The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Has Catastrophic Sunday as Ghislaine Invokes Fifth
Date: February 8, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)

Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect a series of tumultuous events impacting Donald Trump and his political circle, with a particular focus on the explosive fallout from Ghislaine Maxwell’s scheduled deposition before the House Oversight Committee—at which she plans to invoke the Fifth Amendment on all questions related to the Epstein affair. The brothers blend their signature humor and analysis as they illuminate the implications of these scandals, the deepening links between Trump and the Epstein network, the White House’s response to domestic controversies, and the contrasting handling of such issues in the UK.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Online Rant Against Olympic Athlete (04:28)

• The episode opens with Trump targeting U.S. Olympic skier Hunter Hess after Hess criticized U.S. immigration policies and law enforcement abuses.
• Hunter Hess (05:23):

  "It brings up mixed emotions to represent the US right now… Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S. so, yeah, I just kind of want to do it for my friends and my family and the people that support me getting here now."

• Hosts underscore the pettiness and characteristic lashing-out by Trump, noting implications for the morale of athletes and political discourse.

2. Ghislaine Maxwell's Deposition: Blanket Fifth Amendment Invoked (05:49–13:59)

• Ghislaine Maxwell will refuse to answer all questions posed to her during a House Oversight Committee deposition, despite previously not pleading the Fifth when speaking with then-Deputy AG Todd Blanche—Trump’s former criminal defense attorney.

• Rep. Ro Khanna’s Letter (Excerpt, 07:59):
  Khanna presses the committee on why Maxwell is now evading questions she answered privately with Trump officials:

  • Who are Epstein’s unindicted co-conspirators and why weren’t they prosecuted?
  • Did Epstein or Maxwell ever provide underage girls to Trump?
  • Have Maxwell or her associates discussed a pardon or reduced sentence with Trump?
  • What client lists or records exist of Epstein’s network?
  • Did Epstein have ties to foreign intelligence agencies?

• Hosts illustrate Maxwell’s preferential treatment (e.g., minimum security "Club Fed" placement) and suggest this is part of a wider Trump-era cover-up.

  Notable Quote – Host (12:28):

  "She will invoke the Fifth on all of those questions and not answer those questions. Why would she not answer those questions? You should be able to answer that fairly easily."

3. Contrast: Epstein Connections in US vs. UK Politics (12:59)

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff resigns over appointing Peter Mandelson, a known Epstein associate, as ambassador. In Britain, political figures swiftly resign for lesser ties, in contrast to Trump’s entourage, many of whom remain in power despite direct Epstein links.

• The brothers highlight US reluctance to pursue accountability, recalling Trump’s own disturbing statements about women and behavior judged as sexual assault.

  Host (13:22):

  "This is such a rotten, evil regime, though, where these people who are engaged in the sickest and sickest acts imaginable, not only do they not go, they get rewarded for it. This is sick stuff."

4. Howard Lutnick, Trump’s Commerce Secretary, and the Epstein Files (13:59)

• Latest file releases reveal Lutnick lied about his ties to Epstein, including documented business activity and travel with children to Epstein’s island post-conviction.
• Thomas Massie (14:23):

  "If we believe what's in these files, [Lutnick] was in business with Epstein … many years after Epstein was convicted… He should make life easier on the president, frankly, and just resign. If this were Great Britain, he'd already be gone."

5. Media Bias, Trump’s Propaganda, and News Literacy (15:03–18:52)

• Hosts bemoan right wing media's fixation on Trump’s election grievances (e.g., ongoing 2020 election misinformation), while ignoring tangible policy issues, such as Trump's stated intent to keep housing prices high for wealthy investors.
• Plug for Ground News, a tool for media bias awareness.

6. Trump’s Racist Social Media Posts & Attacks on Political Families (18:52–20:21)

• Trump shares then deletes racist images of Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, and attacks Congressman Massie’s wife.
• Thomas Massie (19:07):

  "He should absolutely apologize. He's gone too far … once you pass certain guardrails, like attacking a man's spouse or getting into racist tropes…"

• On the effects of Trump’s attacks:

  "It doesn't make me angry, but it's unfair to my spouse … people recoil when he goes to those racist tropes or when he attacks spouses. It's just uncalled for." (19:46)

7. Right-Wing Figures and Vaccine Misinformation (20:21)

• Dr. Oz, despite his and RFK Jr.'s known history of vaccine skepticism, claims they've promoted measles vaccines.

• Hosts highlight the outright denial and revisionist tactics used by prominent Trump-aligned figures.

  Podcast Host (21:02):

  "This is what these people do. They lie about literally everything."

8. Phony Achievements & Lack of Documentation – Trump’s China Trade Claims (21:41)

• Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant claims Chinese compliance with trade agreements, yet provides no documentation or proof.
• Scott Bessant (22:31):

  "No, but I can tell you that the Chinese have lived up to their end of the bargain ... it's my belief that President Trump is the only world leader who Xi respects."

9. GOP Deflections & Moral Abdication (23:11)

• Senator Bill Cassidy, asked if he regrets voting to convict Trump or his role in confirming RFK Jr.:

  "You live your life forward, brother." (24:20)

• Hosts ridicule these evasive, meaningless responses to accountability questions.

10. Infrastructure Hostage Tactics (24:28)

• Rep. Mike Lawler refuses to directly answer whether it's appropriate for Trump to hold back infrastructure funds unless major projects are named after him (e.g. Penn Station or Dulles renamed for Trump).

  Podcast Host (25:42):

  "He wants it named after himself. And he's saying he'll unfreeze the money if they'll do it."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Hunter Hess on US Representation:
  "Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S." (05:23)
• Ro Khanna’s Hard-Hitting Questions: Listing what Ghislaine Maxwell refuses to answer under the Fifth Amendment (07:59)
• Host on Systemic Corruption:
  "This is such a rotten, evil regime... they get rewarded for it. This is sick stuff." (13:22)
• Thomas Massie on Lutnick:
  "If this were Great Britain, he'd already be gone." (14:46)
• Thomas Massie on Trump’s Attacks:
  "He should absolutely apologize. He's gone too far..." (19:07)
• Bill Cassidy’s Deflection:
  "You live your life forward, brother." (24:20)
• Host on Transactional Governance:
  "He wants it named after himself. And he's saying he'll unfreeze the money if they'll do it." (25:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump Attacks Hunter Hess/U.S. Olympics (04:28–05:49)
• Ghislaine Maxwell Invokes Fifth/Khanna Letter (05:49–13:59)
• UK vs US on Epstein Accountability (12:59)
• Howard Lutnick & Epstein (13:59)
• Right-Wing Media Manipulation (15:03–18:52)
• Trump’s Racist Posts, Massie Response (18:52–20:21)
• Vaccine Lies: Dr. Oz & RFK Jr. (20:21)
• Trump’s “Phantom” China Trade Deal (21:41)
• Cassidy on Accountability (23:11–24:28)
• Infrastructure Hostage Crisis (24:28–26:25)

Conclusion

The episode is a sweeping, incisive indictment of Trump and the MAGA movement’s scandal management, accountability dodging, and the partisan distortion of reality—contrasted with a call for media literacy and civic vigilance. From the chilling implications of Ghislaine Maxwell’s blanket Fifth Amendment invocation and undisclosed Epstein ties, to Trump’s shameless self-aggrandizement and manipulation of loyalists, the Meiselas brothers lay bare the stakes for American democracy with dark wit and relentless fact-checking.

If you missed the episode, this summary captures the tone, key revelations, and the righteous outrage that defines The MeidasTouch Podcast.