The MeidasTouch Podcast: Rep. Mike Quigley on Trump’s Capitulation to Putin

Date: August 21, 2025
Host: MeidasTouch Network (Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas)
Guest: Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), House Intelligence Committee member and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus

Overview

This episode centers on the aftermath of Donald Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska and subsequent talks with European leaders. The discussion critiques Trump’s approach to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the American media's coverage (especially on Fox News), and the resulting consequences for democracy, NATO, and global security. The brothers bring in Rep. Mike Quigley for expert commentary, analyzing Trump’s foreign policy “doctrine,” the shift in American geopolitical stance, and what steps remain for supporting Ukraine and deterring authoritarian aggression.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fox News’ “Alternate Reality” Framing of the Trump-Putin Meetings

[01:29 - 05:54]

• The hosts outline how Fox News, including personalities like Laura Ingraham and Jesse Waters, have portrayed the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska and subsequent dialogues with European leaders as successes, despite the lack of tangible outcomes.
• Clips played on the show reveal a narrative of Trump as a strong leader supposedly “having Putin on his heels” and brokering security guarantees that, according to the hosts and other news sources, never happened.
• The Meiselas brothers lampoon this coverage, framing it as propaganda divorced from reality.

Notable Quotes:

• “They’re talking about a meeting that maybe they wished happened, but that’s just not what happened at all.” — Host, [05:54]
• “Why do they just say the most brazen and ridiculous? How do they do it? It’s a talent.” — Host, [03:00]

2. Rep. Mike Quigley Rips the “Trump Doctrine”

[05:54 - 08:55]

• Rep. Quigley characterizes the Trump era as a dangerous departure from the Truman and Reagan doctrines, stating that under Trump, the U.S. appears to reward aggressors like Putin and abandons long-standing commitments to democracy and allies.
• He calls Trump’s approach “appeasement in the worst form,” drawing historical parallels to WWII and stressing the imperative of resisting Putin’s larger ambitions beyond Ukraine.
• He argues that Trump’s failure to achieve any meaningful objectives in his latest meetings hands legitimacy and momentum to Putin.

Notable Quotes:

• “Now, the Trump Doctrine is: the U.S. will be tough—until it’s not. And the invader of a sovereign, democratic country will be rewarded for their invasion…” — Rep. Quigley, [06:39]
• “This is appeasement in the worst form... We’re failing miserably right now.” — Rep. Quigley, [07:23]

3. Assessment of the Current Situation in Ukraine Post-Trump Meetings

[07:57 - 10:15]

• The host highlights worsening conditions on the ground—renewed Russian aggression, increased civilian casualties, and the symbolic use of American flags on Russian tanks.
• Quigley explains that, by delaying or weakening American aid and resolve, Trump has allowed Putin to consolidate his gains, emboldening further violence.
• He reports that Putin “only understands strength”—which is not being demonstrated—and criticizes Trump for never directly articulating support for a Ukrainian victory.

Notable Quotes:

• “Putin understands strength. And he doesn’t see it in Trump.” — Rep. Quigley, [09:21]
• “The President will never say who he wants to win this war... hollow promises and words that only encourage Putin to go on.” — Rep. Quigley, [09:54]

4. What the U.S. Can Still Do: Policy Options & Bipartisan Support

[10:15 - 12:21]

• The hosts and Quigley discuss possibilities for further action, especially rallying bipartisan Congressional support for Ukraine.
• Quigley points out the existence of frozen Russian assets (up to $300 billion in Europe and $5-8 billion in the U.S.) that can be leveraged for Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction.
• He calls for punishing secondary sanctions on Russia’s trading partners, and renewed supplemental funding for military aid.
• Despite partisan divides, Quigley sees potential among certain House Republicans (“true believers in the Reagan Doctrine”) for constructive action.

Notable Quotes:

• “There’s still a lot we can do. There’s somewhere between 5 and 8 billion dollars of Russian assets frozen in the U.S.—300 billion in Europe. We should seize those assets…” — Rep. Quigley, [11:12]
• “Trump could have ended this war, showing Putin again the only thing he understands, and that’s strength and resolve.” — Rep. Quigley, [12:06]

5. Global Implications & The Message to Other Authoritarians

[12:21 - 14:07]

• Quigley warns that the U.S.’s tepid response is being watched by other potential aggressors, notably China with regard to Taiwan.
• He describes the disappointing evolution of what “victory” means for Ukraine, moving from aspirations of security guarantees, accountability, and territory restored to little more than temporary, illusory agreements.
• The podcast draws a sharp distinction between Trump’s rhetorical aggression targeting vulnerable populations (e.g., immigration enforcement) and his “wimpy” posture toward strongmen adversaries.

Notable Quotes:

• “The rest of the tyrants of the world are watching eagerly to see what we do...” — Rep. Quigley, [13:15]
• “Trump’s a tough guy when it comes to going after some kid who’s undocumented... But when he comes up against somebody who’s tougher than him, this president is a wimp.” — Rep. Quigley, [14:07]

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• Fox’s alternate reality: [01:29–05:54]
• Rep. Quigley’s definition of the “Trump Doctrine”: [06:23–07:23]
• The shift from bipartisan support to partisan fan fiction: [10:15–10:49]
• Quigley on U.S.’s leverage with frozen Russian assets: [11:12–12:21]
• Warning to the world’s other tyrants: [13:15–13:56]
• Sharp contrast between Trump’s posturing on immigrants versus foreign autocrats: [14:07]

Summary Tone and Takeaways

This episode is a bracing critique—infused with the brothers’ signature humor and frustration—of Trump’s foreign policy, Fox News spin, and the stark real-world effects on Ukraine. Rep. Mike Quigley provides sobering analysis, arguing that U.S. resolve has crumbled, which has emboldened Putin and sent a dangerous message to other authoritarian regimes. But he also lays out potential bipartisan policy avenues, emphasizing the urgency of action for the sake of democracy and global security.

Notable Quotes: Quick Reference

• “I think now we live with I’ll see it when I believe it. Forget the reality that’s in front of you. It’s what you want it to be... because Trump said so.” — Rep. Quigley, [06:26]
• “Putin understands strength. And he doesn’t see it in Trump.” — Rep. Quigley, [09:21]
• “We’re failing miserably right now.” — Rep. Quigley, [07:23]
• “Trump’s a tough guy when it comes to going after some kid who’s undocumented... But when he comes up against somebody who’s tougher than him, this president is a wimp.” — Rep. Quigley, [14:07]

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

If you haven’t heard the episode, this summary captures the main developments in U.S.-Russia-Ukraine relations post-Trump’s summit with Putin, the media landscape’s distortion of events, expert congressional perspectives on what’s at stake for global democracy, and actionable policy suggestions. The tone is urgent, candid, and occasionally cutting, reflecting a deep concern for the weakening of U.S. alliances in the face of growing authoritarian threats worldwide.