The MeidasTouch Podcast - Trump and GOP Panic as Easy Special Election Slips Away!!!

Episode Date: November 29, 2025

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans a complete panic as the latest polling data shows that Democrats could pull off the biggest political upset ever and go on to a win a special election in Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District. Head to https://Manukora.com/meidas to receive $25 OFF your starter kit! Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming, Ontario. Donald Trump and Republicans are panicking that they may lose a critical congressional special election in Tennessee, which is set to take place on December 2nd. This is for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, and it follows the resignation of Republican Congress member Mark Green, while this congressional district was a plus 22-2. Trump District. We saw the blue tsunami hit earlier in the month of November, and we're seeing a massive trend in this district right now towards the Democratic candidate. And this was confirmed by an Emerson College poll that was released the day before Thanksgiving. Emerson College polling is a very

solid, reliable poll in this area. And what the poll shows is that the Magor Republic, candidate, Matt Van Epps is only leading the Democratic candidate, Afton Bain, who's a state representative in Tennessee by two points. So Matt Van Epps is polling at 48%. The Democratic candidate Afton Bain is polling at 46% with respect to other potential candidates or people who are on the ballot, 2%. And there are 5% of people who are undecided. about this race. And one of the things that we saw with the blue tsunami early in November, the independence, the late breaking voters, the motivated voters who say, you know what, I've got to do something, have ended up voting for the Democratic candidate. This would be a massive, massive defeat,

a massive rebuke of epic proportions for Donald Trump, the Republicans, and the MAGA movement. and it could also tip the scale to allow for potentially Democrats to take control of the House of Representatives if we then see a few other resignations take place in the House. But this could begin that spiral following Marjorie Taylor Green residing last Friday, which Kevin McCarthy, the former Speaker of the House, called a canary in the coal mine that other Republicans are looking to resign. So how do we know also that Trump and the Republicans are panicking? Well, in this plus 20 plus 22 Trump district, you've got Donald Trump posting the following.

I'm asking all American first patriots in Tennessee 7th congressional district who haven't voted yet. Please get out and vote for MAGA warrior Matt Van Epps tomorrow, November 26th, the last day to vote early in person. You can win this election for Matt. Please, please vote for Matt Van Hepps, who has my complete and total endorsement. Stay in line. They must let you vote. Stay in line. And again, it says a plus 22 Trump district ultra gerrymandered where a Democrat is within striking

distance, within two points. So let me give you the data points about why this Democratic candidate, Afton Bain, is in striking distance. Well, first let me just give you a little bit of this. demographics of the seventh congressional district right you have davidson county which includes areas of nashville very high turnout early vote right now for the democratic candidate then you have montgomery county plus 21 plus 22 trump now is only plus one van eps we also see low voter enthusiasm among republicans who feel betrayed by trump and maga and also we've seen particularly soybean farmers and farmers hit hard in this congressional district by Donald Trump's trade war

against the world, which backfired. Lots of people in this district are suffering. Their health care is being ripped away. Farmers are suffering. People are paying more. People are pissed. Republicans are not motivated to go out and vote for Vennips. So this combination of the Democratic county vote surging in the Nashville area and the Republican county area, Montgomery, very low enthusiasm. and now only plus one Van Epps, that's what we're seeing. Now, in terms of the candidates, though, Matt Van Epps, typical MAGA, you could like engineer this guy as like a MAGA AI candidate. He talks about bathrooms and culture wars and he loves Trump's tariffs and he wants to cover up child sex

trafficking rings for the Epstein files. He doesn't want to release those. So this is who this guy is. And then Afton Bain is a very compelling Democratic candidate. state representative, who's been talking about affordability, actually making government work for people, not against people. So let me give you these data points right here. So Matt Van Epps, the MAGA candidate, he's in full support of price skyrocketing tariffs. Play this clip. On inside politics, he said President Trump's popularity remains strong across the seventh congressional

district, which includes 14 counties and many rural areas with soybean farmers. hit hard by tariffs. You support tariffs. I do. I think the president is right in doing this. We've been getting ripped off for a long time. It's been, is it really put American businesses and families in a previously in a hard position. When he went on this radio show that he thought would be a very friendly show to him,

he said that he supports Trump's budget bill, which he calls the big beautiful bill. He would have voted in favor of it. And even the host of this radio shows like, I hear you, but don't you think that like it pisses people off that like Donald Trump's out there doing great Gatsby parties and living this lavish life and billionaires are thriving while this screws over like everyday people in Tennessee play this clip. I'm a low tax person. I would have voted for the one big beautiful now law for the number of, I mean, locking in the largest tax decrease in American history. Yeah, the problem with that though, man, is the end of the day, the wealthy. They get to keep all of their taxes permanently. The middle class, all that stuff phases out.

And there's the frustration, I think. There's this, you know, the populism that Trump came is they're looking around and going, hey, Trump and everybody else looks like they're getting wealthy. They're having the big parties. He's got his coins and he's making billions. And the AI companies and everybody else, he's going, what about us, the middle class? I thought the whole thing was the middle class feels like they're getting squeezed out of everything. Now, here's where Matt Van Epstein said that he would not really, you know, that he avoided

the question about the Epstein files, right? Like, this guy's created out of, like, a MAGA lab. Like, he's like a typical Trump sycophant who would just further the pain in Tennessee and attack the people in Tennessee. And it seems like he hates the people in Tennessee, frankly, like, like a MAGA guy. Here, play this clip. You support the full release of the Epstein files. So I think the speaker has a great plan.

I support the speaker's plan on this. I'm for full transparency. The Speaker has empowered the Oversight Committee with now with subpoena power, and is taking a deliberate approach so that justice is had and so that the victims are supported. And Republicans are taking a very deliberate approach here because they want to get around. There are some Republicans who want it released. President Trump has said there's nothing to see here. Do you agree there's nothing to see? Well, I think the Speaker and the President have said that they are supportive of full. full transparency in this, and that's my position as well.

Then should they be released? I guess the full transparency thing, certainly Democrats would say that's not the case. Even some Republicans would say it's not full transparency. So why not just release the files? What is the concern? Well, I think Republicans are taking that approach. I think the Speaker has that plan, and through the Oversight Committee is doing very deliberate investigative work that's not performative politics.

actually trying to solve this issue. Are you concerned that they were tampered with in some way? I guess the deliberative work that's being done by the speaker is trying to do what? I mean, the files are there, why not just release them? I mean, I think it's a, they're taking a, that deliberate approach with the subpoena power so that they can fully investigate

into the situation and hold those accountable that need to be held accountable for the heinous crimes that happen. You do hope that at some point it will just be released. So I'm for full transparency. Now, I wanna give a hat tip to your community pack that put this ad up right here that talked about who Matt Van Epps is.

They used a little cartoon and showed that he is a puppet. He is a stooge of Trump covering up child sex trafficking rings and hurting the people in Tennessee, ruining the people's lives, supporting Donald Trump's Cariffs and supporting Donald Trump ripping health care away from people. Here, play this clip. The Epstein files are locked away. Matt Van Epps will keep him that way.

Just a hedge fund puppet for the billionaire elite. Bankrolled by their Wall Street cash, he'll give them tax cuts in a flash. Sports a plan that would cut our social security. Matt Van Heaps a hedge fund puppet. Can't trust the word he'll say. If we'll want to clean up Washington, we best keep Matt Van Epps. Your community pack is responsible for the content of this advertising. Are you looking for something simple and delicious to add to your wellness routine?

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which comes with an MGO 850 plus Manuka honey jar, 35 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guidebook. That's monocora.com slash midas for $150 off your first starter kit. House Majority Pack, right? the leadership packed from Mackeem Jeffries. They're coming in. Here's the spot that they have on TV. Play this clip. Tennessee's choice, Matt Van Nufts versus Afton Bain.

VanEpps wants three things. Cuts to health care benefits. More tariffs driving up costs. Tax breaks for billionaires. Afton Bain wants one thing to lower your costs. She fought to end the grocery tax. In Congress, she'll stand up to both parties to make life more affordable. Want more of the same?

That's Matt Van Banneps. someone who fight for you for a change that's afton bain hmp's responsible for the content of this ad and can we just contrast these candidates here's afton bain's video that she made of herself selfie style knocking on doors being out in the community speaking to people right um with passion here play this clip when she says i woke up and i'm energized this poll this latest poll shows that we're within two points let's go here play this clip get more Morning, everyone, State Representative Afton Bain, the 7th Congressional District Special Election Democratic nominee.

It is cold, which is why my coat is so dramatic here in Nashville. But I woke up with the energy of 1,000 Dolly Parton's and decided to go Canvas because a new poll drop showing us about two points behind my opponent, which is wild. And I've got the election excitement wiggles, as I do. So I decided to jump out of bed, go out in Canvas. It's the last day to early vote across the district. So as you are preparing for Thanksgiving,

please head to the polls. In some places, polls close at 12. In Davidson County, it's a little longer than that. And if you are coming home from college, guess what? You have the opportunity of a lifetime to flip the congressional district. So here's what you're going to do. You're going to come home.

We're going to hug mom and dad. You're going to kiss your pug, kiss the dogs, and then you're going to figure out where to vote. If that you need information, go to I will vote.com. Yeah, find your polling place and head out to poll. And then sign up for a canvassing shift this weekend. We've got a day of action. on the 29th. It's going to be so much fun. And I can't wait to see everyone. Oh, my gosh.

It's wild. Wild, wild times out here. It's the wild. Wild bang season. You all can relate. The girlies can relate. All right. Love you guys. Let's go out win this. And then compare it to Matt Van Epps, who's like wearing like his vest. And he's like, hey, everybody, we don't like bathrooms. Hey, what do you think about the peepee and the poopie in the bathroom? We don't like that. Hey, men's women's sports. What are you? Transgender. Hey, we're transgender people, hey, right? I mean, it's like, what are you doing? People are suffering and you're doing this stick, this maga stick that doesn't work anymore.

But here's Van Hepp's play this clip. My opponent wants new and higher taxes to fund her socialist agenda that will skyrocket our cost of living. In her own words, she is very radical. She supports transgender surgery for minors without parental consent and believes that men can give birth. Now, I want to show you this. This is what Matt Van Epps wants in Tennessee, that he wants ICE to go into that district, terrorize the community, and throw people into concentration camps. I guess he's pro-concentration camp in Tennessee. I don't know. Here, play this clip. The American Dream starts with law and order. And so I fully support the president in his

initiatives and efforts around immigration, fully support ICE in their operations to keep Americans safe and secure. And so I fully support the operation to deport illegal aliens, excuse me. And I think that is a part of keeping our communities safe. And as a, you know, I believe in legal immigration and coming in the right way and being, you know, being in line and going through the process as a country that supports law and order that we've got to keep our border secure and we've got to we've got to work to execute those objectives that the president has outlined and fully support those. Matt Van Epps running away from the cameras when he was typical Matt Van Epps when he was asked, why don't you stand up for farmers? What are you doing

with the Epstein files? Watch him run away, play this clip. Matt, how are you? I might if I ask you a couple of questions? We grew up busy right now. Why do you think it's important to keep supporting the terrorists, farmers and ranchers are begging for them to end. Did you have to promise to keep the Epstein files hidden to get Trump's doors? Are you agreeing with Senator Blackburn, funding the SNAP? Are you going to vote to keep the Epstein files hidden? Help that cover up, Matt.

Do you have to promise that? I understand why you're not answering the questions. Hey, I'm sorry, this is a private event. We're not allowing any media. you're in a public building yeah but it's a private event that's all right Matt why don't you stand up to the farmers and ranchers why are you backing the tariffs how do you feel about 40 billion to argentina 40 billion to argentina while ranchers and farmers struggle what do you think about that are you going to not answer questions

man if you ever had a bugger on your finger mark green at least answers questions every once in he's got a temper so he answers stuff are you are you are you going to not answer are you gonna be like all these other Republicans that don't have town halls don't answer questions really hard to find are you just gonna hide from everybody why did billionaires put two million dollars into your primary Matt what did you have to promise the billionaires to get two million dollars to get Jody Barrett they didn't want Jody Barrett they don't want the tariffs they don't want a bailout they want trade not eight why did billionaires put two million dollars into your race

Matt. That's the real question. What did you have to promise? Are you going to protect the Epstein files? Is that why? And then here, Matt Van Epps, like in his robotic AI voice, goes, thank you, Donald Trump, I said Bart. I am so grateful if our ER endorsement, play this clip. Mr. President, when I get to Congress, I will have your back 100%. And I am honored to be endorsed by our commander-in-chief, President Donald J. Trump. You got more Matt Van Epps running away right here. Matt, funny running into you here, Matt. How are you? How are you? I'm good. How are you? So, uh, Afton was on with us yesterday and she said that Speaker Johnson is waiting for you to get there so you can cancel out Adelita Grijalba's vote on the Epstein files.

What do you think about that? Does that sound right to you? Do you think that's speaker Johnson's plan? Why was it so hard for you to answer the Epstein files question, Matt? Is that is that why They put $2 million into your race so that you would go there and help cover up the Epstein Piles. This is a simple question. You said you're for transparency. Why not just be strong about that, Matt? Why do you have to hem and haw so much? Do you think that's the plan, Matt, to get you up there to cancel out Adelita Grahalva?

The silence thing doesn't work very well. It just makes you look back. That's what you're going to learn. learn if you get up there. It's better just to give me the line that they gave you. Whatever line they gave you, you should use that line, Matt, right now. This is the time to do it. Being silent isn't a good look. It doesn't work. It just makes you look guilty. I'm trying to help you. Just say the line. Whatever they gave you to say, just say it. Matt, the Epstein files. Even your own people care about the Epstein files. All right, it's great talking

And then I had the opportunity to interview the Democratic candidate Afton Bain. Here's what she told me. Make this about the affordability crisis that Tennessee is experiencing. Washington is making our affordability crisis worse and working families in Tennessee are getting crushed everywhere. Utility bills, housing, groceries, everything is going up and the Republican, Washington Republicans do not have the solution to fix it. And so for me, I decided to jump in this race after the passage of the big ugly bill. It was a breaking point because it codified the greatest transfer of wealth in American history.

And I'm running because Tennessee deserves someone who will stand up for working people and not corporate donors. You know, Matt Van Epps, who you're running against, you know, he's running the normal maga playbook, right? Culture Wars, wokeity woke, peepy poopy bathrooms. We should care about bathrooms. this he's a pioneer of urinals and pooping apparently wants us to focus on that like do the people of tennessee realize that that crap is like literally just a way to like divide the people while they destroy the livelihoods of people or is this like does this stuff still work or i mean like where where are people on this because he's running that playbook yeah i think the i think it's cracking

i do think there's a rupture we're saying um you know i routinely go on conservative talk radio And I've been saying this from the beginning, especially around the rhetoric about immigration, is that immigrants are not the reason your grocery prices are high, period, end of statement. I've been saying that with my whole chest. And I think the scapegoating, I think people are realizing that there's nothing behind it. And it's a distraction to force us to scapegoat each other rather than focusing on the real issue, which is that the federal and state administration in Tennessee have not delivered an economic agenda that has addressed the cost crisis in Tennessee.

Here's what she told me again. Let's play it. I want to say thank you for recognizing that Tennessee is a beautiful place, and there are people that are trying to do good work here. We have some of the best organizers in the country because we have to operate under incredibly oppressive circumstances. And I think my biggest pet peeve in politics is when people who don't live in the South say you get what you voted for

because this is not what I voted for. I didn't vote for the highest maternal mortality rate in the country. I didn't vote for the most dangerous place for workers in the country. I didn't vote for the highest inflationary cost of groceries in the country. But that is what 15 years, a Republican super majority rule of the state has done. Tennessee has been bought and sold to the highest bidder, and those are multinational corporations in the billionaire boys club. There are no checks and balances.

And what we are seeing right now is a rupture in their paradigm, because they have ruled, as you said, with an iron fist and have squelched descent, dissent and dissonance. And I think they're seeing the, now we're seeing the kind of rumblings, the simmering of perhaps a different paradigm, one of which is, you know, economic populism and ensuring that the real villains are painted as the billionaire boys club and these greedy corporations that are pitting us against each other as we fight and not delivering for the Tennessee people. There you have it. Folks. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to six million we appreciate you so much love this video support independent media and unlock exclusive

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