Trump Panics as GOP Collapses at Worst Time for Him

Summary

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The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Panics as GOP Collapses at Worst Time for Him

Date: December 1, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on the brewing crisis within the Republican Party amid a high-stakes special election in Tennessee's 7th congressional district. The Meiselas brothers discuss how Donald Trump and the MAGA movement are experiencing dramatic internal shake-ups, resignations, and public scandals—all while facing an unexpectedly close race in a historically Republican stronghold. The episode also spotlights Democratic candidate Afton Bain, whose campaign focuses on healthcare, affordability, and government accountability.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District Special Election

• Context:

  • The seat, previously held by MAGA Republican Mark Green, is up for grabs.
  • The district is a +22 Trump area, with Republicans assumed to be heavily favored.

• Candidates:

  • Afton Bain (Democrat): Focuses on affordability, unfulfilled Trump promises, and Republican corruption.
  • Matt Van Epps (Republican, MAGA): The Trump-endorsed candidate emphasizing culture war issues.

• Trump’s Panic & Messaging:

  • Trump repeatedly urges supporters to vote, even shifting branding from "MAGA" to "Trumplican."
  • His posts are laden with mischaracterizations and manufactured culture-war attacks on Bain.
  • “He will be a great Congressman and unlike his opponent, he cherish Christianity and country music. She hates them both...” — [03:11, Ben quoting Trump]

• Polling & Impact:

  • Despite the Republican advantage, polling is neck-and-neck (unprecedented here).
  • The GOP is pouring millions into defending the seat for the first time in decades.
  • “Even if Republicans hold the seat, seeing them sweat this much over a Trump +22 district... is so much fun.” — [05:56, Ben quoting Adam Carlson]

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2. Disarray within the GOP and MAGA Exodus

• Resignations:

  • Multiple high-profile MAGA Republicans (e.g., Troy Nels, Marjorie Taylor Greene) have announced resignations.
  • Six MAGA Republicans have resigned so far, with more expected, raising speculation about a possible leadership change in the House.

• State-Level Republican Backlash:

  • In Indiana, Trump’s attempts to influence state senators on gerrymandering have backfired.
  • Senators like Greg Walker and Michael Boacheck publicly refuse Trump’s pressure.
  • Notable quote:
    • “That individual works for me... He’s campaigning on company time. That’s a violation of the Hatch Act.” — [06:41, Ben quoting Greg Walker]
  • Boacheck openly criticizes Trump for derogatory references and stands against redistricting manipulation, referencing Trump calling MN Gov. Walz the R-word.
    • “His choice of words have consequences.” — [07:22, Ben quoting Boacheck]

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3. Republican Scandal: Georgia’s Assistant Secretary Resigns

• Situation:

  • Jaquan Stembridge, a Georgia Republican official, resigns following a child sex predator sting.
  • Audio from the exposure underscores the gravity of the allegations.
    • “Delete the profile or whatever. Apologize to Athens, though. I apologize.” — [11:08, Confrontation Audio]

• Juxtaposed with Trump’s Immigration Enforcement:

  • Discussion about Trump deploying ICE/agents to detain sexual assault victims, adding layers to the critique of Republican hypocrisy.
  • “You’re arresting her and doing that for her? Piece of dude. What a piece of dog.” — [12:03, Off-Mic Confrontation]

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4. Afton Bain’s Candidacy & Messaging

• Campaign Focus:

  • Bain runs on affordability, eliminating the grocery tax, expanding healthcare, and fighting government corruption.
  • She’s depicted as a “real person” actively engaging with voters up to the last minute.

• Key Ad Spots:

  • “I’m Afton Bain. We all know the system is rigged in Washington…” — [12:57, Bain Campaign Ad]
  • Emphasis on the GOP serving billionaires and covering up scandals like Epstein.

• She is asked if her progressive record resonates in a conservative district:

  • “The reason this race is competitive is because the Washington Republican agenda... has not delivered.” — [15:44, Afton Bain on CNN]

• Response to Being Called the ‘AOC of Tennessee’:

  • “My politics are one in alignment of ... holding corporations accountable and lowering costs for working families.” — [16:29, Afton Bain]
  • Highlights bipartisanship and community focus, mentioning support from both Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Tennessee’s Al Gore.
  • “We are standing up to what is happening in Washington and we want to be part of the solution rather than the problem.” — [17:24, Bain]

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5. Trump’s Conduct and Toxic Rhetoric

• Use of Derogatory Language:
  • Trump persists in publicly calling Minnesota Governor Walz the R-word, showing no remorse.
  • “You have a problem with it? ... There’s something wrong with Walz.” — [18:04, Trump Interview]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Donald Trump's been making post after post about Tennessee 7th Congressional District.” — [04:47, Ben]
• “Do not take this race for granted. The radical left Democrats are spending a fortune to beat one of the best candidates we ever had, Matt Van Epps.” — [04:34, Ben quoting Trump]
• “Just even take a look at what we're seeing from Republican state legislatures... Trump’s been trying to threaten and extort these Indiana Republican state senators to rig the maps...” — [06:10, Ben]
• “Those of you that don't know me or my family... my daughter has Down syndrome. This is not the first time our president has used these insulting and derogatory references...” — [07:15, Ben quoting Boacheck]
• “Afton Bain is a real person. Like, just look at—she's out there with her signs, campaigning until the very last day.” — [14:44, Ben]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:28: Episode launches into main theme: Trump’s panic over the Tennessee election & Republican collapse.
• 03:11: Trump’s hyperbolic posts and personal attacks.
• 05:56: Commentary on unusual competitiveness in a Trump-favored district.
• 06:41: Indiana GOP backlash to Trump’s pressure.
• 11:08: Georgia scandal confrontation audio.
• 12:57, 13:34, 14:14: Series of Afton Bain campaign ads and contrasts.
• 15:44, 16:29, 17:24: Afton Bain’s interviews on CNN, discussing voter concerns and cross-party support.
• 18:04: Trump reaffirms use of derogatory language against Gov. Walz.

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Conclusion

The episode paints a picture of a Republican Party in crisis, using Tennessee’s tight special election as a lens to highlight broader national instability within GOP ranks. The Meiselas brothers emphasize Trump’s desperation, internal party resignations, scandal, and an energized Democratic challenger with a focus on everyday issues. Rapid political shifts, GOP fragmentation, and a heightened, personal style of campaign warfare dominate the conversation—framed with the show’s signature blend of news and biting banter.

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Transcript

[A]

Get your mother loving ears on because your big time radio DJs got news. PayPal lets you choose how you want to pay for all the stuff. With PayPal I can pay in store, pay online or pay overtime. What's that? You want this translated into song? I hope you're sitting down. You can pay your own way. You keep those ears on, you hear. Don't just pay baby. PayPal.

[B]

Learn [e-mail] for everyone who solves crime from their couch, knows more about forensics than their own job, and has trust issues with small town sheriffs. Amazon Music's millions of podcast episodes are calling. Just download the Amazon Music app and start listening to your favorite true crime podcasts ad free included with Prime Donald Trump is panicking as the MAGA brand is currently in a death spiral. So much so that Donald Trump is saying to call it to Trump Lican and no longer call it maga. Now Donald Trump is particularly terrified about a special election set to take place in Tennessee tomorrow. That is a special election between Tennessee State Representative Afton Bain, who's the Democratic candidate, and Matt Van Epps, the MAGA Republican candidate. This is for Tennessee's 7th congressional district and it follows a MAGA Republican Congress member, Mark Green resigning his seat. Now Tennessee's 7th is a PL 22 Trump district. However, the polls show it neck and neck and this could be a massive upset where MAGA can be absolutely humiliated. A Democrat has not won Tennessee's seventh since 1996 and Tennessee has done everything possible since that time to rig its maps with the most offensive gerrymandering imaginable to try to keep Republican rule there permanent. But the Democrat Afton is appealing to people by talking about affordability and about all of the promises that Donald Trump did not fulfill, all of the fraud that Donald Trump engages in every single day. So we see Donald Trump panicking. You know, as I said, he's saying call us Trump licans. He's also saying to the great people of Tennessee 7th district who gave me record setting wins in each of three elections, I'm asking you get out and vote for Matt Van Epps. He will be a great Congressman and unlike his opponent, he cherish Christianity and country music. She hates them both. This is a very pivotal election. The whole world is watching Make America Great Again exclamation point. Now Matt Van Epps would be more of the same PPP pedo protection program. Now Donald Trump has turned the Republican Party into a massive cover up ring for a child sex trafficking ring as they support covering up the Epstein files. And of course, they also support ripping away health care from the people and making people's lives unaffordable and psychologically torturing people who live paycheck to paycheck, who can't pay their rent. But Donald Trump wants to invoke Christianity while he's engaged in the most disgusting life imaginable. He's a felon, he's a sexual abuser, he's on tape bragging about sexually assaulting women. And I can go on about him being a fraudster, but this is who Donald Trump is. Then Donald Trump posts the following I'm asking all America first patriots in Tennessee 7th congressional district who haven't voted yet, please get out and vote on election day, Tuesday, December 2nd for a phenomenal candidate, Matt Van Epps. Matt is fighting against a woman who hates Christianity, will take away your guns, wallets, open borders, transgender for everybody, men and women's sports, and openly disdains country music. She said all of these things precisely and without question. It's on tape. Do not take this race for granted. This the radical left Democrats are spending a fortune to beat one of the best candidates we ever had, Matt Van Epps. You can win this election for Matt. Get out and vote for Matt Van Epps, who has my complete and total endorsement. He will never let you down. And Donald Trump's been making post after post about Tennessee 7th Congressional District. Now, as Adam Carlson wrote, even if Republicans hold the seat, seeing them sweat this much over a Trump +22 district that no Democrats candidate has won since 1996 is so much fun. But let's just talk about what's happening with the Republican Party as well right now. We talked about how Troy Nels, a MAGA Republican candidate from Texas who considered himself ultra maga and he'd walk around the halls of Congress, he's a Congress member wearing like these cutoff T shirts while wearing American flag Trump bow ties. And Trump's face on his shirt saying never surrender while smoking cigars. Can't make up these cartoonishly villainous weirdos over here. Well, Troy Nell says that he's out, he's resigned. And we talked about Marjorie Taylor Greene saying she's resigning. We've seen six MAGA Republicans saying that they're resigning already. We've been reporting how we expect to hear from a lot more Republican candidates resigning soon, even before the midterms. Possibly changing the speaker of the House from maga Mike Johnson to Akeem Jeffries possibly. I don't want to go there yet. There needs to be some resignations for that to happen. But just even take a look at what we're seeing from Republican state legislatures. Just over this weekend, for example, you had Jean Leasing of Indiana. She's a Indiana state senator and she talks about how unfortunately my house was the target of a pipe bomb threat on Saturday evening. The this is a result of D.C. political pundits for redistricting. Thanks to the Oldenburg Town Marshall, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and the isp, all is okay. And Senator Listing says I will not cave on opposition to redistricting. Trump's been trying to threaten and extort these Indiana Republican state senators to rig the maps in Indiana and gerrymander before the decades up. And these Republican state senators are saying, nope. The same way Greg Walker, Indiana state Republican Senator, said no. And he goes, I refuse the invitation to even go to the White House. And he goes, and the underling who reached out to me on behalf of Trump trying to influence the election on my dime. That individual works for me. He works for you. He's on my payroll. He's on your payroll. And he's campaigning on company time. That's a violation of the Hatch Act. He's a federal employee. He works in the White House. But does anyone care about the rules anymore? Not that I can tell. Then another Indiana state senator, Michael Boacheck, goes. Many of you have asked my position about redistricting. I have been an unapologetic advocate for people with intellectual disabilities since the birth of my second daughter. Those of you that don't know me or my family might not know that my daughter has down syndrome. This is not the first time our president has used these insulting and derogatory references. And his choice of words have consequences. He's referring to Donald Trump calling Governor Walls of Minnesota the R word. And Michael Boacheck, this Indiana Republican state senator, says I will be voting no on redistricting in Indiana. Perhaps he can use the 10 months to convince voters that his policies and behavior deserves a congressional majority.

[C]

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[B]

Let's take a look at what's going on with the Georgia Republicans. Right here. The assistant secretary for the Georgia Republicans, Jaquan Stembridge, he's resigned after a child sex predator sting. Confronted confront confrontation exposed him trying to meet a 14 year old boy. Take a look at what happened right here.

[D]

No, I don't.

[E]

But I'm like, oh my God. Are you 19 or you 17?

[B]

I serve you.

[E]

I swear to God, I don't want my mom. Okay, then talk to me then. Don't lie to me. Are you 19? Are you 17? I swear to God. Only thing I look like you can look at my ID. Let me see the ID have it.

[C]

I'm for real.

[E]

If you 19 just say it, you'll get way more respect when we being honest. I swear to God. Oh my God, look, come here. Can you look at my tank? I swear, I don't even have a calling my name. I swear to God. I swear to God. You can call my mom. I swear to God, I'm only 17. Just please. Oh, bro, where's your idea? I don't have it. Like, look, check my pockets. Do whatever you want. You want college?

[B]

What you.

[E]

I'm in college. I'm like, I skipped grade. I swear to God, bro, you 19, bro. All right, I'm 17. I swear to God. My birthday is July 12th, I swear.

[C]

July 12th.

[B]

What?

[E]

I was doing college.

[B]

What you.

[E]

I'm like. I skipped grade. I swear to God, bro. 19, bro. All right, I'm 17, I swear, God. My birthday is July 12th.

[B]

I swear.

[E]

July 12th.

[D]

What?

[E]

I'm 18, bro. Why are you lying? I was doing. I swear, God. I wasn't trying to make up. I would never do something like that.

[A]

I swear to God. I'm just. Let me just.

[E]

Nah, Let me be 100. Let me.

[B]

Let me.

[E]

Let me be 100 to you because you already know what that is wrong. I already. I already peeped. Your behavior, driving around, trying to peep the scene. Okay, like, that ain't cool. Ain't none of that going on in Athens, bro. Like, delete the profile or whatever. Apologize to Athens, though. I apologize. You gonna do that again next week.

[D]

I got.

[B]

And we have Donald Trump sending his Gestapo and his ICE agents around the country detaining young women who are victims of sexual assault. Take a look at what went down in Riverside, California. Right here. Let's play it.

[E]

I got on my hair.

[D]

He's harassing and assaulting, bro.

[E]

Why you grabbing her?

[B]

So tired. You.

[E]

You're a big ass, man. You can't hold her.

[D]

She's a victim of sexual assault, assault.

[E]

And you're arresting her and doing that for her? Piece of dude. What a piece of dog.

[B]

Now going Back to Tennessee's 7th congressional district right here. Afton Bain has been on the air talking about affordability. Affordability. And pointing out how Matt Van Epps is more of the same with maga. More of the MAG drama, but more significantly, more of the MAGA infliction of pain and suffering on the American people. Take a look at Afton Baines ad that she's running right here, where she talks about how Tennessee's the most vulnerable to tariffs. And yet you have people like Matt Van Epps and these MAGA Republicans continuing to go after Tennessee. Play this clip.

[D]

I'm Afton Bain. We all know the system is rigged in Washington. Here's how it works. Politicians make it easy for their rich donors, tax cuts for billionaires, and burying the Epstein files while hardworking Tennesseans get a rough ride by cutting health care for Tennessee families, doubling health insurance premiums, and tariffs that hurt our economy. I'm Afton Bain and I approve this message. Vote early to shake up Washington.

[B]

Now I'll show you this next ad right here from Afton Bain shaking up Washington. Play this clip.

[D]

Angry about high grocery prices, worried about health care costs, feeling burned by tariffs. Then December 2nd is your day to shake up Washington. I'm Afton Bain and in Congress, I'll work for you, not the rich donors or special interests. Together we can bring balance to Washington by making health care more affordable, bringing down the cost of living, and protect workers and small businesses from job killing tariffs. I'm Afton Bain and I prove this message to shake up Washington.

[B]

This next one comes to you from the House majority PAC showing the contrast between Afton Bain and MAGA Republican Matt Van Epps. Let's play the clip right here.

[A]

Tennessee's choice, Matt Van Epps versus Afton Bain. Van Epps wants three things. Cuts to health care benefits, more tariffs, driving up costs, tax breaks for billionaires. Afton Bain wants one thing to lower your costs. She fought to end the grocery tax in Congress. She'll stand up to both parties to make life more affordable. Want more of the same. That's Matt Van Epps. Want so much who fight for you for a change. That's Afton Bane. HMP is responsible for the content of this ad.

[B]

And one of the things to know about Afton Bane is that she's a real person. Like, just look at she's out there with her signs, campaigning until the very last day. Watch this touching moment right here. Play this clip.

[D]

Oh, thank you.

[B]

All right. Oh, okay. All right. And Afton Bain was on CNN and here's what she told Manu Raju about how Republicans are dumping so much money into this district into a race that should be an easy race for the Magus to win. Play this clip. I, as you know, thank you for having me.

[A]

Absolutely. As you know, this is a district that is solidly read. Both Trump and, and GOP Congressman Mark Green won it by about 22 points.

[B]

But your record is pretty progressive. So is that really in line with.

[A]

The more conservative voters in your district?

[D]

Well, the reason this race is competitive is because the Washington Republican agenda of delivering an economy that works for everyone has not delivered. And I think it's hilarious that Republicans and their billionaire friends are trying to spend millions to save a seat that they should win without thinking. But if we flip the seat, it will send a national message that the Republican Party needs to get serious about lowering health care costs.

[B]

And then finally, here's Afton Bain being asked by Manu Raju. So Trump calls you the AOC of Tennessee. How does that make you feel? Watch her response. Let's play it.

[A]

And tomorrow, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is holding a tele rally for you.

[B]

Are you in line with her ideologically?

[D]

Like I said, I think that there is a strain of the Democratic Party that cares about holding corporations accountable and lowering costs for working families. And my politics are one in alignment of that. I've been as a state legislator, I've worked to eliminate Tennessee's regressive grocery tax. As an organizer, I work to make healthcare more affordable in the state of Tennessee. And so I think those are the Democratic leaders and candidates that I really resonate with are those that are trying to lower costs for working families.

[A]

Yeah, because Trump has been calling you.

[B]

Quote, the AOC of Tennessee. So, I mean, aren't you just feeding.

[A]

Into that narrative by appearing with her?

[D]

Like I said, we're really grateful for the support across the political spectrum. And if you and for your listeners, the Teletown hall also features former Vice President Al Gore, who is a Tennessee legend. So I look at it as iconic that you have, you know, Democrats from all political stripes joining in on this moment and saying, you know, we are standing up to what is happening in Washington and we want to be part of the solution rather than the problem.

[B]

Now, while all of that's going on, you have Donald Trump continuing to say that he likes to call Governor Walls the R word. He goes, yeah, Governor Walls, he is the R word. Here, Play this clip. This is as Donald Trump was heading back into Washington, D.C. yesterday. Play this clip.

[D]

Do you stand by that glean of pulling people?

[A]

Yeah, I think there's something wrong with. Absolutely.

[E]

You have a problem with it.

[A]

You know what? I think there's something wrong with it. Anybody that would do what he did, anybody that would allow those people into the state and pay billions of dollars out to Somalia, we give billions of dollars to Somalia. It's not even a country because it doesn't function like country. It's got a name, but it doesn't function like there's something wrong with Walls.

[B]

Well, there you have it, folks. Let me know what you think. Big special election on Tuesday. Get out the word. Let people know what's going on. Hit subscribe. Let's get out. Let's get to 6 million subscribers. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our [e-mail] you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski ad free episodes of our podcast and more exclusive content Only [e-mail].

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