The MeidasTouch Podcast — "Furious Canada Makes Trump Squeal as Boycott Crushes Him"

Release Date: September 21, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the intensifying diplomatic, economic, and cultural fallout between Canada and the United States amid renewed hostility from Trump-era policies. The Meiselas brothers explore Canada’s strong retaliatory moves, including a nationwide boycott of the U.S., and dissect the ripple effects — from declining U.S. tourism (especially in Las Vegas) to evolving alliances between Canada, Mexico, and global partners. Through their trademark political wit and sharp critique, the brothers examine the Trump administration’s responsibility for recent tensions and share ground-level reporting from both sides of the border.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rising Canadian Hostility Toward the U.S.

• The episode opens with Ben discussing Pete Hoekstra, U.S. Ambassador to Canada, and his public complaints about Canada's cool attitude toward America:
  • Hoekstra laments the difficulty in finding Canadians "passionate about the American Canadian relationship" [03:48].
  • Ben blasts Hoekstra and the Trump regime:

    "Maybe it’s because Donald Trump has threatened the very existence of Canada, has threatened the sovereignty of Canada, has repeatedly referred to Canada as the 51st state." — Ben [02:34]

• The brothers assert that Canada’s strong reaction is the predictable result of Trump’s antagonism and policies that treat Canadian sovereignty with contempt.

2. Canada’s Nationwide Boycott & Its Economic Fallout

• Canada responds to U.S. aggression by encouraging citizens to boycott U.S. travel and products, severely impacting American tourism, especially in Las Vegas and Nevada.
• Brett points out:

  "Las Vegas is suffering as a result of morons like you. And Americans across various industries are suffering because Canada is buying Canada and making relationships with the rest of the world." — Brett [03:13]

• Hoekstra dismisses labeling this a 'trade war,' but the hosts argue his attitude showcases "the sociopathic nature of your fascism."
• The episode contrasts Trump's behavior with what the brothers call "adult leadership" demonstrated at a recent meeting between Canadian PM Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

3. Mexico and Canada Strengthening Ties

• Claudia Sheinbaum, during PM Carney’s visit, welcomes increasing Canadian tourism in Mexico and frames it as a victory for both economies:

  "We celebrate constant growth of Canadian tourism in Mexico... this strengthens human cultural ties and also economic ties between our two societies." — Claudia Sheinbaum [14:29]

• The hosts gleefully note the redistribution of tourism dollars away from the U.S. and toward Mexico.

4. Las Vegas Tourism Slump: Real People, Real Pain

• The conversation zeroes in on the dramatic drop in Las Vegas tourism and its cascading effects on workers and businesses.
• Multiple segment clips feature affected Nevada locals:
  • Sonya Owens, Caesars employee:

    "Been off of work for like two months. So on call and it’s kind of slow and I need some money." [18:02]

  • Josefina Hurtado, single mom & server:

    "I just hope and pray that, you know, we come out of this Trump lump that we're in because it’s... it’s real. It’s definitely real, and it’s a struggle." [22:33]

• "For workers whose livelihoods depend on visitors, this downturn can't end soon enough." — Studio report [25:05]
• Ted Papageorge (Culinary Union): Highlights that the U.S. is the only major country facing a tourism downturn, with billions in losses and potential political repercussions. [24:20]

5. Visionary Urban Redevelopment in Mexico: A Tale of Two Approaches

• The episode highlights "Utopia" developments in Mexico City, where public investment turned former wastelands into vibrant spaces for education and community life.
  • Charlie Angus (guest):

    "This is what happens when you invest in your communities. This is what we’re fighting against with the fascist threats coming from the United States that they want to pull out investments. They want to attack communities..." [32:22]

  • Mexican telescope workshop leader:

    "We did all the optics and the mechanics of the telescopes... this kind of workshops helps people to get close to science." [34:37]

6. Trump’s Contemptuous Comments and U.S. Priorities

• The hosts replay a clip of Trump boasting:

  "Mexico does what we tell them to do and Canada does what we tell them to do..." [36:41]

• The narrative then shifts to concerns from everyday Americans in deep-red districts, questioning why Congress isn’t prioritizing the historic U.S.-Canada alliance.

  "Did you go to Canada? These are our allies too." — Constituent, town hall meeting [38:31]

7. Canadian Leadership Voices: Unity Against Trump

• Doug Ford (Ontario Premier, once pro-Trump):

  "I would much rather work with our greatest ally and closest friend and increase jobs in both countries... But unfortunately, President Trump doesn’t want to go down that avenue. He wants to hurt the American people. And that’s exactly what he’s doing." [43:09]

• PM Carney (Canada) at Mexico City G7:

  "Respect for the rights of others is peace... it’s by balancing this respect for sovereignty and the belief in cooperation that Canada and Mexico will build together..." [30:44]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Canada said, stop it, Cut it out. You're going to keep on doing this. Just stop it. And Canada. United Canada. Strong. Elbows up." — Ben [09:12]
• "You're making a lot of money that way... our tourism is way up right now in Mexico, thanks to Canadians. We love having Canadians in Mexico." — Brett paraphrasing Sheinbaum [14:31]
• "If I know this was a situation, I would have never started." — Sonya Owens on Las Vegas work reality [19:22]
• "If this goes on, if this continues, how's it going to affect you? …I just don't know where I'm going to get the funds or even do what I need to do to make sure my kids, you know, have a better future than I did growing up." — Josefina Hurtado [22:51]
• "We come out of this Trump lump that we're in because it's... it's real. It's definitely real, and it's a struggle." — Josefina Hurtado [23:20]
• "Just imagine that kind of investment working for people instead of just the fascist gangster capitalists." — Charlie Angus [33:08]
• "He wants to hurt the American people. And that’s exactly what he’s doing." — Doug Ford [43:24]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:34] — Ben's opening critique of Hoekstra and Trump’s threats to Canadian sovereignty
• [03:48] — Pete Hoekstra in his own words about Canadian passion for U.S. relations
• [14:29] — Claudia Sheinbaum welcomes growing Canadian tourism to Mexico
• [18:02] — Voices of unemployed Las Vegas hospitality workers (Sonya Owens)
• [22:33] — Restaurant workers explain the personal costs of the boycott (Josefina Hurtado)
• [24:20] — Culinary Union’s Ted Papageorge quantifies losses
• [30:44] — PM Carney on respecting sovereignty at the G7 in Mexico City
• [32:22-34:37] — Charlie Angus tour in Mexico City, community empowerment in "Utopia"
• [36:41] — Trump’s dismissive quote about Canada and Mexico
• [38:31] — Town hall in Oklahoma, constituents press congressman about ignoring Canada
• [43:09] — Doug Ford’s strong anti-Trump, pro-Canada economic statement

Overall Tone & Style

• Sharp, satirical, and irreverent banter
• Unapologetically pro-democracy and anti-Trump
• Rich in direct quotes, audio clips, and ground-level reporting
• Mix of humor, outrage, and fact-driven analysis

Conclusion

This episode delivers an impassioned and sharply critical dissection of U.S.-Canada relations post-Trump, providing listeners with clear context for Canada’s backlash and an understanding of the economic and social fallout spreading through the U.S. The MeidasTouch brothers’ blend of evidence, memorable moments, and on-the-ground stories are designed both to inform and galvanize democratic engagement.