The MeidasTouch Podcast - Episode Summary

Episode Title: Trump Gets Rude Awakening Friday AM as Canada Fights Back
Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)
Theme: Donald Trump's escalating trade war rhetoric against Canada, the controversy over a pro-free trade Ontario ad using Ronald Reagan’s words, Canadian officials’ response, and the broader context of US-Canada relations under Trump.

Main Theme Overview

This episode centers on Donald Trump's latest outburst against Canada, reacting to a pro-free trade ad published by Ontario that used audio from Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs. Trump’s move to “terminate all trade negotiations” with Canada, along with accusations of election interference and fake media, is dissected by the brothers. The MeidasTouch crew contrasts Trump’s claims with historical fact, highlights Canada’s measured reaction, discusses the Reagan Foundation’s recent alignment with Trump, and places this drama in the context of US foreign policy and Trump’s broader aggressive stances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump's Trade War Rhetoric and the Ontario Ad

• Trump’s Reaction to Ontario Ad (03:00–04:40)
  • Trump claims Ontario ran a "fake" ad with Ronald Reagan, stating Reagan "loved tariffs."
  • Trump posts on Truth Social at 4am:
    “Canada cheated and got caught. They fraudulently took a big buy ad … Canada is trying to illegally influence the United States Supreme Court…”
    — [04:00]
  • Trump announces termination of all trade talks:
    “All trade negotiations with Canada are hereby terminated.”
    — [04:30]
• MeidasTouch Response:
  • Ben clarifies: “The video was real of Ronald Reagan. The audio was real of Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan despised tariffs.”
    — [03:15]
  • Hosts note that the Reagan Foundation is now run by pro-Trump figures, not the Reagan family.

2. Canadian Response: Calm and Focused

• Prime Minister Mark Carney's Statement (05:54–08:06)

  • Carney refuses to give oxygen to the "Trumpian drama," emphasizing Canada’s focus on what it can control.
  • Quote: “We have stressed the importance of distinguishing things we can control and things we can’t control. We can’t control the trade policy of the United States … Our job is to build here at home.” — Mark Carney [06:35]
  • Emphasis on Canada’s generational investment at home and expanding trade partnerships beyond the US.

• Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario

  • Responds by reposting the full Reagan speech, telling people to “listen for themselves.” [04:00]

3. Reagan on Tariffs: Fact vs. MAGA Fiction

• Reagan’s 1988 Address Excerpts (08:38–10:05)
  • Reagan: “Our peaceful trading partners are not our enemies. … We should beware of the demagogues who are ready to declare a trade war against our friends, weakening our economy, our national security, and the entire free world, all while cynically waving the American flag.” — Ronald Reagan [08:43]
  • Reagan argues tariffs are harmful, contribute to job loss, and protectionism is merely short-term political gain.
  • Ben: “Tariffs are bad. The whole point of the speech — tariffs are bad.” [09:05]
• Clarification:
  • Reagan allowed for only “surgical, temporary” tariffs in exigent situations — the overwhelming message is pro–free trade.

4. The Reagan Foundation’s Shift Toward MAGA

• Current Positioning of the Reagan Foundation (13:44)
  • Highlighted as “captured” by pro-Trump operatives (e.g., David Trulio).
  • Reagan Foundation’s statement accuses Ontario of misusing and selectively editing Reagan’s remarks, threatens “review of legal options.” [13:55]
  • Ben: “It is in the public domain. … It’s unrestricted use. So more just Trumpian litigation.” [14:54]
  • Hosts emphasize the illogicality and legally baseless nature of the Foundation’s complaint.

5. Trump’s Economic Adviser & Fox’s Framing

• Kevin Hassett Won’t Address the Ad (05:45, 16:53, 18:44)
  • Hassett dodges questions about whether he’s seen the ad.
    “I’m not going to talk about that.” — Kevin Hassett [05:54]
  • Hassett on Fox: blames lack of “collegiality” with Canadians for negotiation troubles, admits frustration is the driver, not substance. [16:53, 19:02]
• Fox Business Echoes Trump’s Claims
  • Fox host frames the ad as “alleged fake,” showcasing media complicity in MAGA narratives.

6. Broader Foreign Policy Context

• Trump’s Aggressive Stance Worldwide (19:37–21:00)
  • Brett references Sen. Rand Paul critiquing the US potentially attacking Venezuela for drug interdiction:
    “There is no fentanyl made in Venezuela. … When can you kill people indiscriminately? Only when you’re at war. … Interdicting drugs has always been a criminal activity, not a war.” — Rand Paul [20:06]
  • Meidas brothers suggest Trump’s bombast with Canada is part of a pattern of aggressive or militaristic foreign policy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Meiselas:
  “The video was real of Ronald Reagan. The audio was real of Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan despised tariffs.” [03:15]
• Prime Minister Carney:
  “We can only control what we can control here in Canada … I don’t listen to all of that noise.” [06:35]
• Ronald Reagan (1988 speech):
  “We should beware of the demagogues who are ready to declare a trade war against our friends, weakening our economy, our national security, and the entire free world, all while cynically waving the American flag.” [08:43]
• Kevin Hassett (Trump adviser):
  “I’m not going to talk about that.” (on the ad) [05:54]
• Ben (on Reagan Foundation’s legal threats):
  “It is in the public domain. … It’s unrestricted use. So more just Trumpian litigation.” [14:54]
• Brett (on Trump’s pattern):
  “Trump wants to conquer Canada. He wants to take the sovereignty away of Canada. He wants to make Canada the 51st state.” [13:50]
• Rand Paul:
  “There is no fentanyl made in Venezuela … Interdicting drugs has always been a criminal activity and a criminal anti crime sort of activity where we don’t just summarily execute people.” [20:06]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:00–04:40: Trump’s late-night Truth Social rants & reaction to Ontario ad
• 05:45–05:54: Trump’s economic adviser Kevin Hassett dodges questions
• 06:30–08:06: Canada’s Prime Minister Carney calmly responds to Trump’s threats
• 08:38–10:05: Ronald Reagan’s anti-tariffs speech excerpts
• 13:44–14:54: Discussion of the Reagan Foundation’s MAGA turn and their legal statement
• 16:53–19:02: More Hassett/Fox Business “fake ad” framing and attempt to legitimize Trump’s spat
• 19:37–21:00: Rand Paul on US military actions in Venezuela; placing Canada spat in broader Trump foreign policy context

Episode Tone and Style

• Energetic, witty, and direct brotherly banter
• Strong advocacy for democracy and fact-checking
• Ample use of direct quotes and clips; referencing politicians’ own words

Summary Wrap-Up

The episode offers a detailed, biting breakdown of the latest Trump-Canada dispute over trade, exposing the falsehoods in Trump’s rhetoric and highlighting Canada’s refusal to be intimidated. The brothers blend sharp humor, legal analysis, and historic context to show how misinformation, MAGA infiltration of institutions like the Reagan Foundation, and aggressive media framing distort the real story. They end by situating the Canada spat as part of a disturbing trend in Trump’s approach to foreign policy and democracy.

For listeners seeking clarity on the US–Canada trade controversy, the podcast underscores who said what, what the facts actually are, and how political theater is shaping both bilateral relations and public perception.