Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump’s Worst Nightmare Arrives as Tables Are Turned
Date: August 25, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett & Jordy Meiselas

Overview

This episode zeroes in on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s inventive and relentless campaign to troll, mock, and fact-check Donald Trump and the MAGA movement on social media. The MeidasTouch brothers, especially Ben, break down Newsom’s strategies, the importance of punching back against disinformation, and why Democrats must be on offense to counter MAGA talking points.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gavin Newsom’s Trolling and Social Media Campaign

(Starts 00:30)

• Newsom’s Meme Warfare: Newsom launches merchandise like “Make America Gavin Again” (MAGA), playing on Trump’s famed slogan but with a satiric twist.

• Highlights from his Patriot Shop: Hats saying “Newsom was right about everything,” shirts stating “Trump is not hot,” and “Newsom 2026” mugs. Even a ‘signed’ Holy Bible — mocking Trump’s infamous “God Bless the USA” Bible sales.

• Ben’s Take:

  “California Governor Gavin Newsom is in Donald Trump’s head 24/7 living there rent free.” (B, 00:30)

• Satire as a Political Weapon: Newsom doesn’t just mock. He fact-checks in real-time, directly rebutting Fox News pundits and MAGA influencers with hard data.

2. Fact-Checking Red State vs. Blue State Narratives

(Starts 03:50)

• Newsom’s State-by-State Comparisons:

  • Louisiana’s murder rate nearly three times California’s.
  • Dallas’s murder rate double that of LA.
  • San Francisco’s murder rate at a 60-year low, compared to Memphis, which has 8x as many murders.
  • Red states (Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas) have higher crime, worse education, and health metrics — yet attack California.

• Ben’s Commentary:

  “When you look at these red states, they’re usually like the lowest in education… the worst in every station.” (B, 05:30)

  • California as a ‘Donor State’: CA gives $80B more to the federal government than it receives. Texas, by contrast, is a “taker state,” receiving $75B more than it gives.

• The Need to Punch Back:

  “Big lies become reality if you don’t punch these morons back. You gotta punch hard… You gotta go on the offense.” (B, 06:24)

3. Newsom Fact-Checking & Mocking MAGA Disinformation

(Starts 07:50)

• Mocking Trump’s Socials & Fox News: Newsom parodies Trump’s social media style, e.g., “Fox edits the tapes… cancel their weekend stinkers.”

• Calling Out Trump’s Lies:

  • Trump claims “Deficits are down, taxes are down, energy’s down, prices are generally down.” Newsom: “We all know that’s false. If you leave your house, you know prices are up.” (B, 09:00)
  • Newsom posts Trump with a Soviet flag, sarcastically anointing him ‘Chairman Trump.’

• Topical Memes:

  • Calls out JD Vance/Stephen Miller as “Three Stooges.”
  • Wishes “Happy Birthday Stephen (Miller) aka Voldemort.”
  • Highlights the irony of Fox’s coverage and MAGA hypocrisies.

• Electricity Prices & Ghislaine Maxwell:

  • Newsom highlights rising electricity prices and zings Trump for economic mismanagement.
  • Points out inconsistencies in the coverage around Epstein/Maxwell documents (“Pam Bondi said it was on her desk for review—now there’s no list at all.”).

4. Memorable Quotes

• On Newsom’s Method:

  “He’s going on the offense, mocking these fools, mocking these idiots, mocking these fascists, but then fact checking them as well.” (B, 03:44)

• On the Importance of Fighting Back:

  “Before Governor Newsom was doing this, I saw Democrats just — oh, why even counter this?...because they’re crazy. Big lies become reality if you don’t punch these morons back.” (B, 06:24)

• On Fox News Reactions:

  “You know you’re on target right there.” (B, 14:21)

5. MAGA Media’s Response / The Right’s Meltdown

(Starts 13:57)

• Mark Levin and Fox News hosts go on the attack, trying to undermine Newsom’s newfound viral appeal.
  • Mark Levin:

    “[Newsom]’s not doing what Trump’s doing. Trump’s a success. He’s a failure, right? He’s a total failure.” (D, 14:10)

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• 00:30: Episode dives into Newsom’s “Make America Gavin Again” trolling campaign.
• 03:50: Newsom’s fact-based rebuttals of red states’ crime and economic stats.
• 05:30: Ben details red states’ poor outcomes and California’s donor status.
• 06:24: Strongest case for aggressive counter-trolling: “Big lies become reality...”
• 07:50: Newsom mocks Fox News, Trump, and other MAGA influencers with parody posts.
• 13:57: Fox News personalities meltdown over Newsom’s memes and tactics.

Tone & Style

Throughout the episode, the Meidas brothers balance their news commentary with characteristic brotherly banter and biting humor, consistently showing unapologetic support for democracy and progressive tactics. The tone is irreverent, direct, and combative—mirroring the style of Newsom himself.

Conclusion

In this episode, the MeidasTouch Podcast shines a spotlight on the new Democratic playbook: adopting aggressive, meme-driven, satirical social media strategies to counter MAGA propaganda—and, more importantly, to make rightwing media lose its composure. With Governor Gavin Newsom leading the way, the brothers argue, Democrats finally seem ready to go on the offensive and refuse to let the far right’s narrative stand unopposed.