The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Thursday Afternoon Breaking News Updates with Ben — 1/29/26
Date: January 30, 2026
Host: Ben Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)

Overview

This episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast, hosted solo by Ben Meiselas, dives into the rapidly developing international and domestic crises facing the United States in early 2026. Key topics include the Trump regime’s imminent military action against Iran, covert interference in Canadian politics, an impending U.S. government shutdown, the erosion of democratic institutions, and the worsening economic situation for everyday Americans. As always, Ben brings his signature blend of blunt analysis, legal expertise, and unapologetic pro-democracy advocacy alongside sharp humor and pointed political critique.

Key Discussion Points

1. Imminent U.S. Military Strike on Iran

Timestamps: 00:01–04:30; 49:55–52:40

• Current status: U.S. appears poised to launch a major strike against Iran, with military assets “ready to strike” in the Persian Gulf.
• Background: Trump previously claimed in June 2025 that Iran’s nuclear facilities were “obliterated,” which Ben points out was a lie.
  • Quote: “They said that all of the nuclear facilities were absolutely obliterated... Well, now they’re saying that Iran needs to agree to stop enriching uranium. So I guess it wasn’t obliterated.” (01:01)
• Critique: Ben highlights repeated failures of U.S. foreign policy and warn-off “mission accomplished” declarations.
  • Quote from Trump (June 2025): “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.” (50:41)
  • Ben: “Except they were not… It’s another lie.” (51:32)
• Geopolitical context: The "big plan" includes options for massive bombing, symbolic strikes, or cyberattacks rather than sustained occupation.
• Historical parallel: Ben draws connections to the lead-up to WWI, emphasizing the chaos and destabilization of the global order.
  • “Everything is connected… right now, the global order and the checks and balances put in place have been destroyed.” (53:56)

2. Trump Regime’s Interference in Canada & Alberta Separatism

Timestamps: 04:30–10:00; 32:50–47:44

• Secret meetings: Trump’s administration is meeting with fringe separatists from Alberta (and possibly Premier Danielle Smith) to encourage Alberta’s secession from Canada.
• Comparison to Putin: Ben likens this to Putin’s playbook in Donbas, using separatists as a pretext for foreign intervention.
  • “It seems treasonous… very similar to what Putin tries to do in the Donbas region.” (03:38)
• Canadian backlash: Canadians and “Midas Maple” community are “absolutely livid.”
• Notable moments:
  • David Eby (Premier, British Columbia): Explicitly calls such meetings “treason” in a passionate clip (39:07–40:30).
    • “There’s an old-fashioned word for that, and that word is treason. It is completely inappropriate to seek to weaken Canada, to seek to go and ask for assistance to break up this country from a foreign power.”
  • Charlie Angus (Midas Canada): Frames it as part of Trump’s “revenge” following being humiliated at Davos, calling it the “Donbas playbook.” (42:03–43:54)
    • “The Alberta separatists claim there’s a $500 million slush fund on the table for them to help break up Canada… Canadians need to really recognize the threat that’s coming at us right now.”
• Military pressure: U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra threatens loss of NORAD if Canada doesn’t purchase U.S. F-35s. (43:54)
  • “Hoekstra says then the US is going to get rid of NORAD… and start doing fighter jet patrols over Canada without permission.”

3. Approaching U.S. Government Shutdown and Congressional Dysfunction

Timestamps: 05:40–11:17

• Legislative gridlock: Speaker “MAGA Mike” Johnson sends House home for recess right as a government shutdown looms.
  • “Which was a ridiculous thing to do knowing that we were approaching a government shutdown.” (02:41)
• Senate negotiations: Possible deal on appropriations with ICE and Border Patrol funding potentially pulled out for separate debate.
• Critique of leadership: Ben lambasts the focus on superficial appearances (Mike Johnson with Nicki Minaj) instead of governance.
• Procedural mess: Bill ping-ponging between House and Senate could easily lead to shutdown (shutdown to hit Saturday 12:01am).
  • “It was obvious that the Senate was going to make some alterations… and if there was an alteration, that would mean the House would have to vote on it again, and they weren’t there.” (07:44)
• Prediction track record: “That’s the story of my life… everyone accuses me of being hyperbolic, but then, you know, it’s right on target.” (07:36)

4. U.S. Domestic Chaos: Authoritarianism and Social/Economic Crisis

Timestamps: 11:18–31:45

• Election interference: Trump regime sends FBI and DNI (Tulsi Gabbard) to raid Fulton County, Georgia election offices for 2020 ballots.
  • “They raided the Fulton County, Georgia election offices, took the 2020 ballot… There were many courts that heard this. Trump-appointed judge, Republican Secretary of State, Republican governors…” (09:26)
• Cover-ups: DOJ and FBI accused of covering up Epstein files (only 1% released).
  • “They’re covering up the Epstein files… Only 1% of the Epstein files have been released.” (08:41)
• Demonization and racism: Trump allies scapegoating Armenians in Los Angeles, following previous attacks on Somalians.
  • “Dr. Oz… stands in front of the Lavash Bakery in Los Angeles and says, This right here is the center of where the fraud is committed. The Armenians… are doing the health care fraud.” (10:49)
• Authoritarian policing:
  • Tom Homan, ICE: Predicts “bloodshed” and blames anti-ICE rhetoric for recent violence in Minnesota.
    • “I warned you there would be bloodshed… if the rhetoric didn’t stop, there’s going to be bloodshed, and there has been.” (15:21)
  • Ben: “If you’re sending in ICE and Border Patrol, Gestapo, 3,000 of them, and you’re causing the bloodshed… what do you think is going to happen?” (15:21)
• Wealth inequality: Trump’s housing policy openly favors property owners over affordability for working families.
  • Trump: “We’re going to keep those prices up. We’re not going to destroy the value of their homes so that somebody that didn’t work very hard can buy a home.” (18:46)
  • Ben: “Could you imagine if all the effort was spent, though, instead of doing socialism for billionaires… to build homes?” (21:00)
• Grocery & living costs: Ben shares real-world frustration at grocery bills, cost of living, and lack of improvement under Trump.
  • “You go and you buy the normal groceries you would buy… and then at some point for you, it just flat lines… It’s like $312. I’m like $312? How did this add up?” (23:33)

5. Disinformation and Degradation of Facts

Timestamps: 29:14–32:37

• Trump’s falsehoods on California: Claims Walmart shut 250/303 stores in CA; entirely fabricated.
  • “He just makes up numbers. But that's what he's done his entire life… He’s a liar, he’s a criminal, he’s a fraud.” (29:23)
• Low-income housing controversy: Trump decries affordable housing in rich neighborhoods, exposes disdain for non-wealthy.
  • Trump: “They want to put low income housing right smack in the middle of it… That's not the American dream… You don't put it there.” (32:14)
  • Ben: “What other data points do you want me to show you that this guy doesn't give a crap about you?” (32:37)
• Polling collapse: Approval with lower income whites now break even; Pew has Trump at only 37% overall approval.
  • “Only 56% of his own party support all of his policies… 37% approval rating.” (34:00)

6. Broader Global Dissolution of Order and Democratic Norms

Timestamps: 53:56–59:17

• International community shifts: U.S. increasingly isolated, with EU, UK, Canada, China, South America developing new alliances.
• Authoritarian alliances: Trump, Putin, Orban, Al Jelani; betrayal of international allies.
  • “Right wing authoritarian movements… all very connected… And America’s like the weakest now in this world order.” (53:56)
• Call to vigilance: Ben urges listeners not to normalize these events and to stay focused on facts and democratic principles.
  • “Don’t normalize this stuff. We should calmly, rationally talk about objective facts, the objective reality that exists.” (55:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Government Dysfunction

  • “The House is adjourned. The House is in recess. And so I think the earliest you’ll have a vote in the House is Monday—the earliest and maybe later.” (06:40) – Ben Meiselas

• On Authoritarian Drift and Propaganda

  • “I don’t want to normalize Donald Trump’s behavior the way corporate news just accepts it. And they say, ah, that’s just Donald Trump being Donald Trump.” (08:19) – Ben Meiselas

• On Canadian Sovereignty

  • “It is completely inappropriate to seek to weaken Canada, to seek to go and ask for assistance to break up this country from a foreign power. And with respect to President Trump… I’m going to be raising that issue at this table… There is a line.” (39:35) – David Eby, Premier of British Columbia

• On Economic Policy

  • “I don’t want to drive housing prices down. I want to drive housing prices up for people that own their homes and they can be assured that’s what’s going to happen.” (18:46) – Donald Trump

• On Separatist Subterfuge

  • “This is the Donbas playbook. Exactly. This has been in the works for some time. The Alberta separatists, these are not credible people... But what they’ve been doing, they’ve been meeting in Washington…” (42:09) – Charlie Angus

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• 00:01–04:30 Major update: Imminent U.S. attack on Iran, recap of previous strike, regime’s lies.
• 04:30–11:17 Canadian separatism, Alberta, Trump’s scheming abroad; Congressional dysfunction & government shutdown looming.
• 11:18–25:43 Domestic authoritarian moves, election sabotage in Georgia, ICE and Border Patrol violence.
• 25:44–29:14 [Ad break, skipped]
• 29:14–32:37 Attacks on California, Trump’s lies, housing commentary.
• 32:50–47:44 Deep-dive: U.S.-Canada tensions, F35s, oil money, Alberta separatism, Canadian leaders’ responses.
• 47:45–53:56 Escalating global disorder, U.S. diplomatic failures, international betrayals.
• 53:57–59:17 Ben’s broader reflection: international realignments, urgency to defend democracy, closing thoughts.

Takeaway

This episode is dense with urgent analysis. Ben Meiselas connects the dots between authoritarian politics at home and abroad—showing how the Trump regime’s behavior threatens both U.S. democracy and the international order. The show blends real-time crisis updates, piercing breakdowns of propaganda, moving testimonies from Canadian leaders, and a strong call for civic vigilance. Listeners finish with a sense of both the danger and the necessity for democratic activism, reinforced by Ben’s wry, relatable commentary.

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