In this ad-free video for our Meidas+ subscribers, Michael Popok reports on an explosive new story that could upend the confirmation of one of Trump’s top nominees. If you appreciate this ad-free reporting, please consider joining as a paid subscriber to support our work!
Department of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth is facing intense scrutiny not just from lawmakers but from his own family. In a stunning revelation, Hegseth’s own mother has questioned his character and fitness to serve as Defense Secretary, describing him as an "abuser of women" in an email she sent around the same time he was accused of rape. The email, now part of new reporting, has been seized upon as evidence of Hegseth's unsuitability for the role. Despite the seriousness of these allegations, Donald Trump’s spokesperson has tried to dismiss the damning details as "a snippet taken out of context." Michael Popok dives deep into this explosive story, analyzing the broader implications for Trump’s embattled nominee and why the Trump is so desperate to downplay the controversy.
Joe Biden while still president should ask the FBI to do background checks on Trump’s pics and if they fail, he should refuse to turn over the keys
Let's just find a way to imprison Trump for life. Done!!!
Reactionary measures are the tool of choice for 'conservatives'. That one of the advantages of not being conservative. We follow policy & procedure, through means of the constitution.
Let's see where that gets you when our country is a dictatorship. The sad thing is that "business" as usual isn't going to cut it.
This we will.
Well we need to hurry. We are running out of time.
Joe’s proven himself to be a coward.Don’t look to him for anything.
I don't know that Biden is a COWARD. I believe he can't divorce himself from old school politics. It's been frustrating and costly for sure.
Most know what Trump is, and they elected him. Although I still find the swing states sweep and totals questionable.
Yes...I too believe there was hanky panky during the election!!
There was. But no one is doing a recount, so we're screwed.
I *think* there ARE some re-counts going on...but it's not being talked about very much.
I sure hope so.
Yes there definitely was “hanky panky” She conceded without question. It all seemed surreal. I don’t believe it was an unhacked election.
Biden is either a coward, has bad advisors, or is in lala land. But there must at least one advisor (Kamala) who can stand in the way of the oncoming steamroller.
Geez, is that the worst thing you can say about Joe? Contrast that to your pseudo hero DJT, a cowardly draft dodger, a convicted felon, a failed businessman, a convicted rapist, a racist, an insurrectionist, an admirer of dictators, a poor student (only morons swallow what he says about being smart), a narcissist, someone who has cheated on all of his wives, etc., etc., etc..
The worst thing I can say about Joe is he turned out to be Trump's biggest enabler.
A "malignant" narcissist.
If the president can't be judged in court, why doesn't President Biden take Seal Team 6 and end this whole thing?. Because he is NOT a crook. He has morals But if he is pushed by Trump don't think he will do whatever he can do to protect our Democracy..
SADLY I DON'T THINK PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS THE BALLS
He has integrity, something the former and wannabe never had.
I agree, however, in this instance, it's looking like Biden's integrity won't save us.
Sadly, I think Biden ran out of time.
Maybe have a little faith.
I'm worried faith won't work fast enough. We are running out of time.
Integrity is only worthwhile when you’re dealing with someone who actually cares about or even has the same. When dealing with something that isn’t even remotely interested in humanity or human norms you’re just wasting your time! Sometimes you need to deal with the garbage in a way that lets it know some things are not acceptable in a civilized society.
Paul, you must be a young man. Joe has done more in his life than most people walking the planet. He has been in more diverse situations imaginable, and I’m sure he has plenty of balls. His life‘s work has taken him to the number one political leadership position in our country.
To me, your barking judgment is pretty shallow .
He has them. But God help Trump If he decides to use them. He is the most powerful man on earth right now. He can't just fire at will. That would make him
just like T-rump. He will do what is right for this country. I am sure he is not just sitting on his fist leaning back on his thumb. He is walking softly and carrying the biggest strong stick in the world, that stick is us...USA
I hope to God you're right.
Same
Or, and this is wishful thinking, President Biden has got teams of experts behind the scenes planning a safety net for the country...
Probably - let's hope it holds. Tragically and deviously, Trump and his ilk have no scruples and they have the Supreme Court ... which gave Trump immunity. But hopefully, we make it to two years and we can take back the House. That will help.
i hope like Hell he is! He's spent money they promised to stop.
Absolutely!! Doesn’t he have immunity??
Good Grief! Does Trump know ANYONE who is not a sexual deviant and abuser?!?!?
....birds of a feather...in this case the entire Republican party is a flock of perverts.
BULLSEYE!!!
85% anyway...
Bingo! Got it in one!
NO! End of answer.
Way worse than Deplorable...
With the election of Trump, Hillary has finally been vindicated. Deplorable was mildly put.
He does, but those are not the people whose company he enjoys. What can he talk about to men and women of valor at the water fountain... How can he plan to overthrow our Democratic Republic if those tattletails are always hanging about...
100%
Betcha not!
No body wins betting with fools, even when the fool is the instigator.
He may know a few, but they're not in his inner circle. He is dead set on having nothing but yes folk.
I’m assuming that’s a rhetorical question. 😂
So I'm going with... unlikely. Also, maybe consider these horrible nominations... are a diversion... to keep us freaking out, while he's doing the evil shit while we are looking elsewhere.
Trump should be arrested for conspiracy to overthrow the American government. He is the enemy from within.
Add in negligent homicide for his mishandling of covid!
With ReTHUGlikkkans, every accusation is a confession.
That's why they accuse Democrats of oprerating sex rings. It allows them to get their guilt off their conscious.
They dont have consciences. They need diversions.
It is truly a band of degenerates headed by the Degenerate In Chief! Birds of a feather….
ALL of trump's affiliations are Flawed, Full Stop 🛑 and if the American people only knew of Half of the Facks they'd never have voted for him. This is a Great public service your doing here,by making these podcasts available to folks who can't afford to Pay for their News. Thank You, MeidasTouch Network Will reStack ASAP 💥 💯👍
But the American people DID know more than half the facts and that's WHY more than half of the American people voted for Trump. You're making the same mistake the Dems made: believing that Trump's supporters would be put off by his behaviour instead of supporting and cherishing it.
An educated public makes informed election decisions. Thank you, MTN.
No way this was taken out of context. She obviously knows the type of man her son is.
It's pretty bad when even your mom doesn't think you're fit.
Why on earth did so many white women vote for the man who belittles women, assaults women, feels justified in taking their rights away, feels justified in attacking their children, feels free to threaten women (“I’ll take care of you whether you want me to or not.”), and revels in nominating candidates for the Cabinet who are also assaulters and belittlers of women? This goes way beyond abortion rights, as important as that is.
I surely didn't vote for him..
Me, neither.
Joan, it truly begs the question. I'll never understand that. 😞
Time for Trump to quit wasting oxygen here on Earth
You got that right!!!...LOL!!!
Matt Miller, 💯🎯
⚰️🪦and plant him in the sand trap in his ratty golf club .
How is Trump allowed to not follow the law?
Don't you know that Trump is above the law? Ask him, and he'll affirm it.
Because Trump is above the law. Proven time and time again.
Mom, I am sure, would never have believed in her wildest dreams that in the future her misogynistic son would be up for a cabinet position. For a parent to rant about their own child like that, it would have had to have been true. Project 2025 is nothing but a bunch of hypocritical BS if they accept these people.
This criminal belongs in Prison, I feel like this is so unreal, he belongs in prison. All of Trump and including Trump, are criminals, Treasonous, corruption, Racism, Rapist, Sexual Predators, oh my God how in the hell is anyone handing over the Key of our Nation to Trump and all these criminals who are absolutely going to destroy this Nation, these people are an Evil Empire, Including The Christian Right wing False Profit cult are Criminals. All of these animals are evil criminals and must be stopped.
💯🎯. But Mary, please don't call them animals. Animals have integrity and are lovely souls on this planet. Animals don't behave like those atrocious humans. Animals don't do heinous acts against humanity like those people. Thank you. Peace and love 🙏💕🐾🕊️
So sorry, Diane, but humans are animals. That's not a pejorative term, just a biological fact.
Hegseth is an abomination. Not just because he is completely unqualified, along with criminally violent and misogynistic , (though you would hope that would be disqualifying enough!) but for his utter unsuitability, being a white supremacist/Christofascist,and an obviously unhinged and dangerously abhorrent, aberrant person. But here we are.
No shame because he’s a sociopath.
I think this house of cards is coming to come crashing down.
I said the same thing!
I can't edit the comment, it was supposed to say 'going to come crashing down'.
No wonder Meidis is quickly becoming one of America’s leading news sources. WHO on earth has an iota of trust in the Failing MSM Clown Circus any more. Thank you for your Good Work
This shat never gets normal, for normal people
Always " love your reporting"! You are one of my favorite people! Please keep up the great work! 💙🕊🙏💙👍
Seems like he fit Trump’s criteria perfectly. I’m serious. He’s comfortable with people who share his own values.
Donald Trump has left the GOP with absolutely no morals at all anymore. In fact, I don’t know why Trump doesn’t go to some federal prison and try to recruit some new candidates.
Don't give him ideas.
Trump just exposed the GOP for how truly amoral, greedy and racist they are now. Most of them have probably always been.
NO!! Enough
This is a MOMENT IN HISTORY
WE the PEOPLE MUST STOP THE SELLING OF OUR COUNTRY.
I'M WITH AOC. REMOVE ALL INSURRECTIONISTS FROM CONGRESS, CONSTITUTIONALLY NECESSARY. MUST BE DONE
Anyone going to mention that he is NOT POTUS yet?
I've been saying that since November 6th. We do have a House and Senate that would have to approve anything.
It's past time for the PEOPLE TO STAND UP AGAINST WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE FELON TAKES OFFICE
ITS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
Thanks for this! I feel helpless and my anxiety is so high! Never in my life thought an election would be this stressful
Look how bad it has to be, before the Repugs back off this type of dreck.
How can this man trump be our president? How low can he go? And we unfortunately with him? He is despicable.
Just for clarification, Tammy Duckworth is a senator in my state, Illinois, not Hawaii.
Contact her! Ask is she Supports AOC . I HEAR Jan 18th is a planned large gathering in DC
I wonder where the invisible male recruits are that will replace the women. He might want to check his recruitment levels.
They only have to say "taken out of context" and the cult falls back in line. No logic. Matters not.
Trump is turning the White House and our Government into a Jeffrey Epstein type Resort🤮🤬.The FBI should be doing the background checks regardless, they should not have to have an okay from Donald🤬. Wtf How is someone with the Position as American President allowed to or even desire to surround himself with A group of Christian nationalists misogynist and sexual deviant people 😳😲 and anyone 🙄 be okay with it wtf. His appointments of unqualified ppl is a safety/security risk which is awful enough 😕 but him choosing sexual predators, Heritage Foundation and basically ppl who should be in jail, is Not Poor Judgment or Lack of Integrity it's the closest he's actually come to committing treason since what he did on January 6th 😡🤬i.m.o.
RFK Jr. certainly appears to be a predator, but I believe the nanny only alleged that he groped her.
He also had a worm in his brain. Or did they ever get it out? Seems like he still has it.
Thank you MEIDAS TOUCH
Who on earth trusts the Failed MSM to give us the TRUTH. Great investigative Reporting folks!!!
Tammy Duckworth is from Illinois. Just to correct the record.
Trump can't work with ethical individuals, because he can't blackmail them into doing his bidding.
Lesson here! NDA's should be automatically disqualified, null and void! The reason for insisting on an NDA automatically signals guilt for the party insisting on an NDA. Really, this is just ludicrous! This screams GUILT UPON GUILT!! It also scream s intimidation, fear of fevered fans who have been shown to do djt 's bidding with a simple non-descript word, 2-3-4 or more. I am tired of being bullied by people less moral than myself!! 😳🤮
Hegseth obviously cherry picks the Christian tenets that suits him while disregarding "Thou shalt not commit adultery" and "Thou shall not covet thy neighbour's wife".
this nomination for Sec of defense will not go through...but...tRump will pick another unqualified pos ( like Pam Bondi to replace Gaetz) until he's finally able to sneak one through....it's still gonna be a sh*t show....and I'd gladly call and complain to my senator, but since I live in the great state of FLOR-E-DUH, I'm thinking that won't get very far.....So all I can do atm is continue to support you and others like you and keep sharing this content by flooding crap SM sites like FB and Sh*tter (X).....keep up the great work guys.
2016 "All the best people" - Mattis
2024 "All the best rapists" - Trump, Hegseth, Gaetz, plenty more to come.
I'm waiting for a female rapist to be presented in the interest of balance. However that maybe considered a DEI hire....
Kushner Sr. ambassador to France? Convicted felon.. yes… relative of Donald…. yes…probably getting a grift going? yes…Criminals will embrace fellow criminals.
I’ve written and called for every nominee.
Thanks. Me too. Everyone reading this needs to contact their Senators and encourage others to do so.
It’s what we NEED to do. It matters.
Speaking of the Senate. There seems to be a group of female senators Susan Collins, and others including Joanie Ernst, who felt betrayed in the Supreme Court’s nomination. Said no way are we going to support this tomfoolery. I think even Mitchy will defend the integrity of the Senate.
Sorry, Mitch McConnell defend the integrity of the Senate? 😂. Susan Collins is concerned? She always is right before voting the way McConnell allows her to vote and now it will be John Thune. Susan does whatever is in her best interest.
It’s in her best interest to get reelected in 2026. Her self interest may motivate her to do the right thing.
Susan Collins went along with Trump's Supreme Court nominations knowing full well what she was letting in. And remember Collins saying she wouldn't vote for impeachment because Trump "learned his lesson"? Collins is either incredibly stupid, naive, or, more likely, just another Trump supporter willing to lie.
True. All true.
How many times has Susan Collins backed down from an ethical position at the last minute?
You are confusing us. Lucian Truscott's column states, : Last night, I saw the Times non-story about Pete Hegseth’s mother, who during one of his divorces, wrote him an email accusing him of abusing multiple women. She told the Times she had written an immediate follow-up email, apologizing for what she said in the original email. The Times called her, and she claimed “It is not true, it has never been true. I know my son. He is a good father, husband.” According to the Times, she said publishing the first email was “disgusting.” So which is it??
Michael, i love you man. But you and the Network are so caught up in today's clusterfuck of alleged politics that you have lost the framework. Steve Banon announced that the goal is, "the deconstruction of the administrative state." That's a very weak masking of we're going to tear down the government. They didn't get to the goal last time. But they will this time!
In order to be nominated the person must be a Trump donor & a rapist, sexist, or Christian Nationalist (or adjacent). He's not building a Cabinet; he's trying to tear down the Constitution.
You forgot they also have to be so far up his you know what.
SO thankful for you, Michael Popok.
Come on , every single Congressional Republicans ..stand up for our country and not just your darn job. It takes courage...yes...yet, you will be honored by history and all of us who truly LOVE and RESPECT this democracy.
So informative as always!
Thank you and keep it up.
Boy howdy, I can not for the life of me understand how half of this country can support ANYTHING to do with the Donald… not one damn thing.
There is something wrong with the sound quality on MTN Substack videos! The audio is sped up to the point that it's exhausting for me to try following the commentary. So, I always give up after a couple minutes. I don’t know if the problem is an interface with my phone, but it doesn't happen when I watch MTN videos on YouTube.
Nevermind - I figured it out. Somehow, the audio setting had defaulted to 1.25, so the sound was speeded up by 25%. I was able to reset it to 1.0, and now the audio sounds normal. I also discovered that one can also set the audio speed to .5 - that produced an, uh, 'interesting' result... 😏
Someone needs to point out that Christianity did not prevail in the Crusades. Hence why St. Sophia Cathedral has been and is now a mosque. Russia’s involvement militarily finally ended the conquest of the Ottoman Empire at the gates of Vienna, but every time the word, “crusade” is used, it just reminds who actually won.
I'm not sure there's any such thing as a "former" heroin addict.
Yep the party of family values!!!! I can think of no reason how being accused of abusing women could be taken out of context except the fact you’re trying to protect your kid but she in the doing so is putting the entire nation at risk with this pick
He's a bum. A deranged individual, most likely has borderline personality disorder. Not suitable for anything in such a critical position relating to national security and defense departments. Disgraceful. 🤬
I looked up the militaries oath. It clearly says, To preserve and protect the constitution of the US both abroad and domestically.
If the military can't help us now, why do we have one?
Oath, cut and pasted from Weikapedia.
I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me .
Pete Hegseth is also a drunk!!
Pete Hegseth is NO Christian!!! He is a rapist and an adulterer!! He is a stumbling block to all Christians!! The legitimate Christians!!
My father was a Navy captain. The FBI came to his hometown in western Arkansas to check him out. They walked around the town and talked to multiple people. But somehow the Orange man thinks they shouldn't check out his nominees. Bull🤮
I’m reminded of the FBI’s so-called background checks of now-Justice Kavanaugh.
What exactly would be the "context"? Do we need context to read that loud and clear?
Pam Bondi has had fundraisers hosted by scientology execs in Tampa, has been a foreign asset non-disclosed & lobbyist for Qatar
Background checks are a MUST ...
We don't need anymore Rape, Hate, Murder or Trump & Co. around poisoning our Children's Realities!! Damn!
Happy Birthday Michael Popok. I hope that you have a wonderful day.
We could end this quickly by demanding medical, physical and cognitive testing to be done immediately with a panel of experts and results released. He is not fit and would never get to office.
It's pretty bad when your own mother thinks you're a piece of shit. That's probably another reason Trump likes him. He can relate.
Hegseth should be cooked until well done. Call your senators about these ridiculous cabinet picks Trump made. Just say NO!
Momma knows best. I wonder if his daddy was an abuser toward his mom. Put his mom on the stand to testify under oath about this maniac.
Imagine having your own mom have to warn the neighborhood kids not to play with her own son. Trump is down to scraping the stuff off the bottom of the scrapings from the bottom of the barrel. He doesn't seem to know anybody who isn't a sex offender, traitor or Putin stooge.
🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️I have no words anymore!
Only in America can a reality show loser, and a talking head become President and Defense Secretary. An embarrassment on the world stage is what "he" has made of this Country.
Will it ever end?
Do you know anything about the Church he has been a member of since 2020? In this belief, rape in marriage is expressly accepted.
What a brave mother. She will be vilified by Trump and his minions but she has all my respect.
I've been asking my Senators to oppose Hegseth's nomination since his name was put forth. Keep writing and calling everyone! We got this (and others too)! And I just heard about Hegseth's comments regarding allowing cover for military who kill civilians. No. Just...no.
President Biden needs to uphold his oath of office to protect our constitution from all enemies and force the government and states to uphold the 14th amendment section 3 making it clear that he will order the arrest by the military to take anyone who swears any of these insurrectionist in to office anywhere in the USA. Tha includes the SCOTUS judge as they step forward before swearing into office Trump or Vance
"It was taken out of context" is based on the fact half their viewers won't know what that means.
Federal Grand jury Trump… call the White House 202-456-1111
•We’re at an existential point and if President Biden doesn’t invoke Article 14 Sec 3 his legacy and our nation will be naught. Biden and Congress are obliged to uphold the Constitution and MUST DO SO…convene an emergency Federal Grand Jury immediately, present the already documented evidence that proves Trump's guilt as an insurrectionist!! The Constitution demands this bold action in order to save our country. The societal impact would be serious, even dangerous, but those consequences would pale when compared to Trump's stated intentions. He's NOT president until sworn in... just don’t swear him in!!!
Part of our country’s problems with these abuses are the Evangelical and Catholic Churches
They have sordid histories of horrific abuses of women and children yet women continue to give them money and refuse to walk away
Trump? Of course they worship him
I hope there's a way to get this 'out there' so he will NOT become part of the sick---sick---regime in 2025 :-(
Step up Biden.
Trump can't appoint ethical cabinet members, because he knows full well he'd be exposed straight out of the starting gate for crimes committed against the American people. Besides, what would he have left to talk about with ethical, qualified cabinet members if not sexual misconduct...
I am on the fence where even the Senate will care. Don’t the confirmations only really start during the cockroach’s administration? Remember Christine Blasey Ford? Once he has his corrupt DOJ in, they sweep all under the carpet! If these picks don’t get stopped now, God help us!!!
What God is going to help us? The one that let Trump be elected?
Is this a theological question? The answer is free will. God gave the human the choice between good and evil so that S/He/It would have a partner in the work of creation. If humans could only choose good what would be the point? How God helps us is helping us understand our role like Biden is NOT doing now. Good people have choices too, even now. We have to outsmart the narcissist and his enablers. I did it as an abuse survivor. God is helping those who help themselves. People just have to stop playing by the rules of an autocrat! Go down fighting. Half of these pics for cabinet are not going to be able to handle the huge positions. There will be resistance and we should be supportive.
If, however, they get Kash Patel as FBI Director, I can’t say what will happen. Can God move some GOP senators?
We need to put all of the rapists on a desert island somewhere away from the rest of society.
I get a sense that some Americans are unhappy with Trump….but he is about to be are next President……and a careful review of the statistics shows that we the People elected him….that doesn’t say much about our choice.
We the People didn't elect Trump. A little over half the people did.
Trump is not interested in ruling the country. He wants to destroy our country, and that is why he is putting in incompetent people.
Bot?