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)
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.
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]
- Quote:
- 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]
- Quote:
- 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]
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]
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
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.
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.