MeidasTouch Podcast – February 20, 2026: Full Episode Summary

Episode Overview

In this wide-ranging episode, the Meiselas brothers—Ben, Brett, and Jordy—deliver a fiery, in-depth discussion centered on a recurring and urgent theme: the demand for accountability, specifically relating to the Jeffrey Epstein files and the political, judicial, and media protection of powerful figures implicated within. The brothers analyze the latest revelations, global responses to abuse scandals, systemic cover-ups under the Trump administration, and the troubling lack of repercussions for those connected to Epstein in the US, focusing particular attention on Donald Trump and top Republican donors. Interlaced throughout are signature moments of MeidasTouch humor, criticism of media complacency, and pointed calls to political action, culminating in the upcoming “People’s State of the Union” boycott campaign.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. International Accountability vs. US Inaction

• International Response: Recent arrests and investigations (e.g., Prince Andrew in the UK; ex-president of South Korea sentenced to life) serve as examples cited by the brothers of real, immediate accountability for the powerful abroad.
  • Quote (Ben, 02:04): “That’s where Donald Trump deserved. Except our Supreme Court was weak and pathetic. But in South Korea, justice was handed down.”
• Contrast with US: The US response is described as “a protection racket for the Epstein class,” with the Trump DOJ hindering document disclosure and failing to investigate core figures such as Les Wexner.
  • Quote (Jordi, 06:25): “We’re seeing across the world right now the fallout from these Epstein files... But here in the United States, we’re taking a different path... This Department of Justice is acting like a protection racket for the Epstein class.”

2. The Epstein Files: Revelations, Omissions, & Cover-Ups

• Ongoing File Releases: New evidence, including FBI interviews with Trump accusers and correspondence about sex trafficking, is pointedly absent or incomplete in document dumps.

• Les Wexner Deposition: The billionaire’s deposition is dissected for its evasiveness and defensive posture, including a viral moment where his attorney threatens him to keep answers short.

  • Quote (Ben, 12:44): “I will fucking kill you if you answer another question with more than five words.”
  • Wexner denies responsibility, claiming he was the “world Olympic all time con artist’s” victim:
    • Wexner (deposition clip, 15:44): “I was conned by the world Olympic all time con artist.”
  • The brothers challenge this narrative, noting Wexner’s financial enabling of Epstein’s entire operation.

• Tricks of the Trafficking Trade: Discussion of how major modeling agencies were used as a vehicle for trafficking, blending the appearance of legitimacy.

  • Quote (Jordi, 20:49): “A big part of this sex trafficking scheme... modeling agencies played a major, major, major role because... they would give these young girls modeling contracts... really they were being sex trafficked.”

• Failure of Law Enforcement: DOJ never interviewed Wexner, despite his central role; survivors’ testimonies were ignored or suppressed.

3. Political and Media Accountability (or Lack Thereof)

• Boycott of the State of the Union:
  • The MeidasTouch Network is leading a boycott and organizing the “People’s State of the Union” event, with at least 20 members of Congress participating.
    • Quote (Ben, 09:48): “We have multiple members of Congress... they will each be bringing constituents... who will also be giving you the perspective about what the American people are going through right now and how Trump's policies have significantly harmed... the American people.”
  • Criticism of Democrats or media figures treating “business as usual” as possible under current circumstances.
    • Quote (Brett, 08:13): “I don’t think any Democrats should attend the State of the Union. These aren’t normal times. You shouldn’t subject yourselves to listening to... a pedo protector... spew lies and hatred... Don’t give him your dignity.”
• Media’s Role in Evasion and False Equivalence:
  • Mainstream media and GOP alike are accused of muddying the waters and minimizing Trump’s centrality to the Epstein files.
    • Quote (Ben, 44:56): “They just get the most basic facts wrong... Like the way you deal with things, Will Kane, is you look at the facts of things and you research them and you read them and then you show evidence... and you investigate.”
• Epstein Class Protection:
  • Republicans are painted as steadfast protectors of those implicated with Epstein (notably absent from Wexner’s deposition).

4. Epstein’s Zorro Ranch Cover-Up and Recent Developments (27:00–30:48)

• Truth Commissions Thwarted: DOJ previously discouraged state investigations into the ranch. Recent purchase of the ranch by MAGA Republican Don Huffines, who now claims he will transform it into a “Christian retreat for children.”
  • Quote (Don Huffines, 28:19): “My faith is... so strong in Jesus... I’m going to make this... into a Christian retreat... that’s really germane to this property.”
  • The brothers sound every alarm, associating the acquisition with continued cover-up and nepotism (Huffines’s son holds a White House job despite zero relevant experience).
    • Quote (Jordi, 29:12): “I’ve never seen more red flags in my life... These are inner circle people... Every warning sign is blaring for me.”

5. Trump, Trumpism, and “Epstein Class Mentality” (35:33–43:43)

• Absurdities and Outrages:

  • Trump’s repeated exoneration claims about Epstein, including direct quotes that center empathy for perpetrators over victims.
    • Quote (Trump, 42:18): “Well, you know, I’m the expert in a way, because I’ve been totally exonerated... I think it’s so bad for the royal family. It’s a very, very sad... but I’m the one that can talk about it because I’ve been totally exonerated.”
  • Mocked by the brothers for his self-victimization and projections of innocence.
    • Quote (Jordi, 43:31): “Think about it. I feel bad for Prince Andrew. Ghislaine Maxwell, I wish her well. It’s never a word of sympathy about the victims.”

• Media Deflections:

  • Trump and surrogates persistently pivot from evidence, engage in bizarre non sequiturs, distract with culture war talking points.

• Supreme Court Corruption:

  • The Roberts Court is blasted for inventing “absolute immunity” for Trump, described as protectors of the “Epstein class.”
    • Quote (Ben, 47:42): “Our Supreme Court invented a concept called absolute immunity for Donald Trump. Why? Because they’re protectors of the Epstein class.”

6. Broken Political Culture and Institutional Rot (61:02–66:49)

• Cabinet-Level Corruption:

  • Recap of abuse, scandal, and misuse of resources among current cabinet and top officials: Labor Secretary Lori Chavez Darimer’s husband facing criminal investigation for sexual assault; DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s extravagant taxpayer-funded travel; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s frivolous behavior with Dr. Oz.
  • Quote (Ben, 61:02): “I could pretty much go to any cabinet level position and... better know your cabinet members.”

• MAHA/Trump Regime as “Fundamentally Bad People”:

  • The hosts connect these behaviors to pervasive grift, predation, and malice toward the American public.
    • Quote (Brett, 72:21): “They don’t care about you. It’s, who could be the next mark?... that is just the common theme... from anyone in the Trump regime.”

7. Pseudo-Populism and the Wellness-to-Grift Pipeline (68:33–72:49)

• RFK Jr. and the Weaponization of Wellness:
  • Discussion on how figures like RFK Jr. have weaponized previously progressive issues (chemical safety, health) to funnel followers into anti-vaccine and conspiratorial thinking aligned with far-right objectives.
    • Quote (Jordi, 68:49): “These people are scam artists, grifters, liars... the whole thing is just a total fraud.”

8. Fact-Checking Trump’s Economic and Foreign Policy Claims (74:37–79:28)

• Trade Deficit Lies:

  • Trump’s lies about economic gains (claiming trade deficit fell 78%) are fact-checked; in reality, the trade deficit widened to record levels.
  • Quote (Ben, 75:47): “You want to look at what the actual data is?... it widened by $70.3 billion in December.”

• Ukraine, War, and Broken Promises:

  • Analysis of the US’s dwindling credibility as an ally, particularly in arms deals and support for Ukraine.
    • Trump is accused of empty promises and undermining Ukraine during trilateral negotiations, with Russia launching major attacks amid talks.

• No Communication with the American People:

  • Growing concern over military posturing toward Iran without public debate or transparency—war is discussed as a near-inevitability rather than policy.

9. Signature MeidasTouch Banter and Escapism

• Humor Amid Darkness:
  • Several lighter asides, including the “bubbleologist” bit, are woven into the conversation, serving as palate cleansers and reminders of normalcy amid relentless news of depravity and dysfunction.
    • Quote (Brett, 82:31): “The room looks like it’s filled with toddlers. So you answered on behalf of the toddlers and you got the question wrong.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On DOJ Failing to Investigate:
  • Ben (20:49): “Les Wexner was asked, has the Department of Justice ever tried to contact you?... Never. Never spoke to them once.”
• On Attorney Threatening Wexner in Deposition:
  • Ben quoting Wexner’s lawyer (12:44): “I will fucking kill you if you answer another question with more than five words.”
• On MAGA Trump Allies & Zorro Ranch:
  • Jordi (29:12): “I’ve never seen more red flags in my life... these are inner circle people.”
• On Trump’s Exoneration Claims:
  • Trump (42:18): “I’m the expert... because I’ve been totally exonerated. That’s very nice. I can actually speak about it very nicely... I think it’s very sad. I think it’s so bad for the royal family.”
• On Supreme Court Invention of Absolute Immunity:
  • Ben (47:42): “[They] invented a concept called absolute immunity for Donald Trump. Why? Because they’re protectors of the Epstein class.”
• On the Broader Impact of the Cover-Up:
  • Brett (23:59): “We’re witnessing an active cover up. We’re witnessing a cover up in progress right now.”
• On the Weaponization of ‘Wellness’ and Grift:
  • Jordi (68:49): “These people are scam artists... the whole thing is just a total fraud.”
• On State of the Union Boycott:
  • Ben (09:48): “We have multiple members of Congress... who will all be giving speeches... 20 individuals from Congress boycotting.”

Structural Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:04–08:00: Opening monologue – Accountability, international vs. US approach, initial discussion of the Epstein files.
• 09:38–16:44: Les Wexner deposition analysis, attorney outburst, discussion of Wexner’s enabling of Epstein.
• 20:21–23:59: DOJ’s lack of action, modeling agencies as trafficking fronts, details on the scheme.
• 27:00–30:48: Zorro Ranch, truth commission blockade, Huffines family acquisition.
• 35:33–44:56: Trump’s media performances, “Epstein class” protection, Supreme Court as protectorate.
• 61:02–66:49: Cabinet-level corruption: sexual misconduct, misuse of resources, and rampant grift in the Trump administration.
• 68:33–72:49: RFK Jr., the far-right hijack of progressive issues, anti-vax grift.
• 74:37–79:28: Economic lies, Ukraine/Russia negotiations, Iran war brinkmanship.
• 81:48–82:55: Bubbleologist segment—humorous close to a heavy episode.

Conclusion

The Meiselas brothers frame this pivotal moment as a reckoning—or a missed chance for one—for American democracy. They critique the “Epstein class” as an oligarchic syndicate shielded by corrupted judiciary, law enforcement, and an “in on it” media, with Trump as both mascot and chief beneficiary. Their message is clear: accountability is coming elsewhere in the world—and the US must demand the same, supported by grassroots activism such as their State of the Union boycott. The episode’s fierce tone is balanced by moments of camaraderie and absurd humor, highlighting MeidasTouch’s unique mix of activism, legal analysis, and brotherly banter.

To join or watch the “People’s State of the Union” (SOTU) boycott event, tune in to the MeidasTouch YouTube Channel at 8pm Eastern on the night of the SOTU.

Stay engaged, stay vigilant, and, as Ben says, “thank your local bubbleologist.”