The MeidasTouch Podcast: Trump Panics after Massive Loss...in Texas!!!
Date: February 2, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Theme: An in-depth analysis of a surprising Democratic victory in a historically Republican Texas district, Trump’s reaction, and what this upset signals for national politics. Includes interviews and discussion on Texas, Alaska politics, and the broader shift in America’s political landscape.
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the seismic political shock in Texas, where Democrats flipped Texas State Senate District 9—a district with a strong Republican history. The Meiselas brothers analyze ramifications for Trump and the GOP, explore emerging Democratic momentum across the country, and cap things off with an interview featuring Reverend Matt Schultz, a faith leader running for Congress in Alaska. The tone blends serious alarm for anti-democratic trends with the MeidasTouch’s characteristic brotherly banter and wit.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Texas Shock: Democrats Flip a Deep Red District
Segment Starts [02:43]
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Massive Democratic Overperformance
- The Democratic candidate Taylor Remt won Texas State Senate District 9 by 14 points—a district Trump won by 17 points in 2020. That’s a 31-point swing.
- MAGA Republicans outspent Democrats by $2.5 million.
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Trump’s Panicked Response
- Despite endorsing Lee Wamsgans (the Republican), Trump immediately distanced himself after the loss, acting like he was unaware of the race.
- Notable Quote
"I don't know. I didn't hear about it...I'm not involved in that. That's a local Texas race."
— Donald Trump [04:44]
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Highlighting Trump’s Flip-Flop
- Hosts read Trump's urgent endorsements from days before, calling Lee Wamsgans a “true MAGA warrior.”
- Notable Quote
“You called her phenomenal. Lee Wamsgans, a highly successful entrepreneur, an incredible supporter of our movement… Lee will never let Texas or the USA down.”
— Host quoting Trump [05:31]
2. The New Democratic Wave in Texas
Segment Starts [08:08]
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Rising Democratic Stars
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James Talarico energizes crowds, delivering bold speeches about the true spirit of America.
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Notable Quote
"America is not mass deportation. America is not masked government agents...America is the huddled masses yearning to be free."
— James Talarico [08:51] -
Jasmine Crockett, another leading Democrat, frames her campaign as a moral fight against complacency and Republican governance:
"I'm done watching the American dream on life support while Trump tries to pull the plug... Now I'm jumping into the ring."
— Jasmine Crockett [10:50]
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Taylor Remt’s Acceptance Speech:
- Focuses explicitly on working people and economic issues, a winning strategy for Democrats in places Republicans took for granted.
- Notable Quote
"This win goes to everyday working people."
— Taylor Remt [11:39]
3. House Majority Slims: Christian Menifee’s Victory
Segment Starts [12:13]
- Context:
- Governor Abbott tried to block a Democrat from replacing a recently-deceased Representative to preserve the GOP margin.
- Christian Menifee’s long-delayed swearing-in shrinks the Republican majority in the House.
- Menifee’s Pledge:
"When I go into Congress, I'm gonna fight each and every day to impeach Kristi Noem, to tear ICE up from the and to fix this country's broken immigration system... The results here tonight are a mandate for me to... investigate your crimes [Trump]."
— Christian Menifee [13:49]
4. National Implications: The Blue Wave May Spread
Segment Starts [15:07]
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Listing numerous Texas and Florida congressional districts now in play due to strong Democratic performance and Trump’s negative polling, particularly among Hispanic voters.
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Broader Forecast:
- A “blue tsunami” is predicted, potentially flipping races in traditional GOP strongholds.
5. Spotlight: Turning Alaska Blue – Interview with Reverend Matt Schultz
Segment Starts [17:56]
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Background on Schultz:
- Longtime Anchorage faith leader.
- Running for Alaska’s at-large congressional seat against Nick Begich (won by only 2.5 points in 2024).
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Key Discussion Points:
- Alaskan Voters Feel Betrayed:
"The people of Alaska are suffering because the people that we sent to office have betrayed the things that people cared about most."
— Rev. Matt Schultz [18:07] - Affordability & Healthcare:
- Cost of groceries and healthcare is skyrocketing; clinics are closing.
- A Deeper Crisis:
"There is a soul deep level of pain and suffering, of looking at a government that isn't trying to serve them, but is trying to profit off of their own hardship."
— Rev. Matt Schultz [18:07] - Alaska’s Potential for Change:
"Alaska is really one big neighborhood and we know each other. And any relationship in a neighborhood is based on trust. He's betrayed that trust and I've built it over my 30 years in ministry."
— Rev. Matt Schultz [20:38] - A Moral and Ethical Reckoning for America:
"They haven’t even tried to make America good... In my opinion, the whole country is crying out for people we can trust to do what is simply good and decent and kind. Congress needs a conscience..."
— Rev. Matt Schultz [21:44]
- Alaskan Voters Feel Betrayed:
6. Closing Reflections: Party Labels vs. Morality
Segment Starts [23:06]
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The hosts and Rev. Schultz emphasize conscience over partisanship:
"It's not a question of right versus left. This is a question of right versus wrong. And everybody just has this conscience inside that tells you there's something wrong with what we're doing here."
— Rev. Matt Schultz [24:04] -
The brothers reflect on the basic humanity missing from Trumpist politics, calling for empathy and integrity.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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Trump’s attempt to disown his endorsement:
"I don't know. I didn't hear about it... I'm not involved in that. That's a local Texas race."
— Donald Trump [04:44] -
James Talarico’s rallying speech:
"The most common commandment in the Bible is welcome the stranger... America is the immigrant. America is the protester. America is the huddled masses yearning to be free."
— James Talarico [08:51] -
Jasmine Crockett’s fire:
"The American dream [is] on life support while Trump tries to pull the plug."
— Jasmine Crockett [10:50] -
Taylor Remt, victor for working people:
"This win goes to everyday working people."
— Taylor Remt [11:39] -
Rev. Matt Schultz’s moral challenge:
"Congress needs a conscience, and I think I'm the one to bring it."
— Rev. Matt Schultz [21:44]
Important Timestamps
- [02:43] – Opening coverage of Texas special election results
- [04:44] – Trump’s dismissive response to the loss
- [05:31] – Hosts expose Trump’s recent endorsement
- [08:51] – James Talarico’s speech clip
- [10:50] – Jasmine Crockett’s rallying call
- [11:39] – Taylor Remt’s acceptance speech
- [13:49] – Christian Menifee’s victory and speech
- [17:56] – Introduction of Rev. Matt Schultz (Alaska candidate)
- [18:07] – Schultz details Alaska’s hardships
- [21:44] – Schultz issues a moral challenge to the nation
- [24:04] – Schultz and hosts on conscience vs. partisanship
Summary
This episode dissects the political earthquake in Texas where Democrats scored a historic upset, signaling a dramatic shift in the American political map. Trump’s unconvincing attempts to distance himself from defeat were satirized with receipts. The Meiselas brothers spotlight rising Democratic voices, highlight Republican vulnerabilities, and feature Rev. Matt Schultz as part of a new, conscience-driven wave of candidates stepping up nationwide. The call running through the episode: America needs empathy, truth, and good-faith leadership—not more division and manipulation.
If you haven’t listened, this episode will get you caught up on a pivotal turning point—combining receipts, rallying cries for democracy, and a dose of humor along the way.