The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: "Furious France Prepares War Plan Against US Invasion"

Date: January 8, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the escalating global tensions following threats from the Trump regime to invade Greenland. The Meiselas brothers dissect how France and other European powers, led by Emmanuel Macron, are openly preparing war plans against the US. Through sharp news coverage, media clips, and signature brotherly banter, the hosts explore the unprecedented fallout among NATO allies, reactions from European and North American leaders, and the radical shifts in US foreign policy. The episode also provides context on related political controversies, including the US invasions of Venezuela and rising concerns in Canada about American military ambitions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. France and Europe's Response to Threats of US Invasion of Greenland

• Escalating tensions: France, Germany, Denmark, and Canada are reportedly making secret plans to counter any US military action in Greenland.
  • "France is absolutely furious at Donald Trump and his regime and they are preparing for war." (01:03, Ben)
• Denmark's historic rules of engagement: Denmark confirms a 1952 law mandating their soldiers to “shoot first and ask questions later” if the US invades Greenland.
  • "Denmark, with the support of Europe, with the support of France, sending a clear message to the United States." (02:16, Ben)

2. Statements from European Leaders

• French President Emmanuel Macron: The episode plays a clip of Macron reasserting Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, dismissing the possibility of US incursion, and affirming European commitment to peace.
  • Quote: "There is no scenario in my opinion, where the United States of America would be placed in a position to violate Danish sovereignty... Greenland, therefore is a territory that falls under Danish sovereignty. This will endure..." (05:17, Macron)
• French Ambassador to the UN: The ambassador publicly denounces the US operation in Venezuela as a violation of international norms and UN principles.
  • Quote: "The military operation which has led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro runs counter to the principle of peaceful dispute resolution and runs counter to the principle of non use of force." (06:37, French Ambassador)

3. Canada and European Security Build-Up

• European multilateral defense: Macron, Zelensky, and UK’s Starmer sign a declaration on deploying a European force in Ukraine if new hostilities arise.
• Canada’s response: Prime Minister Carney announces quadrupling Canada’s defense spending, explicitly noting it's to prepare in case of a US invasion.
  • "Yeah, they're raising their military budget to protect against an invasion from you. Canada is preparing in the event that you Trump regime invade Canada." (08:41, Ben)

4. US Political Reactions and Republican Division

• Caroline Levitt (White House Press): Refuses to rule out military action in Greenland, citing Trump’s “all options open” approach.

  • Quote: "All options are always on the table for President Trump as he examines what's in the best interest of the United States... the President's first option always has been diplomacy." (10:00, Caroline Levitt)

• Moderate Republicans Push Back:

  • Rep. Don Bacon: Strongly denounces Trump’s threats to Greenland as “demeaning” to a NATO ally.
    • Quote: "The way we're treating them is really demeaning and it has no upside. All it does is making our NATO allies angry." (12:51, Rep. Bacon)
    • Quote: "A very amateurish. I feel like we've got high school kids playing Risk." (14:05, Rep. Bacon)
  • Sen. Thom Tillis: Criticizes hardline advisors like Stephen Miller for undermining NATO.
    • Quote: "There is no more important...alliance than the NATO alliance. And Denmark has punched above its weight..." (14:32, Sen. Tillis)
    • "The only thing worse than going to war with allies is going to war without allies." (15:21, Sen. Tillis)

• MAGA Republicans Double Down:

  • Sen. Eric Schmitt: Advocates for pursuing the acquisition of Greenland, questions Denmark’s capability.
    • Quote: "I would support that...Denmark's not capable of the protection that we need for our country." (16:45, Sen. Schmitt)
  • JD Vance: Defends Trump as “greedy for the American people,” supports control of Venezuelan resources.
    • Quote: "How do I serve the American people's best interest? You want somebody who's greedy for the American people. The Democrats are greedy for themselves." (17:53, JD Vance)
    • "We're going to be able to control the incredible natural resources of Venezuela, which is good for America..." (18:30, JD Vance)

5. International Media Perspectives

• French media provides a contrasting narrative to US state-aligned reporting on Venezuela, emphasizing the control by Maduro loyalists and lack of free opposition.
  • Quote (France24): "The imperialist knows that it has a prisoner of war on its territory, kidnapped here where the majority of Venezuelans elected him to be the constitutional president of our homeland..." (20:03, France24 transcript excerpt)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Meiselas, on the seriousness of the moment:
  "This is not what you did with Venezuela where you took out Maduro and installed another Maduro puppet. Denmark, France and Germany is ready for war with you, Donald Trump." (02:50)

• Macron’s Defiance:
  "There is no scenario in my opinion, where the United States ... would be placed in a position to violate Danish sovereignty. Such a thing simply does not exist..." (05:17)

• Rep. Bacon’s Critique:
  "I hope Republicans stand up against this... Greenland is a NATO ally. So the way we're treating them is really demeaning and it has no upside." (12:51)

• Sen. Tillis on alliance dynamics:
  "The only thing worse than going to war with allies is going to war without allies." (15:21)

• Sen. Eric Schmitt’s Extremism:
  "I would fully be supportive of Greenland being a much more integral partner of the United States..." (16:45)

• Ben Meiselas on Canada’s defense plans:
  "They're raising their military budget to protect against an invasion from you." (08:41)

Significant Timestamps

• 01:03: Ben lays out France’s fury and the multinational response preparations.
• 02:16: Denmark’s “shoot first” doctrine and European military coordination.
• 05:17–05:46: Macron’s public statement rebuking US threats.
• 06:37–07:43: French UN Ambassador denounces US over Venezuela.
• 08:41: Discussion of Canada’s military buildup in response to US threats.
• 10:00: Caroline Levitt refuses to rule out Greenland invasion.
• 12:51: Rep. Bacon’s scathing critique of Trump’s NATO policy.
• 14:05: Bacon’s “high school kids playing Risk” analogy.
• 14:32–15:21: Sen. Tillis defends NATO alliance, criticizes Trump officials.
• 16:36–16:45: MAGA Senator Schmitt advocates for US-Greenland acquisition.
• 17:53–18:46: JD Vance’s defense of Trump and rationale for Venezuelan intervention.
• 20:03: Clip from France24 showing pro-Maduro rallies and anti-US sentiment in Caracas.

Tone & Takeaways

The Meiselas brothers retain their signature sharp, comedic banter while dissecting genuinely alarming developments in US foreign policy. The episode is rich with incredulity, frustration at MAGA Republicans, concern for democratic alliances, and sympathetic coverage of European allies alarmed by US militarism. The mix of serious expertise, media analysis, and brotherly jabs provides an accessible yet comprehensive look at a brewing international crisis.
The consensus? The Trump regime’s threats are not only isolating the US, but actively eroding centuries-old alliances and provoking military preparations among traditional allies—with unpredictable global consequences.

For listeners who missed the episode, this summary provides a comprehensive rundown of how the Trump administration’s radical foreign policy is reshaping the global order—and just how seriously America’s allies are now taking the threat from Washington itself.