The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Has Catastrophic Day as GOP Senators Turn Against Him
Date: January 12, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers break down what they argue is a catastrophic day for Donald Trump, focusing on significant backlash from Republican senators and economic leaders against Trump’s attempt to launch a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The brothers discuss congressional reactions, the growing fracture within the GOP, and the international fallout from Trump’s recent social media pronouncements. In typical MeidasTouch fashion, the conversation is laced with sharp critique, heated condemnation of Trump-aligned figures, and dry comic banter.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Attempt to Investigate Jerome Powell Backfires

• [01:30] The episode opens with breaking news that Trump’s attempt to criminally investigate Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell—his own appointee—is “backfiring in his face” (Political Commentator).
• Republican Pushback: Notably, several Republicans are demanding an investigation not into Powell, but into Trump’s DOJ for “weaponization” of criminal probes. “Republicans demanding a criminal investigation into the DOJ for criminally investigating Jerome Powell. But Donald Trump’s been on a rampage all morning.” ([01:30] Political Commentator)

2. Trump’s NATO and Foreign Policy Controversies

• [01:55] Trump claims online he “saved NATO” while simultaneously threatening to invade Greenland, which has “caused NATO nations to respond by potentially putting forces in Greenland to protect against a United States invasion.”
• Quote: “Donald Trump has done more to break up the NATO alliance than in history. Donald Trump is saying that he saved NATO.” ([02:05] Political Commentator)
• Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar retorts: “Trump is posting about being the acting president of Venezuela when he’s not even acting like a president at home. That’s for sure.” ([02:16] Political Commentator paraphrasing Klobuchar)

3. Bipartisan Economic Leaders Defend Federal Reserve Independence

• [02:20-03:15] The hosts thoroughly cover a rare and bipartisan public statement defending Jerome Powell by former Fed Chairs (Ben Bernanke, Alan Greenspan, etc.) and Treasury Secretaries (including Timothy Geithner, Henry Paulson).
• Notable Quote:

  “The Federal Reserve’s independence and the public’s perception of that independence are critical for economic performance ... The reported criminal inquiry into Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell is an unprecedented attempt to use prosecutorial attacks to undermine the independence.... It has no place in the United States, whose greatest strength is the rule of law.” ([03:00] Read by Political Commentator)

4. Republican Senators Break Ranks

• [03:30-04:40] Highlights from key Republicans:
  • Sen. Thom Tillis calls for an investigation into the DOJ's motives and is blocking Trump’s appointees (“I will put a hold on anyone Donald Trump wants to appoint to the Fed… until this matter is legally resolved.”)
  • Sen. Lisa Murkowski calls the DOJ’s actions “an attempt at coercion,” and supports blocking Fed nominees until the controversy is resolved:

    “If the Federal Reserve loses its independence, the stability of our markets and the broader economy will suffer.” ([04:25] Statement summarized by host)

• [05:00] MAGA-aligned Sen. Roger Marshall dismisses the investigation as “just the way Donald Trump trolls.”

  “I just think this is the way Donald Trump trolls. It’s like a trolling thing... and so he’s trolling by demanding that the DOJ launch a criminal investigation into Powell.” ([05:35] Roger Marshall clip, paraphrased by hosts)

5. Analysis and Reaction from Trump’s Economic Advisors

• [07:38] Kevin Hassett, Trump’s former economic advisor, offers a controversial perspective:

  “If someone launched a criminal investigation of me, I wouldn’t be worried. I would just say, okay, here are the documents. I have nothing to hide.” ([08:18] Kevin Hassett clip)

• [10:54] Peter Navarro, another Trump advisor, deflects blame for inflation onto the Biden administration and derides concerns for Fed independence:

  “Spare me this Fed-independent stuff … That’s a politicized body and he's the worst chairman...” ([11:05] Navarro clip)

6. Escalation of ICE/Border Patrol Tactics and Political Blame Game

• [11:22-13:06] The brothers lambast MAGA Republicans for defending “atrocities” committed by ICE and Border Patrol, calling their tactics “Gestapo” and condemning the rhetoric used against Democratic leaders.
• Rep. Sherry Biggs on state TV calls for criminally charging Democratic officials for “inciting violence” by criticizing ICE:

  “[D]o you think it’s long past due for these Democrat officials to be charged for clearly inciting violence against our federal agents?” ([12:37] Sherry Biggs clip)

7. Senator Warner Critiques Reduced Training and Endless Wars

• [13:27-14:51] Sen. Mark Warner criticizes Trump administration's policy of reducing ICE agent training from six months to 47 days (“because Donald Trump’s the 47th president”) and calls out multiple unauthorized military interventions.
• Quote:

  “We’ve had American intervention in Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Nigeria, Venezuela, maybe Greenland, where he would blow up NATO… Did you see the Brits and the Germans are putting troops in Greenland because they want to try to send a message, don’t attack Denmark, another NATO ally. How is this leading to price stability, bringing down cost?” ([14:53] Co-host/Analyst summarizing Senator Warner)

8. Kristi Noem’s Controversial Interview

• [15:27-16:24] South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem purportedly “smirks” and appears to condone the killing of Renee Nicole Goode by ICE agent Jonathan Ross:
  • Jake Tapper questions Noem about a video in which the agent calls the victim a “fucking bitch” after shooting her.
  • Noem’s response: “I can’t determine which one it is, but it could be, sir.” ([16:17] Noem’s response)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Donald Trump is saying that he saved NATO. Then Donald Trump is getting some instant rebuking to his face from his post that he is now the acting president of Venezuela when he’s not even acting like a president at home. That’s for sure.”
  (Political Commentator, 02:05)

• “The reported criminal inquiry into Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell is an unprecedented attempt to use prosecutorial attacks to undermine the independence… It has no place in the United States, whose greatest strength is the rule of law.”
  (Statement from ex-Fed and Treasury officials, read at 03:00)

• “I just think this is the way Donald Trump trolls. It’s like a trolling thing.”
  (Sen. Roger Marshall, 05:35)

• “If someone launched a criminal investigation of me, I wouldn’t be worried. I would just say, okay, here are the documents. I have nothing to hide.”
  (Kevin Hassett, 08:18)

• “We’ve had American intervention in Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Nigeria, Venezuela, maybe Greenland, where he would blow up NATO… How is this leading to price stability, bringing down cost?”
  (Senator Warner via Analyst, 14:53)

Key Timestamps

• [01:30] – Trump’s DOJ moves against Powell draw intense criticism
• [02:05] – Trump claims he “saved NATO,” invokes Venezuela and Greenland
• [03:00] – Unified statement from ex-Fed chairs and Treasury Secretaries
• [03:30-04:40] – Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski statements blocking Trump nominees
• [05:35] – Sen. Roger Marshall: “Trump is just trolling”
• [08:18] – Kevin Hassett: “I have nothing to hide” defense
• [11:05] – Peter Navarro downplays Fed independence
• [12:37] – Rep. Sherry Biggs: Calls for prosecution of Democratic officials
• [13:27] – Sen. Warner: ICE training and unauthorized military interventions
• [14:53] – Critique of Trump’s global interventions and their costs
• [16:17] – Kristi Noem smirks at ICE agent’s misogynistic remarks after police shooting

Summary & Tone

This episode is a relentless, rapid-fire takedown of Trump’s latest legal and political maneuvers, rooted in the brothers’ passionate defense of democratic norms and rule of law. The tone is pointed, caustic, and heavily critical of Trump and his allies, while spotlighting rare moments of bipartisan unity against executive overreach. The episode underscores the escalating crisis inside the GOP, rising authoritarian tactics, and the growing institutional backlash against Trump from both sides of the aisle. The MeidasTouch style—combining facts, biting commentary, and a sense of urgency—makes this a bracing listen for anyone following American political news.