The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Panics as His Condition Worsens as War Is Imminent
Date: August 31, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers discuss a rapidly escalating geopolitical crisis between the United States and Venezuela, the worsening health and erratic public behavior of Donald Trump, the Trump regime’s elimination of crucial humanitarian aid, and a cascade of domestic policy cruelties including the withholding of child care grants for college students. They round out the episode by highlighting underreported scandals within the Trump administration and their broader implications for democracy, human rights, and America’s global standing.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Escalation with Venezuela and Trump’s War Posturing
Timestamp: 01:59 – 04:30
- The U.S. has sent significant military assets near Venezuela: seven warships, a nuclear submarine, and a reconnaissance aircraft in response to Venezuela’s own mobilization.
- MAGA Republican Carlos Jimenez supports the military movement, even as it jeopardizes many of his own constituents, highlighting the disconnect between the rhetoric and the impact on real people.
- Venezuela’s dictator Nicolás Maduro claims to have mobilized 4.5 million militia members and is moving troops and drones to the Colombian border and Venezuelan coast.
- Ben points out the dangerous implications of Trump’s “GI Joe” approach to foreign policy, suggesting it's an effort to distract from his own political and health crises.
Notable Quote:
“A very sickly and weak Donald Trump wants to play GI Joe yet again, forcing the United States on the brink of yet another war, this time with Venezuela.”
– Ben Meiselas (02:00)
2. Donald Trump’s Worsening Health and Bizarre Social Media Behavior
Timestamp: 04:31 – 08:10
- Trump has been absent from public appearances and appears noticeably frail and sickly during his rare outings.
- Physical symptoms discussed include extreme hand discoloration (likened to Queen Elizabeth’s before her death), possible bandaging, makeup, and swollen ankles (“gigantic inflamed cankles”).
- Instead of public appearances, Trump is up late posting unhinged QAnon memes and AI-generated images of himself donning militaristic garb, implying dictatorial power and referencing “nothing can stop what is coming.”
- The brothers highlight the disturbing normalization of this behavior among Trump supporters and the silence of major news outlets, drawing a contrast to the treatment of President Biden’s health in mainstream media.
Notable Quote:
“He’s posting QAnon death cult memes... which says that Donald Trump seizes dictatorial power and conducts public executions of the deep state.”
– Ben Meiselas (06:25)
3. Erasure of USAID and Humanitarian Catastrophe
Timestamp: 08:11 – 11:00
- Trump’s regime has eliminated $4.9 billion in USAID funding through a maneuver referred to as “pocket rescission,” destroying vital humanitarian programs: food aid, HIV medication for children, disaster relief, and other critical support.
- The brothers stress the long-term domestic and global consequences: tens of millions at risk of starvation and disease, erosion of American soft power, and senseless cruelty as government policy.
Notable Quote:
“When history’s written, I think the number will be tens of millions of people starved to death, died, contracted AIDS because of Trump regime precipitously taking away medication... How cruel can you be? And this guy wants a Nobel Peace Prize.”
– Ben Meiselas (09:40)
4. Withholding of Childcare Grants for Student Parents
Timestamp: 11:01 – 14:45
- Senator Tammy Duckworth’s investigation reveals the Trump administration is illegally withholding Congress-approved childcare grants for low-income college parents, forcing many to choose between dropping out or accumulating unsustainable debt.
- Colleges and universities nationwide are left in the dark, unable to plan or offer these services.
- The hosts underline the bipartisan history of support for these grants and the deeply damaging, targeted cruelty of stripping this support now.
Notable Quote:
“Why would our government affirmatively inflict pain on low income parents who are trying to get their undergraduate degree? Unless you’re trying to inflict cruelty... and cruelty is the point.”
– Ben Meiselas (13:40)
5. Economic Devastation for U.S. Farmers & The Trade War
Timestamp: 14:46 – 16:10
- Trump’s global trade war has severely hurt American farmers, with fertilizer prices soaring and buyers seeking suppliers in other countries due to U.S. policies.
- Even Republican congressmen like Dan Bacon admit Nebraska and Iowa are suffering a “recession economy” thanks to tariffs and trade isolation.
Notable Quote:
“What we’re seeing is basically a recession economy in Nebraska and Iowa right now, and tariff wars do not help.”
— Dan Bacon, played by the brothers (15:30)
6. Scandal: The Israeli Official, Pedophilia Arrest, and Trump Administration Inaction
Timestamp: 16:11 – 18:50
- The brothers highlight a major scandal uncovered by journalist Mehdi Hasan: an Israeli cybersecurity official, Tom Artium Alexandrovich, was arrested in Las Vegas during a sting operation for attempting to abuse a minor, quickly released on bail, and allowed to flee to Israel.
- Despite a U.S. attorney’s outrage and calls for extradition, the Trump administration has not sought Alexandrovich’s return.
- They connect this episode to the broader pattern of legal impunity, far-right extremism among Trump appointees, and hypocrisy around “law and order.”
Notable Quote:
“If you were to lab engineer a scandal to hurt Trump, this is exactly what you would concoct… Just consider the buzzwords at play. But just consider the setting aside concocting—I mean, what the hell’s going on there?”
– Ben Meiselas (17:40)
7. Trump-Appointed Extremist U.S. Attorneys & Dehumanizing Rhetoric
Timestamp: 18:51 – 19:45
- The Meiselas brothers expose the hateful rhetoric of acting U.S. attorney for Nevada (a Trump appointee) who has said, among other things, “There are no such things as innocent civilians in Gaza.”
- This is used to illustrate the extremist, dehumanizing mindset now prevalent in parts of the federal government.
Notable Quote:
“There are no such things as innocent civilians in Gaza.”
– Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney for Nevada (18:53)
Memorable Moments & Quotes
-
On the contrast between Trump and Biden's media treatment:
“Do you remember when the New York Times wrote all those articles speculating that President Biden had Parkinson’s when he didn’t?... I just don't seem to see really anyone other than the Midas Touch Network and some independent media talking about [Trump’s health].”
– Ben Meiselas (08:10) -
On the cruelty of current government policy:
“Department of Education cutting free lunches, cutting programs for disabled persons, but making sure that 6 million student loan borrowers are now in default... that's going to trickle down to all other aspects of our economy.”
– Ben Meiselas (14:20) -
On underreported scandals:
“Hopefully I succeeded in highlighting things here as well that you probably haven't heard in other places.”
– Ben Meiselas (19:50)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 01:59 — Venezuela crisis escalation
- 04:31 — Trump’s health, bizarre posts
- 08:11 — USAID funding gutted
- 11:01 — Child care grants withheld
- 14:46 — Farm economy devastated
- 16:11 — Israeli official scandal
- 18:51 — Trump’s extremist appointees
- 19:50 — Show wrap-up and call to action
Conclusion
This episode offers a rapid-fire but deeply informed critique of the Trump administration’s domestic and foreign policies—highlighting not just the political spectacle but the material and human costs. With their signature mix of righteous indignation and brotherly banter, the Meiselas brothers shine a light on stories ignored or misrepresented by mainstream outlets, making the case for vigilance, empathy, and collective action in the face of escalating authoritarianism and cruelty.