The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Blows Up in Oval at Press Event with Saudi Prince
Date: November 19, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the fallout from Donald Trump's chaotic and widely criticized Oval Office press event with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The Meiselas brothers dive into Trump's combative exchanges with the media—especially female reporters—his fawning praise of MBS, and the outlandish economic claims made during the press conference. The hosts combine sharp political analysis, biting humor, and righteous indignation to unpack what they see as an embarrassing and troubling moment for US democracy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Press Conference Meltdown

• Opening Recap:
  The episode kicks off immediately after the Oval Office press event, which the hosts describe as "one of the most bizarre press conferences we've seen." Trump appears "giddy" to welcome MBS, with the Oval Office transformed into a "weird golden bordello."
  [02:00]
• Host Commentary:
  Ben, Brett, and Jordy display a mix of disbelief and disgust at Trump's demeanor and the opulence on display, emphasizing the disconnect with struggling Americans.

2. Trump vs. the Press—Particularly Female Reporters

• Blowup at Reporters:
  Trump loses his temper with a female ABC News reporter who questioned the conflict of interest regarding his family's Saudi business ties and MBS’s role in the Khashoggi murder. Trump labels her "Fake News" and dodges the question.
  Notable Quote ([03:40] – Donald Trump):

  "Fake news. ABC Fake News. One of the worst. One of the worst in the business... I have nothing to do with the family business... What my family does is fine. They do business all over... I've made America more successful by far than it ever was."

• Host Reflection:
  The brothers underscore Trump’s pattern of lashing out when challenged on substantive issues, especially by women, and note his willingness to dismiss US intelligence on Khashoggi in favor of flattering MBS.
  [04:42] Ben:

  "He attacks America’s intelligence, which clearly shows that MBS was behind the murder and torture of Khashoggi. I mean, this is utterly despicable."

3. Dodging Questions About Epstein Files

• Escalating Anger:
  When asked why he doesn’t simply release the Epstein files, Trump shifts to attacking the reporter’s "attitude" and calls them a "terrible person and a terrible reporter."
  Quote ([05:25] – Donald Trump):

  "It's not the question that I mind. It's your attitude... You're a terrible person and a terrible reporter."
  [05:57]

4. Trump’s Praise for Saudi Arabia and MBS

• Credulous Applause:
  Trump lauds MBS’s "incredible" human rights record, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
  Quote ([06:47] – Donald Trump):

  "I'm very proud of the job he's done. What he's done is incredible in terms of human rights and everything else... And I just want to pay my greatest respect to your father the King, who is an amazing man."

• Host Outrage:
  The hosts are appalled at Trump’s “sycophantic” praise, noting the ongoing human rights abuses and MBS’s connection to Khashoggi’s murder.
  [07:37] Brett:

  "You’re applauding Saudi Arabia for what it's done with human rights? Here, play this clip."

5. Bizarre Economic and Investment Claims

• Making Up Trillion-Dollar Figures:
  Trump and MBS exchange dubious claims about Saudi investments in the US, going from $600 billion to $1 trillion, with Trump gushing like a "snake oil salesman."
  Quote ([08:57] – Trump):

  "Are you gonna do a trillion dollars? They're just making up fake numbers while Americans suffer..."

  • MBS responds with “real opportunities... a huge demand of computing power... spend in the short term around $50 billion.” ([09:47]-[10:22])

• Trump on White House Renovation:
  Trump brags about the popularity of his new White House ballroom, joking about asking MBS for a donation if not for foreign donation restrictions.
  Quote ([10:58] – Trump):

  "No government funds. It's all put up private money... Otherwise I could have asked you just for a check. Okay."

6. Awkward Banter and Personal Chemistry

• Strange Physical Gestures:
  Trump asks if he "blows away" Reagan in terms of Saudi relations, then grabs MBS's hand in an awkward, giddy display.
  Quote ([13:30] – Trump to MBS):

  "Does Trump blow them all away?"
  MBS ([13:34]):
  "It's out of the league, Mr. President."
  [13:42] – Trump:
  "I grabbed that hand. I don't give a hell where that hand's been."

7. National Security and Investment Nonsense

• Trillion-Dollar Security Claims:
  Trump equates Saudi investment to improved US national security, continuing his focus on fabricated numbers and ignoring the real costs.
  Quote ([14:10] – Trump):

  "When you invest a trillion dollars, that's national security for us too, because it creates jobs, it creates a lot of things."

• Painting Over Reality:
  Trump says the US has “never been in a position like this,” touting his use of tariffs and imaginary investment figures, claiming US prosperity.
  Quote ([19:37] – Trump):

  "We've never been in a position like this. You can go back to the beginning. Our country has never been in a position like this."

8. Gaslighting on Economic Conditions

• Downplaying Economic Pain:
  Trump claims that gasoline prices have already been brought "way down" and promises $2 gas, giving misleading and inaccurate numbers.
  Quote ([16:28] – Trump):

  "We're also bringing down prices very substantially. And we've already brought them down very, very substantially. Gasoline is way down. I think you'll be seeing $2 gasoline..."

9. Deflection on Khashoggi and Human Rights

• MBS’s Empty Regret:
  MBS offers an insincere, generic apology for “anyone losing his life for no real purpose,” referencing Khashoggi without admitting fault.
  Quote ([18:59] – MBS):

  "It's really painful to hear, you know, anyone that been losing his life for, you know, no real purpose... it's painful and it's a huge mistake, and we are doing our best that this doesn't happen again..."

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On Trump’s Behavior in the Oval Office:
  [17:02] – Trump:

  "Everybody walks into the Oval Office and they say, wow. And now, by the way, the Oval Office is in the kind of condition that it should be in..."

  • Host Response ([16:51] Brett):

    "This grotesque golden bordello. Yeah, wow. What the hell did you do to it?"

• On Saudi Relations:
  [08:06] – Trump:

  "We've always been on the same side of every issue. I think we've done a great job in wiping out the nuclear capacity of Iran. Nobody else could have done that."

• On Reporters’ Rights:
  Hosts emphasize the critical importance of press freedom and transparent leadership, highlighting that Trump’s hostility to direct questions is antithetical to democracy.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:00] – Recap of bizarre press conference and Trump's demeanor with MBS
• [03:18 – 04:42] – Trump lashes out at ABC reporter over Saudi business ties and Khashoggi
• [05:20 – 05:57] – Trump’s meltdown over Epstein files question
• [06:47 – 07:37] – Trump’s extravagant praise for MBS and Saudi human rights
• [08:57 – 10:29] – Trump & MBS’s dubious trillion-dollar investment claims
• [13:27 – 13:42] – Awkward hand-grabbing and personal banter about Reagan
• [14:06 – 14:44] – Trump equates Saudi cash with US national security
• [16:28] – Fuel price gaslighting
• [18:59 – 19:29] – MBS’s empty apology for Khashoggi
• [19:37] – Trump’s hyperbolic claim about US prosperity

Tone and Style

• The brothers' signature blend of sarcasm, outrage, and humor is front and center throughout the episode.
• Their unapologetic condemnation of Trump’s actions and MBS’s presence in the White House is interspersed with genuine concern for American democracy and the rights of journalists.

Final Takeaway

With sharp commentary and well-chosen audio highlights, the MeidasTouch brothers dissect a surreal and troubling press event, exposing the self-serving hypocrisy of the Trump-MBS alliance, the dangers of unchecked executive power, and the ongoing threats to press freedom and democratic norms.