The MeidasTouch Podcast: Full Episode Summary (Jan 2, 2026)

Episode Overview

Theme:
The first MeidasTouch Podcast of 2026 finds brothers Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas tackling the ongoing scandals and corruption surrounding Donald Trump, the fallout from missing Epstein documents, and the uplifting inauguration of NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani. The episode weaves together political analysis, first-hand reporting, and characteristic brotherly banter while highlighting broader questions about accountability, governance, and democracy in America.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s “Same Old” Scandals in the New Year

• Opening Punch (00:00–05:21):
  • The brothers emphasize that, despite a new year, Trump’s pattern of “criming, cover up, scamming, grifting” continues.
  • DOJ confirms there are at least 5.2 million missing Epstein files—a topic MeidasTouch reported on years earlier.
  • Wall Street Journal exposé links Trump to Epstein, revealing Mar-a-Lago spa workers were routinely sent to Epstein’s house—details the brothers claim they broke years before the mainstream press.
  • Trump’s health is again questioned after a Wall Street Journal interview where he boasts about taking excessive aspirin and making confusing statements about medical scans.
  • Trump’s erratic behavior: attacking Colorado’s governor and AG, vetoing a Clean Water Act for Colorado, and launching repeated tirades at the Kennedy family, even amidst a family tragedy.

“It may be a new year, but Donald Trump is up to his same old criming, cover up, scamming, grifting.” — Ben Meiselas [00:00]

2. The Inauguration of Zoran Mamdani: A Contrast in Leadership

• Contrast with Trump (07:36–11:07):
  • The brothers highlight Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s inauguration as an example of hope and unity.
  • Legal correspondent Karen Friedman Agnifilo covered the event, interviewing NY AG Letitia James and others.
  • Mamdani’s emphasis on serving “all New Yorkers—even those who didn’t vote for him”—is lauded as the kind of leadership missing at the national level.

“Wouldn’t it be a great thing if you had a United States president who just said things like that and just behaved like that?” — Ben Meiselas [07:36]

3. Epstein Files Cover-Up: Deep Dive

• Missing Files & DOJ’s Role (11:07–24:34):
  • Only 5% of Epstein files have been released so far; the rest are missing or withheld.
  • The MeidasTouch team connects these delays and redactions to efforts to insulate Trump and his associates from scrutiny, noting repeated patterns of obstruction dating back to the 2007 “sweetheart deal” overseen by Alex Acosta (later Trump’s Labor Secretary).
  • Trump’s supposed “ban” of Epstein was just from the spa, not Mar-a-Lago, and was performed only after an egregious sexual assault incident involving a young spa worker.
  • Emerging narrative: Mar-a-Lago was a central hub in Epstein’s trafficking operation.

“To me, and this is my personal opinion, it almost appears that Donald Trump was not necessarily a client of Jeffrey Epstein, but in many ways was a partner.” — Brett Meiselas [21:19]

• Calls for Accountability (24:34–26:36):
  • The brothers argue the DOJ itself may be complicit, comparing its actions to those of a criminal enterprise that could face RICO charges.

“It doesn't make me a lib that I want to see child sex traffickers held accountable... The American people should have visibility.” — Jordy Meiselas [24:34]

4. Special Counsel Jack Smith’s Deposition: Law & Order vs. Obstruction

• Transparency & GOP Obfuscation (34:45–46:16):
  • Republicans attempted to bury the eight-hour video deposition of Jack Smith by releasing it over New Year’s, but MeidasTouch quickly published the footage and key highlights.
  • Smith calmly explains his investigation and indictments of Trump, denouncing political revenge tactics used against DOJ staff.
  • GOP members prevented Smith from discussing “non-public” information—such as evidence Judge Aileen Cannon is keeping undisclosed—setting up legal traps to entangle Smith, but not sending a DOJ lawyer to clarify what’s off-limits.

“The decision to bring charges against President Trump was mine. But the basis for those charges rests entirely with President Trump and his actions.” — Jack Smith [38:55]

• Insightful Analysis:
  • The brothers compare Smith’s professionalism with Trump world’s chaotic, retaliatory approach, reaffirming the need for principled leadership in the DOJ.

5. Trump’s Health and the Wall Street Journal Report

• Physical & Cognitive Health (58:31–66:25):
  • The Wall Street Journal article on Trump’s aging presents him as evasive and unreliable, with confusion over medical tests (MRI vs. CT scan) and questionable dietary habits.
  • Trump’s stories about discolored hands shift from “too much handshaking” to “someone whacked me,” with reports of frequent bleeding and erratic explanations.
  • Trump insists he’s not falling asleep in meetings—just (in his words) “the blink…they'll catch me with the blink.”

“He says he doesn't fall asleep during these meetings. When we see him sleeping, it's actually him blinking.” — Ben Meiselas [00:00]
“The makeup job we see, it doesn't look like a lot of time was spent on that job…” — Brett Meiselas [61:03]

• Further Context:
  • Trump’s lack of transparency about health is compared unfavorably to other politicians. The brothers suggest the honesty and clarity shown by leaders like Zoran Mamdani should be the norm.

6. Uplifting Contrast: Zoran Mamdani’s Vision

• Democratic Values in Action (66:25–71:38):
  • Full playback of Mamdani’s oath to govern on behalf of all, regardless of political allegiance.
  • Discussion of his policy priorities: universal childcare, rent freezes, fare-free buses—dubbed “radical” by opponents but described by Bernie Sanders as necessary and mainstream.

“The work continues, the work endures. The work, my friends, has only just begun.” — Mayor Zoran Mamdani [68:36]
“Making sure that people live in affordable housing is not radical... it is exactly what the people of this city and this country want and need.” — Bernie Sanders [69:44]

7. MAGA Media: Performance vs. Policy

• State Propaganda Machine (71:38–75:40):
  • Clips from Fox News: hosts calling Trump “daddy” and scolding states like California—an approach critiqued as unserious and “deeply weird.”
  • The brothers argue that Fox represents billionaire and Epstein interests, using hate and othering tactics to distract from genuine peoples’ issues.
  • National polling shows, contrary to MAGA hype, that policies of people like Zoran Mamdani are broadly popular.

“Trump is Daddy, everybody. And we're not going to give you money. We are going to invade your state because he's Daddy. And Daddy's mad, okay, that's...radical and crazy and demented…” — Ben Meiselas [73:56]

8. Looking Forward: The Role of Independent Media and the MeidasMighty

• Community and Mission (81:07–end):
  • Plug for the MidasTouch “State of the Union” event (Jan 5) and Patreon/YouTube communities.
  • Renewed commitment to uplifting the voices of survivors, working people, and those most impacted by political corruption and cover-up.
  • Emphasis on using the network’s reach to combat hate, propaganda, and to fight for democracy, humor, and empathy.

“Together we're stronger and we will get back our democracy. We will save our democracy. We will get through these difficult times together.” — Ben Meiselas [82:54]

Notable Quotes & Timestamp Reference

• “It may be a new year, but Donald Trump is up to his same old criming, cover up, scamming, grifting.” — Ben Meiselas [00:00]
• “To me...Donald Trump was not necessarily a client of Jeffrey Epstein, but in many ways was a partner.” — Brett Meiselas [21:19]
• “It doesn't make me a lib that I want to see child sex traffickers held accountable...” — Jordy Meiselas [24:34]
• “The decision to bring charges against President Trump was mine.” — Jack Smith [38:55]
• “The work continues, the work endures. The work, my friends, has only just begun.” — Zoran Mamdani [68:36]
• “Making sure that people live in affordable housing is not radical... it is exactly what the people of this city and this country want and need.” — Bernie Sanders [69:44]
• “Trump is Daddy, everybody. And we're not going to give you money... that's radical and crazy and demented…” — Ben Meiselas [73:56]
• “Together we're stronger and we will get back our democracy.” — Ben Meiselas [82:54]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening — Trump New Year Scandals: [00:00–05:21]
• NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s Inauguration: [07:36–11:07]
• Epstein Cover-Up and DOJ Complicity: [11:07–26:36]
• Jack Smith Deposition, Law & Order vs. GOP: [34:45–46:16]
• Trump’s Health Concerns: [58:31–66:25]
• Mamdani’s Vision and Sanders’ Support: [66:25–71:38]
• State Propaganda, MAGA Media: [71:38–75:40]
• Closing/Community and Mission: [81:07–end]

Episode Tone & Language

• Tone: Unapologetically pro-democracy, clear-eyed, direct, often irreverent and humorous in the face of serious topics.
• Language: Candid, sometimes scathing, but always rooted in a call for accountability, empathy, and civic action.

Final Notes

This episode is a deep, wide-ranging, and often passionate unpacking of the state of American politics at the start of 2026, with the Meiselas brothers integrating investigative journalism, personal analysis, and a call to action. The contrast between scandal-ridden politics and models of good governance stands out, as does their commitment to independent journalism and community-driven, democratic engagement.