The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode Title: Trump Loses it as Illegal War is Imminent
Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

In this intense and urgent episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect Donald Trump’s controversial escalation toward an undeclared war with Venezuela. Through a blend of sharp political analysis and characteristically humorous family banter, they highlight the authoritarian tendencies surfacing in Trump’s latest actions, the human and legal consequences of these moves, and the alarming normalization of symbols and policies linked to extremism. The brothers also shine a light on domestic issues being overshadowed, including healthcare rollbacks and economic hardship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Imminent War with Venezuela and Trump’s Authoritarian Moves

• Admiral Alvin Holsey's Forced Retirement

  • [03:03] The episode opens with the resignation of four-star Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, who was forced out for refusing to follow what were described as unlawful orders from Pete Hegseth, involving war crimes (notably, attacks on fishing boats and other illicit military operations).
  • "He was pushed out of his job as the head of southcom because he refused to follow unlawful orders from Pete Hegseth, who demanded the war crimes that have transpired take place." [03:10]

• Trump’s Unlawful Blockade & Escalation

  • [04:20] The hosts call out Trump’s social media post claiming to surround Venezuela with “the largest armada ever assembled” and ordering a total blockade—all without Congressional approval.
  • "He's ordering a blockade, installing this armada there, and essentially declaring war. I don't know how else you can describe it, unlawfully declaring war." [04:54]
  • They underline the illegitimacy of Maduro’s regime, but also stress that there is no credible drug crisis from Venezuela to the US, dispelling Trump’s pretext for war.
  • The hosts connect this move to Trump’s desire to distract from the pending release of the Epstein files and disastrous polling/news cycles.

Distraction from Domestic Crisis

• Healthcare Sabotage and Economic Instability
  • [05:45] The brothers emphasize the humanitarian fallout from the lack of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidy extensions:
    • "MAGAs are ripping away the health care of tens of millions...not offering any extension to the Affordable Care act subsidies, which is necessary to keep tens of millions of Americans on their plans." [03:56]
  • The economic distress is quantified:
    • "Unemployment ticked up to 4.6%...1.2 million jobs lost. That's like Great Recession numbers, right? Americans psychologically tortured, living paycheck to paycheck, can't afford rent right now." [06:22]

Transparency, Media Manipulation & Concealing Evidence

• Hiding Evidence of War Crimes

  • [08:32] Ben criticizes Fox host Pete Hegseth and the administration for refusing to publicize the unedited video of a controversial military strike.
  • "You can only show the first part of the video, but not the second part where they killed the survivors. What are these people talking about? Everything with them is hide, hide, hide, defraud, defraud, defraud." [08:46]

• Manipulating Public Narratives

  • The hosts argue that all these actions are symptoms of a regime more focused on hiding the truth than addressing real American needs.

Notable Right-Wing Figures and Culture

• Cash Patel’s Emotional Media Appearance

  • [12:24] Cash Patel, former Trump aide, shares on Katie Miller’s (Stephen Miller’s wife) podcast about the personal toll social media criticism has on his relationship with his girlfriend.
  • "Of course, I wish we didn't have to deal with the attacks...they always said it's going to be the loudest when you're over the target. And yeah, it's been the loudest for us in recent history." —Cash Patel [12:24]
  • He further describes the couple's struggle to stay together as they juggle public attention and political work.
    • "You just make it happen if it's worth it. And it is." —Cash Patel [13:15]

• Extremist Symbolism Normalized by Policy

  • [13:28] The US Coast Guard, under the Trump regime, quietly reclassifies swastikas and nooses from hate symbols to merely "potentially divisive".
    • "Swastikas, nooses, they're viewed as potentially divisive, but no longer hate symbols." [13:38]
  • The brothers fiercely criticize this and other regressive policies (e.g., deprofessionalizing nurses, spreading antivax myths) as emblematic of the administration's broader assault on decency and democracy.

Trump's Self-Aggrandizement Amid Crisis

• [15:08] As war drums beat, Trump boasts about a $400 million “golden ballroom” project/donation, which the brothers lampoon as another exercise in narcissism and distraction.
  • "We're donating a building that's approximately $400 million. I think I'll do it for less...I build under budget and ahead of schedule, right, Jason? Always." —Donald Trump (quoted by the hosts) [15:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Unlawful War:
  "He's ordering a blockade…essentially declaring war. I don't know how else you can describe it, unlawfully declaring war." —[Ben Meiselas, 04:54]

• On Domestic Struggle v. Foreign Adventure:
  "The American people are suffering right now. Okay? ...You're launching wars, talking about golden ballrooms, and you're hiding the Epstein files. Everything with this regime is hide, hide, hide." —[Ben Meiselas, 06:30]

• On Evidence Concealment:
  "You can only show the first part of the video, but not the second part...What are these people talking about? Everything...is hide, hide, hide, defraud, defraud, defraud." —[Ben Meiselas, 08:46]

• On Normalizing Extremism:
  "Who sits around and says, you know what's missing?...Let's make those no longer hate symbols. And then they high five each other." —[Ben Meiselas, 14:00]

• On Fighting for Democracy:
  "This year tested us more than ever, but together, we proved that pro democracy voices don't just compete, we win." —[Brett Meiselas, 16:17]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:03 – Four-star Admiral Alvin Holsey retires after refusing unlawful orders
• 04:20-05:10 – Trump orders illegal blockade of Venezuela
• 06:22 – Broader context: unemployment and economic suffering
• 08:32 – Fox host Hegseth refuses to release war crimes evidence
• 12:24-13:15 – Cash Patel discusses online harassment and public scrutiny
• 13:28 – Coast Guard downgrades hate symbols, hosts react
• 15:08 – Trump’s $400M “donation” for gold ballroom
• 16:15 – Hosts rally listeners for future activism and democracy

Summary

This episode is a passionate appeal against growing authoritarianism, the misuse of military power as a political distraction, and the normalization of hate and division by policy. The Meiselas brothers interweave grim news with personal anecdotes, analysis, and their signature sardonic humor, providing context and criticism for listeners deeply concerned about the crossroads at which American democracy stands.

For More: Catch the full episode for extended commentary and community engagement from the Meidas Mighty.