The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode Title: Canada MP Brutally Rips Trump before White House Meeting
Date: August 18, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Special Guest: Charlie Angus (former Canadian MP)

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights escalating tensions between Canada and the United States, particularly in the wake of provocative rhetoric from U.S. MAGA Republican circles calling for parts of Canada to become the 51st U.S. state. The Meiselas brothers dissect a fiery response from former Canadian MP Charlie Angus, who delivers a searing takedown of American far-right politics, Trump’s connections to Putin, and the threat MAGA poses to international democracy. The episode weaves humor, history, and urgent political analysis, culminating in the announcement of the Midas Canada Initiative.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "51st State" Provocation and Canadian Pushback

• A Maine state senator, Joe Joseph Martin, circulated an open letter urging Western Canadian provinces to join the U.S., sparking outrage in Canada.
• Charlie Angus, the episode's central guest, emerges as a voice of Canadian resistance, eviscerating Martin’s proposal as an insult to Canadian sovereignty and values (03:39–08:28).

Notable Quote

“For one, nobody up here has ever heard of you.”
— Charlie Angus, addressing Sen. Martin (04:01)

• Angus frames the U.S.—under Trump’s MAGA politics—as embodying “fascist” tendencies that Canadians reject.
• He highlights how Canadians increasingly perceive Trump’s America with suspicion and hostility, akin to Putin’s aggression toward Ukraine.

2. Charlie Angus’ Viral Rebuttal (Detailed Remarks, 03:39–08:28)

Angus' impassioned video message is played and dissected in the podcast. Key takeaways:

• Critique of "Western Civilization" Claims
  Angus mocks the notion of “Western values” under Trump, citing America’s democracy erosion, mass shootings, and systemic inequality:

  “Is that the same Western civilization that elects a convicted felon, a sexual predator? A guy who brags about feeding people to alligators? Is that your Western civilization?”
  — Charlie Angus (04:18)

• American Constitution and “Christian Values” Questioned
  He contrasts American “Bible values” (as distorted by MAGA/trumpism) with actual Christian ethics:

  “When I was hungry, you fed me. When I was homeless, you gave me a bed… And you haven't done any of that, have you, Senator?”
  — Charlie Angus (05:04)

• Canadian Values Highlighted

  • Pride in diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Universal healthcare (“right to go to the emergency ward… without going bankrupt”)
  • Democratic integrity (“one person, one vote” as opposed to American ‘dark money’ politics)

• Direct Economic Consequences
  Angus points to declining Maine tourism as a result of anti-Canadian rhetoric, underscoring how cross-border antagonism is mutually damaging.

  “We're going to do our part, Senator, to make sure that nobody spends money in Maine and nobody spends money in the United States of Donald Trump.”
  — Charlie Angus (07:14)

• Indigenous Recognition and Multiculturalism
  Angus affirms Canadian identity as grounded in indigenous land acknowledgment and multiculturalism—implicitly contrasting with U.S. MAGA exclusionism.

• Denouncement of MAGA and Trump

  “We don't respect you, Senator. We don't respect MAGA, and we don't respect the criminal that you work for. In Canada, we will remain true north, strong and free…”
  — Charlie Angus (08:24)

3. Response From U.S. Ambassador to Canada (Pete Hoekstra) (08:52–12:20)

• Ambassador Hoekstra is played defending U.S. trade practices and lamenting Canadian “elbows up” pushback.
• He critiques Canada’s attempts to diversify trade and military spending.
• Portrays Canadian resistance as excessive, shifting blame from U.S. policy to Canadian overreaction.

Notable Quote

“Canada’s indicated… this is our opportunity to rethink how we do trade globally, who our trading partners are going to be. Can we reach out to Europe? Can we reach out to Asia?”
— Pete Hoekstra (09:41)

4. The Meiselas Brothers’ Take on Retaliation and Role Reversal

• Ben frames the U.S. diplomatic approach as hypocritical: the aggressor provokes, then plays victim when faced with retaliation.
• Draws parallels to domestic tactics like gerrymandering—provocation followed by complaints of unfairness when opposed.
• Emphasizes the necessity to “treat Canada with dignity” and abandon “51st state” rhetoric (12:20–13:58).

Memorable Commentary

“Canada punched you back and said, 51st state, our ass… Gloves off. We’re going elbows up.”
— Ben Meiselas (12:53)

5. Trump–Putin, Ukraine, and the Threat to Democracy (15:11–24:51)

• Charlie Angus returns to provide historical context for Trump’s controversial invitation of Putin to Alaska to discuss Ukraine.
• Angus links Trump’s pattern of appeasing Putin to Putin’s crimes and assaults on Ukrainian sovereignty.
• Traces Trump’s long history of seeking favor from Russian oligarchs, dating to his 2013 visit to Moscow and the Miss Universe competition.
• Describes the role of figures like Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group in weaponizing disinformation and mercenary violence in support of Putin and Trump.

Notable Quotes

“What Donald Trump has done again and again is try and set these stages up so he can look like a deal maker with the other big gangster oligarch of the planet, Vladimir Putin. And every single time, Donald Trump ends up looking like Vladimir Putin’s patsy.”
— Charlie Angus (15:38)

“Trump has done everything he can to try and shut down the obvious connections… He wants former President Obama charged with treason.”
— Charlie Angus (21:19)

“Donald Trump doesn’t believe that Ukraine has a right to exist, and he doesn’t believe Canada has a right to exist.”
— Charlie Angus (24:13)

6. Announcement: Midas Canada & The Resistance Tour (24:51–end)

• Ben teases the launch of “Midas Canada” led by Charlie Angus, signaling a stronger cross-border pro-democracy initiative.
• Invites Canadian listeners to suggest cities and venues and participate enthusiastically in events.
• The segment aims to rally the MeidasMighty around international solidarity for democracy and against rising authoritarianism.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Open Letter and Canada’s Response (Charlie Angus): 03:39–08:28
• U.S. Ambassador Hoekstra’s Interview Clip: 08:52–12:20
• Ben’s Analysis of U.S. Retaliation Rhetoric: 12:20–13:58
• Charlie Angus on Trump–Putin–Ukraine: 15:11–24:51
• Announcement: Midas Canada Initiative: 24:51–end

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Angus’ Melting Pot Zinger:

  “You talk about a melting pot. Yeah, well, shit floats.”
  (05:09)

• On U.S. Gun Violence:

  “You believe in the inalienable right of any moron… to walk into a gun store and come out with an AR15…”
  — Charlie Angus (05:17)

• Closing Tagline:

  “In Canada, we will remain true north, strong and free, and we will always be that. Goodbye, Senator.”
  — Charlie Angus (08:26)

• On Trump and Putin:

  “We’re dealing with a man who doesn’t believe that Ukraine has a right to exist… He has defended Putin’s attacks… as a sign of savvy genius, as he claims that Canada’s border can be arbitrarily rewritten.”
  — Charlie Angus (24:21)

Tone and Language

The episode features the Meiselas’ trademark blend of biting humor, casual banter, and earnest pro-democracy advocacy. Charlie Angus’s contributions are sharp, colorful, unapologetically blunt, and laced with both righteous indignation and satirical flair. The language is unfiltered, at times profane, and fiercely critical of MAGA, Trump, and their enablers both in the U.S. and abroad.

Summary Takeaway

This episode delivers a rousing defense of Canadian sovereignty, a scathing critique of Trump-era U.S. politics, and a call for international democratic solidarity. Charlie Angus stands out as a formidable new voice in the MeidasTouch orbit, setting the stage for deeper Canada–U.S. collaboration in defending democracy and pushing back against authoritarian encroachment.