Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode Title: Trump Panics as he Suffers Massive Backlash…in Texas!!!
Release Date: January 12, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Main Theme:
The Meiselas brothers break down a dramatic shift in Texas politics, fueled by widespread protests against the Trump regime, new polling showing Trump and other MAGA Republicans underwater throughout the state, political defections on healthcare, and a severe backlash among Texas’s Hispanic voters. The episode weaves in political analysis, memorable soundbites, and the usual comedic brotherly banter—shedding light on why Texas, once considered reliably red, is now a key battleground.
Episode Overview
This episode examines massive anti-Trump protests in Texas following the shocking murder of Renee Nicole Good by ICE and Border Patrol officers. The hosts spotlight plummeting approval ratings for Trump and key Texas Republicans, bipartisan resistance to Trump's agenda in the Texas delegation, and a major shift among Hispanic and independent voters. The brothers highlight powerful testimony from Texas citizens, bipartisan criticism of Trump’s administration (including from right-wing voices), and discuss implications for the 2026 midterms.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Texas Uprising Against Trump Regime
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Protests have erupted in Texas after the murder of Renee Nicole Good by federal officers, referred to as the "ICE Gestapo."
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The hosts stress that Texas is not simply a "ruby red state" but rather a "voter-suppressed" state.
“There have been massive protests in Texas against the Trump regime following the murder by ICE Gestapo and Border Patrol Gestapo of Renee Nicole Good. Say her name. Renee Nicole Good.” — Ben (00:28)
2. Polls Show Trump and Texas GOP Underwater
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Latest polling: Trump’s net approval is -6 in Texas; overall approval stands at 44%.
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Disapproval on specific issues:
- Economy: -12%
- Inflation: -20%
- Healthcare: -22%
- Foreign Policy: -10%
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Key Texas Republicans' net approvals: Abbott (-3%), Cruz (-13%), Paxton (-17%), Cornyn (-21%).
“When you take a look at the latest polling data in Texas, Donald Trump's net approval is negative 6. His overall approval ... is at 44%." — Ben (00:41)
3. MAGA Defections on Healthcare
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Trump vows to veto Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidy extensions (19:52).
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Notably, Rep. Monica De La Cruz (TX), a Republican, joined Democrats to pass ACA extensions.
“Today's vote is in the best interest of South Texas families ... the only option to bring certainty for those who rely on these credits.” — Monica De La Cruz, statement read by Ben (03:03).
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Importance: 20% of residents in some South Texas counties are enrolled in ACA coverage.
4. Abbott and the Crackdown on Protestors
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Governor Abbott praised police for aggressively dispersing Austin protests, stating: “Texas is not Minnesota.”
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Hosts highlight hypocrisy: Texas has a higher homicide rate than Minnesota, and Abbott vetoed summer lunch programs, while Minnesota expanded school meals.
“On the one hand, Governor Abbott vetoed funding for federal summer lunch programs for low income children. On the other, Governor Walls ... signed universal school meal bills into Minnesota law.” — Ben (04:20)
5. Texans Speak Out: Viral Testimony on Gerrymandering
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A Texas voter denounces Trump and Abbott’s gerrymandering attempts during House hearings:
- Calls out Trump’s history of cheating (taxes, elections, wives, business).
- Uses strong language, likening GOP compliance to “prostitutes.”
“America is a democratic republic and it's being dismantled daily by Donald Trump ... He's asking each of you to be one ... of his prostitutes.” — Texas Voter (07:03)
6. Democratic Bench Strength in Texas
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State Representative James Talarico and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett highlighted as rising stars.
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Both enjoy high favorables and confront the Trump regime on issues like the Epstein files cover-up.
“When did pedophilia become a partisan issue? ... The White House and Congressional Republicans are hiding the Epstein files. Why?” — James Talarico (08:49)
“We're living through the most corrupt presidential administration in American history. ... Congress has a role in getting rid of fraud.” — Jasmine Crockett (10:01)
7. Right-Wing Voices Turn on Trump and ICE
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Tim Dillon, right-wing podcaster and former Texas resident, mocks ICE and calls them “not well trained,” jokes about the state of Trump’s administration:
- Compares current ICE agents to failed mall security guards and “backyard wrestling” types.
- Declares: “This is the beginning of the lame duck presidency. It’s obvious to everyone, even his most ardent supporters...”
“These are people who ... couldn't do security at a mall. ... I just think it's ridiculous.” — Tim Dillon (13:40, 15:50)
8. Texas Surrenders Voter Data to Trump DOJ
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Texas handed over detailed voter rolls, including private data (DOB, SSN), to Trump’s DOJ, raising privacy and voter suppression concerns.
“Texas hands over the complete list of registered voters ... and it’s not just turning over the list ... but also identifiable information ... causes real big privacy concerns.” — Ben (17:11)
9. Hispanic Voters’ Shift and Electoral Implications
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Trump’s net approval among Hispanic voters in Texas fell from -2 in February to -38 by January.
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Democrats are outperforming Republicans in special and local elections—even in previously GOP-favored districts.
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CNN analysis: Hispanic neighborhoods swinging strongly Democratic, with Miami electing its first Democratic mayor since the “Birdcage” era.
“What we see is these huge shift in these heavily Hispanic neighborhoods against a Republican nominee from the Donald Trump baseline...” — CNN Analysis, played by Brett (21:21)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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Viral Testimony about GOP compliance:
“House Republicans in this case are like a bunch of buzzards on the fence waiting to swoop down on a dying carcass of democracy... He’s asking each of you to be one of his prostitutes.” — Texas Voter (07:03)
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On ICE after Renee Nicole Good’s murder:
“I don't believe you should ever shoot someone in the face more than once ... these are not well trained law enforcement people in ICE right now.” — Tim Dillon (15:50)
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On Trump’s approval collapse and Hispanic voters:
“Donald Trump's net approval among Latinos ... minus 2 points in February ... look at where it is now, -38 points. That is a shift of 36 points in the wrong direction.” — CNN Analysis (21:21)
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Trump on ACA subsidies:
"If it passed the Senate, would you veto it or allow? I might, yeah.” — Donald Trump, clip played (19:53)
Important Timestamps for Reference
- 00:28 — Opening: Anti-Trump protests in Texas, Renee Nicole Good's murder
- 01:00–02:30 — Deep dive into Texas polling numbers
- 03:03–04:15 — ACA subsidy extension, cross-party pushback in Texas
- 05:57–08:13 — Viral Texas voter testimony on GOP/Trump/Abbott
- 08:49–11:49 — State and federal Texas Democrats speak out (Talarico, Crockett)
- 13:02–16:19 — Tim Dillon criticism: ICE, Trump regime, law enforcement
- 17:11–19:00 — Texas turning over voter data to Trump DOJ
- 19:52–21:21 — Trump’s stance on ACA; Hispanic political shift; electoral map analysis
- 21:21–22:28 — CNN on Latino voters and Democratic surge in Miami
Tone & Style
The episode maintains the Meidas brothers' trademark mix of sharp political commentary, humor, and unfiltered criticism of the Trump/GOP establishment. Real talk, no apologies—always “pro-democracy” and deeply connected to current grassroots activism, especially in states like Texas now seeing seismic changes.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This episode is a must-hear for anyone following the unraveling of MAGA dominance in Texas. Mixing on-the-ground dissent, intra-party rebellion, and demographic shifts, the Meiselas brothers showcase why Texas may define the next chapter in American politics—and why the Trump regime is panicking. The analysis is clear, the quotes are powerful, and the sense of history in the making is unmistakable.