The MeidasTouch Podcast: Trump Has Catastrophic AM as World Freezes Him Out

Date: January 18, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on a rapidly escalating political crisis in the United States under Donald Trump’s administration. The Meiselas brothers dissect how Trump’s aggressive policies—both at home and abroad—are causing major backlash from U.S. allies, the general public, and media. From the stunning intelligence cutoff by European agencies, to looming military actions and extreme rhetoric about invading Greenland, the hosts unpack a morning of “catastrophic” developments for Trump’s regime. They blend sobering analysis with their trademark irreverence and pro-democracy zeal.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalation in Minnesota and ICE Invasions

• [01:30] Trump deploys 1,500 active duty army paratroopers to potentially invade Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, escalating ICE and Border Patrol operations.
  • “Donald Trump is having a catastrophic Sunday…further escalating the ICE and Border Patrol, Gestapo, SS invasion of those cities…” (Commentator/Political Analyst, 01:30)
• Polling reveals backlash: Majority in new CBS poll say ICE actions are making the country less safe. Democrats gain a 16-point lead among highly motivated voters.

2. International Fallout: Intelligence Cutoff

• [02:30] European intelligence services, led by France, cut off U.S. access on Ukraine and other intel—after discovering Trump’s regime leaked fake intelligence directly to Russia.
  • “French intelligence service and Ukraine shared false information…then that fake information found its way to Russia. So it was very clear…that it was coming from the Trump regime…” (Commentator, 03:09)

3. Invasion of Greenland: Global Condemnation and Tariff Threats

• [03:40] Trump and advisers push the notion of invading Greenland or punishing Europe with tariffs if they don’t support U.S. actions.

  • Clip: Trump’s Treasury Secretary, Scott Besant, on Meet The Press offers a circular rationale:
    • “The national emergency is avoiding a national emergency. That it. It is a strategic decision by the President.” (Scott Besant, 04:36)
  • When pressed if military action is off the table:
    • “I believe that the Europeans will understand that the best outcome is for the US to…receive control of Greenland.” (Besant, 06:03)

• [07:24] Chancellor Friedrich Mayors of Germany publicly supports Greenland and Denmark, warning that Trump's tariff threats “undermine transatlantic relations and carry the risk of escalation”.

• [08:07] Ted Cruz, despite Trump’s past attacks on him, vocally supports the Greenland move:

  • “I want to commend President Trump for being single mindedly focused on America first...It is overwhelmingly in America's national interest to acquire Greenland.” (Ted Cruz, 08:07)

• [08:25] Eight European nations issue a joint statement condemning U.S. aggression. French president compares Trump’s tactics to Russia's—with calls in the European Parliament to sanction “Trump's oligarchs.”

4. NATO Tensions and Canada’s Position

• [09:42] Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada warns that if the U.S. invaded Greenland, NATO’s Article 5 would be triggered—leading to a potential global conflict with the U.S.
  • “[Carney] stated that Article 5 of NATO would apply if the United States invaded Greenland and thus…NATO would…be going to war with the United States.” (Commentator, 09:42)

5. Right-Wing Media and Information Silos

• [10:30] The hosts emphasize how right-wing and Trump-supportive outlets are not covering international condemnation (especially Carney’s NATO warning). They recommend using bias-tracking tools like Ground News to stay informed.

6. Domestic Propaganda: ICE, Policing, and Disinformation

• [11:20] Trump allies spread misleading stats about fentanyl deaths—using a graph that credits Biden-era drops (ending Sep 2024) to themselves.

• [13:00] South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem appears on TV defending ICE tactics in Minnesota:

  • “We arrested an individual this week that was raping children. I think those parents in Minnesota can sleep better at night knowing that that person isn't free.” (Kristi Noem, 13:25)
  • When asked about violating court orders on chemical weapons:
    • “That federal order was a little ridiculous…it didn’t change anything for how we’re going to operating on the ground.” (Noem, 13:55)

• [14:42] The commentator pushes back:

  • “It’s not normal to use chemical weapons on people in any situation…these ICE agents regularly throw chemical weapons at people of unknown origin…” (Commentator, 14:42)

• [15:32] Noem stonewalls when questioned about a controversial ICE officer’s status, accusing the host of “doxxing”.

7. Authoritarian Policing in Minnesota

• [16:37] Rep. McCaul justifies aggressive ICE activity, including smashing the car window of a disabled woman en route to a doctor’s appointment, minimizing constitutional concerns over such stops.

  • “They smash the window of her car, they cut her out, they throw her to the ground…But what about…the actions of the murderers and the drug traffickers…” (Rep. McCaul, 16:37)

  • End commentary sums up the moment:

    • “Yeah, it does appear to be bad because it looks like it’s out of Russia. I mean, this is an authoritarian regime…” (Commentator, 18:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Justification for Tariffs:

  • “The national emergency is avoiding a national emergency.” (Scott Besant, 04:36)

• On European Intelligence Cutoff:

  • “It was very clear…that it was coming from the Trump regime who was providing the intelligence from European services to Russia.” (Commentator, 03:09)

• On Ted Cruz Supporting Greenland Invasion:

  • “I want to commend President Trump for being single mindedly focused on America first…” (Ted Cruz, 08:07)

• On ICE's Use of Chemical Agents:

  • “It’s not normal to use chemical weapons on people in any situation. Police departments don’t use chemical gas on people.” (Commentator, 14:42)

• On NATO Article 5 and Global Consequences:

  • “Carney also stated that Article 5 of NATO would apply if the United States invaded Greenland and thus…the rest of NATO would…be going to war with the United States…” (Commentator, 09:42)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 01:30 Trump escalates ICE and paratrooper action in Minnesota
• 02:30 European intelligence agencies cut off the U.S.
• 03:40-07:24 Greenland invasion rhetoric, administration statements, European condemnation
• 09:15 U.S.-EU economic warfare discussion; French, Danish responses
• 09:42 Canada’s Prime Minister warns NATO implications
• 11:20 Fentanyl statistics and right-wing misinformation
• 13:25 & 13:55 Kristi Noem defends ICE tactics and rebuts federal judge’s order
• 15:32 Tense exchange about ICE officer accountability
• 16:37 Rep. McCaul downplays civil rights concerns over ICE tactics
• 18:09 Hosts compare current state to authoritarian regimes

Tone & Language

• Outspoken, incredulous, and fiercely pro-democracy.
• Satirical and critical—especially when quoting Trump officials (“Are you listening to yourself?”; “my Besant impression here”).
• Occasional dark humor and brotherly banter interlaced with alarm over democratic backsliding.

Summary Takeaways

• The Trump administration is pursuing extreme domestic enforcement and aggressive, destabilizing foreign policy, leading to international isolation.
• The world’s democracies are reacting decisively—cutting off intelligence sharing and threatening severe economic and military consequences.
• On the domestic front, authoritarian tactics by ICE and allied officials are increasingly normalized and justified using distorted logic and media.
• The episode highlights the importance of staying informed across the media spectrum and not falling for regime-friendly manipulation.

This summary covers all significant segments of the January 18, 2026 episode, capturing the urgent and incredulous tone of the MeidasTouch hosts while providing context for each quoted exchange and event.