Trump Rushes Out of DC as Disaster Strikes His Term

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Rushes Out of DC as Disaster Strikes His Term
Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)

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Main Theme

This episode dives into the mounting crises facing Donald Trump’s presidency, particularly after a hasty exit from Washington, D.C. amid political and polling disasters. The Meiselas brothers and their panel break down Trump’s disastrous approval ratings, scandals involving foreign influence and crypto corruption, spiraling economic issues, and Trump’s increasingly erratic public behavior and rhetoric. The tone combines sharp political analysis with the irreverent, humorous banter for which the MeidasTouch podcast is known.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Trump’s Sudden Departure from D.C.

[01:03]

• Trump abruptly leaves the White House for Mar-a-Lago, refusing to answer press questions. The hosts emphasize the symbolism:

  "He’s done working on the taxpayer dime... He’s taken that vacation early while the American people suffer."

Disastrous Polling and Approval Ratings

[02:17]

• Political analyst Harry details “record-breaking lows” in Trump’s foreign policy net approval rating, notably compared to historical averages for presidents in their first 100 days.
  • Trump's net approval rating on foreign policy: minus 13 points
  • Previous worst (Trump’s first term): minus 12 points
  • Historical average for other presidents: plus 17 points
• Quote:

  "He was already the worst. Now he’s even more the worst... He is 30 points below where the average president is on net approval when it comes to foreign policy." – Harry [03:14]

Russia-Ukraine Crisis and Leaked Calls

[04:24]

• Breaking news about a leaked conversation (via Bloomberg) between Steve Witkoff (Trump ally) and Russian officials, revealing direct foreign policy coordination and possibly acting as an agent for Russian interests.
• Discussion of a “28-point plan” handed from Russia to Witkoff, with language emphasizing informality but clear intent to influence U.S. decisions.

Fox News, Economy, and Inflation

[07:19]

• Mocking Fox News’s focus on cost of living, particularly the high prices of meat and gas, which they use to justify economic hardship under Trump. The brothers point out the hypocrisy, with actual prices mostly unchanged.
  • Brief clips lampooning Fox’s “stick to turkey” commentary about grocery prices.

Health Insurance and Policy Failures

[08:21]

• Critique of Trump administration’s efforts to change health insurance cost structures, favoring “healthy people” over those who need coverage most.
• Emphasis on persistent inequalities and refusal to expand access.

Congressional Report: “Trump Crypto and a New Age of Corruption”

[10:26]

• Reading and commentary on a just-released House Judiciary Committee report accusing Trump and allies of:
  • Slashing Medicaid and Medicare
  • Firing civil servants under dubious pretexts
  • Pocketing billions through crypto-based corruption at “unprecedented scale,” including foreign actors like Russia and China
  • Trump family reportedly made $800 million from crypto assets in the first half of 2025
  • Estimates put Trump’s crypto holdings as high as $11.6 billion
  • Quote:

    “This report shows how the president has leveraged his office to make himself a crypto billionaire… [foreign powers]... to secretly place huge sums of money directly into Trump’s pocket.” – Host quoting the House report [10:26]

Trump’s Bizarre Turkey Pardon Event

[13:10]

• Instead of a wholesome, family-friendly event, Trump uses the occasion to spout falsehoods and attack political opponents:
  • Claims (falsely) to have ended eight wars in nine months.
  • Says he is “close" to ending Russia’s war on Ukraine.
  • Quote:

    “I’ve also ended eight wars in nine months, and we’re working on that final war. It’s not easy, but... I think we’re getting very close to a deal. We’ll find out.” – Donald Trump [13:10]

• Attacks President Biden, calling him “Sleepy Joe” and ridiculing him for using an auto pen for last year’s turkey pardons.
  • Quote:

    “I have determined that last year’s turkey pardons are totally invalid, as are the pardons of about every other person... other than Where’s Hunter?” – Donald Trump [13:51]

• Direct personal insult, calling Illinois Governor Pritzker a “big fat slob”.
  • Quote:

    “The mayor is incompetent and the governor is a big fat slobber.” – Donald Trump [14:20]

• Suggests, jokingly or otherwise, sending turkeys to “terrorist confinement centers” in El Salvador, conflating the event with his law-and-order narrative.

Signs of Trump’s Fatigue and Diminished Capacity

[15:43]

• NYT report summarized: Trump now starts official duties at 12:08pm (vs. earlier start times in first term), with a 39% decrease in the number of official events compared to 2017.
• Quote:

  “He starts his day at noon. He starts his day at noon. What are we talking about, folks?” – Host [15:43]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Trump] was already the worst. Now he’s even more the worst... 30 points below where the average president is on net approval when it comes to foreign policy.” – Harry, Political Analyst [03:14]
• “This report shows how the president has leveraged his office to make himself a crypto billionaire.” – Reading House Judiciary Committee report [10:26]
• “I’ve also ended eight wars in nine months, and we’re working on that final war. It’s not easy, but... I think we’re getting very close to a deal.” – Donald Trump [13:10]
• “The mayor is incompetent and the governor is a big fat slobber.” – Donald Trump [14:20]
• “He starts his day at noon. What are we talking about, folks?” – Host, on Trump’s lack of official events and late starts [15:43]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:03 – Trump leaves the White House abruptly; signs of political distress
• 02:17–03:49 – Deep dive into Trump’s historic polling lows and approval collapse
• 04:24–06:51 – Details on the leaked Russia-Witkoff call and foreign influence scandal
• 07:19–07:59 – Fox News clips & inflation/economic hardship segment
• 08:21 – Broader insurance and healthcare critique
• 10:26–13:10 – Reading and commentary on the “Trump Crypto and a New Age of Corruption” Congressional report
• 13:10–14:55 – Trump’s bizarre turkey pardon event, false claims, and personal attacks
• 15:43 – New York Times analysis: Trump’s late workday starts and declining public appearances

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Structure & Tone

• The episode maintains the MeidasTouch blend of substantive, evidence-based political criticism with sharp wit and brotherly banter.
• Frequent use of direct clips and news segment audio, combined with analysis and candid reactions from the hosts.
• The mood is urgent yet irreverent, with a strong pro-democracy stance and open criticism of corruption and misgovernance.

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Summary Conclusion:
This episode paints a picture of an embattled Trump presidency in free fall, beset by historically poor polling, ongoing foreign influence scandals, deepening economic woes, and widening corruption exposed by Congressional investigations. Trump’s increasingly erratic and bombastic public appearances—ranging from bizarre turkey pardon speeches to public insults—only reinforce the narrative of a chaotic administration losing its grip on both public approval and presidential decorum. The MeidasTouch team provides listeners a brisk, comprehensive recap flavored with their signature mix of insight and satire.

Transcript

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[Political News Host]

Donald Trump just rushed out of the White House. He's leaving for the week. He's done working. He wouldn't answer any questions of the press and he is under a lot of pressure right now. There's been disastrous news after disastrous news for Donald, but he's done working on the taxpayer dime. Ian Melania they're heading to Mar a Lago again. They're heading to Florida. He, he's taken that vacation early while the American people suffer. Here he is leaving the White House, not taking any questions. Let's play this clip right here.

[Donald Trump (Clip)]

President Trump, can you share an update on the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

[Political News Host]

Right now while Donald Trump is leaving? I'll just show you what's going on. This was what CNN was playing as he was going. Donald Trump's polling right now is absolutely disastrous. The American people despise all of the pain and suffering that he has inflicted. Let's play this clip right here.

[Political Analyst Harry]

Yeah, it's not good. K Ball when it's not good. I mean, the trend line here is pretty gosh darn clear. Trump's net approval rating on foreign policy. You go back to January, the start of Trump's term. He was above water, plus two points down. He goes down into the body of water underwater, minus 13 points at this particular point. That is a drop of 15 points on the net approval rating since January during Trump's first 100 days. If this is an audition, he is failing that audition in the minds of the American public. Way underwater at minus 13 points.

[Political Analyst John]

Talk to me about this in like other presidents in the in the first 100 days. How is this looking?

[Political Analyst Harry]

Let's put it in a historical context. Okay. Foreign policy, net approval. At this point of presidency, the average president plus 17. TRUMP in his first term, he was at minus 12, not particularly good.

[Political Analyst John]

And this is a good, important reference. This isn't, you know, this isn't like a back to back terms. This is non consecutive terms or first, which I think is obviously very important.

[Political Analyst Harry]

Correct. Minus 12 points there. That was the, that was the all time record for a presidency. The 45th presidency of Donald Trump. You go to 47. He has broken his own record. He is the worst on record at this particular point. He was already the worst. Now he's even more the worst right now. And get that some quick math. Minus 13, plus 17. He is 30 points below where the average president is on net approval when it comes to foreign policy. The American people think he's doing an awful, awful, awful job. And they have rewarded him with, with the record of being the worst. I don't know if a metal comes with that, but if it did, he.

[Political News Host]

Would get it when.

[Political Analyst John]

So this is broad foreign policy. What about what we're focused, what obviously today especially we're, we're focused most on which is Russia's war in Ukraine.

[Political Analyst Harry]

Yeah. Okay. So when it comes to Russia and Ukraine, the recent Fox News poll asked about his net approval rating on these different countries and where on Russia, dealings with Russia, minus 18 points. Dealings with Ukraine, minus 13 points. No doubt feelings towards Russia and Ukraine are impacting Trump's overall net approval rating on foreign policy, which at this point is the worst on record.

[Political Analyst John]

Harry, Anton, thank you very much.

[Political Analyst Harry]

Thank you, John.

[Political News Host]

All right, I expect we'll see more polls on the 100 days coming soon. Also notable, one of the things that we're seeing too, Bloomberg just published an October 14 phone conversation that they got their hands on between Steve Witkoff and Russia's top foreign policy ministers. You have Demetriev on this call. You have you love on this call. And it seems to be at this point that you just have Witkoff basically serving as an agent of Russia. I'm just giving you my opinion, of course, but take a look at what's happening right here. SW is Witkoff. Y U is the Russian Foreign Minister. The Russian a top foreign advisor to Putin. Um, and one of the things we've seen here is that, yes, indeed, Russia handed the plan over to Witkoff. It's literally, it's literally right in here. But this is what Wipkoff is saying. Yuri, Yuri, Yuri, here's what I would do. Here's my recommendation of what you do with Putin. Yuri's like, yes, please tell me. Witkoff goes, I would make the call and just reiterate that you congratulate the president on his achievement, that you supported it. You just. You're really glad to have it happen.

[Political Commentator]

So.

[Political News Host]

So I would say that I think that it's going to be a really good call. He's referring to Trump and Putin because let me tell you what I told the president. I told the president that you. That the Russian Federation has always wanted a peace deal. That's my belief. I told the president and I believe that that's really what you're saying right here. But take a look what and Dimitriev are saying. So Yuri Yushakov. That's why you. Kirill Dmitriev. That's one of Russia's top, um, reruns. Their sovereign wealth fund. These were the people who were hanging out with Wit Cough in Miami. Ushakov goes, well, we need the maximum, don't you think? What do you think? Otherwise, what's the point of passing anything on Demetri of no, look, I think we'll just make this paper from our position and I'll informally pass it along, making it clear that it's all informal and let them do like their own. But I don't think they'll take exactly our version, but at least they'll be as close to it as possible.

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[Political News Host]

You should come up. Well, that's exactly the point. They might not take and say that it was agreed with us. That's what I'm afraid of, Demetrius. No, no, no. I'll say exactly as you say it, word for word. You should cough. They might twist it later. That's all. There is that risk there is.

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[Political News Host]

All right, never mind. We'll see. Yeah. It seems to me you can talk later with Steve about this paper will do everything neatly. The 28 point plan was literally right there. You seek up. You see Dimitri of actually talking about it. There's. But I guess Donald Trump doesn't want to answer those questions. Hey, Maga Mike, what about you? What are you feeling now? Maga Mike. Maga Mike was doing the podcast with Stephen Miller's wife. This is what Maga Mike is doing right now. Play this clip of Maga Mike, please.

[Political Analyst John]

You know who Jelly roll is?

[Political Commentator]

Do I know? Yes, we have selfies together.

[Political News Host]

And as you know, Fox has been running segments like this on repeat, telling people, look, you can stay away from other protein because it's too expensive right now under the Trump regime.

[Political Analyst John]

Play this clip Remember, if you do.

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Want to do another protein like beef, the price is still up. It's about, I believe, five times the.

[Political Analyst John]

Price that it was last year.

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So just keep that in mind.

[Political Analyst John]

Maybe you're hitting the grocery store this weekend. Turkey is probably your best bet. Just stick to the one. I'll send it back to you guys. You know what I'm going to say to Ferky. There we go, Kelly.

[Political News Host]

Now, Donald Trump may also be saying that it's super cheap right now to go and that it's never been cheaper to buy gas. As even Fox is admitting right now, gas is basically the same price it was last year. Maybe, maybe it's a penny less. But folks, inflation is surging all around. Thanksgiving's way more expensive. And the American people ain't buying what Trump is selling. Play this clip.

[Political Commentator]

And what the President wants to do is bring choices back, right? Compare it to health and to your auto insurance. If you, if you drive correctly, you don't get speed tickets, you don't have accidents, you get rewarded with lower health or auto insurance. However, if you drive fast, drive reckless, have, have accidents, you're going to have higher health auto insurance. What the President would like to do is say, hey, if you take care of yourself, you don't smoke, you don't dip, you're not, you're not drinking, you're not overweight, you're working out, and then you should pay less than a guy that, that is, is obviously not taking care of himself. Well, the insurance companies, they want all those together because it's their risk management right and Obamacare forced them to come together. Well, that's why we're running out of time.

[Political News Host]

But I just, you know, this time.

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[Political News Host]

Things that Donald Trump doesn't want to answer to is the House Judiciary Committee Democrats just released right now a damning report on Trump crypto and a new age of Corruption. I'm just going to read for you the executive summary right now because this is damning. It says. Since taking office, Donald Trump and his allies in Congress have cut funding to Medicaid and Medicare, throwing millions of Americans off their health insurance, refused to extend tax credits that help make healthcare more affordable, and use the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire federal civil servants and withhold food benefits for 42 million Americans, including children, individuals with disabilities and veterans. At the same time, Trump and his family have been pocketing billions of dollars through corruption of an unprecedented scale. This report shows how the president has leveraged his office to make millions of to make himself a crypto billionaire, and how he has extended broad protection to fraudsters, scam artists and other online criminals, who in turn repay the President and his family with millions of dollars in tribute. Perhaps most troubling, troublingly, these crypto ventures allow anyone, including foreign governments, hint, hint, the Russians, hint, hint, the Saudis, hint, hint, uae, hint, hint, China, hint, hint, you name it, in order to be involved in this organized crime groups, corporate interests and criminals seeking pardons to gain government contracts, appointments and presidential favors to secretly place huge sums of money directly into Trump's pocket. In the years since his victory in 2024, Trump's fortune has expanded monumentally because of crypto dealings. According to Reuters, the Trump family raked in more than $800 million in income from sales of crypto assets in just the first first half of 2025. Although it is difficult to determine the precise value of Trump's cryptocurrency holdings, public reports make clear the number is in the billions, with some estimates value his holdings as high as $11.6 billion. I'll do another deep dive into this, into this report right here, but it is damning, damning stuff. Now you'll recall earlier, Donald Trump turned the turkey pardon event into something really weird. It's supposed to be wholesome. You know, you normally want to watch it with your kids. But Trump's just started lying and saying that he stopped eight wars. And we're super close to Ukraine, he says. But as you know, he's basically working with the Russians, as I just demonstrated, thanks to the great Bloomberg reporting. Here's what he says about he stopped eight wars. Just more lies from Donald Trump. Play this clip.

[Donald Trump (Clip)]

I've also ended eight wars in nine months, and we're working on that final war. It's not easy, but I don't know. I think we're going to get there. 25,000 soldiers, Ukraine, Russia. In the last month, 25,000 soldiers have died. So I think we're getting very close to a deal. We'll find out. I thought that one would have been gone quicker. We did eight. I thought that would have been an easier one. But I think we're making progress. In less than one year, we've accomplished more than most other administrations have accomplished in eight years.

[Political News Host]

He then attacked former President Biden and said that he uses an auto pen.

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[Political News Host]

Play this clip.

[Donald Trump (Clip)]

Terrible situation caused by a man named Sleepy Joe Biden. He used an auto pen last year for the Turkey's pardon. So I have the official duty to determine, and I have determined that last year's turkey pardons are totally invalid, as are the pardons of about every other person that was pardoned, other than Where's Hunter?

[Political News Host]

And then Donald Trump started calling Governor Pritzker a fat slob.

[Donald Trump (Clip)]

Play this clip of every newspaper. It's out of control. The mayor is incompetent and the governor is a big fat slobber. He ought to invite us in. Say, please make Chicago safe. We're going to lose a great city if we don't do it quickly. Make.

[Political News Host]

And then here Donald Trump was saying that instead of the pardons the turkeys may go to, he calls them terrorist detention centers, but they're really concentration camps in El Salvador. Very bizarre behavior. Let's play this clip.

[Donald Trump (Clip)]

But instead of pardon, some of my more enthusiastic staffers were already drafting the paperwork to ship Gobble and Waddle straight to the terrorist confinement center in El Salvador. And even those birds don't want to be there. You know what I mean? Those are tough. I'd like to thank the president of that country. They do a rather efficient job. It's got to be the largest prison in history. I've never seen anything like it. And a lot of people are behaving on our streets now. You know, Washington, D.C. is a safe, it's considered a safe zone. This was one of our most unsafe places anywhere in the United States. It is now considered a totally safe city. I won't tell you about murders. We're having murders, like a lot of murders on a weekly basis. We haven't had a murder in six.

[Political News Host]

Months now, folks, I'll do a deeper dive on this as well, but New York Times just did a great report on the signs of Donald Trump's personal fatigue that he now starts his day at 1208pm on in his first term, he started at a 1031am but now the number of Trump official appearances has decreased 39%. In 2017, he held 1,688 official events between January 20 and November 25. Now he's only appeared at 1029 official events. And again, he starts his day at noon. He starts his day at noon. What are we talking about, folks? Look, we'll keep you posted every step of the way. As always here in the Midas Dutch network. Thanks for watching. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million.

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