The MeidasTouch Podcast — "Trump in Terror as Massive Protests Spread Across World!!!"
Date: May 2, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)
Episode Theme:
A deep-dive into the explosive, worldwide May Day protests against the Trump regime, examining the scale, motives, and international solidarity showcased by demonstrators. The hosts cover the unprecedented global response, reactions from world leaders, and Trump's inflammatory rhetoric, blending timely news with their signature brotherly banter and commitment to democracy.
Episode Overview
This episode spotlights the surge of global May Day (International Workers Day) protests aimed squarely at the Trump regime and its authoritarian allies. Featuring live on-the-ground footage, social media responses, and their candid take, the Meiselas brothers connect the dots between spontaneous U.S. demonstrations, international uprisings, and the political chaos defining Trump's leadership. They also dissect Trump’s brash public statements on U.S. foreign policy, Cuba, and Iran, and unpack his cratering popularity both home and abroad.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Historic May Day Protests Across the Globe
- Scale & Spread:
- Tens of thousands protested in major U.S. cities: Washington, D.C., North Carolina, New York, and many more (01:50).
- Possibly close to a million Americans demonstrated (01:50).
- Solidarity marches erupted in Japan, the Philippines, and Tel Aviv (01:50–02:50).
- Global Solidarity:
- Protests targeted the Trump regime's policies, militarism, and alliances with far-right leaders (01:50–03:30).
- Quote (Political Commentator):
“We stand in support and solidarity. … There are a lot more of us than people who support the Trump regime here.” (03:18)
2. Country-by-Country Protest Highlights
- Japan:
- Students and activists rallied against Prime Minister Takaishi’s military expansion and close ties to Trump and Netanyahu (04:13).
- Police attempted to shut down protests, generating international outrage (04:42).
- Philippines:
- Workers clashed with police outside the U.S. Embassy in Manila, demanding higher wages and an end to U.S.-fueled wars (04:56–05:46).
- Protesters burned effigies of Trump and Netanyahu (03:14–05:00).
- Cuba:
- Thousands in Havana marched despite the Trump regime’s threats of invasion and increased sanctions (06:05–06:44).
- Quote (Political Commentator):
“It doesn’t look like the Trump regime is breaking them….” (06:40)
- Iran:
- Massive nightly gatherings—hundreds of thousands strong—filled Tehran’s main squares, blending protest and celebration (07:00).
- Quote (Political Commentator):
“Didn’t the Trump regime and Netanyahu tell us…this was gonna be in support of Trump? Not this.” (07:12)
- Israel (Tel Aviv):
- Major protests against Netanyahu and Trump, challenging the narrative of universal pro-Netanyahu sentiment in Israel (08:28–09:07).
- Quote (Political Commentator):
“Even in Tel Aviv, there are people out there calling him out … that Netanyahu is a genocidal war criminal.” (08:50)
3. Media Coverage Gaps
- U.S. mainstream media largely failed to report the full scope of international dissent, making independent coverage crucial for the truth (05:38).
- Quote (Political Commentator):
“If you’re watching American media, you’re probably not seeing a lot of this, huh? Like you’re probably seeing some of this for the first time.” (05:38)
4. Trump’s Public Statements—Rhetoric & Reactions
- Bragging About "Piracy":
- Trump boasted about the U.S. Navy seizing foreign cargo ships, likening it to being “pirates” (12:07–13:21).
- Quote (Trump, narrated):
“We're like pirates. We're sort of like pirates, but we're not playing games…It’s a very profitable business.” (12:51)
- Threatening Cuba:
- Trump claimed Cuba would be targeted "almost immediately," describing invasion plans in detail (14:45).
- Quote (Trump, narrated):
“Cuba, which we will be taking over almost immediately…On the way back from Iran, we'll have … the USS Abraham Lincoln … stop about 100 yards offshore. And they'll say, thank you very much, we give up.” (14:45–15:22)
- Racist Remarks on Somalia:
- Trump disparaged Somalia as “filthy, dirty, disgusting, dirty. It's a horrible place” and launched a dog-whistle attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar (16:19–16:54).
- Quote (Political Commentator):
“He’s just an unmitigated racist, right? I mean, he’s just a disgusting, unmitigated racist.” (15:27)
- Strait of Hormuz Commentary:
- Trump described blockades and Navy actions using demeaning language; compared the scene to an anthill and referenced Tom Cruise (13:46–14:38).
5. Trump’s Collapsing Popularity in Context
- Quote (Political Analyst Harry Entin via clip, 16:58):
“He has the worst net approval rating at this point in any term for any president.”
- Biden and even Carter rated notably better at similar points in their presidencies (17:11–17:41).
- Quote (Political Commentator):
“This is historic. No president has been this low at this point in the presidency on the economy, period. Full stop.” (17:41)
- Trump currently sits at about 33% approval – “the least popular in modern presidential history” (16:05).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
International Solidarity:
“We stand in solidarity with the students of Japan and those across the world who want peace, who are fighting for democracy, who are fighting for freedom, who are fighting against authoritarians.” — Political Commentator (03:11)
-
Media Blindspots:
“If you're watching American media, you're probably not seeing a lot of this…” — Political Commentator (05:38)
-
On Trump’s “Piracy” Brag:
“The commander in chief is bragging that we're pirates again. The biggest humiliation ritual, just basically saying, yeah, America's terrorists were pirates.” — Political Commentator (12:07)
-
Historic Presidential Unpopularity:
“He has the worst net approval rating at this point in any term for any president.” — Harry Entin (16:58)
-
Blunt Host Assessment:
“He's just an unmitigated racist, right? I mean, he's just a disgusting, unmitigated racist.” — Political Commentator (15:27)
Important Timestamps
- May Day U.S. Protests Montage: 01:50–03:30
- Japan Student Marches & Police Clash: 04:13–04:42
- Philippines Workers Clash at U.S. Embassy: 05:38–05:46
- Cuba May Day March / Sanctions Discussion: 06:05–06:44
- Tehran Nightly Demonstrations: 07:00–08:16
- Tel Aviv Anti-Netanyahu Protests: 08:28–09:07
- Global Protest Recap: 10:42–11:33
- Trump on U.S. Navy “Piracy” & Iran Blockade: 12:07–13:45
- Trump Threatens Cuba: 14:45–15:22
- Trump's Racism about Somalia & Ilhan Omar: 16:19–16:54
- Harry Entin on Trump’s Record-Setting Unpopularity: 16:58–17:41
Episode Flow & Tone
The discussion maintains MeidasTouch’s trademark conversational, energetic style, blending genuine outrage with biting humor and a commitment to exposing anti-democratic actors. The tone is unabashedly pro-democracy, with sharp critiques of mainstream media’s shortcomings and Trump’s incendiary rhetoric, offset by hope and solidarity as evidenced by the dramatic protests worldwide. The hosts emphasize that the anti-Trump movement is a truly global phenomenon, not merely a U.S. issue.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This episode serves as a crucial, unfiltered snapshot of a pivotal moment in contemporary politics, capturing the widespread anger—at home and abroad—directed at the Trump regime. It’s an urgent call to stay informed, get involved, and never underestimate the power (and numbers) of those fighting for democracy worldwide.