Podcast Summary:

The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Loses It at Midnight and Calls Cabinet Meeting
Date: February 18, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

In this intense and energetic episode, the Meiselas brothers break down the fallout from Donald Trump’s midnight “emergency” cabinet meeting at the Capitol Hill Club. Amid crashing poll numbers and the looming threat of Democratic victories in the midterms, Trump reportedly spiraled into a social media and conspiracy-driven rage. The brothers dissect Trump's latest QAnon-tinged online outbursts, the Republican panic over persistent crises, escalations around the Epstein files, and a swirl of political weirdness from RFK Jr. and Kid Rock to escalating international tensions. The brothers’ mix of serious legal analysis, humor, and banter delivers a comprehensive, critical snapshot of the week in politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Midnight Cabinet Meltdown

[02:10] Ben:

• Trump called an emergency cabinet and campaign aide meeting at the Capitol Hill Club.
• The backdrop: “...they are expecting a complete wipeout in the midterms... the Democrats to destroy him in the House and the Senate, ripping away any shred of power that Donald Trump has left.”
• Referenced a Reuters/Ipsos poll showing:
  • Trump’s disapproval at 60%
  • Net -17% approval on immigration (an all-time low)
  • Net -23% approval on the economy
  • Loss of support among men

Memorable Quote [03:20] (Ben):
“Trump had his pollsters there, Fabrizio saying you are screwed, screwed right now.”

2. Trump’s Social Media Response: QAnon and Election Denial

[04:00] Ben:

• After the meeting, Trump posted ominous QAnon memes and declared:
  “I will be the one to shut it down.”
• Trump also posted:
  “Crooked elections cannot be allowed in the USA President DJT”
• Hosts ridicule the repetition of discredited election-fraud claims.

Memorable Quote [05:00] (Ben):
“These are Donald Trump's delusions of delusions because he is a desperate and pathetic individual.”

3. Revisiting the Trump-Epstein Nexus

[07:00] Ben:

• Coverage of the United Nations Human Rights Council panel report, stating released Epstein files suggest "a global criminal enterprise" with crimes rising to the level of “crimes against humanity.”
• Only 2–5% of the estimated 50 terabytes of material have been made public — “they're still hiding the worst stuff.”
• Calls for a full, independent investigation.

Notable Quote [09:00] (Ben):
“I am coming forward to the truthfulness of the physical and sexual abuse that I personally witnessed of minor females at the hands of Mr. Trump and Mr. Epstein, including the plaintiff, during the time of my employment.”

Specific Allegations (with Documented Quotes):

• Sworn statement by “Tiffany Doe” [09:20]:
  “I personally witnessed defendant Trump telling the plaintiff that she shouldn't ever say anything if she didn't want to disappear like the 12 year old female blank... I personally witnessed... physical and sexual abuse of minor females at the hands of Mr. Trump and Mr. Epstein...”
• Jane Doe statements [10:15]:
  "Epstein introduced her to Trump, who subsequently forced her head down to his exposed penis, which is subsequently bit in response, Trump punched her in the head and kicked her out."
• FBI reportedly inquired but abandoned follow-up.

4. Past and Present MAGA Infighting & 25th Amendment

[06:50] Ben:

• Old Steve Bannon-Epstein texts suggest even Trump’s early inner circle discussed invoking the 25th Amendment due to his instability.
• Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mike Flynn’s recent and past comments about Trump’s fitness for office surface.

Quote [07:30] (Ben):
“It was Trump’s inner circle who was saying that the 25th Amendment needed to be invoked against Donald Trump then.”

5. Ghislaine Maxwell’s UN Speech—Bizarre “Polite Society” Ties

[13:29] Ghislaine Maxwell, clip played:
“I’m here representing civil society. My passion for the ocean... started when I was a little girl. I grew up watching Jacques Cousteau...”

• The brothers express disbelief that Maxwell was granted such high-level platform access despite her criminal activities.

6. Surreal Sideshow: RFK Jr., Kid Rock, and Trump World Oddities

[14:09] Ben:

• RFK Jr. and Kid Rock’s milk-chugging, shirtless antics, meant to “deliver a simple message... Get active, eat real food. And they're running around with their shirts off and like doing sit ups and saunas... What the hell is even going on there?”

7. Global Fallout: Failed Peace Talks and Tariff-Driven Price Hikes

[15:00] Ben:

• Geneva peace negotiations fail as Trump and Putin try (unsuccessfully) to force Ukraine’s Zelensky to cede the Donbas; UK, France, and EU back Zelensky.
• Wall Street Journal reports companies raising prices due to Trump-imposed tariffs, labor and insurance cost hikes.
• Hegseth announced another attack on fishing boats off Venezuela and in the Pacific—reported as further crimes against humanity by Amnesty International, with a toll of over 140 dead.

Quote [16:00] (Ben):
“Congress must do more to reign in this administration's lawless actions. You think, you think, you think.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (by Timestamp)

• [03:20] Ben: “Trump had his pollsters there, Fabrizio saying you are screwed, screwed right now.”
• [05:00] Ben: “These are Donald Trump's delusions of delusions because he is a desperate and pathetic individual.”
• [09:00] Ben: (citing affidavit) “I am coming forward to the truthfulness of the physical and sexual abuse that I personally witnessed of minor females at the hands of Mr. Trump and Mr. Epstein...”
• [13:29] Ghislaine Maxwell (UN speech): “It's such an honour to be here. I'm here representing civil society...”
• [14:09] Ben: “RFK Jr. and Kid Rock... running around with their shirts off and like doing sit ups and saunas or whatever the hell this is. What the hell is even going on there?”
• [16:00] Ben: “This murder spree is unconscionable and illegal. Congress must do more to reign in this administration's lawless actions.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:10] Trump calls midnight cabinet meeting amid disastrous polls
• [04:00] Trump’s late-night QAnon meme spree and election conspiracy posts
• [06:50] MAGA infighting, Bannon/Epstein 25th Amendment texts resurface
• [07:00] UN panel exposes Epstein files, details of alleged Trump-linked crimes
• [09:00-11:00] Reading sworn testimonies and affidavits connecting Trump and Epstein
• [13:29] Ghislaine Maxwell’s United Nations speech clip
• [14:09] RFK Jr., Kid Rock, and political circus sideshows
• [15:00] Global issues: Failed Ukraine peace talks, tariff-induced price increases, Venezuela fishing boat attacks

Tone & Style

• Language/Tone: Direct, urgent, and unapologetically critical; punctuated with brotherly banter and sarcasm.
• Notable Elements: Frequent references to evidence, legal standards, and sworn testimonies; humor used to underscore the seriousness and absurdity of current events.

Summary for the Uninitiated

This episode chronicles a frantic, crisis-filled stretch for Donald Trump and his allies, oscillating from internal political turmoil and desperate social media spirals, to disturbing revelations about the Epstein scandal, MAGA world infighting, and political theater. The Meiselas brothers thread legal analysis, news updates, and irreverent humor throughout, underscoring their advocacy for democracy and accountability.