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Barra Wildfire Furious World leaders have issued an ultimatum to Donald Trump Open up the Strait of Hormuz immediately or we are done in every respect with the United States. We're seeing world leaders cut bilateral deals with Iran one after another, whether it was at the recent BRICS Bloc meeting in New Delhi or whether it is European nations and countries across the world picking up the phone and dialing Foreign Minister Iraqi and cutting direct deals with Iran. You have former allies of the United States recognizing Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz by their actions. And this is 100% caused by Donald Trump's weakness, to which Iran is spiking the football. And they're just saying the quiet part out loud. Here's what they posted after ships from China, Japan and Pakistan safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz with permission from Iran's navy, several European countries are now seeking Iran's approval to allow their vessels to transit the straight so one of the things that Iran choreographed with China while Donald Trump was out there basically begging Xi Jinping for help and saying how strong and how powerful you are, Xi Jinping. And please ridicule the United States even more iron Iran was allowing multiple Chinese ships, the VLCC and other big ships to leave the Strait of Hormuz in order to send a message that Iran will make real deals with countries while Donald Trump is out there flailing would be putting it politely. Now we've seen how Donald Trump's trip was perceived in Japan. That was one of the countries I mentioned that have cut bilateral deals with Iran and it ain't looking pretty for the United States in Japan right now. Take a look right here at this is typical right now of Japanese television programming. Hat tip to my friend Thomas Logan, you know who lives there, who's been sharing with me the sentiment in Japan right now. This is pretty much what sums it all up right now on one Japanese TV network. Japan has been unceremoniously sidelined by Trump and they now watch him sucking up to the Red Chinese. So soon after Japan's Prime Minister Taka Ishi showed up and tried to flatter Donald Trump in Washington D.C. flailingly in retrospect. But Donald Trump was out there bending the knee, bowing down to Xi Jinping. Or you have a professor from a renowned university in Japan, Cal University, and here's what he says. The US China summit was awful. This is the sentiment of kind of top level elites and all of the people in Japan. Rather, the US China summit was awful. From the announced content, issues like Taiwan and Iran were just the two countries trading claims back and forth. Trump was more in salesman mode than as a US President, making no strong assertions on global issues, not even discussing US China macroeconomic problems like he did nine years ago, and merely pushing for purchases of US Crops and encouraging Chinese investment and US Companies. Above all. When Xi Jinping belittled the United States as a declining nation in his opening speech, there was no sign of anger on social media. He just blamed it on the Biden administration. I can feel America's decline. Even though Japan's security is anchored in the US Japan alliance, I, I no longer think we can fully rely on it. So the lesson from this summit is that we should broadly pursue alliances with other countries as well. And that's exactly what they're doing with Iran. You have Canada strengthening its Arctic defense ties with Nordic countries as trust in the US Weakens under Trump's threats to seize Greenland and annex Canada. And just watching how pathetic Donald Trump looked in front of Xi Jinping. That's not a quarterback, that's not a general, that's not a leader. That is some weirdo follower bizarre behavior. Oh my God. Donald Trump acted the way he has people in his regime act at those cabinet meetings towards him. That's how Donald Trump acted for Xi Jinping. The United States of America bowing down to the leader of China in that way, throwing away the relationship with Taiwan, getting nothing, giving everything. It was the most pathetic trip in American foreign policy history. We're learning that Canada expanding its military cooperation with Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, while helping Greenland develop a local ranger force modeled on Canada's Arctic Rangers, Special forces in Greenland being trained to block a Trump invasion. That is where we are. The US destroying its relationship with NATO while the BRICS nations, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and the other nations like Iran, strengthening their ties in New Delhi, India, while Donald Trump be clowning himself and be clowning the United States in Beijing, but the European Union is out there helping Ukraine, helping Zelensky Zelensky is helping the European Union. It goes both ways. If anything, one can make an argument that Zelensky is helping Europe more than Europe is helping him. Although, look, let's face it, the loans and the money, Ukraine needs that in order to build its drone interceptors and its drone technology and its unmanned vessels. But Ukraine's technological innovation is first rate, first class, best in the world right now. The European Union now set to approve the terms of a 90 billion euro Ukraine loan next week, clearing the way for the first 9 billion euro payout in June. The money would fund 5.9 billion euros in drones and 3.2 billion euros in budget support, including soldier salaries. The loan, agreed in December, is backed by joint EU debt after plans to use frozen Russian assets stalled. Half the funds will be distributed in 2026, with the rest in 2027. Ukraine still faces a $135 billion euro budget gap, and EU officials warn more support may be needed if the war continues into next year. And it does IND like that's going to be the case. So what's the perspective, though, from Ukraine on what Donald Trump did in China? I'm glad you asked. Ilia Pomerenko of the Kiev Independence says, I love it. He's being sarcastic. I love it. The People's Republic of China, the PRC hasn't even invaded yet, and Trump is already saying Taiwan has itself to blame for wanting democratic freedom and independence from such a, quote, very, very powerful big country. Oh, and Taiwan apparently stole something from him again. So Emperor Xi should just go ahead and take the world's premier microchip manufacturing hub. Remember, Donald Trump's like, Taiwan, they stole the chips from me. They stole it from me. And Taiwan would never even exist if it wasn't for stupid past presidents who allowed Taiwan to steal from me. Dude, what are you talking about, you moron. You idiot. You vile piece of trash, you. Ilya Pomarenko goes on to say, it goes without saying that just as Ukraine and Taiwan have already heard it, the Baltic states, Poland, South Korea, and Japan will hear the very same message of betrayal if their hour ever comes. And pause. Poland just heard it. Donald Trump withdrawing 4,000, 5,000 troops heading for deployment in Poland. Why? Because even though it's a model ally, it's on the eastern flank. It's close to Ukraine, it's close to Russia. That's how Donald Trump's helping Putin. In my opinion, as Pomerenko says, this man Trump is capable of nothing beyond childish admiration for dictators, cheap, empty rhetoric, self obsession and lining his own pockets. But that does not mean the rest of us must set, must be inside, must sink together within that madness. And it goes without saying that we don't need to do that. Also, you had Senator Thom Tillis. I'm not going to read the whole statement here. Republican from Republican from North Carolina calling out Donald Trump for withdrawing 4,000 troops from Poland and allegedly sidelining General Chris Donahue, one of the nation's finest war fighters, by downgrading US Army Europe Africa to a three star command. In other words, Trump's taking the US army in Europe Africa Command and basically saying, eh, we don't really need that anymore. So the top generals there would be downgraded as well. And it's like, what do you mean we don't need top command in Europe? That's Donald Trump helping Putin, in my opinion. And by the way, Iran's foreign minister, M.B. gallop, not foreign minister, speaker of their parlay, Foreign Minister Zaragji, their Speaker of the Parliament, MB Golubov. Here's what he posted. The world stands at the cusp of a new order. As President Xi said, the transformation unseen in a century is accelerating across the globe. And I emphasize that the Iranian nation, 70 day resistance has accelerated this transformation. The future belongs to the global South. See that language, each word very specifically picked out and coordinated. All of this is planned. Donald Trump wings it. He wakes up, he posts stupid social media stuff, weird AI images about golden ballrooms and reflecting pools where other nations are going to work. And they're serious. They have a sense of purpose, of what they want. Who reducing the hegemonic power of the United States, eliminating it as the top power, allowing China to restructure the geopolitical architecture. That's what went down while Donald Trump was out there treating Xi Jinping like his king. The global architecture has shifted, Ladies and gentlemen. Foreign Minister Aragchi visited China right before Donald Trump showed up a week before. Guess who's going to be visiting China a week after on May 19th. Welcome Vladimir Putin to meet with Xi Jinping in Beijing. So you see Iran met first, then you have Trump's visit, then you have Putin's visit. That's what's going on there. And you have Foreign Minister Aragchi working with Xi Jinping and coordinating a lot of those statements that were made and Begoliboff reiterating it right there. And then the Iranian foreign minister, he's going to work. He's at the BRICS meeting. He's on the sidelines speaking with this country. India, Thailand, Philippines, he's speaking with Azerbaijan. Country after country, you know, he's putting in the work. He's speaking at the what we put in the work here. Meanwhile, you have Taiwan's foreign minister spokesperson had to come out with an urgent statement after Donald Trump said, why would we want to help an island, a small island 9,500 miles away next to a big, powerful country like China? Why would we want to help them and give them any weapons? Like, why would we do that? Donald Trump speaking with Xi Jinping about weapon systems to Taiwan violating American policy and then showing utter weakness and now holding it over Taiwan's head that he may not authorize weapon systems to Taiwan. Here's what Taiwan's foreign minister had to say. Here, play this clip.
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Who cherish freedom and democracy. We want to emphasize that the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent democratic country. Beijing has no right to make claims over Taiwan. We also thank President Trump for his continued support for security in the Taiwan Strait since his first term.
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I want to put this on all of your radars as well. Well, first, let me show you this. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz, he gave a recent speech, um, and he said, I'm a big. And I'm a big admirer of America. My admiration is not increasing, though, at the moment today, I would not recommend my children move to the USA to study or work there simply because a social climate has suddenly developed there. That's one way of putting it. And then you have this meeting with Germany's former Chancellor and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who talk about how 70% of Germans now consider the United States as an adversary. And then he goes, I remember Chancellor, the former chancellor of Germany when we were together at the G7. I remember President Biden was sitting with President Macron, and Biden said, america's back. And Macron said, for how long? For how long? It's a good point. Finally, here's what I wanted to point out. You have Wes Streeding, senior member of the Labor Party there in the UK he's going to put in his hat for leadership there if Kier Starmer resigns. There's lots of reporting that Kier Starmer probably will resign in the next few weeks. Whether that's true is. We'll wait to see. But West Streeting people say he's one of the people who may be in line to become the prime minister and he'll put his name into the leadership battle. We'll see. And here's what he has to say. Britain's future lies with Europe. And one day, one day we will be back in the European Union. He said that he would enter any potential labor leadership contest as he set out his beliefs in his first major public speech. And he says leaving the European Union was a catastrophic mistake. And we saw that European Union meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, with all of the European Political Community members, and Canada was there as well. We saw a big Bucharest nine meeting that just took place. You saw the BRICS meeting take place. You saw the conference in Turkey with the Gulf states that took place recently. And while all that's taking place, you have Donald Trump going to China, Xi Jinping, and Trump acting like a Xi Jinping fanboy. So weird. Let me know what you all think. Hit subscribe let's get to 7 million subscribers. Thanks for watching new Midas merch head to store.midas touch.com today and get yourself the best pro democracy gear and show your support. That's store.midastouch.com
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Date: May 17, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, & Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)
In this high-stakes episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect a dramatic international diplomatic crisis centered around Donald Trump’s controversial foreign policy—specifically, his weak handling of the Strait of Hormuz situation, which has drawn pointed ultimatums from world leaders. The episode covers the resounding global fallout as nations recalibrate alliances, strike new deals, and openly question US leadership. Combining news analysis with their trademark irreverence, the brothers highlight how Trump’s actions are accelerating a shift in the global order, undermining America’s traditional relationships, and emboldening adversaries.
(00:58–04:00)
A furious coalition of world leaders delivers an ultimatum: Trump must reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face total isolation, diplomatically and economically, for the US.
Nations that were historically US allies—Japan, several EU states—are forging bilateral agreements with Iran, recognizing its sovereignty over the strait.
China, Japan, and Pakistan’s shipping now moves through Hormuz only with Iranian Navy permission—a clear signal of America’s fading leverage.
“We’re seeing world leaders cut bilateral deals with Iran one after another... Former allies of the United States [are] recognizing Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz by their actions. And this is 100% caused by Donald Trump’s weakness.”
– Ben (01:13)
(04:01–07:30)
Trump’s trip to Asia (particularly China and Japan) is a disaster, with allies dismayed by his obsequious behavior toward Xi Jinping.
Japanese media mocks Trump as subservient to China—”sucking up to the Red Chinese”—and question whether the US-Japan alliance remains credible.
Japanese academic analysis: Trump is playing salesman, not statesman; he avoids tough issues and makes concessions with nothing in return.
“That’s not a quarterback, that’s not a general, that’s not a leader. That is some weirdo follower. Bizarre behavior.”
– Ben (05:53)
“Trump was out there bending the knee, bowing down to Xi Jinping... The United States of America bowing down to the leader of China in that way—throwing away the relationship with Taiwan, getting nothing, giving everything. It was the most pathetic trip in American foreign policy history.”
– Ben (06:23)
(07:31–10:10)
Canada intensifies its Arctic defense cooperation with Nordic countries after Trump threatens Greenland and floats annexing Canada.
European NATO allies, weary of Trump’s unpredictability, are preparing for a world where US support is unreliable; the BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, plus Iran) is strengthening.
The EU accelerates its financial and military support to Ukraine, providing billions for drone tech and essential needs—even as Ukraine faces massive budget gaps.
“The US destroying its relationship with NATO, while the BRICS nations… [are] strengthening their ties…”
– Ben (09:01)
(10:11–14:00)
Prominent Ukrainian journalist Ilia Pomeraneko sharply criticizes Trump’s China trip, mocking Trump’s “admiration for dictators” and warning of a domino effect of abandoned allies (Baltics, Poland, South Korea, Japan).
Trump orders withdrawal of thousands of US troops from Poland; GOP Senator Thom Tillis denounces the move as dangerous appeasement to Putin.
Taiwan is forced to issue an emergency statement affirming its sovereignty and expressing anxiety over Trump’s wavering on weapons transfers.
“Trump is capable of nothing beyond childish admiration for dictators, cheap, empty rhetoric, self obsession and lining his own pockets.”
– Quoting Ilia Pomeraneko (12:41)
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry: “We want to emphasize that the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent democratic country. Beijing has no right to make claims over Taiwan. We also thank President Trump for his continued support for security in the Taiwan Strait since his first term.”
– Taiwan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson (13:21)
(14:01–15:00)
Iranian officials and Xi Jinping openly herald a new, post-American world order. Careful diplomatic choreography: Iran’s foreign minister visits China, then Trump’s visit, followed by Putin.
Iran’s speaker: “The world stands at the cusp of a new order... The future belongs to the global South.”
Host commentary: While Trump coasts on social media and photo ops, adversaries are deeply engaged in reshaping power dynamics.
“Donald Trump wings it... weird AI images about golden ballrooms... while other nations are going to work. Who’s reducing the hegemonic power of the United States? The global architecture has shifted, ladies and gentlemen.”
– Ben (14:41)
(15:01–15:50)
Germany’s Chancellor and leading politicians express open skepticism of the US, citing a hostile social climate and declining admiration.
70% of Germans now see the US as an adversary.
In the UK, senior Labour figure Wes Streeting calls Brexit “a catastrophic mistake” and expresses a desire for the UK to someday rejoin the EU.
European nations consolidate ties, and the EU increasingly takes the lead on issues once left to American diplomacy.
“I would not recommend my children move to the USA to study or work there simply because a social climate has suddenly developed there.”
– German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (13:41) “Britain’s future lies with Europe. And one day, one day we will be back in the European Union.”
– Wes Streeting, Labour Party, UK (15:30)
The brothers’ signature blend of urgent analysis and brotherly banter runs throughout the episode, but the tone is somber and urgent. They see Trump’s foreign policy as not just embarrassing, but as actively dismantling the US-led world order and emboldening its autocratic rivals. With blunt language, humor, and expert citations, they underline the profound ramifications for democracy, security, and America’s standing in the world.
End of summary