The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: All Hell Breaks Loose as Trump Loses it on Air Force One
Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Theme: A chaotic breakdown as former President Donald Trump makes controversial statements on Air Force One, advocating for military interventions and resource seizures in Latin America and Greenland, with reactions from Lindsey Graham and Howard Lutnick.

Overview

In this explosive episode, the Meiselas brothers break down a bizarre and disturbing Air Force One press gaggle featuring Donald Trump, Senator Lindsey Graham, and financier Howard Lutnick. As the brothers play through clips from the exchange, they provide colorful commentary and incredulous reactions to Trump’s imperial rhetoric — including threats of military action across the Western Hemisphere, the seizure of foreign resources, and inflammatory statements about leaders in Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia, and even Mexico and Greenland. The hosts highlight both the dangerous implications of Trump's statements and the surreal, cartoonish dynamic on display between Trump and his allies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Unhinged "Imperial Adventurism"

Opening Scene ([02:58]): The hosts set the tone, calling Trump "small, pathetic, unhinged," as he lands in DC "spewing this bloodlust" for taking over Greenland, Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico.
Energy & Oil Obsession: Trump openly discusses "coordinating the invasion of Venezuela" with U.S. oil companies, framing it as a mission to take back "American oil" — which the hosts debunk.

"Donald Trump said he coordinated the invasion of Venezuela with all of the oil companies before and after. He said all the oil companies are aware. They're ready to get their hands on that beautiful Venezuelan oil."
– Ben Meiselas ([03:23])
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "Yes, before and after. And they want to go in and they're going to do a great job for the people of Venezuela and they're going to represent us." ([04:00])
Host Ben criticizes Trump’s revisionist claim that Venezuela "stole our oil."

"Venezuela didn’t steal our oil. The oil in Venezuela belongs to Venezuela. Let’s be very clear about that. But this is what Donald Trump is spewing. It sounds exactly like Putin."
– Ben Meiselas ([04:38])
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "They took our oil away from us. They took the infrastructure away... and the oil companies are going to go in and rebuild it. We're not going to spend very much money at all, if anything. But the oil companies are going to go, we're going to take our oil back."
  ([05:12])

2. Democracy Dismissed: Focus on Oil and Puppets

When asked about pushing for free elections in Venezuela, Trump says that’s not the focus—oil is.
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "No, are you going to demand that Delsey Rodriguez let opposition figures return or free any political prisoners? We haven't gotten to that yet. Right now what we want to do is fix up the oil, fix up the country, bring the country back and then have elections."
  ([06:34])
The hosts highlight that Trump openly desires an "authoritarian Marxist puppet" aligned with U.S. interests over democratic reform.

"We want to have our own authoritarian Marxist puppet there so we can take the oil. Don't you get that? Trump’s actually saying those things!"
– Ben Meiselas ([06:00])

3. Greenland & Europe: Bizarre Expansionism

Trump jumps to Greenland as the next target, framing it as a national security necessity due to mythical Russian and Chinese naval activity.
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "We need Greenland from a national security situation. It's so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security. And Denmark is not going to be able to do it, I can tell you."
  ([08:36])
Host Ben notes European leaders’ sharp reactions and the volatility Trump is provoking.

"The Prime Minister of Denmark, the Prime Minister of Greenland said, you better stop talking about that, ‘cuz you may actually start a war right now with Greenland and Denmark and the European Union."
– Ben Meiselas ([07:48])
Memorable Moment:

"You know what Denmark did recently to boost up security in Greenland? They added one more dog sled. It's true. They thought that was a great move."
– Donald Trump (Clip) ([09:05])

4. Open Promotion of Kidnapping and Military Force

Trump accepts the “kidnapping” of Maduro label with pride, concedes the U.S. "kidnaps" foreign leaders now.
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "Yeah, I like that term. We kidnapped him. That's what we do."
  ([09:33])
On U.S. troops in Venezuela, Trump is explicit in his threat:
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "No, it's not [off the table]. If they don't behave, we will do a second show."
  ([10:30])
Ben reacts with horror at the nonchalance toward military interventionism.

5. Dehumanizing Rhetoric Against Neighbors

Trump describes Venezuela, Colombia, and Cuba as "sick," makes wild claims about Colombian leadership and narco operations.
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "We have a very sick neighbor... Venezuela is very sick. Colombia is very sick too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine... He's not going to be doing it very long, let me tell you."
  ([11:23])
- Host reaction:
  
  "It’s all projection. Trump’s a sick guy, right? I mean, Trump’s a sick, vile piece of trash of a human being, a felon, a sexual abuser. I mean, Mar-a-Lago is basically the hunting grounds for Jeffrey Epstein."
  – Ben Meiselas ([11:04])

6. Lindsey Graham and Howard Lutnick: Applause and Enablers

Graham launches into tirades against Cuba, defending U.S. interventionism as "not intervention," but business-driven prosperity.
- Lindsey Graham audio (Clip):
  
  "You just wait for Cuba. Cuba is a communist dictatorship that's killed priests and nuns... Their days are numbered. We're going to wake up one day, I hope, in '26, in our backyard, we're going to have allies in these countries doing business with America, not narco terrorist dictators killing Americans."
  ([12:24])
  
  "This is not interventionism... We're going to be more prosperous because of the business deals. There are going to be Americans alive today because he shut down a narco terrorist state called Venezuela. This is a good thing, not a bad thing."
  ([13:20])
Lutnick cheerleads resumption of U.S. corporate activity in Venezuela, targeting resource extraction (steel, minerals, rare earths).
- Howard Lutnick audio (Clip):
  
  "They have a great mining history that's gone rusty. So steel, aluminum, minerals... And now President Trump is going to fix it and bring it back... All of that's going to be ours now in the United States."
  ([15:58])

7. “The Don Row Doctrine” and Mandate for War

Trump claims his base "wants war" and that the U.S. should "dominate, control, and go to war with everybody in the Western Hemisphere," calling it "the Don Row doctrine."
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "The voters that voted for me are thrilled. They said, this is what we voted for."
  ([14:18])

8. Mexico and Further Threats

Trump threatens Mexico, saying the U.S. will "have to do something" if the government doesn't crack down on cartels.
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "Mexico has to get their act together because they're pouring through Mexico and we're going to have to do something."
  ([17:28])

9. Moments of Absurdity: Bin Laden

Trump takes credit for predicting 9/11 and says he tried to warn about Osama bin Laden; Lindsey Graham plays along.
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "Do you know I wrote about bin Laden one year before the attack on the World Trade Center? And I said, you got to go after bin Laden. It was in my book... If they would have listened to me, they would have taken out bin Laden and you wouldn't have had the World Trade Center tragedy."
  ([18:19])
- Lindsey Graham:
  
  "I learned something every day."
  ([18:51])

10. Context: Opposition, Motivation, and the Search for a Puppet

Ben reports, via Washington Post, that Trump’s animosity toward Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado stems from her acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize (which Trump is said to covet). Trump instead supports Delsey Rodriguez as “his little authoritarian pawn.”

"If she had turned down that Nobel Peace Prize and said, I can't accept it because it's Donald Trump's, she'd be the president of Venezuela today. But she took that award and then Donald Trump can't handle that."
– Ben Meiselas, quoting sources ([19:00])
University of Chicago’s Robert Pape cautions that U.S. attempts to control Venezuelan oil will lead to chaos, insurgency, and a situation “far worse than Iraq.”

"Venezuela is primed for resistance to US controlling the oil. Perfect terrain for insurgency. Plenty of armed groups already, far worse than Iraq. Chaos is coming."
– Robert Pape ([20:00] paraphrased by host)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Ben Meiselas, calling out Trump’s projection:

"Trump’s a sick, vile piece of trash of a human being, a felon, a sexual abuser. I mean, Mar-a-Lago is basically the hunting grounds for Jeffrey Epstein."
([11:04])
Lindsey Graham, ramping up aggression:

"You just wait for Cuba. Cuba is a communist dictatorship... Their days are numbered."
([12:24])
Donald Trump, justifying imperial claims:

"We need Greenland from a national security situation. It's so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place."
([08:36])
Howard Lutnick, relishing US resource grabs:

"All of that's going to be ours now in the United States. We're going to steal the resources of Venezuela."
([15:58], paraphrased/summarized)

Timestamps of Key Segments

[02:58] – Host introduction to Trump’s bizarre and aggressive Air Force One statements
[04:00] – Trump discusses plans for Venezuelan oil with U.S. oil companies
[05:12] – Trump falsely claims Venezuela “stole our oil”
[06:34] – Trump dismisses free elections; focuses solely on oil
[07:48] – Trump pivots to Greenland and warns Europe
[09:05] – Trump’s joke about Denmark’s “dog sled” security
[09:33] – Trump embraces “kidnapping” label regarding Maduro
[11:23] – Trump vilifies Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba as “sick” neighbors
[12:24] – Lindsey Graham promises regime change in Cuba
[13:20] – Graham denies interventionism, frames invasion as business
[14:18] – Trump claims mandate for war: “This is what MAGA wanted”
[15:58] – Howard Lutnick lays out US plans for resource extraction
[17:28] – Trump threatens action against Mexico
[18:19] – Trump claims to have predicted 9/11
[19:00] – Backstory on Trump snubbing Venezuelan opposition due to Nobel
[20:00] – Expert warning of chaos from US intervention in Venezuela

Tone & Takeaways

The episode is marked by shock, sarcasm, and deep alarm from the hosts, underlining the unprecedented nature and sheer recklessness of what Trump, Graham, and Lutnick are saying. There’s a consistent thread of incredulity as the brothers juxtapose Trump’s “strongman” schtick with the reality of global diplomacy, democracy, and peace. The episode is a rallying cry for the audience to recognize and resist rising authoritarian rhetoric and imperial ambitions.

"This must be what it feels like to live in Putin's Russia. We the people need to stand up to this crap. We the people need to let our voices be heard. This is absolutely outrageous."
– Ben Meiselas ([21:38])

Summary prepared for listeners who missed this bombshell episode. Full audio (with video) available on the MeidasTouch YouTube and podcast channels.

The MeidasTouch Podcast

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Unhinged "Imperial Adventurism"

Opening Scene ([02:58]): The hosts set the tone, calling Trump "small, pathetic, unhinged," as he lands in DC "spewing this bloodlust" for taking over Greenland, Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico.
Energy & Oil Obsession: Trump openly discusses "coordinating the invasion of Venezuela" with U.S. oil companies, framing it as a mission to take back "American oil" — which the hosts debunk.

"Donald Trump said he coordinated the invasion of Venezuela with all of the oil companies before and after. He said all the oil companies are aware. They're ready to get their hands on that beautiful Venezuelan oil."
– Ben Meiselas ([03:23])
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "Yes, before and after. And they want to go in and they're going to do a great job for the people of Venezuela and they're going to represent us." ([04:00])
Host Ben criticizes Trump’s revisionist claim that Venezuela "stole our oil."

"Venezuela didn’t steal our oil. The oil in Venezuela belongs to Venezuela. Let’s be very clear about that. But this is what Donald Trump is spewing. It sounds exactly like Putin."
– Ben Meiselas ([04:38])
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "They took our oil away from us. They took the infrastructure away... and the oil companies are going to go in and rebuild it. We're not going to spend very much money at all, if anything. But the oil companies are going to go, we're going to take our oil back."
  ([05:12])

2. Democracy Dismissed: Focus on Oil and Puppets

When asked about pushing for free elections in Venezuela, Trump says that’s not the focus—oil is.
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "No, are you going to demand that Delsey Rodriguez let opposition figures return or free any political prisoners? We haven't gotten to that yet. Right now what we want to do is fix up the oil, fix up the country, bring the country back and then have elections."
  ([06:34])
The hosts highlight that Trump openly desires an "authoritarian Marxist puppet" aligned with U.S. interests over democratic reform.

"We want to have our own authoritarian Marxist puppet there so we can take the oil. Don't you get that? Trump’s actually saying those things!"
– Ben Meiselas ([06:00])

3. Greenland & Europe: Bizarre Expansionism

Trump jumps to Greenland as the next target, framing it as a national security necessity due to mythical Russian and Chinese naval activity.
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "We need Greenland from a national security situation. It's so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security. And Denmark is not going to be able to do it, I can tell you."
  ([08:36])
Host Ben notes European leaders’ sharp reactions and the volatility Trump is provoking.

"The Prime Minister of Denmark, the Prime Minister of Greenland said, you better stop talking about that, ‘cuz you may actually start a war right now with Greenland and Denmark and the European Union."
– Ben Meiselas ([07:48])
Memorable Moment:

"You know what Denmark did recently to boost up security in Greenland? They added one more dog sled. It's true. They thought that was a great move."
– Donald Trump (Clip) ([09:05])

4. Open Promotion of Kidnapping and Military Force

Trump accepts the “kidnapping” of Maduro label with pride, concedes the U.S. "kidnaps" foreign leaders now.
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "Yeah, I like that term. We kidnapped him. That's what we do."
  ([09:33])
On U.S. troops in Venezuela, Trump is explicit in his threat:
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "No, it's not [off the table]. If they don't behave, we will do a second show."
  ([10:30])
Ben reacts with horror at the nonchalance toward military interventionism.

5. Dehumanizing Rhetoric Against Neighbors

Trump describes Venezuela, Colombia, and Cuba as "sick," makes wild claims about Colombian leadership and narco operations.
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "We have a very sick neighbor... Venezuela is very sick. Colombia is very sick too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine... He's not going to be doing it very long, let me tell you."
  ([11:23])
- Host reaction:
  
  "It’s all projection. Trump’s a sick guy, right? I mean, Trump’s a sick, vile piece of trash of a human being, a felon, a sexual abuser. I mean, Mar-a-Lago is basically the hunting grounds for Jeffrey Epstein."
  – Ben Meiselas ([11:04])

6. Lindsey Graham and Howard Lutnick: Applause and Enablers

Graham launches into tirades against Cuba, defending U.S. interventionism as "not intervention," but business-driven prosperity.
- Lindsey Graham audio (Clip):
  
  "You just wait for Cuba. Cuba is a communist dictatorship that's killed priests and nuns... Their days are numbered. We're going to wake up one day, I hope, in '26, in our backyard, we're going to have allies in these countries doing business with America, not narco terrorist dictators killing Americans."
  ([12:24])
  
  "This is not interventionism... We're going to be more prosperous because of the business deals. There are going to be Americans alive today because he shut down a narco terrorist state called Venezuela. This is a good thing, not a bad thing."
  ([13:20])
Lutnick cheerleads resumption of U.S. corporate activity in Venezuela, targeting resource extraction (steel, minerals, rare earths).
- Howard Lutnick audio (Clip):
  
  "They have a great mining history that's gone rusty. So steel, aluminum, minerals... And now President Trump is going to fix it and bring it back... All of that's going to be ours now in the United States."
  ([15:58])

7. “The Don Row Doctrine” and Mandate for War

Trump claims his base "wants war" and that the U.S. should "dominate, control, and go to war with everybody in the Western Hemisphere," calling it "the Don Row doctrine."
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "The voters that voted for me are thrilled. They said, this is what we voted for."
  ([14:18])

8. Mexico and Further Threats

Trump threatens Mexico, saying the U.S. will "have to do something" if the government doesn't crack down on cartels.
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "Mexico has to get their act together because they're pouring through Mexico and we're going to have to do something."
  ([17:28])

9. Moments of Absurdity: Bin Laden

Trump takes credit for predicting 9/11 and says he tried to warn about Osama bin Laden; Lindsey Graham plays along.
- Trump audio (Clip):
  
  "Do you know I wrote about bin Laden one year before the attack on the World Trade Center? And I said, you got to go after bin Laden. It was in my book... If they would have listened to me, they would have taken out bin Laden and you wouldn't have had the World Trade Center tragedy."
  ([18:19])
- Lindsey Graham:
  
  "I learned something every day."
  ([18:51])

10. Context: Opposition, Motivation, and the Search for a Puppet

Ben reports, via Washington Post, that Trump’s animosity toward Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado stems from her acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize (which Trump is said to covet). Trump instead supports Delsey Rodriguez as “his little authoritarian pawn.”

"If she had turned down that Nobel Peace Prize and said, I can't accept it because it's Donald Trump's, she'd be the president of Venezuela today. But she took that award and then Donald Trump can't handle that."
– Ben Meiselas, quoting sources ([19:00])
University of Chicago’s Robert Pape cautions that U.S. attempts to control Venezuelan oil will lead to chaos, insurgency, and a situation “far worse than Iraq.”

"Venezuela is primed for resistance to US controlling the oil. Perfect terrain for insurgency. Plenty of armed groups already, far worse than Iraq. Chaos is coming."
– Robert Pape ([20:00] paraphrased by host)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Ben Meiselas, calling out Trump’s projection:

"Trump’s a sick, vile piece of trash of a human being, a felon, a sexual abuser. I mean, Mar-a-Lago is basically the hunting grounds for Jeffrey Epstein."
([11:04])
Lindsey Graham, ramping up aggression:

"You just wait for Cuba. Cuba is a communist dictatorship... Their days are numbered."
([12:24])
Donald Trump, justifying imperial claims:

"We need Greenland from a national security situation. It's so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place."
([08:36])
Howard Lutnick, relishing US resource grabs:

"All of that's going to be ours now in the United States. We're going to steal the resources of Venezuela."
([15:58], paraphrased/summarized)

Timestamps of Key Segments

[02:58] – Host introduction to Trump’s bizarre and aggressive Air Force One statements
[04:00] – Trump discusses plans for Venezuelan oil with U.S. oil companies
[05:12] – Trump falsely claims Venezuela “stole our oil”
[06:34] – Trump dismisses free elections; focuses solely on oil
[07:48] – Trump pivots to Greenland and warns Europe
[09:05] – Trump’s joke about Denmark’s “dog sled” security
[09:33] – Trump embraces “kidnapping” label regarding Maduro
[11:23] – Trump vilifies Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba as “sick” neighbors
[12:24] – Lindsey Graham promises regime change in Cuba
[13:20] – Graham denies interventionism, frames invasion as business
[14:18] – Trump claims mandate for war: “This is what MAGA wanted”
[15:58] – Howard Lutnick lays out US plans for resource extraction
[17:28] – Trump threatens action against Mexico
[18:19] – Trump claims to have predicted 9/11
[19:00] – Backstory on Trump snubbing Venezuelan opposition due to Nobel
[20:00] – Expert warning of chaos from US intervention in Venezuela

Tone & Takeaways

"This must be what it feels like to live in Putin's Russia. We the people need to stand up to this crap. We the people need to let our voices be heard. This is absolutely outrageous."
– Ben Meiselas ([21:38])

Summary prepared for listeners who missed this bombshell episode. Full audio (with video) available on the MeidasTouch YouTube and podcast channels.

wavePod

All Hell Breaks Loose as Trump Loses it on Air Force One

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Unhinged "Imperial Adventurism"

2. Democracy Dismissed: Focus on Oil and Puppets

3. Greenland & Europe: Bizarre Expansionism

4. Open Promotion of Kidnapping and Military Force

5. Dehumanizing Rhetoric Against Neighbors

6. Lindsey Graham and Howard Lutnick: Applause and Enablers

7. “The Don Row Doctrine” and Mandate for War

8. Mexico and Further Threats

9. Moments of Absurdity: Bin Laden

10. Context: Opposition, Motivation, and the Search for a Puppet

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps of Key Segments

Tone & Takeaways

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Unhinged "Imperial Adventurism"

2. Democracy Dismissed: Focus on Oil and Puppets

3. Greenland & Europe: Bizarre Expansionism

4. Open Promotion of Kidnapping and Military Force

5. Dehumanizing Rhetoric Against Neighbors

6. Lindsey Graham and Howard Lutnick: Applause and Enablers

7. “The Don Row Doctrine” and Mandate for War

8. Mexico and Further Threats

9. Moments of Absurdity: Bin Laden

10. Context: Opposition, Motivation, and the Search for a Puppet

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps of Key Segments

Tone & Takeaways