Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Peru Shamans Predict Devastating Illness for Trump in 2026
Date: December 31, 2025
Hosts: Ben Meiselas, Brett Meiselas, Jordy Meiselas
Length: Content discussed through ~14:41 (excluding ads/outros)
Episode Overview
This episode explores a widely reported prediction by Peruvian shamans that Donald Trump will become devastatingly ill in 2026. With their trademark blend of banter and in-depth news coverage, the Meiselas brothers dissect the credibility of these predictions, the media fervor around Trump's health, and the curious behaviors and medical presentations by Trump himself. Experts, particularly Dr. Gupta, weigh in on the medical realities behind cognitive tests and MRIs, raising questions about transparency around Trump’s health.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Peru Shamans’ Predictions and Ritual (00:06–03:50)
- Background: Peruvian shamans, during an annual ayahuasca ritual on the beach in Lima, predict that Donald Trump will fall seriously ill in 2026, and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro will be exiled (00:06).
- Ritual details:
- Colorful ponchos, flowers, coca leaves, incense, and rhythmic dancing by the sea.
- Posters of world leaders (Trump, Maduro, Putin, Xi, Zelensky) used in their ceremonial practices.
- Past accuracy:
- Notably predicted the death of Peru's ex-president Alberto Fujimori in 2024, which occurred as foretold.
- Quote:
- “The United States should prepare itself because Donald Trump will fall seriously ill,” — Juan de Dios Garcia (shaman) [00:44].
2. Cultural Reflection and Media Coverage (02:15–04:30)
- Media attention: Reuters, Associated Press and others pick up the shamans' predictions.
- Reflection from hosts: While the prediction’s mystical nature is noted, the hosts connect them to ongoing coverage of Trump's declining cognitive and physical health.
- Quote:
- “We've been showing you his physical and cognitive deterioration, the way his hands look like they are completely rotting.” — Host [00:20].
3. Trump’s Public Behavior and Social Media Posts (04:30–06:12)
- Erratic posting:
- Trump posts a misleading photo about windmills killing bald eagles—a falcon at a wind turbine in Israel, not a bald eagle in the US [05:30].
- Criticizes the Kennedy family, even on a day of personal loss for the Kennedys [05:55].
- Physical signs: Hosts comment on Trump’s discolored hands and suspected IV injection sites.
4. Cognitive Testing: Trump’s Claims vs. Medical Reality (06:13–09:38)
- Trump’s self-praise:
- Trump repeatedly claims to have “aced” the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) multiple times (06:12–06:28).
- “I'm taking the cognitive test, I think four times… I've got nothing wrong. That's what the American people want.” — Donald Trump, aired in podcast [06:14].
- Medical expert analysis:
- Dr. Gupta, head of Meidas Health, explains:
- MoCA is a basic screening tool for mild dementia; repeating it frequently is unusual without medical necessity (06:47–09:38).
- “No one takes it with this type of frequency. …It’s not the flex that I think he thinks it is.” — Dr. Gupta [09:25].
- MRI of only the chest and abdomen cannot be justified as normal screening; such clinical guidelines do not exist (09:56–11:37).
- Dr. Gupta, head of Meidas Health, explains:
5. Trump’s Medical Transparency in Question (09:38–11:37)
- Dubious MRI reports:
- Trump’s team references MRI scans of torso, missing transparency.
- “No one is aware of getting an MRI of the torso... just for screening. You just don’t do it.” — Dr. Gupta [10:18].
- Suggested cover-up: Hosts and Dr. Gupta allude to possible attempts to conceal aspects of Trump’s health.
- Quote:
- “If they had a doctor that was not trying to editorialize and actually just present the facts, these would be reasonable questions to get answers to.” — Dr. Gupta [08:20].
6. Comparative Health and Activity: Trump vs. Recent Presidents (11:38–14:41)
- Observations by Dr. Gupta:
- Trump shows “age-related cognitive decline,” with confusion, incoherency, and slow reactions publicly visible [11:44–14:41].
- Unlike Biden, Obama, Bush (who displayed visible physical activity), Trump’s lack of exercise is concerning.
- “Physical activity is one way to really guard against the onset of cognitive decline dementia as we get older. So I worry about that as well.” — Dr. Gupta [13:41].
- Summary:
- The lack of medical transparency, unusual testing frequencies, and visible decline are worrisome.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Shaman Prediction:
- “The United States should prepare itself because Donald Trump will fall seriously ill.” — Juan de Dios Garcia, Shaman [00:44]
- Host Commentary:
- “I've been doing reports where I've showed you how it's not just his right hand anymore, it's his left hand as well.” — Host [05:55]
- Trump’s Boast:
- “I'm taking the cognitive test, I think four times… I've got nothing wrong. That's what the American people want.” — Donald Trump [06:14]
- Dr. Gupta on Cognitive Testing:
- “No one takes a Montreal Cognitive Assessment MOCA for short, with this type of frequency. …It’s not the flex that I think he thinks it is.” — Dr. Gupta [09:25]
- Medical Transparency Doubts:
- “No one is aware of getting an MRI of the torso... just for screening. You just don’t do it.” — Dr. Gupta [10:18]
Segment Timestamps
- Peruvian Shamans’ Prediction and Ritual: 00:06–03:50
- Media Reaction and Previous Predictions: 02:15–04:30
- Trump’s Social Media and Health Speculation: 04:30–06:12
- Trump’s Boasts vs. Medical Standards: 06:13–09:38
- MRI and Health Transparency Issues: 09:38–11:37
- Dr. Gupta on Trump’s Decline & Comparison to Other Presidents: 11:38–14:41
Tone and Takeaways
The episode is an engaging blend of skepticism, humor, and earnest analysis—typical of the MeidasTouch brothers. While the shamans’ mystical predictions serve as a headline, the substantive focus is on the serious and growing medical questions surrounding Donald Trump, all scrutinized with the hosts’ signature mix of wit and detail. The discussion with Dr. Gupta grounds the episode in scientific reality, contrasting the spectacle of prophecy with the very public realities of Trump’s behavior and the opaque nature of his reported medical care.
Listeners are left with both amusement at the international media swirl—and a sober sense of the very real medical and accountability questions looming over a powerful public figure.