Trump Union Voters GET FACES EATEN by MAGA Leopards - The MeidasTouch Podcast

Summary

Summary of "Trump Union Voters GET FACES EATEN by MAGA Leopards" - The MeidasTouch Podcast

Release Date: January 2, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the Meiselas brothers delve deep into the tumultuous relationship between Donald Trump, union workers, and influential figures like Elon Musk. The discussion unravels the complexities surrounding Trump's policies towards unions, the hidden influences shaping these policies, and contrasts them with President Joe Biden's pro-union initiatives. Through sharp analysis and engaging brotherly banter, the episode sheds light on the underlying forces affecting American labor and democracy.

1. Trump's Contradictory Stance on Unions and Automation

The episode opens with a critical examination of Donald Trump’s relationship with union workers. The brothers highlight a recent event where Trump met with the head of the longshoremen's union. In his statement post-meeting, Trump professed his opposition to automation at the docks, emphasizing the detrimental effects it would have on American workers.

Unknown Political Commentator (00:00): “Donald Trump recently met with the head of the longshoremen's union... I am against automation at the docks. I think it's a bad thing.”

However, the brothers question the sincerity of Trump's stance, suggesting that his public statements often serve personal or external agendas rather than genuine concern for workers.

2. The Puppeteering Influence of Elon Musk

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Elon Musk's influence on Trump's economic policies. The commentator suggests that Musk is the "real puppet master" behind Trump's decisions, especially regarding labor and automation.

Unknown Political Commentator (00:00): “Who we saw actually is controlling Donald Trump's economic policies. For example, when it came to the H1B visa, MAGA civil war, Elon Musk posted like a six to seven minute video trashing automation at the docks.”

Musk's actions, such as reposting critical content about American ports and automation, are portrayed as undermining Trump's professed policies. This contradiction raises questions about the authenticity of Trump's commitment to protecting American workers.

3. Inconsistencies in Immigration and Labor Policies

The commentator highlights inconsistencies in Trump’s policies, particularly concerning the H1B visa program. Initially advocating for limiting visas to prioritize American workers in STEM fields, Trump later rescinds these claims, citing a shortage of qualified American engineers.

Unknown Political Commentator (00:00): “Trump said he's against expanding the H1B visa program... but then Donald Trump said, no, we actually need engineers from India.”

This flip-flopping indicates a reliance on foreign talent, which contradicts Trump's earlier rhetoric of supporting American workers first.

4. Biden’s Pro-Union Achievements vs. Trump’s Record

In stark contrast, the episode lauds President Joe Biden's administration for its unwavering support of unions. The brothers emphasize Biden’s tangible accomplishments in labor negotiations and his active presence alongside union workers.

Unknown Political Commentator (09:00): “President Biden led not by words but by deeds with the Biden administration and his support of unions.”

The commentator cites specific achievements, such as a 62% wage increase for dock workers over six years, highlighting Biden's effective leadership compared to Trump's empty promises.

5. Exposing Trump’s Hypocrisy and Harm to Workers

The podcast relentlessly critiques Trump’s detrimental impact on American workers. From opposing unions and automation to undermining labor rights, Trump's actions are depicted as self-serving and harmful to the very workforce he claims to support.

Unknown Political Commentator (09:00): “Trump is against unions. Get that through your head.”

Further accusations include Trump’s bankruptcy of companies, firing of striking workers in collaboration with Musk, and attempts to dismantle the National Labor Relations Board, effectively stripping workers of their rights.

6. The Lord-Peasant Dynamic and Oligarchic Control

A pivotal moment in the episode is the introduction of the "lord versus peasant" dynamic, as articulated by Elon Musk.

Elon Musk (11:42): “Let’s play with the idea of unions... I just don’t like anything which creates kind of a lords and peasants sort of thing.”

The commentator interprets this as a confession from oligarchs and billionaires who perpetuate economic disparities. By fostering division within unions and opposing collective bargaining, these elites maintain control over labor policies to their advantage.

7. Distraction Tactics and True Threats to Democracy

The discussion shifts to how distractions are used to divert attention from significant threats to workers' rights and democracy. Issues like transgender athletes are manipulated to distract the public from more pressing concerns such as housing shortages, Social Security cuts, and healthcare reductions.

Unknown Political Commentator (12:04): “They’re bullying you and distracting you to make you pissed off about things that don’t actually impact your lives.”

This narrative underscores the need for workers to remain vigilant and focused on policies that directly affect their livelihoods and rights.

Notable Quotes

Unknown Political Commentator (00:00): “Trump is against unions. Get that through your head.”
Unknown Political Commentator (09:00): “President Biden led not by words but by deeds with the Biden administration and his support of unions.”
Elon Musk (11:42): “I just don’t like anything which creates kind of a lords and peasants sort of thing.”
Unknown Political Commentator (12:04): “They’re bullying you and distracting you to make you pissed off about things that don’t actually impact your lives.”

Conclusion: Advocating for an Opportunity Economy

The episode wraps up with a call to action, urging listeners to support policies that foster an opportunity economy—where every individual has the chance to thrive. The brothers emphasize the importance of backing leaders who genuinely support workers and democracy over those who make hollow promises and prioritize elite interests.

Unknown Political Commentator (09:00): “As President, I will have workers' backs and finally pass the pro act and I will fight for an opportunity economy where every person has the chance not just to get by, but to get ahead.”

This concluding message reinforces the podcast's overarching theme of defending democracy and advocating for genuine support of the working class.

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments within the transcript were omitted to maintain focus on the episode's core discussions and analyses.

Transcript

Unknown Political Commentator (0:00)

Union workers who supported Donald Trump just got a rude awakening. Although the awakening should have been what Trump's done his entire life to use screwing over workers and mocking union workers. But I guess that wasn't enough. Well, Donald Trump recently met with the head of the longshoremen's union and Trump came out with a statement and he was like, I am against automation at the docks. I think it's a bad thing. But don't you realize Trump just says whatever he wants you to hear him say when he leaves a meeting? Because what did Elon Musk just do? Who's running the show? Who's the real puppet master here? Who we saw actually is controlling Donald Trump's economic policies. For example, when it came to the H1B visa, MAGA, civil war, Elon Musk posted like a six to seven minute video trashing automation at the docks. So take a look at what Elon Musk posted. You see Elon Musk repost. And here's the post by a guy named John Stossel who says, not a single American port ranks in the top 50 worldwide. How is that possible? One reason is that while other countries welcome automation, American labor unions ban it. As one commentator notes, a few weeks ago, Trump came out in favor of banning port automation. Now Elon is reposting a video that stakes out the exact opposite position. I don't know. It sounds like when Donald Trump was saying that he's against expanding the H1B visa program and that he would help Americans get those STEM jobs in science and technology and engineering and mathematics. But then Donald Trump said, no, we actually need engineers from India. We have to expand the H1B visa program because Donald Trump and Elon Musk are now saying there's simply not enough college educated Americans to fill these STEM related jobs. So we have to get the talent from India. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are calling to abolish. Yup, you guessed it, the Department of Education. So let's just, just take a look at what Donald Trump's statement was back on December, December 12th. Just so you see, it's directly at odds with what Elon just posted. Trump. And then the media runs with it. Trump comes out against port automation. Trump is against unions. Get that through your head. The guy hates unions. The guy screwed over all of his contractors. He screwed over all of the workers or most of the workers. He's bankrupted a number of companies. He has left a trail of ruin when it comes to workers. He's on audio recording with Elon Musk mocking I don't play audio of Trump anymore video of him, but the audio recording which I played for you multiple times, he praises Elon for firing striking workers. Okay. Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. You think they're your friends, union workers. You think they're the man of the unions? You think they're man of the people? They're the people who are hanging out at Mar a Lago while also filing briefs before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to eliminate the National Labor Relations Board. You're not going to have a place to bring your grievances or that will recognize the right of your union to exist. It's not even gonna matter if your labor secretary in terms of Republicans is somewhat pro labor if you don't have a forum to assert your grievance. Just so. Here's Donald Trump's post. Dec 12, 2024 Just finished a meeting with the International Longshoremen's association and its president, Harold Daggett. The executive vice president, Dennis Daggett. I guess they're all related to each other, right? I guess. I guess there's a bond, a nepotistic bond right there with the Trumps and everybody named Daggett. Apparently in this union at the leadership level, there has been a lot of discuss having to do with automation of the United States docs. I've studied automation. No you haven't. And know just about everything there is to know about it. The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt and harm it causes for American workers. In this case, our longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the US by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn't be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt. They've got record profits and I'd rather these foreign companies spend it on the men and women on our docs than machinery, which is expensive and which will constantly have to be replaced. Okay, the video that Elon Musk released, who's going to be running Doge, the one making these cuts, who's as we see is running the show before is exactly against what Donald Trump just said. I mean union workers, you think a guy who's selling fake $2 bills for $19.95 has your interest at heart? I mean, heck, Donald Trump is still out there trying to raise money right now after the election. He goes, unlike sleepy Joe Biden, Trump would never lie to you. So I'm going to do you think someone who speaks like that tells the truth? So I'm going to share the great news from our finance team. And the bad news, the great news, thousands of patriots nationwide's chipped in and is getting us within striking distance of our fec Gulp. The FEC goal of what the other the election is over. Now. You do remember though back on October you October 3, 2024, the Biden administration helped ensure that there would not be a strike at that time by the longshoremen's union and was advocating for the union workers and getting the union what it wanted. As Heather Long reported, the dock workers are heading back to work. Washington Post reported a 62% wage increase over six years. The union had initially requested 77%. Negotiations will continue on automation, but workers agree to work until at least January 15th. In other words, President Biden led not by words but by deeds with the Biden administration and his support of unions. And I can go through literally all of the unions whose pensions Biden saved. Biden was the most pro union president in history on the picket lines with union workers. Biden actually delivered 62% wage increase over six years with his Labor Department overseeing those negotiations. Okay, but a lot of you, and I think including Daggett, who seemed to be kind of very trumpy in my understanding of him and a lot of union workers, a lot of longshoremen ended up being very trumpy. So you pick the guy who basically showed up to your docks with cold pizza and made you a bunch of empty promises over the guy who quietly delivered for you and got you the things that you were actually looking for, seriously. And now you're supporting the guy who, who's got Bezos and Musk basically. Or Musk particularly living at mar a lago, $2,000 a night cottages in Mar a Lago. Who's referring to non college educated magas using the R word which I don't even want to repeat anymore, and other words to that effect. Just remember what Vice President Kamala Harris said regarding the International Longshoremen association strike back in October. She said this strike is about fairness. Foreign owned shipping companies have made record profits and executive compensation has grown. The longshoremen who play a vital role transporting essential goods across America deserve a fair share of these record profits. Donald Trump, on the other hand, wants to pull us back to a time before workers had the freedom to organize as president and he blocked overtime benefits for millions of workers workers. He appointed union busters to the National Labor Relations Board and just recently he said striking workers should be fired. Trump makes empty promises after empty promises to American workers but never delivers. He thinks our economy should only work for those who own the big skyscrapers, not those who actually build them. As President, I will have workers backs and finally pass the pro act and I will fight for an opportunity economy where every person has the chance not just to get by, but to get ahead. Look, I think that opportunity economy line did not really work for the Harris campaign. People didn't know what she was talking about with opportunity economy. But if you go into the words, she's laying it out there though, we're actually delivering for you and we did deliver for you. Trump comes with empty promises like he did before and then just lies to you and you keep on falling for it over and over and over again.