Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode Title: Trump Unravels on Sunday as Cease Fire Collapses
Date: October 19, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Network: MeidasTouch Network
Episode Overview
This episode centers on the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire—an agreement previously touted by Donald Trump and his supporters as a historic peace deal. The hosts systematically debunk claims about Trump’s role in the ceasefire, criticize the media’s handling of the story, and analyze how various GOP figures are enabling or spinning the ongoing chaos. The show also highlights related topics including U.S. foreign policy in Latin America under Trump, Trump’s latest bizarre online behavior, and encounters between Republican leaders and the media on the claims surrounding the ceasefire and its fallout.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Collapse of the Gaza Ceasefire and Media Spin
- The hosts open with breaking news: the ceasefire in Gaza, announced days earlier, has failed. Israeli strikes resumed, humanitarian aid is blocked, and both sides blame each other for violations.
- Ben lambasts corporate media for prematurely touting the deal as historic, clarifying the MeidasTouch Network only ever called it "fragile, structurally flawed, and likely fraudulent."
- Quote:
"From day one, the Midas Touch network was never calling what transpired a historic peace deal. We called it a very fragile... likely fraudulent cease fire." – Ben (00:51)
- Quote:
- Trump’s allies, like House Speaker Mike Johnson, appeared on Sunday shows demanding Trump receive a Nobel Peace Prize for his role.
- Quote:
"We are now a truly historic peace deal that just by sheer force of his personality, President Trump was able to push through." – Mike Johnson clip played by the hosts (02:21)
- Quote:
2. Trump’s Misdirection and Erratic Messaging
- As the ceasefire collapses, Trump avoids addressing it, instead crashing weddings at Mar-a-Lago and posting on social media.
- Ben highlights Trump’s online diatribe against Colombian President Gustavo Petro, where Trump repeatedly misspells “Colombia” and accuses Petro of being a drug dealer.
- This attack was prompted by Petro criticizing alleged war crimes linked to American actions.
- Trump’s bragging about economic achievements and outlandish claims, including saying he "brought in $20 trillion," are played and mocked.
- Trump’s threat to use the Insurrection Act and claims about past presidents doing the same is called out as false.
- Quote:
"Yet another phony fraud and lie by the phony fraud Liar in Chief." – Ben (11:31)
- Quote:
3. Controversial U.S. Deals and Foreign Policy Moves
- Detailed breakdown of a Washington Post story on the Trump administration’s deal with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele:
- U.S. officials agreed to deport MS-13 leaders, some of whom were informants protected by American law enforcement, in exchange for El Salvador’s cooperation on detaining migrants.
- This is described as a betrayal of US law enforcement and a move that undermines years of anti-gang work.
- Notable Commentary:
“The deal is a deep betrayal of US law enforcement whose agents risk their lives to apprehend the gang members.” – Quoting source Douglas Farrer (09:48)
- Notable Commentary:
4. Media Coverage and Softball Questions
- Ben calls out mainstream media not just for misreporting but for soft-pedaling their coverage of Trump—ignoring, for instance, a video Trump posted literally defecating on protesters, which would have ended another presidency.
- Quote:
"Any other person who would do that, it would end their presidency. But the media goes, yeah, that's just Trump being Trump." – Ben (12:03)
- Quote:
5. GOP Leadership, Political Deflections, and the Nobel Peace Prize
- Analysis of Mike Johnson’s responses to media queries:
- On swearing in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, Johnson cites historical precedent and procedural issues, attempting to shield the delay behind institutional process. (12:41–14:10)
- On Fox, Peter Doocy’s question assumes a Trump-brokered peace deal existed in Gaza—showing the persistence of this manufactured narrative.
6. The Reality of the 'Peace Deal'
- Ben re-emphasizes how the so-called ceasefire was essentially a fiction:
- Ceasefire was not signed by either Israel or Hamas.
- Both sides accuse each other of violation; hostages were only mostly returned under Biden, not Trump.
- Both Israeli and Hamas leaders reject meaningful compromise or steps toward peace.
- Quote:
"He made up a fake ceasefire that lasted zero days. As soon as he announced it, there were Palestinians who were being killed and both sides were accusing each other of violations." – Ben (16:07)
- Quote:
- Zelensky was questioned about Trump’s supposed negotiating prowess, exposing how media questions are sometimes built on false premises.
7. MAGA Republican Deference and Further Absurdities
- Example of MAGA Sen. Jim Banks deferring to Trump’s idea of a Russia–Alaska tunnel, satirized by the hosts as pure sycophancy.
- Quote:
"Whatever Donald Trump says...I’ll defer to President Trump." – Sen. Jim Banks, via clip (18:25)
- Quote:
Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp
- "We called it...fragile and structurally flawed and likely fraudulent cease fire." – Ben (00:51)
- “We are now a truly historic peace deal that just by sheer force of his personality, President Trump was able to push through.” – Mike Johnson (02:21)
- “He spells Columbia incorrectly...1, 2, 3, 4 times in this rambling, ranting post…” – Ben (04:30)
- "The deal is a deep betrayal of US law enforcement whose agents risk their lives..." – Ben quoting Douglas Farrer (09:48)
- "Yet another phony fraud and lie by the phony fraud Liar in Chief." – Ben (11:31)
- “Any other person who would do that, it would end their presidency. But the media goes, yeah, that's just Trump being Trump.” – Ben (12:03)
- “He made up a fake ceasefire that lasted zero days...” – Ben (16:07)
- “Whatever Donald Trump says...I’ll defer to President Trump.” – Sen. Jim Banks (18:25)
Key Segments & Timestamps
- 00:00 – News Update: The Collapse of the Gaza Ceasefire
- 01:47 – Media Spin and The Nobel Peace Prize Narrative
- 02:21 – Mike Johnson on Trump's 'Peace Deal'
- 03:03 – Trump Clip: $20 Trillion Claim & Insurrection Act
- 04:30 – Trump’s Social Media Attacks on Colombia
- 07:00 – U.S.–El Salvador Deportation Deal Analysis
- 11:32 – Trump’s Insurrection Act Claims Debunked
- 12:03 – Media Ignoring Trump’s Vulgar Video
- 12:41 – Swearing in Rep.-Elect Grijalva: Mike Johnson’s Deflections
- 14:48 – Fox News: False Narratives About Trump’s Peace Deal
- 16:07 – The Reality of the Ceasefire / Zelensky Interview
- 18:25 – MAGA Sen. Jim Banks and the Russia–Alaska Tunnel
Tone & Language
- The hosts maintain a sarcastic, irreverent, and unapologetically critical style towards Trump, the GOP, and mainstream media credulity.
- Banter is mixed with fact-checking, mockery, and righteous anger on behalf of pro-democracy listeners.
Conclusion
For listeners, this episode provides a sharply critical and well-researched takedown of Trump's claims about the Gaza ceasefire and his broader foreign policy, while skewering the American media for misrepresenting reality and enabling political spin. The Meiselas brothers’ energetic style, infused with biting humor and sibling banter, underscores their message: vigilance and truth-telling are vital in the current political media landscape.