The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Has Terrible Morning as Biggest Fears Surface
Date: January 28, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a particularly disastrous day for Donald Trump and his administration, with the Meiselas brothers highlighting a cascade of legal, political, and cultural setbacks facing the regime. Covering everything from international lawsuits and diplomatic embarrassments to the collapse of the Trump-Kennedy Center and a failing Melania Trump movie, the brothers use their signature mix of informed analysis and caustic wit to offer a thorough recap of the chaos. The episode also addresses the call for impeachment of a leading administration official and the humanitarian crisis at US detention centers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Administration Faces Lawsuit for War Crimes (03:58)

• Families of victims from Trinidad sue the Trump regime for wrongful death and extrajudication after a US boat strike results in civilian deaths off the coast of Venezuela.
• Lawsuit described as a “first of its kind” and a major legal threat for Trump.
• Quote:
  • “Can you say discovery? The family members are saying these people were not drug dealers, they were on a fishing boat. They were murdered... and this family is demanding answers.” (Political Commentator, 04:20)

2. High-profile Exodus from the Trump-Kennedy Center (05:25)

• Prominent artists, including Philip Glass, withdraw their work in protest of Trump’s illegal renaming and mismanagement of the Kennedy Center.
• Quote (Philip Glass statement):
  • “Symphony Number 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln and the values of the Kennedy Center are in direct conflict with the message of the symphony.” (05:50)
• Humorous mention: “Everyone is quitting because nobody wants to be associated with Donald Trump and his despicable regime.” (06:10)

3. International Isolation – EU-India Trade Pact (06:35)

• Trump’s aggressive foreign policy leads global powers to sideline the US.
• New EU-India trade and security agreement announced, billed as “the mother of all trade deals” by EU President Ursula von der Leyen.
• Significance: 2 billion people affected, US left out of major trade realignment.
• Clean energy pact among UK, Germany, Denmark, and others also noted.

4. Diplomatic Embarrassment – Canadian PM Refutes Trump’s Lies (07:30)

• Trump claims Canadian PM Mark Carney apologized for Davos comments—Carney publicly rejects this, confirming he stands by his criticism.
• Quote (PM Carney, via CBC):
  • “To be very clear, and I said this to the president on the call: I meant what I said in Davos.” (07:45)
• MeidasTouch wryly calls this “Trump lying about the substance of a call with a foreign leader, chapter 1378.” (08:00)

5. DHS Defends ‘Domestic Terrorist’ Label in Minneapolis (08:44)

• Trisha McLaughlin, senior DHS official, refuses to retract calling Alex Pretty a “domestic terrorist.”
• Agency claims “highly coordinated campaign of violence” but specifics are disputed.
• Quote:
  • “We’ll let this investigation that Homeland Security investigators are leading... continue.” (Government Official, 09:24)

6. Kristi Noem’s Impeachment Looms (14:00)

• Congressmember Pat Ryan and others push for impeachment of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for alleged abuses: unlawful violence, deportation of veterans, illegal home invasions, and cover-ups.
• Quote (Pat Ryan):
  • “Weaponizing a federal agency... to kill American citizens in the streets... most certainly meets the weighty standard [for impeachment].” (14:14)
• Critique: Noem “failed at this mission,” public safety has declined.

7. ICE’s Dystopian Detention Practices (15:10)

• ICE is arresting legal refugees in Minnesota, flying them to Texas, re-interviewing, then releasing them with no way home.
• Disturbing images of migrants protesting outside Dilley, Texas detention center evoke “Squid Game,” described as “horrific, dystopian, and horrifying.”
• Quote:
  • “The horrors that are going on in these facilities—last year, 30, 40 people died. This year alone, every other day someone’s died at a detention facility. Horrific, horrific war crimes.” (15:55)

8. Melania Trump’s Failing Movie (12:10)

• Amidst national crises, the Trump regime focuses on promoting Melania’s film, which suffers from poor ticket sales despite massive investment from Amazon and a large promotional push.
• Quote (Melania Trump clip):
  • “It was wonderful to have so many world leaders with me on Saturday... the reception of the film was very warm.” (12:56)
  • On establishing the East Wing: “This story was never told before so the audience will see me... establishing the East Wing for the White House... in 20 days.” (13:27)
• Hosts poke fun at claim, noting the East Wing “no longer exists.”

9. MAGA Movement’s Public Persona (14:50)

• Trump loyalist Scott Pressler highlights trivial social media moments, showing how the MAGA movement has become out of touch.
• Satirical comment: “That is the MAGA movement today.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump-Kennedy Center exodus:
  “Everybody is quitting because nobody wants to be associated with Donald Trump and his despicable regime.” (Political Commentator, 06:15)
• On Prime Minister Carney’s rebuttal:
  “Carney’s out with a statement, laughing in Donald Trump’s face.” (Political Commentator, 07:42)
• Regarding ICE detention protests:
  “It’s like Squid Game or something... a horrific sight that people are suffering. They’re screaming ‘let us out, let us out.’” (Political Commentator, 15:35)
• Regarding impeachment:
  “It is clear that action must be taken by Congress. On behalf of my constituents, I’m sponsoring articles of impeachment for Kristi Noem.” (Pat Ryan, 14:30)
• On regime priorities:
  “While our nation is suffering... they’re promoting Melania Trump’s movie... that nobody wants to see.” (Political Commentator, 12:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:58 – Trump admin sued for wrongful death and war crimes in Venezuela
• 05:25 – Artists leave Trump-run Kennedy Center (Philip Glass statement)
• 06:35 – EU-India trade pact isolates US diplomatically
• 07:30 – Canadian PM rebukes Trump’s attempted ‘apology’ spin
• 08:44 – DHS doubles down on ‘domestic terrorist’ label in Minneapolis
• 09:44 – DHS Secretary Noem’s future and role in current crises
• 12:10 – Melania Trump’s movie flop and regime’s misplaced focus
• 13:27 – Melania on the “East Wing that no longer exists”
• 14:00 – Democrats push for Kristi Noem’s impeachment
• 15:10 – ICE abuses, refugee detention protests, horror descriptions

Tone & Style

The conversation balances biting political critique with sardonic humor, blending urgent calls to action (“The horrors that are going on... war crimes”) with moments of comedic relief, particularly in their disdain for regime propaganda and public-relations flops. The banter is unfiltered, often laced with disbelief at the administration’s audacity and incompetence.

This summary covers all of the substantive topics addressed by the Meiselas brothers, preserving their pointed critiques and spotlighting the most significant political developments of the week. For those who missed the episode, this recap provides a thorough rundown of the Trump regime’s most recent crises and the urgent calls for accountability.