The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump Very Publicly Screws Over States Who Voted Him"

Release Date: April 13, 2025

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve into the contentious relationship between former President Donald Trump and the states that supported his candidacy—specifically focusing on his administration's handling of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid during and after Hurricane Helene.

1. Introduction to Trump's FEMA Policies

The episode opens with a robust political analysis regarding Trump's public stance and administrative actions toward FEMA, especially in states like North Carolina and Georgia that voted for him. The hosts explore how Trump's rhetoric and policies have allegedly undermined federal disaster relief efforts, leading to significant repercussions for his supporter states.

2. Trump's Denial of FEMA Aid to Supporter States

At [01:02], the primary political commentator outlines Trump's refusal to provide FEMA aid to North Carolina and Georgia amidst the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The commentator emphasizes that both states, despite being Trump strongholds, were denied crucial federal assistance:

"Donald Trump is denying FEMA aid to North Carolina in connection with Hurricane Helene... you don't get much more low than that." [01:02]

The commentator criticizes Trump's approach, highlighting the disparity between his support for FEMA during his campaign and his subsequent actions in office. This includes Trump's promises to overhaul FEMA, which he claims were never fulfilled.

3. Contrasting FEMA Responses Under Biden and Trump

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the contrasting responses of FEMA under President Biden versus Trump's administration. The commentator presents evidence from official letters to governors, demonstrating that while Biden's administration consistently activated and supported FEMA aid, Trump's administration retracted this support:

"Former President Biden immediately activated FEMA when it came to the national emergencies in both of those states over and over again, no questions asked, and supported those states relentlessly only for Donald Trump to go into those states and lie and claim that FEMA was stealing." [01:02]

Detailed excerpts from FEMA letters reveal Trump's administration denying extensions for federal cost-sharing in disaster relief, labeling the increased funding as "not warranted." These letters are juxtaposed with similar requests granted under Biden, underscoring the political motivations behind the aid denial.

4. Examination of Trump's Public Statements and Contradictions

The hosts incorporate various clips and quotes from Trump's speeches to illustrate his inconsistent messaging about FEMA. At [06:39], Trump extols his administration's previous support for FEMA:

"FEMA was great under Trump, we had tremendous success." [06:39]

However, in subsequent remarks, he accuses FEMA of misallocating funds towards illegal migrants, suggesting that this diversion of resources justifies the reduced disaster aid:

"They have to have. They have to have a meeting in Washington... They've spent it on illegal migrants." [09:58]

These contradictory statements reveal a shift from initial praise to severe criticism, raising questions about the true intentions behind his administration's FEMA policies.

5. Governors' Contrasts: Governor Kemp and Governor Cooper

To provide a balanced perspective, the hosts present statements from Governors Brian Kemp of Georgia and Roy Cooper of North Carolina. Governor Kemp refutes Trump's claims by detailing the Biden administration's prompt and generous support:

"The president just called me yesterday afternoon... We got what we need. We'll work through the federal process." [11:47]

In contrast, Governor Cooper highlights the extensive federal resources and support provided to North Carolina, emphasizing FEMA's active role in disaster response:

"This has been a massive, unprecedented response... FEMA has been on the ground with us since the very beginning." [12:21]

These testimonies serve to debunk Trump's assertions of FEMA inefficiency and mismanagement, showcasing the federal agency's unwavering support during crises.

6. Political Commentary and Conclusions

Throughout the episode, the hosts assert that Trump's actions represent a form of governmental cruelty, particularly targeting states that supported his political ambitions. They argue that by denying FEMA aid, Trump's administration inflicted unnecessary suffering on vulnerable populations:

"This is government cruelty inflicting pain and suffering on North Carolina... You literally are voting against someone who goes, yeah, you don't deserve disaster assistance." [15:14]

The commentator passionately critiques the Trump regime for undermining essential federal services, portraying these policies as a betrayal of the very voters who enabled his rise to power. They highlight the broader implications of such actions, including the erosion of trust in federal institutions and the exacerbation of disaster recovery efforts.

7. Notable Quotes and Speaker Attributions

• Political Commentator at [01:02]:

  "Donald Trump is denying FEMA aid to North Carolina in connection with Hurricane Helene... you don't get much more low than that."

• Donald Trump at [06:39]:

  "FEMA was great under Trump, we had tremendous success."

• Donald Trump at [09:58]:

  "They don't have any money. They have to have... They've spent it on illegal migrants."

• Governor Brian Kemp at [11:47]:

  "We got what we need. We'll work through the federal process."

• Governor Roy Cooper at [12:21]:

  "This has been a massive, unprecedented response... FEMA has been on the ground with us since the very beginning."

• Donald Trump at [13:35]:

  "We had a very good FEMA under Trump... they were spending hundreds of millions of dollars on something they were not supposed to."

• Political Commentator at [15:14]:

  "This is government cruelty inflicting pain and suffering on North Carolina."

8. Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with a strong condemnation of Trump's administration, framing its FEMA policies as not only inefficient but also intentionally harmful to supporter states. The hosts urge listeners to critically assess the impact of political decisions on disaster relief and to hold leaders accountable for actions that undermine democratic support systems.

Conclusion

In "Trump Very Publicly Screws Over States Who Voted Him," The MeidasTouch Podcast delivers a thorough and impassioned examination of Donald Trump's contentious FEMA policies. By juxtaposing Trump's rhetoric with official communications and governors' accounts, the podcast offers a nuanced critique of how political motivations can adversely affect disaster relief efforts. This episode serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of accountable leadership in ensuring that federal support reaches those in dire need, regardless of political affiliations.