The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Governor Pritzker Discusses Fighting Back Against Trump
Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Ben Meiselas (with Brett & Jordy Meiselas)
Guest: Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the growing political and civil unrest in America during Donald Trump’s second presidency. The Meiselas brothers, with guest Governor J.B. Pritzker, critique Trump’s escalating authoritarian tactics, discuss recent federal actions in US cities (particularly Chicago and Minneapolis), and highlight ways Americans and democratic leaders can effectively organize and push back to defend democracy. The episode is marked by urgent warnings, firsthand accounts of federal overreach, strong advocacy for civil rights, and practical advice for activists and officials.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. White House Spin & Authoritarian Messaging

• Ben recounts recent White House press events where Trump’s press secretary, Caroline Levitt, offers misleading statements about the administration’s actions, the economy, prescription drug prices, and Trump’s rhetoric about potentially canceling elections.
• Discussion points include:
  • Trump’s declining approval ratings ([03:19])
  • Right-wing podcasters’ growing criticism of Trump for his actions and pardons
  • The administration’s attempts to demonize the media and stoke divisions

Notable Quotes:

• "We see what’s happening on the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul…you have ICE agents and Border Patrol agents terrorizing communities." — Ben ([10:32])

2. Press Conference Highlights: Disinformation and Deflection

• Press Secretary Caroline Levitt’s statements cover several hotbed topics:
  • Dismissing reporter’s questions as biased "left-wing activism" ([04:40])
  • Claiming Trump "defeated Biden’s inflation crisis" and that “core CPI has increased at just a 2.4% annualized rate" ([05:30])
  • Brushing off Trump’s statements about wanting to cancel elections as "jokes" ([06:21])
  • Dismissing European deployments to Greenland and maintaining a confrontational US posture (“our invasion plans…all options are on the table.”) ([08:02])
  • Refusing to support Venezuelan opposition leaders over Maduro’s regime ([09:07])
  • Falsely saying drug prices are down "more than 500%" under Trump ([09:51])

Notable Moments:

• Caroline Levitt calling a reporter a "left wing hack" for criticizing ICE actions ([04:49])
• "Only someone like you would take that so seriously and pose it as a question that way." — Caroline Levitt, on Trump joking about canceling elections ([07:15])

3. Interview with Governor J.B. Pritzker: On the Ground in Illinois

A. Federal Militarization & Civil Rights Threats

• Pritzker details recent federal crackdowns in Chicago, with ICE/CBP agents in military gear acting as an occupying force ([11:17]):
  • "They doubled down with ICE and CBP in uniforms, automatic weapons in the streets, marching through downtown Chicago…"
  • Reference to the killing of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, an innocent father, and Maramar Martinez, where official lies were later exposed by video and eyewitnesses.
  • Importance of video evidence and peaceful protest: "Pull out your phones…It’s allowing us to keep them accountable." ([12:46])

B. Legal Victories and Peaceful Protest

• Illinois’ effort to fight federal overreach in court—successfully restricting the use of National Guard and holding agencies accountable for rights violations.
• The effectiveness of peaceful protest: "As long as you maintain the peaceful part of the peaceful protest…it is hugely beneficial. It does not give them an excuse to bring in troops." ([12:25])

C. Paramilitary Tactics and Authoritarian Playbook

• Ben and Pritzker compare federal presence to authoritarian regimes’ paramilitary groups (Maduro, Putin), describing new tactics that "are not law enforcement tactics of de-escalation…this is a whole new thing that is paramilitary." ([15:30])

• Pritzker warns:

  • Trump is "militarizing our cities" and threatening democracy directly.
  • ICE/CBP is being used as a "personal army for Donald Trump" with little proper training or oversight ([16:18])
  • "They want this kind of roughing up, they want this kind of terrorizing in the neighborhoods...it’ll also make US citizens fearful to speak out…fearful to vote in 2026." ([17:25])

4. Economic Disconnect and Populist Rhetoric

• Ben comments on Trump’s opulent events (the "dog costume" party at Mar-a-Lago) as an example of elite detachment from ordinary struggles ([18:34]).
• Pritzker rebuts Trump’s economic claims:
  • Dismisses Trump’s promises and claims of a “golden age”
  • Argues Trump’s policies have raised costs: "His policies are raising prices for people because he’s getting rid of renewables."
  • Details tax dollars spent on personal aggrandizement at the expense of real issues ([19:41])

Memorable Quote:

• "He’s run amok as president. He thinks he’s all powerful. The Supreme Court seems to agree with him on many fronts. And it’s just…it’s a danger to our future that we’re allowing him to do that." — Gov. Pritzker ([20:45])

5. Fighting Back: Strategies for Democracy Defenders

A. Lessons for Other Governors

• Illinois (and Portland) have demonstrated that courts, activists, and elected officials can successfully oppose unlawful federal overreach ([22:17]).

B. The Power of Public Protest

• Emphasizes "being loud for America": "People who have never protested before…came out of their suburban homes with whistles to blow the whistle on these ICE and CBP officers." ([22:48])
• Urges Americans: "If you believe in the concept and the Constitution and the concept of freedom, this is the moment for you to stand up and show your patriotism." ([23:11])

C. National Movement

• Notes the spread of protests to places like Minnesota, New Orleans, Memphis—evidence that resistance is spreading nationwide.

Call to Action:

• "This is the moment. If you’re ever going to stand up for America…stand up and show your patriotism. And that’s what I would ask people to do. And it’s working." — Gov. Pritzker ([23:11])

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "They doubled down with ICE and CBP in uniforms, automatic weapons in the streets, marching through downtown Chicago..."
  — Gov. J.B. Pritzker ([11:26])

• "Pull out your phones…It’s allowing us to keep them accountable."
  — Gov. J.B. Pritzker ([12:46])

• "ICE, CBP…are being used as a personal army for Donald Trump."
  — Gov. J.B. Pritzker ([16:25])

• "He’s run amok as president…It’s a danger to our future that we’re allowing him to do that."
  — Gov. J.B. Pritzker ([20:45])

• "If you’re ever going to stand up for America…stand up and show your patriotism. And it’s working."
  — Gov. J.B. Pritzker ([23:11])

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [03:19] — Ben summarizes Trump’s falling approval, right-wing backlash
• [04:36] — Confrontation between press and Caroline Levitt on ICE killings
• [05:30] — Inflation and economic claims, Levitt’s misleading stats
• [06:21] — Trump’s “jokes” about canceling elections
• [08:02] — Trump’s stance on Greenland, US military posture
• [10:32] — Ben introduces Governor Pritzker to discuss federal overreach
• [11:17] – Pritzker details ICE/CBP crackdown in Chicago
• [12:46] – Importance of video documentation, peaceful resistance
• [16:18] – Paramilitary tactics, authoritarian parallels
• [18:34] – Economic hardships contrasted with Trump’s luxury events
• [22:17] – Lessons for other governors; how to fight back
• [23:11] – Call to action for Americans

Tone & Language

• The episode blends the MeidasTouch’s trademark brotherly banter with urgent, direct, often candid political critique.
• Governor Pritzker is earnest, impassioned, and pragmatic, consistently urging lawful, peaceful, public forms of resistance.
• Both hosts and guest communicate in accessible, plain language, combining gravitas with elements of hope and encouragement.

Summary

In this compelling episode, The MeidasTouch Podcast and Governor J.B. Pritzker confront Trump’s increasingly authoritarian moves—federal crackdowns, threats to democracy, economic disinformation—and illustrate how ordinary citizens, activists, and leaders can, and must, push back. With first-hand insights, court victories, strategies for protest, and a national call for action, it’s a practical guide and a rousing rallying cry for American democracy in peril.