The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Top Aide Gets Exposed by Cross-Exam in Senate Hearing
Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

In this explosive episode, the Meiselas brothers dive deep into a dramatic U.S. Senate hearing in which FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr—an outspoken Trump appointee—faces tough cross-examination from Democratic senators. The hearing exposes Carr's alignment with Donald Trump and his apparent departure from the FCC’s long tradition of independence. The brothers guide listeners through key moments, direct exchanges, and stunning admissions that raise serious concerns about free speech, media censorship, and the politicization of federal agencies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Central Senate Hearing: FCC's (In)dependence Exposed

• The brothers recount how Democrats seized the opportunity to formally question Brendan Carr, the FCC commissioner notorious for targeting media critical of Trump.
• Carr publicly admits that he no longer treats the FCC as an independent agency, a jarring deviation from precedent.
  • Notable Exchange (01:33–03:21): Senator Lujan cross-examines Carr, who evades and finally concedes that the FCC “is not an independent agency.”
  • Quote:

    "The FCC is not an independent agency." – Brendan Carr (02:02)

2. The FCC Website Scramble

• As Carr testified, the FCC quietly removed “independent agency” from its website, directly responding to the scrutiny playing out in real-time.
• The brothers highlight the unprecedented nature of this immediate digital whitewashing.

3. Trump’s Meddling in Media Regulation

• Senator Kim’s probing confronts the core issue: Is Carr acting at Trump’s direction, weaponizing FCC powers against media critics and satirists?
  • Notable Exchange (05:25–07:41):
    • Senator: “Would it be appropriate for the President or senior administration officials to give you direction to pressure media companies?”
    • Carr dodges, admits Trump can remove FCC members “for any reason or no reason.” (07:59)
  • Quote:

    “The president can remove any member of the commission for any reason or no reason.” – Brendan Carr (07:59)

  • Quote:

    "Your failure to... show there's integrity in this process concerns me... I do not trust you that you can make these decisions with the independent mind that is needed." – Senator Kim (06:29)

4. Is Trump the Boss of the FCC?

• Under withering questioning, Carr tacitly affirms his allegiance to the president.
  • Memorable Segment (08:56–10:34):
    • Carr: “President Trump has designated me as chairman of the FCC… I can be fired by the president. The president is the head of the executive branch.”
    • The oath of office and whether it’s meant to serve the president or the Constitution become focal points.
  • Quote:

    “President Trump has designated me as chairman... I think it comes as no surprise that I'm aligned with President Trump on policy.” – Brendan Carr (09:36)

5. The Chilling Effects on Comedy and Satire

• Senators delve into Carr’s high-profile threats against journalists and comedians, especially around Jimmy Kimmel’s anti-Trump monologues.

  • Notable Exchange (11:01–15:45):

    • Senator Schatz presses whether satire is now at risk of FCC reprisal.
    • Carr claims enforcement of “public interest”, but wavers on definitions and the scope, leading to intense back-and-forth on selective targeting (Kimmel but not Fox).

  • Quote:

    “Do you think it is appropriate to use your position to threaten companies that broadcast political satire?” – Senator Klobuchar (19:55)

  • Quote:

    "You have launched investigations into every major broadcast network except Fox, is that correct?" – Senator Klobuchar (20:30)

• Senator Markey brands Carr a “Federal Censorship Commission” head, underscoring widespread concern about political weaponization.

  • Quote:

    "Actually, you're now the chairman of the Federal Censorship Commission. And these broadcasters, they feel that censorship." – Senator Markey (27:32)

6. Attempts to Reframe and Deflect

• Carr and Republicans try to turn the tables by referencing supposed Democratic hypocrisy, but hosts point out key differences: No previous president ever explicitly tried to direct the FCC to punish a comedian or a critic.

7. The Authoritarian Symbolism at the White House

• The brothers close with coverage of a bizarre development: Trump’s White House wall now displays insulting, false descriptions of past presidents, emblematic of the broader anti-democratic tendencies discussed during the hearing.
  • Quote:

    "This is now officially affixed to the White House. 'Sleepy Joe Biden was by far the worst president in American history...'" – Host (28:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The FCC is not an independent agency.”
  — Brendan Carr (02:02)
• “Would it be appropriate for the President... to give you direction to pressure media companies?”
  — Senator Kim (05:50)
• "President Trump has designated me as chairman... I think it comes as no surprise that I'm aligned with President Trump on policy."
  — Brendan Carr (09:36)
• "Do you think it is appropriate to use your position to threaten companies that broadcast political satire?"
  — Senator Klobuchar (19:55)
• "Actually, you're now the chairman of the Federal Censorship Commission."
  — Senator Markey (27:32)
• "Sleepy Joe Biden was by far the worst president in American history..."
  — Host reading from the White House wall (28:01)

Important Timestamps

• 01:33–03:21: Senator Lujan gets Carr to admit FCC is not independent.
• 05:25–07:41: Senator Kim interrogates Carr about taking orders from Trump.
• 08:56–10:34: Carr’s evasive answers about who he serves: Trump or the Constitution.
• 11:01–15:45: Senator Schatz and others probe Carr on censorship and satire.
• 19:09–21:55: Senator Klobuchar presses on selective investigations and the Kimmel controversy.
• 26:37–28:01: Senator Markey accuses Carr of running a censorship regime; hosts relay Trump’s new White House defacements.

Overall Tone & Language

• The brothers maintain their signature combination of legal analysis, biting humor, and urgently pro-democracy commentary.
• Senators’ tones vary from clinical legal questioning, to outright incredulity and moral outrage.
• Brendan Carr’s answers are often bureaucratic, evasive, and sometimes chilling in their bluntness.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a must-listen for anyone concerned with the independence of U.S. institutions, freedom of speech, and the rise of political retribution against critics in media. Through vivid real-time analysis of Senate testimony, MeidasTouch exposes a dangerous shift in policy and precedence at the FCC—and issues a clarion call about the stakes for American democracy ahead of the 2026 elections.