WTF America?!: The Way Out of This Hell and Back to Democracy

From the founders of MeidasTouch, the independent news network that helped redefine how millions of people consume news, WTF America?! is an unflinching look at how the United States and the world arrived at this dangerous moment―with authoritarian movements gaining ground and democratic institutions under relentless attack―and, more importantly, how we can fight our way back and reclaim the future.

This is not simply a book about Donald Trump. Trump is the vessel, not the disease. He is the product of a system decades in the making, fueled by powerful interests, weakened democratic institutions, and a media ecosystem that too often chose access and complicity over accountability. The book confronts the defining questions of our time: How did we get here? Why did so many institutions fail when they were needed most? And what must we do now to defend democracy before it is too late?

What began as a private text chain between brothers Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas during the COVID pandemic grew into something no one imagined. Without careers in traditional journalism or the backing of an established news organization, the brothers challenged the conventional wisdom about how news could be reported, distributed, and consumed. MeidasTouch proved that independent journalism, direct engagement, and an unwavering commitment to accountability, facts, and democratic values could reach millions of people and reshape the social and media landscape.

WTF America?! examines a despicable era: Elon Musk’s blood-red chainsaw, the buried Epstein Files, the violent occupation of Minneapolis, the constant squeeze on hard-working Americans. But beyond such atrociousness, the brothers provide a call to action and a roadmap for what comes next. They expose the forces driving democratic backsliding, reveal why independent journalism has never mattered more, and offer a hopeful vision for rebuilding trust, strengthening democratic institutions, and reminding readers that history is not written by authoritarians alone. It is written by people who refuse to surrender the truth.

The Meiselas brothers are the co-founders of MeidasTouch, one of the world's most influential independent news organizations. Ben Meiselas is a lawyer and former civil rights attorney who represented clients in some of the nation's most consequential cases, and now brings that legal eye to holding the powerful accountable. Brett Meiselas is an Emmy Award-winning video editor who oversees the network's creative vision and storytelling. Jordan “Jordy” Meiselas is an award-winning marketer and brand strategist who built campaigns for major global companies before shaping MeidasTouch's business model and growth. Together, the brothers turned a family group text into a global news network built on truth, accountability, and the belief that independent journalism can change the world.