The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Terrified White House Has Disaster Presser on Live TV
Date: August 20, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)

Overview

In this episode, the MeidasTouch brothers dissect the chaos, contradictions, and questionable claims from a highly publicized White House press conference featuring Press Secretary Caroline Levitt. The brothers break down how the Trump administration's messaging, particularly on Ukraine, Russia, and domestic policies, appeared defensive, factually shaky, and at times "deranged." The hosts mix their signature humor with sharp political analysis, highlighting the administration's shift toward authoritarian measures and a breakdown of diplomatic norms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Disastrous" White House Press Conference (00:44–06:29)

• White House in Damage Control: The press conference focused on defending President Trump's recent meetings with Vladimir Putin and European leaders, which many in the media characterized as foreign policy failures.
• Defensive Tone: Press Secretary Caroline Levitt accused the media of false and negative reporting and painted Trump as a misunderstood peacemaker.

  "The media relentlessly attacked President Trump and claimed he suffered a 'major defeat' for not immediately emerging with a final agreement." – Levitt (01:09)

• Hyperbolic Achievements: Levitt claimed Trump had ended "seven global conflicts in seven months" and stopped a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, a statement the hosts mock as fabricated.

  "India says, you didn't do anything. You're just making up Trump resolving fake wars." – Political Commentator (05:06)

• Spiritual Motivation for Peace: Levitt confirmed Trump’s wish to "get to heaven" was part of his rationale for pursuing peace, to the hosts' incredulity.

  "I think the president wants to get to heaven, as I hope we all do in this room." – Levitt (02:40)

2. Dodging and Dismissing Questions

• Hostility Towards Press: Levitt dismissed a NYT reporter's question about why Trump refused a multilateral call with Putin as something "only a reporter from the New York Times would ask." (03:53)
• Unclear Progress: Levitt referenced positive statements from European leaders but failed to specify any actual diplomatic accomplishments.

3. Inflated Claims of Trump’s Diplomatic Strength (05:14–06:05)

• Imaginary Diplomatic “Wins”: Levitt insisted Trump's "strength" had resolved Gaza, stopped India-Pakistan nuclear war, and achieved a ceasefire in Ukraine, despite lack of evidence or ongoing violence.
• Hosts call out the nonsense:

  "You're just making up Trump resolving fake wars. And you look so utterly pathetic and weak here." – Political Commentator (05:06)

4. Ratcheting up International Tensions: Venezuela (06:05–07:15)

• Military Posturing: Levitt floated the idea of sending 4,000 Marines and three warships to Venezuela to deal with the "narco terror cartel" government, which the hosts deride as a prelude to declaring a new “peace” win.

  "Maybe say we were going to go to nuclear war and you stopped another nuclear war. So ridiculous." – Political Commentator (06:20)

5. Government Takeover of Private Industry: U.S. Stake in Intel (07:15–08:49)

• Nationalization: Levitt described Trump's push to secure a 10% federal stake in intel and possibly other U.S. manufacturing giants, calling it “creative.” The hosts criticize this as undemocratic and reminiscent of state control seen in authoritarian regimes.

  "No, he's a dictator taking over private companies. That's what he's doing." – Political Commentator (08:49)

6. No Real Progress on Ukraine Conflict (Again) (08:49–10:52)

• Diplomacy by Rhetoric: Levitt claimed “progress” in Ukraine negotiations exists because Trump is talking to both Putin and Zelensky, despite there being no halt in Russian attacks.
• The “Both Sides Walk Away Unhappy” Doctrine: Levitt said that a good deal is when "both sides are going to have to walk away a little bit unhappy," implying ongoing compromise with autocrats.

7. Federal Control Over Voting Rights (12:51–14:01)

• Centralizing Election Control: Levitt supported the White House's push to eliminate mail-in voting and signaled federal overreach into state-controlled election procedures under the guise of "election integrity."

  “The White House continues to work on this... to ensure that we're protecting the integrity of the vote for the American people.” – Levitt (13:20)

8. D.C. “Slums” and National Guard Deployment (14:01–16:16)

• Targeting Communities: Levitt justified using the National Guard in allegedly high-crime D.C. neighborhoods, framing them as "slums" to be cleared—rhetoric the hosts note is both misleading and stigmatizing.
• Hosts highlight hypocrisy: Crime rates in D.C. are lower than in some states sending their National Guard units to "crack down" in Washington.

9. Revisionist Ukraine/Russia War Claims (16:16–17:53)

• Absurd Assertions: Levitt, echoing Trump, insisted that the Ukraine war would have never begun if Trump were president, despite current intensification of violence under his term.

  “There are more attacks on Kyiv and Ukrainian cities and innocent Ukrainians dying right now under Trump than before Trump.” – Political Commentator (16:38)

• Supposed Security Guarantees: When pressed, Levitt offered only vague statements about "other means of security guarantees" and coordination with allies, avoiding detail.

10. Q&A With Far-Right Outlets and Conspiracy Theorists (17:53–19:33)

• VIP Access to Extremists: Jack Posobiec, a well-known far-right provocateur, was given a platform, raising further concerns about the administration's relationship with extremist media figures.
• Article 5 Guarantees: Levitt ruled out U.S. boots on the ground in Ukraine but referenced "other means" of security guarantees, failing to clarify what actual commitments exist.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The media relentlessly attacked President Trump and claimed he suffered a 'major defeat' for not immediately emerging with a final agreement."
  – Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary (01:09)

• "I think the president wants to get to heaven, as I hope we all do in this room."
  – Caroline Levitt (02:40)

• "You're just making up Trump resolving fake wars. And you look so utterly pathetic and weak here."
  – Political Commentator (05:06)

• "No, he's a dictator taking over private companies. That's what he's doing."
  – Political Commentator (08:49)

• "The White House continues to work on this... to ensure that we're protecting the integrity of the vote for the American people."
  – Caroline Levitt (13:20)

• "There are more attacks on Kyiv and Ukrainian cities and innocent Ukrainians dying right now under Trump than before Trump."
  – Political Commentator (16:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:44: Show launches into analysis of the press conference aftermath
• 01:09: Press Secretary Levitt blames media for negative coverage of Trump/Putin meeting
• 02:40: Levitt claims Trump's peace efforts are partially about "getting to heaven"
• 03:53: Press Secretary evades question about not doing group call with Putin and European allies
• 05:14: Levitt boasts about Trump ending seven global conflicts, including India-Pakistan
• 06:29: Discussion on military build-up against Venezuela
• 07:56: Levitt confirms 10% government stake in Intel is "creative" idea
• 09:42: Ongoing Ukraine war—Trump's supposed diplomatic successes
• 13:20: Federal push to eliminate mail-in voting
• 15:11: Clarification on "slums" in D.C. and National Guard deployment
• 16:45: Levitt asserts Ukraine war would not have started if Trump was president
• 19:01: Security guarantees for Ukraine—no boots on the ground, vague commitments

Wrap-Up

This episode skewers the Trump White House’s most recent press conference as a panicked, contradiction-ridden spectacle, marked by combative posturing toward the press, wild diplomatic claims, and repeated authoritarian overtones. The MeidasTouch brothers underscore the growing threat to democratic institutions and the routine normalization of misinformation, all while deploying the family's trademark banter and incisive political humor.

Listeners walk away with a comprehensive understanding of the administration’s positions, the media’s skepticism, and the brothers’ alarm at the state of U.S. governance.