Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: “Whoa! Trump Gets Pummeled as Newsom Strikes Back”

Date: October 22, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers deliver a rapid-fire breakdown of the escalating feud between Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom. The discussion centers on Newsom’s sharp, media-savvy pushback against Trump’s recent actions and rhetoric, particularly regarding the alleged demolition of the White House, nationwide economic challenges, support for American farmers, and Trump's threats of deploying troops to American cities. The brothers blend factual analysis, passionate criticism, and trademark MeidasTouch humor to assess the political and cultural showdown, with Newsom positioned as a leading Democratic voice challenging authoritarian and MAGA-aligned policies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Newsom’s Direct Confrontation of Trump

• [01:01]
  • Governor Newsom called out Trump for “desecration of the White House,” referencing reports (real and satirical) of "bulldozers" tearing into the East Wing and posted an AI image of Trump on a wrecking ball (alluding to Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball” music video).
  • Quote: “Governor Newsom calling out Donald Trump for his desecration of the White House…Bulldozing the White House, check.” [01:12]
  • Newsom linked Trump and MAGA Republicans to deprivation of food benefits for Californians due to a government shutdown.

2. Economic Concerns and Beef Prices

• [02:57 – 04:50]
  • The brothers highlight surging grocery and beef prices and Newsom’s critique of Trump’s economic promises versus the reality.
  • Newsom posted a video clip of the iconic “Where’s the beef?” commercial, mocking Trump’s photo-op at McDonald's and his policy stance.
  • Quote: “Beef prices hit record high…It’s a very big fluffy bun…Where’s the beef?” [03:13–03:21]

3. Trump’s Policy on Beef Imports & Impact on Ranchers

• [03:46 – 04:50]
  • Newsom accused Trump of a “scheme” to flood the U.S. market with Argentinian beef, devastating U.S. ranchers as herds reach historic lows, while referencing foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Argentina.
  • Quote: “Trump’s plan to import Argentine beef…crash ranchers and depress local markets while doing nothing to actually lower the price of groceries.” [04:40]

4. Rapid-Fire Fact-Checking and Social Media Tactics

• [04:53 – 05:03]
  • The brothers note Newsom’s aggressive posting and fact-checking style, unusual in Democratic politics: “That’s how you have to do it…Trump is not used to somebody standing up to him the way Governor Newsom is.” [05:00–05:03]

5. Republican Culture & Response to Extremism

• [06:10 – 06:43]
  • Discussion of the Texas and New York Young Republicans’ support for offensive posts, with Newsom highlighting the party’s slide into extremism.
  • Quote: “It’s that easy. Like they think it’s funny…That’s just who the Republican Party has become today.” [06:43]

6. JD Vance and MAGA Identity Politics

• [08:46 – 09:11]
  • Ben criticizes JD Vance for “changing identities multiple times,” faulting him as a bad role model for young men, accusing the MAGA movement of promoting toxic masculinity and inauthenticity.
  • Quote: “These MAGA men are a bunch of frickin' weirdos saying the weirdest stuff to young men. I’m always going to call that out. Governor Newsom is calling that out too.” [09:01–09:13]

7. Defense of Democracy – “No Kings”

• [09:12 – 10:36]
  • Newsom’s posts emphasize democratic governance against alleged Trump autocracy (“No to kings. Yes to government by and for the people.” [09:49])
  • The brothers discuss the satirical image of Trump demolishing the White House to build a golden ballroom: “Ripping apart the White House just like he’s ripping apart the Constitution.” [10:33]

8. Media Pushback & Fox News Coverage

• [14:14 – 15:53]
  • The brothers play and respond to Fox News clips critiquing Newsom’s tactics. Fox’s Greg Gutfeld characterizes Newsom as an “elite overdog,” while Jessica Tarlov defends Newsom's record, listing California’s economic achievements under his leadership.
  • Quote (Tarlov): “The economy did go from in California…it was the sixth biggest in the world for Gavin Newsom and now it's the fourth biggest, which does seem like a change in the positive direction.” [14:45–15:10]

9. Show of Appreciation for Newsom’s Style

• [05:03, 16:02]
  • The brothers repeatedly celebrate Newsom’s “real-time” fact-checking and willingness to fight back against Trump and his allies, emphasizing a need for Democrats to adopt a more aggressive posture against MAGA misinformation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On supermarket price shocks:
  “I’m watching the register and I’m like, oh my God, it costs that much…It starts sounding like the hospital. Beep, beep, beep, beep…can I not get that? The cashier says they get that all the time right now.” [05:30–06:06]

• On deploying troops in cities:
  “Deploying troops in our cities with no justification, grounded in reality, no oversight, no accountability, and no respect for state sovereignty is a direct assault [on] the rule of law.” [12:13–12:21]

• On defending democracy:
  “We don’t bow to kings. We defend the Constitution.” [12:27]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:01: Newsom blasts Trump for “desecration” of the White House and posts satirical AI image.
• 02:57: Discussion shifts to economic struggles, grocery and beef prices.
• 03:46: Newsom accuses Trump of policies that would devastate U.S. ranchers.
• 04:53: Highlighting Newsom’s fast-paced social media rebuttals.
• 06:10: Young Republicans’ embrace of extremism and racist rhetoric.
• 08:46: Ben rails against JD Vance’s identity flip-flopping and MAGA “weirdos.”
• 09:49: Newsom’s “No to kings; Yes to democracy” post.
• 10:33: Satirical coverage of Trump ‘demolishing’ the White House.
• 11:14: Newsom fact-checks FBI Deputy Director (and podcaster) Dan Bongino on San Francisco crime stats.
• 12:13: Discussion of Trump threatening troop deployments to San Francisco, Newsom’s pledge to sue.
• 14:14–15:53: Fox News reactions: Gutfeld critiques; Tarlov defends Newsom.

Tone & Style

• The episode is fast-paced, humorous, and pointedly critical of Trump and MAGA-aligned Republicans.
• The interplay between the brothers adds comedic relief, but the core is a serious, fact-focused defense of democracy, with Newsom’s aggressive counter-messaging heralded as a necessary evolution for Democrats.

Conclusion

This episode spotlights Governor Gavin Newsom’s front-line defense against what the MeidasTouch brothers frame as anti-democratic and anti-worker Trump policies. The hosts champion Newsom’s willingness to deploy humor, data, and rapid responses to challenge misinformation and political attacks, highlighting a new, bolder template for Democratic leadership.

(Ads, promos, and non-content were skipped in this summary.)