MeidasTouch Podcast Summary – Full Episode (January 23, 2026)

Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Theme: The episode delivers an unfiltered, energetic takedown of Donald Trump’s recent international and domestic actions—particularly his behavior at the World Economic Forum in Davos—while dissecting the tactics, propaganda, and abuses of power from Trump’s regime and its allies. The brothers emphasize the ongoing attacks on democracy, the weaponization of state institutions, and the media’s complicity, while affirming the importance of truth, perseverance, and people power.

Main Episode Themes

• Trump’s erratic and physically deteriorating public appearances.
• Bogus diplomatic “deals” regarding Greenland and NATO.
• Escalation of ICE and Border Patrol abuses against families and protesters, including the use of AI-generated propaganda.
• The media’s failure to hold Trump accountable and the perils of regime-driven disinformation.
• Congressional hearings with Special Counsel Jack Smith and Republican efforts to rewrite January 6 history.
• Whistleblower revelations about unconstitutional ICE operations.
• The importance of integrity, media literacy, and public resistance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Meltdowns at Davos and Bogus Greenland “Deal”

[00:59] Ben:

• Trump’s hands showed visible bruising and discoloration, raising concerns about his health (“physically and mentally deteriorating and rotting before our eyes”).
• At the World Economic Forum, Trump repeatedly confused Iceland and Greenland and demeaned allies (“complete and utter idiot…worst speech I’ve ever seen at Davos”).
• Trump announced a fake “deal” claiming US would gain sovereignty in Greenland—a claim immediately denied by Denmark, Greenland, and NATO.
• Trump’s regime leaks contained further fabrications about territorial control; none of the actual parties were consulted or agreed.

[11:00] Donald Trump (audio clip):

“They're not there for us on Iceland, that I can tell you. I mean, our stock market took the first dip yesterday because of Iceland.”

[11:55] Donald Trump (audio clip):

“I went from running it to being a terrible human being. But now what I'm asking for is a piece of ice, cold and poorly located, that can play a vital role in world peace…”

• The hosts expose in real-time, with tape, Trump’s repeated confusion and call out his lies.

2. Media Failure and the Regime Echo Chamber

[17:15] Brett:

• Warns against media parroting Trump’s “fake win” announcements without fact-checking (“Your job as a media entity isn't to go, Donald Trump got a deal, everybody. No, it’s to call out the scam.”).
• Praises international resistance to Trump’s isolationist and authoritarian maneuvers.

[20:38] Jordy:

• Criticizes corporate media’s ongoing access journalism and reluctance to challenge Trump for fear of retaliation.

3. AI-Edited Propaganda, ICE, and Abuses of Power

[05:24] Brett:

• MidasTouch broke the story of a protester’s arrest photo, edited with AI by the White House to manufacture distress, demonstrating “how deceitful this regime is.”
• Warns of the broader use of AI and tech platforms for propaganda and the “1984”-like manipulation of reality.

[43:52] Ben:

• Details on the doctored photo of attorney Nekima Levi Armstrong being circulated to slander protesters.
• ICE uses a five-year-old child as bait to entrap a parent, then both are detained in Texas “concentration camps.”
• Reports of use of chemical agents on peaceful protesters (potentially carcinogenic substances never before used even by major city police).

4. Congressional Gaslighting and Jack Smith’s Integrity

[71:44] Jack Smith (testimony):

“Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity... No one should be above the law in this country.”

[72:43] Rep. Moskowitz (Democrat):

• Calls out MAGA Republicans for their hypocrisy, reading their own past condemnations of January 6 and Trump’s role (“The President bears responsibility. Period or exclamation point?”).

[74:38] Brett:

• Describes the entire Republican approach during Smith’s hearing as a display of bad faith, projection, and allegiance to autocracy: “They want to take us into autocracy... Just bad, bad, bad people. It's good versus evil. That was on full display today.”

5. ICE Memo Leaks: Fourth Amendment Eroded

[61:09] Brett:

• A whistleblower reveals that ICE is covertly instructing agents to break into homes without judicial warrants, using internal memos pushed by Trump loyalists—massive constitutional violations.
• DHS’s own training materials say it’s illegal; instructors have resigned rather than continue illegal training.

6. J.D. Vance and Regime Double-Speak

[58:41] J.D. Vance (audio clip, prior statement):

“That guy is protected by absolute immunity. He was doing his job...”

[59:41] J.D. Vance (current statement):

“I don't think any other official within the Trump administration said that officers who engaged in wrongdoing would enjoy immunity. That's absurd.”

• The hosts highlight Vance’s manipulative, shifting narratives and compare his tactics to regime apologists.
• Critique Vance’s strawman arguments about sex offender raids as a cover for abuse.

7. International Corruption and Authoritarian Schemes

[80:02] Brett:

• Jared Kushner, at Davos, is pitching a $25 billion “master plan for Gaza” real estate development on decimated Palestinian land: “to build a new fancy real estate development on top of the blood. This is… vile shit.”

[80:56] Ben:

• Touches on Trump’s corrupt foreign dealings—bank accounts in Qatar, selling Venezuelan oil to cronies, etc.

8. Trump’s Polling Collapse and Retaliatory Lawsuits

[76:59] Ben:

• Cites polling: majority of independents support Democrats; Trump “deeply underwater” on every issue.
• Trump lashes out with multi-billion dollar lawsuits against JP Morgan and The New York Times, mostly for headlines, not substance.

[85:35] Ben:

“He is weak. He is pathetic. He is a clown. He is a horrible human being. Yes, he is evil.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Ben [00:59]: “Donald Trump physically and mentally deteriorating and rotting before our eyes.”
• Brett [17:15]: “Your job as a media entity isn't to go, Donald Trump got a deal, everybody. No, it's to call out the scam, to call out the fraud. He's a con man.”
• Jordy [24:14]: “Donald Trump is the definition, Ben, of a keyboard warrior, right?”
• Brett [41:38]: “You don't care about the country, you don't care about anybody except yourself. And it's honestly a shame. And you brought shame to this country, to the United States, and you have shamed the United States in front of the world.”
• Ben [68:24]: “J.D. Vance is a super smart guy and he knows exactly what he's doing. And to me, that's what actually makes it worse.”
• Jordy [87:21]: “It's this community. It's you watching this and listening, that's been the difference maker. But for that, we'd be in a way more difficult time period right now.”
• Brett [87:43]: “We need to continue to stay strong. That perseverance is half the battle, more than half the battle. Quite frankly, I feel like it's 90% of it.”

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• [00:59] - [05:20]: Ben’s opening overview of Trump’s latest scandals and health questions.
• [05:24] - [08:24]: Brett’s exposé on AI-edited protester photo and regime propaganda.
• [11:00], [11:55]: Trump’s Davos speeches, confusing Greenland/Iceland; played and dissected.
• [17:15]: Media’s complicity and international resistance highlighted.
• [24:14]: “Keyboard warrior” critique of Trump.
• [43:52] - [45:40]: Detailed breakdown of ICE using children to trap immigrants and deploying chemical agents on civilians.
• [53:01]: Commercial break (skipped).
• [56:42]: Ben pivots to J.D. Vance and ICE regime’s gaslighting.
• [58:41]: Contrasting Vance’s previous and current public stances on ICE immunity.
• [61:09]: Whistleblower ICE memo leaks; Fourth Amendment crisis.
• [71:44]: Jack Smith’s forceful congressional testimony.
• [72:43]: Rep. Moskowitz exposes Republican hypocrisy post-January 6.
• [74:38]: Brett’s take on Republicans’ deflection during Smith hearing.
• [80:02]: Jared Kushner’s “master plan” for Gaza real estate.
• [85:35]: Trump’s absurd lawsuits and clownish posturing.
• [87:21] - End: Final thoughts—emphasis on community action, resilience, independent media.

Takeaway & Tone

The tone is impassioned, incredulous, and highly critical, marinated in brotherly humor and camaraderie, but propelled by righteous indignation at abuses of power and the normalization of lies. The episode is a rallying cry for vigilance, accountability, and solidarity among those defending democracy.

“Could you accept reality? This is reality. This is good versus evil.”
— Brett, [74:38]

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