Podcast Summary: Yikes! Republicans Crumble on Live TV over Trump Crash
Podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)
Air Date: November 17, 2025
Main Theme
This episode dismantles recent Republican talking points and public appearances relating to economic instability, spiraling food and energy prices, Trump administration failures, and the ongoing healthcare debate. The Meiselas brothers use humor, sharp fact-checks, and relentless commentary to highlight perceived contradictions and blunders from Trump administration officials and Republican lawmakers, all seen on recent live televised segments.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. GOP Leaders Flounder on Inflation and Food Prices
Timestamps: 00:22 – 05:05
- Clips feature Trump’s economic advisor Kevin Hassett and Republican representatives trying and failing to justify rising costs for basic goods.
- Hassett attempts to deflect grocery price spikes by cherry-picking categories (like eggs temporarily dropping).
- GOP lawmakers claim certain issues (like meat prices) are caused by targeted, external factors (e.g., border closures, pest infestations).
- Hassett’s attempt to credit the Trump administration for “cheaper Thanksgiving dinners” is debunked live: current calculations use fewer items and only generic brands, painting a misleading picture of affordability.
Quote:
“Thanksgiving, if you're going to the store to buy groceries... it's going to be more expensive this year.”
— Kevin Hassett, fact-checked live (03:11)
2. Tariff Policy Contradictions
Timestamps: 04:35 – 07:58
- Treasury Secretary Scott Besant outlines plans to remove tariffs to lower prices, but is called out for the hypocrisy—these are problems his administration created.
- Besant calls Trump-era tariffs “signature policy,” yet blames increased prices on them, then expects praise for their removal.
- When questioned by Fox’s Maria Bartiromo about when Americans will feel relief, Besant deflects, offering vague promises for late 2026.
Quote:
“So not only will the tariffs come off... as a result of trade deals going through... now we will see it affect the prices.”
— Treasury Secretary Scott Besant (04:35)
“Traditionally, the Supreme Court does not interfere with a president's signature policy...”
— Scott Besant, justifying tariff persistence (05:58)
3. Disconnect Between Promises and Economic Reality
Timestamps: 07:58 – 10:13
- The hosts lampoon Trump’s ongoing claims of a “golden age,” pointing to current indicators: soaring jobless claims, contracting GDP, and widespread financial hardship.
- Trump officials dodge responsibility, blaming inherited circumstances and repeatedly pushing resolution timelines further into the future.
Quote:
“Didn't Donald Trump promise that on day one, everything was going to be cheaper?... He's out there saying golden age right now.”
— Host commentary (07:58)
4. Healthcare Debate: Repeal, Replace...but With What?
Timestamps: 12:11 – 22:40
- MAGA Senator John Barrasso repeatedly sidesteps questions about a concrete Republican healthcare plan.
- Broader Republican strategy evinces a pattern: criticize Obamacare, promise an undefined solution, avoid specifics.
- Senator Cassidy suggests giving subsidy money directly to people to negotiate individually with insurance companies—a proposal the hosts skewer as impractical and cruel.
Quote:
“If I stole a thousand dollars from you and then gave you $200 back, I shouldn't be bragging that I gave you $200 back. I stole $800 from you.”
— Host, analogy on gutted healthcare subsidies (13:58)
Quote:
“The President is proposing that we take the $26 billion that would be going to insurance companies... give it directly to the American people in an account... It's a sweet spot.”
— Senator Cassidy, discussing direct cash approach (19:21)
5. Repeated Deflections and Blame Shifting
Timestamps: 14:27 – 18:24
- Republican officials, on air, consistently point fingers at Democrats for rising premiums under Obamacare.
- When pressed for a Republican solution to healthcare and costs, responses return to blaming existing Democratic policy and touting vague, “market-driven” alternatives.
Quote:
“The Democrats are at fault for this. And in fact, we even had a solution for this in the big beautiful bill.”
— Republican Senator or GOP Representative (18:10)
6. Cluelessness & Gaslighting: Final Moments
Timestamps: 20:05 – 22:40
- Trump’s former lawyer Todd Blanche vows to finally investigate Jeffrey Epstein, despite broad skepticism—a line the hosts mock as empty posturing.
- A MAGA Congress Member advocates for high deductibles and “skin in the game,” disregarding the financial realities for regular Americans.
- Dr. Oz appears confused about the basics of health insurance selection under Obamacare, further exemplifying the lack of substantive GOP plans.
Quote:
“It's because when people have skin in the game... high deductible plans with Health Savings Accounts will do that.”
— MAGA Republican Congress Member (21:00)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Thanksgiving, if you're going to the store to buy groceries for Thanksgiving, it's going to be more expensive this year.” — Kevin Hassett (03:11)
- “Traditionally the Supreme Court does not interfere with a president's signature policy. Two, this is an emergency authority.” — Scott Besant (05:58)
- “Didn't Donald Trump promise that on day one, everything was going to be cheaper?” — Host, Ben Meiselas (07:58)
- “If I stole a thousand dollars from you and then gave you $200 back... I stole $800 from you.” — Host (13:58)
- “The President is proposing that we take the $26 billion... give it directly to the American people... It's a sweet spot.” — Republican Senator Cassidy (19:21)
- “It's because when people have skin in the game... high deductible plans with Health Savings Accounts...” — MAGA Republican Congress Member (21:00)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 01:02 – Kevin Hassett and GOP on food inflation
- 02:44 – Live fact-checking of Thanksgiving price claims
- 04:35 – Treasury Secretary Scott Besant on tariffs
- 07:18 – “Parallel prosperity” and future economic promises
- 12:11 – MAGA Senator Barrasso dodging healthcare repeal specifics
- 19:21 – Senator Cassidy on cash-for-insurance proposal
- 21:00 – High deductible plans endorsement
Tone & Style
The episode is delivered with sharp wit and biting sarcasm, complemented by the classic “brotherly banter” of the hosts. While unreservedly critical, the coverage is substantive, blending fact-checking with humor and a populist defense of democracy and working-class Americans.
Bottom Line
The MeidasTouch brothers deconstruct the GOP's on-air failures, calling out hypocrisy, empty promises, and policy confusion amid economic hardships. This episode serves as a bracing climate check for anyone grappling with real-world costs and concerned by the lack of substantive Republican solutions—wrapping factual analysis in the entertaining, combative MeidasTouch style.