The MeidasTouch Podcast – "Rep. Boyle Discusses Trump and MAGA Republican Chaos"

Date: January 14, 2026
Host: MeidasTouch Network (Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas)
Featured Guest: Rep. Brendan Boyle
Main Theme:
A deep-dive on MAGA Republican chaos, the Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein files, Trump’s destabilizing economic and political moves, and a candid discussion with Congressman Brendan Boyle about threats to democracy, economic misinformation, and the specter of international conflict. The episode blends thorough news analysis with the brothers’ signature banter and biting critique.

Key Topics & Discussion Highlights

1. Epstein Documents and MAGA Republicans’ Deflections

[00:33 – 06:33]

• Chaos Over Epstein Files:
  The episode opens with the chaos in the House of Representatives after a federal judge responded to a letter from Reps. Ro Khanna (D) and Thomas Massie (R) demanding transparency on the Epstein files.

  • Ro Khanna and Massie wanted an independent monitor to oversee production of the files, given the DOJ’s alleged non-compliance under the Trump administration.
  • Judge Engelmayer ordered the Trump administration to respond to these transparency demands.

• James Comer’s Response:
  MAGA Republican Rep. James Comer claims the DOJ is cooperating and deflects demands for transparency by pivoting blame toward former President Bill Clinton:

  "From my standpoint, the Department of Justice is cooperating... President Trump is answering your questions about Epstein... Who we haven't heard from is Bill Clinton." – James Comer [03:09]

  Comer’s main argument: The real focus should be on Bill Clinton, not Trump, announcing plans to hold Clinton in contempt if he doesn’t comply with a subpoena:

  "We will move next week... to hold former President Clinton in contempt of Congress." – James Comer [04:33]

• Offensive Rhetoric:
  Comer makes an inflammatory, xenophobic remark about Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries:

  "Maybe he should go to one of those Somali therapy centers and get some type of therapy for his disdain for me." – James Comer [05:39]

2. The MAGA Agenda: Economic Nonsense and Distractions

[06:33 – 12:43]

• Trump’s Economic "Ideas" Debunked:
  Speaker "MAGA Mike" Johnson is questioned about Trump’s idea to cap credit card interest at 10%. He describes Trump as an “ideas guy” but admits the plan is not realistic and would have harmful unintended consequences:

  "You gotta be very careful... you don't want to have negative secondary effects of that." – MAGA Mike Johnson [07:37]

• Greenland "Invasion" Rumors:
  Johnson denies any intention of invading or acquiring Greenland, blaming the media for creating the narrative:

  "There's no declaration of war pending for Greenland. It's not just not a thing." – MAGA Mike Johnson [08:57]

• Blaming Biden for Prices:
  Republican Steve Scalise resorts to simple blame tactics:

  "Why are prices so high under Joe Biden? ... gas prices doubled... Did they?" – Steve Scalise [09:31]

• Targeting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell:
  MAGA Mike addresses Trump’s DOJ launching a criminal investigation into Powell, deflecting concern by minimizing Powell's role:

  "Powell is an individual. He is not the Fed. He's the chair of the Fed." – MAGA Mike Johnson [10:30]

• Culture War Attacks:
  Further, Johnson disparages an activist, pushing a one-sided narrative about law enforcement:

  "From the angle I saw... she hit the accelerator and hit the ICE officer..." [11:11]

• Economic Fantasies:
  Claims that under Trump, “everybody’s buying big trucks again,” with prosperity supposedly returning due to Trump policies:

  "Now everybody's buying the big trucks again...thanks to sound economic and energy policy..." [12:22]

3. Interview with Rep. Brendan Boyle: Economic Reality vs. Trump Con-Game

[12:43 – 25:03]

• The Powell Investigation’s Real Danger:
  Rep. Boyle warns that the markets’ current calm may be misplaced, arguing Trump’s DOJ targeting the Fed chair is unprecedented and destabilizing:

  "I hope your confidence isn't overconfidence... we could be in store for a very rude awakening if this unprecedented illegal, criminal pressure from Donald Trump actually succeeds." – Rep. Brendan Boyle [14:26]

  Boyle credits Jay Powell's integrity but fears lasting damage if politics drives economic decisions:

  "If these decisions are being driven by politics and political pressure and not the data, they could end up sparking an inflation crisis..." [15:59]

• The State of Inflation:
  Discussion turns to the perception and measurement of inflation:

  • The CPI is built in part on estimates due to lack of direct data (as high as 40%), raising questions about reliability.
  • Trump’s tariffs function as a “national sales tax” and drive up costs, contrary to his campaign promises.

• Who Benefits from Trump’s Policies:
  Boyle lays out how only billionaires have gained, with ordinary Americans facing higher health care costs and cuts to social programs:

  "If you're a billionaire, you got the biggest tax cut in American history. If you were on Obamacare, Medicare, Medicaid, you got screwed..." [18:14]

• Consumers’ Lived Experience:
  Boyle and Ben Meiselas agree Americans feel day-to-day inflation is much higher than the official year-over-year numbers suggest:

  "America just simply is too expensive right now in order to get by. In the United States of America today, things cost too much and the cost is going up... Donald Trump...has only driven prices up because of his ridiculous tariff policies..." – Rep. Brendan Boyle [17:26]

• The Trump Con Continues:
  The brothers and Boyle critique Trump’s habit of announcing unilateral, showy economic "solutions" (like capping credit card interest or ordering Microsoft to alter business practices) that have no basis in law or policy:

  "Donald Trump ordering something via social media does not make it a law, does not mean it's going to happen. But he's trying to con people." – Rep. Brendan Boyle [22:25]

  Boyle calls Trump "the most successful con man in American history" and stresses the need for Democrats to retake the House to halt the damage:

  "That's how Donald Trump has operated. And frankly, he's been able to get away with it...the most important thing we can do in 2026...is...win this election and take back the House." [23:49]

4. International Threats: “Invasion of Greenland” and Threat to Post-WWII Order

[23:54 – 25:03]

• Boyle plugs his op-ed "Breaking the World We Built" in the Philadelphia Inquirer, warning that even once-absurd ideas like a U.S. invasion of Greenland are being floated at the highest levels.
  • He argues this would destroy the post-WWI/WWII peace order and make the U.S. a global pariah:

    "This would be the end of the world that we created out of the ashes of World War II... We suddenly would be the world pariah similar to Russia after the invasion of Ukraine." – Rep. Brendan Boyle [24:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Deflection and Distraction:

  "I'm not here defending Bill Clinton or any... Just focus on releasing the Epstein documents as required. See, they want to just try to distract you with everything else." – Ben Meiselas [04:43]

• Shining a Light on Danger:

  "I hope your confidence isn't overconfidence... if this unprecedented illegal, criminal pressure from Donald Trump actually succeeds..." – Rep. Brendan Boyle [14:26]

• Trump’s Con Game:

  "This is his latest con. ... He's capping my credit card interest and hoping that person will believe the con and then it'll be forgotten..." – Rep. Brendan Boyle [22:25]

• Broader Warning:

  "Make no mistake about it, this would be the end of the world that we created out of the ashes of World War II...that's how deadly the consequences are if Donald Trump were to do the once unthinkable and actually invade Greenland." – Rep. Brendan Boyle [24:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:33 – 06:33] – Epstein documents, MAGA meltdown, and Comer’s Clinton focus
• [06:33 – 12:43] – MAGA’s economic misdirections, “Greenland” narrative, and inflation blame-game
• [12:43 – 25:03] – Interview with Rep. Brendan Boyle: attack on the Fed, economic reality-check, the dangers of con-artist politics, and international threats
• [23:54 – 25:03] – Boyle’s international warning ("Breaking the World We Built" op-ed reference)

Summary

This episode delivers a scorching critique of MAGA Republican tactics, highlighting how Trump and his allies use deflection, conspiracy, and economic misinformation to protect themselves and distort reality. The Meiselas brothers, with Rep. Brendan Boyle, dissect the latest GOP distractions (Epstein files, Clinton subpoenas), debunk Trumpist economic “solutions,” and underscore the dangerous consequences—at home and abroad—if these authoritarian moves go unchallenged. The tone is sharp, urgent, and unapologetically pro-democracy, offering both analysis and rallying calls for action as 2026 approaches.