The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Panicked Trump Forced to Beg in Public as Karma Eats Him Alive
Date: September 15, 2025
Hosted by: Ben, Brett & Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the escalating crisis involving former President Donald Trump’s handling of foreign investment—focusing on the aftermath of an ICE raid on South Korean Hyundai workers in Georgia. The hosts dissect how Trump's administration managed (and mismanaged) international relationships, especially with South Korea, and explore the broader global implications for America's reputation and economy. As always, the brothers infuse their analysis with biting humor, candid insights, and compelling audio clips—showcasing their signature blend of comedy and democracy advocacy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Public Plea and Foreign Worker Backlash

[01:47 – 05:50]

• Host begins by breaking down a recent Trump post on Truth Social, where Trump appears to beg for the return of foreign workers to American factories after a botched ICE raid led to international outrage:

  • Trump admits the US needs foreign expertise to create complex products—chips, shipbuilding, etc.
    • Quote (Host) [01:47]:

      "Donald Trump realizes that he's screwed up big time. I mean, he screwed his entire administration up with how it's handled South Korea... Say goodbye to that $12 billion Hyundai plant we've been building for many, many years."

  • Trump's post underscores the interconnected nature of global manufacturing and the US’s dependence on skilled foreign labor.

• The hosts point out the contradiction: Trump's regime makes a show of cracking down on foreign workers but is forced to plead for their return to keep investments afloat.

2. The ICE Raid: International Fallout

[05:33 – 08:03]

• ICE releases a video showing South Korean Hyundai workers being shackled and bused after a raid—host labels it a “propaganda” hype reel.

  • Quote (Host) [05:50]:

    "...ICE then made like a hype video. They made a propaganda video of themselves rolling up with the South Korean shackled. And you better believe that was front page news."

• The personal stories of South Korean workers and their families highlight the human toll and shock internationally.

  • Clips from affected workers and their wives [07:41]:
    • Voice: "They went there to help the US... now they are being treated like crazy criminals... The fact that they were taken away like that, I think that's a real problem."

• Hosts emphasize the wider domino effect: Asian investment is drying up, with other foreign businesses now doubting America’s reliability.

3. “Pulling a Zelensky”: U.S. Diplomacy in Disarray

[08:03 – 14:09]

• South Korean President Lee describes (at the CSIS event) his apprehension about meeting Trump, coining the phrase “pulling a Zelensky” to refer to being humiliated by Trump in the Oval Office.

  • Quote (President Lee) [09:10]:

    "Before I met with President Trump today, he posted on Truth Social a very threatening post... my staff was worried that we might face a Zelensky moment."

• President Lee trolls Trump during a joint appearance, mockingly suggesting Trump will one day “build a Trump Tower in North Korea and play golf.”

  • Quote (President Lee) [13:37]:

    "I look forward to your meeting with Chairman Kim Jong Un and construction of a Trump Tower in North Korea and playing golf... I believe he will be waiting for you."

  • Host notes: “Trump was too stupid to realize that he was even being mocked.” [12:35]

4. The Myth of the South Korea Trade “Deal”

[14:09 – 16:22]

• Host exposes the façade surrounding a supposed South Korea trade deal, highlighting statements from US officials that no binding agreement exists.

  • Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admits there is no signed trade deal: [15:18]
    • Quote (Lutnick via CNBC)

      "The President came in ... Notice how we didn't talk about trade because he didn't sign the piece of paper. The devil is in the details always. ...The Koreans either accept that deal or pay the tariffs."

  • Host scoffs at Trump’s negotiating style, “Are you kidding me?”

• The ICE incident is directly linked to further tensions, making future deals even less likely.

5. Trump’s Brazen Demand for South Korean Land

[16:22 – 18:39]

• Trump floats the idea of the US “owning” South Korean land where American bases are located, escalating the affront to Korean sovereignty.
  • Quote (Trump) [17:40]:

    “...I would like to see if we could get rid of the lease and get ownership of the land where we have a massive military base.”

  • Host reacts incredulously, paralleling this to Trump's infamous Greenland proposal and calling him out for overreach.
• Hosts underline how such statements deepen diplomatic rifts and embarrass the US on the global stage.

6. Broader Economic and Geopolitical Repercussions

[18:39 – 19:20]

• Host provides data on allied nations shifting away from American military hardware, suggesting a loss of trust and vital billions for the US defense industry:
  • Portugal goes for French Rafale jets over the F-35s; Denmark opts for Franco-Italian air defense—indicative of declining US influence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s trade “deal” theater:
  Host [14:09]:

  “I've always told you that all these trade deals are like, entirely bogus. I said, look, show me the piece of paper...Then you can come back to me and say, there's a deal.”

• On international perceptions:
  Host [11:45]:

  "So some right wing groups...in South Korea, by the way...call themselves like MAGA there in South Korea. They kind of laundered into the US these deranged conspiracies..."

• On Trump's demand for land:
  Host [18:39]:

  "Think about what the people inside you want to own our land. The hell are you talking about?"

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:47 | Trump’s public plea for return of foreign workers | | 05:33 | ICE video of shackled South Korean workers | | 07:41 | Korean worker and wife reactions (human toll) | | 09:10 | President Lee’s “pull a Zelensky” remark | | 13:37 | President Lee’s Trump Tower in North Korea bon mot | | 15:18 | Commerce Secretary admits no South Korea trade deal | | 17:40 | Trump on wanting ownership of South Korean army base land | | 18:39 | U.S. losing foreign defense contracts |

Conclusion

The MeidasTouch brothers sharply critique the Trump administration's handling of the South Korea incident, exposing how xenophobic policies and diplomatic blunders have serious economic and geopolitical consequences. International mockery, with South Korea’s president openly trolling Trump, and tangible shifts away from U.S. business signify that “karma” is catching up. The hosts stress that America’s standing is at risk—not just with South Korea but across the globe—thanks to Trump-era chaos.

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