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By Ben Meiselas Hey everyone. It’s Sunday. I’ve got my coffee in hand and I hope you do too. This is my favorite post of the week because we get to slow things down for a minute, take a breath, and reflect together before the next fight begins. And I’ve got to tell you, I feel optimistic. Not naive. Not complacent. Optimistic. Because this week showed something powerful. This week, MeidasTouch didn’t just report on history. We made it. We are leading the People’s State of the Union. The main counter programming to Trump’s fascist State of the Union disaster. The boycott. The alternative. Dozens of senators and members of Congress have committed to join us. And most recently, Senator Adam Schiff stepped up. We’re doing this in partnership with MoveOn. It is unprecedented in modern American history that an independent media network is hosting its own State of the Union style event and Senators and Congress Members are not attending the State of the Union. Think about that for a second while you sip your coffee. Independent media. Not corporate media. Not regime media. You and us. Together. That only happens because of you. This week I also sat down exclusively with Governor Gavin Newsom. We didn’t just talk breaking news. We talked about his upbringing, his family, what shaped him. We were the first stop on his book tour. That’s not an accident. Leaders understand where the real conversation is happening now. It’s happening here. And while we were building, the Supreme Court dealt Trump a massive blow. They ruled against his unlawful IEEPA tariffs. A clear rejection of executive overreach. What did Trump do? He spiraled. He held a deranged press conference accusing Supreme Court justices of being under foreign influence. He threw a tantrum. And now he claims he’s imposing 15 percent tariffs under the Trade Act of 1974. The same authority his own lawyers essentially conceded would not justify what he was doing during the IEEPA arguments. It’s lawlessness. We are watching a regime flail in real time. Meanwhile, the Epstein cover up continues. At the end of this week Trump went out of his way to publicly support Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the Royal Family. Warm words for them. Silence for survivors. That tells you everything. But here’s the part that makes me optimistic. The cover ups are weaker. The tantrums are louder. The lies are sloppier. And the accountability movement is stronger than ever. When I take a sip of this coffee and think about the week, I don’t see fear. I see momentum. We are setting the agenda. We are hosting historic events. We are interviewing major leaders first. We are preserving documents they try to delete. We are forcing conversations they want buried. Independent media is not surviving. It is leading. Now I need to say something directly. If you are reading this and you are not yet a paid subscriber, we need you. No gimmicks. Just this simple truth: this movement only grows if you decide to power it. The People’s State of the Union does not happen without subscribers. The exclusive interviews do not happen without subscribers. The investigative work does not happen without subscribers. If you believe in what we are building, step up today. Become a paid subscriber. Help us expand this network. Finish your coffee. Take a breath. And make the decision to keep fighting. We are just getting started. — Ben Invite your friends and earn rewardsIf you enjoy Meidas+, share it with your friends and earn rewards when they subscribe. |
JUST A FEW OF MANY COMMENTS:
I usually watch the state of the union, but I’ve never watched the Orange felons speeches simply because he’s a lousy speaker and a lousy person.
Thank you to the MeidasTouch and MeidasMighty for factual reporting. I never watch any corporate media and have it for many years now. With all their smirks and snide remarks, I don’t need to listen to that. Stand tall MeidasMighty!!
Amen, I was about to say the same thing. I've watched past president's state of the union address whether I supported them or not, but I absolutely will not watch Trump. He's a liar, corrupt, and done enough damage.
I’m with you on that. I will not be watching either.
What about the State of the Swamp with Robert De Niro? Maybe you should try and merge so it’s even bigger.
Bwahaha- will check it out! Trump thinks his swamp is a spa!!!!
Thanks Ben for your integrity, honesty and integrity in bringing the truth with receipts to us and the world. You, Brett,Jordy and the entire team do an amazing job on a daily basis. Thank you.
Ben, yesterday I celebrated my 86th birthday but I was not feeling very joyful as I was reminded that I was born during a period of war and a fascist regime with Hitler and here we are again with another diabolical leader who actually said yesterday that he has the power to destroy America.
He is totally deranged, out of control and probably the worst human being who ever lived.
But your letter this morning is full of hope and optimism and gives me hope that if I live to see another birthday the swine will be gone forever.
Same here, we are 84 and 86. Disheartening to say the least. We will never have great grandchildren. Our 6 grandchildren are sworn to remain childless, rather than populate this kind of country.
You have wise grandchildren, imo.
Thank you for your information—it truly is an excellent and independent media outlet. As an Afghan veteran, I call upon all the people of the United States to also remind Trump why our Afghan allies of twenty years were abandoned and why their legal visas were suspended. We were the ones who stood shoulder to shoulder with U.S. military forces in Afghanistan against terrorism for twenty years, yet today we have been left alone and forgotten. What crime have the Afghan supporters committed?
It is horrific all that this regime is doing to decimate our refugee program, yanking visas and changing status on good people who have been vetted and vetted again. Veterans have a strong voice against the fascist regime stealing our democracy.
Thank You Ben ! what I like about the piece this morning is you are saving documents they want to erase. I have said from the very beginning that he won't be able to erase what is happening no matter what he tries to do to delete it. You cannot erase history no matter how hard you try because someone will save it . thank you MEIDAS .. lost in america
Thank you, MeidasTouch for keeping this old man sane during these times. I'm grateful.
Thank you for all your work from the people that can’t afford to pay for REAL news right now. People are pinching the Pennie’s they just took away … literally. They , we appreciate it so much !
Keep up the good work.
Thank you again ! 💙✌🏼💙
EPSTEIN EPSTEIN EPSTEIN EPSTEIN
EPSTEIN EPSTEIN EPSTEIN EPSTEIN
EPSTEIN EPSTEIN EPSTEIN EPSTEIN
TRUMP/EPSTEIN TRUMP/EPSTEIN TRUMP/EPSTEIN
What a great way to wake up, with positivity and hope for a better tomorrow thanks to people like you and your two brothers who have the courage to lead us out of this dark and miserable time we’re in! Stay safe!
Passionate paid subscriber and gifter of subscriptions. Thank you brothers, Popok and every affiliate for ALL you do. You give me hope, which is desperately needed…but also truth, trust, and all together—STRENGTH. 🫶🏼
I don’t need to watch the State of the Union. I’ve seen it before. He will lie, bloviate, and brag. Republicans will stand up and cheer. Too bad Nancy won’t be behind him to tear up his speech.
Save a copy of his speech, democrats can use it to IMPEACH the TRAITOR!
I am a subscriber in the UK, aghast at what is happening in the US and following your every post. What happens in your country has direct repercussions across the whole world and I feel it is somehow my fight too.
You are so right!
As the EPSTEIN FILES unravel, additonal information is being added by DEMOCRACY LABS linking others... https://thedemlabs.org/
ANDREW'S arrest is just the beginning!
NOTE THAT ALL AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN ARCHIVED AND ARE AVAILABLE TO EPLORE!
NOT ALL OF EPSTEIN FILES HAVE BEEN RELEASED BY PAM BONDI DOJ!
REMEMBER THAT THIS WAS AN INTERNATIONAL CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION THAT CATERED TO WEALTHY PEDOPHILES AND JEOPARDIZED NATIONAL SECURITY!
The ORANGE BOOB praised ANDREW?
Thank you, Anne! Many of us are hoping Andrew and the others being investigated in Europe SING since our Department of Injustice is doing nothing.
Perhaps the international community can bring charges against Trump as our justice department has ceded their authority to the mad king donald.
hank you all again. So glad there is this alternative so we can both boycott and also take a clear stand.
But when, oh when will someone be knocking on the White House door to bring him in for questioning about Epstein? Cannot believe the inaction. So frustrating.
Thank you, Ben, for all you are doing with MeidasTouch. I have always tried to watch the SotU address but cannot and will not this year. Please let us know how to watch yours, Substack or YouTube? We only do streaming, not regular TV.
I watched all my Ben-Meidas videos today then scrolling.
I saw Adam in a pic with Gov Newsom so I gave it a like and went to comments.
I was shocked to see that at least 70% of commenters were against Gov Newsom.
They said he's a corp dem, takes bribes, takes AIPAC money and is against taxing billionaires and the wealthy.
They had many other reasons why they're against him.
Is any of this true??
I will keep researching but I can't support anyone who takes big money and won't tax the wealthy.
Rather than asking a question here, you can check it out for yourself by Googling
OPEN SECRETS GAVIN NEWSOME
OPEN SECRETS is an important NON-PARTISAN asset - I always encourage support that you can afford.
If you putter around their site, there's a great deal of information.
Is America 250 a scam of the Trump Family? Who is really making money from the Caps, Shirts, cups, and all of the other junk being sold online and at the White House?
Trump's Freedom250 is 'pay-for-play,' lacks transparency
Some are raising concerns that Freedom 250, the group President Donald Trump created to support his 250th plans, skirts federal rules.
Portrait of Karissa WaddickKarissa Waddick
USA TODAY
Feb. 12, 2026Updated Feb. 13, 2026,
What's catching attention today?
What is the legal basis for Freedom250's structure?
How much taxpayer money was allocated to the 250th anniversary efforts?
What did Trump claim about the Greenland deal outcome?
What's catching attention today?
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, some have raised worries about transparency and politicization they say is hanging over the organization President Donald Trump created to support his plans for the celebration.
Congressional Democrats and watchdog groups have in recent days raised concerns that the group, Freedom 250, created as a subsidiary of the National Park Foundation, lacks transparency, skirts federal rules and allows companies and wealthy individuals to buy access to the president’s office.
Members of the House of Representatives on Feb. 10 probed leaders of the Park Foundation during a public hearing after The New York Times reported allegations that Freedom 250 is trading access to Trump for donations.
More: Trump launches Freedom 250 to add his mark on USA 250 celebrations
In exchange for donations ranging from $1 million to nearly $10 million, groups giving to Freedom 250 were offered an array of perks, including an "invitation to a private Freedom 250 thank you reception hosted by President Donald J. Trump," and speaking opportunities at major events, according to the Times.
And in a letter sent Feb. 11, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., requested the Trump administration provide transparency about Freedom 250’s donors, fundraising practices and governance structure.
“Linking private contributions – explicitly or implicitly – to invitations to White House events, photo ops, ceremonial roles, or other forms of access unavailable to the general public, raises serious concerns about the auctioning of government activities,” Schiff wrote to Trump's Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles.
The White House did not directly respond to emailed questions about whether it plans to comply with Schiff's request for information and criticized the California senator for wanting to "trash" the U.S.
"It’s a complete disgrace is willing to trash the United States of America during its semi-quincentennial celebration simply because he hates President Trump," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in an emailed statement.
Is exchanging access for donations illegal?
Scott Greytak, deputy executive director of Transparency International U.S., said the key legal question at play is whether Freedom 250 accepted donations for the president’s 250th projects and in exchange Trump enacted preferential policies for those companies.
“Is it normal for high-dollar donors to get invited to receptions? Totally,” Greytak said. “If they get a logo replacement, invited to an event, that is not illegal.”
For instance, America250, a separate nonpartisan group established by Congress more than a decade ago to plan programming around the anniversary, has also solicited donors using sponsorship packages, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY.
For as little as $500,000, donors to America250 can become a "Liberty Partner" and receive "invitations and reserved seating" at events, the sponsorship opportunities suggest. For $5,000,000 donors receive a seat on the America250 Advisory Council, invites to events with "top leaders and influencers" and recognition at receptions "attended by Members of Congress, administration officials, Supreme Court Justices, and Governors," among other perks.
Legally, for bribery to occur, Greytak said there would need to be “a nexus,” or direct connection, between the donations and policy changes.
Ethical questions around grand gifts, like donations to Trump’s 250th celebration or the White House ballroom, influencing who has access and power in Washington are cloudier, Greytak suggested.
Watchdog groups raise concerns about donations to Freedom 250
Among Democrats and government watchdog groups' chief concerns with Freedom 250 is the group’s lack of transparency, inherent in its structure.
Some watchdog groups, including the Center for Western Priorities, have also expressed concern that taxpayer dollars are being used to push a conservative, right-wing view of America during the commemoration. They've questioned whether Freedom 250 is comingling those public funds with private donations.
Trump created Freedom 250 in December as a subsidiary of the National Park Foundation to fund his vision for the country’s milestone birthday, outside of efforts being planned by America250. The organization describes itself as nonpartisan.
Freedom 250 has so far listed several sponsors on its website, including Exxon Mobile, Mastercard, Deloitte, Palantir and IndyCar, among others. But Schiff and other Democrats have suggested the organizations' opaque structure could allow other organizations to donate without oversight.
In his letter, Schiff said Freedom 250 appeared "to operate alongside, and in some cases overlap with, America250," making it "imperative" that the public understand how it was operating and accepting donations.
'No transparency'
Freedom 250 and America250 are nonprofit organizations and not subject to the same financial disclosure requirements as federal agencies.
President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order aimed at bringing an IndyCar race to the District of Columbia for America's 250th anniversary.
Jeff Reinbold, president and CEO of the Park Foundation, informed members of Congress that the organization would disclose donors to Freedom 250 in its 2027 tax filings, although it would not include those who had requested anonymity.
In response to worries floated by some members of Congress, Freedom 250 spokesperson Rachel Reisner told USA TODAY the group had not and was not taking foreign donations.
Donors to Freedom 250 can ask to remain anonymous. And the organization may accept any gift, even if it is “subject to beneficial interests of private persons,” so long as it benefits the National Park Service in some way, according to the Park’s Foundation’s 1967 charter.
Last year, Trump added Chris LaCavita, a former adviser to his 2024 campaign, and Meredith O'Rourke, one of his key fundraisers, to the Park Foundation board.
Tim Whitehouse, the executive director of the group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said during the congressional hearing that he's concerned about the way Freedom 250 accepts donations.
“The issue is there's no accountability. There's no transparency. There’s no guardrails. There’s no oversight,” Whitehouse said.
Schiff in his letter to Trump's chief of staff requested information on O’Rourke’s role in 250th fundraising efforts and a complete list of all individual and corporate donors, among other information.
More: Congress plans to bury a time capsule. Should a rock album go inside?
Taxpayer dollars at stake
In addition to raising private donations, Freedom 250 and America250 are sharing taxpayer funds. Reinbold said the Park Foundation holds taxpayer money and donations given to Freedom 250, almost like a bank, and disperses it at the request of the Park Service.
In 2025, Congress allocated $150 million for the Department of the Interior to distribute as it saw fit to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.
The agency allocated $50 million of that to America250 and $100 million to Freedom 250, according to a source familiar with the transaction. To date, America250 has received only $25 million, less than it had expected to receive by this time, according to the source.
Freedom 250 has so far spent $10 million retrofitting six tractor-trailer trucks with mobile history exhibits created in partnership with Hillsdale College, a private conservative Christian school, and PragerU, a conservative media organization. It allocated more than $270,000 to Event Strategies Inc., the group that planned the Jan. 6 rally held on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C.
You're about to hear a lot about America's 250th birthday. Read this first.
We traveled the Oregon Trail. We found the 'spirit of America.'
We rode along Paul Revere's route to sort myth from reality, lone hero from legend
We followed the music of the blues from 'the most Southern place on earth.'
Karissa Waddick, who covers America's 250th anniversary for USA TODAY, can be reached at kwaddick@usatoday.com.
This gives me some much hope. Our president thrives on hurting America for his gain. He's trying to bring down everyone that does not agree with him. Unity is everything and that's what we need. There's no Democrats or Republicans...It's a matter of right and wrong. Our president is on the wrong side of caring whats best for the people. United we stand and divided we fall.
We thought the chaos in Trump’s Cabinet was clear sign. We have thought for months now the Epstein coverup was a clear sign. We have watched in disbelief how ICE Barbie has turned our city’s streets into war zones. Now, finally, SCOTUS has launched a nuclear salvo against Trump’s bullying and blatant disregard for authority other than his own. Donald Trump has become a sinking ship and any Republican (I’m looking at you Lindsey Graham) lacking the balls to abandon Trump will sink in November. Ironically it will be Trump himself who hands control of Congress to the Democrats.
SARA JACOBS posted this caampaign ad about WHISKEY PETE HEGSETH that seems to be overlooked - your TAXPAYER DOLLARS funded this PENTAGON address by WHISKEY PETE'S WARPED PASTOR - defending SLAVERY? WOMEN shouldn't VOTE?
Sara Jacobs - Democrat, U.S. Congress
Warning — if you don’t want to be enraged to the point of seeing red, you might want to delete this email right now.
Still reading? Here’s a headline for you:
This pastor — who we’ve had the displeasure of discussing before, last time Pete Hegseth lifted up his twisted views — is our Defense Secretary’s (sorry, War Secretary’s) personal spiritual leader.
On top of his disturbing and shameful views on slavery — he actually describes himself as a “paleo-confederate” — this guy also thinks we should criminalize homosexuality, and he has a whole lot to say about women and our role in society.
Wives should submit to their husbands. The 19th Amendment should be repealed because granting women the right to vote was a “bad idea.”
To be extremely clear: My role in society isn’t to submit to a man. It’s to be a Member of Congress.
And a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa. And a member of the House Armed Services Committee. And to serve as the Parliamentarian in the House Democratic Caucus, one of the youngest members of Democratic House leadership.
Get the picture, pastor?
Anyway — what does all this have to do with…everything else? Well for starters, Pete Hegseth invited this pastor to preach at the Pentagon this week, where he delivered a sermon (paid for by our tax dollars!) to military personnel. It’s offensive to our troops, to people of color, to women, and to American taxpayers.
None of us can be shocked anymore by this administration, and certainly not by Pete Hegseth. He’s platformed some of the most vile views out there, and he’s going to keep doing it as long as he can.
But while we can’t be shocked, we CAN remain outraged — and channel that anger into getting these racist, sexist, homophobic, egotistical losers out of power so they stop infecting our country with their rot and putting us on the fast-track to white nationalism and authoritarianism.
That’s my mission this year, and I know we can do it.
Republicans currently have a one-seat margin of error in their majority, and we’ve got so many incredible Democrats on the ballot this year.
But it won’t happen on its own, without our sincere effort.
Americans are denied UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE (offered in every other INDUSTRIALIZED NATION), but ICE GESTAPO can hold +60,000 people in FOR PROFIT WAREHOUSES in inhumane conditions that by its own admission have committed NO CRIMES.
ICE GESTAPO continues to sign LONG TERM LEASES on WAREHOUSES....WHY?
THAT'S THE HEALTHCARE OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS destroyed in the BIG BEAUTIFUL DISASTER!
The ORANGE TURD plays with MILITARY as if they're bath tub toys, threatening WAR!
WAR is profitable!
PEACE is NOT!
BOMBING BOATS, KILLING OCCUPANTS in INTERNATIONAL WATER is a WAR CRIME.
No STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS on WAR CRIMES!
WE've got LOTS of work to do TOGETHER to rid the nation of this IRRATIONAL SCOURGE!
After the SCOTUS decision, HOWARD NUTLICK rushed in to BUY CLAIMS from SMALL BUSINESSES at discounted rates - ALWAYS THE PROFITEER!
US AMBASSADORS insult other nations because the ORANGE BOOB appointed incompetents!
THIS IS NOT AMERICA!
TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE THIS!
https://substack.com/@azmundus/note/c-217012350?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=12boh6.
He’s on the brink of starting a war to save his traitorous ass. Here in Vermont our governor tells us that our National Guard has been deployed — but no one — including the governor knows where they’ve been sent. The fascist-in-chief and his Epstein Class handlers must be shut down — and we have the momentum to make it happen. Onward, Meidas Mighty!
[LIVESTREAM] People's State of the Union · MoveOn https://share.google/aN5efQFBbapSUsrju
Texas Voters
Be sure to get your votes in ASAP especially if you vote by mail. No telling how long the post office will take to date stamp your ballot, so vote early. https://www.votetexas.gov/voting-by-mail/track-my-ballot.html
Texas has a ton of rules about what you need to vote. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/early-voting-for-the-2026-primaries-begins-tuesday-here-s-what-to-know/ar-AA1Wlih2
If you have not received your ballot make sure to call and find out why you have not received it.