Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast – "Trump Panics as SOTU Boycott Hits 70 Members"

Date: February 25, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Focus: The unprecedented mass boycott of Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address, reactions across media and politics, and the explosion in popularity of the alternative “People’s State of the Union.”

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the historic decision by over 70 (and later, 72) Democratic members of Congress to boycott Donald Trump's State of the Union (SOTU) address in 2026, a scale never before seen in modern U.S. history. The hosts dissect the right-wing media meltdown, cover the alternative “People’s State of the Union” event hosted in collaboration with MoveOn, and offer scathing commentary on both MAGA rhetoric and mainstream media complicity. Throughout, the brothers blend news analysis with humor and a strong pro-democracy stance.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Historic Boycott and Its Significance

• Unprecedented Scale: Over 70 Democratic members announce their intention to boycott Trump’s SOTU address, opting instead to join the “People’s State of the Union.”
• Purpose: The boycott is described as a stand against normalizing Trump’s “authoritarian, fascist regime.”
  • Ben Meiselas: “We will not normalize this authoritarian fascist regime. And as I mentioned, MAGA is losing their minds.” (03:21)
• Escalation: Throughout the episode, the number increases to 72, emphasizing growing momentum and solidarity among Democrats.

2. Right-Wing Media’s Reaction

• Fox News and Newsmax Coverage: Right-wing commentators express outrage, ranging from accusations of disrespect to claims that Democrats are intolerant and “cowards.”
  • Maria Bartiromo Clip: MAGA Republicans frame the boycott as Democrats being “jealous” of Trump’s “success.” (05:40)
  • Jesse Watters Clip: Watters mocks the idea of boycotting, forcing a comparison to mundane obligations like “Brian’s book parties.” (08:50)
    • “We have to, as grownups, do things sometimes we don’t want to do… And these people are getting paid to come here tonight. It’s like a game of hooky.”
• MAGA Mike Johnson Press Conferences:
  • Repeatedly states it's “shameful” not to attend and stresses decorum and tradition.
  • Johnson Quote (summarized): “Every member… represents over 750,000 people. They’re disenfranchised if you’re not sitting in the seat.” (14:20, 19:30)
• Right-Wing Outrage Themes:
  • Boycotters disrespect the office.
  • Republicans, they claim, would never boycott a president.
  • Warnings about losing “the high ground.”

3. Mainstream & Corporate Media’s Framing

• CNN & ABC:
  • Noted journalists Jake Tapper (25:00) and Jonathan Karl (30:00) report on “privileged” off-the-record luncheons with Trump.
  • The brothers criticize the access journalism and uncritical repetition of Trump’s claims about the economy, Iran, and his plans.
  • Ben Meiselas Sap: “We don’t do that here at the Midas Touch network because we don’t spread fascist propaganda here.”

4. Contrast: People’s State of the Union

• Congresswoman Yasiman Ansari:
  • Announces she’s skipping the official SOTU and attending the alternative event, joined by constituents harmed under Trump policies (34:10).
  • Ansari Quote: “I refuse to sit there while he lies and refuse to normalize the most corrupt and the most authoritarian administration in American history.”
• Focus on Real Stories:
  • The People’s SOTU is positioned as the real voice of democracy, highlighting stories of suffering due to the Trump administration’s actions.

5. Boycott and Guest Symbolism

• Epstein Survivors as SOTU Guests:
  • Some boycotting Democrats give their tickets to Epstein survivors or bring them as guests; survivors will wear teal scarves and butterfly pins in honor of Virginia Giuffre and other victims (44:50).
• Republican Guests Highlighted:
  • Sen. Rick Scott brings Kevin O’Leary, a Canadian entrepreneur who controversially opined about Canada joining the U.S., underlining ideological divides (32:05).

6. Debate About Tactics & “Moral High Ground”

• DNC Chair Ken Martin:
  • Respects individual choices to boycott or attend: “Why put yourself through, listen to two hours of a bunch of lies from the President of the United States?” (36:30)
• Senator John Fetterman:
  • Plans to attend but urges fellow Democrats not to repeat disruptive stunts: “Don’t yell and disrupt… really should respect the office.” (39:10)
• Stephen A. Smith Critique:
  • Argues Democrats lose the moral high ground by boycotting (41:20):
    • “At some point in time, ladies and gentlemen, there’s got to be an adult in the room… If you’re going to act as juvenile, as petulant, as petty as you accuse the President of the United States to be, how are you ever going to hold a high moral ground…?”

7. Media Critique and Self-Reflection

• Midas Touch’s Criticism of Mainstream Media:
  • The brothers repeatedly call out mainstream and corporate media for amplifying Trump’s narratives without challenging falsehoods.
• Promotion of Alternative Democratic Voices:
  • Encouragement for listeners to tune in to the People’s State of the Union live stream, emphasizing grassroots democratic participation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Meiselas, on the boycott's meaning:
  • “We will not normalize this authoritarian fascist regime. And as I mentioned, MAGA is losing their minds.” (03:21)
• Fox’s Jesse Watters, mocking the boycott:
  • “It’s like a game of hooky. And if you’re like an AOC… don’t you want to show the people back home you’re in the game?” (09:20)
• Rep. Yasiman Ansari on her protest:
  • “I refuse to sit there while he lies… it is unacceptable that while Yachty is locked up in detention… Trump is going to be inside the chambers lying.” (34:10)
• Ken Martin, DNC Chair, on respecting decisions:
  • “I respect whatever decision they make, whether they want to attend in person or whether they decide to stay away… Why put yourself through… two hours of a bunch of lies from the president?” (36:30)
• Stephen A. Smith, critiquing the boycott:
  • “If you’re going to act as juvenile, as petulant, as petty as you accuse the President of the United States to be, how are you ever going to hold a high moral ground?” (41:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Start / Set Up: 03:00 – Breakdown of the boycott and media hysteria
• Fox News Compilations: 06:00 – 12:00
• MAGA Mike Johnson Pressers: 14:20, 19:30
• Media’s SOTU Lunch with Trump: 25:00 (CNN, Tapper), 30:00 (ABC, Karl)
• People’s State of the Union Voices: 34:10 (Rep. Ansari)
• DNC Chair Ken Martin Interview: 36:30
• Sen. John Fetterman’s Stance: 39:10
• Stephen A. Smith Commentary: 41:20
• Epstein Survivors as Guests: 44:50
• Call to Watch People’s SOTU & Wrap: 49:00

Key Takeaways

• The boycott is historic and unprecedented, with more than 70 Democratic Members of Congress participating.
• Right-wing and mainstream media express outrage or befuddlement, variously accusing Democrats of cowardice, disrespect, or childishness.
• The People’s State of the Union emerges as a grassroots alternative, attended by lawmakers who refuse to normalize Trump’s presidency.
• Media access to Trump—especially off-the-record chummy sessions—is criticized by the hosts as facilitating propaganda.
• A debate runs through the episode over whether boycotting or confronting is the more moral, effective resistance.
• Symbolic resistance includes inviting Epstein survivors as guests, bringing attention to sexual abuse issues inside the chamber.
• The episode is rich with direct clips, media critique, and a fervent encouragement to choose truth and democracy over performative tradition or “normalization” of extremism.

This episode serves as both a chronicle of a unique political moment and a pointed critique of how media, tradition, and performative politics shape the public understanding of democracy in crisis.