The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: "Trump Spirals all Morning as Vote He Feared Arrives"

Date: November 19, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode dives headfirst into the political chaos as Congress faces a critical vote on the release of the Epstein files, an event Donald Trump and House Speaker "MAGA Mike" Johnson have tried to block. The Meiselas brothers scrutinize the GOP’s ongoing efforts to protect powerful figures, analyze Trump’s increasingly erratic public statements, and break down major stories around jobs, international relations, and the persistent threat of misinformation. The tone is urgent, biting, and filled with their typical blend of humor and deep frustration over attacks on democracy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Epstein Files Vote and GOP Obstruction

• Judgment Day: Today marks the long-anticipated vote in the House to release the Epstein files ([03:27]), with broad expectation that the measure will pass.

• GOP Tactics: Ben explains the Republican plan—specifically from Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump allies—to “poison pill” the bill in the Senate, undermining transparency by either delaying, redacting, or outright blocking parts referencing Trump or other powerful figures ([03:27-05:00]).

• Victim Privacy Claim: MAGA Mike Johnson publicly asserts releasing the files would harm “new victims” (i.e., men referenced in the files), but Ben pushes back, framing this as a transparent cover-up for the rich and powerful ([05:00-06:40]).

  Key Quote (MAGA Mike, 05:43):
  “The discharge petition could create new victims... Releasing information containing the names of innocent people would subject those innocent people to a guilt by association. It would create an entirely new group of victims who have no means to clear their names.”

  Ben immediately rebuts, “And by new victims, these sickos are referring to the rich and powerful men who are referenced throughout the files.” ([06:40])

2. Epic Deflection: Trump and His Defenders

• Mike Johnson Exonerates Trump: Johnson emphatically denies Trump has any connection to the Epstein scandal ([06:46-07:07]).

  Key Quote (MAGA Mike, 06:46):
  “President Trump has nothing to do with it. He has said himself he has nothing to hide... They weaponize the justice system... This is their latest attempt.”

• Ben’s Response: Ben promises further breakdown but immediately pivots to other alarming Trump-related news ([07:07]).

3. Other News: Economy & AI Bubble

• Rising Joblessness: Jobless claims have increased to 232,000 in one week, signaling nearly a million jobs lost per month—economic territory unseen since the Great Recession or COVID ([07:07-08:15]).
• Stock Market Fears: Ben discusses possible signs of the AI-driven stock bubble deflating, with major indices (Dow, S&P, Nasdaq) each dropping over 1% ([08:15-09:00]).

4. Trump’s Link to Andrew Tate

• Intervention for Sex Trafficker: ProPublica reports that Trump and allies intervened with federal authorities to halt the investigation and seizure of devices from Andrew Tate, an accused international sex trafficker, upon his arrival in the US ([09:00-10:45]).
• Paul In Grasssi’s Role: Trump confidant In Grasssi, denied a top government appointment due to past scandals, was key to helping the Tate brothers evade scrutiny.

5. Republican Hypocrisy on Epstein Files

• Shifting Blame: Republicans like Nicole Malliotakis claim credit for action on the Epstein files, despite months obstructing the same through refusal to support the discharge petition ([10:45-11:50]).
• Discharge Petition Explained: The vote is only happening due to bipartisan effort—Democrats plus a handful of GOP members (Massie, Boebert, Greene, Mace)—forcing the hand of House leadership ([10:45-11:50]).
• Excuses from GOP: Rep. Jimmy Patronis and others offer “lame and pathetic” justifications for not signing earlier ([11:50-12:09]).

6. Survivor’s Powerful Testimony

• Emotional Speech: A survivor confronts Congress about the real dangers of their delays and political cowardice ([12:09-13:32]).

  Key Quote (Survivor, 12:56):
  “I am traumatized. I am not stupid… You have put us through so much stress… This is America. This is land of the free… I do not feel free today... I am begging every member of Congress... Choose the children. Protect the children.”

• Echoed by Fellow Advocates: Shouts from the crowd, “All children,” reinforce the demand for real protection over political games ([13:31-13:32]).

7. Other Top Stories

• Measles Outbreaks: CDC warns that increased outbreaks, especially in anti-vaccine MAGA regions, may strip the U.S. of its measles-free status ([15:07-15:27]).

• Trump’s Saudi Affair: Trump hosts Saudi Crown Prince MBS at the White House, complete with military pomp, linking his personal financial entanglements to broader U.S. interests. Trump’s involvement in massive Saudi real estate ventures—potentially up to $63 billion—draws Meiselas’ ire ([15:27-18:30]).

  Ben (17:23): “Donald Trump’s gotta get his cash, everybody. He’s gotta get that do-ray-me, while we the people suffer... Trump making those Benjamins, he’s making that money… so utterly despicable.”

• Nicki Minaj, U.N. Ambassador?: Ben jabs at the absurdity of Nicki Minaj’s alleged appointment as U.N. ambassador to Nigeria, noting the surreal alignment of celebrity and statecraft in Trump’s America ([18:30-19:30]).

8. Trump’s Attacks on Female Reporters

• Sexist Insults: Trump, during a presser, calls a Bloomberg reporter “piggy,” with Ben highlighting the misogyny and double standards ([19:30-20:19]).

  Ben (19:40): “Donald Trump’s new attack on female reporters is to call them piggy. And he says, quiet Piggy, Quiet Piggy… and Trump’s the biggest pig of them all.”

9. Trump’s Social Media Meltdown

• Outraged Over Indiana Redistricting: Trump threatens GOP leaders in Indiana over redistricting stalling, demanding loyalty and promising primaries for dissenters ([20:20-21:20]).

• Healthcare Rant: Trump’s contradictory plan to “give money to people, not insurers,” is eviscerated as fantasy by Ben, who skewers the lack of substance and honest policy, calling for a refocusing on real healthcare reforms ([21:20-22:33]).

  Ben (21:55): “…if we put that money and devoted it towards healthcare and use the leverage of the government to negotiate down prices… maybe that’s something that we can do to lower healthcare costs. My own view: I’d like to see universal healthcare… That’s what I would like to see.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Comment | |-----------|---------|---------------| | 05:43 | Mike Johnson (clip) | “The discharge petition could create new victims...by releasing the names of innocent people...” | | 06:46 | Mike Johnson (clip) | “President Trump has nothing to do with it. He has said himself he has nothing to hide.” | | 12:56 | Survivor | “I am traumatized. I am not stupid. You have put us through so much stress...I do not feel free today.” | | 17:23 | Ben | “Trump making those Benjamins, he’s making that money… so utterly despicable.” | | 19:40 | Ben | “Trump’s the biggest pig of them all.” | | 21:55 | Ben | “…maybe that’s something that we can do to lower healthcare costs. My own view: I’d like to see universal healthcare… That’s what I would like to see.” |

Important Timestamps

• 03:27: Ben introduces the day’s main conflict—the Epstein files vote and GOP plans to obstruct.
• 05:43: MAGA Mike Johnson expresses “concerns” about releasing the names in Epstein files.
• 06:46: Johnson denies Trump involvement in the scandal.
• 09:00: ProPublica report on Trump intervening for Andrew Tate.
• 10:45: GOP hypocrisy on the Epstein file discharge petition.
• 12:09: Survivor delivers emotional testimony at Capitol Hill.
• 15:07: CDC warns about new measles outbreaks.
• 17:23: Trump’s business dealings with Saudi Arabia highlighted.
• 19:30: Trump insults female reporter as “Piggy.”
• 20:20: Trump’s social media rage over Indiana and healthcare.
• 21:20: Ben critiques Trump’s fantasy healthcare pitch.

Tone & Takeaways

The episode’s tone is urgent, incredulous, and often darkly comic. The brothers' banter is evident in their sarcastic take-downs, but the underlying message is dead serious: powerful people, Trump foremost among them, are actively trying to subvert democracy and accountability. They demand that listeners stay engaged, skeptical, and vocal about holding officials to account—urging support for victims and for real, substantive reforms.

For anyone who missed the episode:
You’ll walk away understanding how the vote on the Epstein files became a flashpoint for GOP hypocrisy, how Trump and his circle continue to manipulate government and public perception to their benefit, and why the brothers believe protecting democracy and the vulnerable is a never-ending battle—one that requires vigilance, truth-telling, and, in their own irreverent way, relentless pressure.