The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Has Catastrophic Sunday as Plans Spiral Out of Control
Date: January 4, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Donald Trump’s disastrous Sunday following his controversial comments and actions regarding Venezuela. The Meiselas brothers dissect Trump’s attempts to control Venezuelan oil, alienation of opposition leaders, and the ripple effects across U.S. politics and international relations. The brothers blend humor and sharp political analysis, emphasizing the dangers of authoritarianism and grift in American politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Venezuela “Plan” and Backlash

• Hostivity to Democracy: The brothers discuss Trump’s stated intent to seize Venezuelan oil by backing loyalists to Nicolás Maduro (Venezuela’s autocratic leader), rather than supporting pro-democracy opposition like María Corina Machado.
• Misrepresentation and Authoritarianism: Trump is accused of wanting authoritarian control in Venezuela so he and his allies (including Putin) can profit from oil extraction—a direct affront to democratic norms.
• Venezuelan Community Reactions: Many Venezuelan expats in the U.S., especially in Miami, are shocked and disappointed, believing Trump either misspoke or exposed his true intentions.

“You think Donald Trump could take that action without coordinating that with Putin? Come and let's get real here.”
— Ben Meiselas, [01:40]

2. Trump Throws Opposition Leader Machado “Under the Bus”

• Background: Machado, who had significant support in Venezuela's 2024 election, tried to curry favor with Trump by mirroring his rhetoric, but Trump dismissed her publicly.
• Excerpted Reporting: The brothers cite reports from The Economist and the New York Times outlining how Trump wants a pliant figure (Delsey Rodriguez, Maduro’s ally) instead of genuine opposition.

“Ms. Machado had gone out of her way to please Trump...but it was all in vain. Trump fixed on a Maduro loyalist as Venezuela's new leader.”
— Brett Meiselas, [03:35]

• Memorable Quote:
  "[Machado is] a very nice woman, but she doesn't have the respect to [lead]."
  — Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, [05:35]

3. Republican Political Maneuvering & Confusion

• Florida Reps’ Mixed Messaging: Diaz-Balart and Maria Salazar attempt to defend Trump’s plan while dodging or contradicting their previous public statements, creating confusion within their communities, particularly among immigrants and exiles from authoritarian regimes.
• Deflection & Denial: When pressed for explicit support for Machado, Diaz-Balart deflects and insists on consistency without offering clarity.

"We have been consistent from day one. And I am convinced...the next democratically elected president of Venezuela is going to be Maria Corina."
— Rep. Díaz-Balart, [06:30]

4. Escalation of U.S. Posturing & International Critique

• “Don Roe Doctrine” Meme: Trump posts images of himself dominating the Americas, with the phrase “Don Roe Doctrine,” signaling a brash imperialist attitude.
• Pope’s Response: Pope Leo issues a statement demanding respect for Venezuelan sovereignty and denouncing U.S. occupation.
• Expansion to Cuba: Marco Rubio, in a fumbled TV appearance, suggests Cuba could be “next” on the Trump regime’s hit list, highlighting the administration’s domino ambitions.

"Rubio's like, yeah, Cuba's probably next..."
— Jordy Meiselas, [08:25]

5. Legal & Military Overreach

• No Congressional Approval: Rubio argues there’s no need for Congress to authorize Trump’s actions in Venezuela, labeling them as "legal operations," not invasions.

“This is not an invasion. This is a very precise operation...didn't require congressional approval.”
— Marco Rubio, [09:37]

6. Republican Distraction Tactics

• Jim Jordan’s Diversion: Jordan focuses on distractions like Chinese spy balloons under Biden, deflecting criticism from Trump’s recklessness and hypocrisy.
• China’s Aggression & U.S. Weakness: Hosts point out increased Chinese military aggression and North Korea’s missile tests as consequences of declining U.S. credibility.

“China is not buying American soybeans...China's treating Donald Trump like a pathetic little individual.”
— Ben Meiselas, [10:40]

7. Trump’s Pardoning of Narcos Contradicts His Rhetoric

• Inconsistency Exposed: Hosts highlight the contradiction of Trump pardoning Honduras’ ex-president and convicted narco trafficker Juan Orlando Hernández, despite justifying Venezuela aggression as a drug war.

“You pardoned the biggest drug carte[narco] terrorist benefactor ... How does this make sense to you, Jim?”
— Brett Meiselas, [11:37]

• Jordan Evades:
  "The pardon power...is exclusive to the President. They can exercise however they've done well once.”
  — Jim Jordan, [12:32]

8. Blind Loyalty from GOP Surrogates

• Rubio, Hagen, and Others: MAGA Republicans repeatedly state blanket trust in Trump’s judgment, regardless of evidence or legalities.
• Soundbite:
  “I trust Secretary Rubio, I trust Secretary Hagen, I trust President Trump and his making decisions...And frankly, I trust our military.”
  — Jim Jordan, [13:14]

9. Broken Promises to Immigrant Communities

• Maria Salazar’s Past Promises: Rep. Salazar’s previous vows that Trump would only target criminal immigrants (not long-residing undocumented people) are replayed and critiqued.
• Disconnect Between Promise and Reality: The hosts highlight this as another example of Trump allies misleading vulnerable communities for political gain.

“Constantly bringing her community and just throwing them under the bus... just one big misunderstanding. Donald promises us that he's going to do this and it's just one big lie and grift after another.”
— Ben Meiselas, [14:12]

10. International Perception

• Global Headlines: The hosts read dramatic international headlines, painting Trump as a “deranged, demented individual” and the U.S. as “on the warpath.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (with timestamps)

• [01:40] “You think Donald Trump could take that action without coordinating that with Putin? Come and let's get real here.” — Ben Meiselas
• [03:35] “Ms. Machado had gone out of her way to please Trump...but it was all in vain. Trump fixed on a Maduro loyalist as Venezuela's new leader.” — Brett Meiselas
• [05:35] “She's a very nice woman, but she doesn't have the respect to [lead].” — Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart
• [06:30] “We have been consistent from day one. ... the next democratically elected president of Venezuela is going to be Maria Corina.” — Rep. Díaz-Balart
• [08:25] “Rubio's like, yeah, Cuba's probably next...” — Jordy Meiselas
• [09:37] “This is not an invasion. This is a very precise operation...didn't require congressional approval.” — Marco Rubio
• [10:40] “China is not buying American soybeans...China's treating Donald Trump like a pathetic little individual.” — Ben Meiselas
• [11:37] “You pardoned the biggest drug carte[narco] terrorist benefactor ... How does this make sense to you, Jim?” — Brett Meiselas
• [12:32] “The pardon power...is exclusive to the President. They can exercise however they've done well once.” — Jim Jordan
• [13:14] “I trust Secretary Rubio, I trust Secretary Hagen, I trust President Trump and his making decisions...And frankly, I trust our military.” — Jim Jordan
• [14:12] “Just one big misunderstanding. Donald promises us that he's going to do this and it's just one big lie and grift after another.” — Ben Meiselas

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:00] – Opening: Trump’s Venezuela plot and global/media reactions
• [03:30] – Discussion of opposition leader Machado’s dismissal by Trump
• [05:21] – Clips of GOP representatives contradicting or distancing from Trump’s plan
• [07:19] – Trump’s “Don Roe Doctrine” bravado, Pope’s response, international fallout
• [08:25] – Marco Rubio’s Cuba comments and implications for further U.S. interventions
• [09:37] – Rubio defends bypassing Congressional approval
• [10:08] – Jim Jordan’s diversions, Chinese & North Korean aggressions
• [11:37] – Trump’s narco pardons and hypocrisy
• [13:11] – Republicans’ blank-check trust in Trump
• [14:22] – Maria Salazar’s historical “promises” to immigrants, shown as false

Tone & Style

• The Meiselas brothers maintain their signature blend of critical insight, sarcasm, and passionate defense of democracy throughout the episode.
• The tone alternates between serious warnings about authoritarianism and irreverent banter—engaging for listeners seeking both news and opinion.

Summary

This episode lays bare Trump’s catastrophic handling of U.S.-Venezuela policy, exposing both his authoritarian ambitions and the complicity (or confusion) of his allies. The hosts shine a light on the risks of blind loyalty, the consequences for immigrant communities, and America’s tarnished reputation abroad. Ultimately, the episode is a rallying cry for vigilance in defense of democracy, delivered with humor and clarity.