The MeidasTouch Podcast – "All Hell Breaks Loose as Trump Attack on World Backfires!!!"

Date: February 23, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the international backlash and chaos sparked by aggressive, controversial actions and statements from Donald Trump and his administration. The hosts, with their signature blend of political insight and brotherly banter, examine how Trump’s attempts at global strong-arming—from imposing tariffs and threatening military interventions to spreading misinformation about “helping” Greenland—have backfired spectacularly. The episode dissects rising anti-U.S. sentiment among traditional allies, escalated global tensions, and the wider implications for American democracy and reputation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Attempted “Aid” to Greenland Backfires

• Hospital Ship Offer Rejected: Donald Trump publicly announces a U.S. hospital ship headed to Greenland, claiming it’s to provide vital health services. Greenland’s premier rebukes Trump, saying they have universal, free healthcare and don’t need interference (03:00-04:00).
• Suspicion of U.S. Motives: Greenlanders and Danish officials view Trump’s gesture as a possible pretext for military or political interference, especially since a U.S. nuclear submarine surfaced during the king of Denmark’s visit due to a medical emergency (03:30-05:30).
• Premier’s Direct Response: Premier Johns Frendrik Nielsen posts on Facebook, “It will be a no thank you from here. ... Please speak with us instead of making more or less random statements on social media.” ([16:32])
• Parallel to Putin’s Propaganda: The hosts highlight Trump’s tactics as echoing Vladimir Putin’s justifications for Russian aggression—making up a humanitarian pretext for intervention (13:46-14:10).
• “American First Charity” Critique: The brothers skewer Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (Trump’s Greenland envoy) for deflecting from Louisiana’s own poor healthcare rankings while lecturing Greenland, calling him a “deranged maniac” (16:45).

2. Major International Backlash

• Trade Wars Escalate: The European Union will not move forward with U.S. trade deals after Trump imposes a new 15% global tariff, with the Supreme Court having recently struck down earlier tariffs as unlawful. India also cancels a critical trade visit (03:50-04:40).
• U.S.–EU Rift on Defense: After the EU pivots to “Europe First” in military procurement (mirroring Trump’s “America First” policy), U.S. officials threaten consequences, demanding continued loyalty to U.S. weapons systems. Europeans push back hard, citing threats to sovereignty and U.S. unreliability (07:00-09:40).
• French Outrage: The U.S. Embassy in France, with Trump-appointed ambassador Charles Kushner at the helm, demands France crack down on leftist groups following a protest-related murder. France summons Kushner and rejects U.S. interference, emphasizing sovereignty (05:15-06:30).
• Macron’s Calm Critique: French President Emmanuel Macron praises the value of Supreme Courts and rule of law, subtly rebuffing Trump’s attitudes toward judicial independence and warning of hasty policy shifts ([25:24]).

3. U.S.–Mexico and Cartel Crisis

• Cartel Leader Killing Confusion: MAGA influencers claim the U.S. killed Mexican cartel boss El Mencho. The Mexican government clarifies it was a Mexican operation, with limited U.S. intelligence involvement. Violence explodes in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta in the aftermath (10:00-12:00).
• Troops Near Iran, Not Mexico: Despite Trump’s prior threats to invade Mexico, U.S. forces are massed near Iran, not Mexico, possibly for political posturing or “wag the dog” distraction (12:20).

4. U.S.–Iran Showdown & Domestic Scandals

• War Drums and Weakness: Trump is accused of stoking conflict with Iran to distract from domestic scandals (notably Epstein files and a child sex trafficking cover-up). Secretive plans for quick “victory” strikes are discussed, but Iran perceives the Trump administration as weak and internationally isolated ([12:40-13:40]).
• Steve Witkoff's Remarks: In a telling interview, real estate mogul Steve Witkoff reveals the administration’s bafflement that Iran hasn’t “capitulated” to overwhelming U.S. military presence, pointing out the lack of a coherent strategy ([24:28]).

5. Critiques of Trump’s Authoritarian Playbook

• Propaganda Tactics: The brothers draw clear lines from Trump’s moves—spreading big lies, repeating talking points, gaslighting the public—as textbook authoritarian tactics seen in the Putin regime (13:50-14:10).
• Weaponizing “Charity” Abroad: The attempt to send “aid” where it’s neither requested nor needed is called out as a smokescreen, with the hosts noting the U.S. lacks universal healthcare while Trump tries to export false benevolence (14:20-15:50).

6. Continued Domestic Damage

• Healthcare Hypocrisy: As Trump targets foreign nations, Americans are losing ACA subsidies and Medicaid coverage, with vulnerable populations suffering, especially post-midterms (14:45-15:20).
• International Isolation: The hosts stress that Trump’s foreign policy is fracturing traditional alliances, losing influence to EU-Asia trade networks, and isolating the U.S. as other countries coordinate trade deals without American involvement (17:20-19:10).

7. Noteworthy Quotes & Moments

• On Trump’s "Aid":
  “President Trump's idea of sending an American hospital ship to Greenland has been noted. However, we have a public health care system where treatment is free for citizens. That is a deliberate choice and a fundamental part of our society. This is not the case in the United States.”
  — Premier Johns Frendrik Nielsen ([16:32])
• On U.S. Weakness:
  “The people who hold those weapons right now are fairly weak and pathetic…they can’t bluff their way out of this one.”
  — Host (13:20)
• On EU “Going Woke”:
  “Europe has gone woke. … They’ve got windmills destroying their fields and their beautiful meadows and their oceans and they’re paying a fortune. Now Europe has to get smart. Europe’s getting killed on two things, energy and immigration.”
  — Donald Trump ([20:59])
• On Checks and Balances:
  “It seems quite good to have supreme courts, and that’s a rule of law. All those who think supreme courts are problems in political life, well, a Supreme Court reviewed the Constitution…Yes, it’s good to have checks and balances in democracies.”
  — Emmanuel Macron ([25:24])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction of International Chaos: 02:25-05:00
• Greenland’s Rejection & Premier’s Statement: 16:30-18:00
• EU Trade and Defence Crisis: 07:00-10:00
• Mexico Cartel Chaos: 10:00-12:00
• Iran Tensions & Steve Witkoff Interview: 12:40-13:40, 24:28-25:07
• Macron on Rule of Law and Supreme Court: 25:24-26:07
• Trump Attacks Europe as “Woke”: 20:59-21:54

Tone and Language

The hosts maintain their trademark blend of sharp political commentary, humor, and unapologetic pro-democracy fervor. They use vivid language (“deranged maniac,” “authoritarian playbook,” “how weak and pathetic does the United States look?”) and passionately warn of the dangers to U.S. democracy and global standing.

Conclusion

This episode powerfully illustrates the unraveling of U.S. global influence under Trump’s regime, the resilience and pushback of democratic allies, and the high-stakes consequences of authoritarian overreach. The Meiselas brothers urge listeners to recognize the international dimensions of the MAGA threat, to fight for democracy on a global scale, and to hold leaders accountable for actions that undermine both U.S. and allied security, prosperity, and rights.