The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Furious World Leaders Rip Trump to Shreds in Public Shaming
Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dive deep into a series of high-profile diplomatic rebukes of Donald Trump, examining how world leaders—from the UK to Mexico and Canada—are responding to Trump’s rhetoric and policies. The brothers analyze recent global polls showing declining international trust in the US, discuss public statements by leaders like King Charles III and President Claudia Sheinbaum, and cover strategic realignments among key allies. As always, the brothers mix sharp political commentary with their signature banter and humor, all with a focus on defending democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. International Leaders' Public Rebuke of Trump

[00:48-03:46]

• King Charles III's "Trap" for Trump:

  • King Charles orchestrates an elaborate welcome for Trump, only to use his speech to openly support Ukraine and denounce tyranny—directly countering Trump’s positions.
  • Ben:
    • “King Charles knows how Donald Trump is so pathetically wanting to be a king... So here’s what he did.”
    • “After luring Donald Trump in... In his speech, he looks at Donald Trump... and then in front of the world, King Charles brings up Ukraine and says, this is why we’re uniting to defeat Russia, to defeat the forces of tyranny.”
  • Memorable Quote (King Charles):
    • “Our countries have the closest defense, security, and intelligence relationship ever known. [...] Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine to deter aggression and secure peace.” [03:16–03:46]

• Trump’s Weak Response:

  • Trump’s discomfort is highlighted as he sits stone-faced during King Charles’ speech.
  • Ben mocks Trump: “You have Donald Trump kind of sitting there like, look at his face... King Charles is like, and here is why we defend Ukraine.”

2. North American Alliances and Rejections of Trump

[03:46–05:30]

• Canada-Mexico Summit:

  • Prime Minister Carney (Canada) and President Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico) meet to strengthen their alliance in opposition to Trump’s trade policies and rhetoric.
  • Ben: “They are planning how they’re standing up against the Trump regime, uniting their positions while Donald Trump is out there saying, ‘Mexico does what we tell them, Canada does what we tell them. They obey. They submit to me.’”
  • Direct pushback against Trump’s claims of control over North American neighbors.

• Trump’s Boastful Clip:

  • Trump states: “Mexico does what we tell them to do and Canada does what we tell them to do...” [05:14–05:30], played for ridicule by the hosts.

3. Global Poll: US Seen as Top Threat

[05:30–07:10]

• Pew Research Data:
  • Ben presents new data showing a sharp increase in the number of citizens in Mexico, Canada, Indonesia, South Africa, Brazil, and Argentina who see the US—not Russia or China—as the primary threat to their countries.
  • Notable statistics:
    • 68% of Mexicans and 59% of Canadians now consider the US the greatest threat to their nations.
    • “US is their biggest threat... amongst Mexico, Canada, Indonesia, South Africa, Brazil and Argentina.”
  • Ben’s commentary: “Interesting data right there.”

4. Fallout in the US and Impact on Las Vegas

[08:57–10:08]

• Economic Backlash:

  • Ben notes the “Mayor of Las Vegas begging Mexico and Canada to resume tourism to Vegas... Vegas is getting crushed right now,” attributing the slump to Trump’s international trade disputes.
  • “Those people who thought they were getting no tax on tips are finding out they’re not really getting tips anymore because their income is all the way down as a result of Trump’s policies, his trade war against the world, his disastrous tariffs.”

• Historic Moment for Mexico:

  • President Claudia Sheinbaum becomes the first woman to lead Mexico’s Independence Day celebration—presented as a moment of progress in contrast to Trump’s regressive attitude.

5. Critique of Trump's Foreign Policy (with Congressmember Moskowitz)

[10:57–12:16]

• Congressional Commentary:
  • Moskowitz sarcastically suggests Trump should treat Russia as harshly as he treats US allies and democratic cities.
  • Quote (Moskowitz):
    • “Maybe just treat them [Russia] like you’re treating Washington, D.C. or how you treated Greenland when you came into office or how you treated Canada when you came into office... He’s [Trump] tougher on Chicago than he is dealing with Putin.” [11:32]

6. President Zelensky’s Update and the State of the Ukraine War

[12:16–15:01]

• Direct Message from Zelensky:

  • Zelensky details the Ukrainian army’s needs, ongoing Alliance negotiations with the US for NATO-style guarantees, and the financial burden of the war:
    • “The cost of this war today is about $120 billion per year. Ukraine covers half... the other half, $60 billion, must be secured.”
    • “Plan A is to end the war. Plan B is to secure the cost.”
    • “Russia prepared offensive operations along four main axes this year... The Sumy operation has already failed.”

• Hosts’ Take:

  • Ben lauds Zelensky’s factual, strategic communication and ties his comments back to shifting global alliances and Trump’s humiliation on the world stage.

7. Trump’s Faux Pas at Windsor Castle

[15:01–17:04]

• Trump’s Claim of Unique Honor Debunked:

  • Trump claims: “It’s a singular privilege to be the first American president welcomed here...” [15:01]
  • Hosts point out this is false, highlighting Trump’s delusions and King Charles’s use of the occasion to publicly shame Trump.

• Ben’s Summary:

  • “All of that was a way to help Zelensky more than anything... Do you see how forceful Mexico, Canada… see what’s going on, right?... The world order shifting. Folks, it's a changing and the US. Weakling. Weak pathetic Trumpy—like he’s done with his businesses.”

Notable Quotes

• King Charles III (on Ukraine):
  “Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine to deter aggression and secure peace.” [03:37]

• Congressmember Moskowitz (on Trump and Russia):
  “Maybe just treat them like you’re treating Washington, D.C. ... He’s tougher on Chicago than he is dealing with Putin.” [11:32]

• President Zelensky:
  “Plan A is to end the war. Plan B is to secure the cost.” [13:10]

• Ben (on Trump’s global standing):
  “The world is laughing at you, you vile piece of trash.” [05:02]

Episode Highlights by Timestamp

• 00:48: Introduction to world leaders’ public rebuke of Trump—Mexico’s President Sheinbaum and King Charles III's strategic speech.
• 03:16–03:46: King Charles III’s powerful support for Ukraine in Trump’s presence.
• 05:14: Trump’s boastful and false claims about Mexico and Canada’s obedience.
• 05:30–07:10: Discussion of Pew Research data on global perceptions of US as a threat.
• 08:57: Economic pain in Las Vegas attributed to Trump’s trade disputes.
• 10:57–12:16: Congressmember Moskowitz’s satirical advice on handling Russia.
• 12:16–15:01: Zelensky’s strategic update on Ukraine’s needs and progress against Russia.
• 15:01: Trump’s false claims at Windsor Castle and hosts’ mockery.

Tone & Style

• Unapologetically pro-democracy and critical of Trump.
• Uses humor, sarcasm, and pointed language (“vile piece of trash”, “weak pathetic Trumpy”).
• Combines data-driven analysis with sharp, conversational banter among brothers.

Summary

This episode is a rapid-fire, detail-rich takedown of Trump’s international failures and the shifting global power dynamic. The Meiselas brothers use recent events, global polling, and direct quotes from world leaders to showcase how Trump's presence and policies have spurred a rare unity against him, not just among US adversaries but its closest allies. Global skepticism toward US leadership is at a high, and the episode ends on the urgent point that America’s standing—and democracy itself—hangs in the balance.