The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump as Saturday from Hell and Is Bashed Overseas
Date: February 14, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Main Theme Overview

This episode, hosted by the Meiselas brothers, focuses on the global backlash facing former President Donald Trump as he is sharply criticized by world leaders at the Munich Security Conference. The discussion centers on the perceived decline of American leadership, rising European security independence, and heightened geopolitical tensions, using both pointed commentary and direct clips from key international figures.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Erratic Social Media Activity (00:58–03:18)

• The episode opens with the host highlighting Donald Trump’s unhinged social media posts on the same morning world leaders are gathering in Munich.
• Trump attacks TV host Bill Maher, claims Maher’s ratings are poor, and makes strange comments involving hockey, Canada, and China.
• Host Commentary: "Do we realize, like how demented it is for the president of the United States to make a post that just physically, visually, like, looks like this, yet alone the underlying content of it?" (01:59)

2. Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference

• Ukraine’s Frustration with the US and Europe (03:19–05:45)
  • Zelensky points out the US and others keep asking Ukraine for concessions, never Russia.
  • He stresses the need for Europe’s voice at the negotiating table.
  • Zelensky: "The Americans often return to the topic of concessions, and too often those concessions are discussed in the context only of Ukraine, not Russia. Europe is practically not present at the table." (03:20)
• Comparisons to History & Putin as Hitler (04:10)
  • Zelensky compares Putin to Hitler and references the Munich Agreement of 1938.
  • Zelensky: "It would be an illusion to believe that this war can now be reliably ended by dividing Ukraine, just as it was an illusion to believe that sacrificing Czechoslovakia would save Europe from a great war." (04:10)
• Stalled Peace Talks (05:20)
  • Zelensky expresses skepticism about upcoming trilateral meetings with Russia and the US, saying both sides often talk past each other.
  • Zelensky: "Sometimes it feels like the sites are talking about completely different things." (05:20)
• Ukraine’s Military Strength and NATO (06:17)
  • Zelensky claims the Ukrainian army is now the strongest in Europe, emphasizing the need for NATO membership or support.
  • Zelensky: "The Ukrainian army is the strongest army in Europe, thanks to our heroes…it's simply not smart to keep this army outside NATO." (06:17)
• Election Demands and Double Standards (07:18–08:15)
  • Zelensky pushes back on Western calls for immediate Ukrainian elections, criticizing unfair expectations.
  • Zelensky: "Sometimes I heard, yes, we had elections in the United States during Lincoln's time...How we can compare it? We have missiles, our people under missiles..." (07:49)
  • He sarcastically suggests Russia should also only get a ceasefire after holding elections. (07:18)
• Russian Casualties (08:20)
  • Zelensky candidly states the Ukrainian army’s goal is to inflict "at least 50,000 [casualties] per month" on Russian occupiers. (08:20)

3. Europe's Assertive Response and Calls for Sovereignty

• Ursula von der Leyen on Digital and National Sovereignty (08:43)
  • The European Commission President affirms Europe will not allow external interference (e.g., from the US or tech moguls) in its laws and digital policies.
  • von der Leyen: "We are very steadfast to pursue this very clear demand for us... our digital sovereignty is our sovereignty. Bright lines. Get the hell out." (08:43, paraphrased by host at 09:30)

4. Rising Global Tensions and Hard Power

• China’s Wang Yi on UN and Taiwan (10:01, 13:43)
  • Wang Yi warns Japan about "gambling" with militarism.
  • He underscores the importance of the UN for global order: "Without the UN, the world would revert to the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak..." (10:40)
  • On Taiwan, Wang Yi cautions the US against crossing "China's red lines" but signals confidence: "China believes that history always moves forward. Despite twists and turns, China is confident..." (13:43)
• Keir Starmer, UK PM, on European Defense (11:23–13:02)
  • Starmer calls for a European “hard power” renaissance: "We must build our hard power because that is the currency of the age... we must be ready to fight..." (11:23)
  • Critiques Europe’s fragmented defense procurement and inefficiency: "Europe has over 20 types of frigate and 10 types of fighter jet... wildly inefficient." (11:58)
  • Advocates for less dependence on the US, more European military collaboration: "...delivering generational investments that moves us from over dependence to interdependence." (12:59)

5. American Cynicism and Right-Wing Influence

• Marco Rubio’s Disdain for the United Nations (14:40)
  • Rubio bemoans the passing of the old world order and the unreliability of global alliances.
  • Rubio: "The old world is gone, frankly, the world I grew up in..." (14:40)
• Steve Bannon and Epstein Revelations (15:12)
  • The episode reveals new Justice Department documents showing collaboration between Steve Bannon and Jeffrey Epstein, targeting Pope Francis and planning right-wing power grabs in Europe.
  • Host Commentary: "Bannon liked the chaos because Bannon liked to be a puppet master to install his right wing MAGA people for Donald Trump." (15:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Host on Trump’s behavior:
  "Do we realize, like how demented it is for the president of the United States to make a post that just physically, visually, like, looks like this, yet alone the underlying content of it?" (01:59)

• Zelensky on universal expectations:
  "Americans often return to the topic of concessions, and too often those concessions are discussed in the context only of Ukraine, not Russia." (03:20)

• Keir Starmer on European power:
  "The road ahead is straight and it is clear: We must build our hard power because that is the currency of the age." (11:23)

• von der Leyen on digital sovereignty:
  "What is forbidden offline is forbidden online...our digital sovereignty is our sovereignty. Bright lines. Get the hell out." (08:43, 09:30 paraphrase)

• Wang Yi on global order:
  "Without the UN, the world would revert to the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak..." (10:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump’s Social Media Outburst: 00:58–03:18
• Zelensky Calling Out the West: 03:19–05:45
• Ukraine’s Military Power Argument: 06:17–06:56
• Zelensky on Elections & Ceasefire: 07:18–08:15
• European Digital Sovereignty (von der Leyen): 08:43–09:30
• China’s Wang Yi on UN and Taiwan: 10:01–10:54, 13:43–14:16
• Keir Starmer Advocating European Military Independence: 11:23–13:02
• Rubio on the "Old World" End: 14:40–15:06
• Steve Bannon’s Collusion with Epstein: 15:12–15:13

Tone and Style

The Meiselas brothers use a mix of humor, incredulity, and passionate pro-democracy advocacy. While their banter is present, the tone is mainly urgent, critical, and deeply concerned about the direction of both American and global affairs.

Summary Takeaway:
This episode captures a pivotal moment when the US, under Trump’s continued influence, is seen as receding on the world stage, spurring European leaders to demand sovereignty, military strength, and policy independence. The hosts tie this geopolitical shift to the rise of right-wing networks and the urgent need for democratic vigilance, using sharp commentary and powerful audio from the world’s leading political figures.