Watch now   Gov. Andy Beshear on Winning as a Dem in a Red State Gov. Andy Beshear joins me to expose the truth about Trump’s tariffs, Medicaid cuts, and the path forward for Democrats. Ben Meiselas and MeidasTouch Network Mar 18 By Ben Meiselas I just had one of the most eye-opening conversations I’ve had in a long time — with none other than Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. And I want every single one of you to hear this because what we talked about goes far beyond Kentucky. It’s about what’s at stake for every working family in this country. Donald Trump, in his usual out-of-touch delusion, just declared April 2nd “Liberation Day” — a day to celebrate his plan to impose even more tariffs. He says it’ll make everyone “super rich.” Right. Richer for who, exactly? Certainly not for the working families getting hammered by what Governor Beshear calls the “Trump Tax.” And he’s right — call it what it is. When you pay more for gas, that’s the Trump Tax. When groceries skyrocket? Trump Tax. When young couples can’t afford to buy their first home because lumber costs are through the roof? Trump Tax. It’s not some abstract economic policy — it’s a direct attack on your wallet, your family, and your future. And guess what? Every economist not on Trump’s payroll says it’ll tank the economy and potentially drag us into a recession. Beshear didn’t pull punches. He laid it out: these tariffs disproportionately hurt Kentucky, whose top export partner is Canada. He told me plainly — this isn’t partisan. It’s math. And it’s people’s lives. And that’s not all. Trump and his billionaire cronies — Musk included — are also pushing devastating cuts to Medicaid. In Kentucky, Medicaid covers half of all children. It pays for 70% of long-term care for seniors. And in rural America, it’s the backbone of the health system. Cut it, and you don’t just hurt those on Medicaid — you collapse entire communities. Hospitals close. Jobs vanish. People die. Period. Listen to interviews like this and more on the MeidasTouch Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. But what really struck me about Governor Beshear is how he wins in a so-called “red state” without caving to the right-wing culture war garbage. He vetoed the most vile anti-LGBTQ+ bill in the state — during an election year — and then told voters exactly why: because his faith teaches him that all children are children of God. That’s leadership. That’s authenticity. And guess what? Voters respected it. He said something that stuck with me — that Democrats need to focus on people’s everyday worries: jobs, health care, schools, roads, safety. Not just sanitized talking points, but real conversations with real people. And when you do that, you can fight the culture wars and deliver for working families. It’s not either/or. It’s both. So why are so many Democrats still afraid to stand tall? Why are some still trying to win elections by mimicking MAGA cruelty, instead of leading with purpose and heart? If a Democratic governor in Kentucky can unapologetically stand up for LGBTQ+ kids while creating jobs and cutting commute times for working families — what’s the excuse everywhere else? While Trump posts about his fake golf trophies and strokes his own ego while Americans suffer, leaders like Andy Beshear are showing what real public service looks like — building clinics, opening factories, making people’s lives better. As Governor Beshear told me, this is a test of our humanity and our empathy. And the stakes couldn’t be higher. We can’t let a con man who lies, bullies, and brags while families struggle dictate our future. We have to fight back. Not with fear — but with truth, compassion, and bold leadership. Let’s get to work. Meidas+ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.