The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Thursday Afternoon Breaking News Updates with Ben — 1/22/26
Host: Ben Meiselas
Date: January 22, 2026
Episode Overview
This breaking news segment, hosted solo by Ben Meiselas, offers a rapid-fire, impassioned analysis of ongoing political crises involving former President Donald Trump, United States immigration enforcement, international relations post-Davos, and Democratic resistance tactics. Ben’s tone is direct, outraged, and full of activist energy, as he highlights what he sees as threats to democracy and rule of law, particularly targeting Trump's administration, the current DOJ, and elements within the Democratic party that he feels are not resistant enough to authoritarian overreach.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump's “Deteriorating” Condition and Media Gaslighting
Timestamp: 02:59–04:30
- Ben begins by sharply critiquing Donald Trump's physical and cognitive state, referencing photographs of bruised and discolored hands and mocking recent explanations from Trump’s team (“So the right hand is from the excessive handshaking and the left is from banging into a table?”).
- Quote: “He’s quite literally rotting before our eyes.” — Ben Meiselas (03:09)
- Ben draws a contrast between media treatment of Trump versus Biden’s age.
2. The Epstein Files and Alleged DOJ Cover-Up
Timestamp: 04:32–05:10
- Ben alleges a continuing cover-up of child sex trafficking and accuses “the Trump regime” of deliberately hiding the Epstein files.
- Argues that policymakers connected to Trump are acting as “predators on children,” both rhetorically and in policy.
3. Immigration Enforcement as Authoritarian Tactic
Timestamp: 05:10–15:00
- Ben discusses the reported use of a child as “bait” by ICE (the case of Liam Canejo Ramos in Minnesota), using stark imagery (“kidnapped them both, disappeared them to a concentration camp somewhere in Texas”).
- He condemns increased ICE and Border Patrol powers, stating they “no longer need judicial warrants” and skirt constitutional protections.
- Compares ICE and Border Patrol tactics to “Gestapo,” using repeated references to fascism and Nazi Germany.
- Quote: “We don’t want Border Patrol and ICE Gestapo, like Nazis marching through our streets.” — Ben Meiselas (13:42)
- Notes the MeidasTouch D.C. bureau holding Democratic politicians accountable for ICE vote positions, leading to a more unified Democratic stance against ICE/Border Patrol funding.
4. Crackdown on Protestors and Media (Don Lemon Case)
Timestamp: 15:00–18:40
- Ben details charges brought against protestors and the attempted inclusion of journalist Don Lemon as a defendant, which a judge refused to sign.
- Accuses the Trump-aligned DOJ of targeting not just activists but independent journalists and judges’ families (e.g., “go after the wife” tactic).
5. Critique of Trump's Leadership and Cognitive Abilities
Timestamp: 18:40–28:00
- Ben mocks Trump’s recent Davos speeches, highlighting incoherence and mean-spirited remarks toward allies (mixing up Iceland and Greenland, referring to NATO as “Daddy”).
- Plays and analyzes Trump clips:
- Trump referring to himself as a “dictator” (“sometimes you need a dictator” — Donald Trump, 21:56)
- Attacks against Canada and its Prime Minister (“Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark…” — Donald Trump, 23:27).
- Racist remarks about Somali immigrants (“They turned out to be higher IQ than I thought… because Somalis are Somalian bandits.” — Donald Trump, 37:27)
- Ben underscores the international isolation of the U.S.—no major allies present with Trump’s new “Board of Peace,” only authoritarians.
6. Democratic Response and Calls to Action
Timestamp: 41:06–49:38
- Clips and interviews with Democratic figures:
- Gavin Newsom: Critiques normalization of Trump’s “jaw-dropping and remarkable statements.”
- Quote: “There’s a normalization of deviancy and consciousness ... He’s graded on a curve.” — Gov. Gavin Newsom (41:11)
- AOC: Expresses concern over Trump’s cognitive decline and mass media’s double standard.
- Quote: “I think the President has been acting in increasingly erratic ways ... everyone’s pretending this is normal.” — AOC (43:53)
- Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett: Details her ongoing investigation into Trump’s mental and physical fitness.
- Rep. Ramirez: (via Pablo Manriquez) “We have a physically unstable, mentally ill man running the White House in this country. It is extremely serious.” (46:29)
- Congressman McGovern: Colorfully sums up: “He said a lot of crazy shit today at Davos. ... I think it’s time to take the keys away from Grandpa.” (48:11, 48:59)
- Gavin Newsom: Critiques normalization of Trump’s “jaw-dropping and remarkable statements.”
- Congresswoman Crockett introduces the “Melt ICE” bill to end ICE detention, redirecting funds to affected communities (47:00).
7. Refuting Right-Wing Media and JD Vance
Timestamp: 52:05–61:00
- Ben lampoons Fox News’ coverage for legitimizing fabricated “deals” on Greenland and accuses them of generationally damaging American credibility.
- Dismantles JD Vance’s statements shifting from supporting “absolute immunity” for ICE officers to denying it, playing back contradicting clips (57:35–58:21).
- Condemns use of children in ICE enforcement and repeated MAGA justification language of “going after sex offenders” as cover for broader abuses.
8. Good vs. Evil Framing
Timestamp: 61:00–End
- Ben closes with a forceful framing of the moment as “good versus evil,” transcending party lines.
- Quote: “It’s not even really Democrat and Republican anymore. It’s just good versus evil. It’s right versus wrong.” (61:03)
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- “He’s quite literally rotting before our eyes.” (Ben Meiselas, 03:09)
- “We don’t want Border Patrol and ICE Gestapo, like Nazis marching through our streets.” (Ben Meiselas, 13:42)
- “We all want a dictator, right? We want a dictator.” (Donald Trump, 21:56)
- “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark…” (Donald Trump, 23:27)
- “There’s a normalization of deviancy and consciousness ... He’s graded on a curve.” (Gov. Gavin Newsom, 41:11)
- “He said a lot of crazy shit today at Davos. ... I think it’s time to take the keys away from Grandpa.” (Rep. McGovern, 48:11)
- “It’s not even really Democrat and Republican anymore. It’s just good versus evil. It’s right versus wrong.” (Ben Meiselas, 61:03)
Segment Timestamps
- 02:59 – Main news coverage begins: Trump's health and mental fitness, Epstein files, use of ICE as political weapon.
- 05:10 – ICE tactics & Gestapo comparisons; child baiting by ICE.
- 13:40 – Democratic accountability on ICE/Border funding.
- 15:00 – Protestor, Don Lemon legal attacks: targeting journalists and judges.
- 18:40 – Trump’s Davos gaffes, dictator remark, Canada insults, racist Somali commentary.
- 24:45 – Trump on Gavin Newsom and federal disaster refusal.
- 28:41 – Reflections on societal normalization of Trump’s behavior.
- 37:22 – Trump’s racist Somalia comment at Davos.
- 41:06 – Gavin Newsom, AOC, Crockett, Ramirez, McGovern react.
- 47:00 – “Melt ICE” legislation introduction.
- 48:11 – McGovern: “Time to take the keys away from Grandpa.”
- 52:05 – Ben refutes Fox News coverage of Greenland “deal.”
- 57:07 – JD Vance changes stance on “absolute immunity” for ICE officers.
- 58:59 – Condemnation of ICE tactics, use of children, false “sex offender” justifications.
- 61:03 – Good vs. evil framing and closing thoughts.
Episode Takeaways
- Ben Meiselas delivers a searing critique of Trump-era policies and rhetoric, treating institutional failures as existential threats to democracy.
- The episode blends investigative updates, direct policy advocacy, and pointed satire.
- It provides a catalog of Democratic responses, showcasing direct legislative efforts (“Melt ICE” bill) and a sharpened rhetorical posture from prominent figures.
- The coverage suggests a unifying theme: refusal to normalize authoritarianism and the need for persistent, public resistance—framed in moral, almost existential terms.
For Listeners
If you missed the episode, this summary captures Ben’s passion, the major stories, and how events are being interpreted by the MeidasTouch podcast team. The brothers’ unapologetic, activist style is central, coupling political outrage with the urgency of citizen action.
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