Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Furious World Leaders Blast Trump after Fatal Insult!!!!
Date: January 24, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)
Episode Overview
This episode centers on the explosive global backlash to a recent statement by Donald Trump, where he insulted NATO allies by claiming they made no sacrifices for the United States during the Afghanistan war. The Meiselas brothers dissect major European and global responses, highlighting veteran voices, political fallout across the Atlantic, and the broader implications for American alliances and global standing.
The brothers bring their signature mix of legal and political expertise, media savvy, and outspoken pro-democracy stance, amplifying voices from Britain, Denmark, and other NATO partners who are furious over Trump's remarks.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s Claim and Immediate Fallout
- [00:59] Trump, in a Fox interview, stated that NATO allies “did not sacrifice for the United States ever in the war in Afghanistan,” repeating rhetoric that called wounded or fallen soldiers “suckers and losers.”
- The brothers emphasize the insult to the families of allies who lost loved ones fighting alongside the US – especially as Article 5 (collective defense) was only ever invoked after 9/11 in support of America.
- Trump’s remarks were paired with confusion about Greenland and Iceland, adding to diplomatic tensions.
2. British and European Veteran Responses
- Numerous British politicians, veterans, and officials condemned Trump’s comments.
- Ben Obisi Jecti (British MP and Afghanistan veteran) [02:05, 12:49]:
“I served in Afghanistan. I saw firsthand the sacrifices made by British soldiers I served alongside, where we suffered horrific casualties, as did US Marines the following year. … It’s sad to see our nation’s sacrifice and that of our NATO partners held so cheaply.”
- Ed Davey (Liberal Democrats) [03:19, 08:00]:
“457 British troops lost their lives in Afghanistan. Trump avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice?”
He also singles out British politicians supporting Trump as “ashamed.”
3. Military Leadership Condemns Trump
- Armed Forces Minister, Al Carnes (UK) [04:56]:
“This is utterly ridiculous. Many courageous and honourable service personnel from many nations fought on the front line. ... These are bonds, I think, forged in fire, protecting U.S. or shared interests, but actually protecting democracy overall. … Never above, never below, always side by side.”
- General Lord Dinat, former British Army head [06:39]:
“The comments that he made ... are just totally disrespectful, wrong and outrageous. … It does make you wonder whether actually he is fit for the job that he apparently is doing.”
4. Media & Political Discourse in Europe
- On BBC Newsnight, debate was heated. Former Trump ambassador Carl Sands tried to defend Trump, but was sharply rebuked by Conservative MP Steve Baker.
- Steve Baker [09:43]:
“He has caused the gravest offense to them because they've lost friends in appalling circumstances, put their own lives on the line, seen people blown up on mines, and he has said to them that what they did didn’t count. ... He should apologize and he should honor the fallen.”
5. Veterans and Medical Personnel Speak Out
- RAF Veteran Liz McNany [11:25]:
“I flew on the Medical Emergency Response Team... we picked up so many injured and dying American soldiers off the battlefield. … To have that all dismissed straight away by Trump was really... just really insulting.”
6. Danish Perspective & Broader European Impact
- Interview with Rufus Gifford, former US Ambassador to Denmark [14:22]:
- Explains the emotional fallout among Danes and Europeans; he is told by friends, “You’re the only American we could be seen having dinner with right now.” [14:34]
- Describes how trust in the US is “profoundly damaged.”
“I don't think you can overstate the damage that Donald Trump, and singularly Donald Trump has done to the American reputation in this part of the world. … These are our best allies ... who literally would have died for us and have died for us.” [15:17]
7. The Greenland Gaffe and Diplomatic Blunders
- Discussion of Trump’s Davos trip, confusion over Greenland/Iceland, and the claim of “making a deal over Greenland”—which Danish officials categorically denied. [15:40–16:26]
- Gifford [16:26]:
“Can you trust anything that comes out of his mouth? … I see the media celebrating the fact that Donald Trump is deciding not to invade Greenland. I’m sorry, he doesn’t get points for not doing something that was completely unthinkable a year ago.”
8. The Generational Consequences for US Alliances
- The brothers and Gifford note that Trump’s repeated disparagement of allies is spawning new transatlantic structures that might exclude the US, weakening American global influence. [22:02]
“I do believe that Europe needs to stand up, speak out against these ridiculous new institutions ... They can no longer be the United States’ little brother. ... The US would benefit from a strong, unified Europe that is our friend, but also our rival.” — Gifford [23:20, 24:14]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“It's sad to see our nation's sacrifice and that of our NATO partners held so cheaply by the President of the United States.”
— Ben Obisi Jecti [02:17] -
“Never above, never below, always side by side.”
— Al Carnes [06:19] -
“The comments that he made, as I said, are just totally disrespectful, wrong and outrageous… It does make you wonder whether actually he is fit for the job…”
— General Lord Dinat [06:39] -
“I flew on the MERT aircraft ... we picked up so many injured and dying American soldiers off the battlefield ... To have that all dismissed straight away by Trump was really, you know, just really insulting.”
— Liz McNany [11:25] -
“You’re the only American that we could be seen having dinner with right now.”
— Rufus Gifford recounting Danish friends [14:34] -
“I don't think you can overstate the damage that Donald Trump … has done to the American reputation in this part of the world. … These are our best allies, ... who literally would have died for us and have died for us.”
— Rufus Gifford [15:17]
Key Timestamps for Critical Segments
- 00:59 — Trump’s original claim and context
- 02:05 — British political and military responses begin
- 04:56 — Armed Forces Minister Al Carnes’ response
- 06:39 — General Lord Dinat: “totally disrespectful, wrong and outrageous”
- 07:50–08:31 — Ed Davey: “Trump avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice?”
- 09:27–10:32 — BBC Newsnight: Conservative MP Steve Baker rebukes Trump’s former ambassador
- 11:25 — RAF veteran Liz McNany on trauma, sacrifice, and Trump’s insult
- 12:49 — Ben Obisi Jecti: “Disappointment more than anything else”
- 14:22–15:40 — Rufus Gifford, US-Denmark relations, European damage
- 16:26 — The Greenland narrative debunked
- 18:58 — Gifford: “For God’s sake, these guys were on the front lines… he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
- 22:02–24:56 — Impact on US alliances; necessity for European unity
Takeaway
This episode provides a deeply emotional, comprehensive review of the international furor following Trump’s dismissal of allied sacrifices during the Afghanistan war. The hosts amplify voices from across NATO, particularly the UK and Denmark, making clear the long-term consequences for US alliances and standing. Veteran testimonies, both American and European, underscore the real-life cost of Trump’s words, with the episode’s tone moving from outrage to reflection on the shifting tectonics of global alliances in the wake of such rhetoric.
The MeidasTouch Podcast closes by underscoring the imperative for Americans (and Republicans especially) to understand the gravity of these remarks for democracy, alliances, and basic decency toward veterans—at home and abroad.