Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: White House Presser on Minnesota Instantly Backfires

Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode centers on an explosive White House press conference following the fatal shooting of two Minnesotans, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretty, during an ICE and Border Patrol operation in Minnesota. The Meiselas brothers dissect the administration’s defensive, combative posture—in particular, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt’s efforts to blame Democratic state leaders and protesters for the violence, while deflecting blame from federal actions. The brothers call out what they view as misinformation, scapegoating, and the growing authoritarian tone from Trump’s White House.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Framing Democratic Leaders for the Violence

• Caroline Levitt aggressively blames Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Democratic policies for the deaths, painting Minnesota’s leadership as anti-law enforcement and responsible for harboring “criminal illegal aliens.”
  • Quote:
    “Yet Democrat leaders in Minnesota with sanctuary city policies have actively defied federal immigration law...And as a result...two Minnesotans have now tragically lost their lives on the streets of Tim Walz’s state.” (Caroline Levitt, 01:16)
• The Meiselas brothers note the clear attempt to shift blame away from federal agents and to demonize left-leaning leaders.
  • Ben Meiselas:
    “In other words, the White House is ratcheting things up and continuing to defame Alex Pretty, Renee Nicole Good...just sent to concentration camps.” (02:20)

2. Defamation of Protest Victims

• Levitt (and Trump allies like Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem) readily label Alex Pretty a “domestic terrorist” and “assassin” despite an ongoing investigation, a move that the brothers argue is designed to justify his death and chill protest.
  • Reporter:
    “Will Stephen Miller be apologizing to the family of Alex Pretty for calling him an assassin who tried to murder federal agents, despite the fact that...this is still under investigation?” (07:03)
  • Levitt:
    “Look, again, this incident remains under investigation. And nobody here at the White House...wants to see Americans hurt...we mourn for the parents...but that same empathy...goes for the parents of victims of illegal alien crime.” (07:14)

3. Doubling Down on Force Against Protesters

• Levitt signals that gun owners attending protests should “assume the risk” of being killed if confronted by law enforcement—threatening the very notions of First and Second Amendment rights.
  • Ben Meiselas:
    “If you go to a protest with your gun...you're going to raise the assumption of risk that you should be killed. Well, that's what you think of the Second Amendment.” (02:44)
  • Levitt:
    “Any gun owner knows that when you are carrying a weapon...and you are confronted by law enforcement, you are raising the assumption of risk and the risk of force being used against you.” (03:38)
• The hosts point out the hypocrisy, noting Trump and MAGA figures’ performative support for gun rights only when convenient.

4. Conflicting Messages and Cover-Up Claims

• Trump publicly called for reducing tensions, while simultaneously alleging “cover ups” and fraud in Minnesota, creating confusion that the press corps picked up on.
  • Reporter:
    “Given these came after the shooting, what is the cover up he's alleging?” (04:35)
  • Levitt: (Refers to supposed “massive fraud,” defames Rep. Ilhan Omar by implication)
• The Meiselas brothers highlight this as characteristic misinformation—simultaneously escalating and diffusing without accountability.
• Notable moment:
  • Reporter:
    “Your tone seems to be pretty different than Donald Trump’s...What tone should we believe?” (09:32)
  • Levitt:
    “I’m painting the picture for all of you...what led to the moment...where [Trump and Walz] are having...a productive conversation.” (09:49)

5. Jumping to Conclusions—Administration Messaging vs. Investigation

• DHS and Trump officials labeled Pretty a terrorist “before an investigation had even been conducted.”
  • Reporter:
    “Why did administration officials jump to conclusions before an investigation had even been conducted?” (11:15)
  • Levitt:
    “This has obviously been a very fluid and fast moving situation...the president...wants to let the investigation continue and let facts...lead.” (11:28)

6. Constitutional Rights at Risk

• Despite paying lip service to First Amendment rights, Levitt draws a hard line against “impeding” ICE or CBP—characterizing documentation or protest as potentially criminal.
  • Levitt:
    “All Americans have a First Amendment constitutional right, of course, but Americans do not have a constitutional right to impede and obstruct lawful immigration enforcement operations. That is actually a crime...” (11:40)
• The brothers warn this language chills free speech and peaceful assembly.

7. Claimed Popular Support for Crackdowns

• Levitt claims “huge support” (over 80%) for deporting violent criminal immigrants as a justification for ICE and CBP actions.
  • Levitt:
    “Polling shows huge support...More than 80% of Americans favor deporting illegal aliens convicted of violent crimes. A country unable to deport criminals...is no country at all.” (13:43)
• The brothers rebut this, insisting ICE is targeting peaceful citizens/protesters, not just criminals.

8. Minnesota Officials Seek Impartial Investigation

• Governor Tim Walz communicates that both he and Trump agreed to “look into reducing the number of federal agents” and to allow an impartial investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
  • Ben Meiselas:
    “Governor Walz said...we need an impartial investigation...Trump posted...it was a good call...we seemed to be on a similar wavelength.” (14:27)
• The brothers are skeptical, saying Trump’s words are “meaningless” given his authoritarian track record.

Notable Quotes & Attributions

• Caroline Levitt (01:16):
  “Yet Democrat leaders in Minnesota with sanctuary city policies have actively defied federal immigration law…two Minnesotans have now tragically lost their lives…”
• Ben Meiselas (02:44):
  “Frankly, I've never heard any politicians talk about how much they hate the Second Amendment the way we've heard from Donald Trump and these phony MAGA Republicans...”
• Caroline Levitt (03:38):
  “Any gun owner knows that when you are carrying a weapon...you are raising the assumption of risk...”
• Reporter (04:35):
  “What is the cover up he's alleging?”
• Caroline Levitt (07:14):
  “Nobody here at the White House...wants to see Americans hurt...that same empathy...goes for the parents of victims of illegal alien crime...”
• Reporter (09:32):
  “Your tone seems to be pretty different than Donald Trump’s...”
• Caroline Levitt (09:49):
  “I’m painting the picture for all of you...what led to the moment...”
• Caroline Levitt (11:40):
  “All Americans have a First Amendment constitutional right...but Americans do not have a constitutional right to impede and obstruct lawful immigration enforcement...”
• Caroline Levitt (13:43):
  “Polling shows huge support for this exact thing President Trump is calling for.”

Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• White House doubling down on blaming Democratic leaders and protesters: 01:16–02:20
• Attempt to justify use of force against armed (and non-armed) protesters: 03:38
• Reporters pressing on “cover up” claims and administration’s aggressive language: 04:35, 07:03, 09:32, 11:15
• Caroline Levitt’s deflections and reliance on polling to justify mass enforcement: 13:43
• Governor Walz and Trump “productive call” contrasted with White House rhetoric: 14:27

Tone and Language

The episode maintains the signature MeidasTouch style: sharp critique, heavy with sarcasm, outrage at perceived injustice, and a defense of constitutional rights and democratic institutions. The brothers call out what they consider to be the authoritarian drift and hypocrisy of Trump’s administration—all delivered with their trademark mix of analysis and brotherly banter.

Conclusion

The brothers conclude that the White House press conference further exposed the administration’s willingness to blame, misinform, and escalate, rather than address the core issues or take responsibility. They warn that constitutional freedoms and checks on governmental power are at real risk, framing the events in Minnesota as the latest evidence of rising authoritarianism.