The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Melania Shuts Down Presser Over Epstein Files
Date: February 5, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Subject: Melania Trump’s press conference controversy, her failed documentary film, newly released Epstein files, and the Trump circle’s attempts at damage control.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the chaotic press conference held by Melania Trump, in which she appeared to leverage the recent release of hostages to promote her new film. The Meiselas brothers dissect the ethical and political mess surrounding the event, Melania’s awkward dodging of questions about her Epstein and Putin connections, the movie’s embarrassingly poor performance, and propagandistic defenses from Trump allies. The episode also shines a spotlight on the entanglements of various Trump-world figures with the Epstein files and the problematic involvement of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in their social circles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Melania’s Disastrous Press Conference

• (03:28 - 06:12)
  • Melania Trump hosted a press conference celebrating the release of the hostages Aviva and Keith, while repeatedly plugging her documentary.
  • Critics, including reporters in attendance, chastised her for using an official White House event to promote her film, which is already considered a financial and critical flop.

Notable Quote:

• Ben (paraphrasing reporters): “Why are you promoting—using these hostages to promote your movie right now on the taxpayer dime? What the hell are you doing, Melania?” (05:29)

2. Melania Dodges Epstein and Putin Questions

• (06:32 - 07:32)
  • A reporter questions Melania about her past associations with Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. Melania evades, declaring it “inappropriate” for the setting.
  • She is pressed further on her relationship with Vladimir Putin, as she previously claimed to have helped negotiate the release of Ukrainian children from Russian captivity—a claim seemingly made to boost her humanitarian image.

Notable Quotes:

• Melania Trump: “We are here celebrating the release and the life of those two incredible people, so let’s honor that.” (06:52)
• Melania Trump (re: Putin): “I’m working on it. … We are in the process, so I hope we have success very soon. I will keep you posted.” (07:32)

3. Deep Dive: Melania’s Movie is a Massive Flop

• (07:45 - 09:38)
  • Despite enormous investment—$80 million from Jeff Bezos—the movie grossed under $8 million, with reports of empty theaters around the country despite claims it’s being shown “in every theater”.
  • Faith and political groups in Trump’s circle reportedly buy out blocks of tickets to artificially inflate box office numbers and create the illusion of success.

Notable Quote:

• Ben: “They don’t even have like, a proper sign. … This is the best, most empty theater I’ve ever been in. … Give me an E, give me a P, give me an S, give me a T, give me an E, give me an I, give me an N. What’s that spell? Epstein file. That is fraud. That is fraud. Nobody is in there. It was just me.” (09:47)

4. Propaganda and False Narratives

• (13:34 - 14:16)
  • Trump surrogates like Kayleigh McEnany push blatantly false claims about the movie’s popularity:
    • "My mom went … in Florida; not only was the theater packed, it was standing room only." (13:42)
  • The brothers mock these exaggerated statements, contrasting them with real investigatory footage of empty showings.

5. Brett Ratner, the Director, and Epstein Connections

• (14:16 - 15:56)
  • Brett Ratner—who himself is entangled in Epstein controversies—is outed as the film’s director.
  • In an interview clip, Ratner feebly attempts to distance himself from Epstein, refusing to name his “fiancée” who appears in an incriminating photo.

Memorable Moment:

• Brett Ratner line: “She doesn’t want me sharing her name, but that’s my fiancée… one hundred percent was my fiancée… twenty years ago I was engaged to her…” (15:32)

6. The Epstein Files: Melania & Trumpworld

• (15:59 - 17:39)
  • The brothers highlight persistent mentions of Melania and her correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell (“G”) in the Epstein files:
    • 2002 Melania email to Ghislaine Maxwell: "Dear G, … you look great on the picture… I cannot wait to go down [to Palm Beach], give me a call when you are back in New York. … Love, Melania.” (16:08 approximate context)
  • Reference to the infamous New York Magazine article where Donald Trump commented on Epstein’s preferences for “women on the younger side,” further implicating the Trump circle’s coziness with Epstein.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben (on Melania’s press conference):
  "She sickly and disgustingly used this to promote the Melania movie that’s already an utter failure." (03:28)

• Melania Trump (dodging Epstein question):
  “We’re not going to be talking about that; that’s not appropriate here.” (06:52)

• Ben (on theater attendance):
  “They’re paying people to watch the movie, so it’s pretty empty. Wow, that sounds like evidence of fraud.” (09:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:28 — Recap and clips from Melania’s problematic press conference
• 05:29 — Reporter confronts Melania about using hostages/movie promotion
• 06:32 — Melania dodges Epstein/Maxwell past, pivots to celebration
• 07:32 — Melania evades Putin/Ukraine question
• 09:38 — Investigation (Secret Service Sam) into empty movie theaters
• 13:42 — Kayleigh McEnany's ‘packed theater’ propaganda
• 14:16 — Brett Ratner’s Epstein connection
• 15:59 — Excerpts from Epstein files, Melania/Ghislaine emails
• 16:08+ — Discussion of the Trump circle and their history with Epstein

Conclusion

This episode offers a scathing takedown of Melania Trump’s handling of her failed film and her tenuous explanations at a White House press event. The brothers use their signature blend of legal expertise, investigative reporting, and sardonic humor to reveal the layers of hypocrisy, scandal, and outright fraud in the Trump orbit’s attempts to rewrite reality.

(Ben): “You saw this disastrous press conference in Melania promoting the movie, it’s all of that. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe; let’s get to six million subscribers. Thanks everybody for watching—the truth is more important than ever.” (17:39)

For Listeners Who Missed It

If you want trenchant political commentary, on-the-ground investigation, and a healthy dose of comedic brotherly banter, this MeidasTouch episode is not to be missed—especially for those eager to understand the latest Trumpworld scandals and the underbelly connecting powerful figures with the Epstein files.