Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs The anti-Trump MeidasTouch Network has continued to attract new subscribers since the president’s second term began, becoming the fastest-growing political channel on YouTube in the first quarter of 2025.Why It MattersThe MeidasTouch Podcast, which has topped the charts since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, has held firm as the country’s most-listened-to show. Prior to its rise, the medium was dominated by conservative or pro-Trump voices—with the likes of Joe Rogan, Shawn Ryan and Ben Shapiro frequently topping the charts.Trump himself appeared on a number of these popular shows while eschewing traditional media outlets in his 2024 bid for reelection—a strategy many say contributed to his political victory.
A composite image showing President Donald Trump at the White House on April 2 and protesters outside the former SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, on March 1.
A composite image showing President Donald Trump at the White House on April 2 and protesters outside the former SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, on March 1.
Andrew Harnik/David McNew/Getty Images
What To KnowAccording to YouTube data captured between January 1 and April 1, MeidasTouch is the fastest-growing political and political-adjacent YouTube channel by net new subscribers.It beat out Fox News, MSNBC and Joe Rogan after gaining 1,080,000 new subscribers this quarter. Another entry to the top 10 was Adam Mockler, who hosts MeidasTouch’s Gen Z news channel.MeidasTouch—a media organization founded by brothers Ben, Brett and Jordy Meiselas—is a “pro-democracy news network,” according to its website. The organization began by creating viral videos and political ads in opposition to Trump and in support of Democratic candidates.In an email shared with Newsweek, MeidasTouch co-founder Ben Meiselas spoke about the channel’s rise and said the organization had “seen across the board growth at the MeidasTouch Network.”He added, “Americans are waking up, rejecting Trump and MAGA, and turning to the MeidasTouch Network for honest reporting.”
Trump’s electoral triumph in November, coupled with Republicans taking control of the House and Senate, has led to widespread soul-searching in the Democratic Party over what went wrong.According to polling, the party is struggling to find its feet, while Trump may be getting more popular with Democratic voters. The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted between March 31 and April 2 among 1,486 respondents, found that Trump’s approval rating among Democrats was 8 percent—a 3 percent increase from a similar poll conducted in early March.However, the president’s overall approval rating average recently hit a new term low. As of April 2, Trump’s approval rating stood at 46 percent—the lowest yet in his second term—while his disapproval rating stood at 51 percent.What People Are SayingMeidasTouch co-founder Ben Meiselas wrote in an email shared with Newsweek: “It’s an honor that the MeidasTouch Network is now the most watched political news channel in America on YouTube, beating Fox News and every cable news network. People were craving an alternative to cable news and wanted truthful reporting, and the MeidasTouch Network delivered.”What Happens NextTime will tell whether MeidasTouch can continue to hold the top spot.
