The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode Title: Trump Ambassador Picks Collapse Under Cross-Exam at Hearing
Date: October 26, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

This episode dives into the intense Senate confirmation hearings for Donald Trump’s ambassadorial nominees, focusing particularly on two controversial picks: Leo Brent Bozell III (ambassador to South Africa) and Amir Ghalib (ambassador to Kuwait). The MeidasTouch brothers break down how both nominees struggled and evaded under cross-examination—raising sharp questions about racism, anti-democratic values, past offensive statements, and the Trump administration’s record on race and international diplomacy. Using extensive clips, the podcast exposes the grilling these nominees received from both Democrats and Republicans, bringing national attention to a story largely overlooked by other media outlets.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Cross-Examination of Leo Brent Bozell III (Trump’s Pick for South Africa)

• Senator Murphy’s Grilling
  [03:10–06:48]

  • Bozell is repeatedly asked if the U.S. should have a refugee admissions policy admitting only white refugees and whether he’d support reinstating laws permitting only white people to vote.
  • Bozell refuses to give his personal views:

    “Senator, my personal views are irrelevant. I am serving here to do what the President is asking me to do in South Africa.”
    (Bozell, 05:17)

  • Senator Murphy forcefully rebukes the dodge:

    “That is pretty stunning… Your refusal to answer it, I hope, is something that every member of this committee will think about.”
    (Murphy, 06:37)

• Senator Van Hollen’s Follow-Up
  [06:48–12:15]

  • Bozell refuses to denounce Trump’s claim that South Africa is committing “genocide” against Afrikaners, citing lack of legal knowledge.
  • Dodges again on whether U.S. refugee policy should be race-based, particularly capping refugees at 7,500 white South Africans.
  • Van Hollen highlights Bozell’s 1980s opposition to anti-apartheid sanctions and skepticism of Nelson Mandela, which Bozell tries to contextualize historically, ultimately expressing belated respect for Mandela.
  • Van Hollen underscores:

    “People who oppose that [anti-apartheid] have to live with the idea that there could still be an apartheid regime in South Africa today, but for that legislation.”
    (Van Hollen, 11:53)

• Senator Kaine’s Constitutional Reminder
  [12:15–13:37]

  • Emphasizes the 14th Amendment (“equal protection of the laws”) and the importance of a nominee’s willingness to uphold the Constitution.
  • Highlights that South Africa’s Afrikaner political party is in the national unity government, contradicting Trump’s victimization narrative.

2. Cross-Examination of Amir Ghalib (Trump’s Pick for Kuwait)

• Senator McCormick’s Questions
  [15:25–20:19]

  • Asks about Ghalib’s past praise of Saddam Hussein as a “martyr.”

    “How do you justify calling Saddam Hussein a martyr… to the people of Kuwait?”
    (McCormick, 15:54)

  • Ghalib claims the comment was out of anger over Iranian attacks and apologizes for any offense.
  • Confronts Ghalib about support for BDS and refusal to unequivocally endorse Israel as the Jewish homeland.
  • Pushes on a “liked” Facebook post referring to Jews as “monkeys.” Ghalib says it was an old post, clicked out of habit, and that he condemned antisemitism as mayor.

    “Judge my actions and not my intentions… I responded that this is not appropriate to say this.”
    (Ghalib, 19:37)

• Senator Ted Cruz’s Perplexity
  [20:22–24:41]

  • Cruz presses Ghalib on whether “Jews are monkeys” is antisemitic.
  • Ghalib insists he opposed the statement in later comments and claims to support all resolutions against antisemitism, despite confusing and contradictory explanations.
  • Cruz concludes Ghalib’s views are incompatible with the diplomatic post:

    “There may well be positions within the Trump administration… but I do not understand how you could possibly serve as a U.S. Ambassador in the Middle East when you have passionate views… that are contrary to the policy of the United States government.”
    (Cruz, 23:38)

  • Ghalib finally concedes the statement is antisemitic but continues to obfuscate on his social media habits.

3. Trump’s “White Genocide” Narrative and Its Impact

• [24:41–27:40]
• The hosts explain how these nomination hearings connect to Trump’s persistent and false narrative of “white genocide” in South Africa, which underpins his administration’s push for white-only refugee admissions.
• Audio from Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is used to debunk the myth, with Ramaphosa stating:

  “If there was Afrikaner farmer genocide, I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here… We have none of it.”
  (Ramaphosa, 26:21)

• The hosts editorialize that Trump’s conspiratorial focus is driving racist and divisive policy, with nominees who either cannot or will not reject such ideas.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Senator Murphy (to Bozell):

  “The whole reason that you’re appearing before this committee is because your personal views… are absolutely relevant to your fitness to serve.”
  [05:40–05:50]

• Senator Van Hollen:

  “People who oppose [anti-apartheid legislation] have to live with the idea that there could still be an apartheid regime in South Africa today, but for that legislation.”
  [11:53]

• Senator McCormick (to Ghalib):

  “How do you justify calling Saddam Hussein a martyr… to the people of Kuwait?”
  [15:54]

• Senator Ted Cruz (to Ghalib):

  “Would a statement like all Jews are monkeys, would that qualify as antisemitism?”
  [23:42] “When you like something, it means you like.”
  [24:26]

• President Ramaphosa (South Africa):

  “If there was Afrikaner farmer genocide, I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here…”
  [26:21]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:10] — Senator Murphy begins cross-examining Bozell on race-based refugee policies
• [06:56] — Senator Van Hollen presses on Trump’s “white genocide” claim and Bozell’s anti-apartheid record
• [12:20] — Senator Kaine links the refugee policy questions directly to the Constitution
• [15:25] — Senator McCormick confronts Ghalib about Saddam Hussein and Israel comments
• [20:33] — Ted Cruz grills Ghalib on antisemitism and U.S. policy
• [25:29] — Donald Trump and President Ramaphosa discuss “white genocide” in South Africa

Final Thoughts and Takeaways

• The episode highlights the deep moral and practical unsuitability of Trump’s ambassadorial nominees, as revealed by their evasions, past statements, and awkward non-answers.
• Both parties on the committee—Democrats and even Republicans like Ted Cruz—expressed grave doubts.
• The show exposes how Trump’s racist and conspiratorial narratives about South Africa and the Middle East are shaping real policy, as demonstrated by the types of people he nominates.
• The brothers emphasize the significance of holding such hearings in public and demand more media attention on these critical issues affecting American democracy and foreign policy.

For listeners:
This episode is essential if you want insight into the current direction of Trump-aligned foreign policy and the fight in Congress to uphold basic democratic and Constitutional norms. The hearing highlights are shocking, eye-opening, and at times darkly comedic.

Quotes, timestamps, and sections structured with clarity and respect for the speakers' original words and tone.