Trump Loses It in AM as Hearing Goes Off the Rails

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump Loses It in AM as Hearing Goes Off the Rails"

Date: February 11, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

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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.

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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])

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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])

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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])

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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.

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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])

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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.

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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])

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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]).

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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]

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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.

Transcript

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We also learned how the Trump regime shut down the airspace over El Paso, Texas. And they shut it down for 10 days and then they reverse course and stop the shutdown of the airspace. This is unprecedented. It's like never happened in like American history where the airspace over a major city just gets shut down and they shut it down for a 10 day period. I shouldn't bury the lead right there. So it turns out the Department of Defense got into a fight with the faa and the Department of Defense was going to be testing these lasers to go drones in Mexico. And they didn't give notice to the faa. And when the FAA learned that these laser tests were taking place above El Paso, they then shut it down. They got into a whole fight. Then they reversed course and then after abruptly shutting down the airspace, they reopened the airspace. We'll go into that as well on this video. And also, it was interesting, you had some decent jobs numbers for the month of January, although when you look into the data, it says that they hadn't been able to really collect the data accurately of the weather. But to me, the bigger story right now is the downward revisions for 2025. This is a disaster. A million less jobs than originally reported by the Trump regime from the new downward revisions. And so 2025 was an absolute bloodbath for jobs. Remember, every time the Trump regime would tout a good report, oh, we've created 150,000 jobs this month or 175,000 jobs this month. And there were some months that clear job losers those months. Well, there were four months now that we know where jobs were actually lost. Overall, almost no jobs were created in all of 2025. And that's why? When I hear, oh, there were jobs created In January of 2026, these downward revisions have been so massive again, a million less jobs basically that were created than were originally reported last year. I know, call me a skeptic, but I ain't buying it because I know what the people are really experiencing out there. You know, Trump this morning, though, you know, I guess trying to change the topic. He doesn't want to talk about any of this. He started posting photos of himself and Mike Tyson and 50 Cent and Michael Jackson and Diddy. And he posted these photos to say that it shows that black people like him. I guess that's what he's trying to show by these photos in a video where he's saying, you know, look, the black community likes me because he's posting photos of Michael Jackson, 50 Cent, Mike Tyson and Diddy. Okay, well that then brings. Okay, that then brings us to the hearing of Pam Bondi where she's just been like yelling the whole time. I'll just show you what's going on. I'll do a longer video on Pam Bondi's hearing. But just to give you a sense of it because it's just so utterly obnoxious and so vile, you know, she refused to look at these survivors and the victims who were there. I showed that in the prior video I did on Jamie Raskin's opening statement. But here you have Congressmember Nadler asking her a basic question. How many of Epstein's co conspirators have you indicted? She starts like screaming at Nadler. Watch what goes down. Play this clip. So I have just, so I really have just one question for you. How many of Epstein's coconspirators have you indicted? How many perpetrators are you even investigating?

[B]

First you showed it.

[A]

I find it. How many have you.

[B]

Excuse me, I'm going to answer the question.

[A]

Answer my question.

[B]

No, I'm going to answer the question the way I want to answer the.

[A]

Question, the way I asked it.

[B]

Chairman Jordan, I'm not going to get in the gutter with these people. I'm going to answer the question.

[A]

How many of you indicted? Again, the time. Claiming my time. The time belongs.

[B]

I think it's very interesting.

[A]

My time.

[B]

I think it's very interesting.

[A]

You can.

[B]

He talks about they indicted the President, said they indicted him.

[A]

Mr. Chairman, please stop the clock and stop the clock and restore his time.

[B]

Here we go. Time belongs.

[A]

Gentlemen from New York, you have Congresswoman Jayapal ask a very basic question. Like you see the survivors there? Can you turn around and Apologize to them and acknowledge them. Watch what takes place.

[B]

Let's play it to the survivors in the room. If you are willing, please stand. And if you are willing, please raise your hands. 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. Attorney General Bondi, you apologize to the survivors in your opening statement for what they went through at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein. Will you turn to them now and apologize for what your Department of Justice has put them through with the absolutely unacceptable release of the Epstein files and their information. Congresswoman, you sat before. Merrick Garland sat in this chair twice. Attorney General von. Can I finish my answer?

[A]

No.

[B]

I'm going to reclaim my time. Because I asked you, the Attorney General. Yes, sir. Attorney General, that I would like to answer, which is, will you turn to the survivors? This is not about anybody that came before you. It is about you taking responsibility for your Department of Justice and the harm that it has done to the survivors who are standing right behind you and are waiting for you to turn to them and apologize for what your Department of Justice has done.

[A]

Members get to ask the questions. The witness gets to answer in the way they want to answer that. Attorney General.

[B]

That's not accurate, Mr. Chairman, because she doesn't like the answer. So, Mr. Chairman, why I have asked. She asked Merrick Garland this. I'm reclaiming my time. When I will claim my time.

[A]

Those determine. The gentlelady's reclaimed her time.

[B]

Get in the gutter for her theatrics.

[A]

The time belongs to the. The time belongs to the gentlelady. The gentlelady has 17 seconds.

[B]

Thank you. You're not going to answer this question, so let me just. Chairman, I'll direct it to you. What a massive. No, I'm answering a question.

[A]

Chairman. Will you restore her?

[B]

The witnesses interrupted her with this woman. Let me have my gentlelady. The gentlelady from Washington controls the time.

[A]

The gentle lady has 17 seconds. You can. You can proceed with your final 17 seconds.

[B]

What a massive cover up this has been and continues to be. Donald Trump made the release of the Epstein files the center of his political campaign because he thought it would benefit him. Then you got into office. Attorney General claimed to have a client list. Regular order say that there was no list. Your deputy, Todd Blanche met alone. Time of the gentle lady. Maxwell. Time of the gentlelady has expired. To a minimum security prison. And now you continue the conference. I wish that you would turn around to the survivors who are standing right behind you. And on a human level, Chairman chair now recognizes the challenge you have done.

[A]

Time is. Time is the gentle lady. You have no time to yield back. We appreciate the thought. Then you have Pam Bondi attacking Jamie Raskin and saying, you're a washed up lawyer. You're a washed up lawyer. So bizarre. Here, play this clip. I mean, you can let her filibuster all day long, but not on our watch, not on our time. No way. And I told you about that Attorney General before you started.

[B]

You don't tell me.

[A]

Oh, I did tell you. Because we saw what you did in the Senate. Lawyer.

[B]

Not even a lawyer. Mitty will be in order.

[A]

I should get back at least 45 seconds.

[B]

We will give you a few more seconds. I said that already.

[A]

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[B]

I find it interesting that she keeps going after President Trump, the greatest president in American history. And if they could maintain their composure. This isn't a circus, this is a hearing. I find it interesting she keeps going after Donald Trump. She doesn't say how much money she took from Reid Hoffman. Did you and Nor.

[A]

Mr. Chairman, regular order, please.

[B]

She did nothing on her ex account, on her Twitter account during the Biden year. Gentle lady, question Attorney General. She doesn't just get to middle.

[A]

Committee will be in order.

[B]

Have a Point of order, Mr. Chairman.

[A]

Committee will be in order. Point of order, Mr. Chairman, lady can state a point of order when a witness attacks.

[B]

Not a valid point of order.

[A]

You got to state. She hasn't completed her point of order yet. Please Let her speak. Mr. Chairman, let's have some regular order here. Regular order is you got to state the rule.

[B]

I am trying. I am trying to make a point.

[A]

Of order that the witness. Are you referring to without responding to a question has attacked me.

[B]

Personally, I think it's pathetic that she can't answer the questions and is attacked.

[A]

That is not even close to point of order. The gentleman from Wisconsin is recognized. More from Pam Bondi right here. And she's like, how do you attack the greatest president ever? I mean, these are the most pathetic people. Can we just talk about what you're doing, Bondi? You're covering up a child sex trafficking ring, okay? You've turned the Department of Justice into a RICO sex trafficking operation essentially based on covering up for all these rich, powerful people. Here. Play this clip. The time is yours.

[B]

Thank you. First, he brought up the president saying, they indicted me twice. They sure did. They tried to impeach him twice. And you, Mr. Nadler, were one of the leads on the impeachment. I was on the other side. I lived that with you. During impeachment, you said the president conspired, sought foreign interference in the 2016 election. Robert Mueller found no evidence, none of foreign interference in 2016. Have you apologized to President Trump? Have you apologized to President Trump? All of you who participated in those impeachment hearings against Donald Trump, I'll just.

[A]

Show you that powerful moment at the beginning where Congresswoman Jayapal asked the survivors to stand up. Let's play this clip right here.

[B]

To the survivors in the room. If you are willing, please stand. And if you are willing, please raise your hands. 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.

[A]

I think it's also interesting to note that while we talk about how she's disgracing the DOJ right there. Just what and just how bad the FBI is being run right now by Kash Patel. Did you see that? They picked up a guy named Carlos, a delivery guy who was detained in connection with the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping. And then his mother in law first spoke. It's like my son in law is nothing. We don't even know who Nancy Guthrie is. What are you even doing? Why are you taking my son in law? And then we heard from Carlos and Carlos was like, dude, I was just driving my car and they started following me. I don't even know who the Guthrie's are. This is what the Trump FBI has become a complete and utter embarrassment. Here, play this clip. No, I don't know anything.

[B]

When you were like where is this coming from? How did they come up on you?

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

Like what were you just driving around?

[A]

Yeah. Working. Yeah.

[B]

Jason, you're delivering doordash how they pull up on.

[A]

Nah, I pulled up with them. They were following me. Yeah, they were following me. Miranda, these people. This is Santa Cruz county and Miranda was down here. So I come on two and two.

[B]

And so then when they.

[A]

Now the latest NBC News poll has Trump's rating on immigration tumbling as Americans lose confidence in his. Shouldn't even be his top issue. That's just such a corporate news framing of it. In a double digit shift, 49% of adults strongly disapprove how Trump has handled border security and immigration, up from 38% strong disapproval last summer and 34% in April. And then his overall approval rating from this NBC poll again in the tank in the 30s, 39% approved, 61% disapprove. This is how Ms. Now, our friends at Ms. Now were reporting it this morning about what went down with this temporary closure was supposed to be for 10 days over El Paso where they shut down the airport there and they shut down all of the airspace because the Department of Defense was going to be testing lasers as perhaps part of, you know, the invasion that Trump's been threatening of Mexico. And they didn't alert the faa. And the FAA found that these lasers were going to be tested anti drone lasers in the United States. Like, well, if you do, those lasers are going to be shooting down our planes. Watch, watch how this described on Ms. Now here, play this clip. Now a congressional official with knowledge of the matter is telling Ms. Now the cause of the shutdown was a lack of communication between the Pentagon and the faa. The official told us the FAA and DOD are, quote, not in clear communications with each other, going on to say FAA shut down because of their concerns about DOD counter drone activity in the area. DOD says that isn't necessary. The two need to talk and get on the same page. As for the reason behind all of this, a congressional official is telling msnow the US Military was planning to test a high energy laser that could be used against drones that was going to be tested at a military base in the El Paso area. The source said that the FAA shut down the airspace due to safety concerns. And then finally, I just want to say that our hearts go out to all the people in Canada right now in Tumblr Ridge. For our American audience. I hope everybody knows what's going on here because it's incredibly tragic. A horrible shooting at a high school in British Columbia in Tumblr Ridge. Here's the statement from Prime Minister Carney and nine dead if you include the shooter. Ten dead, over 25 injured. Prime Minister Carney says, I'm devastated by today's horrific shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence. I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risk their lives to protect their fellow citizens. Our ability to come together in crisis is the best of our country. Our empathy, our unity and our compassion for each other. I have connected with Premier Eby to express my condolences and with the Ministers of Public Safety, Gary Ansendanskari, who is coordinating the federal response. Our officials are in close contact with their counterparts to ensure the community is fully supported. As best we can. The government of Canada stands with all British Columbians as they confront this horrible tragedy. And our hearts go out to everybody in Canada today, especially those in Tumblr in British Columbia. It's been a major priority for us to launch Midas Canada and all of the Canadians who I'm friends with and I, you know, and, and it's all of you and the maple Midas. So our heart goes out to you today. That's all. Hit subscribe let's get to 6 million subscribers. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our [e-mail] you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski ad free episodes of our podcast and more exclusive content only [e-mail] well, the holidays have come and gone once again. But if you've forgotten to get that special someone in your life a gift, well, Mint Mobile is extending their holiday offer of half off unlimited wireless. So here's the idea. You get it now. You call it an early present for next year. What do you have to lose? Give it a try at mintmobile.com/switch Limited.

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