MeidasTouch Podcast - October 17, 2025

Hosts: Ben Meiselas, Brett Meiselas, Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview:
This episode delivers a rapid-fire, in-depth analysis of the Trump regime’s escalating assaults on American democracy, recent foreign and domestic policy crises, the unraveling Middle East deal, the Illinois and Maryland court developments, and preparations for mass “No Kings” protests. The brothers blend sharp legal insight, scathing humor, and grassroots urgency as they break down how “normal” keeps being redefined by authoritarian overreach.

Main Themes

• Collapse of Democratic Norms: The brothers analyze a week marked by military actions against civilians, weaponization of DOJ power, fraudulent “deals” and economic claims, and the systematic sidelining of Congress and press freedoms.
• Media Failures & “Rage Baiting”: They argue that what critics call “rage bait” is merely reporting reality, as each new outrage is too outlandish for many to process—and that skepticism is exploited by authoritarians.
• Trump Regime’s Authoritarian Playbook: Trump’s pattern of lies, personal enrichment, headline manipulation, attacks on adversaries, and use of the military for intimidation is explored in depth.
• Pro-Democracy Mobilization: The brothers promote the “No Kings” protests as critical peaceful resistance, urging listeners to stay vigilant, active, and skeptical of regime narratives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. John Bolton Indicted: Weaponizing DOJ

• [01:01, 10:24, 47:57]
  Ben reports that John Bolton faces an 18-count felony indictment—widely seen as political retaliation ordered by Trump.
  • Ben: “Trump has ordered his DOJ... Go after this person, this person, that person... In the past, you would have a president... say to their DOJ, you don’t serve me, you serve the American people.”
  • Bolton’s statement calls out “weaponizing the Justice Department to charge those he deems to be enemies... My book was reviewed and approved... No charges were ever filed. Then came Trump 2, who embodies what Stalin’s head of secret police once said: ‘You show me the man, I’ll show you the crime.’” [47:57]

2. Illinois Appeals Court: Trump’s Military Actions Blocked

• [01:01, 41:13]
  • Illinois 7th Circuit Court (including Trump, Bush, and Obama-appointed judges) ruled unanimously against Trump’s use of federal troops to suppress protests—underscoring bipartisan rejection of unlawful use of force.
  • Ben: “A Trump appointed appeals court judge ruled against Trump as well… If you’re keeping track, you had the Trump-appointed judge in Portland ruling against Trump…”

3. Middle East “Deal” & US Troops in Israel:

• [01:01, 28:56, 30:01]
  • Ben breaks down the collapse of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, emphasizing that neither Israel nor Hamas actually signed the deal.
    • Ben: “It’s easy to predict when Israel and Hamas did not actually sign the deal… All these other countries signed it, but not [them]… So how was there ever going to be a sustainable peace?”
    • 24 Palestinians killed since ceasefire declaration ([28:56]).

4. Trump-Putin “Peace” Calls & Tomahawk Missiles

• [01:01, 36:49, 41:13]
  • Trump’s calls with Putin result (again) in no sanctions on Russia, no weapons for Ukraine—contradicting prior promises.
    • Ben: “Putin knows how to play Donald Trump like a frickin’ fiddle.” [01:01]
    • Brett: “The last person he speaks to determines all of his beliefs… He spoke with Vladimir Putin for over two hours… all of a sudden he’s back to being Mr. Pro-Russia...” [40:10]
    • Trump on Tomahawks: “We need Tomahawks for the United States of America… We have a lot of them, but we need them. We cannot deplete for our country…” [39:02]

5. Trump’s Fraudulent Healthcare/IVF Promises

• [01:01, 13:09, 16:20, 18:06]
  • The brothers dissect Trump’s latest executive order—marketed as “free IVF/healthcare”—which in reality benefits companies tied to Trump’s family while leaving Americans uninsured.
    • Ben: “His campaign pledge on IVF was it would be free. The government would pay for it… That’s not what he announced today. So it was just yet another lie by him…”
    • Brett: “It’s the stuff you see in Soviet dictatorships… Every single thing Trump does ends up lining his own and his cronies’ pockets.” [21:07]

6. Project 2025 & The Dismantling of Government

• [08:59]
  • Ben: “When we said Project 2025 is real… they want to destroy things like FEMA and the National Oceanic Administration and the State Department and USAID… They’re coming for the weather forecasting services, the CDC, the NIH… They’ve done all of that.”

7. Media’s Role & “Rage Bait” Allegation

• [08:59, 05:16, 07:26, 71:44]
  • Brett and Jordi argue most “unbelievable” news is in fact reality; media too often normalizes or fails to challenge lies.
    • Brett: “Some of these stories… are so insane, they sound unbelievable... But we are dealing with crazy.”
    • Jordi: “Facts are our friends here. We lead with facts and data as our North Star… Wake up and get loud…” [07:26]

8. Pentagon Press Crackdown & Foreign Media Access

• [53:04]
  • Brett shouts out US media (even Fox/Newsmax) for refusing to sign a “loyalty pledge” to report only Pentagon-approved news; leaving access to right-wing and foreign/state outlets.
    • “Only people who ended up signing this and now have Pentagon access... The Federalist, Epoch Times, OAN, a Turkish newspaper... So now only these foreign entities... have access to the Pentagon approved stories.”
    • Pete Hegseth’s loyalty pledge compared to direct attacks on the First Amendment.

9. War Crimes: Caribbean Strikes & Escalation in Venezuela

• [47:57, 53:04]
  • Military commander steps down after participating in attacks on fishing boats in Caribbean—called out by Ben as war crimes.
  • Trump greenlights covert CIA operations and lethal force in Venezuela; confirms covert actions on camera ([56:40]).
    • “Blowing up tiny fishing boats… is a war crime. I think we’ll find out soon these are innocent people being slaughtered…”

10. Dysfunctional Congress & Shutdown Theater

• [59:00, 61:17, 64:47]
  • “MAGA” Mike Johnson refuses to negotiate with Democrats, causing prolonged shutdowns that stall healthcare and services.
    • Jordy: “Republican politicians do not actually want to work, especially for you... They only answer to one person, their dear leader, Donald Trump.”
    • AOC clip: “They refuse. I’ve never seen people who hate working so much in my life.” [64:47]
    • Brett: “Republicans have only worked 12 days out of 85 days… Like an accountant during tax season taking a vacation—malpractice.”

11. No Kings Protest & California Missile Test

• [71:44]
  • MidasTouch reports (and is later confirmed by major outlets) that Trump planned a “vanity parade,” firing live munitions near the “No Kings” protest in San Diego, possibly shutting down I5—carrying echoes of intimidation practices.
    • Ben: “Data was accurate. Live munitions are being fired. Now Trump says it’s in ‘contained zones’… Governor Newsom confirmed our reporting. Just ask yourself the most basic freaking questions…”
    • Brett: “People were like, ‘Oh, this is rage bait…’ And then LA Times confirms it, San Francisco Chronicle confirms it… Anything is possible in this era of the Trump regime.”
    • Hosts urge peaceful, massive participation and warn about regime attempts at intimidation/disruption.

12. Hostility Toward Opponents

• [72:55]
  • Trump press secretary: “[The Democrat Party]’s main constituency are made up of Hamas, terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals.”—called “despicable” by Brett.

Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• Ben ([10:24]): “I wish it were rage bait… I don’t want these things to be happening… but they are. Stop fear mongering, they said—they’ve done all of that.”
• Brett ([05:16]): “The Trump administration has a concerted strategy of flooding the zone with shit. Some stories are so insane, so crazy, that they sound unbelievable… but we are dealing with crazy.”
• Jordi ([07:26]): “Please stop giving this guy the benefit of the doubt. We source meticulously here at the Midas Touch Network. Facts are our friends.”
• Ben ([36:49]): “Trump is so thirsty for the theater of a deal, he just wants to announce deal no matter what.”
• Brett ([40:10]): “The last person he speaks to determines all his beliefs… Putin just calls up, flatters him… and he falls for it hook, line and sinker every time.”
• AOC ([64:47]): “They refuse. I’ve never seen people who hate working so much in my life… Any day not negotiating is a failure.”
• Ben ([59:42]): “In the American form of government, how do you not speak to the other side when you need their votes… If that’s your behavior, the American experiment is over.”

Key Segment Timestamps

• [01:01] — Ben’s rundown of all major crises: Bolton, IL/MD courts, Israel/Gaza, Putin-Ukraine, IVF scam, Alaska typhoon, Argentina bailout, etc.
• [05:16] — Brett on “flooding the zone” and why the public thinks the news is too crazy to be real.
• [07:26] — Jordi: “Wake up and get loud…”
• [10:24] — Ben: Rage-bait myth; Project 2025 reality.
• [13:09] — Trump’s fake IVF/healthcare pledges; reality of insurance and subsidies.
• [16:20] — Clip: Trump’s “major statement” on IVF (promise vs. reality).
• [18:06] — Clip: Trump’s outlandish economic claims.
• [21:07] — Brett’s exposé: Trump Rx as self-enrichment scheme.
• [28:56] — US troops in Israel, Hamas, and the death toll during the “ceasefire.”
• [36:49] — Ben and Brett: Trump’s “deals” and lies, “theater of the deal” with Putin.
• [41:13] — Ben: Timing and psychology of Trump-Zelensky after Putin call.
• [47:57] — John Bolton’s statement; war crimes in Caribbean; Pentagon resignations.
• [53:04] — Brett: Media refusal to sign Pentagon loyalty pledge; foreign outlets left with access.
• [59:26] — MAGA Mike Johnson on why the shutdown is “Democrats’ fault.”
• [61:17] — The debate challenge—MAGA Mike vs. Hakeem Jeffries.
• [64:47] — AOC on Congressional Republican abdication of duty.
• [71:44] — MidasTouch’s exclusive: Camp Pendleton missile test during “No Kings” protest.
• [72:55] — Example of regime demonization of political opponents (White House press sec. quote).
• [76:34] — Brett/Jordi rallying listeners for the weekend No Kings protests.

Memorable Moments

• Clip montages of Trump’s inconsistent, increasingly unhinged public statements on healthcare, military, and foreign policy.
• Direct comparison to fascist playbooks and Soviet dictatorship-level corruption.
• Hosts urging broad, peaceful mobilization for democracy and the “No Kings” protest ([76:34]).
• Relentless focus on the essential need to not normalize the regime’s actions or take facts at face value from official sources.

Takeaways for Non-listeners

• The Trump regime’s second term is defined by brazen disregard for law, norms, and truth—weaponizing all levers of power for personal gain, punishing enemies, and gaslighting the public.
• Media and citizen skepticism about unbelievable news is both manipulated by and beneficial to authoritarian power—MidasTouch urges “fact-based vigilance.”
• Current government, legal, and military actions echo history’s worst authoritarian regimes.
• The “No Kings” mass protests are framed as a crucial stand for democracy amidst “democratic backsliding.”
• The podcast is equal parts warning, rally cry, and hands-on factual breakdown—pushing listeners not to be numbed by the constant “flood” of madness.

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