The MeidasTouch Podcast: Full Episode Summary – February 17, 2026

Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Theme:
The Meiselas brothers dissect the ongoing Trump/Epstein cover-up, the manipulation of information and public opinion by the Trump regime and MAGA world, international reactions at the Munich Security Conference, the projection tactics of authoritarians, and the global struggle between liberal democracy and rising autocracy.

Episode Overview

In this hard-hitting episode, the MeidasTouch brothers delve into breaking revelations about Donald Trump's continued concealment of critical Epstein files, the regime's disinformation campaign, and the alarming alignment of the Trump/MAGA movement with global autocratic playbooks. Highlighting the Munich Security Conference and the rise of new, dignified American leadership, the hosts underscore the interconnected global battle between democracy and authoritarianism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Epstein Files Cover-Up & Disinformation Tactics

(Start around 01:38)

• Concealed Documents:
  Ben reports Trump is hiding “an additional 50 terabytes” of Epstein files—potentially “hundreds of millions of documents,” with only about 2% released.

  “That could literally mean hundreds of millions of documents are still being concealed...” (01:38, Ben)

• DOJ’s Fake List:
  The Trump DOJ published a “fake” Epstein list including absurd entries (Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, even investigators) to muddy the waters and undermine legitimate scrutiny.

  “They put people like Janis Joplin and Marilyn Monroe and Elvis... and if you were investigating Epstein, they put you on the list as well.” (02:34, Ben)

• Right-Wing Projection:
  Don Jr. and MAGA influencers accuse others of the behavior found in their own ranks—classic authoritarian projection tactics.

  “Everything [Trump] says is projection. Everything he says is a confession of something that he himself has done.” (17:00, Brett)

• CBS & Media Complicity:
  Ben catalogs grotesque private communications between Epstein associates and laments that mainstream media, like CBS, keeps individuals like Atia employed despite their proximity to the scandal.

  “CBS is like, we can't give in to the woke mob... Why do you have to keep that guy?” (12:36, Ben)

Notable Quotes:

• “I am on every list except the Epstein list…” (13:17, Don Jr. clip)
• “Donald Trump is literally the main character of the Epstein files.” (19:36, Jordy)

2. Authoritarian Playbooks & International Connections

(Start around 06:57, deep dive at 36:43 & 43:15)

• Epstein’s Role as Political Middleman:
  Epstein worked as a global fixer, directly intervening in cabinet selections and plotting to install authoritarians worldwide, including supporting Orban in Hungary and Bolsonaro in Brazil.

  “Epstein was like running the Trump administration... he was in charge of identifying who the treasury secretary was going to be.” (10:57, Ben)

• Weaponizing Accusations:
  Viktor Orban and Trump/MAGA employ identical strategies—accusing opponents of pedophilia while being implicated themselves.

• QAnon as Self-Projection:
  The brothers reveal that the kernel of truth in QAnon is that these criminal schemes were indeed happening—by the very people spreading the conspiracy theories.

3. Liberal vs. Authoritarian World Order: Munich Security Conference

(Start around 31:23, main segment from 46:01 on)

• Obama’s Leadership Contrast:
  Ex-President Obama receives a standing ovation at the NBA All-Star Game and calls out Trump's “clown show,” emphasizing the American people's fundamental decency.

  “There doesn’t seem to be any shame… but the majority of Americans still believe in decency and courtesy…” (32:46, Obama clip)

• American International Isolation:
  Rubio, once a critic of Orban, now openly allies with him. Rubio at the Munich Conference decries the rules-based order, parroting what the hosts call “Epstein class talking points.”

  “This was a foolish idea that ignored both human nature and.. over 5,000 years of history.” (47:07, Rubio via Ben)

• Other U.S. & World Leaders Step Up:

  • John Ossoff: Delivers a presidential-level speech on resisting autocracy and the power of truth.

    “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it… election deniers… the act of telling [the big lie] proves the teller’s humiliating submission.” (60:00, Ossoff clip)

  • Newsom: Dismisses MAGA as a “temporary invasive species… a cult of personality.” (61:37, Newsom clip)
  • Hillary Clinton: Reiterates call for Epstein file transparency, highlights Bannon/Epstein efforts to "overthrow Pope Francis," and calls out Trump for “betraying the West.”

• Global Pushback:
  European and allied leaders openly mock and rebuke Trump’s regime; the Danish and Estonian prime ministers scold U.S. attacks on press freedom.

  “If one Nato country attacks another… then Nato ends. It’s game over.” (64:13, Denmark PM)

Notable Quotes:

• “He [Trump] has betrayed the West. He's betrayed human values. He's betrayed the NATO Charter…” (68:43, Hillary Clinton)
• “Viktor Orban… would be the one to hunt down the pedos… and the juvenile prison system… was being used… to sex traffic...” (10:57, Ben)

4. Disinformation, Tech Moguls, and Surveillance

(Start around 72:34, detailed at 78:32)

• Social Media & Algorithms:
  The brothers warn of the “trillion-dollar operation” of disinformation, and the dangers of platforms (and tech moguls, including Zuckerberg and Musk) kowtowing to autocrats.

  “Are we going to be a country that's defined by the Zuckerbergs of this world, who are just petrified of the Donald Trumps...?” (76:18, Jordy)

• Surveillance State Creep:
  DHS using administrative warrants to demand user information from tech giants on people critical of ICE. The Trump regime threatens AI company Anthropic for not wanting their tech used for spying.

• The Infamous Epstein Dinner Photo:
  August 2015 image: Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg (and wife), and Google’s founder dining with Epstein—a chilling illustration of intertwined elite power.

  “You look at that photo and you’re like, oh, I kind of see what’s happening.” (78:32, Brett)

5. Ukraine and the Decline of U.S. Moral Leadership

(Start at 80:34)

• Zelensky Rebukes the U.S.:
  Frustration at Europe being sidelined as the U.S. bows to Russian conditions on Ukraine.

  “[Europe] is practically not present at the table. It’s a big mistake to my mind.” (80:34, Zelensky)

Memorable and Notable Moments

• Ben’s Summary of Projection Tactics:
  “Every conspiracy has a kernel in truth, the thing about QAnon is that it was real. It was just the Epstein class that was doing it, and they were projecting it on their enemies.” (43:15, Ben)

• Don Jr. Clip:
  “I am on every list except the Epstein list.” (13:17, Don Jr.)

• Obama’s Rebuke:
  “There doesn’t seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum…” (32:46, Obama)

• Ossoff’s Oratory:
  “...false prophets, election deniers, the act of telling it proves the teller’s total and humiliating submission.” (60:00, Ossoff)

Structure & Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro/Background on Trump/Epstein Coverup: 01:38 – 06:57
• Epstein Files Deep Dive & Authoritarian Tactics: 06:57 – 19:36
• Right-Wing Disinformation & “Fake List” Fallout: 13:17 – 21:34
• Global Authoritarianism/Autocracy Playbook: 36:43 – 47:07, 51:13
• Standing Ovation for Obama & Munich Conference: 31:23 – 35:42, 46:01 – 69:38
• Speeches by Ossoff, Newsom, Clinton: 60:00 – 69:38
• Big Tech, Surveillance, and Authoritarian Creep: 72:34 – 80:00
• Ukraine Segment (Zelensky): 80:34 – 81:12

Final Reflections

• The Battle Lines are Global:
  Trump and MAGA are not isolated phenomena, but the American arm of a global authoritarian drive facilitated by elites like Epstein.
• Projection and Disinformation are Core Tactics:
  Accuse others of your crimes to confuse the public and fragment resistance.
• There is a New Generation of Democratic Leadership:
  The likes of Newsom, Ossoff, AOC, and others embody dignity, resilience, and clarity in standing up to autocrats.
• The Call for Accountability:
  The brothers urge listeners to continue demanding truth, supporting independent journalism, and building informed communities.

Summary Table of Key Speakers & Quotes

| Speaker | Timestamp | Quote/Point | |-----------------|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | Ben | 01:38 | “Trump may still be concealing an additional 50 terabytes..” | | Don Jr. | 13:17 | “I am on every list except the Epstein list…” | | Brett | 17:00 | “Everything [Trump] says is projection...” | | Jordy | 19:36 | “Donald Trump is literally the main character…” | | Obama | 32:46 | “There doesn’t seem to be any shame about this among people…” | | Newsom | 61:37 | “MAGA will not survive past Donald Trump…” | | Ossoff | 60:00 | “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it…” | | Hillary Clinton | 68:43 | “He has betrayed the West. He’s betrayed human values…” |

Takeaway

This episode exposes the machinery of power, projection, and information warfare underpinning the Trump/Epstein axis and makes a powerful plea for renewed democratic engagement and global solidarity. The Munich Conference sets the stage for unapologetic democratic leadership, highlighting the importance of truth, accountability, and unity against the rising tide of global authoritarianism.

Listen and share if you care about democracy, facts, and the future of the free world.