The MeidasTouch Podcast: Trump Runs Off Stage as Event Goes Sideways!
Date: February 12, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast dives deep into a chaotic day in Trumpworld, after former President Donald Trump abruptly left a public event following damaging testimony by his former Attorney General Pam Bondi. The Meiselas brothers unpack Trump’s erratic public behavior, Bondi’s controversial House Judiciary appearance, fallout within the GOP, and a series of government blunders—from disaster PR to accidental military mishaps. True to their style, the brothers blend sharp political critique with their signature comedic flair and commitment to defending democratic values.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump Flees Press After Bondi Testimony (01:30–03:57)
- Immediate Reaction: Trump is visibly shaken following Pam Bondi's disastrous testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, especially as she faced scrutiny over the administration’s alleged cover-up related to Epstein.
- Quote (Political Commentator, 02:21):
“He’s scared, he’s panicking and he was slurring his words throughout this press conference... People just give him fake trophies now, but watch as he slurs his words. He does not look well at all.” - Trophy Farce: Trump receives a “Champion of Coal” trophy—a moment mocked not only for his slurred delivery, but also for the absurd mascot “Mr. Coley,” an anthropomorphic lump of coal.
Memorable Clip
[02:48] Trump: "Then me. And I'm proud to officially name the undisputed... just when did this come out, Mr. Speaker? The undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal. We have to proceed. Always I don't use the word coal. You know, it needs a PR job."
2. GOP Rebukes Trump on Tariffs, Trump Gives Disjointed Response (03:57–05:15)
- House Vote: The Republican-controlled House votes 219 to 211 to revoke Trump-imposed tariffs against Canada, a rare public GOP rebuke.
- Trump’s Bizarre Word List:
[04:39] Trump: "Another one of my favorite words is the word tariff. You know, tariff is very... I know they want to hear that little story I used to say. It’s my favorite word. They said, what about God? What about religion? What about family and your wife, your children? So now I make it my fifth favorite word. Oh, you have no idea. I suffered. I was. Kayla, I was suffering from the fake news." - Host Reaction: The brothers mock Trump’s priorities—conflating personal favorite words with core values, critiquing him as out-of-touch and disingenuous.
3. Trump Plays Favorites with States & Bashes Governors (05:15–09:12)
-
Only Likes "Winning" States:
[05:17] Trump: "Drives a haul truck at Bear Run Mine in Dugar, Indiana. Great state. We love Indiana. I only like states that I won so big, you know." -
Attacks on GOP Governor Kevin Stitt: Trump lashes out at Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt after Stitt cancels a governors’ meeting, allegedly because Trump refused to invite Democrats.
-
Scathing Host Analysis: The hosts call out Trump’s personal insults against various governors—including jabs at Governor J.B. Pritzker (“slob”) and Governor Gavin Newsom (“new scum”). They highlight the childishness and hypocrisy of Trump’s approach, especially given his own record on honoring military service.
Quote (Host, ~08:40):
“And I mean, you’re coming calling him new scum and slob and really you’re talking about military service. Donald, when you dodge the draft five times and claimed you have bone spurs where you’ve attacked our military members who have made the ultimate sacrifice here...”
4. Pam Bondi’s Disastrous Testimony Montage (09:12–12:35)
-
Flustered and Combative: Bondi stumbles under questioning, frequently invoking “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and lashing out at Democratic representatives.
-
Stock Market Boasts: In a deflection, Bondi claims “the Dow is over 50,000... S&P at almost 7,000,” (09:38), disconnecting from the core issues under discussion.
-
Notable Exchange with Rep. Jared Moskowitz:
[10:23] Rep. Moskowitz: “Madam Attorney General, I have like 25 seconds left... Because I’m curious... I just want to see how—how good it is. So give me your best one.”
[10:43] Bondi: “So, first of all, nothing is funny about mocking the Bible and holding up a Bible. That’s what you did. You made a joke, and I find it.” -
Testimony on Epstein/Maxwell: Bondi gives evasive answers when pressed about preferential treatment for Ghislaine Maxwell.
[11:21] Bondi: “Let me be crystal clear on this. No and let me. Let me, let me keep going. No, let me keep going.”
- Congressional questioners express frustration:
[12:13] Rep: “This is pathetic, Mr. I am not asking trick questions here. The American people have a right to know the answers to this...” - Bondi attacks Rep. Ballant, further devolving into personal animosity over substance.
- Congressional questioners express frustration:
5. Military Blunders: Airspace Closure & Balloon Shoot-Down (12:35–13:25)
- Laser Gate: The Department of Defense mistakenly identifies a birthday party balloon as a foreign drone and closes airspace over El Paso.
- Blame Game: DOD blames Mexican cartels, leading to further ridicule from the hosts and the online community.
6. House Rebukes Trump on Tariffs (again) (13:25–14:45)
- Political Aftershocks: Trump’s influence wanes as the House, including Republicans, rejects his tariff policy—a significant demonstration of GOP divisions.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Trump’s behavior:
“He’s scared, he’s panicking and he was slurring his words throughout this press conference, which he was.”
— Political Commentator (02:21) -
On Trump’s priorities:
“Another one of my favorite words is the word tariff... So now I make it my fifth favorite word.”
— Donald Trump (04:39) -
On childish name-calling:
“Such a freaking baby. Don’t we need adults? Don’t we need grownups? Horrible, horrible stuff.”
— Host (08:40) -
Pam Bondi unraveling:
“You all should be apologizing. You sit here and you attack the president, and I am not going to have it. I’m not going to put up with it.”
— Pam Bondi (09:38) -
On military blunders:
“They then wanted to shoot it down with lasers, which they actually did shoot down a balloon, but it was a birthday party balloon.”
— Political Commentator (12:49)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 01:30: Trump retreats from press after Bondi’s testimony
- 02:07–02:48: Trump’s slurred Champion of Coal moment
- 03:57: House revokes Trump tariffs; Trump responds incoherently
- 05:17: Trump jokes he only likes states he “won”
- 06:00–09:00: Trump attacks GOP governor Kevin Stitt and other governors
- 09:12–12:35: Pam Bondi’s combative testimony montage, Q&A with Reps Moskowitz and Ballant, Maxwell prison discussion
- 12:35: Dept. of Defense birthday balloon blunder, El Paso airspace shutdown
- 13:25: Recap of House rebuke on tariffs and Trump’s waning GOP support
Summary Tone and Style
Consistent with the MeidasTouch brand, the episode is both biting and humorous—relentlessly critical of Trump and his inner circle but always laced with the brothers’ brotherly banter, sharp sarcasm, and calls for responsible, adult leadership.
For listeners and political junkies, this episode provides a scathing and comedic dissection of Trumpian spectacle, GOP dysfunction, and surreal government mishaps—all tightly packed into one of the week’s most eventful news cycles.