The MeidasTouch Podcast – August 19, 2025
Hosts: Ben & Brett Meiselas (Jordy Meiselas absent)
Episode Overview and Highlights

Main Theme

This episode centers on the fallout from the recent Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, the international response (notably from President Zelensky and European leaders at the White House), and the ongoing domestic power struggle regarding democratic norms, protests, and the right’s information campaigns. Ben and Brett break down Trump’s foreign policy blunders, the chilling imagery of US soldiers rolling out a red carpet for Putin, Europe’s united front, Democratic pushback (especially Gavin Newsom’s trolling strategy), and alarming developments in US governance and civil rights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Donald Trump’s Alaska Meeting with Vladimir Putin

• Main Event: Trump held a summit with Putin in Alaska where he allegedly capitulated entirely to Russian demands, including proposing Ukraine cede territory for peace.
• Shocking Details:
  • US soldiers were ordered to literally kneel and roll out a red carpet for Putin, whose foreign minister wore a USSR shirt to the event as a provocative gesture.
  • Viral clips circulated of Trump seeming confused and physically unsteady (“zigzagging” on the red carpet).
  • Trump was described as “fanboying” for Putin, while American troops were humiliated.
• Quote:
  • "Trump had American soldiers go on their knees for Putin as Putin and his foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, were laughing at Donald Trump." – Ben (02:03)

2. Trump's Policy and Public Messaging on Ukraine

• Trump’s Stance: Trump’s statements and social media posts implied he believes Ukraine is responsible for the war and simply needs to surrender land for peace ("Trump's plan for 'peace' is full-on surrender" – Brett [10:16]).
• Melania’s Letter: Trump publicized a letter from Melania to Putin, asking vaguely for protection of children, without ever mentioning Ukrainian children or Ukraine. This baffled commentators and was suspected to be AI-generated.
• Zelensky’s Response: Zelensky brought European leaders to the White House, presented a united front, and used strategic flattery/manipulation to try to influence Trump—mirroring the techniques that work best with him.
• Quote:
  • “Every leader now knows very easily how to manipulate Donald Trump. They treat him like he’s a toddler.” – Brett (18:12)

3. European Leaders Push Back

• United Front: European leaders (UK’s Keir Starmer, France’s Macron, Germany’s Merz, NATO, and others) joined Zelensky at the White House to oppose Trump’s approach.
• Ceasefire Demands: Germany’s Chancellor emphasized that negotiations can’t proceed without a ceasefire, a demand Trump ignored or misunderstood.
• Quote (Chancellor Merz):
  • "We would like to see a ceasefire... The credibility of these efforts...depend[s] on at least a ceasefire from the beginning..." (24:33)
• Trump's Response: Trump ignored or failed to grasp this requirement, instead rambling about theoretical wars he supposedly ended—provoking frustration from both hosts.
• Quote:
  • “You're not listening, Donald. Idiot.” – Ben (26:01)

4. Kamala Harris' Warnings Vindicated

• Flashback: Clips are replayed of Harris warning (during the campaign and on CBS) that Trump would surrender to Russia and that peace without Ukraine's input is tantamount to surrender.
• Quote (Harris):
  • "These dictators and autocrats are rooting for you to be president again because they're so clear they can manipulate you with flattery and favors." (14:14)

5. Trump Administration Gaslighting and GOP Excuses

• GOP Denialism:
  • Marco Rubio and other Trump officials now deny ever expecting a ceasefire or tangible negotiations from the Alaska summit, shifting goalposts post-failure.
  • Brett and Ben highlight the pattern: claims are walked back in the face of failure, with the goalposts always moving.
• Contrast with Dems/Veterans:
  • Democratic Congressmember and Iraq/Afghanistan veteran Jason Crow calls the red carpet episode "a historic embarrassment and defeat for US foreign policy." (39:35)

6. Domestic Developments: Protests, Gestapo-Style Policing, and Censorship

• Protest Rebranded as ‘Music Festival’:
  • Due to algorithmic censorship, the anti-Trump protests are being labeled online as 'music festivals'—a chilling symbol of information suppression (31:01).
• Trump’s ICE/National Guard:
  • Trump’s activation of militarized ICE agents and National Guard, mainly from red states, is criticized for targeting minorities and "safe" DC areas, not actual crime hotspots (61:21).
• Alarming Law Enforcement Behavior:
  • Reports of agents giving white supremacist hand signals, harassing delivery drivers, and invoking political targeting.

7. Gavin Newsom's Trolling and Its Effects

• Newsom’s Digital Mockery:
  • The California governor has begun mocking Trump on X (Twitter) in Trump’s own style, using all-caps rants, memes, and purposely ludicrous AI-generated images and insults.
• Right-Wing & FOX Meltdown:
  • Clips show FOX hosts and MAGA politicians melting down over Newsom’s approach, not understanding the parody, decrying it as “unhinged” and “unbecoming.”
• Quote:
  • "Newsom is giving Donald Trump and all the MAGA people a taste of their own medicine… They simply do not know what to do." – Brett (55:51)

8. Polls and the State of Play

• Trump's Plummeting Approval:
  • Latest Pew approval for Trump: 38%, underwater with every demographic (65:24)
• Ben's Take:
  • "Trump, his entire regime and this Republican Party have never looked weaker." (68:30)

9. Broader Message & MidasTouch Network Mission

• Call-to-Action:
  • The Meiselas brothers urge listeners not to be demoralized, to recognize the authoritarian overreaches as coming from weakness not strength, and to continue democratic pushback.
• Building Global Networks:
  • Ben shares his vision to expand the MidasTouch pro-democracy network globally—Canada, Australia, Europe, South America, Africa, etc. (70:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "[Putin] ate him for lunch, showed up, had Trump roll out the red carpet. Putin was laughing in Donald Trump's face. And in the face of American troops." – Ben (15:34)
• “Trump’s plan for ‘peace’ is full-on surrender.” – Brett (10:16)
• “Every leader now knows very easily how to manipulate Donald Trump. They treat him like he’s a toddler.” – Brett (18:12)
• "You're not listening, Donald. Idiot." – Ben (26:01)
• "What humiliation for the United States. How dare Donald Trump treat our troops like that?" – Brett (10:16)
• “We all want peace...but we need to do this in a way that secures the future of Ukraine...not just Donald Trump's word, which doesn't mean shit.” – Brett (44:55)
• "Newsom is giving Donald Trump and all the MAGA people a taste of their own medicine...They simply do not know what to do.” – Brett (55:51)
• “Trump, his entire regime and this Republican Party have never looked weaker.” – Brett (68:30)

Important Timestamps

• [02:03] Ben details the shocking red carpet scene with Trump, Putin, and Lavrov in Alaska.
• [05:07] Trump’s bizarre press event and preview of surrendering to Russia.
• [08:08] Breakdown of Trump’s online posts and Melania’s letter to Putin.
• [14:14] / [14:40] / [16:50] Kamala Harris warnings, clips from campaign and CBS interview.
• [19:39] Discussion on AI-generated letter and manipulation tactics with Trump.
• [24:33] Chancellor Merz (Germany) demands a ceasefire as a prerequisite for negotiation.
• [26:01] Ben’s exasperated comment on Trump’s obtuseness in the meeting.
• [31:01] Discussion on “music festivals” as code for protests due to algorithmic censorship.
• [39:35] Rep. Jason Crow calls the red carpet incident “a historic embarrassment and defeat for US foreign policy.”
• [40:32] Italian PM Meloni affirms Europe’s steadfast support for Ukraine.
• [55:51] Analysis of Newsom's trolling and Fox's inability to process/mockery.
• [61:21] Reports of militarized ICE policing in DC, racial targeting, and wider implications.
• [65:24] Trump’s approval poll numbers breakdown.
• [68:30] Psychological warfare and the importance of not conceding narrative power.
• [70:18] Ben’s vision for global pro-democracy media collaboration.

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• International Relations: The episode paints Trump as dangerously unfit and easily manipulated by autocrats, with grave global implications for democracy.
• Media & Messaging: Democratic pushback is evolving—Newsom’s use of rhetorical jiu-jitsu stuns the right and is held up as a model for effective counter-narrative.
• Democratic Engagement: The hosts call for ongoing resistance to authoritarian drift, highlighting that the opposition’s overreach signals weakness, not strength.
• MidasTouch Mission: The episode ends with a reaffirmation of MidasTouch’s mission to promote democracy, honesty, and a “punch back” ethos both domestically and beyond.

For Listeners Who Missed It:
This episode is fiery, heavy with frustration over current events but also sharp-witted and infused with the MeidasTouch blend of humor and righteous anger. It’s a rallying cry to see through propaganda, fight back against authoritarian normalization, and, above all, defend democracy—both in the US and globally.