604 Comments
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Maureen Empfield's avatar

Thank you for clarifying the whole Cohen debacle. I am glad Meidas has cut ties with him and I never really understood why he was so extolled. As a mental health professional, I don't throw around words like sociopath easily, but in this case, I think the shoe fits.

WJB Motown's avatar

MTN cut Michael Cohen......that is all I need to know. MTN is a place I can trust and their word is good enough for me.........

No time to waste on spilt milk...........democracy and frredom is on the line.

Kris Lovaas's avatar

Same for me. I unfollowed him after reading Ron’s post. I waited to see how MTN responded to him. It’s sad to see what he’s done.

EaB's avatar

I think many of us were taken in by MC.

The mountain of bs has topped Mt Everest in size and that’s some kinda 💩!

Schmendryck's avatar

Nevertheless it would be useful for you to acquaint yourself with the specifics, if only because it's always good to know about the guy on the block who stabbed 17 people but wasn't convicted (even tho' Cohen WAS, but not of stabbing anybody).

Black Raven's avatar

WJB motown. Yes, and yes, and yes. Beautifully said. 👏👏👏👏

Nancy G Leveson's avatar

Good to hear it. He writes beautifully, but I never trusted him. He never explained why the first half of his life was total corruption (including the taxi medallions, which had nothing to do with Trump) and suddenly he had an "epiphany" and he was "converted." I stopped reading his Meidas Touch posts a while ago.

Sharon C Storm's avatar

I stopped too. Since I was married to a gaslighter for 22 years, I recognized his BS. I would just scroll on by his pieces.

Schmendryck's avatar

When are you writing your book? We're already interested!

Kelvin Hobbs's avatar

His prose is no better than that of most C+ level undergrad English majors. Not what you would expect from a law school graduate, even one who attended what consistently has been ranked as the worst law school in the U.S.: Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley. https://tinyurl.com/522x34z9; https://tinyurl.com/4t3p7fvy

Nancy G Leveson's avatar

I'm an engineer, so what would I know about great writing :-). With my students and my own writing, I try to aim for "understandable."

Camille Kelly's avatar

Engineers write very well, it's just that they forget that us non-engineers don't think like they do. I married a nuclear engineer who would describe things to me about where to find things, with words like "north facing, roughly 10 yards, or perpendicular to the east side soffit, or at about a 90 degree angle if you are facing west", and I would say: please just say what the hell it is next to for crying out loud.

Kelvin Hobbs's avatar

Years ago, I gave up asking my almost graduating science undergrad what they were studying. They said: you would not understand. I said: try me. They did. I did not. So, no knock on engineers (nuclear and otherwise). My children have humbled me sufficiently (happily and justifiably). Often. 🤙

Camille Kelly's avatar

Yes, we all reach that point with our kids where the student becomes the teacher. My oldest son will say..."don't write that, it invites criticism, or will invoke unnecessary emotions." The other just says..."stop commenting on social media. Okay to read comments, but don't respond back. We've been raised on computers since birth and you Gen X people have not, so you don't need that kind of interaction."

Fraser's avatar

Oh yes, engineer equivalent of computer terms!!

olderwoman's avatar

Oh Camille, that would drive me nuts.

Kelvin Hobbs's avatar

Thank you for making me laugh. I meant no disrespect to you in making my comment about his writing style. If I offended you, I apologize (sincerely). I have spent decades as a writer and reader, so usually I can discern quality writing from crap. One of my kids is a liberal arts undergrad and (with glee) puts my skillset to shame. The older one is a STEM undergrad. Let’s just say that even with QM and matrix calculus, they write more coherently and with greater style than the man who earned himself 3 hots and a cot. ☮

Jeri's avatar

His colorful writing style fooled me too. But his videos did not. So I quit both a long time ago.

Kelvin Hobbs's avatar

His crayon box (not your standard 64 shades) had only four hues of gray (1) poor me, (2) pity me; (3) woe is me; and (4) all matters regarding truth.

Maryooch's avatar

I will have to reread some of his stuff, Kelvin, because my first reaction to his articles was "Hmmm... this guy can write." In fact, I was shocked. (AI?) When he began berating his readers and bullying us to pay for his articles, I peaced. I don't need "evidence" to know an asshat when I see one.

MM Harris's avatar

the constant whining for $$ was a huge turn-off.

LHS's avatar

I was relieved. Steve Schmidt has made a couple of posts in the last week or so referencing Cohen, and I was not happy Cohen was here on Meidas. Glad they did not hesitate to cut ties when it became obvious he had not been truthful.

Catt woman's avatar

A couple weeks ago, in discussing Michael Wolfe, I said the revelation that he was a liar restored my faith in my “bullshitometer”. Well, Cohen just reinforced that! I’m a Meidas subscriber and an Aaron subscriber but I avoided any article Cohen wrote. This revelation didn’t surprise me at all.

Rosann's avatar

I avoided his columns too. Of all the people who left trumps orbit and saw the light of day, he’s the only one that doesn’t seem sincere to me.

Kelvin Hobbs's avatar

Not to disagree, but Sean Spicer never won my trust any more than his current counterpart at the podium of deceit does or has

Mike's avatar

I read a few in the last year or so and even put a comment on one in the last month. But I couldn't watch his shows and gave up on them well before the last big election. I always knew he was no damn good.

Bill Reitz's avatar

I agree. My non medical eval was he was a Narc, is a Narc and will most likely be one forever. Perhaps his substack isnt making enough money for him, so he wants to be back into the business sector (or Trumps cabinet, hah hah no way) and a pardon opens doors. Its sad and I dont feel at all surprised or disappointed in him. One should need not be surprised at the behaviour with someone with his mental condition is. As you understand.

Jessica Holliday's avatar

I too guessed that his substack was not making enough money.

Jenny Rackham's avatar

We've all been fooled by other people. The important thing is to recognise it, deal with it, learn from it and move on.

Vau Geha's avatar

The daily pep-talk Michael Cohen has been giving was a very useful thing though he certainly was ill-fit. I'm happy he's out, but I hope for someone else taking up for him.

"This shit is exhausting…"

The truth is that it certainly is nice to be able to read/listen to the most important news, but it needs to be spread into every household, especially the most MAGA ones. Protests will be more effective if no one can escape the reason why those protests are happening, and corporate media certainly not tell the story.

Pam Edgeworth's avatar

From the start of Cohen's columns I moved them to junk email. Never read one. Same feelings as Ron.

Lesa G.'s avatar

Agreed. Cohen's comments always seemed a bit "off" to me. He didn't seem to add anything new. Am glad the brothers cast him adrift. Thanks Ron, for your integrity.

M.A. “M.A.” G.'s avatar

Agreed. I never liked his foul language and his character, which is why I really never watched his shows. He gave me a bad vibe and if the stories about him are true, MTN did the right thing, by being swift in their decision. Credit for that. Im still a subscriber, but I couldn't continue paying a monthly membership fee after this. I just couldn't. My trust needs to build back up again. Just being sincere and honest.

Kristopher Giesing's avatar

> Podcaster Joe Rogan: “There’s two things that are insane. One is the targeting of migrant workers. Not cartel members, not gang members, not drug dealers. Just construction workers. Showing up at construction sites, raiding them. Gardeners. Like, really?”

I'm still amazed that anyone who lived through Trump's first term would be surprised by any of this.

Charlotte Ann's avatar

Exactly. Was Rogan’s second thing the unwarranted target/assault on American citizens, by any chance? … as we all warned would happen during the 2024 campaign, but were ignored and/or sneered at for being too partisan or hyperbolic? As if it weren’t obvious to anyone without ulterior motives and an unmuddled brain.

It continues to astound me how so many have accepted, normalized, or even desired Trump’s malignancy. People need to remember what it was like prior to Trump… we went from expecting almost Christ-like perfection from our presidential prospects… to accepting the devil. Feels literally so, and I am not a religious person. Trump is evil-personified.

Fraser's avatar

Yes, and selected a bundh of demons!!

Francesca Reitano's avatar

Really. I’m fascinated by how and why someone wakes up. I’m also not sure how much of it is genuine.

Steve's avatar

This isn't Rogans first minor pushback. They aren't waking up, yet.

Fraser's avatar

Oh, we all are!! But he did have some people like Bolton leftover who could reign him in!

But he needed to be aound the crooks to really come out of his shell!

ajay ess's avatar

in wajahat ali's substack (the left hook) with jared sexton it was interesting to hear that many mamdani voters, and aoc voters, voted for trump.....people are sick and tired of the establishment politicians getting wealthier on the congressional gravy train and achieving very little for 'we the people'....and definitely being toooooo scared to stand up to trump...i know there is quite a bit of confusing hypocrisy in anyone voting for pro-billionaire trump and voting for anti billionaire mamdani.... but as i say to politicians to whom i constantly send letters berating them for being useless inadequate self serving hypocrites...

"KEEP IN MIND, TRUMP AND HIS RADICAL VIEWS OF HOW TO RUN GOVERNMENT AND (HIS LIES) ABOUT DOING THINGS FOR THE BENEFIT OF HARD WORKING AMERICANS, IS WHAT PEOPLE LIKED AND VOTED FOR (no matter how misguided they were and how lobotomized they became by drinking the trump koolaid)....Do you and the democratic party have any radical ideas for the future?"

Kristopher Giesing's avatar

> people are sick and tired of the establishment politicians getting wealthier on the congressional gravy train

So they elected the most blatantly corrupt politician in history, who has reaped billions in personal profit from wielding the power of the state to bludgeon business adversaries? I mean, on its face, it's just idiocy. But it works because of the groundwork laid by Fox News since the late 80s.

This has become the classic Republican playbook move: blame the other side for the thing you plan to do, claim you're not going to do it, then do the thing 1000x more blatantly and move the Overton window.

It's infuriating because it works.

ajay ess's avatar

i hear you…. i believe referendums/plebiscites are really important because no 1 party or 1 candidate can really represent all the voters…..and single major issues should be decided by the people….(impeach the president or noem etc, invade greenland, green energy, tax the rich etc)

MM Harris's avatar

I think it must be hard to get oneself out of a cult, particularly if earning tons of $$ while in it. I'm willing to see what else begins to make (better) sense to him and how it resolves; he has a massive following..

Douglas Hill's avatar

Ron, thank you for addressing the Cohen situation. The silence from the brothers since the cutoff has been deafening and disappointing. Keep up your stellar work!

Rochelle Parks's avatar

When employees are terminated, it's not uncommon for employers to NOT discuss personnel matters for legal reasons.

MM Harris's avatar

I'm also betting they don't want this situation to become a "thing", distracting from the time/energy required to support their main mission. Could be tricky, since it appears Cohen DOES know more than he's let on re his former boss's involvement w/ epstein..

Susan Raquel's avatar

Some time back Ben cut out one of their sponsors. I think he said one sentence about it and didn't even name the company.

John McNaught's avatar

Ron is an excellent researcher and is so very important to MTN and to us of the Meidas Mighty. His addressing the Michael Cohen issue is enough for me. As the resident senior editor of Meidas Touch Network news his explanation is valuable to me.

Having been Jesuit Society educated earlier in my life I still have to laugh when recalling my English Literature teacher saying I should read,write and speak any language but English. As a teenager I impressed enough physicians that they taught me enough that I became comfortable enough to spend a large part of my life running hospital Emergency Rooms. I may have never been proficient in writing eloquently but was always excellent in charting medical terminology. Creative writing has it's limits out in the real world 🌎

Susan Raquel's avatar

I worked in a hospital as the registration clerk in the emergency room. For whatever reason they decided that we would read the doctor's notes and then fill out the billing forms. I had never seen such bad penmanship. It mostly fell on the graveyard shift to do this and I worked that 4 out of 5 days.

I don't remember how long it was before they said we didn't have to do that anymore. I think our interpretation of what the medical treatment was didn't match what actually was done. lol

John McNaught's avatar

After several failed attempts to unsubscribe from Mr Cohen's Substack and then posting to Substack about that, all of a sudden my next attempt to unsubscribe was successful.

Seems quite strange to me.....

M.A. “M.A.” G.'s avatar

I agree about Ron. But subscribers need more information from MTN in this regard!

Patricia Jaeger's avatar

Since Meidas began posting Michael Cohen Substack essays I have always deleted them in my mailbox and didn't read them. I never trusted the man due to his Trump background and I didn't believe his mea culpas. I'm glad the truth is out and I was pleased that Meidas dropped him very quickly.

Charlotte Ann's avatar

Same. Cohen is just… smarmy, for lack of a better word.

Sylvia Cline's avatar

No not smarmy; I liked him and he was funny. It’s saddening if it’s true that he actually asked Trump for a pardon?

MrsCQ's avatar

I believe it's speculation right now. Unless, there is information that confirms this and we aren to privy to it yet.

Fraser's avatar

That's a good one!!

MrsCQ's avatar

I stopped reading or watching Michael Cohen when he got argumentative and defensive on Jim Acosta's show months ago. It was over ... questions about Donald Trump providing a note for Epstein's bday book. It was the naked woman "doodle" picture. Cohen asserted that Donald could not have and would never have done that and he (Cohen) knew bc he knew Trump better than anyone.

Then, Michael Cohen attacked people who were commenting about it. Cohen never appeared on Acosta's show again. He used to appear weekly. It was so strange. I thought, he was lying and/or covering up something. I am so glad Meidas has severed ties with Cohen. I do think, legal issues aside, in an effort to be transparent, they should address this publicly, like Ron just did here. It does not need to be a long statement.

Sandra's avatar

That’s when the red flag went up for me too The doodle defense.

Robin D's avatar

"The Doodle Defense" 😂

I did notice a change in him after Trump won in 2024. I knew he was getting scared and there was no more "Mango Mussolini" but President or Mr..Trump. It was when I watched him with Tara Palmieri that shortly after his intro "I'm here with my good friend Tara" and I could just tell from the beginning with her face (she's not a poker player) she was going to go in for the kill. It was painful to watch.

MrsCQ's avatar

I agree "The Doodle Defense" is 😂. Do you have a link for this? I tried to find it and couldn't. Thank you.

MrsCQ's avatar

Remember that? Were you watching/listening that day? I was stunned and then his comments. He was unhinged.

Sandra's avatar

Yes. And I even commented on that. He lost me then but I gave him the benefit of the doubt on some later stuff. It’s too bad, but in the end it’s all CYA.

MrsCQ's avatar

I wrote something innocuous - responding to someone else's comment that also wasn't that bad. It was more along the lines of what is going on? Why was he so defensive? I responded with something like even if Trump himself didn't draw it, he signed off on it. Cohen told me to FU and what did I know? He went off on me. I don't tend to write very strong comments. I try to be polite. I had to look three times to make sure it was directed at me. I ended up somewhat apologizing for how I may have come across. Yup- it's all CYA.

olderwoman's avatar

I remember when Cohen first joined Blue Sky. He would tweet and then respond to people who commented on his tweet. One day, early on, probably his first week on Blue Sky, someone wrote something innocuous, and he WENT OFF! He was so bad on Blue Sky. I commented and said more or less, "Michael, Michael, Michael, look what they wrote, there is nothing wrong with that, you are way out of line." Then I took screenshots and sent it to Meidas on Blue Sky. Michael acted on Bly Sky as he would act on Twitter, but Blue Sky is different, he didn't need to be such a hard ass. Anyway I sent the convo to Ben et al and told them they need to have a sit down with Michael and educate him about Blue Sky. That Blue Sky isn't Twitter.

Catt Berlin's avatar

This is exactly when I began to wonder if I was being gaslit by him, too. He always defends Trump in small ways here and there. Not a lot, but enough to make me wonder. When he said last month he wanted Trump to be a successful president, that was it for me. Over and out.

MrsCQ's avatar

You make a great point - yes. I didn't know he said he wanted Trump to be a successful president. Strange thing to say these days about Trump. Gross.

Katherine Evangelou's avatar

Ever since he started talking about the Epstein stuff, he was throwing red flags everywhere

MrsCQ's avatar

Yes. I am glad they cut ties with Cohen. Interesting comments. I read what I want to read from Meidas. I make every effort to read Ron Filipkowski's daily newsletter. It's a good update, concise and he makes me laugh during these dark times.

Dee's avatar

Same. Never read them.

Pennie Christensen's avatar

Never read them - didn’t trust him at all!

Kary's avatar

Same here. I would sometimes start to read without looking at the author and then realize the style was his and I’d delete it.

Kevin Robbins's avatar

I didn’t even realize he was with Meidas. I’m pretty much here just for Ron’s substacks. I guess Michael Cohen wasn’t satisfied having all the MAGAs pissed at him. He wants the whole spectrum to tell him to take a hike.

rlritt's avatar

If they dont know how to drive on ice, they shouldn't be in Minnesota in the winter.

Cathy Wray's avatar

That was so amusing, watering the pavement to make ICE!!! HAHAHA!!!

Fraser's avatar

She is not the coldest beer in the fridge by far! Probably thought it was brilliant!1

rlritt's avatar

And its so stupid. ITS MINNEAPOLIS in January. You need to throw water on the streets to make ice? It happens automatically.Jeeze!

Diana's avatar

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Nancy Richardson's avatar

Your honesty, integrity and tenacity speaks volumes where you’re concerned. Thank you Ron for a job well done. You are most appreciated.

Mia's avatar

Ron, sincerely thanking you for your comments on Cohen. You have put my mind at ease with this whole episode and validated my own thoughts. Your reporting is incredible, loyal to you forever!!

SAS's avatar

FIFA is embarrassed now?? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Mingo's avatar

Ticket sales must be down. LOL!

Sarah's avatar

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Eva Eli's avatar

I’m just sick over what’s happening in this country since Trump came in. How could anyone vote for this selfish and corrupt person!

WJB Motown's avatar

"Separation of Church and Hate".......John Fugelsangs NYTimes bestseller will explain it all to you!!! Research " Ruth Ben-Ghiat..."Strongman"......the book and YouTube interviews.

Do what TacoTits hates you to do.......educate yourself!!!!!

Nancy Endersby's avatar

Agree on John Fugelsangs Book! Have not read Strongman.

WJB Motown's avatar

Ruth Ben-Ghiat just did a YOUTUBE interview on IHIPNEWS.......totally worth it. Jennifer Welch is doing amazing work these days.

Catt woman's avatar

Excellent book! Everybody should read it. Everybody—christians, Christians, non-christians, anybody who deals with any of these groups. Serious topics discussed with common sense and humor.

Lori Painter's avatar

I haven’t been able to listen to my usual podcasts and I’ve avoided emails and Substack for a week. I just can’t believe we are here and wonder how we’re getting out of this mess.

Kathie Punturiero's avatar

I know exactly how you feel

Linda's avatar

They refuse the truth and are uncomfortable when confronted with it…My Aunt only watches Fox and I remind her about facts and she backs off but that won’t sway her…

Joanne Gatsis's avatar

Thank you for the clarification with Michael Cohen. I understand perfectly now.

James W's avatar

“The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota”. “The soldiers are assigned to two infantry battalions with the Army’s 11th Airborne Division, which is based in Alaska and specializes in cold-weather operations.”

Question…are these Arctic trained soldiers really getting ready to deploy to Minnesota, or does Pete Kegseth actually plan to storm troop them into Greenland?

Oaktown's avatar

My question exactly.

SFGal's avatar

They'll probably flip the 2nd-hand Nobel medal in the Oval and see who gets heads or tails, James. Just my own cynical view as by all estimations there seems little serious thought processes occurring among their reptilian stunted brainstems.

Fraser's avatar

No! Everything is now AI whipped off! For sure they are drawing straws now to see who has the 30 minute job of getting AI to put at least a few paragraphs to The Great Health Plan! I know crackheads who live more responsible lives!

Imagine going to work and having to chat with Robert Jr. over coffee!

Linda's avatar

It always for show for Hegseth….He’s a wanna be and a control freak like Trump…Intimidation is their game….

Catt woman's avatar

I think he’d be more apt to move troops from Fort Drum NY to Greenland— but what do I know??

Gary Nelson's avatar

My gut told me not to trust Cohen. I'm glad I never responded to his con. Thank you for confirming that a leopard doesn't change his spots!

Deez's avatar

As far as I can tell, the only criminal organizations around here are ICE. Defund, abolish and imprison. The entire Dump regime and his brown shirts should be held accountable!

Fuck ICE!

Diane in Ohio's avatar

I don't think we can practically defund or abolish ICE, and I fear that kind of language will work against Democrats like "defund the police" did a few years ago. However, they do need some serious reform along with comprehensive immigration reform legislation. And yes, all of them deserve to be investigated for breaking the law. Obama deported 3 million people during his 8 years in office, and you never heard these kinds of stories.

Deez's avatar

So the police have a much higher approval than ICE does, especially now that they've killed citizens.

Saying Abolish ICE isn't as controversial. Yet. Fascists aren't very popular and WAY more people would rather see them gone than the police.

Diane in Ohio's avatar

I understand that but also think we will always need some level of immigration control enforcement. For the majority of migrants who are here working and following our laws, I hope Congress will finally find their way to passing legislation for an eventual path to citizenship.

Deez's avatar

Okay, then give it back to the agency it was under before ICE. I'm not saying get rid of all immigration enforcement, I'm saying the nazis gotta go! Those two things are separate. You can have immigration and customs enforcement without all these violations of rights.

Diane in Ohio's avatar

We're saying the same thing.

Fraser's avatar

Exactly Deez!! (Toronto)

John H. Yates's avatar

#Minnesota & #Greenland : #Patriots don't obey illegal orders! They also don't give them! There is NO absolute immunity for absolute stupidity! #Politics

Oaktown's avatar

Ron Filipkowski, you are a national treasure of the highest order and have proven everything you said below is true. Every day, in every action, in every bulletin, in every podcast. You walk the walk and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this:

"I can’t be bought. My integrity isn’t for sale at any price. If I was penniless and homeless and someone offered me $10 million to advocate for something I didn’t believe in, I would refuse it. My lifelong hero has always been Gandhi - material things mean nothing to me. I don’t seek wealth, fame or recognition. I have no ego about any of this. I don’t promote myself. I turn down a lot of things because I don’t care about all that. I want to live a comfortable but humble life and always speak the truth."

SFGal's avatar

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Pass the ammunition! We're in a veritable foxhole here, Oak, and Ron is rallying the troops with vital information.

Catherine Maddux's avatar

Totally agree! Total class act. Somehow Ron manages to stick to the facts (and, as a former journalist myself, I know he does his research and calls, etc.) while also maintaining his integrity while discussing all these disturbing stories. Thank you Ron!

Fraser's avatar

True enough OAK!!

dkammd's avatar

It's about time you dump Cohen. There's no need to provide a platform for someone with his sleazy history.