Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: "Trump Loses it as Invasion Backfires in his Face"
Date: January 4, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Context: The MeidasTouch brothers break down Donald Trump’s explosive actions and statements following the U.S. invasion of Venezuela, public response domestically and internationally, and Trump’s increasing erratic behavior on social media.
Episode Overview
This episode centers on former president Donald Trump’s failed invasion of Venezuela and his subsequent attempts to justify and distract from the debacle. The brothers offer their signature blend of deep political analysis, wit, and democracy advocacy, dissecting Trump’s intentions, public reactions, and international implications—particularly focusing on resource-grabbing motives and destabilizing rhetoric.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s Miscalculated Invasion of Venezuela (01:12)
- Trump captured Nicolás Maduro but the action backfired, with Maduro seemingly unphased and publicly cheerful—in one instance, wishing New Yorkers a “Happy New Year” as he was perp-walked into federal prison.
- Trump expected Venezuelans to embrace U.S. occupation and hand over oil resources, but even regional governors loyal to Maduro refuse to surrender.
- Opposition leader María Corina Machado, a widely respected pro-democracy figure, was sidelined by Trump, who refused to support her despite international backing—including from France.
Quote:
“Donald Trump couldn’t even run a casino. You expect him to run a country like Venezuela of 28 million people?” – (Ben, paraphrasing Rep. Eric Swalwell) [01:53]
2. Trump’s Authoritarian Ambitions: The “Don Row Doctrine” (06:40)
- Trump unveiled a cartoon called the “Don Row Doctrine,” depicting himself stepping on nearly the entire Western Hemisphere, aiming to establish American domination there while leaving Europe and Asia to Russia and China.
- The brothers note chilling echoes of “spheres of influence” and warn of the dangers of Trump’s expansionist, authoritarian worldview.
Quote:
“Trump is saying his sphere of influence for the United States is the Western Hemisphere... That Russia can take all of Europe and China can take Asia. That’s how Donald Trump views the world. It is very, very dangerous.” – Ben [08:59]
3. Online Derangement and Disinformation (05:23)
- Trump made over 100 frantic social media posts, doubling down on baseless election conspiracy theories about the CIA “overthrowing” him in 2020 and inventing new pretexts for expansion in the Western Hemisphere.
- He falsely accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz of being involved in the assassination of Melissa Hortman, echoing past MAGA conspiracy tropes.
Notable Social Posts:
- Trump claims “2.7 million Trump votes were deleted by Dominion in 2026.”
- Video threat to invade Nigeria to “protect Christians,” despite evidence contradicting his claims.
- “Don Row Doctrine” cartoon visuals from the “Trump war room.”
4. Transparent Resource Grabbing (Venezuela, Nigeria, etc.) (09:24)
- The brothers highlight that both Venezuela and Nigeria—countries Trump is targeting—have among the world’s largest oil and rare earth reserves.
- Trump’s supposed humanitarian motivations are described as transparent cover for extraction and neo-colonialism.
- The ongoing threat list: Venezuela, Nigeria, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba.
Quote:
“Let’s be clear who has the largest oil reserves other than Venezuela, which Donald Trump invaded and wants for the oil companies? Nigeria. Also, massive lithium deposits… So that’s what this is all about.” – Ben [10:30]
5. Distraction Tactics and the Epstein Files (11:45)
- The hosts suggest Trump’s actions are a classic “wag the dog” maneuver to distract from DOJ failures to meet the Epstein Transparency Act deadline.
- The DOJ failed to release documents and reports on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation as required, coinciding with the Venezuelan invasion—a pattern the Meiselas brothers call deliberate.
Quote:
“Let’s be very clear what this is. This is Donald Trump’s effort to distract from the Epstein [files] ... as Donald Trump and the DOJ are engaged in a vile coverup of a child sex trafficking ring.” – Ben [12:08]
6. Public and Global Backlash (12:40)
- Protests erupt in U.S. cities—New York, Chicago, and more—against Trump’s war.
- New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani calls out the invasion and speaks directly to Trump, voicing opposition on the basis of violating international law and rejecting regime change.
Mayor Mamdani:
“It was an opposition based on being opposed to a pursuit of regime change, to the violation of federal international law, and a desire to see that be consistent each and every day.” – [13:13]
7. Polling and International Reactions (13:00)
- A YouGov poll shows:
- Only 16% of Democrats support occupation of Venezuela.
- 26% of Independents.
- 60% of Republicans.
- French President Emmanuel Macron and leaders from several Latin American countries support Maduro’s opposition, not U.S. occupation.
French President Macron:
“I fully support her [Maria Corina Machado’s] call for liberation and the protection of political prisoners of Nicolás Maduro’s regime… she can count on France’s support to raise her voice in favor of a peaceful democratic transition.” – (Read by Ben) [13:02]
8. Eric Swalwell’s Take – Memorable Quote (14:08)
Congressmember Eric Swalwell, running for California governor, delivers a pointed line:
“They have no faith that Donald Trump can run a country who couldn’t run a casino. And now he’s going to run a country in South America while we watch as he fails to run a country in North America. That doesn’t add up.” – Rep. Eric Swalwell [14:34]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Maduro looks happier than ever... wishing people Happy New Year as he’s walking into a federal prison.” – Ben [01:20]
- “Trump says he wants to be the one ruling Venezuela and occupying it for some uncertain period of time in order to take their oil away and give it to the American oil companies.” – Ben [03:05]
- “He’s already bombed an area of Nigeria and claimed he was attacking ISIS there, which he previously claimed he totally dismantled…” – Ben [06:09]
- “Massive marches in New York City against Trump’s war in Venezuela. Massive protests in Chicago, massive protests in many cities across the United States.” – Ben [12:54]
Time-Stamped Segment Guide
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------| | 01:12 | Breakdown of Trump’s failed Venezuela invasion and the Maduro perp walk | | 03:05 | Trump dismisses Maria Corina Machado & proclaims intent to rule Venezuela | | 05:23 | Trump’s social media meltdown—election conspiracies, threats, doctrine cartoon | | 06:09 | Nigeria threat—oil and lithium motives exposed | | 08:59 | “Don Row Doctrine”—Trump’s plan for U.S. global domination | | 10:30 | Explanation of rare earth and oil resources as Trump’s true goals | | 11:45 | Epstein files, DOJ cover-up, and distraction claims | | 12:40 | Nationwide protests and global/political reactions | | 13:13 | NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani confronts Trump | | 13:02 | International support for Machado and opposition perspective | | 14:08 | Rep. Swalwell’s critique of Trump’s leadership/occupation logic | | 14:56 | Closing thoughts and call to action from MeidasTouch |
Conclusion
The episode delivers a fast-paced, insightful deconstruction of Trump’s international blunders, authoritarian ambitions, and feverish attempts to dominate the media narrative. The MeidasTouch brothers underscore how dangerous, distracting, and transparently self-serving Trump’s recent moves are—while amplifying U.S. and global demands for democratic norms, transparency, and accountability.
Tone: Sharp, irreverent, deeply critical of Trump’s motives and methods, with emphasis on defending democracy and exposing authoritarian overreach.