The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Fox News Collapses on Air as Trump’s War Backfires!!!
Date: March 12, 2026
Hosts: Ben Meiselas, Brett Meiselas, Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)
Featured: Ron Filipkowski
Episode Overview
This episode centers on the unraveling media response—particularly at Fox News—to the severe backlash and escalating failures associated with President Trump’s "Operation Epic Fury" and his war against Iran. The MeidasTouch team, alongside guest Ron Filipkowski, unpacks Fox News’ increasingly desperate and contradictory messaging as public and international opinion turns sharply against Trump’s actions. The hosts highlight propaganda narratives spun by Fox News personalities such as Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, Jesse Watters, and interviews with politicians like Kevin McCarthy and Senator Tom Cotton.
Throughout, the brothers combine sharp political analysis with their trademark humor and candid criticism, illustrating the broader collapse of the Trump-supportive media as global and domestic crises mount.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Fox News’ Desperate Spin on “Operation Epic Fury”
- Propaganda Ramp-up: Fox News is described as "state regime media" that’s hosting panic-laced coverage, trying to convince viewers that Trump’s Iran war is a resounding success even as facts indicate otherwise.
- Quote (Ron Filipkowski, 00:24):
“State regime media, which calls itself Fox News, has lost all control as the American people have completely turned against everything regarding Donald Trump, especially and including his unlawful war against Iran.”
- Quote (Ron Filipkowski, 00:24):
- Laura Ingraham’s Claims:
- She credits Trump with “saving the world” through “strategic control of key waterways” (Strait of Malacca, Panama Canal, Strait of Hormuz), asserting that Operation Epic Fury prevented disaster.
- Quote (Laura Ingraham, 01:31):
“The brilliance of the Trump plan to have strategic control of key waterways... cannot be understated... Donald Trump, his team, the US Military and the American taxpayer may have saved the world with Operation Epic Fury.”
- Quote (Laura Ingraham, 01:31):
- Ingraham shifts blame for the energy crisis to “radical environmentalists,” claiming the war will help Californians see the supposed error of environmentalist policies.
- Quote (Laura Ingraham, 03:00):
“Operation Epic Fury may... have the added benefit of opening the eyes of Californians to how radical environmentalists have destroyed the oil industry there and with it affordable energy.”
- Quote (Laura Ingraham, 03:00):
- Calls for US to lead a “multinational Gulf security force” to further attack Iran, even after asserting the war was already “won.”
- She credits Trump with “saving the world” through “strategic control of key waterways” (Strait of Malacca, Panama Canal, Strait of Hormuz), asserting that Operation Epic Fury prevented disaster.
2. The Reality on the Ground vs. Media Narrative
- Exposing Consequences:
- The hosts emphasize the real fallout: continued Iranian strikes, strained regional alliances, and failures of US defense systems, contrary to Fox News’ narrative.
- Quote (Ron Filipkowski, 04:44):
“The US has done irreparable harm in the region... Iran striking targets within these Arab nations with $20,000 Shahed drones... The Ayatollah is now Mon Jaba... deadlier than the old Ayatollah Khomeini, and things are much, much worse.”
- Quote (Ron Filipkowski, 04:44):
- The Trump approach is said to have inadvertently united the Iranian people and regional Shiite communities against the US, spurring greater instability.
- The hosts emphasize the real fallout: continued Iranian strikes, strained regional alliances, and failures of US defense systems, contrary to Fox News’ narrative.
3. Fox News’ Contradictory “Victory Lap” & Sacrifice Narrative
- Spin on Failures:
- Ingraham claims Iran’s dangerous reactions just prove Trump’s wisdom, flipping disaster into supposed strategic “success.”
- Quote (Laura Ingraham, 08:32):
“...now it’s time for the US to lead a multi nation Gulf security force... the long term benefits again are incalculable and only President Trump had the brains and frankly the guts to see the entire battlefield.”
- Quote (Laura Ingraham, 08:32):
- Ingraham claims Iran’s dangerous reactions just prove Trump’s wisdom, flipping disaster into supposed strategic “success.”
- Strategic Petroleum Reserve Debate:
- Sean Hannity lauds Trump for releasing oil from the Strategic Reserve, claiming it’s a bold, necessary action—ignoring criticisms of draining US resources and doing too little to actually impact global oil prices.
- Quote (Sean Hannity, 10:18):
“President Trump... is planning to release oil from the strategic reserve. And that's exactly what the reserve is meant for. To respond to a temporary shortage brought on by extraordinary events.”
- Quote (Sean Hannity, 10:18):
- Sean Hannity lauds Trump for releasing oil from the Strategic Reserve, claiming it’s a bold, necessary action—ignoring criticisms of draining US resources and doing too little to actually impact global oil prices.
- Kevin McCarthy on “Sacrifice”:
- McCarthy rationalizes the spike in oil prices as a worthwhile sacrifice for “having such a great leader.”
- Quote (Kevin McCarthy, 13:01):
“People will get upset the price of oil is up, but... that's the price we pay for having such a great leader. We must make sacrifices to dear leader Donald Trump.”
- Quote (Kevin McCarthy, 13:01):
- McCarthy rationalizes the spike in oil prices as a worthwhile sacrifice for “having such a great leader.”
4. Delusion and Projection in Pro-Trump Media
- Reshaping the World Order:
- McCarthy claims history will praise Trump for “reshaping the world” even as US influence and alliances weaken.
- Quote (Kevin McCarthy, 14:24):
“President Trump is going to be praised for this because I don’t think any other president would do it before or into the future. And it’s changed geopolitics.”
- Quote (Kevin McCarthy, 14:24):
- The hosts ridicule the fantasy that Trump can go to China and “stare down” Xi Jinping to proclaim American dominance, noting China and other international actors are actually mocking Trump and the disarray of American strategy.
- Quote (Ron Filipkowski, 15:05):
“What cosplay weirdo world do y’all live in? That you think that's what's going on? ... Xi Jinping in China, it's never been more powerful. America... is exposed completely.”
- Quote (Ron Filipkowski, 15:05):
- McCarthy claims history will praise Trump for “reshaping the world” even as US influence and alliances weaken.
5. Political Leaders’ Out-of-Touch Statements
- Senator Tom Cotton:
- Cotton repeats the line that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve “is not supposed to be used to help Democrats in elections,” repurposing it solely for partisan attack and ignoring its actual intent amid crisis.
- Quote (Senator Tom Cotton, 17:44):
“The Strategic Petroleum Reserve was literally built because of conflict in the Middle East... It's not supposed to be used to help the Democrats in an election...”
- Quote (Senator Tom Cotton, 17:44):
- Cotton and others praise Trump’s “help is on the way” messaging, while the hosts lambaste Trump as a war criminal for the humanitarian disasters inflicted by Operation Epic Fury (e.g., bombing an elementary school, causing mass civilian deaths, targeting infrastructure).
- Cotton repeats the line that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve “is not supposed to be used to help Democrats in elections,” repurposing it solely for partisan attack and ignoring its actual intent amid crisis.
6. Summary Rebuke and Emotional Close
- Ponzi Scheme Analogy:
- Ron Filipkowski compares the Fox News/Trump tactic to a Ponzi scheme, always promising future benefits to excuse disastrous present outcomes.
- Quote (Ron Filipkowski, 21:18):
“This is what Ponzi schemers do, right? It goes from day one. It’s going to be great... All right. 2026, all right. 2027, all right. Some indefinite time in the future, things are going to be amazing.”
- Quote (Ron Filipkowski, 21:18):
- Emotional condemnation of the Trump regime and its enablers closes the episode.
- Quote (Ron Filipkowski, 21:57):
“Con artists, scammers, frauds, trump sexual predators. Demons. I think the best word to describe these people...they’re demonic. They’re deeply, deeply evil people who are also stupid. They’re evil, stupid demons.”
- Quote (Ron Filipkowski, 21:57):
- Ron Filipkowski compares the Fox News/Trump tactic to a Ponzi scheme, always promising future benefits to excuse disastrous present outcomes.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
- 00:24 (Ron Filipkowski):
“Fox News has lost all control as the American people have completely turned against everything regarding Donald Trump, especially and including his unlawful war against Iran.” - 01:31 (Laura Ingraham):
“Trump has saved the world... his team, the US Military and the American taxpayer may have saved the world with Operation Epic Fury.” - 04:44 (Ron Filipkowski):
“The US has done irreparable harm in the region... you’ve actually united Iran with the Ayatollah against the United States right now, and you’ve united the Shiite community throughout the entire Middle East.” - 08:32 (Laura Ingraham):
“Only President Trump had the brains and frankly the guts to see the entire battlefield.” - 10:18 (Sean Hannity):
“President Trump... is planning to release oil from the strategic reserve. And that's exactly what the reserve is meant for. To respond to a temporary shortage brought on by extraordinary events.” - 13:01 (Kevin McCarthy):
“People will get upset the price of oil is up, but that’s the price we pay for having such a great leader.” - 14:24 (Kevin McCarthy):
“President Trump is going to be praised for this because I don’t think any other president would do it... and it’s changed geopolitics.” - 17:44 (Senator Tom Cotton):
“The Strategic Petroleum Reserve was literally built because of conflict in the Middle East... It's not supposed to be used to help Democrats in an election...” - 21:18 (Ron Filipkowski):
“This is what Ponzi schemers do...eventually you're like, I want my money. ...I think you’re a liar. And then what happens? Give me another week. Give me a month. Give me a year....” - 21:57 (Ron Filipkowski):
“Con artists, scammers, frauds, trump sexual predators. Demons. ...They’re evil, stupid demons. And they’ve harmed our country and our future generations so damn much.”
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00–02:26: Fox News’ initial propaganda framing, Laura Ingraham’s opening statements.
- 03:00–04:44: Propaganda pivots — Ingraham blames environmentalists; analysis of regional impacts.
- 07:35–09:06: Ingraham and Fox hosts recast negative fallout as proof of Trump’s strategic genius.
- 10:18–13:01: Hannity and McCarthy justify Trump’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve release and economic hardship.
- 14:24–15:05: McCarthy, Cotton, and Fox's attempts to rewrite history and recast Trump as a global visionary.
- 18:09–21:18: Harsh critique of Trump’s actions and Fox News’ ongoing attempt to sell eventual success, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
Conclusion
This episode reveals Fox News’ increasingly unhinged efforts to shield Trump and rationalize his catastrophic policies in Iran and beyond. The MeidasTouch brothers—cutting through the spin, contradictions, and gaslighting—showcase how regime media and pro-Trump politicians are out of touch with both reality and public sentiment, relying on perpetual future promises and desperate talking points. The hosts’ frustration and righteous anger highlight the seriousness of the crisis and underscore the urgent need for accountability and a return to democratic principles.