Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: All Hell Breaks Loose as Trump Goes Missing on World Stage!!
Date: February 26, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Overview
In this urgent and rapid-fire episode, the Meiselas brothers break down a series of escalating international crises, criticizing Donald Trump’s absence during a period of global instability. Highlighting worldwide hot spots and major diplomatic failures, the episode weaves together humor, factual analysis, and pointed commentary about U.S. foreign policy under Trump, while urging vigilance and support for democracy at home and abroad.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s Absence and Perceived Weakness on the World Stage
- [00:34] Ben opens with scathing remarks on Trump’s disappearance after a “disastrous” State of the Union, asserting that his lack of response to international incidents is viewed as “utter and total weakness.”
- Notable foreign policy incidents listed include:
- North Korea: Kim Jong Un declares an expansion of nuclear capabilities with no U.S. response.
- China & Taiwan: “China has flown large military drone operations at least 23 times since August over Taiwan ... no real comments from Trump or the Department of Defense.” (Ben, 01:16)
- Cuba: Incident involving U.S. citizens killed in Cuban waters, with both U.S. and Cuban officials providing little clarity.
- “Isn’t that kind of a thing that a President of the United States would address?” (Ben, 03:05)
- Iran: U.S. reportedly edges closer to conflict, with convoluted strategy involving Israel and little direct communication from Trump.
- Ukraine: U.S. abstains from a UN resolution for peace, distancing itself diplomatically.
2. World Crises: A Rundown
- [04:58] Ben pauses, tallying current emergencies—a North Korean nuclear announcement, Chinese military maneuvers, deaths of Americans near Cuba, and the specter of war with Iran.
- Critique of U.S. abstention at the United Nations regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, highlighting America’s diminishing international leadership.
3. Hypocrisy and Double Standards in Media/Politics
- Ben contrasts Trump’s actions (or inaction) with the media and GOP's likely reactions if similar events unfolded under Biden or Obama:
- “Think about if Biden did that or Obama did that. Or George W. Bush did that. This would be outrage ... 25th Amendment, you name it.” (Ben, 07:13)
- “Our corporate news gives Donald Trump a pass. Not here on the Midas Touch Network.” (Ben, 07:38)
- Sharp rebuke of Lindsey Graham’s rhetoric on Iran, calling out the disconnect between Trump’s promises and current policy failures.
4. United Nations Drama: Propaganda and Pushback
- [10:15] Clips played (with timestamps from the show) that capture a tense exchange between Russia and Ukraine at the United Nations:
- Russia’s Ambassador claims Ukrainian heritage:
- “To speak formally, I'm a Ukrainian ... My father is a pure Ukrainian.” (Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia, 11:32)
- Ukraine’s Ambassador, Mariana Betsa, rebuts forcefully:
- “You're not Ukrainian and don't pretend to be ... Ukraine is a democratic, free European country, while Russia is an aggressive state which wages aggression, terrorism, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, and also genocide.” (Betsa, 12:10)
- “Entire statement by Mr. Nebenze is a vivid example of manipulation, disinformation, and Russian propaganda.” (Betsa, 12:34)
- Russia’s Ambassador claims Ukrainian heritage:
5. U.S. Global Influence and Economic Standing
- [13:10] Ben notes that while Trump brags about U.S. economic stats, global investors are moving away from America:
- “America's not number one or two or five or seven or 12 ... the US is 21 of 23 [developed markets]. Yet Donald Trump is bragging about that as though that's the art of the deal.” (Ben, 14:05)
- Parallel drawn between rising pro-democracy sentiment in Hungary (against the Putin-aligned Orban regime) and the fight for democracy at home, linking international and U.S. struggles.
6. Hungary’s Upcoming Elections and MAGA Parallels
- [15:00] Evidence of democratic pushback in Hungary, as Viktor Orban’s party trails the pro-democracy Taisa Party led by Peter Magyar.
- Orban accused of stirring fear and potential election fraud, with uncanny similarity to Trump’s tactics in the U.S.
- “Peter Meizjar...alleges that Orban’s party may as well call a MAGA is illegally collecting personal data on prospective voters. Sound familiar?” (Ben, 16:20)
7. American Media’s Silence
- [18:10] The brothers question why these world-shifting stories are not receiving major media coverage:
- “Do you think our corporate news should be talking about any of this? Is this interesting to anybody? Hello?” (Ben, 18:53)
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- “He reeks of weakness. And world leaders see this.” (Ben, 00:48)
- “No real comments from Donald Trump or the Department of Defense. Utter and total weakness by the Trump regime.” (Ben, 01:50)
- “Isn’t that kind of a thing that a President of the United States would address?” (Ben, 03:05)
- “This regime is made up of religious Nazis that are the largest state sponsor of terrorism ... The regime has American blood on its hands.” (Ben, quoting Lindsey Graham, 06:11)
- “You know, Donald Trump’s a Putin bootlicker. He’s got the photo of Putin right there in the West Wing above the photo of his grandchildren.” (Ben, 07:58)
- “Ukraine is a democratic, free European country, while Russia is an aggressive state which wages aggression, terrorism, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, and also genocide.” (Ambassador Mariana Betsa, 12:12)
Notable Timestamps
- 00:34: Opening salvo on international crises and Trump’s silence
- 01:10–03:10: Rundown of North Korea, China/Taiwan, and Cuba incidents
- 04:58: Ben recaps breadth of ongoing world crises
- 06:11: Quoting Lindsey Graham on Iran
- 07:38: Media’s double standard called out
- 10:15: Ben introduces UN clip exchange
- 12:02–12:38: Ukrainian Ambassador rebuts Russian propaganda
- 13:10–14:35: Global economic shift away from U.S.
- 15:00–16:50: Hungary political shift and MAGA parallels
- 18:53: Callout of American media for lack of coverage
Tone and Style
- Fast-paced, urgent, and informative—typical of MeidasTouch’s style.
- Banter and sibling commentary combine humor with in-depth analysis.
- Unapologetically critical of Trump and right-wing media, with strong undercurrent of pro-democracy advocacy.
- Frequent engagement with listeners (“Is this interesting to anybody? Hello?”), fostering a sense of community involvement.
Conclusion
The episode paints a vivid, troubling picture of American absence and decline on the world stage, linking it to rising global authoritarianism and domestic MAGA politics. The brothers urge their audience to stay engaged, demand better leadership, and support independent media to counteract silence and misinformation seen in mainstream outlets.
Listeners gain a whirlwind tour of international crises—and the cost of failed U.S. leadership—with a blend of outrage, humor, and hope for democratic renewal both in the U.S. and abroad.