The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Furious Canada Prepares for War if Trump Invades

Date: December 22, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Notable Guests/Voices: Charlie Angus (Leader of Meidas Canada), Prime Minister Mark Carney, Premier Doug Ford, US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra

Episode Overview

This episode tackles the rising tensions between Canada and the United States in response to Donald Trump’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric. The discussion focuses on Canada’s military readiness, the formation of a substantial civilian army, and concerns over Trump’s threats mirroring those used by Putin in Ukraine. The Meiselas brothers, with guest insights from politicians and defense leaders, mix their signature banter with deep dives into geopolitics, democracy, and the urgent need for resilience against authoritarianism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Adopts Putin-Style Rhetoric toward Canada and Venezuela

[02:28] – [04:54]

• Ben draws direct parallels between Putin’s justifications for invading Ukraine and Trump’s language about Venezuela and Canada.
  • Quote [03:00, Ben]:
    “Donald Trump is now saying with respect to Venezuela that they stole our land, they stole our oil... This is the same language that Donald Trump has used against Canada... 51st state is a threat. We're going to take you over. That's the language of war.”
• Canada’s top political and military circles perceive this shift as a serious threat, not just political posturing.

2. Canadian Military Preparedness and the Civilian Army

[05:19] – [11:00]

• Charlie Angus (Leader of Meidas Canada) outlines Canada’s ramped-up military and civil defense response:

  • Canada developing a 300,000-strong civilian army.
  • Canadian forces skeptical of US military equipment stability under Trump.
  • Looking to Sweden’s Gripen jets over US F-35s for sovereignty and reliability.

• General Marie Carignan cited as leading preparedness:

  • Regular forces: 65,677 soldiers, aiming for 71,000.
  • Focus on both diversity and practical experience: “In Canada, we value the differences of men, women, their backgrounds. In the military, conformity as part of team dynamics can be absolutely deadly.”
    [06:35, Charlie Angus]
  • A ‘larger network of expertise’ involving civil service, emergency management, and ‘community resilience.’

• Angus stresses the value of creative, decentralized approaches to readiness, reflecting on COVID-19 response as a positive example.

  • Quote [09:47, Charlie Angus]:
    “We need to be thinking outside the box... not simply boots on the ground... but using the strengths of Canadians.”

3. Lessons from Ukraine: The Value of Civilian Resistance

[13:09] – [17:11]

• Charlie Angus draws historical lessons from Ukraine’s defense against Russia, especially the Battle of Sumy:

  • Ukrainian civilians’ resistance played an essential, unexpected role in slowing Russia’s advance.
  • Quote [13:35, Charlie Angus]:
    “The Battle of Sumy comes the closest to the image of a desperate, bedraggled civilian guerrilla army fighting overwhelming odds... it was the ordinary citizens who slowed it down and stopped it before it got to Kiev.”

• Implicit warning to Canadians: Don’t underestimate the possibility or necessity of civilian mobilization in modern conflict.

  • Emphasizes resilience, preparedness, and the importance of readiness, “because it sends a message: Don’t you think about it now. Don’t you think about it ever.”

4. Canada Recalibrating International Alliances

[17:11] – [19:57]

• Prime Minister Mark Carney:
  • Canada is actively strengthening partnerships globally (except the US).
  • Quote [17:36, Prime Minister Carney]:
    “Any country in the world... they want to do more business with Canada... they respect us because we respect the rule of law, we have the right values, we're good partners.”
• Reflects Canada’s rapid diplomatic pivot to reduce dependence on the US, seeking greater security and prosperity via other global relationships.

5. Internal Canadian Political Resolve & US Pushback

[18:39] – [19:57]

• Premier Doug Ford (Ontario):

  • Asserts a tough stance against Trump’s economic attacks on Canadian sectors.
  • Willing to fight to protect Ontario’s industries from aggressive US trade pressure.
  • Quote [19:08, Doug Ford]:
    “I'm going to fight like I've never fought before to protect and protect the communities in Ontario, protect their jobs and protect the people.”

• Addresses the Ontario government’s provocative ad campaign in the US, which drew the ire of US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra.

6. US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra’s Complaints & Canada’s Growing Distrust

[20:32] – [23:06]

• Hoekstra criticizes Ontario’s move to run political ads in the US, calling it “unprecedented.”

• Tensions over military sales: US expressing irritation at Canada’s hesitance to buy F-35s.

• Canadian focus shifts to autonomous drone defense and domestic innovation as trust in the US erodes.

  • Quote [23:06, Ben]:
    “I think, you know, one of the things that Canada is learning from Ukraine as well is how to build this drone army up... focusing on having drones ready to go at the border in case there is a US invasion.”

• Ben closes by reiterating the seriousness of Trump’s threats and the necessity for international vigilance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:00, Ben, on Trump’s war language]:
  “The 51st state is a threat. We're going to take you over... That's the language of war... the US seems to be taking the side of Putin.”

• [06:35, Charlie Angus, on Canadian military culture]:
  “In Canada we value the differences of men, women and their backgrounds... in the military, conformity as part of team dynamics can be absolutely deadly.”

• [09:47, Charlie Angus, on resilience]:
  “Not simply boots on the ground and uniforms and marching, but thinking of creativity and using the strengths of Canadians.”

• [13:35, Charlie Angus, on Ukraine’s civilians]:
  “The Battle of Sumy comes the closest to the image of a desperate, bedraggled civilian guerrilla army fighting overwhelming odds... the effort was almost entirely led and self-directed by the citizens themselves.”

• [17:36, PM Carney, on global respect]:
  “They respect us because we respect the rule of law, we have the right values, we're good partners... just an enormous amount of opportunity.”

• [19:08, Doug Ford, on fighting for Ontario]:
  “I'm going to fight like I've never fought before to protect... the people of Ontario.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump’s Putin-style rhetoric & threat context: [02:28] – [04:54]
• Canadian defense modernization & preparedness: [05:19] – [11:00]
• Insights from Ukraine's civilian resistance: [13:09] – [17:11]
• International alliances & PM Carney's remarks: [17:11] – [19:57]
• Premiere Ford's defense of Ontario: [18:39] – [19:57]
• US-Canada ad spat & military trust issues: [20:32] – [23:06]
• Conclusion – the seriousness of the threat: [23:06] – [24:37]

Tone & Conversation Style

The Meiselas brothers combine urgency with wry humor, issuing serious warnings about creeping authoritarianism while maintaining their signature brotherly banter. Guest speakers are direct and candid, especially Charlie Angus, who espouses practical patriotism and resilience over jingoism. Despite the alarming subject matter, the underlying tone is one of proactive optimism and grounded realism.

Summary Takeaways

• Canada perceives Trump’s rhetoric as a real and present danger, not just politics but a potential prelude to conflict.
• Canadian leadership is rapidly adapting, shoring up military and civilian preparedness, and learning from Ukraine's recent history.
• Canada is recalibrating its diplomatic and economic alliances to reduce reliance on the US.
• There is widespread Canadian commitment—from the government, military, and civil society—to resist external aggression with unity and ingenuity.
• The episode warns US listeners and pro-democracy allies worldwide not to underestimate the risk posed by Trump’s authoritarian impulses.