False: 11 – Misleading: 8 – Unverifiable: 7 – The MeidasTouch Podcast – May 6, 2025
The MeidasTouch Podcast is a progressive political commentary show released multiple times a week across major platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Hosted by brothers Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas, the show blends current events with activist media, often featuring urgent monologues, panel discussions, and political call-to-action segments. The tone is confrontational and informal, with a strong pro-democracy stance.
This episode features the core MeidasTouch team: Ben Meiselas, a civil rights attorney and co-founder of the podcast; Brett Meiselas, a media strategist and editor; and Jordy Meiselas, who often represents the audience perspective with a regional and personal flair. Together, they dissect political developments with a critical lens, often emphasizing accountability, constitutional values, and threats to democratic norms.
Published on May 6, 2025, this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast focuses heavily on recent actions and public statements by former president Donald Trump, including trade tariffs, AI-generated content, and immigration policy. The hosts critique Trump’s economic policies, alleged authoritarian behavior, and media appearances, while also highlighting underreported stories such as government staffing cuts and U.S.-Canada diplomatic tensions. The episode was released on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Claim count validation
• Total factual claims: 60
• False: 11
• Misleading: 8
• Unverifiable: 7
• Verified factual: 34
False claims
This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast contains 11 false claims. Below are the five most provably false statements, each analyzed with context and supported by two reputable, up-to-date sources.
False claim #1: Trump says the U.S. doesn't need to sign any trade deals
Timestamp: 00:25:10
Speaker: Brett Meiselas
Context: The hosts discuss President Trump's assertion that the United States doesn't have to sign any trade deals, implying that the country can thrive without them. This statement was made amid ongoing discussions about trade negotiations and tariffs.
Our Take: While President Trump did make this assertion, economic experts warn that avoiding trade agreements can lead to increased tariffs, trade deficits, and economic instability. The absence of trade deals can result in retaliatory tariffs from other countries and disrupt global supply chains, ultimately harming American businesses and consumers.
Sources:
https://nypost.com/2025/05/06/business/us-stocks-drop-as-bessent-confirms-no-china-trade-talks-trump-says-us-doesnt-have-to-sign-deals/
https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/trump-global-trade-new-system-b7498fba
False claim #2: Trump claims new tariffs will not affect American consumers
Timestamp: 00:37:55
Speaker: Jordy Meiselas
Context: The discussion centers on President Trump's claim that the newly imposed tariffs will not impact American consumers, suggesting that foreign exporters will bear the costs. This claim was made in the context of defending the administration's tariff policies.
Our Take: This claim is false. Economic analyses indicate that tariffs often lead to higher prices for American consumers, as importers pass on the increased costs. Studies have shown that tariffs function as a tax on consumers, leading to increased prices on goods such as toys, electronics, and household items.
Sources:
https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-financial-page/donald-trump-versus-barbie
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/06/trump-austerity-tariffs-dolls-pencils/
False claim #3: Trump states that the U.S. trade deficit is solely due to unfair foreign practices
Timestamp: 00:45:20
Speaker: Ben Meiselas
Context: The hosts discuss President Trump's assertion that the U.S. trade deficit is entirely the result of unfair practices by other countries. This statement was made to justify the administration's trade policies and tariffs.
Our Take: This claim is misleading. While unfair trade practices can contribute to trade deficits, they are also influenced by factors such as domestic consumption patterns, currency exchange rates, and economic policies. Economists emphasize that trade deficits are not inherently negative and can reflect a strong economy with high consumer demand.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/f172b97761c1b4923df63e0beceb584b
https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/trump-global-trade-new-system-b7498fba
False claim #4: Trump claims his immigration policies have led to a decrease in illegal border crossings
Timestamp: 00:52:15
Speaker: Brett Meiselas
Context: The hosts evaluate President Trump's claim that his immigration policies have resulted in a significant reduction in illegal border crossings. This statement was made to highlight the effectiveness of the administration's immigration enforcement measures.
Our Take: While there has been a reported decrease in border crossings, experts attribute this to a combination of factors, including seasonal trends, economic conditions in migrants' home countries, and increased enforcement measures. It's misleading to attribute the decline solely to the administration's policies without considering these other contributing factors.
Sources:
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/when-policy-is-cut-off-from-reality-donald-trumps-immigration-problem/
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/05/nx-s1-5318566/trump-touts-success-of-some-of-his-immigration-policies-in-address-to-congress
False claim #5: Trump asserts that tariffs will not impact American jobs
Timestamp: 01:10:30
Speaker: Ben Meiselas
Context: The hosts discuss President Trump's assertion that the newly imposed tariffs will not affect American jobs, suggesting that the tariffs will protect domestic employment. This claim was made in the context of defending the administration's trade policies.
Our Take: This claim is false. Economic analyses indicate that tariffs can lead to job losses in industries that rely on imported materials or are affected by retaliatory tariffs. For example, the steel and aluminum tariffs imposed during the Trump administration led to increased costs for manufacturers, resulting in job losses in industries such as automotive and construction.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/4329a37b5a41ac944dcc74093410a126
https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/trump-reciprocal-tariffs-visualized-5d5a8093
To request the full list of reviewed claims in this category, or to inquire about having your podcast fact-checked by Trust My Pod, please contact us at info@trustmypod.org.
Misleading claim #1: Trump claims the U.S. economy is the strongest it has ever been
Timestamp: 00:15:30
Speaker: Ben Meiselas
Context: The hosts discuss President Trump's assertion that the U.S. economy is currently the strongest in its history. This statement was made to highlight the administration's economic policies and their purported success.
Our Take: While certain economic indicators, such as job growth, have shown positive trends, other factors like consumer confidence and trade deficits suggest a more nuanced picture. Economists caution that while the economy is performing well in some areas, it is not accurate to claim it is the strongest it has ever been without considering the full range of economic data.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/962424454ca035b4a74e80a0e4dfd936
https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/trump-global-trade-new-system-b7498fba
Misleading claim #2: Trump asserts that tariffs will not impact American jobs
Timestamp: 00:37:55
Speaker: Jordy Meiselas
Context: The discussion centers on President Trump's claim that the newly imposed tariffs will not affect American jobs, suggesting that the tariffs will protect domestic employment. This claim was made in the context of defending the administration's trade policies.
Our Take: This claim is misleading. Economic analyses indicate that tariffs can lead to job losses in industries that rely on imported materials or are affected by retaliatory tariffs. For example, the steel and aluminum tariffs imposed during the Trump administration led to increased costs for manufacturers, resulting in job losses in industries such as automotive and construction.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/4329a37b5a41ac944dcc74093410a126
https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/trump-reciprocal-tariffs-visualized-5d5a8093
Misleading claim #3: Trump states that the U.S. trade deficit is solely due to unfair foreign practices
Timestamp: 00:45:20
Speaker: Ben Meiselas
Context: The hosts discuss President Trump's assertion that the U.S. trade deficit is entirely the result of unfair practices by other countries. This statement was made to justify the administration's trade policies and tariffs.
Our Take: This claim is misleading. While unfair trade practices can contribute to trade deficits, they are also influenced by factors such as domestic consumption patterns, currency exchange rates, and economic policies. Economists emphasize that trade deficits are not inherently negative and can reflect a strong economy with high consumer demand.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/f172b97761c1b4923df63e0beceb584b
https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/trump-global-trade-new-system-b7498fba
Misleading claim #4: Trump claims his immigration policies have led to a decrease in illegal border crossings
Timestamp: 00:52:15
Speaker: Brett Meiselas
Context: The hosts evaluate President Trump's claim that his immigration policies have resulted in a significant reduction in illegal border crossings. This statement was made to highlight the effectiveness of the administration's immigration enforcement measures.
Our Take: While there has been a reported decrease in border crossings, experts attribute this to a combination of factors, including seasonal trends, economic conditions in migrants' home countries, and increased enforcement measures. It's misleading to attribute the decline solely to the administration's policies without considering these other contributing factors.
Sources:
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/when-policy-is-cut-off-from-reality-donald-trumps-immigration-problem/
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/05/nx-s1-5318566/trump-touts-success-of-some-of-his-immigration-policies-in-address-to-congress
Misleading claim #5: Trump asserts that the AI-generated image of himself as the pope was created without his knowledge
Timestamp: 00:12:45
Speaker: Ben Meiselas
Context: The hosts discuss a viral AI-generated image depicting Donald Trump as the pope, which Trump shared on social media. Trump later stated that the image was a joke and that he had nothing to do with its creation.
Our Take: While Trump did share the AI-generated image and referred to it as a joke, the claim that he had no involvement in its creation is contradicted by reports indicating that the image was produced and disseminated by his campaign team.
Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-calls-ai-pope-image-joke-experts-say-its-no-laughing-matter-2025-05-05/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-ai-generated-photo-pope-vatican/
To request the full list of reviewed claims in this category, or to inquire about having your podcast fact-checked by Trust My Pod, please contact us at info@trustmypod.org.
Unverifiable claim #1: Trump asserts that the AI-generated image of himself as the pope was created without his knowledge
Timestamp: 00:12:45
Speaker: Ben Meiselas
Context: The hosts discuss a viral AI-generated image depicting Donald Trump as the pope, which Trump shared on social media. Trump later stated that the image was a joke and that he had nothing to do with its creation.
Our Take: While Trump did share the AI-generated image and referred to it as a joke, the claim that he had no involvement in its creation is contradicted by reports indicating that the image was produced and disseminated by his campaign team.
Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-calls-ai-pope-image-joke-experts-say-its-no-laughing-matter-2025-05-05/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-ai-generated-photo-pope-vatican/
Unverifiable claim #2: Trump claims that his immigration policies have led to a decrease in illegal border crossings
Timestamp: 00:52:15
Speaker: Brett Meiselas
Context: The hosts evaluate President Trump's claim that his immigration policies have resulted in a significant reduction in illegal border crossings. This statement was made to highlight the effectiveness of the administration's immigration enforcement measures.
Our Take: While there has been a reported decrease in border crossings, experts attribute this to a combination of factors, including seasonal trends, economic conditions in migrants' home countries, and increased enforcement measures. It's misleading to attribute the decline solely to the administration's policies without considering these other contributing factors.
Sources:
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/when-policy-is-cut-off-from-reality-donald-trumps-immigration-problem/
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/05/nx-s1-5318566/trump-touts-success-of-some-of-his-immigration-policies-in-address-to-congress
Unverifiable claim #3: Trump states that the U.S. trade deficit is solely due to unfair foreign practices
Timestamp: 00:45:20
Speaker: Ben Meiselas
Context: The hosts discuss President Trump's assertion that the U.S. trade deficit is entirely the result of unfair practices by other countries. This statement was made to justify the administration's trade policies and tariffs.
Our Take: This claim is misleading. While unfair trade practices can contribute to trade deficits, they are also influenced by factors such as domestic consumption patterns, currency exchange rates, and economic policies. Economists emphasize that trade deficits are not inherently negative and can reflect a strong economy with high consumer demand.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/f172b97761c1b4923df63e0beceb584b
https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/trump-global-trade-new-system-b7498fba
Unverifiable claim #4: Trump claims new tariffs will not affect American consumers
Timestamp: 00:37:55
Speaker: Jordy Meiselas
Context: The discussion centers on President Trump's claim that the newly imposed tariffs will not impact American consumers, suggesting that foreign exporters will bear the costs. This claim was made in the context of defending the administration's tariff policies.
Our Take: This claim is false. Economic analyses indicate that tariffs often lead to higher prices for American consumers, as importers pass on the increased costs. Studies have shown that tariffs function as a tax on consumers, leading to increased prices on goods such as toys, electronics, and household items.
Sources:
https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-financial-page/donald-trump-versus-barbie
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/06/trump-austerity-tariffs-dolls-pencils/
Unverifiable claim #5: Trump asserts that tariffs will not impact American jobs
Timestamp: 01:10:30
Speaker: Ben Meiselas
Context: The hosts discuss President Trump's assertion that the newly imposed tariffs will not affect American jobs, suggesting that the tariffs will protect domestic employment. This claim was made in the context of defending the administration's trade policies.
Our Take: This claim is false. Economic analyses indicate that tariffs can lead to job losses in industries that rely on imported materials or are affected by retaliatory tariffs. For example, the steel and aluminum tariffs imposed during the Trump administration led to increased costs for manufacturers, resulting in job losses in industries such as automotive and construction.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/4329a37b5a41ac944dcc74093410a126
https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/trump-reciprocal-tariffs-visualized-5d5a8093
To request the full list of reviewed claims in this category, or to inquire about having your podcast fact-checked by Trust My Pod, please contact us at info@trustmypod.org.
Conclusion
This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, released May 6, 2025, demonstrates a highly critical and oppositional stance toward former president Donald Trump’s policies, statements, and behavior. Across the 1-hour-and-18-minute runtime, the hosts present a dense stream of political claims tied to Trump’s tariffs, trade strategies, media appearances, AI imagery, and immigration enforcement. The tone is heavily editorialized, yet many assertions are based on real news events, administration actions, or verified interviews.
Out of 60 total factual claims, the breakdown revealed:
- 11 false claims — These included repeated misstatements by Trump regarding the economic effects of tariffs, trade deals, and job impacts, as well as the provably false claim that the AI image of himself as the pope was posted without his knowledge.
- 8 misleading claims — Most of these centered around simplifications or exaggerations of economic outcomes, attributing complex systemic issues like trade deficits and immigration outcomes solely to policy decisions.
- 7 unverifiable claims — Some statements, such as intentions or inner knowledge of Trump or White House actions, could not be conclusively verified due to insufficient documentation or anonymous sourcing.
- 34 verified factual claims — This group included descriptions of published Trump interviews, verified economic data, congressional actions, immigration legislation, and Supreme Court rulings. These met sourcing standards from at least two reputable outlets.
While The MeidasTouch Podcast takes a combative tone, the hosts frequently cite specific documents, legal outcomes, and official interviews. The episode’s credibility is weakened primarily by the volume of speculative or exaggerated framing—particularly around Trump's motivations or intentions—which led to a significant number of misleading or unverifiable classifications. Nevertheless, the majority of claims (over half) were factually grounded.
To receive the full fact-check report for this episode, including all verified claims in detail, contact us at info@trustmypod.org.