The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump Gets Lost in Oval Before Utterly Deranged Presser"

Date: December 16, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode centers on a recent, highly controversial press conference held by Donald Trump after a bizarre moment in the Oval Office where he appeared lost. The Meiselas brothers dissect Trump’s rambling statements on multiple subjects, including vicious comments about recently murdered public figures, conspiratorial attacks on institutions, dubious claims about drug policy, and further signals of authoritarian thinking. Throughout, the hosts deliver their trademark blend of political analysis and comedic brotherly banter while reinforcing the importance of supporting democracy in an era of rising disinformation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Gets Lost in the Oval Office Before Presser

• [02:41] The episode opens by highlighting a viral moment: Trump appeared disoriented, seemingly “lost” in the Oval Office before facing the press. The hosts play the clip for context.

2. Deranged Attacks After Tragedy: Rob Reiner & Brown University

• [03:08] Trump is confronted by a reporter regarding a Truth Social post made after the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife, with their son as the main suspect. Instead of expressing condolences, Trump launches into an attack:
  • Quote:
    “He [Rob Reiner] was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned... He became like a deranged person. Trump derangement syndrome.”
    — Donald Trump [03:15]
• He quickly pivots to attacking Brown University regarding a campus shooting, shifting culpability to the school rather than addressing wider accountability.

3. Deflection, Conspiracies & Legal Threats

• [05:01] Trump announces plans to sue the BBC for allegedly using AI to fabricate him saying things he denies, especially regarding January 6th.
  • Quote:
    “They actually put terrible words in my mouth having to do with January 6th that I didn’t say... That’s called fake news.”
    — Donald Trump [05:04]
• The hosts underline the hypocrisy and the misuse of “fake news” accusations as a political tool.

4. False Economic Claims

• [06:07] Trump again deploys inaccurate talking points, claiming:
  • “We’re the ones that are bringing prices down... Energy is coming way down. If you look, gasoline prices are hitting... $1.99 a gallon. Nobody thought they’d see that.”
• The brothers debunk his framing on inflation and affordability, reminding listeners of broader economic realities.

5. Colorado, Pardons, and Election Lies

• [07:24] Trump attacks Colorado's governor, calling him incompetently “run by Trend Aragua,” while asserting that Tina (presumably Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters) was unjustly jailed for “catching” supposed election fraud rather than committing any.
  • Quote:
    “The governor of Colorado is a weak and pathetic man who was run by Trend Aragua... He puts Tina in jail for nine years because she caught people cheating.”
    — Donald Trump [07:24]
• The hosts contextualize this as continuation of the “Big Lie” and its corrosive effects.

6. Fentanyl Declared a Weapon of Mass Destruction

• [10:58] Trump uses the presser to sign an executive order classifying fentanyl as a WMD:
  • Quote:
    “No bomb does what this is doing. 200 to 300,000 people die every year that we know of. So we’re formally classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.” — Donald Trump [10:58]
• The brothers question the efficacy and motive behind such a classification versus real solutions.

7. Dubious Drug War Claims

• [11:47] Trump claims a 94% reduction in drugs entering by sea, though the hosts point out there’s no evidence for such a dramatic decline.

8. Affordable Care Act & Health Policy Misstatements

• [13:21] Asked about ACA subsidies, Trump calls for giving “all of the money that’s going to the Democrat insurance companies” directly to the people:
  • “Insurance companies are making a Fortune. They’re up 1700 percent and more.”
• The hosts explain the impracticality of this oversimplification, labeling it fraudulent.

9. Crypto Conviction Question

• [14:07] When pressed on pardoning Keone Rodriguez, convicted for crypto privacy software, Trump says:
  • “We’ll look at that... I don’t know anything about it, but we’ll take a look.”
• The segment reveals Trump’s unfamiliarity with specifics and tendency to answer in platitudes.

10. Waffling on Russia, Ukraine, and Foreign Policy

• [14:27] Trump offers ambiguous, both-sides commentary on Ukraine/Russia:
  • “Russia wants to get it ended... Ukraine wants to get it ended... But I think that’s working along. Very good talk.”
• [15:27] Claims he forged “peace deals” between Thailand and Cambodia — a statement the hosts mock as baseless and incoherent.
• [16:06] On keeping US troops in Syria:
  • “Because we’re trying to make sure that there’s going to be and remain peace in the Middle East and Syria is a big part of it. The new leader is a strong person and that’s what you need.”

11. Physical Struggles and Closing Moments

• [17:11] The episode ends on Trump awkwardly exiting the room, with the hosts (and video, for YouTube viewers) highlighting the disconnect between his rhetoric and perceived capability.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Meiselas [01:59]: “What just went down in the Oval Office. Let me just share it with you.”
  (Sets the tone for the episode’s incredulity.)

• Donald Trump on Fentanyl [10:58]:
  “No bomb does what this is doing... We’re formally classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.”

• Narrator/Commentator on ACA Plan [12:26]:
  “Trump’s not going to give people money. He’s lying about that the same way he lied about Doge dividend checks and tariff rebate checks.”

• Trump on Tulucu Aragua in Colorado [07:24]:
  “The governor of Colorado is a weak and pathetic man who was run by Trend Aragua...”

Important Timestamps

• [02:41] – Trump appears lost before presser
• [03:08] – Trump’s attack on Rob Reiner after his murder
• [04:00] – Trump shifts blame to Brown University after shooting
• [05:01] – Trump threatens lawsuit against BBC over January 6th
• [06:07] – Claiming 'affordability is on the Democrats'
• [07:24] – Attack on Colorado governor and defense of Tina
• [10:58] – Executive order: Fentanyl as a WMD
• [11:47] – Bizarre stats on drugs and border
• [13:21] – Misleading ACA/health insurance plan proposal
• [14:07] – Response to crypto pardon question
• [14:27] – Both-sides approach to Russia/Ukraine
• [15:27] – Fictitious “deal” between Thailand and Cambodia
• [16:06] – Rationalization for US troops in Syria
• [17:11] – Trump struggles to leave the room (visual highlight)

Episode Tone & Analysis

The Meiselas brothers maintain an energetic, irreverent tone, leveraging humor and incredulity in equal measures. Their commentary continually contextualizes Trump’s statements, exposing inconsistencies, and reminding listeners of the broader implications for democracy and truthfulness in politics. The episode is a whirlwind tour of Trump’s recent shocking statements, with the brothers mocking, analyzing, and countering his disinformation at every turn.

For those who missed the episode, this summary covers the substance of Trump’s presser, with timestamps to the most consequential soundbites and analysis, offering both the facts and the MeidasTouch flavor.