Trump Screws Red States Bad by Shock Firing

Summary

Summary of "Trump Screws Red States Bad by Shock Firing" - The MeidasTouch Podcast

Release Date: May 10, 2025

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosted by the Meiselas brothers—Ben, Brett, and Jordy—the discussion centers around former President Donald Trump's contentious relationship with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its detrimental impact on red and purple states facing natural disasters. The episode delves deep into Trump's policies, the subsequent consequences for disaster-stricken states, and the broader implications for federal-state relations in emergency management.

---

1. Trump's Adversarial Stance Towards FEMA

The episode opens with a bold assertion from the host at [00:29], highlighting Trump's antagonistic approach towards FEMA:

"Donald Trump wants to destroy FEMA. That's undisputed. He said it over and over again." ([00:29])

The discussion outlines how, under Trump's administration, FEMA has systematically denied emergency aid to states traditionally aligned with the Republican Party, despite these states' contributions to his electoral victories.

Key Points:

• Arkansas: Despite Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders being a staunch Trump ally, FEMA denied emergency aid.
• Georgia: Governor Kemp's request for debris removal assistance was rejected, despite Georgia's support for Trump.
• North Carolina & Kentucky: Similar denials were faced by Governors Stein and Andy Beshear, respectively, exacerbating the states' struggles with natural disasters.

2. The Fall of Cameron Hamilton

A significant portion of the episode discusses the tenure and abrupt termination of Cameron Hamilton, Trump's appointed interim FEMA Director.

Transcript Highlight:

"FEMA Director Cameron Hamilton was fired by Donald Trump. And this shows you the Trump regime's move where they're going to dismantle and destroy FEMA." ([05:25])

Key Events:

• Appointment: Cameron Hamilton, a self-identified MAGA supporter and former congressional candidate, was appointed as FEMA Director.
• Congressional Testimony: During a hearing, Hamilton admitted he did not support the elimination of FEMA, contrary to the administration's stance.
  • At [04:51]: Hamilton states, "I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency."
• Termination: Following his testimony, Hamilton was swiftly removed from his position, signaling a clear message to others within the Trump administration about the uncompromising agenda to dismantle FEMA.

3. Demonstrating the Administration's Intent

The podcast provides concrete evidence of the Trump administration's intent to eliminate FEMA through multimedia clips and factual recounting.

Notable Clips:

• Cameron Hamilton's Congressional Interaction ([03:57] - [05:34]): Illustrates his reluctance to align with the administration's directive to destroy FEMA.
• Kristi Noem's Statement ([06:10] - [06:26]): Emphasizes Trump's repeated calls to eliminate FEMA, already framing it as a failed agency.

Key Quotes:

"I'll also be signing an executive order to begin the process of fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA or maybe getting rid of FEMA." — Donald Trump ([06:43])

This direct quote underscores Trump's public declarations about FEMA's dissolution, reinforcing the administration's policy direction.

4. The Consequences for Red and Purple States

The discussion transitions to the real-world impact of FEMA's denials, particularly as the country approaches hurricane season.

Insights from Congressmember Jared Moskowitz ([09:01] - [11:11]):

"If they actually do what Kristi Noemi wants to do with FEMA, which is get rid of it... it'd make it worse."

Moskowitz, with his extensive background in emergency management, articulates the potential fallout:

• Economic Impact: States like Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana could face financial insolvency following major storms without federal reimbursement.
• Operational Challenges: Without FEMA, the coordination and resource allocation during disasters would become fragmented and inefficient.
• Human Cost: The lack of a centralized emergency management agency could lead to inadequate responses, resulting in loss of life and prolonged recovery periods.

5. Governor Andy Beshear on FEMA's Vital Role

Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky provides a stark contrast to the Trump administration's approach, emphasizing FEMA's essential functions.

Governor Beshear's Statement ([12:45] - [14:48]):

"If they eliminate FEMA, each of the states have to do that themselves to tell Congress they're complying with federal law. That means that the money that currently comes to help our families would get eaten up by overhead not just in Kentucky but all across the country."

Key Points:

• Efficiency: Centralized FEMA operations ensure standardized and swift disaster response across all states.
• Financial Implications: Decentralizing FEMA would increase administrative overhead, reducing the funds available for direct aid to affected populations.
• Completed Collaborations: Highlighting past successful collaborations between state governments and FEMA, Beshear underscores the agency's effectiveness in crisis situations.

6. Broader Implications and Future Outlook

The podcast concludes by reflecting on the broader implications of dismantling FEMA:

• Systemic Weaknesses: The removal of FEMA could expose systemic vulnerabilities in the nation's disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
• Political Ramifications: The targeted impact on red and purple states may deepen political divides, as these states bear the brunt of ineffective disaster management.
• Urgency of Reform: While acknowledging the need for FEMA reform, the hosts advocate for strengthening the agency rather than eliminating it, ensuring it can adequately support all states in times of need.

---

Conclusion:

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast offers a thorough examination of the Trump administration's efforts to undermine FEMA, highlighting the adverse effects on disaster-prone states that are pivotal to the Republican base. Through detailed analysis, expert testimonies, and firsthand accounts from political figures like Congressmember Jared Moskowitz and Governor Andy Beshear, the podcast underscores the critical importance of FEMA in safeguarding communities and maintaining national resilience against natural calamities. The hosts effectively argue that dismantling FEMA not only hampers effective disaster response but also threatens the well-being and stability of millions of Americans across the nation.

---

For more in-depth discussions and updates on this topic, subscribe to The MeidasTouch Podcast and join the MeidasMighty community.

Transcript

[Shopify Representative]

Starting a business can seem like a daunting task unless you have a partner like Shopify. They have the tools you need to start and grow your business. From designing a website to marketing, to selling and beyond, Shopify can help with everything you need. There's a reason millions of companies like Mattel, Heinz and Allbirds continue to trust and use them. With Shopify on your side, turn your big business idea into Sign up for your $1 per month [e-mail] specialoffer Donald.

[Midas Touch Host]

Trump just gave the middle finger to all red states, purple states, and frankly, all states in general that are suffering from major disasters and need relief from fema. You probably know our reports here on the Midas Touch Network where we've talked about how the Trump regime's FEMA has denied emergency aid for Arkansas despite MAGA Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders being a close ally of Donald Trump. Donald Trump's denied emergency FEMA supplemental aid for Georgia, which voted for Donald Trump, denied it to Governor Kemp. He needed supplemental assistance for debris removal even though North Carolina voted for Donald Trump. When they requested disaster assistance through Governor Stein, FEMA recently rejected the relief there. We're seeing this frankly. Kentucky, though they have a Democratic governor in Bashir, it's overwhelmingly a red state with all of the flooding and natural disasters that have occurred in Kentucky. Trump has reached rejected FEMA emergency relief there. Donald Trump wants to destroy fema. That's undisputed. He said it over and over again. Now, Donald Trump has had appointed as the interim FEMA director a guy by the name of Cameron Hamilton. Now, Cameron Hamilton is someone who considers himself maga. He ran for Congress. He goes, I'm a MAGA Congress member. But earlier this week, Cameron Hamilton, the FEMA director, testified before Congress and he said it was his own personal view. He said he would have to defer to the administration, but he said it was his own personal view that FEMA should not be destroyed. Although Donald Trump and Trump's Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have said they want FEMA destroyed, they want all of FEMA services to be dealt with by the states, the states don't have the money to deal with federal emergency relief. Our whole system relies on the the federal government helping the states in certain situations. So acting FEMA Director Cameron Hamilton was fired by Donald Trump. And this shows you the Trump regime's move where they're going to dismantle and destroy fema. They fired this guy. I'll show you the testimony that he gave. It was the most kind of innocuous testimony. Also, it was still very obsequious to the Trump regime, but it was not obsequious enough. So here's the Wall Street Journal headline. Acting FEMA Director Cameron Hamilton has been oust from his position by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a day after he told lawmakers he didn't support eliminating his own agency. Yes, you heard that headline, right? Let me show you the moment right now where he received a question from Congress he didn't want to answer. You can see him asking the chair, do I have to answer this question? And the chair kind of laughed and said, ha, ha, I'm not going to let you off that easy. He knew the writing was on the wall. It was the one question he didn't want to have to answer. He got it to his credit. He answered that he did not want to destroy fema. As the FEMA director. Right. Could you imagine saying you want to destroy your own agency? And that got him fired. I want you to watch the moment he gets fired. You can see him in real time processing that. He knows that him answering this question under oath accurately was going to get him fired. Here, play this clip.

[Congressmember]

Yesterday, the Secretary testified, Secretary Noem testified quite honestly. I found her responses confusing and inadequate in response to my question asking her about whether or not this administration seeks to eliminate fema. This was her response. And I quote, president Trump has been very clear since the beginning that he believes that FEMA and its response in many, many circumstances has failed the American people and that FEMA as it exists today, should be eliminated and empowering states to. To respond to disasters with federal government support. A clear answer. Does this administration seek to eliminate FEMA and do you support eliminating FEMA?

[FEMA Director]

Mr. Chairman, would you like me to answer the question?

[Congressmember]

Please.

[Midas Touch Host]

I'm not going to let you off that easy. Please.

[FEMA Director]

No, I completely understand. As the senior advisor to the President on Disasters and Emergency Management and to the Secretary of Homeland Security, I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Having said that, I am not in a position to make decisions and impact outcomes on whether or not a determination such as consequential as that should be made. That is a conversation that should be had between the President of the United States and this governing body on identifying the exact ways and methodologies in which what is prudent for federal investment and what is not.

[Midas Touch Host]

And just so you see that this guy has called himself a MAGA before, just so you know what we're dealing with Let me show you this clip of Cameron Hamilton when he was running for Congress. Here, let's play this clip.

[FEMA Director]

I am a MAGA candidate because I think that his agendas, aside from all the rhetoric, were excellent for the betterment of this nation.

[Midas Touch Host]

Okay. Now, a day before Cameron Hamilton testified in Congress and answered that way, Donald Trump's homeland Security secretary, dog killer, cosmic player Kristi Noem testified before Congress. This is how he was supposed to answer the question. In the Trump regime. This was the talking point that FEMA should be eliminated. And when Cameron Hamilton did not answer this way, buh bye. This is how Kristi Noem handled the question. Here, play this clip.

[Simpler Hair Color Representative]

President Trump has been very clear since.

[Donald Trump]

The beginning that he believes that FEMA.

[Midas Touch Host]

And its response in many, many circumstances has failed the American people and that FEMA as it exists today, should be.

[Governor Andy Beshear]

Eliminated and empower states to respond to.

[Simpler Hair Color Representative]

Disasters with federal government.

[Midas Touch Host]

Now, when Donald Trump was elected, remember he visited California suffering from the wildfires. Donald Trump shows up and Donald Trump says he wants to get rid of fema. Remember Donald Trump said that. I'll show you the clip where Donald Trump went to California and said he wanted to eliminate fema. Let's play this clip.

[Donald Trump]

I'll also be signing an executive order to begin the process of fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA or maybe getting rid of fema. I think frankly, FEMA is not good. I think when you have a problem like this, I think you want to go and whether it's a Democrat or Republican governor, you want to use your state to fix it and not waste time calling fema. And then FEMA gets here and they don't know the area, they've never been to the area, and they want to give you rules that you've never heard about. They want to bring people that aren't as good as the people you already have. And FEMA has turned out to be a, a disaster. And you could go back a long way. You could go back to Louisiana, you could go back to some of the things that took place in Texas. It turns out to be the state that ends up doing the work. It just complicates it. I think we're going to recommend that FEMA go away and we pay directly, we pay a percentage to the state.

[Midas Touch Host]

Now, as I mentioned at the outset of the video, since then, FEMA has been denying pretty much universally a lot of the relief that was being requested by states, especially supplemental emergency stuff. So Arkansas and Kentucky and Georgia and North Carolina, rejection, rejection, rejection, rejection. Like they need emergency debris Removal, the states are asking the federal government. Former President Biden would just say, sure, of course, of course we're going to give you FEMA aid. This is what the federal government is there for. And for Donald Trump, it was deny, deny, deny and deny. Now folks, here at the Midas Touch Network, we anticipate these issues in advance. How they're gonna harm the states here, how they're gonna harm our country. So you may have been wondering why when I had Democratic Congressmember Jared Moskowitz on five or six a day over the last weekend, I had him on, remember I was asking him about fema, cuz we were anticipating this issue arising, especially as we get into hurricane season. Now Congressmember Moskowitz, he ran Florida's state emergency relief, which worked with FEMA before he was a member of Congress. So he's very well versed in this area. Here's what Congressmember Moskowitz told me. It's so particularly relevant right now. Let's watch this clip.

[Congressmember Jared Moskowitz]

I'm deeply concerned what they're doing with fema. I mean, look, I'm from Florida, I'm a former director of Emergency management, I'm the only director, former director, emergency management, all of Congress. But if they actually do what Kristi Noemi wants to do with fema, which is get rid of it, which is what she said, chop it up and give it to other agencies, which won't be more efficient, it'll make it worse. If she wants to mess with reimbursement. I mean, you could have a state like Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, they could go bankrupt if they get a Category 4 storm and they don't have federal reimbursement. If the federal government isn't coming out and organizing resources, you know, because FEMA doesn't have a lot of resources. It's DoD that's got the resources. Other agencies, FEMA organizes that and brings it. If no one's doing that after a Katrina for Louisiana or a Helene in North Carolina, people are gonna die and these places are not gonna have a good response and they're not gonna recover. I did Hurricane Michael. That was one of the recoveries I did in the Panhandle. Extremely poor area. All Republican, by the way. Without the money the federal government sent in the first Trump administration, these towns would never recover. They'd be gone. And so this is something that we're not talking about. But we're getting into hurricane season and I'm worried about whether or not FEMA is gonna work. There are people in the Trump administration the West Wing, okay, that are from Florida. And know this, they gotta stop the secretary, who's never done a disaster cleanup in her entire life, being from being the governor where she was. Okay, that this is needed. That doesn't mean there doesn't need to be reform. Ben, FEMA does need a reform. They need to get faster, smaller. They need to get out of Homeland. They need to stop doing all of the immigration grants. Let's ICE and Homeland run their own grants. FEMA shouldn't be running them. Okay? So there are things we can fix. But to get rid of this for the American people would be devastating beyond belief. And I haven't even talked about what they've done at NOAA about, you know, getting rid of weather balloons and getting rid of people, being able to figure out how we're gonna track these hurricanes, the hurricane hunters. There's questions whether those planes are gonna be able to get in the air. There's time to still fix this on what Doge did to those two departments.

[Simpler Hair Color Representative]

Okay, Real talk. I looked in the mirror the other day and thought, where did all these grays come from? The grays in my hair, both on my head and my face, were showing up like uninvited guests. And I'm not trying to throw a full science fair in my bathroom with all those messy drugstore dye kits. You know what I'm saying? The salon, way too much time and money. I needed something simpler. That's where Simpler Hair Color came in. This podcast is sponsored by Simpler Hair Color, the easiest way to eliminate grays. Modern men deserve better and Simpler delivers safer, gentler ingredients with no mixing, no dripping, and no more running to the drugstore. I used Simpler Hair Color just a couple weeks ago before a big meeting, and boom, gray's gone in minutes. I used the dark brown shade and it blended perfectly with my natural color, and it didn't irritate my skin at all. Simpler was started by Snehal Patel and Mitch Brown, two guys who'd had enough of harsh chemicals and complicated dye routines. They created a formula that works for your hair, beard and touch ups all in one can. And one can gets you up to four times the uses of drugstore dye. Simpler Hair Color is made in the USA with over 9,500 five star reviews. It's clean, it's effective, and it fits right into my routine. No more drama. Just pump, apply, wait, wash, say goodbye to grays the easy way with Simpler Hair color. Head to simplerhaircolor.com Midas and use code MIDAS M E. I D A S for 15% off your order. Once again, that's simplerhaircolor.com Hairspray Midas M E I D A S for 15% OFF. And make sure you use that promo code Midas so they know I sent you.

[Midas Touch Host]

Now here's the governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear. This was about two months ago where he was talking about the importance of FEMA back then and this was before a lot of the denials of FEMA FEMA aid that we're seeing right now. Let's play this clip.

[Governor Andy Beshear]

So I'll give you an example of of our 2022 flooding. I called the FEMA administrator directly as it was going on. She was in Tennessee and she had the Tennessee National Guard send extra helicopters to hoist people off of their roofs that could not escape what was catastrophic flooding. In the flooding we just recently had, we had boat teams from all over the country that we were able to bring in and even help pre stage along with ours. They saved over 1,000 people in a 24 hour period. They come into our emergency operations center and bring more people with expertise that have been through this before. In fact the FEMA representative they sent to us to help with this flooding was my head of emergency operations in the last flooding. So I had two very experienced people helping me lead. And then what we have is different requirements to get what's called public assistance which helps states and localities rebuild infrastructure, roads and bridges. And then if you have a really tough natural disaster, individual assistance where families can apply. Well guess what, Every application for all of those has to be significantly reviewed and they have to make sure it meets federal law. Right now there is one group through FEMA that does it for all 50 states. If they eliminate FEMA, each of the states states have to do that themselves to tell Congress they're complying with federal law. That means that the money that currently comes to help our families would get eaten up by overhead not just in Kentucky but all across the country. It would be the opposite of efficiency. It'd be making us do what one group does with 50 separate groups across the country.

[Midas Touch Host]

So I think when you see in real time how Cameron Hamilton answered the question correctly but that got him fired, you see the message that sent to any Trump person who testifies but setting aside his termination, this is gonna hurt red states. Like again remember the example that I give of the movie don't look up the asteroid or the comets hitting is gonna come and hit earth and no one's focused then the re and they're the administration and that show saying, don't look up, don't look up. And they do a whole thing called don't look up. And it's like, look up. I'm telling you what's going to happen. There's so many examples of this, whether it's Donald Trump's disastrous trade war, whether it's Donald Trump's gutting of Health and Human Services, whether it's, you know, again, here cutting FEMA as we head into hurricane season. What's gonna happen when there's a hurricane and there's no fema? Like, don't you see that's in the horizon of what's going to happen? And then what, he's gonna blame it on someone. I mean, the reality is for Cameron Hamilton, him getting fired may actually be the best thing to happen to him because he would have been the fall guy for sure of the disasters that can happen around the horizon. This is why I say I don't care if you're from a red state or a blue state or a purple state. There shouldn't be a Democrat or Republican issue. As Congressmember Moskowitz said, sure, you want to enhance the efficiencies of female there's ways to do it, but you can't just get rid of it. And that's what the Trump regime legitimately wants to do. And you saw the receipts right there. Tell me what you think hit subscribe let's get to 5 million subscribers. Can't get enough Midas? Check out the Midas plus substack for ad. Free articles, reports, podcasts, daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski and more. Sign up for free [e-mail].