MeidasTouch Podcast: Full Episode Summary – January 9, 2026

Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Notable Contributor: Pablo Manriquez, MidasTouch D.C. Bureau

Episode Air Date: January 9, 2026

Episode Overview

Main Theme:
This powerful episode dives into a tumultuous 24-hour period in U.S. and global politics under the Trump regime, marked by an explosive new ICE-related murder in Minneapolis, dramatic congressional action on healthcare and war powers, and the growing international fallout from Trump’s foreign policy—specifically U.S. aggression in Venezuela and threats against Greenland. The Meiselas brothers blend thorough news analysis, on-the-ground reporting (now beefed up with their new D.C. bureau), and their trademark no-holds-barred banter, focusing on what they describe as a stark “battle of good versus evil” in America.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. ICE Murder in Minneapolis & Propaganda Aftermath

[01:31 – 28:34]

• Incident Recap:
  ICE agents murdered Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, during a militarized operation in Minneapolis. The Trump administration and right-wing media immediately labeled her a "domestic terrorist," despite video evidence showing she posed no threat.
• Community Reaction:
  Descriptions of Renee Good as a loving citizen, with hosts highlighting the regime's dehumanization of victims and immediate resort to character assassination.
• Government & Media Lies:
  The brothers compare ICE and Border Patrol to paramilitary arms of authoritarian regimes, drawing explicit lines to Venezuela’s colectivos and other historical examples.
• Host Quotes:
  • “You are either for these ICE thugs terrorizing communities and murdering our citizens, murdering mothers, or you’re for democracy.” – Jordy (10:00)
  • “ICE Border Patrol are ... a paramilitary group that’s an arm of the regime...” – Ben (11:50)
  • “If their lips are moving, they are lying.” – Jordy on the Trump administration (27:09)
• Analysis:
  The hosts explore how official lies and media gaslighting fuel authoritarian tactics in America, comparing current propaganda to Orwell, North Korea, and Putin's Russia.

2. International Fallout: Venezuela Invasion, Threats to Greenland, & Erosion of Global Alliances

[01:31, 20:38, 50:41, 65:08 – 78:19]

• Congressional Rebukes:
  • Senate: Bipartisan War Powers Act passes, restricting Trump’s ability to launch further military action in Venezuela without congressional approval.
  • House: Seventeen Republicans join Democrats to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies (still expected to fail in Senate).
• Global Instability:
  • Hostility towards former U.S. allies: France, Germany, and Denmark actively prepare defensive war plans against possible U.S. aggression (e.g., towards Greenland).
  • Russia escalates attacks in Ukraine, interpreted as a response to Trump’s “spheres of influence” foreign policy.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The only subsidies [Trump & MAGA] want are for their billionaire oligarchs and oil companies, not Americans.” – Ben (01:31)
  • “The alarm bells cannot be ringing any louder.” – Brett (21:18)
• UN Reaction:
  • “The military operation which has led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro runs counter to the principle of peaceful dispute resolution...” – French UN Ambassador (71:40)
• Impact on American Reputation:
  Jordy worries aloud about permanent reputational damage and loss of trust among key allies.

3. Authoritarianism and the Function of Government

[21:18 – 28:34, 46:15 – 48:53]

• Host Reflections:
  Questioning government purpose, the brothers lament the Trump regime’s focus on cruelty, imperial adventures, and corrupt priorities (e.g., building Trump-branded ballrooms) at the expense of health, education, and basic welfare.
• Jordy’s Appeal:
  “Believe what you are witnessing with your own eyes. ... It is just sick, sick stuff.” (27:09)

4. MidasTouch’s New D.C. Bureau: Exclusive Reporting & Lawmaker Reactions

[36:28 – 46:15]

• Interviews by Pablo Manriquez:
  • AOC ([37:06]): Condemns ICE impunity, calls death a “cold blood” murder.

    “ICE has less accountability than virtually any law enforcement agency in the United States… operating with impunity.” — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, [37:14]

  • Rep. Johnson ([38:24]): “Homicide for which there should be criminal charges.”
  • Rep. Dean ([38:47, 39:02]): Critiques unleashing ICE, appalled at immediate terrorist labeling.
  • Viral Moment ([40:22]): AOC refuses Jesse Watters’ invitation, citing on-air harassment.

    “He [Watters] has sexualized me on his show. He has sexually harassed me on his show.” — AOC, [40:22]

  • Rep. Moskowitz ([40:48]): Blasts Kristi Noem's leadership and immediate media spin.
• Insight:
  The hosts underscore how vital independent media and direct questioning of officials are in the current media landscape.

5. The Regime’s “Soullessness” & Systemic Cover-ups

[46:15 – 48:53]

• Strategic Exclusion of State Investigators:
  Kristi Noem and federal officials block Minnesota state investigation into ICE shooting, suspiciously shielding federal agents from accountability.
  • “They are covering up a child sex trafficking ring, they're covering up war crimes, they're covering up Donald Trump's medical records. Now they're covering up the investigation …” — Ben, [45:32]
• Host Anger:
  • “This regime is a bunch of creatures. They're not even humans at this point because humans have a soul, humans have feelings.” — Jordy, [27:09]

6. Domestic Policy: Attacks on Childcare, Health, and Social Services

[48:53 – 51:28]

• States’ Rights vs. Regime Retaliation:
  The Trump regime withholds federal childcare funding from blue states, further harming vulnerable children and families.
• Spotlight Interview:
  Ben interviews NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani on a landmark $1.2B investment in universal childcare for New Yorkers, illustrating policy priorities “for the people”.

7. Epstein Files, DOJ Corruption & Venezuela Case

[59:05 – 65:08]

• Congressional Intervention:
  Reps. Ro Khanna (D) and Thomas Massie (R) file an amicus brief urging a federal judge to appoint a special master to force the DOJ’s hand on Epstein-related document releases.
• Host Commentary and “Transactionalism”:
  Discussion about DOJ and Ghislaine Maxwell, likely deals with foreign strongmen, and how Trump’s words (or rants) could inadvertently help their legal defenses.

8. War Powers, Healthcare, and Trump’s Priorities

[78:19 – 81:47]

• Congressional Votes:
  • House: Extension of ACA subsidies passes with bipartisan support—demonstrating GOP fractures but likely Senate blockage.
  • Senate: War Powers resolution blocks Trump’s further unsanctioned militarism in Venezuela.
• Contrast of Priorities:
  As Congress wrangles over real issues, Trump focuses on personal branding (White House renovations) and international adventurism.

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |:----------:|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10:00 | Jordy | "You are either for these ICE thugs terrorizing communities and murdering our citizens, or you’re for democracy." | | 27:09 | Jordy/Brett | "If their lips are moving, they are lying." "The alarm bells cannot be ringing any louder." | | 37:14 | AOC | "ICE has less accountability than virtually any law enforcement agency in the United States… operating with impunity." | | 38:24 | Rep. Johnson | "Homicide for which there should be criminal charges." | | 40:22 | AOC | "He [Watters] has sexualized me on his show. He has sexually harassed me on his show." | | 45:32 | Ben | "They're covering up a child sex trafficking ring, they're covering up war crimes, they're covering up Donald Trump's medical records." | | 71:40 | French UN Amb. | "The military operation which has led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro runs counter to the principle of peaceful dispute resolution..." | | 78:19 | Ben | "...they’re basically playing Legos with the White House right now, plastering Trump’s name on it, vandalizing the Kennedy Center." |

Final Takeaways & Tone

• Unapologetically Pro-Democracy:
  The hosts repeatedly drive home that this moment is not about left or right politics, but a fundamental battle over truth, democracy, and basic human decency.
• Call to Action:
  They urge listeners to trust their eyes, spread independent reporting, and continue pushing for accountability—especially as legacy media and government institutions, in their view, increasingly enable authoritarianism.
• Tone:
  Fierce, urgent, sometimes darkly humorous, but always people-focused and unflinching in their criticism of the current regime.

Useful Timestamps (for Quick Reference)

• 00:00–01:31: Ads – Skip
• 01:31: Ben kicks off with Congress news and the ICE/civil rights story
• 06:59: Brett’s passionate framing: “battle of good versus evil”
• 10:00: Jordy denounces “political” framing, ICE, and loss of humanity
• 21:18: Brett sounds "five alarm fire" about regime actions — connects to dictatorship history
• 36:28–46:15: D.C. bureau launches — interviews with AOC, Johnson, Dean, Moskowitz
• 48:53: Interview with NYC Mayor on childcare policy
• 50:41: Ben’s analysis of costs of living vs. regime priorities
• 57:09: Breaking updates on Portland shooting involving federal agents
• 59:05–65:08: Deep dive: DOJ, Epstein cover-up claims, Venezuela trial speculation
• 71:40: French UN Ambassador’s condemnation of U.S. actions in Venezuela
• 78:19–81:47: Wrap-up of Congressional action

For More From MidasTouch:

• Podcast drops every Tuesday & Friday (main episodes), breaking news daily
• Live shows Monday & Thursday nights on YouTube
• Expanded D.C. bureau: nightly recaps from Capitol Hill
• Community calls-to-action: Subscribe, support, and send in questions for politicians

This summary captures the urgent tone, major topics, and signature directness of the Meiselas brothers and their growing independent media operation, providing context and crucial takeaways from one of the most consequential news cycles yet under the Trump regime.