Trump Finally Confesses in Stunning Admission on Ukraine

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Trump Finally Confesses in Stunning Admission on Ukraine
Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

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Overview

This episode dives deep into Donald Trump’s surprising and contradictory comments concerning the war in Ukraine, his interactions with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, and his administration's shifting stance toward Russia. The Meiselas brothers analyze Trump’s public admissions at the United Nations, highlight the chaos of his statements, and examine the implications for US foreign policy and support of democracy worldwide. The episode spotlights the abrupt tonal shift in Trump’s approach—moving from boastful claims of ending the war swiftly because of his relationship with Putin, to surprisingly hawkish rhetoric against Russia.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Public Admission on Ukraine and Russia

• Trump’s UN Statement: Trump admits that his presumed influence over Putin failed to end the Ukraine war quickly.
  • Quote:

    “I thought that was going to be the easiest one because of my relationship with Putin. But unfortunately that same relationship didn’t mean anything.” – Donald Trump (02:47)

• The hosts stress the gravity of this confession, given Trump’s long-standing campaign promise to end the war in 24 hours.

2. Shift in Rhetoric: From “End in 24 Hours” to Aggression

• Trump pivots from claiming unique ability to achieve peace to making surprisingly forceful statements against Russia.
  • Quote:

    “Maybe it’s... it could be that Russia is a paper tiger. I don’t know what they are. But three and a half years of fighting and killing everybody for nothing.” – Donald Trump (03:48)

• Trump’s spokesperson, Caroline Levitt, echoes this aggressive stance, escalating the rhetoric from past “Putin bootlicker” accusations to daring Putin to fight.
• Hosts comment on hypocrisy: This shift is highlighted as chaotic and inconsistent with past positions.
  • Quote:

    “We’ve come a long way from no new wars and ending it easily in 24 hours.” – Ben Meiselas (paraphrasing Editor-in-Chief Ron Filipkowski) (01:47)

3. Trump’s Contradictory and Confused Messaging

• Lack of Awareness: Trump’s confusion about drone attacks in Denmark reflects a lack of basic foreign policy knowledge.

  • Quote:

    “Denmark is saying that there are some drones, possibly Russia sabotage. What’s your response to that?”
    “Well, I have no response until I find out exactly what happened. I know about it, but they haven’t, they don’t know what happened. But we’re going to find out very soon.” – Donald Trump (04:33)

• On Orban and Russian Oil: Trump flip-flops from sympathizing with Orban (Hungary) about Ukraine attacking Russian oil depots to saying he might ask Orban to stop buying Russian oil.

  • Quote:

    “Well, he’s a friend of mine. I have not spoken to him, but I have a feeling if I did, he might stop. And I think I’ll be doing that.” – Donald Trump (06:57)

4. Trump’s Dubious Claims about Ending Wars

• Questioned by Other World Leaders: Even Turkish President Erdoğan calls out Trump’s repeated (but unfulfilled) claims to quickly end conflicts, noting “here we are, here we are right now.”

  • Quote:

    “I can only say this, Mr. Trump, you might remember he used a term, he said, I will finish the Russia, Ukraine war. Did it end? It still goes on.” – Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (10:29)

• NATO and Defensive Posture: Trump uncharacteristically states NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if their airspace is violated, to Zelensky’s visible surprise.

  • Quote:

    “Yes, I do.” – Donald Trump (regarding NATO shooting down Russian aircraft; 11:31)

5. Trump’s Sudden Pro-Ukraine Post & Zelensky’s Response

• Trump’s Social Media Post: After a series of inconsistent interviews, Trump posts a long message supporting the idea that Ukraine can reclaim its full pre-war territory, emphasizing Russia as a “paper tiger.”
  • Paraphrase: “Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form... Russia has been fighting aimlessly... This is not distinguishing Russia.” (12:00-13:30)
• Zelensky Responds with Skepticism: In a Fox interview, President Zelensky expresses mild surprise and restrained optimism about Trump's newfound support, while he and the hosts highlight Trump’s unpredictability.
  • Quote:

    “It was a surprise for me. You’re right. I was very positive signals from the side that, that Trump and America will be with us to the end of the war…” – Volodymyr Zelensky (14:09)

6. Chaotic Messaging and Policy Instability

• Summary by Hosts: The episode ends with the hosts underscoring the dangers posed by Trump’s ever-changing positions, the recklessness of such unpredictability in global affairs, and the importance of stable, principled support for democracy.
  • Quote:

    “Just think about the chaotic policy, right? It just, you know, one post and then, and then all of a sudden everything changes.” – Ben Meiselas (15:15)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments — With Timestamps

• Trump Admits Weakness – “But unfortunately that same relationship didn’t mean anything.” (02:47)
• Trump Questions Russia’s Power – “Maybe…it could be that Russia is a paper tiger. I don’t know what they are.” (03:48)
• Trump’s Knowledge Gap – “Where, where are they? Denmark. Copenhagen...” (04:33)
• Orban Oil Dealings – “He’s a friend of mine... I think I’ll be doing that.” (06:57)
• Erdogan Calls Out Trump’s Claims – “He used a term, he said, I will finish the Russia, Ukraine war. Did it end? It still goes on.” (10:29)
• NATO Defense Statement – “Yes, I do.” – (on if NATO should shoot down Russian jets) (11:31)
• Zelensky’s Surprise – “It was a surprise for me. …very positive signals from the side that, that Trump and America will be with us to the end of the war.” (14:09)
• Chaotic Rhetoric Highlighted – “Just think about the chaotic policy, right?... everything changes.” (15:15)

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Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:00–02:47 – Trump’s UN admissions and context around his failed campaign promise
• 02:47–04:17 – Trump’s “paper tiger” comments and shifting tone
• 04:17–06:55 – Trump’s confusion on world events (Denmark incident, Orban oil letters)
• 06:55–09:28 – Trump’s noncommittal stance toward Putin, pessimism on war ending
• 09:28–11:31 – Erdogan calls out Trump, NATO statements, and Zelensky’s reaction
• 11:31–14:09 – Trump’s pro-Ukraine social post and Zelensky’s response
• 14:09–15:32 – Caroline Levitt on Fox reaffirms aggressive rhetoric, hosts summarize chaos

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Takeaway

This episode spotlights Trump’s puzzling and evolving stance regarding Ukraine and Russia, with the Meiselas brothers providing both critical analysis and humorous commentary. Central to the discussion is Trump’s public contradiction of past promises, his difficulty staying consistent, and the wider risks such behavior exposes on the world stage. The episode is essential listening for anyone tracking US foreign policy, the 2024 campaign dynamics, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

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For more episodes, subscribe to The MeidasTouch Podcast.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

Donald Trump just made a stunning admission about Ukraine, where he previously promised he would end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours because of his great relationship with Vladimir Putin, and he said his relationship with Zelinsky. Now, Donald Trump said at the United Nation meetings following his disastrous speech that, I thought that this would be easy. I thought based on my relationships with Putin, we would get this done. We. Unfortunately, the relationship didn't mean anything. Well, that was one of your major campaign promises, that you had such a good relationship, you would end the war in 24 hours. After the election. Now, Donald Trump then started posting on social media, very forceful rebukes of Russia, very kind of strong statements against Russia. Then Donald Trump had his press secretary, Caroline Levitt, give interviews where she basically went from Donald Trump being a Putin bootlicker to she's saying, basically, if Putin wants to fight, bring it on. Let's go and let's fight. It's kind of a. A major dramatic change after a social media post. Now, you know, I feel very strongly that Donald Trump had betrayed Ukraine. Donald Trump had not imposed the sanctions that were necessary. What Donald Trump did when he invited Vladimir Putin to Alask was one of the most humiliating days in American history. May be tied with Donald Trump's disastrous speech at the United nations or the day before that, when Donald Trump said, pregnant woman, do not take Tylenol. But look, I think that there should be strong support of Ukraine. So ultimately, if he actually does that with his conduct and supports Ukraine, well, we'll see. His conduct usually doesn't match his words and his rhetoric. But it's also the chaos in his words and rhetoric, too, though, right? And all of a sudden, he's got oppress secretary out there basically saying, all right, Russia, bring it on, Putin, you want to fight, we're going to fight. So as our editor in chief, Ron Philipowski said, we've come a long way from no new wars and ending it easily in 24 hours. Tell me again, Maga, how this is what you voted for, because we know you voted for a cult leader, not policies or principles. So, as I always do here on the Midas Touch Network, I come with receipts, right? It's not me saying hyperbolic things. I go, here's what said, so you can judge for yourself. So here was Donald Trump next to French President Emmanuel Macron. And Donald Trump says, I thought it was going to be easy to end this war because of my relationship with Putin, but I guess my relationship means nothing here. Play this clip.

[Donald Trump]

The biggest disappointment, but I think that'll happen eventually is the Ukraine and Russia situation. But we've settled. I thought that was going to be the easiest one because of my relationship with Putin. But unfortunately that seemed relationship didn't mean anything. Unfortunately. But when I needed some advice and when I needed some help in terms of a country in that part of the world, you were always there and you helped me settle some of these seven wars. I'm very proud of the seven wars, but you helped me settle them and I appreciate that.

[Podcast Host]

And then Donald Trump calls Russia a paper tiger and says, I don't know what they are, but three and a half years of fighting and killing everybody for nothing. Here's what he says. By the way, I think that Donald Trump is a paper tiger. I think Donald Trump wants to spend his time blowing up fishing boats off the coast of Venezuela instead of addressing what is actually needed if you're the United States. But here's what he says. Play this clip this.

[Donald Trump]

I can fight too. And they've proven that. Maybe it's a, it could be that Russia is a paper tiger. I don't know what they are. But three and a half years of fighting and killing Everybody, of killing 7,000 people a week for nothing. Nothing. So it's a very sad situation. But most of you have seen the recent statement I put out a little while ago and I'm glad you got it. But I feel that way. I really did feel that way. Let them get their land back. So we'll see how it all works out.

[Podcast Host]

No, but notably, Donald Trump wasn't even aware that there were alleged drone incursions into Denmark. I'm not even sure he knew where Denmark or Copenhagen even is, which when he was asked questions about it. Let's show you this right here.

[Donald Trump]

Have you been briefed on the latest alleged drone inversion? What do you think of that? Where, where are they? Denmark. Copenhagen. Denmark is saying that there are some drones, possibly Russia sabotage. What's your response to that? Will the US Have a material. Well, I have no response until I find out exactly what happened. I know about it, but they haven't, they don't know what happened. But we're going to find out very soon.

[Podcast Host]

But ultimately, when Donald Trump was standing next to President Zelensky of Ukraine, Trump's prognosis of the war, of Russia's invasion in Ukraine is that it looks like it's not going to end for a long time. Here's what he says, let's play it.

[Donald Trump]

And it looks like it's not going to end for a long time.

[Podcast Host]

And then Donald Trump is asked, so what's your message to Viktor Orban, your very close friend, the leader of Hungary who gets all the oil from Russia? Hungary is part of the European Union and they cause a lot of problems with the European Union under Viktor Orban. But Donald Trump has attacked the European Union for buying Russian oil when the European Union does not really buy direct from Russia at all. Hungary does. Slovakia does. And previously Viktor Orban sent Donald Trump a letter complaining that that Ukraine was hitting Russian oil depots which provide Hungary with oil. And then this was like what, like a month ago? Right? Then Donald Trump wrote back a handwritten note to Orban saying, this is deeply unfortunate and I am very upset that Ukraine is striking the oil depots and tell Slovakia I say hi. So within a matter of a month, Trump went from telling Orban it makes him upset that Ukraine was hitting the Russian oil depots to now saying that he's going to call Orban and tell Orban to stop buying Russian oil. It's just, he's not. I would, that would be great, actually. Orban did that. But the issue is, is Trump is so reckless with his words that he doesn't even know what the hell he's saying. But I guess at least if he's saying Orban shouldn't buy Russian oil, it's not a bad thing for him to be saying. But he doesn't know the words that are even coming. His ad, his mouth, it seems, which is reckless and dangerous and malicious. But here, play this clip.

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

Your message to President Orban who's refusing.

[Donald Trump]

To stop buying Russian oil. Well, he's a friend of mine. I have not spoken to him, but I have a feeling if I did, he might stop. And I think I'll be doing that.

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[Podcast Host]

And then when Trump is asked so can you update us on your conversations with Putin? We'd like to know, do you still trust Putin? So Donald Trump doesn't say no should be the basic answer. What do you think? He says? Two weeks, Two weeks, one week, two weeks. No, he says, I'll let you know in about a month from now. Here, play this clip so you can hear it for yourself.

[Interviewer]

Any update on your talk to President.

[Podcast Host]

Putin and do you still trust them?

[Donald Trump]

I'll let you know in a bag of money from now. Okay.

[Podcast Host]

And then Donald Trump says, this was all supposed to be so quick. It was all going to be so quick. The war in Ukraine, we were going to deal with it quickly. But this has not distinguished Russia. Russia doesn't look very distinguished. They're a terroristic state. What do you mean they don't look distinguished? They want to kill innocent Ukrainians is what they want to do. Here, play this clip.

[Donald Trump]

It's still going on. And that's, that's not a good thing for Russia. This was supposed to be quick. And so, you know, Russia doesn't look very distinguished, having taken three and a half years now, right? Three and a half years of very hard fighting. And it looks like it's not going to end for a long time.

[Podcast Host]

You know, even, even Turkey's authoritarian president Erdogan, you know, he was like, yeah, you know, Donald Trump was out there saying that he would bring an end to the war in Gaza in 24 hours and he would stop the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. And Erdogan's like, but here we are, here we are right now. So what the hell is this guy even doing? This is from Erdogan, who Donald Trump likes to say that he's close with. Here, play this clip.

[Interviewer]

So how does this come to an end? Much like Russia, Ukraine, how Can this come to an end? Is there a deal that can be made?

[Recep Tayyip Erdogan]

I can only say this, Mr. Trump, you might remember he used a term, he said, I will finish the Russia, Ukraine war. Did it end? It still goes on. Similarly, he said, I will finish the war in Gaza. No. That means once we start analyzing the issue, there are prices to pay. And when we look at the hostage, hostage exchange that was done, it goes on then.

[Podcast Host]

Even watch Zelensky's face during this portion right here where Donald Trump is asked, do you think NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace? And Trump says, I do. And Zelinsky's like, oh, really? Okay, where did I come from? Watch this here, play this clip.

[Interviewer]

Mr. President, do you think that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace?

[Donald Trump]

Yes, I do.

[Podcast Host]

And then Trump posted this long screed that was very supportive of Ukraine. He posted this yesterday. He goes after getting, or he posted it on Tuesday, after getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine, Russia military and economic situation and after seeing the economic trouble it is causing Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form with time, patience and the financial support of Europe and in particular NATO. The original borders from where this war started is very much an option. Why not? Russia has been been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years, a war that should have taken a real military power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like a paper tiger. When the people living in Moscow and all the great cities, towns and districts all throughout Russia find out what is really going on with this war, the fact that it's almost impossible for them to get gasoline through the long lines that are being formed and all the other things that are taking place in their war economy, where most of their money is being spent on fighting Ukraine, which has great spirit and only getting better, Ukraine would be able to take back their country in its original form and who knows, maybe even go further than that. Putin and Russia are in big economic trouble and this is the time for Ukraine to act. In any event, I wish both countries well. We will continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them. Good luck to all. You hear him say, you know that right there, which is diametrically different than what he says the day before. The issue is you're going to go and say more crap tomorrow. That's probably going to contradict this, which is what Zelinsky recognized when he did an interview on Fox after the UN Meetings where he was like, look, what Trump said, if he's meant it is, you know, a pretty shocking admission. But it's positive, you know, for Ukraine, it's positive signals. We'll see, we'll see where this goes. We have to see the conduct here. Play this clip.

[Interviewer]

I know your staff read the post from President Trump that he posted on True Social after your meeting. But in part he said this after getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine, Russia military and economic situation and after seeing the economic trouble it is causing Russia. I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form with time, patience and the financial support of Europe and in particular NATO. The original borders from where this war started is very much an option. Are you surprised to hear that?

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

A little bit. A little bit. I mean this I'm sure in my people, in my army and I'm sure in strengthening of the, in support of the United States. But President Trump was more positive in it and he showed that he wants to support Ukraine to the very end. So we understand now that we are ready to finish this war as quick as possible. And he wants, and I want and our people want, but he understand that Putin doesn't want and he understands that he is not winning. But he says to everybody that he will win. And I see very. It was a surprise for me. You're right. I was very positive signals from the side that, that Trump and America will be with us to the end of the war. Yes, as we will see, right? We will see. But God bless, it will be so.

[Podcast Host]

And here Caroline Levitt on Fox on Tuesday night says the president has said if Vladimir Putin wants to keep fighting, well, the president knows how to fight. So now like challenging directly a fight, just like. But just think about the chaotic policy, right? It just, you know, one post and then, and then all of a sudden everything changes. Here. Play this clip.

[Interviewer]

But the president has said if Vladimir Putin wants to keep fighting, well, the President knows how to fight. But ultimately, always, Jesse, the president has wanted peace. He's wanted this war to come to an end. And he's made that very clear since he came into office in January.

[Podcast Host]

There you have it, folks. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million subscribers. Thanks for watching.

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