Legal AF by MeidasTouch

Episode: Trump Secret Meetings to Take Over Media Revealed

Date: February 19, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

In this hard-hitting legal analysis, host Michael Popok (filling in solo for Ben Meiselas and Karen Friedman Agnifilo) exposes a series of secret meetings and behind-the-scenes maneuvers by Donald Trump to help his allies acquire CNN and its parent company, Warner Brothers Discovery. Popok details how Trump, after promising not to interfere, apparently conspired with David Ellison (son of billionaire Larry Ellison) to ensure media assets end up in “MAGA friendly” hands—possibly by firing the Justice Department official who could have blocked the deal. The episode pulls back the curtain on Trump’s media manipulation, the battle between corporate giants (Paramount/Ellison vs. Netflix), and the wider implications for press freedom and democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Secret Meetings and Trump’s Media Ambitions

• Background: Trump previously claimed he would not meddle in media acquisition attempts involving his friends, but new reporting shows he is directly advising David Ellison as the latter tries to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery (including CNN).
• Manipulation of Regulators: Trump controls government regulators, including the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.
  • Popok alleges that to “grease the skids” for the Ellison bid, Trump fired Abigail Slater, the head of the Antitrust Division and the “one person who would have been the safety valve against this transaction.”
  • [03:20] "What did Donald Trump do to grease the skids to put CNN in the hands of a buddy of his to make it MAGA friendly? He fired the head of the antitrust division, Abigail Slater." — Michael Popok
• Corporate Game: Netflix submitted a higher bid for Warner Brothers Discovery but wanted CNN excluded. Trump’s favored bidder, Paramount (Ellison family), wants the whole company—including CNN—thus putting major news media at risk of pro-Trump control.

2. Breakdown of the Media Takeover Battle

• The Players:
  • Netflix: Offered ~$30/share for Warner Brothers Discovery, excluding CNN.
  • Paramount/Ellison Family: Came forward to buy the entire company—including CNN—which is what Donald Trump wants.
• Trump’s Public Comments:
  • Trump publicly questioned the legality of Netflix’s move, citing “big market share”—an antitrust issue.
  • [06:35] "'They have a very big market share. And when they have Warner Brothers, you know, that share goes up a lot. ... That's for some economists to tell. And also. And I'll be involved in that decision, too.'" — Donald Trump
• Trump’s "Withdrawal" from the Process (Allegedly):
  • Trump announced, perhaps disingenuously, that he would stay out of the merger process and leave it to the Justice Department.
  • [07:50] "'I've decided I shouldn't be involved. The Justice Department will handle it.'" — Donald Trump
  • Popok immediately highlights the contradiction: after this "withdrawal," Trump fired Abigail Slater—removing obstacles for the Ellison/Paramount bid.
• Popok Connects the Dots:
  • Trump is "barely behind the scenes, manipulating the process to get CNN in the hands of his friends."
  • Shareholder resistance to Paramount's deal is significant: only 2% approved the offer—evidence that market desire doesn’t align with Trump’s wishes.

3. Broader Implications for Press Freedom & Democratic Accountability

• Significance of Controlling CNN:
  • Trump’s history includes attempts to manipulate or threaten other media outlets (Washington Post, CBS, ABC, etc.) via regulatory pressure or public attacks.
• Popok’s Key Insight:
  • This series of events demonstrates an “open for business” White House, where political influence is exploited to secure favorable media coverage.
  • [12:00] "This White House is completely open for business. ... This is Donald Trump, barely behind the scenes, manipulating the process to get CNN in the hands of his friends, period." — Michael Popok
• Rise of Independent News:
  • Popok discusses surveys showing more people now get their news from YouTube newscasters than from traditional broadcast networks—a trend Trump cannot control.
  • [11:00] "Donald Trump wants to grab as much of corporate media that he can control because he can't control us. He can't control YouTube. He can't control the independent commentary and journalism that is the Midas Touch brand and is the Legal AF brand, Period. End of story." — Michael Popok

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump on Antitrust and Involvement:
  • [06:35] “That's a question. They have a very big market share. And when they have Warner Brothers, you know, that share goes up a lot. ... I'll be involved in that decision, too.” — Donald Trump
• Trump on Hands-Off Approach:
  • [07:50] “I've decided I shouldn't be involved. The Justice Department will handle it.” — Donald Trump
• Popok on White House Manipulation:
  • [12:00] “This White House is completely open for business. ... This is Donald Trump, barely behind the scenes, manipulating the process to get CNN in the hands of his friends, period.”
• Popok on Independent Journalism:
  • [11:00] “Donald Trump wants to grab as much of corporate media that he can control because he can't control us. He can't control YouTube. He can't control the independent commentary and journalism that is the Midas Touch brand and is the Legal AF brand, Period. End of story.”

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:16 | Michael Popok introduces the episode’s breaking story on Trump’s secret media meetings and the firing of Abigail Slater. | | 03:20 | Explanation of Trump’s grudge against mainstream outlets and his aims for CNN. | | 06:35 | Trump’s on-tape comments about the Warner Brothers/Netflix merger’s antitrust issues. | | 07:50 | Trump insists he won’t get involved in the merger—contradicted by subsequent actions. | | 11:00 | Popok breaks down the rise of YouTube news and Trump’s inability to control it. | | 12:00 | Popok summarizes Trump’s orchestration to “get CNN in the hands of his friends." |

Conclusion

• Bottom Line:
  Michael Popok lays out a clear, detailed, and legally-informed case that Donald Trump is actively seeking to reshape American media by ensuring major news networks, particularly CNN, are controlled by MAGA-friendly owners. He spotlights the manipulation of government regulators and connects it to wider risks for press freedom and democracy.
• Call to Action:
  Popok encourages listeners to stay informed through Legal AF’s independent, non-corporate channels—and highlights that, despite Trump's efforts, independent voices remain beyond his reach.

[End of Summary]