The MeidasTouch Podcast - 1/27/26

Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Date: January 27, 2026

Overview

This emotionally charged episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast centers around the shocking killing of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and celebrated community member, allegedly at the hands of Trump administration Border Patrol agents. The Meiselas brothers deliver comprehensive analysis and fierce commentary on the regime’s response, the coordinated campaign to smear Pretti, the foreign and domestic political ramifications, and a deep dive into the growing authoritarian tactics of the Trump government. Through personal stories, expert interviews (including economist Justin Wolfers), and their signature banter, the brothers rally listeners to collective outrage, urge political action, and draw attention to democracy’s perilous state.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Alex Pretti Killing and Smear Campaign

• [02:20 – 11:00]
  • Incident Recap:
    Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse hailed for his heroism, was shot and killed by Border Patrol during a protest in Minneapolis. The event was captured on video.
  • Regime Response:
    The Trump administration, led by propagandists like Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem, immediately labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” alleging he intended to massacre federal agents—a claim with zero evidence.
  • Pattern of Abuse:
    Ben highlights this is not an isolated tactic, citing previous cases (e.g. Renee Nicole Goode) where regime officials falsified causes of death and slandered victims.

“They lie about the cause of death and say people died by suicide, and you find out it's strangulation at the hands of ICE Gestapo.”
— Ben ([02:03])

• Personal Outrage:
  The hosts grieve for Pretti’s family and decry the regime’s moral depravity, emphasizing the tipping point nature of this murder for public consciousness.

“Every time you think there's a rock bottom, this regime tends to find the basement every single time.”
— Brett ([06:19])

2. Trump’s Deteriorating Health: Exposé Discussion

• [11:55 – 13:30; 36:29 – 44:12]
  • New York Magazine Article:
    The hosts discuss a damning exposé in New York Magazine about Donald Trump’s mental and physical health. Trump is described forgetting the word “Alzheimer’s” while referencing his father’s illness, prompting his press secretary to fill in.
  • Oval Office Bizarre Behavior:
    Reporter Ben Terris describes surreal scenes: Trump obsessing over “hand bruising,” demanding doctors verify trivial ailments, and threatening journalists with lawsuits over critical health coverage.

“[Trump] pointed to his forehead and looked to his press secretary for the word that escaped him. ‘Alzheimer's,’ Levitt said. ...Well, I don't have it now.”
— Ben quoting article ([38:10])

“If we wrote that here, like, if we wrote that into a Ben video, you guys would think we made it up.”
— Brett ([38:51])

3. International Fallout and America’s Reputation

• [44:12 – 48:35, 56:32 – 74:07]
  • Trump’s Antagonistic Foreign Policy:
    The panel discusses Trump’s attacks on Canada, threats of 100% tariffs, and dismissals of trade agreements (e.g., USMCA/Kuzma), which are met with calm, measured responses from world leaders (notably Canadian PM Carney).
  • Global Perceptions:
    The German Foreign Ministry now warns its citizens against travel to the US, citing violence and state-sponsored terror.
    Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter is “calling on World Cup fans to stay away from the United States.” ([75:04])
  • Long-Term Damage:
    Economist Justin Wolfers unpacks the generational harm to US institutions, investment, immigration, and innovation due to Trump’s authoritarianism.

“What that's going to show up as is in a decade's time—there'll be some companies that were never founded, some entrepreneurs who couldn’t afford to go to business school...our kids will feel it in a set of lost opportunities.”
— Prof. Justin Wolfers ([58:50])

4. Internal Crisis: ICE, Border Patrol, and Congressional Maneuvering

• [30:41 – 36:29; 52:32 – 68:21]
  • Cover-ups and Congressional Blackmail:
    Ben breaks down how House Republicans, led by “MAGA Mike” Johnson, tied disaster relief in appropriations bills to increased funding for ICE and Border Patrol, coercing colleagues into voting for “state-sponsored terrorism.”
  • Coordinated Narrative:
    Clips of Trump officials demonstrate “word-for-word” smear campaigns. The regime also manipulated evidence, using AI-altered images to justify detentions and lethal force.
  • Recent Developments:
    Greg Bevino, Border Patrol chief accused of implementing brutal tactics, has been demoted as administration damage control.
  • Calls for Real Accountability:
    Hosts demand transparency (release of officers’ names), criminal prosecution, and true reform.

“They want to act like there is accountability right now without there actually being accountability... Bevino is just the patsy, a noxious and odious fall guy. Stephen Miller is the architect and prime mover of the whole thing... As long as he runs policy in the White House, nothing will change.”
— Brett, quoting Ron Filipkowski ([68:49])

5. The Epstein Files and Barr’s Continued Role

• [60:48 – 63:04]
  • Op-Ed Misdirection:
    Former AG Bill Barr writes in the Wall Street Journal to excuse why Epstein documents haven’t been released, blaming logistics.
  • Hosts’ Skepticism:
    Ben, drawing on legal experience, dismisses the excuses, citing a deliberate cover-up: “They had a thousand lawyers... Why aren’t they doing rolling productions?”
  • Bill Barr’s Connections:
    Brett details Barr family links to Epstein and accuses Barr of serial obfuscation for Trump.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Public Silence Breaking:

  “Finally, finally, finally...we are seeing certain people like that speaking up, speaking out, calling out the horrific murders of these individuals.”
  — Brett ([07:55])

• On Regime Hypocrisy:

  “If you have a lawful permit and you conceal carry...then the Second Amendment should be impeded and you should be murdered for it...MAGA Republicans... don’t care about anything. They are shells of human beings.”
  — Ben ([15:00–19:09])

• On Economic Consequences:

  “Whatever the next generation’s Google or OpenAI is, it may not end up being invented or it may not happen on our soil... our kids will feel it.”
  — Prof. Justin Wolfers ([59:50])

• On Regime Smear Playbook:

  "Their biggest fear is being identified... That’s why they are forcefully fighting back, in this case, murdering an individual for recording them."
  — Brett ([54:28])

• On the Need for Outrage and Activism:

  “Shining a light on this stuff, you know, is a, like I said, a turning point moment this weekend. It happens because of pressure, because of us documenting this. It happens because of people like you speaking out, you calling your representatives.”
  — Co-host ([78:06])

Timestamps to Key Segments

• [02:20 – 11:00] – The murder of Alex Pretti, regime’s smear campaign, and the response from civil society
• [16:14 – 17:01] – Treasury Sec. Scott Bessen’s dismissive comments on Pretti’s death
• [22:22 – 23:27] – Kristi Noem’s press conference and NRA hypocrisy
• [36:29 – 44:12] – NY Magazine article revelations about Trump’s health
• [44:50 – 46:03] – Canadian PM Carney’s response to Trump’s tariffs threat
• [56:32 – 60:48] – Justin Wolfers on “generational economic damage”
• [63:12 – 68:21] – The demotion of Border Patrol’s Greg Bevino and Ron Filipkowski’s commentary
• [75:04] – Sepp Blatter’s call for World Cup fans to avoid the US

Tone, Style, and Takeaways

• Tone: Outraged, frank, combative, and darkly comedic. The hosts never shy away from strong emotional language and moral clarity, regularly referring to regime officials as "creatures," "soulless," or "trash."
• Style: Blends breaking news, legal and political analysis, and raw, heartfelt pleas for democratic resurgence. Signature brotherly banter and sarcasm lighten heavier moments.

Takeaway:
The Meidas brothers sound the alarm on a regime teetering into authoritarianism, highlight the importance of bearing witness and recording abuses, and call for both grassroots activism and government accountability. They urge their listeners to stay informed, remain defiant, and support honest journalism as the fight for democracy grows more perilous.

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