The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Goes Psycho on Saturday and Orders Military Invasion
Date: September 27, 2025

Brief Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers (Ben, Brett, and Jordy) break down a shocking and historic escalation: former President Donald Trump’s Saturday morning order for a military invasion of Portland, Oregon, ostensibly to combat unrest and alleged attacks on ICE facilities. The episode weaves a mix of stark analysis, on-the-ground reporting, and the brothers' signature wit, exposing the administration’s use of propaganda, violations of democracy, and the connections between political actors’ personal financial interests and national policy. The episode also unpacks recent disinformation campaigns, abuse of federal authority, and fresh scandals inside the Trump regime.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Portland Military Order (07:00)

• Trump’s Directive
  Trump, while golfing on Long Island, posts an order authorizing a full military invasion of Portland, allegedly to protect ICE facilities under “attack by antifa and other domestic terrorists.” He refers to Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security and Pete Hegseth as “Secretary of War.”

  "At the request of Secretary Homeland Security Kristi Noem, I'm directing the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth to provide all necessary troops to protect war ravaged Portland... I am also authorizing full force if necessary." — Ben quoting Trump's post (07:30)

• Analysis:

  • The brothers characterize this as the first open military operation against an American city in modern history and frame Trump’s language as authorizing deadly force against U.S. citizens.
  • Trump’s use of “antifa” is described as employing a boogeyman for authoritarian action.

2. ICE Provocations and Pretext for Martial Action (10:00–17:30)

• Pattern of Provocation:

  • Series of incidents show ICE agents escalating encounters, apparently in hopes of triggering a violent backlash for political justification.
  • Specific clips describe:
    • Agents throwing a protester to the ground during peaceful protests (10:45),
    • Detaining a father in front of his children during a traffic stop, marked by a lack of identification and traumatizing the family (13:00),
    • Doorbell footage of agents abducting a man near a Portland elementary school, increasing community fear and stress (15:30).

• Firsthand Experience:

  • Testimony from "Pastor Adam," joining clergy at the ICE facility, emphasizes a faith-based plea for solidarity with immigrants, directly opposing the administration’s narrative of a “war zone.” (17:55)

  "Scripture says over and over again that we are to love the immigrant in our midst as if they are a native born... how we treat the stranger in our midst is how we treat [Jesus]." — Pastor Adam (18:20)

3. Administration’s Disinformation Campaign & Weaponization (21:00)

• Homeland Security’s Propaganda:

  • The official DHS account posts about two men accused of a shooting at a baseball game, tying them to Biden’s immigration policy.
  • The actual story: The shooting was stray, part of reckless hunting, with no connection to immigration.
  • The brothers critique this as deliberate misinformation to fuel anti-immigrant hysteria.

• Right-Wing Viral Hoaxes:

  • A story about an alleged abduction of a MAGA-hat-wearing teen by Hispanic men in Florida, pushed by MAGA influencers, is revealed as a hoax concocted by a troubled youth. The right refuses to correct the record.

  "Lax gun laws in Texas, possession of father's firearm. Blame radical leftists. That's what they’re... going with right here. Utterly, utterly ridiculous." — Ben (26:30)

4. Federal Defiance of State Laws (29:00)

• Ignoring California's Anti-Mask Abduction Law:

  • Gov. Newsom passes a law forbidding masked kidnappings by federal agents. Trump’s administration reportedly orders agents to ignore it, openly daring state authorities to challenge them.

  "The party that brought you states rights is invading our cities across the country and not following the law of states." — Ben (30:45)

• Media Coverage & Ground News:

  • Ben highlights how right-wing media brags about federal defiance while left-leaning outlets scarcely mention it.
  • He promotes the Ground News app as a tool for identifying blind spots across the political media spectrum. (32:00)

5. Grift, Nepotism & the White House as a Venue for Cronyism (34:00)

• Foreign Entanglements:

  • Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy to Russia, is reported pursuing deals with foreign powers for Trump-linked crypto ventures.
  • The brothers cite Trump family self-enrichment schemes: Kai Trump merchandise, Club Rose Garden, and a TikTok deal benefiting oligarchs.

  "They're ripping apart our Rose Garden and replaced it with what they call Club Rose Garden, a member's only club for rich Donald Trump friends. I mean, they're throwing farmers under the bus and cutting a purported TikTok deal with China..." — Ben (36:20)

• Economic Disconnect:

  • As inflation rises, Trump’s administration is busy hosting UFC fights at the White House, alien to the struggles of average families. (38:00)

6. Revisionism & White Supremacy in the Trump Regime (39:30)

• The “Secretary of War” and Historical Atrocities:

  • Pete Hegseth (unlawfully self-titled Secretary of War) insists soldiers who participated in the Wounded Knee massacre will “keep their medals,” implying approval of historical atrocities.

  "If white people did it, it was good, even if it means slaughtering women and children." — Ben quoting Will Stencil's commentary (41:00)

7. Congressional Accountability & Authorization of Force (42:00–46:00)

• Senator Slotkin Grills Pete Hegseth:

  • Slotkin presses Hegseth for clarity on the military’s rules of engagement in Portland.
  • Hegseth dodges, frustrating Slotkin and raising grave concerns about the military’s role in suppressing protest.

  Slotkin (44:00): "Have you given the order for [soldiers] to be able to shoot at unarmed protesters in any way? I'm just asking the question. Don't laugh... Have you given the order? Have you given the order that they can use lethal force against honor? I want the answer to be no. Please tell me it's no."

  • Hegseth refuses a direct answer, offering only, “I'd be careful what you read in books. And believing it. Except for the Bible.”

  "Oh my God." — Ben, exasperated at the non-answer (45:30)

8. Chaos in Trump’s Grand Jury Proceedings (47:00)

• Indictment Mishaps:

  • Lindsey Halligan, Trump’s handpicked attorney, produces conflicting grand jury documents in a case against James Comey.
  • The magistrate judge is baffled by the discrepancies and poor handling, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the proceeding.

  "So we don't even know what the hell happened in this grand jury right now... This is sloppy. This is loser behavior, and it's fascist behavior brought to you by the Trump regime. And we're calling it out each and every day here on the Midas Touch Network." — Ben (50:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On leveraging federal force:

  "He uses that boogeyman antifa in order to say we are sending—he’s now referring the Department of War to do a military invasion of an American city." — Ben (08:00)

• On ICE’s role:

  "This is part of what ICE was trying to do to provoke the community there…so Donald Trump can say there’s a war and we need to stop the war. There’s an invasion." — Ben (14:15)

• On right-wing media manipulation:

  "Blame radical leftists. That's what they’re… going with right here. Utterly, utterly ridiculous." — Ben (26:30)

• On White House crony capitalism:

  "They're ripping apart our Rose Garden and replaced it with what they call Club Rose Garden, a member's only club for rich Donald Trump friends." — Ben (36:20)

• On Hegseth’s answer about use of force:

  "I'd be careful what you read in books. And believing it. Except for the Bible." — Pete Hegseth (45:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump’s Portland military order and analysis: 07:00–10:00
• Clips of ICE provocations/protest footage: 10:45, 13:00, 15:30
• Pastor Adam at the ICE facility: 17:55–18:30
• Disinformation on DHS & right-wing hoaxes: 21:00–27:00
• Ignoring California's anti-mask law: 29:00–31:00
• Ground News discussion: 32:00–33:00
• Trump grift/nepotism rundown: 34:00–38:00
• White supremacy commentary + Hegseth medals: 39:30–41:00
• Slotkin vs. Hegseth (Portland orders): 42:00–46:00
• Grand jury/indictment confusion: 47:00–50:00

Conclusion

This episode lays bare the Meiselas brothers' alarm at the Trump regime’s authoritarian turn, federal overreach, and systematic use of violence, propaganda, and cronyism. Through a fast-paced, quote-rich discussion, the brothers argue that this is what fascism looks like in the United States and urge listeners to stay vigilant and well-informed.

For full context and all the details, listen beginning at [07:00] for the start of the substantive discussion.