The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump Loses It and Backs Down in Minnesota"

Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode centers on former President Donald Trump’s abrupt shift in rhetoric and policy towards the state of Minnesota, particularly after the high-profile killing of protester Alex Jeffrey Pretty by Border Patrol and ICE agents. The Meiselas brothers dissect Trump’s public statements, examine growing pushback from both the public and GOP figures, and explore broader implications for American democracy and law enforcement accountability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Sudden Reversal on Minnesota

• Trump posted two contradictory messages within hours:
  • Morning: Aggressively attacks Minnesota and Rep. Ilhan Omar, alleging massive welfare fraud and sending “tough but fair” Tom Homan to “deal” with unrest.

    “A major investigation is going on with respect to the massive $20 billion plus welfare fraud that has taken place in Minnesota…” — Trump [03:45]

  • Later: Claims a respectful conversation with Gov. Tim Walz, saying they’re on the same “wavelength” to reduce crime.
• Ben’s analysis:
  • Trump only backs down under massive public pressure, unable to sustain his aggressive stance when communities mobilize in protest.

    “This is what Donald Trump does. He makes things up. He lies when he backs down and he goes, ‘Oh yes, Governor Walz is very glad that Tom Homan… is heading into Minnesota.’ Yeah, I don’t think Governor Walz wants Tom Homan in his state.” — Ben [01:55]

  • Comparison to Trump’s “deal” after threatening to invade Greenland, highlighting a pattern of manufactured escalations followed by fictitious diplomatic victories.

2. The Killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretty & Regime Response

• The brothers recount the fatal shooting of Pretty, a legal gun owner and protester attempting to assist someone being pepper sprayed by law enforcement.
  • Trump loyalists immediately branded Pretty a “domestic terrorist,” justifying the killing as a response to a threat.
  • Fox News, Stephen Miller, and other regime allies amplify this narrative, while DOJ officials publicly walk it back.
• Notable Exchange:
  • Fox host challenges DOJ official Todd Blanche on whether what happened meets the legal threshold for domestic terrorism, which Blanche sidesteps, calling it simply a “tragedy.”

    “I don’t think anybody thinks they were comparing what happened on Saturday to the legal definition of domestic terrorism… I’m not describing it as anything except for a tragedy.” — Todd Blanche [06:40]

• Contradiction and disarray within Trump’s camp are highlighted by media pushback and attempts to soften their earlier inflammatory descriptions.

3. Media and Public Backlash

• The Wall Street Journal publishes an editorial critical of the Trump regime’s law enforcement tactics:

  “Americans don’t want law enforcement shooting people in the streets or arresting five-year-old boys. 'Time for ICE to Pause.'” [10:50]

• Ben strongly disagrees with the Journal’s suggestion that Pretty “made a mistake”:
  • Asserts his right to protests and legal concealed carry were violated.
  • Cites the hypocrisy of MAGA figures who previously touted Second Amendment rights now defending such police violence.
• Numerous former Trump supporters and centrists publicly break with Trump over the ICE shootings:
  • Kyle: “If exercising your Second Amendment right warrants your death… I will not partake.” [12:50]
  • Amy: “I can no longer support Trump. The actions carried out by ICE are wrong and inhumane. Accountability matters and so does humanity. This isn’t about politics anymore. It’s about basic human decency.” [13:40]
• Republican figures like Ron DeSantis and Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Chris Maydell also condemn Trump’s actions, with Maydell even ending his campaign:

  “I can’t be a part of, I can’t run for governor as a Republican candidate where the national Republican Party is out there terrorizing the state of Minnesota.” — Paraphrased statement [15:55]

4. Pattern of Law Enforcement Abuse

• Attention brought to other deaths caused by ICE/Border Patrol in 2026 (following nine named individuals).
  • Autopsy revelations suggest cover-ups, e.g., Geraldo Luna’s Campos’ death by strangulation attributed to suicide but later found to involve ICE agents.
• Discussion underlines systemic injustice and lack of transparency.

5. Disinformation, Distraction, and International Lies

• Trump’s ongoing rants about “fake” polls and media, threatening legal action against perceived slights.

  • “Fake and fraudulent polling should be virtually a criminal offense…” — Trump [04:30]

• MAGA Republicans extend their misinformation globally, falsely accusing Denmark and Greenland of neglecting healthcare, despite well-established universal care systems.

  • “If you get a cancer diagnosis in Greenland right now, it’s darn near a death sentence. Denmark has not invested in the way that it should have.” — Mike Walls [17:27]

• The brothers clarify misinformation, pointing out superior healthcare access in Denmark/Greenland compared to the U.S.

6. Looming Government Shutdown & Congressional Complicity

• MAGA Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, sends the House into recess amid budget negotiations over ICE funding.
  • The Senate rejects increased ICE appropriations.
  • Johnson’s silence and avoidance cited as evidence of weakness and lack of leadership after recent atrocities.

  • “MAGA Mike Johnson has not commented at all on anything in the past 48 hours since the cold blooded murder of Alex Jeffrey Pretty… He’s gone radio silent because he’s weak and he’s pathetic.” — Ben [18:59]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s tactics:

  “This is how he goes about it… says he made a deal with Greenland and Denmark after threatening to invade…” — Ben [02:10]

• On protesting:

  “This is what you need to do to punch back against the bully: peacefully protest, unite as a community, stand up against this authoritarian regime, and you see that Donald Trump caves, over and over again, when you stand up to him.” — Ben [02:00]

• On loss of support for Trump:

  “If exercising your Second Amendment right warrants your death… I will not partake.” — Kyle (former Trump supporter) [12:57] “I can no longer support Trump. The actions carried out by ICE are wrong and inhumane. Accountability matters and so does humanity.” — Amy (former Trump supporter) [13:44]

• On the hypocrisy of Republicans on rights:

  “They just showed they never cared about the Second Amendment ever. They were never First Amendment absolutists.” — Ben [11:45]

Important Timestamps

• 00:35: Breakdown of Trump’s morning and subsequent reversal on Minnesota; Ben reads Trump’s social posts.
• 01:50: Ben’s analysis of Trump’s caving pattern.
• 03:45: Trump’s inflammatory morning post read aloud.
• 06:40: Todd Blanche (DOJ) walks back “domestic terrorism” narrative on Fox News.
• 10:50: Wall Street Journal's editorial and MeidasTouch reaction.
• 12:50: Former Trump supporter Kyle’s statement renouncing Trump.
• 13:44: Former Trump supporter Amy’s emotional break with Trumpism.
• 15:55: Minnesota GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Maydell drops out over Trump regime tactics.
• 17:27: Misleading claims about Greenland’s healthcare by U.S. ambassador, fact-checked by hosts.
• 18:59: Ben calls out House Speaker Mike Johnson for silence and recess amid growing crisis.

Tone & Style

• The brothers bounce between serious critique and biting satire, sharply dissecting Trump’s hypocrisy and the regime’s failures while highlighting the emotional toll on victims and disillusioned former supporters.
• The repeated calls for peaceful protest and civic engagement run throughout, along with a persistent defense of constitutional rights.
• Empathy is extended to the victims, their families, and ordinary Americans caught between government overreach and social unrest.

This episode provides a vivid look into political accountability and protest in 2026, underscoring both the dangers of authoritarian tactics and the power of civic resistance. The MeidasTouch team melds legal analysis, media critique, and personal testimonies to paint a picture of a turning tide against Trumpism—even among former loyalists.