The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: “Yikes! Trump’s Health Crashes as Doctors Can't Hide It!!!”
Date: February 7, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Special Guests: Ron Filipkowski, Ben Terris (New York Magazine)

Overview

This episode dives deep into growing concerns about former President Donald Trump’s physical and cognitive health, fueled by recent bizarre public appearances and a revealing New York Magazine exposé by journalist Ben Terris. Covering Trump’s odd statements, physical decline, questionable cognitive assessments, and the loyalty rituals within his inner circle, the Meiselas brothers—joined by Ron Filipkowski and Ben Terris—discuss why these issues matter and how they're being actively hidden or glossed over by his allies and doctors.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Alarming Public Behavior – Signs of Decline

• Trump’s Cognitive and Physical Slide — Ron Filipkowski highlights growing media and expert consensus that Trump is exhibiting significant decline, illustrated by:
  • Incoherent social posts and public remarks
  • Focus on “cognitive tests” as proof of health
• Mockery in International Headlines
  • International Business Times and NBC mocked Trump's claim that a ten-year-old would struggle with his cognitive test (00:45).
• Disturbing Interview Clips
  • Trump recently claimed he avoids sleeping on planes so he can "watch for missiles and enemies," raising eyebrows about his grip on reality:
    • Quote:
      “I don't sleep on planes. I don't like sleeping on planes. You know, I like looking out the window watching for missiles and enemies, actually.” – Donald Trump (03:08)
  • In another interview, Trump’s incoherence peaks while discussing ICE and "waters":
    • Host: “But it was two Americans...”
    • Trump: “We have the smallest trucks as an example. We've been very tough on the waters…” (04:20)

2. Obsession with Legacy

• Desperate to Have Things Named After Him
  • Trump’s associates argue he should hold legislative projects hostage for branding rights.
  • Quote:
    “He wants to name Dulles Airport Trump Dulles Airport. He wants to name Penn Station Trump Penn Station. Very strange behavior…” – Ron Filipkowski (07:33)
• Sycophancy Among Allies
  • Political allies justify Trump’s demands, fearing posthumous neglect:
    • Quote:
      “I'm just telling you, if left to history and posterity, someone will always do this man dirty. He's got to take care of himself.” – Political Commentator (06:35)

3. Inside Reporting: Ben Terris’s Exposé

[08:07–29:44] In-depth interview with Ben Terris, New York Magazine
The heart of the episode features a nuanced interview with Ben Terris about his long-form article, “The Superhuman President: A Good Faith Attempt to Ascertain the Truth about Donald Trump’s Health.”

a. The Physical Reality

• Visible Signs of Decline
  • Bruising, “swollen cankles,” bandaged hands, and reports of nodding off in meetings.
  • Quote:
    “We've seen with our own eyes plenty of signs that he's not, as he says, the healthiest man alive... It's important to make sure...he’s doing well both cognitively and physically.” – Ben Terris (09:36)
• Lack of Transparency from Medical Staff
  • Terris describes meeting Trump's Walter Reed doctors holding ‘talking points’ instead of honest medical answers.
  • Quote:
    “You'd like to believe...they’ll tell it to you straight. But if you’re holding talking points, if you’re saying things like, ‘Donald Trump is healthier than Barack Obama was’...it’s just hard to believe.” – Ben Terris (12:30)

b. The Cult of Personality and ‘Dear Leader’ Syndrome

• Theatrics for Reporters
  • Trump’s staff, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reportedly go to lengths to promote the “Trump never sleeps” mythology—even hiding when they sleep on Air Force One.
  • Quote:
    “He’s hiding from an almost 80-year-old man every time he goes on an airplane with him because he doesn't want to be caught sleeping.” – Ben Terris (15:16)
• Career Incentives and Self-Deception
  • Sycophancy is driven by both personal ambition and possible partial belief in Trump’s invincibility:
    • “There's no penalty in the Republican Party for being over the top with your praise for Donald Trump.” – Ben Terris (17:46)
    • “Donald Trump is out there so often saying so many things that anyone who has a prior belief about him can find moments that prove their priors.” (20:45)

c. The Truth about Testing

• Dubious Cognitive Exams
  • Trump touts acing repeated cognitive tests, but these are typically only necessary when there’s real cause for concern.
  • Host Observation:
    “Why are you talking? You observed it in person...the whole thing is weird. Like it’s some weird stuff.” (11:04)
  • Family History of Alzheimer’s
    • Trump avoids the word outright, suggesting subconscious anxiety:
      “He said...he had a, you know, what do you call it?” (points to head)
      “Alzheimer’s.” – Caroline Levitt (28:14)
    • Terris contextualizes this with input from Mary Trump on the family’s medical history.

d. Trump’s Strategy – Brute Force Repetition

• Sticking to Script Against All Evidence
  • Despite mounting evidence and declining poll numbers, Trump and team continue projecting strength:
    • “He forever has been under the impression that if he says things loud enough and often enough, people will believe it. My health is perfect. The economy is amazing. Immigration is going perfectly.” – Ben Terris (23:03)

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• On Cognitive Testing:
  “A lot of people wouldn't be able to do very well. Not easy… I've done three of them. No other president has agreed to do them. I do them because I have no problem with it because I'm 100%.” – Donald Trump (04:39)

• On Staff Behavior:
  “It was just a bunch of people doing this kind of Dear Leader, almost North Korea. Like, this man is perfect. And we're all just in awe to be in his presence.” – Ben Terris (16:36)

• On Family Health:
  “My dad had a perfect heart… He did have one problem, though. You know, late in life, he had a, you know, what do you call it?” [Unable to recall ‘Alzheimer's.’] – Donald Trump (28:14)

• Assessment of Trump’s Approach:
  “He is the President of the United States. People are constantly telling him, do things differently. And he says, no, I'm gonna do it my way. And it’s proven correct for him if you think of it that way.” – Ben Terris (23:03)

Timestamps and Segment Guide

• 00:45–07:33: Ron Filipkowski reviews public signs of Trump’s decline; plays media/interview clips; discussion of Trump’s obsession with naming rights and legacy.
• 08:07–29:44: In-depth interview with Ben Terris covering his NY Magazine exposé, revealing behind-the-scenes reporting on Trump's health, the doctor visits, and the culture of loyalty and denial in Trump’s circle.
• 28:14: Discussion of Trump’s struggle to recall the word “Alzheimer's,” family history, and implications.
• 29:44–30:16: Wrap-up and final thoughts from Ben Terris; plugs for New York Magazine.

Overall Tone

The episode embodies the Meiselas brothers’ trademark blend of urgent, evidence-based concern with exasperated humor and incisive critique. The interview with Ben Terris is matter-of-fact, sobering, and sometimes darkly comic, highlighting the disconnect between official messaging and observed reality.

Summary

A must-listen episode for anyone tracking Trump’s public future and the health of US democracy. By blending investigative journalism, primary accounts, behind-the-scenes details, and unfiltered commentary, the episode exposes an ongoing crisis of truth, transparency, and accountability at the highest levels of government.

End note:
For further details and to support investigative journalism, Ben Terris recommends reading the full New York Magazine article.