The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump Loses Control as He Gets Very Bad News"

Release Date: April 19, 2025

Overview

In this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve into the tumultuous state of Donald Trump's presidency as he grapples with mounting challenges on multiple fronts. Combining sharp political analysis with their signature brotherly banter, the Meiselas brothers dissect Trump's recent actions, public perception, and the broader implications for American democracy.

Trump’s Actions and Public Response

The episode opens with a critical examination of Trump's latest maneuvers and public statements. The Political Commentator delivers a scathing assessment of Trump's strategies and their effectiveness.

• Use of Social Media and Memes:

  • "Donald Trump began yesterday by posting memes and altered images of the New York Times cover that talks about Abrego Garcia. And Donald Trump's like, we're never going to return him." [01:00]

• Defiance Against the Judiciary:

  • "TRUMP on FOX: we didn't need legislation, we need a president. In other words, what he's saying is we don't need due process, we need a dictator." [05:27]

The hosts highlight Trump's persistent attempts to undermine democratic institutions and project an image of strength despite growing perceptions of weakness.

Polling Data and Public Opinion

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Trump's declining approval ratings across various demographics, underscoring a widespread dissatisfaction with his leadership.

• Approval Ratings:

  • "Trump's average approval rating is under 40% among the following groups. Among black people, 23%. Among people ages 18 to 29, his approvals, 34%." [07:02]

• Public Disapproval:

  • "Americans disapprove of him. On immigration, negative 6. On the economy, negative 12. On democracy, negative 17." [01:00]

The hosts emphasize that Trump's policies and rhetoric are increasingly out of step with public sentiment, contributing to his waning support.

Foreign Policy Failures

Trump's handling of international affairs, particularly his approach to the Ukraine conflict and relationships with authoritarian leaders, is critically analyzed.

• Ukraine Peace Talks:

  • "Donald Trump said that the big issue with eggs right now is that they're too cheap and so many people have too many eggs." [09:33] (Note: This appears to be a misattribution in the transcript and may require clarification.)

• Alignment with Authoritarian Leaders:

  • "Donald Trump loves Viktor Orban of Hungary... he likes North Korea, Kim Jong Un." [09:51]

The hosts argue that Trump's foreign policy decisions have alienated key allies and emboldened adversarial regimes, further isolating the United States on the global stage.

Federal Government and Data Concerns

An exploration of Trump's impact on federal agencies and data management reveals a troubling trend of undermining governmental integrity.

• Gutting Federal Agencies:

  • "Donald Trump revamped Schedule F, making it easier to cut federal workers. He's gutted the federal government." [09:51]

• Data Collection and Privacy:

  • "Donald Trump's basically about stealing your data. It was about stealing your Social Security information, getting your medical records..." [07:02]

The discussion highlights how Trump's policies have weakened federal institutions and jeopardized citizens' privacy and data security.

Economic Concerns

Economic instability under Trump's administration is a focal point, with the hosts detailing the negative impacts of his policies on the national economy.

• Economic Downturn:

  • "There's a recession under way, not just a recession but a great recession or even something worse." [07:02]

• Trade Wars and Inflation:

  • "Donald's trade war is causing not just a recession, but a great recession or even something worse." [07:02]

The brothers discuss how Trump's trade wars and economic mismanagement have led to inflation, decreased investor confidence, and a weakening of the U.S. economy.

Hope Amidst Challenges

Despite the grim outlook, the hosts express optimism fueled by grassroots movements, political resistance, and international support.

• Senatorial Resistance:

  • "Senators like Van Hollen going and speaking with Abrego Garcia standing up to the Trump regime." [07:02]

• Public Protests:

  • "Protests like the protests today. I feel that the Trump regime looks weaker." [07:02]

• International Counteractions:

  • "Canada has cornered the Trump regime. Europe recognizes that Donald Trump's an extortionist..." [07:02]

The Meiselas brothers emphasize that active civic engagement and international alliances are pivotal in countering Trump's authoritarian tendencies.

Conclusion

The MeidasTouch Podcast paints a comprehensive and critical picture of Donald Trump's deteriorating hold on power in 2025. Through incisive analysis and compelling evidence, the Meiselas brothers argue that Trump's actions are not only eroding his support base but also undermining the foundations of American democracy. However, they also highlight the resilience of democratic institutions and the potential for collective action to restore stability and integrity to the nation's governance.

Notable Quotes:

• "What he's saying is we don't need due process, we need a dictator." – Trump [05:27]
• "Americans disapprove of him. On immigration, negative 6. On the economy, negative 12." – Political Commentator [01:00]
• "It's a kakistocracy, which means a regime staffed by the worst of the worst." – Political Commentator [07:02]

Join the Conversation

Stay informed and engaged by subscribing to The MeidasTouch Podcast. New episodes are released every Tuesday and Friday morning, with additional live video sessions every Monday and Thursday night at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on the MeidasTouch YouTube channel. Be part of the MeidasMighty community and support the fight to uphold democracy.

This summary captures the essence of the episode, focusing on key discussions and insights while omitting advertisements and non-essential segments.