The MeidasTouch Podcast — "Trump Loses It as Obama Gets Standing Ovation!!"

Episode Date: February 16, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, & Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the stark contrast between former President Barack Obama's public admiration and Donald Trump's embattled, controversial status. The Meiselas brothers break down a viral moment where Obama receives a rapturous standing ovation at the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, juxtaposing this with Trump’s erratic online behavior and deepening connections to the Jeffrey Epstein files. The discussion covers Trump's reaction, the cultural shift evident in these public moments, and fresh revelations tying key figures in Trump’s orbit to Epstein. The episode is laced with the hosts’ hallmark humor and sharp political analysis, focusing on democracy, accountability, and the power of unity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Obama’s Standing Ovation vs. Trump’s Social Media Outbursts

• [02:00 – 04:00] Obama and Michelle Obama receive massive applause at the NBA All-Star Game in Inglewood, Los Angeles—a moment of public unity and admiration.
  • Clips of the ovation are played and discussed.
  • Obama’s Valentine’s Day post to Michelle is highlighted as a positive contrast to Trump’s negative online presence.
• Trump, meanwhile, is called out for posting racist images targeting the Obamas and launching incoherent personal attacks on social media.
  • Trump’s Valentine’s Day attack post against Bill Maher is used as an example of his “unhinged” online persona.
  • The brothers joke about Trump’s unending desire for cultural relevance and praise.

Quote [04:00] - Ben (Host):
"Obama got the standing ovation. ... The Obamas are unfazed. They've called you a clown. They're getting a standing ovation at the NBA All-Star game."

2. Epstein Files & Trump’s Connections

• [04:30 – 08:00] The hosts discuss escalating findings about Trump's ties to Jeffrey Epstein and how these revelations are being ignored by conservative media.
  • Direct emails are read out, highlighting Epstein's apparent involvement in Trump’s cabinet appointments (e.g., Secretary of Treasury).
  • Coverage includes an attempt by many in conservative circles to “muddy the waters” by circulating fake Epstein lists (including unrelated names like Janis Joplin and Elvis Presley).
• The Meiselas brothers drive home Trump’s name appearing in Epstein-related documents far more than any other public figure.

Quote [05:17] - Ben:
"Your name appears more in the Epstein files than the name Harry in Harry Potter. More than Jesus or God appears in the frickin Bible."

3. Obama’s Optimism & National Decency

• [06:58 – 08:20] Audio is played from a recent Obama interview with Brian Tyler Cohen.
  • Obama acknowledges troubling public behavior but expresses faith in the American people, emphasizing that most still value "decency, courtesy, kindness."
  • Obama contrasts today’s political “clown show” with enduring standards of decorum and expresses hope that "the answer is going to come from the American people."

Quote [07:00] - Barack Obama:
"There's this sort of clown show that's happening in social media and on television. ... But the reason I point out that I don't think the majority of the American people approve of this is because ultimately the answer is going to come from the American people."

4. The Unifying Power of Sports

• [08:20 – 09:45] Obama and Cohen reflect on the communal role of sports, art, and music.
  • Obama notes these are universal experiences that "remind us of our common humanity."
  • A clip is played where Anthony Edwards (NBA player) discusses being extra motivated to perform well in front of Obama, calling him "my favorite person in the world."

Quote [09:19] - Brian Tyler Cohen:
"It's art and it's joy. ... That's something we want to preserve and build on."

Quote [10:06] - Anthony Edwards:
"You always gotta put on a show for he my favorite person in the world. We was kicking it yesterday, me and him. I had a great time yesterday. So I told him I was going to put on the show for him."

5. Trump & Associates: Scandals and Deflection

• [10:17 – 11:40] Additional coverage of the Epstein fallout:
  • Recounts of Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, and other Trump associates allegedly working with Epstein—including reported attempts to blackmail or undermine Pope Francis.
  • Critique of the “fake" Epstein list released over the weekend to distract and cast doubt on genuine revelations.
• Highlighted news that Dr. Oz once invited Epstein to a Valentine's Day party; Bannon and Epstein discussed undermining figures like Pope Francis, underlining the murky ethics and politics in Trump’s circle.

6. Election Integrity, Voter Suppression, and Border Policy

• [11:40 – 15:22] The hosts dissect attempts at voter suppression disguised as election security.
  • Trump’s weekend posts claim Democrats are trying to cheat by refusing voter ID laws.
  • Kristi Noem’s comments surface, emphasizing the need for “the right people voting”—a coded reference criticized by the hosts and guest Tom Homan.
  • ICE policy and border enforcement debates are tackled; Tom Homan defends controversial federal practices and justifies administrative warrants over judicial warrants, a shift the hosts suggest erodes legal protections.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [07:00] - Barack Obama:
  "There's this sort of clown show that's happening in social media … but I don't think the majority of the American people approve of this … the answer is going to come from the American people."

• [05:17] - Ben Meiselas:
  "Your name appears more in the Epstein files than the name Harry in Harry Potter. More than Jesus or God appears in the frickin Bible."

• [10:06] - Anthony Edwards:
  "You always gotta put on a show for he my favorite person in the world. We was kicking it yesterday, me and him."

• [09:19] - Brian Tyler Cohen:
  "It's art and it's joy. … That’s something we want to preserve and build on."

Segment Timestamps for Quick Reference

• [02:00] – Obama receives All-Star Game ovation, Michelle and Barack’s positive social media posts.
• [03:00] – Trump’s reactionary online posts and racism called out.
• [04:30] – Epstein email revelations connecting Trump’s inner circle.
• [06:58] – Obama’s interview on Americans’ decency and hope for the future.
• [08:20] – Obama and Cohen on sports, art, and unity.
• [09:59] – Anthony Edwards’ heartfelt comments about Obama.
• [10:17] – [11:40] – Dr. Oz, Bannon, and Epstein connections outlined.
• [11:40] – [13:16] – Trump and Noem’s voter suppression rhetoric; Tom Homan’s commentary.
• [13:22] – [15:22] – ICE, administrative warrants, and border enforcement debate.

Conclusion

The MeidasTouch brothers use current headlines—Obama's overwhelming public support and Trump's flailing, scandal-ridden presence—to illustrate a deepening divide in American political culture. The episode spotlights the hopeful unity that figures like Obama continue to inspire, against the backdrop of Trump-driven controversy and misdirection. It asks listeners to consider the importance of decency, community, and democratic accountability—ending, as always, with the brothers' passionate plea for supporting pro-democracy causes.

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