The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump Loses it as Cover Up of Murder Quickly Unravels"
Date: January 25, 2026

Episode Overview

In this no-holds-barred episode, the Meiselas brothers—Ben, Brett, and Jordy—deliver a scathing and rapid-fire account of the deadly Border Patrol shooting of ICU nurse Alex Jeffrey Peretti at a Minneapolis protest. They focus on the crumbling Trump administration narrative, intense right-wing and MAGA backlash, and the seismic national and international fallout from the event and ensuing cover-up attempt. The episode is packed with outrage, direct calls for accountability, and memorable commentary emblematic of MeidasTouch’s signature blend of legal analysis, political critique, and brotherly banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Murder of Alex Peretti and Immediate Cover-up Attempt [02:43]

• Case Recap: Alex Peretti, an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA, was killed by Trump's Border Patrol "Gestapo" at a peaceful protest. Peretti had a legal concealed carry permit, was helping a woman being brutalized by officers, and never drew his weapon.
• Initial Trump Narrative: Trump officials (including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol head Greg Bevino) rushed to label Peretti a "domestic terrorist" and justify the killing by signaling he had a concealed weapon.
• Debunking Lies: Facts reveal Peretti never drew his weapon and was only helping another protester. The officers "went into the holster, took out the handgun," further undermining the justification for deadly force.

"Donald Trump is absolutely losing it right now as his attempt to cover up the cold blooded murder of Alex Jeffrey Peretti has utterly failed." —Ben Meiselas [02:43]

2. Rapid Shift in Political and Cultural Alliances [05:55]

• Backlash within MAGA World: Major Trump-supporting groups (NRA, Barstool Sports, Second Amendment advocates, even right-leaning media figures) turn against Trump, condemning the killing as an attack on their values.
• Explosive Commentary from Right-Wing Figures:
  • NRA directly contradicts a Trump Administration lawyer who justified the shooting.
  • Barstool's KFC: “If you cannot admit this was wrong, you’re either an idiot or a liar. And I think you’re a bad person and an un-American asshole.”
  • Tim Pool: “I don’t see Trump winning this one.”

3. Congressional and Legislative Fallout [13:55]

• Republicans Respond: House Homeland Security Chair (a Republican) demands ICE, CBP testify regarding the shooting.
• Democratic Stance:
  • Senate Dems, led by Schumer, refuse to pass any spending bill containing additional ICE/DHS funding.
  • Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Praises grassroots activism, pushes for accountability.

"If you fund ICE, you should not be reelected at this point. ICE needs to go, Border Patrol needs to go. It’s that simple. It’s a black and white issue to me and it should be to the rest of the country at this point." —Ben Meiselas [17:31]

4. Civil Society and International Implications [08:20, 11:05]

• Global Boycott Movements: Calls intensify for “Boycott USA/Boycott World Cup,” with foreign nations expressing horror at the possibility of their citizens being slain by US law enforcement.
• International Allies Alienated: Trump’s prior “suckers and losers” reference to NATO allies and hostile statements about Canada contribute to mounting global outrage.

5. Exposing Further Trump Regime Abuses [20:30]

• Pam Bondi's Extortion Letter: Trump lawyer threatens to pull ICE from Minnesota unless the state turns over voter files—described as “state terrorism to seize election infrastructure.”
• Attempted Arrest of Don Lemon: The DOJ tries (and fails) to obtain a court order for Don Lemon’s arrest for videotaping a protest, bypassing normal judicial channels.

6. Remembering Alex Peretti—The Person, Not Just a Headline [21:40]

• Personal Tributes: Colleagues and family characterize Peretti as a deeply empathetic, service-oriented ICU nurse, a mentor, and an "all around incredible person."
• Family Statement: They express heartbreak and anger at White House slander, urge the public to get the truth out.

“Alex was a kind-hearted soul... The sickening lies that have been told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting.” —Peretti family statement [21:55]

7. Legal Actions and Demands for Transparency [18:30]

• Local Lawsuit: Hennepin County DA sues for access to federal evidence, blocked by DHS/ICE, as local and state law enforcement are cut out of the investigation.
• Pattern of Obstruction: Podcast draws parallel to prior similar killings and federal cover-ups.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Peretti’s heroism:
  “He’s someone who dedicated his life to service…trying to always make people’s lives better.” —Ben Meiselas [04:26]

• On Trump’s response:
  “Trump just goes around offending the entire world, disgracing the United States.” —Ben Meiselas [08:45]

• Straight from MAGA world:

  • “This feels like a watershed moment in American history that should enact change, but won’t.” —KFC Barstool Sports [14:10]
  • “You don’t get much more MAGA than Tim Pool as a podcaster…’I don’t see Trump winning this one.’” —Ben Meiselas, quoting Tim Pool [13:20]

• On Schumer and the Democrats holding the line:
  “Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.” —Sen. Chuck Schumer statement [16:39]

  • “No action is ever too small. That is why we never give up.” —Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [17:05]

• On the pattern of authoritarian cover-ups:
  "It is obvious to the extent there's a further investigation, I want to know who the hell these ICE and Border Patrol agent murderer thugs are and who else they're doing this to that might not be caught on camera." —Ben Meiselas [19:20]

• On election-related threats:
  “They’re openly using state terrorism as a bargaining chip to seize election infrastructure.” —Ben Meiselas, referencing Pam Bondi’s letter [22:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:43] — Ben’s opening overview of the Peretti shooting, Trump cover-up, and MAGA backlash.
• [05:55] — The narrative collapses; MAGA influencers, Second Amendment groups turn on Trump.
• [08:20] — Global responses: Boycotts and international condemnation.
• [13:55] — Congressional reactions; House/Senate stances on DHS and ICE funding.
• [17:31] — Editorial on Democrats, funding ICE, and political accountability.
• [18:30] — Legal update: Local lawsuits for evidence, pattern of federal obstruction.
• [21:40] — Personal tributes to Alex Peretti; moving family statement.
• [22:45] — Discussion of Pam Bondi’s “extortion letter” and attempted weaponization of ICE.
• [23:20] — DOJ’s failed, secretive attempt to arrest Don Lemon is exposed.

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode is deeply critical, emotionally charged, and activist in tone, combining grief, resolve, and palpable anger at abuses of power. The brothers directly advocate for accountability and radical reform, while expressing hope in collective action and integrity. Implicit throughout is a challenge to the audience: confront the propaganda, support democracy, and stay vigilant.

For listeners seeking to understand the full impact—to democracy, civil rights, political alliances, and the fate of American law enforcement accountability—this episode is both a comprehensive news update and a clarion call for action.