The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Panics Over Calls for His Immediate Arrest

Date: December 11, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

This episode sees the Meiselas brothers in classic form as they break down the latest developments surrounding Donald Trump’s mounting legal scandals, the Trump regime’s increasingly desperate social media and policy moves, and the ongoing threats to American democracy. The brothers infuse their coverage with sharp humor and unapologetic advocacy for truth and democratic values, while spotlighting wider media narratives and recapping the state of the economy and healthcare debates. Notably, they play and analyze Trump’s bizarre public statements and reactions from leading political figures, including a memorable segment from Senator Bernie Sanders.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Media Mockery and Trump’s Authoritarian Messaging

• Gavin Newsom’s Satirical Response:
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom released a video mocking Trump’s “cuffing season” propaganda, which attempted to portray the regime’s hardline actions against migrants as heroic (“I love that Gavin Newsom just goes all in on mocking this despicable Regime.” – Ben, 02:05).
• The Broader Media Landscape:
  • Trump’s official channels posted inflammatory content, including crude images targeting Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and baseless claims of influence in Europe (“Most influential man in Europe... If by influential you mean an individual who's working with Vladimir Putin to destroy Europe..." – Ben, 03:03).
• Audience Backlash:
  • Listeners and even some typical Trump supporters voiced horror at the aggressive, dehumanizing posts, questioning the country's direction (“This makes me sick. What the hell are we doing? Please effing stop this madness.” – Citing social media, 03:14).

2. Banned Words and Censorship in Federal Programs

• The Trump regime reportedly circulated a list banning words related to inclusion and diversity from the Head Start program (e.g., “disability, race, women, trauma, diverse backgrounds… biologically”).
• Ben’s Commentary:
  • “Like, seriously, like, what the hell are we doing as a country here?... the grifter and chief, the felon, the sexual abuser has done his whole life. Be an utter pathetic loser.” (05:03)

3. The ‘Trump Gold Card’ Scandal

• Trump launched a “Gold Card” scheme purportedly offering a “direct path to citizenship” for vetted individuals—at a cost of $1 million for individuals, $5 million for corporations.
• Analysis:
  • The brothers point out this is a blatant play to attract wealthy allies, including Russian oligarchs (“I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people. It's possible.” – Trump, played at 06:32).

4. Trump’s Mental and Physical Health Deterioration

• The media is increasingly covering Trump’s odd behavior and health claims, especially his obsession with cognitive tests:
  • Trump Quote: “I've Taken the cognitive test, I think four times and I'm done. I've got nothing wrong. That's what the American people want.” (07:56)
  • MSNBC’s coverage notes the absurdity (“Describing the early screen for dementia as the standard he has passed four times... forgetting how many times he's even taken the test.” – Host quoting media, 08:29).

5. Economic Realities Versus Trump’s Rhetoric

• Trump’s economic boasts are increasingly at odds with reality.
  • Gaffe: Trump referred to the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell as “deadhead fed hare,” prompting laughter from the brothers (“Deadhead fed fed hare. This guy... is a stiff.” – Trump, 09:45).
• Data-Backed Economic Struggles:
  -Jerome Powell’s Statement: “Unemployment is now up ... payroll jobs averaging 40,000 per month since April. We think there's an overstatement ... negative 20,000 per month.” (10:15)
  • Inflation remains high, job growth is lagging, and tariffs are hurting farmers.
• Fact-Checking Right-Wing Claims:
  • Right-wing influencers falsely claim that deregulation will drastically lower car prices and improve affordability, but data shows record-high car prices and payments.

6. Opaque Governance and Obstruction

• Trump’s refusal to release a video related to a U.S. military operation is highlighted as part of a pattern of withholding information.
• Memorable Confrontation:
  • Trump dodges questions from a CNN reporter about releasing the video (“I thought that issue was dead... Are you CNN? Are you fake news...?” – Trump, 14:57-15:09).

7. Healthcare: ACA, Medicare for All, and Election Maneuvers

• The brothers discuss Republicans’ attempts to sidestep voting on ACA subsidies and health care policy (“The Trump regime has said there’s a plan... They don’t have one.” – Ben, 15:35).
• Clip: Senator Bernie Sanders on Healthcare Reform
  • Notable Quote:
    • “We, as you know, are the only major country on earth not to guarantee health care to all people. Every other major country has national health care programs which are far more cost effective than ours... We have got to join every other major country on earth, guarantee health care to all people, and we got to pass a Medicare for all single payer program.” (Bernie Sanders, 17:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:05] Ben (on Newsom vs. Trump):
  “I love that Gavin Newsom just goes all in on mocking this despicable Regime.”
• [05:03] Ben (on word censorship):
  “Like, seriously, like, what the hell are we doing as a country here?”
• [06:32] Trump (on Russian oligarchs and citizenship):
  “Yeah, possibly. Hey, I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people. It's possible.”
• [07:56] Trump (on cognitive tests):
  “I've Taken the cognitive test, I think four times and I'm done. I've got nothing wrong. That's what the American people want.”
• [08:29] MSNBC Host (on Trump’s forgetfulness):
  “Forgetting how many times he's even taken the cognitive test.”
• [09:45] Trump (on Fed Chairman):
  “Deadhead fed fed hare. This guy, the head of the Federal Reserve, is a stiff.”
• [14:57] Trump (dodging video release question):
  “I thought that issue was dead, that you'd surprise you bring it up. You must be, you must be CNN.”
• [17:42] Bernie Sanders (on healthcare):
  “We, as you know, are the only major country on earth not to guarantee health care to all people. Every other major country has national health care programs which are far more cost effective than ours.”

Key Segments & Timestamps

• [02:05] – Newsom’s “Cuffing Season” parody and Trump’s online propaganda
• [05:03] – Trump regime’s banned words list for Head Start
• [06:32] – Trump’s “gold card” citizenship-for-cash scandal
• [07:09 – 08:29] – Compilation of Trump’s mental decline and media reaction
• [09:32 – 10:49] – Economic update: Trump’s rhetoric vs. Jerome Powell’s data
• [14:57] – Trump’s press confrontation over the military video
• [17:22 – 18:39] – Bernie Sanders discussing the state of healthcare and ACA tax credits

Conclusion

In this packed episode, the Meiselas brothers maintain their signature blend of pointed political critique and sharp humor. They emphasize the unprecedented levels of corruption, obfuscation, and authoritarianism seen in the Trump regime, while reinforcing a call to defend democracy, protect social safety nets, and demand accountability. The episode is as much a rallying cry as a recap, reflecting both the seriousness of the moment and the resilience of those committed to truth and justice.