The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Loses It as General Strike Spreads
Date: January 23, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
In this charged and outspoken episode, the Meiselas brothers break down the unprecedented general strike that has erupted across the United States, starting in Minnesota and spreading rapidly nationwide. The strike aims to oppose Donald Trump's authoritarian regime, specifically targeting ICE and Border Patrol policies, as well as egregious attacks on democratic rights, labor, and immigrants. The episode covers the scale and significance of the protests, the Trump administration's responses, and the administration's controversial foreign and domestic policy moves—including the latest social media rants from Trump, his humiliating Davos trip, and shocking statements about U.S. allies. Through their signature blend of passionate pro-democracy commentary and biting humor, the brothers dissect the current crisis and elevate voices of workers and protestors.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The General Strike: Scope, Solidarity, and Worker Demands
Timestamps: 02:44 – 10:38
- Minnesota as Ground Zero: The general strike begins in the frigid cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, where workers brave –16°F temperatures to protest ICE, Border Patrol crackdowns, and Trump’s regime.
- Rapid Spread and Worker Unity: The strike quickly extends to other states; a map from Migrant Incident highlights the scope. The brothers predict this may become the largest general strike in U.S. history.
- Solidarity Across Sectors: Strong support for New York nurses (over 15,000 on strike for nine days), with political leaders like NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani and Sen. Bernie Sanders joining them:
"All they’re saying is we want a fair wage for the job that we’re doing. You have these hospital executives and CEOs making $20, $30 million a year and they can’t even provide the most basics for nurses who are on the front lines."
— [Political Commentator, 03:37] - Strike Motivations: Workers call for decent wages, fair treatment, healthcare access, and dignity amid Trump’s regime’s efforts to strip away basic rights.
- Corporate Outrage and Satire: Protestors reject Trump’s priorities—like golden arches in DC—while millions lose healthcare or struggle to pay rent:
"We don’t want golden arches, Donald. The American people just want to be able to live a life with dignity, to support our families and not be invaded by ICE and Border Patrol Gestapo. It’s pretty damn frickin' simple, Donald."
— [Political Commentator, 05:10]
2. Trump’s Rants, Climate Denial, and Authoritarian Moves
Timestamps: 06:57 – 12:11
- Trump’s Social Media Meltdown: Trump posts about the cold wave and mocks climate activists:
"Could the environmental insurrectionists please explain whatever happened to global warming?"
— [Political Commentator paraphrasing Trump, 06:57] - Climate Change Misunderstood: The hosts pounce:
"Just because it is cold doesn’t mean that global warming doesn’t exist. But again, Donald Trump is a demented idiot and he should be nowhere near the Oval Office."
— [Political Commentator, 07:35] - Attack on NATO Allies: Trump’s disparaging comments after his trip to Davos anger U.S. allies.
- Claims that UK, Denmark, Canada, and others didn't help in Afghanistan, calling their fallen soldiers "suckers and losers."
- Host condemnation:
"Anyone, any leader across the world who does not stand up to Donald Trump while he does that, you will lose your elections. ... Unless your country or state wants to become a Putin bootlicker, which is what Donald Trump is, by the way."
— [Political Commentator, 09:09]
- Russia Ties and ‘Board of Peace’:
- Putin joins Trump’s new authoritarian “Board of Peace”; promise to donate billions for the unfreezing of Russian funds in exchange for influence.
- The brothers lampoon Trump’s claims of a Greenland “deal,” playing a clip from the Greenland Premier for refutation:
"First of all, nobody else than Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark have the mandate to make deals or agreements about Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. Without us, that’s not going to happen."
— [Greenland Premier clip, 10:38]
3. Ongoing Election Lies, Supreme Court, and Authoritarian Tactics
Timestamps: 12:11 – 14:50
- Recycling 2020 Election Lies: Trump reposts QAnon accounts, rages about "400,000 election errors" in Pennsylvania.
"All of these cases were litigated in court. You lost. … Our Supreme Court, unlike the Brazilian Supreme Court, which threw their insurrectionist President Bolsonaro into prison for 20 plus years, our Supreme Court in the United States is freaking pathetic and does not represent the people."
— [Political Commentator, 12:42] - Call for Judicial Reform: Argues for urgent Supreme Court reform, denouncing "absolute immunity" for Trump.
4. Immigration Atrocities: Kidnapping, Propaganda, and Protest Response
Timestamps: 14:51 – 17:54
- Border Patrol’s Betrayal: The kidnapping of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos—used as bait to catch his father, now both detained in camps—sparks outrage.
- Denial and Deflection by Officials: Greg Bevino (Trump’s Border Chief) and DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin attempt to reframe ICE actions as benevolent:
"The child is in the least restrictive setting with a family member. I don’t think it gets any better than that."
— [Greg Bevino, 15:16] "This little boy was abandoned by his own father. … The dad didn’t come out and abandoned the child. So it’s actually the father’s fault that we kidnapped his son."
— [Tricia McLaughlin, 14:50] - Ongoing Suffering in Detention: Deaths continue in ICE detention centers.
- Criminalizing Dissent: J.D. Vance and other officials label striking protestors as "sex offender criminal aliens," using chilling authoritarian rhetoric.
"You’re calling the peaceful protesters in Minnesota … criminal alien sex offenders, the same way they call anybody who disagrees with them domestic terrorists."
— [Political Commentator, 16:12]
5. Voices from the Strike: Unbowed Resistance
Timestamps: 17:13 – 17:54
- Protestors’ Resolve: Interview with a Minnesota striker on the bitterly cold picket line:
"We’re stronger than them, and I think being out here on a cold morning like this really shows that. … We are strong and we are together. You cannot divide us. We love our neighbors, we love our community, and go home."
— [Protester, 17:38]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Satire about Trump’s ‘Golden Arches’ and AI renderings (05:10)
- Denouncement of international authoritarianism and Trump’s alliances (09:09)
- Clip of Greenland’s Premier: “That’s not going to happen.” (10:38)
- Brutal summary of the administration’s manipulative immigration tactics and rhetoric (14:50 – 16:12)
- Protester’s defiant statement on enduring harsh conditions in defense of democracy (17:38)
Important Segment Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|---------------| | General Strike context and spread | 02:44 – 06:57 | | Trump’s climate denial and NATO criticisms | 06:57 – 10:38 | | Greenland Premier refutes Trump “deal” | 10:38 | | Trump’s election lies, Supreme Court critique | 12:11 – 14:50 | | Immigration atrocities & official propaganda | 14:51 – 16:12 | | Protester’s testimony on the strike | 17:38 – 17:54 |
Tone & Language
The tone throughout is fiery, urgent, and uncompromising. The hosts use plain, direct language mixed with sarcasm and pointed satire. Their unapologetic support for democracy and deep frustration with authoritarian abuses is evident in every segment. Voices of resistance and humor balance out the gravity of the subject matter.
This episode powerfully documents the escalation of both popular democratic resistance and authoritarian extremism in the U.S., delivering inspiration, outrage, and a rallying cry to the MeidasMighty and listeners everywhere.