The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Has Disaster Friday as Ground War Imminent?!
Date: October 31, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode tackles a tumultuous week in American and international politics, focusing on rising tensions around U.S. military actions in Venezuela, escalating domestic hardship due to a protracted government shutdown, and deepening dysfunction among Republican lawmakers. The Meiselas brothers, with their characteristic banter and outrage, dissect the Trump regime's foreign entanglements, highlight the devastating impact on everyday Americans, and spotlight the performative and hypocritical tactics of the GOP, especially under House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalation in Venezuela: Russian Wagner Mercenaries & U.S. Military Action

• Russian Wagner Mercenaries in Venezuela: Video evidence and intel suggest hundreds of Russian mercenaries have entered Venezuela, ramping up geopolitical uncertainty.

• U.S. Military Strikes: The Trump administration has allegedly authorized (though publicly denied) attacks on Venezuelan military installations. Alleged anti-drug operations off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia are questioned for transparency and legality.

• Civilian Casualties: Reports of civilian deaths, including Colombian innocents, have emerged. Survivors of attacks aren't prosecuted but sent home, raising suspicions about the true targets.

• Bipartisan Discontent: Members of both parties, including Republican Rep. Mike Turner and Democrat Rep. Seth Moulton, voice serious concerns about the lack of legal justification or clarity in classified briefings. Legal oversight is notably absent.

  “We found their justification for what they’re doing so flimsy that it makes the case for the Iraq war look like a slam dunk. I mean, it was that bad.”
  — Rep. Seth Moulton (04:56)

  “There were not very good answers as to what is the standard... What is occurring in this? How is it being determined as to how military force is being utilized?”
  — Rep. Mike Turner (02:56)

2. U.S. Government Shutdown: Hunger, Hypocrisy & Blame-Shifting

• SNAP Crisis: Over 42 million Americans risk losing access to food as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds lapse amid the shutdown. A contingency fund remains untapped, as officials claim the government must be “fully funded” to use it—contradicting earlier info on the Department of Agriculture’s website.

• Blame Game: MAGA Speaker Mike Johnson claims Democrats are absent and derelict, despite him sending the House on break and refusing to call a session.

• Orwellian Messaging: Officials like Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins acknowledge failure but spin the crisis as a positive for increasing SNAP program “awareness.” MAGA conservative rhetoric rehashes decades-old “welfare queen” stereotypes.

  “We’ve failed you. Okay, it’s true. You have. You’re the government. Donald Trump controls all branches of government.”
  — Ben (08:41)

  “I guess the silver lining in all of this is that we’re having a national conversation on our SNAP program... It’s just become so bloated, so broken, so dysfunctional, so corrupt.”
  — Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture (09:59)

  “People are using SNAP benefits to get their nails done, to get their weaves... That is not a metric of success.”
  — Unnamed GOP Congress Member (12:12, 12:42)

3. Congressional Paralysis & MAGA Republican Tactics

• Work Stoppage: The House has only worked ~12 days in the last 100, yet Republican leaders blame Democrats for legislative gridlock.

• No Negotiations: Trump and Speaker Johnson instruct Republicans to avoid any talks with Democrats, compounding the shutdown.

• Refusal to Reconvene: Johnson says the House won’t resume until the crisis is “over,” placing all responsibility on Senate Democrats while ignoring Republican control of government.

  “Call the House into session so people can work. The Democrats have been there ready to work. And you told everybody to go on paid vacation while Americans suffer.”
  — Ben (08:12)

  “We are anxious to get the House back... but we have to get the lights turned back on. Chuck Schumer and the Democrats in the Senate have got to reopen the government.”
  — Speaker Mike Johnson (13:22)

4. International Affairs: U.S.-Canada-China Triangulation

• Canada Diversifies Away From U.S.: PM Carney of Canada negotiates directly with Xi Jinping, eyeing removal of tariffs and seeking cheap Chinese EVs—potentially devastating to U.S. auto industry.

• Trump Admin’s Response: Chief economic advisor Kevin Hassett blames liberal Canadian governments for poor relations, notes frustration in U.S.-China-Canada talks, and boasts about minimal “victories.”

  “It’s the type of language you’d expect from someone who wants Canada to be the 51st state.”
  — Ben (16:53)

  “President Trump won’t stand for it. He’s tried to negotiate... and frankly, they’ve been rude and dismissive. But the bottom line is we had an enormous victory in China... It’s a big win for the American people and for the President.”
  — Kevin Hassett (15:31)

5. Domestic Economic Pain

• Surging Inflation and Stagflation: High prices, record credit delinquencies, and jobless claims reflect a gloomy economic outlook, even as the Trump regime touts a “golden age.”

• Real-World Contradictions: The hosts urge listeners to assess the economy’s real state in their own lives, highlighting the growing disconnect.

  “Go, go leave your house, go shopping, see what the prices are... If you can afford rent right now, which lots of people can’t—are living paycheck to paycheck—highest credit card delinquencies, highest student loan default rates... That’s called stagflation, folks.”
  — Ben (16:53)

6. Scandal: FBI Director Cash Patel’s Abuse of Office

• Taxpayer-Funded Extravagance: FBI Director Cash Patel caught using federal jets to accompany his much younger girlfriend to personal events, sparking scandal during the shutdown.

• Distraction and Mishandling: Shortly after the scandal, Patel publicly announces a premature terror arrest in Michigan, blowing an active investigation, allegedly to shift the narrative.

  “He blew a massive operation because many said he needed a kind of Wag the Dog moment. He needed a distraction right here from the fact that everybody’s now looking into why are you taking a $60 million taxpayer funded jet to jet around the country with your 26-year-old girlfriend...”
  — Ben (18:10)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH):
  “There were not very good answers… what is the standard?... what is occurring in this? How is it being determined...?” (02:56)

• Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA):
  “We found their justification for what they’re doing so flimsy that it makes the case for the Iraq war look like a slam dunk.” (04:56)

• Ben:
  “We’ve failed you. Okay, it’s true. You have. You're the government. Donald Trump controls all branches of government.” (08:41)

• Brooke Rollins:
  “My message to America is first, the fact that your government is failing you right now... if you are in a position where you can't feed your family... we have failed you.” (09:06)

  “The silver lining in all of this is that we’re having a national conversation on our SNAP program...” (09:59)

• Unnamed GOP Congressmember:
  “People are using SNAP benefits to get their nails done, to get their weaves and their hair...” (12:12)

  "We would fluctuate... somewhere between 6 and 10% of Americans on food stamps. Right. Then Obama came in… now it’s between 10 and 15%...” (12:42)

• Speaker Mike Johnson:
  “Chuck Schumer and the Democrats in the Senate have got to reopen the government again... we cannot deviate from that.” (13:22)

• Ben:
  “It’s the type of language you’d expect from someone who wants Canada to be the 51st state.” (16:53)

  "That’s called stagflation, folks. There’s a name for that." (16:53)

• Ben, on FBI scandal:
  “He blew a massive operation because many said he needed a kind of Wag the Dog moment...” (18:10)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Venezuela Crisis & Wagner Mercenaries: 01:07–06:04
• Government Shutdown, SNAP Crisis & GOP Blame-Game: 06:04–13:47
• Canada-China-U.S. Trade Tensions: 13:47–16:43
• Economy & Stagflation: 16:43–17:47
• FBI Director Scandal & Distraction: 18:10–20:19

Memorable Moments

• Seth Moulton’s brutal comparison of Trump’s Venezuela Briefings to the Iraq War “slam dunk” (04:56)
• Brooke Rollins’ “silver lining” SNAP soundbite, spun as a positive outcome of the government’s failures (09:59)
• Ben’s incredulity over GOP hypocrisy, notably Speaker Johnson “blaming Democrats for their own work stoppage” (08:12, 13:22)
• Cash Patel’s personal scandal and “Wag the Dog” style terror announcement to deflect from abuse of taxpayer funds (18:10)

Recap

This episode is a scathing, detail-packed examination of the Trump administration’s chaos—abroad with reckless military actions in Venezuela; at home with a government shutdown that leaves millions hungry; and across institutions, as Republican leaders dodge responsibility and public servants like FBI Director Cash Patel face scandal. Through it all, the Meiselas brothers mix deep policy critique with biting humor, leaving listeners informed, outraged, and ready for action.