The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: "Trump is Alone and Scared to Death and Goes Radio Silent"
Date: December 28, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

In this intense and fast-paced episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect the current state of Donald Trump amidst mounting international and domestic pressure. They focus on Trump’s conspicuous silence ahead of a critical meeting involving Ukraine’s President Zelensky and the “European Coalition of the Willing.” The brothers unpack the global power struggle, Trump and Putin’s plans for Ukraine, attacks on the MidasTouch Network, and a range of breaking news stories from child sex trafficking cover-ups to international resource conflicts. The episode is laced with the brothers' characteristic banter and sharp, unapologetic pro-democracy analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Detailed Breakdown

1. Trump’s Isolation and Radio Silence

• [04:00] The show kicks off with a focus on Trump’s solitude at Mar-a-Lago, highlighting his absence from public communication after an intense period of online activity and erratic social media posts.

• Ben: “Donald Trump is scared. He’s all alone at Mar-a-Lago. Nobody wanted to sit next to him during Christmas. It was an utter embarrassment for him. He’s gone radio silent for the past 24 hours.” ([04:09])

  • Trump’s prior social media outrage included demands for Obama’s prosecution and repeated claims the 2020 election was “rigged.”
  • The timing of his silence is tied to an urgent and advanced meeting with President Zelensky and major Western allies.

2. The Ukraine Power Play and Trump/Putin’s Agenda

• [05:30] Ben outlines reporting on Trump and Putin’s ambition to control the Prystia nuclear power plant, make Russia the US's primary ally, and carve up Ukraine and Europe (“multipolar world”).

  • “This was Donald Trump’s deranged authoritarian fantasy and it is coming crashing down in his face as Europe is standing up, as the American people are standing up.” ([06:18])
  • Russian attacks on Kiev are positioned as both punishment and pressure, targeting civilians ahead of peace negotiations.

• [07:20] The significance of Zelensky’s plan: offering referendums and ceasefires to expose Putin and Trump’s unwillingness for real peace, illustrating the high stakes of the diplomatic showdown.

  • “Zelensky perfectly called the bluff of the Trump regime.” ([07:50])

3. Epstein, Missing Documents, and Child Trafficking Cover-Ups

• [09:02] Expansion on Trump’s alleged concealment of damning Epstein-related evidence:

  • Hat tip to investigative journalist Julie K. Brown for exposure; revelations include a redacted Trump-Ghislaine Maxwell photo found on Steve Bannon’s phone and an unreviewed trove of DOJ documents.

  • "There is zero justification for this photo to be redacted." ([09:50])

  • The brothers draw a pattern of systematic cover-ups and a refusal by Trump’s DOJ to address the Epstein scandal adequately.

4. Calling out Authoritarian Disinformation and Right-Wing Media

• [11:00] The brothers emphasize the ongoing battle in the “information war,” framing their work as a resistance to well-funded right-wing disinformation machines.
  • “Do not give them an inch. Because when you give this authoritarian fascist regime an inch, they take your life.” ([11:45])
  • Accusations against Fox News and Trump-allied media for amplifying regime propaganda.
  • Urgent reminders to support independent media: “The Midas Touch is under attack... If you can, make sure you hit subscribe.”

5. The Nigeria Bombing: Quid Pro Quo Politics and the Resource Game

• [13:00] Analysis of a U.S. strike in Nigeria, framed in U.S. corporate press as a “pro-Christian” move, is debunked as being about oil and lithium interests rather than humanitarian concerns.

  • “If it was really about protecting Christians, well, you may want to look at the fact that Russia is attacking Christians in Ukraine and blowing up churches. That’s not what it’s about at all.” ([14:18])

  • The brothers expose the misleading pretext for intervention, examining the entanglement of foreign policy with private enrichment.

6. Culture Clashes: The “Trump Kennedy Center” Scandal

• [16:00] Jazz musician Chuck Redd withdraws from a performance after the Kennedy Center is rebranded as the “Trump Kennedy Center.” Trump allies threaten legal action for breach of contract.
  • "Musicians don’t want to play in a crime scene. That’s fair." ([16:48])
  • The brothers provide legal commentary on why such lawsuits are dubious, equating name changes to aiding and abetting criminality.

7. Immigration, Vindictive Prosecution, and the MS-13 Narrative

• [18:00] Case study: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, labeled “MS-13 terrorist” by MAGA influencers despite no evidence of gang connections or criminal charges.

  • “He was never arrested when he was pulled over for a traffic stop. So now, five years later... there’s like no evidence for it.” ([18:27])

  • Critique of government officials for violating due process and spreading defamatory narratives during ongoing prosecutions.

8. Zelensky’s Diplomacy and Shifting Global Alliances

• [20:00] Playing and responding to Zelensky’s statements, spotlighting Ukraine’s coalition of Western allies and the obvious absence of Trump or U.S. ultra-MAGA officials.

  • Zelensky ([18:40]): “This attack is again Russia’s answer on our peace efforts. And it’s really show that Putin doesn’t want peace and we want peace...”

  • Emphasis on Canadian aid: Prime Minister Mark Carney announces $2.5 billion in aid and unlocks broader financial support ([19:25]), stressing the need for “just and lasting peace.”

    • Carney: “The barbarism that we saw overnight, the attack on Kyiev, shows just how important it is that we stand with Ukraine during this difficult time...” ([19:43])

Memorable Quotes

• Ben:
  “Donald Trump is scared. He’s all alone at Mar-a-Lago. Nobody wanted to sit next to him during Christmas. It was an utter embarrassment for him.” ([04:09])

• On disinformation:
  “Do not give them an inch. Because when you give this authoritarian fascist regime an inch, they take your life.” ([11:45])

• On the Ukraine referendum:
  “Let’s do a referendum in a free and fair election. Let’s agree to a 60 to 90 day ceasefire... then we’ll put it to the people.” ([07:22])

• On right-wing ulterior motives in Nigeria:
  “If it was really about protecting Christians, well, you may want to look at the fact that Russia is attacking Christians in Ukraine and blowing up churches. That’s not what it’s about at all.” ([14:18])

• Zelensky:
  “This attack is again Russia’s answer on our peace efforts. And it’s really show that Putin doesn’t want peace and we want peace and he the man of war, but he afraid to speak about publicly.” ([18:40])

• Mark Carney:
  “The barbarism that we saw overnight, the attack on Kyiev, shows just how important it is that we stand with Ukraine during this difficult time and that we create the conditions for this just and lasting peace in a true reconstruction.” ([19:43])

Important Timestamps

• 04:00–06:30: Trump’s radio silence before the Zelensky meeting
• 07:20–09:50: Ukraine, referendums, and Putin’s resistance to peace
• 09:02–10:15: Covering up Epstein records; Julie K. Brown’s reporting
• 13:00–15:30: The Nigeria bombing and right-wing ulterior motives
• 16:00–17:30: The “Trump Kennedy Center” rebrand and legal drama
• 18:00–19:00: Kilmar Abrego Garcia case & MAGA disinformation
• 18:40–20:57: Zelensky and Mark Carney’s statements; global alliance recap

Tone and Style

The Meiselas brothers blend sharp legal and political analysis with humor and familial banter. Their tone is unapologetically pro-democracy, irreverent towards Trump and MAGA politics, and punctuated with calls to action for civic engagement and media literacy.

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive, perspective-rich breakdown of the current geopolitical situation, Trump’s waning influence, and the expanding authoritarian tactics seen at home and abroad. Listeners are encouraged to stay vigilant, support independent journalism, and keep fighting the “information war” against disinformation and corruption. The brotherly camaraderie makes for an engaging delivery of urgent and complex news.