The MeidasTouch Podcast – “MAGA Podcasters Turn Against Trump as Approval Plummets”
Release Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)
Theme & Purpose:
This episode dives into the surprising shift among major right-wing/MAGA-aligned podcasters — including Joe Rogan, Theo Vaughn, Andrew Schulz, and Tim Dillon — as they openly criticize the Trump administration’s increasingly brutal ICE operations and apparent authoritarianism. The MeidasTouch brothers analyze why these pivots are happening, spotlight memorable statements from both “awakened” podcasters and guests like Bernie Sanders, and argue for unwavering, principle-driven support of democracy.
Main Topics & Key Insights
1. Introduction: Right-Wing Podcasters Regret Their Choices
- The episode opens with the MeidasTouch hosts noting that several prominent MAGA or right-wing podcasters are publicly expressing regret or concern over their past support of right-wing oligarchs and Trumpist policies.
- Ben Meiselas: “You know these MAGA podcasters who sold out their audience to shill for right wing oligarchs. Now they're deeply regretting it.” [00:00]
- The hosts distinguish between levels of complicity and betrayal, with Joe Rogan pointed out as “the most MAGA of them all, the deepest betrayal.”
2. Joe Rogan and Tim Dillon Discuss Epstein Files & ICE
- Clip Played: Joe Rogan and Tim Dillon react to the incomplete, redacted releases related to the Epstein files and pivot to criticizing ICE’s overreach.
- Rogan: “What did they release? … It's weird. The whole thing's weird.” [01:21]
- Dillon: “It reminds me of that Onion article where they're like, oh, CIA realizes they've been using a black highlighter… You just blacked out pages, redacted the shit out of everything.” [01:26]
- Both agree that media distraction is possibly intentional: Rogan: “That's on purpose. Oh, 100%." [02:00]
3. Andrew Schulz & the ICE Masking Outrage
- The hosts highlight Andrew Schulz’s sudden discomfort with ICE agents operating anonymously and using intimidating tactics.
- Schulz (paraphrased): Concerned that ICE agents are “terrorizing and torturing communities like terrorists, like the Gestapo, like the SS.” [02:07, summarized by the MeidasTouch host]
- The MeidasTouch team sharply points out the hypocrisy—these podcasters once branded themselves as “Don’t Tread on Me” anti-authoritarians but now confront the real outcome of Trumpian authoritarianism.
4. Bernie Sanders Schools Theo Vaughn on Authoritarianism
- Clip: Bernie Sanders appears on Theo Vaughn’s podcast, detailing ICE’s transformation into a “domestic military operation.”
- Sanders: “What Trump is using ICE for now is a domestic military operation, and it's part of this intimidation… This is what Trumpism is about. It's intimidation.” [03:55]
- Sanders: “Do we want guys with masks around their face dragging people out of their apartments, out of their cars? You know, I don't think so. I don't think that's what the American people want.” [04:41]
- Theo Vaughn agrees: “I agree, Bernie. I agree. Trump has authoritarian energy.” [03:50, summarized]
- Tim Dillon: “We see things more now … before you would just hear about it … now the visual effect makes you feel.” [05:09]
5. Joe Rogan Admits ICE Atrocities
- Rogan bluntly acknowledges the extremity of ICE abuse:
- “But then it's also like, yeah, what ICE is doing, like fucking shooting that lady. Seems kind of crazy, you know, like grabbing people that happen to be American citizens and dragging them out onto the snow and asking them for their papers. That seems kind of crazy, too.” [05:56]
6. Bernie Sanders on AI & the Super-Rich (on Theo Vaughn)
- Sanders shifts to discuss wealth inequality and the role of AI:
- “It is being pushed by the wealthiest people in the world who, in my view, could care less about ordinary people… Who is AI and robotics going to work for? Does it work to improve human life or does it work to make the billionaires even richer?” [07:49]
7. Tim Dillon: From Denial to Outrage Over ICE Raids
- Tim Dillon, who straddles the MAGA and anti-establishment lines, now openly condemns the “clumsy, insane, over the top deportations.”
- Dillon: “It’s unserious, it’s childish, it’s cruel… the only thing left now is performative cruelty.” [09:39]
- On ICE raids: “Some of these ICE raids are so barbaric and they're so crazy. … A grandmother gets handcuffed and zip tied and thrown into a car by a bunch of masked psychopaths … not only is that wrong…” [10:42]
- On CBS and Bari Weiss: “Barry Weiss… running that news company into the ground at a pace and a rate that even surprises me. … It's unbelievable.” [10:01]
8. Rogan: The Reality of ICE Deportations
- Rogan illustrates the real-life cost of ICE policies:
- “They took this guy who had been brought over here when he was a baby, but didn't have American citizenship…they deport him, send them to Tijuana, can't speak Spanish…He is essentially an American citizen…He just doesn't have the paperwork. He's not a criminal. They sent him over to Tijuana and now he has to live in Mexico. He doesn't know what the fuck to do.” [11:16]
9. Tim Dillon on ICE “Cops” and Use of Force
- Dillon: “I don't believe the cop was justified in shooting her three times in the face, by the way… These are not well trained law enforcement people in ICE right now. … This is people in their third grade report card, the teacher wrote that has violent tendencies.” [12:34]
10. MeidasTouch Reflection: Unwavering Principle vs. Performative Outrage
- The hosts close by contrasting their own values with the wavering, late-in-the-game epiphanies of right-wing podcasters.
- “Yeah, I mean, they're all having this awakening now. … Maybe it's because the Meidas Touch Network is the number one podcast in the country right now because we've stood on our values and principles. … We're fighting for the people. … Maybe that's why. Maybe that's where the people are.” [13:54]
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- Ben Meiselas (on Rogan): “I'm not the freaking left's Joe Rogan. I would never want to be anything like this guy at all. I just want to be the Midas Touch podcast that stands up for humanity…” [00:34]
- Joe Rogan: “But then it's also like, yeah, what ICE is doing, like fucking shooting that lady. Seems kind of crazy, you know, like grabbing people that happen to be American citizens and dragging them out onto the snow and asking them for their papers. That seems kind of crazy, too.” [05:56]
- Bernie Sanders: “What Trump is using ICE for now is a domestic military operation, and it's part of this intimidation. … This is what Trumpism is about. It's intimidation…” [03:55]
- Bernie Sanders: “Who is AI and robotics going to work for? Does it work to improve human life or does it work to make the billionaires even richer?” [08:37]
- Tim Dillon: “It is unserious. It's childish. It's cruel. … The only thing left now is performative cruelty.” [09:39]
- Tim Dillon: “Some of these ICE raids are so barbaric and they're so crazy. … A grandmother gets handcuffed and zip tied and thrown into a car by a bunch of masked psychopaths…” [10:42]
- Joe Rogan: “He doesn't know what the fuck to do. He's on the streets. There's no idea. It doesn't have any money.” [11:16]
- Tim Dillon: “I just think it's ridiculous so that they did that and they, you know, the guy. These are. These are not well trained law enforcement people in ice right now. We are taking people that did backyard wrestling. … This is people in their third grade report card, the teacher wrote that has violent tendencies.” [12:34]
Segment Timestamps
- Opening monologue on MAGA podcasters' regrets: [00:00–01:15]
- Joe Rogan/Tim Dillon on Epstein files distraction: [01:16–02:00]
- Discussion of ICE tactics, Andrew Schulz critique: [02:07–03:20]
- Bernie Sanders on ICE as Trump’s ‘domestic army’: [03:55–05:12]
- Joe Rogan on ICE’s violence and civil rights abuse: [05:56–06:11]
- Sanders on AI and corporate power: [07:49–08:51]
- Tim Dillon on cruel ICE deportations and media capitulation: [09:06–11:11]
- Rogan on real human cost of deportations: [11:16–12:27]
- Dillon on ICE training and use of force: [12:34–13:54]
- MeidasTouch closing on principle and support of democracy: [13:54–14:31]
Tone & Style
- Analysis laced with sarcasm and brotherly banter; MeidasTouch hosts blend earnest social critique with cutting, comedic commentary.
- Podcaster quotes keep their natural, conversational, and sometimes expletive-heavy style.
- Repeated theme: Former MAGA podcasters’ new outrage is “too little, too late” compared to the MeidasTouch’s committed pro-democracy stance.
Conclusion
The episode is a powerful dissection of how MAGA-aligned personalities are now backing away from previously supported authoritarian conduct — especially as ICE’s actions and Trump-era policies become indefensible — while highlighting the importance of values, consistency, and truth in media. The MeidasTouch brothers frame their own steadfastness as a lesson in holding the line against creeping authoritarianism.
For listeners:
This summary highlights the pivotal moments and notable shifts discussed in the episode, providing an accessible overview for those interested in the current media landscape, the dynamics within the right-wing commentary ecosystem, and the continued fight for democratic values.