. The content remains highly engaged, driven by outrage at the Trump administration’s actions, with a particular focus on the stakes for U.S. democracy.