The MeidasTouch Podcast The MeidasTouch Podcast

Trump Gets a Texas Wake-Up Call as Gina Hinojosa Fights Back

Aug 8, 2026 · 27m

Summary

The episode analyzes plummeting approval ratings for Donald Trump and Greg Abbott in Texas, highlighting a competitive governor’s race between Abbott and Gina Hinojosa. Host Ben Mankiewicz discusses voter backlash against data center proliferation, high living costs, and aggressive immigration enforcement. Hinojosa joins to detail her campaign’s focus on affordability, voting rights, and a growing "break ranks" movement among former Republicans.

Topics discussed

Sponsor reads: Anthropic, San Pellegrino, Viore, Target, Instagram Trump's plummeting approval ratings in Texas and the tight governor's race Border wall construction in Big Bend and data center tax breaks Trump's contradictory stance on data centers and tariff refunds The 'Break Ranks' movement: Former Republicans turn against Abbott ICE arrest of a Venezuelan wife turns a Trump voter against the administration Interview with Gina Hinojosa: Why Democrats are surging in Texas Hinojosa on Abbott's record: Uninsured rates, bankruptcies, and school closures Data centers as 'liquid gold': Abbott's tax breaks and community backlash Hinojosa's proposal: $1,500 payments from the rainy day fund Populist sentiment: Texans donating plasma and rejecting billionaire influence Voting rights and gerrymandering: The stakes for Congress Final message from Hinojosa and book promotion
Listen ad-free on Castria