The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump Utterly Screws Red States by Denying Requests"

Release Date: April 24, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Introduction

In the episode titled "Trump Utterly Screws Red States by Denying Requests," the Meiselas brothers delve into the controversial actions of former President Donald Trump concerning federal disaster relief. Host Ben leads the discussion, highlighting how Trump has systematically denied FEMA aid to states that predominantly supported him in recent elections. This episode provides a critical examination of Trump's administration policies, comparing them with the previous administration's approach under President Joe Biden.

Trump's Denial of FEMA Aid to Red States

Ben opens the conversation by addressing the apparent hostility Trump has shown towards red states that voted for him. He states:

"These states that voted for Donald Trump are getting the biggest middle finger in the world from Donald Trump when it even comes to things like disaster relief and FEMA aid." [00:00]

Ben elaborates that Trump has been issuing form letters denying disaster relief to states like Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, and North Carolina despite their substantial support in elections. For instance, Arkansas and Kentucky each voted for Trump by approximately 63-64%, yet their requests for emergency aid have been rebuffed.

He further criticizes Trump's diversion of attention from disaster relief to promoting his cryptocurrency ventures, likening it to a "pump and dump" scheme:

"Donald Trump is saying my meme coin... it went up 71% and then it right back down. It's like a pump and dump with this guy while he is okay dumping the debris and dumping all of the disastrous things that happen with natural disasters on even red states and blue states alike." [02:45]

Detailed Instances of Aid Denial

Ben presents specific cases to substantiate his claims:

1. Arkansas Tornado Relief:

   • Ben discusses how FEMA denied Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' request for both individual and public assistance following severe storms and tornadoes that resulted in over 40 fatalities. He emphasizes Trump's lack of public acknowledgment of such tragedies.

2. Kentucky Flooding Response:

   • Referring to Governor Andy Beshear's experience, Ben shares a direct quote from Beshear:

     "Today, Governor Andy Beshear announced that FEMA has denied public assistance for two counties and individual assistance for six counties affected by flooding in February." [07:23]

3. Georgia and North Carolina Debris Removal:

   • In Georgia, Governor Kemp's request for increased federal funding for debris removal was denied, compelling the state to manage debris independently.

   • Similarly, North Carolina received a letter stating:

     "Based on all of our review of all information available, it has been determined that the increased level of funding you have requested for the major disaster is not warranted." [07:23]

Ben meticulously reads excerpts from the official FEMA letters sent to these governors, highlighting the dismissive language and the denial of substantial aid despite significant natural disasters.

Comparison with Biden's FEMA Administration

To contrast Trump's approach, Ben references former President Joe Biden's handling of FEMA under his administration. He shares a clip from Biden emphasizing bipartisan support during disasters:

"And anyway, since I took office, FEMA's provided Texas alone over $13 billion in three years in disaster relief after fires and winter storms across this state when disaster strike. There's no red state or blue state where I come from." [11:34]

Ben underscores the stark difference by pointing out that while Biden's FEMA swiftly provided aid to affected states regardless of political affiliations, Trump's administration selectively withheld assistance. He accuses Trump of perpetuating false narratives about FEMA's effectiveness, contrasting it with Biden's genuine support.

Furthermore, Ben highlights Trump's misinformation campaigns during his campaign rallies, where he falsely claimed that Biden's FEMA was inefficient and harmful:

"Trump would say FEMA screwed all of you... they screwed the people of North Carolina. FEMA stole your money... Biden gave them anything they asked for." [13:42]

Critique of Corporate Media Coverage

The episode also critiques how corporate media has portrayed these events. Ben argues that mainstream media outlets have favored narratives that undermine Trump while praising Biden's administration, leading to a polarized and misleading portrayal of FEMA's actions under both presidencies. He expresses frustration over the media's reluctance to report on the aid denials faced by red states, suggesting a biased agenda that favors Democratic leadership.

Implications for Medicaid and State-federal Relations

Ben extends the discussion to the broader implications of Trump's policies, particularly regarding Medicaid. He explains that the Trump and MAGA Republican agenda aims to reduce federal involvement by shifting Medicaid entirely to the states. This maneuver risks the collapse of Medicaid services in states unable to sustain them without federal support, further burdening state governments and exacerbating public health crises.

Conclusion and Call to Action

In wrapping up, Ben emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the systemic withholding of federal aid to states that supported Trump. He urges listeners to stay informed and vigilant against what he describes as a "fascist authoritarian regime" that prioritizes oligarchs over ordinary citizens. Ben calls for increased awareness and support for networks like MeidasTouch that strive to disseminate truthful information and counteract misleading media narratives.

"The federal government's not supposed to inflict pain and suffering, disappear people, torture people, make people feel like crap... Do not run away. We need to be aware of what's going on." [14:03]

He concludes with a plea for audience engagement:

"Hit subscribe. Let's get to 5 million subscribers. Thanks for watching." [15:00]

Notable Quotes

• Ben on Trump's Aid Denials:

  "Donald Trump is sending the same kind of form letter saying, we are not giving you aid. He did it recently in Arkansas. He did it recently in Kentucky. He did it recently in Georgia. He did it recently in North Carolina." [00:00]

• Ben on FEMA's Response:

  "Based on all of our review of all information available, it has been determined that the increased level of funding you have requested for the major disaster is not warranted." [07:23]

• Joe Biden on FEMA Support:

  "There's no red state or blue state where I come from." [11:34]

• Ben's Final Appeal:

  "The federal government's not supposed to inflict pain and suffering... Do not run away. We need to be aware of what's going on." [14:03]

Final Thoughts

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast presents a critical perspective on former President Trump's handling of federal disaster relief efforts, particularly towards states that supported him politically. Through detailed analysis and direct excerpts from FEMA communications, the hosts argue that Trump's administration prioritized political loyalty over effective governance. By juxtaposing Trump's policies with Biden's more inclusive approach, the episode underscores the significance of federal support in times of crisis and calls for greater accountability and transparency in government actions.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the network's content, support their mission to uphold democracy, and remain informed about governmental policies affecting their communities.

Note: This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the key discussions and viewpoints presented in the episode. It does not endorse or critique the opinions expressed by the hosts.