The MeidasTouch Podcast
The MeidasTouch Podcast

Furious Pope Checkmates Trump as Tables Are Turned!!!

April 19, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Pope Leo XIV is far more popular with the American public than Donald Trump, and the Trump administration’s week-long attack on the pontiff has backfired badly, according to this episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast. The hosts argue that Trump, JD Vance, Pete Hegseth, and allied media figures like Sean Hannity picked a fight they could not win, and the polling data now shows the Pope crushing Trump by nearly 50 points in net popularity among Americans at large.

The Pope’s Stance and Trump’s Reaction

The conflict began when Pope Leo XIV, during a trip across Africa that included stops in Cameroon and Angola, gave a prepared speech at a prayer meeting for peace. In it, he said, “Woe to those who manipulate religion in the very name of God for their own military, economic or political gain,” and condemned the fact that “billions of dollars are spent on killing, on devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education, and restoration are nowhere to be found.” The Pope named no American official and did not mention Donald Trump. The speech had been written two weeks before the trip, before Trump had made any comments about the Pope.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 Furious Pope Checkmates Trump as Tables Are Turned!!!
  • 2 The MeidasTouch Podcast
  • 3 (02:11) **Pope Leo XIV Drops the Mic on Trump** - The host introduces the central story: Pope Leo XIV, on a trip across Africa, responded to attacks from Trump and MAGA figures after the Pope gave a speech about love, peace, and condemning war criminals without naming any American official.
  • 4 (04:28) **MAGA's Attack on the Pope Backfires** - The host explains that Fox and Trump allies realized attacking the incredibly popular Pope was a bad move, as evidenced by JD Vance's phony attempt to walk back his earlier attacks.
  • 5 (06:04) **JD Vance's Theological Arrogance** - The host dissects JD Vance's clip where he lectures the Pope on just war theory, highlighting the absurdity of a politician claiming superior theological knowledge.
  • 6 (07:05) **Polling Blowout: Pope Crushes Trump** - The host reveals a new poll showing Pope Leo XIV at +34 net popularity among Americans, while Trump is at -12 — a nearly 50-point blowout.
  • 7 (09:24) **Catholics Reject Trump's Iran Policy** - The host presents polling showing US Catholics are deeply negative on Trump's military action against Iran.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Pope Leo XIV easily outmaneuvering and checkmating Trump as Trump tried to bully and attack the Pope.

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