The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump Loses It in AM as Hearing Goes Off the Rails"
Date: February 11, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dive into a chaotic morning that saw former President Donald Trump embroiled in fresh controversies. They focus on a particularly tumultuous House Judiciary Committee hearing featuring Trump Attorney General Pam Bondi, the unprecedented shutdown of airspace over El Paso for Department of Defense testing, and a devastating jobs report with downward revisions for 2025. The brothers dissect the political fallout, Bondi's confrontational performance, and what these moments suggest about the current state of the Trump regime, all while supporting survivors of institutional wrongdoing and expressing solidarity with victims of tragedy in Canada.
Major Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Pam Bondi Congressional Hearing
Timestamps: [04:45]–[15:26]
-
Unhinged Testimony
Pam Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee and quickly drew attention for her aggressive, combative behavior. She refused to directly answer questions regarding prosecuting Jeffrey Epstein's co-conspirators, sparring with various members of Congress, including Jerry Nadler and Pramila Jayapal. -
Confrontation With Survivors
Bondi notably refused to acknowledge or apologize to survivors of Epstein, who stood together during questioning. Congresswoman Jayapal called the moment "a massive cover up" ([10:09]), highlighting the lack of accountability. -
Committee Tensions and Personal Attacks
Bondi exchanged insults with members, notably calling Jamie Raskin "a washed up lawyer" ([11:12]), and deflected questions by attacking Democrats and defending Trump, declaring him "the greatest president in American history" ([13:01]). -
Broader Context on DOJ and Cover-Ups The brothers describe Bondi’s actions as “unbecoming of the office” and accuse her of turning the Department of Justice into a “RICO sex trafficking operation” ([14:08]) by covering for the powerful. They point to Bondi’s repeated refusal to answer direct questions on DOJ failures.
Notable Quotes:
- Jayapal:
“If you have still not been able to meet with this Department of Justice, please know for the record that every single survivor has raised their hand.” ([07:38], [15:26])
- Bondi:
“I’m not going to get in the gutter with these people.” ([07:04]) “You’re a washed up lawyer.” ([11:12]) "How do you attack the greatest president ever?" ([14:08])
2. El Paso Airspace Shutdown & Pentagon-FAA Conflict
Timestamps: [02:10], [17:49]
- Unprecedented 10-Day Shutdown
The Trump regime shut down the airspace over El Paso, Texas, for 10 days without precedent in American history. The Department of Defense failed to communicate with the FAA regarding planned high-energy anti-drone laser tests near the border, leading to confusion and reversals when the FAA discovered the risk. - Speculation on Motives MidasTouch frames this as a possible prelude to the Trump administration’s threatened invasion of Mexico.
Notable Quote:
- Ben Meiselas:
“It’s like never happened in like American history where the airspace over a major city just gets shut down… This is unprecedented.” ([01:45])
3. January Jobs Numbers & Downward Revisions
Timestamps: [03:30]
- Disastrous Economic News The brothers detail how job numbers for 2025 have been drastically revised downward, with a million fewer jobs created than originally reported under the Trump regime. The hosts express deep skepticism toward the administration’s economic messaging.
Notable Quote:
- Ben Meiselas:
“2025 was an absolute bloodbath for jobs… When I hear, oh, there were jobs created in January of 2026, these downward revisions have been so massive again, a million less jobs...” ([03:30])
4. Trump’s Deflective Social Media Posts
Timestamps: [04:18]
- Trying to Change the Subject Trump’s response to scandals included posting photos with Black celebrities as an apparent attempt to boost his popularity with Black Americans.
- Hosts’ Reaction The brothers mock this move as shallow and tone-deaf.
5. The Trump FBI’s Latest Blunder: Wrongful Detainment
Timestamps: [15:53]–[17:05]
- Case of Mistaken Identity A Doordash delivery driver and his family describe being detained and questioned in connection with a kidnapping they had nothing to do with, showcasing the Trump FBI’s dysfunction under Kash Patel.
- On-the-Ground Interview
The driver emphatically denies any knowledge:
“I was just driving my car and they started following me. I don’t even know who the Guthrie’s are.” ([16:41])
6. Trump’s Collapsing Polling on Immigration and Approval
Timestamps: [17:05]
- Plummeting Support NBC News polling shows strong disapproval of Trump’s handling of immigration and border security, with only 39% approval overall.
7. Mass Shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia
Timestamps: [18:12]–[19:22]
- Tragedy and Solidarity The brothers close by acknowledging a mass shooting in Canada, reading Prime Minister Carney’s statement of condolence and expressing support for the Tumbler Ridge community.
Notable Quote:
- Prime Minister Carney (via Ben):
“I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today… Our ability to come together in crisis is the best of our country.” ([18:49])
Memorable Moments & Tone
- Direct Advocacy for Survivors: The brothers replay and highlight the powerful moment when every survivor present raised their hand, refusing to be ignored ([15:26]).
- Relentless Critique: The tone is unapologetically tough on Trump, Bondi, and the administration, with righteous anger and the brothers’ signature dry humor woven throughout.
- Banter and Outrage: The Meiselas brothers balance brotherly banter with outrage, resulting in moments that are both biting and, at times, darkly humorous (e.g., “These are the most pathetic people” – [14:08]).
Key Segment Timestamps
- Hearing begins: Bondi’s combative testimony – [04:45]
- Raskin–Bondi insults – [11:12]
- Jayapal asks survivors to stand – [07:38], [15:26]
- El Paso airspace shutdown explained – [17:49]
- Jobs report analysis – [03:30]
- Trump’s celebrity photo posts discussed – [04:18]
- FBI detainment interview – [16:41]
- Polling commentary – [17:05]
- Tumbler Ridge statement and closing – [18:12]–[19:22]
Conclusion
This episode is a rapid-fire rundown of dysfunction, denial, and dereliction at the highest levels of government, filtered through the sharp analysis and incisive humor of the Meiselas brothers. With keen attention to both the dramatic Congressional hearing and behind-the-scenes stories, they underscore what they see as unprecedented malfeasance under the Trump regime—all while keeping the plight of survivors and victims front and center.
