MeidasTouch Podcast – "MeidasTouch Makes Major Announcement!"
Date: March 23, 2026
Host(s): Ben Meiselas, Brett Meiselas, Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)
Special Guest: Scott McFarland

Episode Overview

This special edition of the MeidasTouch Podcast centers on a significant development for the MeidasTouch Network: the addition of veteran journalist and investigative reporter Scott McFarland as Chief Washington Correspondent. The episode introduces Scott’s dual role—both as part of the MeidasTouch team and through his own new, independent platform, "Scott McFarland Reports." The discussion dives into the values that underlie this collaboration, the state of the American justice system and democracy during the Trump era, reflections on recent political events, and the evolving role of modern reporting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major Announcement: Scott McFarland Joins MeidasTouch Network

• Timestamp: 01:35 – 04:04
  • Ben Meiselas joyfully announces that Scott McFarland, a respected Washington correspondent, is joining the MeidasTouch Network.
  • Scott will serve as the network’s Chief Washington Correspondent and concurrently launch "Scott McFarland Reports" on YouTube and Substack.
  • “We have now this limitless platform and this limitless opportunity, Ben, for unfiltered, unadulterated reporting, independent reporting, where everybody has some skin in the game.” – Scott McFarland, 04:16

2. Scott McFarland’s Reporting Philosophy & Dual Platform Vision

• Timestamp: 04:04 – 07:34
  • Scott reaffirms his commitment to reporting truth, not platforming conspiracy theories or lies, and standing against the whitewashing of history.
  • Both Scott and MeidasTouch stress “no wasted time” in news—their content is efficient, conversational, with no “empty calories.”
  • “Going with that value statement of we don’t platform lies and things that are corrosive to our country and corrosive to democracy.” – Scott, 06:25

3. State of the Department of Justice During the Trump Regime

• Timestamp: 07:34 – 11:11
  • The conversation addresses the politicization of the DOJ and the unprecedented scenarios: e.g., Trump’s face on the Justice Department building, purges and mass departures of experienced staff, and the impact on high-profile cases (like Epstein files and J6 prosecutions).
  • “This is objectively different. I think you can stand back and no matter where you are in the political spectrum, see the differences.” – Scott, 09:50
  • Noted are mistakes and sloppiness in DOJ filings due to staff shortages, straining the administration of justice.

4. Implications of Mass Pardons for January 6th Participants

• Timestamp: 11:11 – 15:26
  • Ben and Scott discuss the profound, ongoing impact of January 6th, focusing on pardons granted by Trump to a broad swath of participants—including seditious conspirators like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
  • Scott recounts his direct court reporting, highlighting the lack of remorse among many defendants, even at sentencing.
  • “This whitewashing of history is an absolute cancer on American democracy. So this is a current threat without accountability. The victims still feel victimized.” – Scott, 13:57
  • Noteworthy: Recent sightings of pardoned J6 leaders at Mar-A-Lago, solidifying the normalization and even celebration of their actions.

5. The Importance of Independent, On-the-Ground Reporting

• Timestamp: 15:26 – 16:30
  • Scott underscores the unique value of having trusted reporters physically present in courtrooms in a “no cameras, no audio feeds” era.
  • “The only way to get the actual nuggets of news as they happen is from the reporters who are in there.” – Scott, 14:57

6. Reaction to Trump’s Posthumous Attack on Robert Mueller

• Timestamp: 15:26 – 20:33
  • Ben brings up Trump’s recent social media post about the death of Robert Mueller ("Good. I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people.") and the resulting political liability for Republicans.
  • Discussion touches on Trump’s alarming statements regarding war crimes and historical revisionism, as well as continued attempts to distract the public with wild posts and propaganda.
  • “While there are deeply serious issues confronting the American people…this type of behavior—to me, it’s why I kind of got involved in this…we need to grow up. We need to act like adults and restore decency and compassion and empathy. And that ain’t it.” – Ben, 17:50

7. How the McFarland Platform Will Navigate Sensationalism vs. Substance

• Timestamp: 18:18 – 20:33
  • Scott emphasizes that on his platform, opinion is set aside for fact-finding and straightforward reporting, especially on viral or controversial stories.
  • He describes the Republican struggle to control the narrative after Trump’s statements, noting it became a "political problem for Republicans" drawing Senate and House leaders off their preferred campaign messages.
  • “If there’s a billion opinions out there, I’m going to get you some reporting on it.” – Scott, 18:44

8. Strategic Vision for Expanding Independent Media

• Timestamp: 20:33 – 23:09
  • Ben reiterates the MeidasTouch ethos: supporting the growth of principled, independent media voices to inform and protect democracy.
  • The team expresses excitement at collaboration opportunities—mentioning crossovers with Katie Phang and other Meidas hosts—and sets an ambitious target for Scott’s YouTube launch (100,000 subscribers).
  • Fun brotherly banter closes out the content segment, with Scott joking about wearing an ‘80s Don Johnson coat to celebrate his new role.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s never been more important to be a reporter than it is now.”
  — Scott McFarland, 04:04

• “Not going to platform conspiracy theories, not going to platform lies, and not going to allow the whitewashing of history.”
  — Scott McFarland, 06:08

• “This whitewashing of history is an absolute cancer on American democracy.”
  — Scott McFarland, 13:57

• “We need to grow up. We need to act like adults and restore decency and compassion and empathy. And that ain’t it.”
  — Ben Meiselas, 17:50

• On Trump’s 1980s photo: “Is that not Don Johnson’s coat from Miami Vice? I think I just caught that…”
  — Scott McFarland, 18:32 (lighthearted moment)

• “If there’s a billion opinions out there, I’m going to get you some reporting on it.”
  — Scott McFarland, 18:44

Important Timestamps

• 01:35 – Major network announcement: Scott McFarland joins MeidasTouch
• 04:04 – Scott’s remarks on the importance of independent journalism
• 06:02 – Reporting values and consistency
• 09:43 – Analysis of Justice Department under Trump
• 13:34 – Ongoing impact and implications of January 6th mass pardons
• 15:26 – Necessity of in-person courtroom reporting
• 17:30 – Reaction to Trump’s inflammatory posts and national concerns
• 18:18 – Scott’s reporting style: facts over hot takes
• 20:33 – Closing gratitude, reflections, and future plans at MeidasTouch

Conclusion

This milestone episode highlights not just a strategic expansion for the MeidasTouch Network, but illustrates the urgency and responsibilities of journalism in 2026. Through Scott McFarland’s addition, MeidasTouch signals its commitment to fact-based, democratic reporting in an age of misinformation, while reinforcing the vital role of independent platforms in holding power to account.

Call to Action:
Listeners/viewers are repeatedly encouraged to subscribe to both MeidasTouch and Scott McFarland’s new platforms across YouTube and Substack “[to be plugged into real reporting and defend democracy.]”

Note: Ads and sponsorship messages at the beginning and end are omitted from this summary.