The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Loses Control in Awful Presser in Oval Office
Date: October 16, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast centers on the fallout from Donald Trump’s widely criticized press conference held in the Oval Office. Following a series of controversial and erratic statements made by Trump, the Meiselas brothers break down key moments from the event, contextualize Trump’s comments, and analyze the implications for American democracy and politics. Their trademark blend of incisive criticism, humor, and deep concern for democratic norms shapes their dissection of what they label a “disastrous” performance.
Key Discussion Points
1. Trump’s Comments on Race and Chicago
- [01:01] Trump claimed there are “lots of black women walking around in MAGA hats” in Chicago, generating immediate backlash and ridicule from commentators.
- The brothers and guest political commentator highlight the absurdity and disconnect in Trump's characterization, noting it as typical of his racially charged rhetoric.
“He said all these black women love him in their MAGA hats and that's what you see in Chicago. Now here, play this clip.” – Political Commentator, [01:01]
2. Handling of Venezuelan Boats and Drug Trafficking
- [01:24-03:43] Trump responded to reporters’ questions about stopping Venezuelan boats, suggesting missile strikes instead of Coast Guard interdiction.
- He dismissed legal and ethical considerations regarding the use of lethal force without identification, raising concerns about potential war crimes and international law violations.
Quote:
“They have faster boats... But they're not faster than missiles.” – Donald Trump, [01:38]
“Why are we killing them? Isn't that against international law? Isn't that a war crime?” – Political Commentator, [02:20]
3. The State of the Oval Office and White House Aesthetics
- [04:21] Trump boasted about renovations to the White House, calling the Oval Office “beautiful,” while commentators compared the decor to “a grotesque golden bordella.”
- The brothers interpret Trump’s focus on aesthetics as a distraction from critical governance issues.
Quote:
“Watch this beautiful Oval Office. The never looked so nice... We're getting tremendous reviews and we appreciate it.” – Donald Trump, [04:21]
“It actually looks like a grotesque golden bordella. Looks so anti American.” – Political Commentator, [03:43]
4. Praising Stephen Miller
- [04:54] Trump praised close advisor Stephen Miller in a bizarre, effusive fashion, prompting discomfort among observers.
Quote:
“I'd love to have him come up and explain his true feelings, but maybe not his truest feelings. That might be going a little bit too far.” – Donald Trump, [04:54]
5. Aspirations for Reviving Cities (San Francisco Focus)
- [05:51] Trump claimed he could “fix” San Francisco, suggesting that the city was once great but had become a “mess.” The hosts counter, noting actual improvement and dismissing Trump's assertions.
Quote:
“I'm going to be strongly recommending, at the request of government officials, which is always nice, that you start looking at San Francisco. I think we can make San Francisco... There's one of our great cities 10 years ago, 15 years ago, now it's a mess.” – Donald Trump, [05:51]
6. Election Denial and Claims about Georgia
- [06:25-06:54] Trump repeated falsehoods about winning Georgia multiple times, continuing his familiar pattern of election denial.
- The hosts highlight the incoherence and dangerous repetition of disproven claims.
Quote:
“By the way, you won Georgia Theater three times. Do you agree with me... I know, I want to.” – Donald Trump, [06:54]
7. Willingness to Use Military Force Against Cartels & On Foreign Land
- [07:11-07:49] Trump was evasive but hinted at considering land-based military strikes against alleged cartel members.
- He responded ambiguously to whether the CIA had authority to “take out” Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Quote:
“Well, I don't want to tell you exactly, but we are certainly looking at land now... we've got the sea very well under control.” – Donald Trump, [07:28]
“Oh, I don't want to answer a question like that. That's a ridiculous question for me to be given. Not really a ridiculous question, but wouldn't it be a ridiculous question for me to answer?” – Donald Trump, [07:51]
8. Bizarre Comments about Nuclear War, Pakistan, and Iran
- [08:30-09:15] Trump narrated a questionable anecdote about threatening 200% tariffs to stop a potential nuclear war between Pakistan and Iran.
- The hosts note the implausibility and surreal quality of the claim.
Quote:
“I said, here's the deal. You go to war, I'm going to put a 200% tariff. I'm going to stop you from doing any business in the United States. I said it to both of them. Within 24 hours, the war ended. That would have been a nuclear war.” – Donald Trump, [08:30]
9. Attacks on U.S. Prosecutors and Political Opponents
- [11:52-13:29] Trump accused special prosecutor Jack Smith and others of being “criminal,” called for investigations into various perceived enemies, and repeated rhetoric about “political crime.”
- He asserted that “zero people” were entering the country illegally, contradicting widely reported border statistics.
Quote:
“Jack Smith, in my opinion, is a criminal... If we don't have fair elections in this country, we're not going to have a country. And I've said it from the beginning, fair elections and border borders. And we need also fair press...” – Donald Trump, [11:55]
10. U.S.-China Trade Relations & Shutdown Blame
- [13:34-14:08] Trump insisted that the U.S. is already in a trade war with China and justified the use of tariffs as necessary defense.
- He blamed Democrats, particularly Senator Chuck Schumer, for the ongoing government shutdown, launching personal attacks on Schumer’s intelligence.
Quote:
“This is a Democrat Schumer shutdown. And he's trying to do it to get relevance back into the party because he's a loser. I've known him all his life.” – Donald Trump, [14:30]
11. Threatening to Withdraw World Cup Hosting from Boston
- [15:16-16:16] Trump claimed his administration might move World Cup matches away from Boston due to dissatisfaction with the city government, also alluding to hypothetical moves for the Olympics.
Quote:
“Would we think about taking the World cup away from Boston if they don't straighten it out? The answer is yes, we have the right to do that with FIFA.” – Donald Trump, [15:18]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On missile attacks vs. law enforcement:
“They have faster boats. But they're not faster than missiles.” – Donald Trump, [01:38] -
On San Francisco’s revival:
“I think we can make San Francisco like it was 15 years ago. First of. What the hell are you talking about?” – Political Commentator, [05:24] -
On government shutdown blame:
“He’s always been sort of a loser, but an intelligent one. But I think he’s losing IQ points with time.” – Donald Trump, [14:30] -
On accusations against prosecutors and rivals:
“Jack Smith, in my opinion, is a criminal.” – Donald Trump, [11:55] -
On bizarre claims of U.S. border enforcement:
“Zero people came in illegally. Now, we do take people into our country legally... But zero people.” – Donald Trump, [11:55]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Trump’s Chicago & MAGA hats claim – [01:01]
- Missile strikes on Venezuelan boats – [01:38]
- Oval Office gold/grotesque decor discussion – [03:43]/[04:21]
- Stephen Miller shout-out – [04:54]
- San Francisco “revival” comments – [05:51]
- Georgia, election denial – [06:54]
- Military strikes on cartels – [07:11]
- CIA/Maduro assassination dodging – [07:51]
- Pakistan/Iran/nuclear war anecdote – [08:30]
- Attacks on Jack Smith, Weissman, Schiff – [11:55]
- China tariffs & trade war – [13:43]
- Shutdown blame on Schumer – [14:30]
- World Cup threats to Boston – [15:18]
Tone and Style
Throughout the episode, The MeidasTouch hosts adopt a tone combining sharp critique, disbelief, and comic relief. They frequently interrupt Trump clips with fact-checking, incredulity, and sardonic commentary, maintaining their signature dedication to defending democracy and calling out what they see as anti-democratic behavior, all while engaging their "MeidasMighty" fan community.
Summary
This episode offers a thorough breakdown of Trump’s controversial Oval Office press conference, highlighting how his statements oscillated between the legally dubious, the factually inaccurate, and the simply bizarre. The hosts emphasize the dangers presented by Trump’s rhetoric, especially regarding authoritarian impulses, election denial, and the normalization of extreme conduct from political leaders. The MeidasTouch Podcast delivers this analysis in a way that is accessible, lively, and deeply committed to informing and mobilizing defenders of American democracy.