The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Alex Vindman on Flipping Florida Senate Seat Blue
Date: February 14, 2026
Host: MeidasTouch Network (Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas)
Guest: Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman
Episode Overview
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers interview Lt. Col. Alexander (Alex) Vindman, who has just announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in Florida. The discussion focuses on the growing possibility of flipping the Florida Senate seat from red to blue, the declining approval of Donald Trump and Florida’s current GOP leadership, and Vindman’s vision for fighting corruption and advocating for ordinary Floridians. The episode is heavy on the contrast between Vindman's record of public service and his opponent’s alignment with Trump-era corruption.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Changing Political Landscape in Florida
[00:23-01:40]
- Polling shows Donald Trump's approval rating in Florida is dropping (AP North poll: Trump at 36% approval overall, economy at 34%, “country heading in the right direction” at just 29%).
- The host notes:
“Trump's overall approval right now, 36%. It's like the worst ever, like the worst in history.” (Ben, 01:08)
- Discussion of economic struggles in Florida, e.g., many middle-class Floridians selling plasma to make ends meet.
- Host highlights shifting momentum:
“Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are terrified that they may be losing Florida... that Senate seat race is moving closer and closer to being a Democratic seat.” (Ben, 00:25-00:50)
2. Introducing Alex Vindman’s Senate Run
[02:35–06:31]
- Vindman is positioned as a truth-teller and decorated veteran who famously testified against Trump during impeachment.
- Fellow veteran endorsements, such as U.S. Navy Commander Phil Airman stressing Vindman’s integrity and sense of duty.
“Alex is running for the Senate of the United States with a sense of integrity and duty to set conditions for all of us to thrive in freedom.” (Phil Airman, 03:47)
- Vindman’s campaign announcement video is played, recapping his background, opposition to corruption, work as Director of European Affairs, and his family's refugee roots.
“I sure as hell was not going to bow down to some wannabe tyrant... This president unleashed a reign of terror and retribution, not just against me and my family, but against all of us.” (Alex Vindman, Campaign Video, 04:52)
“We didn’t back down from a fight. In a democracy you decide who’s going to stand for you—the patriot or the politician.” (Vindman, Campaign Video, 06:18)
3. Contrast With Opponent Ashley Moody and the Corruption Narrative
[09:28–11:04]
- Discussion around Ashley Moody’s history: DeSantis appointee after Marco Rubio became Secretary of State; high-volume stock trader; branded as a “yes vote” for Trump’s agenda.
- Ben summarizes:
“She does two things... she stock trades... and whatever Trump orders her, she does.” (Ben, 09:39)
- Concerns about her role in Trump's international financial dealings, e.g., World Liberty Financial Forum and dubious crypto investments.
- Vindman on the contrast:
“The reason we're going to win the seat is because the contrast between me as a non political somebody... a career public servant... and my opponent who is a career politician, an automatic yes vote for all of the chaos, all of the corruption in the Trump regime.” (Vindman, 11:08)
4. The Issues That Matter to Floridians
[06:56-08:59], [13:35–16:41]
- Vindman describes Florida’s economic crisis: high insurance rates, unaffordable living, public safety fears stemming from militia-like policing, housing & healthcare costs.
“We have a economy that's unaffordable. We have the highest insurance rates in the country, and my opponent, Ashley Moody, is a part of the reason that we are here, because she came to the big insurance companies.” (Vindman, 07:21)
- Vindman recounts visiting Miami’s Freedom Tower—symbolic for refugees—where Trump is planning to build his library as a commercial hotel, overshadowing the city’s history and values.
- Student and faculty discussions in Miami centered on cost of living, health insurance, and frustration with politicians prioritizing “private jets,” “crypto scams,” and “self-enrichment.”
“What wasn't on their mind... wasn't self-enrichment schemes... wasn't crypto scams... It wasn't any of the priorities that you see Trump talk about.” (Vindman, 14:55)
5. Voter Suppression and Threats to Democracy
[13:35–16:41]
- Discussion of the new “SAVE Act” that restricts voting rights:
“When you don't have any ideas that could win and get you votes in election, what do you do? You try to steal it... making sure that we reduce the number of folks voting, that we make it harder for folks to vote by mail.” (Vindman, 15:40)
- Vindman highlights how complex new voting requirements particularly affect seniors, women who’ve changed names, non-native English speakers.
6. The Path to Victory and Vision for Florida
[06:56–08:59], [11:04–12:16], [16:44–17:17]
- Vindman is optimistic, citing shrinking Trump margins, energized Democratic base, and recent special election flips in Texas as indicators of a broader shift away from MAGA extremism.
“The fact is that Floridians know this... they will for the first time in a long time have a fighter in their corner... We're going to win, we're going to win a whole slate of Democratic seats down the line and make sure we take this state in a different direction.” (Vindman, 11:28)
- Urges Floridians to join his campaign and support the movement to “end chaos, crush corruption, and cut costs.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I sure as hell was not going to bow down to some wannabe tyrant... This president unleashed a reign of terror and retribution, not just against me and my family, but against all of us.”
– Alex Vindman (Campaign Video, 04:52) - “You decide who's going to stand for you, the patriot or the politician.”
– Alex Vindman (Campaign Video, 06:25) - “She does two things. She stock trades... and whatever Trump orders her, she does.”
– Ben (09:39) - “If anybody has the ability to flip that Senate seat, it’s you... That’s why so many people are encouraged you are running.”
– Ben (06:38) - “Crushing corruption and cutting costs... That's how we're going to win the seat.”
– Alex Vindman (07:57, 16:46-16:50)
Key Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:23 | Florida political climate & Trump’s declining approval | | 03:43 | Veteran support: Phil Airman’s endorsement of Vindman | | 04:32 | Vindman’s background and campaign announcement video | | 06:31 | Host introduces Alex Vindman for live interview | | 06:56 | Vindman’s personal stake in Florida and campaign motivation | | 09:28 | Contrast between Vindman and Ashley Moody/Critique of Moody | | 11:04 | The stark choice: public servant vs. career politician | | 13:35 | Voter suppression & new restrictive voting laws | | 16:44 | Vindman’s campaign priorities and call to action | | 17:31 | Podcast wrap-up and acknowledgment of Vindman’s journey |
Tone and Style
- The hosts blend political analysis, sharp criticisms of MAGA leadership, and brotherly banter for an energetic and sometimes sardonic tone.
- Vindman is direct, personal, and deeply focused on mission and integrity, with a call to public service.
Concluding Summary
This episode underscores the significance of the 2026 Florida Senate race, casting it as a possible turning point in the battle against Trump-era politics. Lt. Col. Alex Vindman presents himself as a principled outsider and veteran, committed to restoring honesty and decency in Florida politics while tackling corruption, economic hardship, and threats to voting rights. The contrast with his opponent Ashley Moody is relentlessly drawn, with the discussion consistently returning to issues that matter most to Floridians—healthcare, housing, insurance costs, and fair elections.
For politically engaged listeners and those considering the stakes in 2026, this episode serves as both a spotlight on a critical race and a rallying cry for democratic values in Florida and beyond.