Trump gets Rude Awakening as China Ruins his Arrival!!!

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump gets Rude Awakening as China Ruins his Arrival!!!

Date: May 13, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

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Episode Overview

In this episode, the MeidasTouch brothers break down the drama and symbolic politics surrounding Donald Trump’s highly anticipated visit to China. They highlight how the Chinese government is actively snubbing Trump’s arrival, minimizing his presence in their state media, while spotlighting alliances with other countries—particularly Iran. The conversation dives into China’s pointed public messaging, the reaction (or lack thereof) to Trump’s accompanying delegation of top American CEOs, and the broader implications for U.S.-China relations, the Middle East, and global power dynamics. Packed with sharp analysis, pointed humor, and signature brotherly banter, the episode exposes the real story behind the headlines.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. China Snubs Trump’s State Visit ([02:20])

• Minimal Coverage:

  • China’s main newspaper, China Daily, relegates Trump’s visit to a mere sidebar.
  • Primary front-page coverage goes to China’s relationship with Tajikistan, not the U.S.
  • Major Chinese news websites, CCTV and Jinhua, omit Trump’s visit entirely at the time of broadcast.

• Symbolic Power Move:

  • China is demonstrating control by choosing what not to publicize, subtly diminishing Trump’s perceived importance.
  • Recent visitors, such as Iran’s Foreign Minister, receive far more prominent and celebratory treatment.

“One of the ways China projects power is in what it doesn't say. And while it gave others a hero's welcome, they are not giving that to Donald Trump.”
— Political Commentator, [03:15]

2. China’s Hierarchy of Diplomacy: Iran over U.S. ([03:49])

• China & Iran Embrace:

  • Iranian Foreign Minister greeted as a hero, with constructive talks covered extensively.
  • Official statements reinforce Iran’s sovereignty and China’s commitment to a new regional security architecture, explicitly sidelining the U.S.

• China’s Coded Messaging:

  • The “new post-war regional architecture” implies a decreased American presence in the Middle East and a greater Chinese and Iranian role.

3. Red Lines: China Lays Down the Law ([06:35])

• On Taiwan:

  • China will discuss “major issues,” but their position on opposing U.S. arms sales to Taiwan remains “consistent and clear.”
  • Audio clip from Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson reinforces this firmness.

• On U.S. Sanctions: ([07:05], [07:23])

  • China “firmly opposes” unilateral U.S. sanctions, deems them lacking in international law, and threatens retaliation to protect their enterprises.
  • Further clarification that protecting Chinese and Iranian interests is prioritized over U.S. demands.

• On Jimmy Lai & Hong Kong: ([08:28])

  • China dismisses any discussion about imprisoned pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, reasserting control over Hong Kong as purely internal matters.

“Jimmy Lai is a primary mastermind and participant in anti-China and Hong Kong destabilizing activities. Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs.”
— Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, [08:28]

4. Trump’s Showy Delegation and Market Effects ([08:43])

• CEO Entourage:

  • Trump brings a high-profile group of American CEOs, including Elon Musk (Tesla), Jensen Huang (Nvidia), Tim Cook (Apple), Larry Fink (BlackRock), and others.
  • China signals indifference to this parade of executives, underlining their refusal to be dazzled or pressured.

• Stock Influence:

  • Mention of Nvidia’s stock surge to $5.4 trillion market cap upon news that CEO Jensen Huang is on the flight.

• Awkward Moments:

  • Trump’s team, including Eric and Lara Trump, get confused at the entrance to Marine One.
  • Trump visibly struggles with stairs and logistics.

“You bringing all of these CEOs, you trying to turn this into a circus. We are not going to be deterred, folks.”
— Political Commentator, [05:28]

5. Trump’s Flattering Rhetoric Toward Xi Jinping ([10:55])

• Public Praise:
  • Trump effusively praises Xi Jinping, calling him “an amazing man,” comparing him to a king, and admiring his leadership.
  • Expresses regret for not having a completed “golden ballroom” to receive Xi in the U.S.

“I find him to be an amazing, an amazing man... He runs 1.4 billion people with a pretty iron fist.”
— Donald Trump, [10:55]

“I only wish we had the ballroom finished. The ballroom is right on budget and ahead of schedule, but I wish we had it finished.”
— Donald Trump, [11:30]

6. The Iran War and Trump’s Out-of-Touch Messaging ([12:18])

• Downplayed Conflict:

  • Trump claims positive relations with Xi and seems unconcerned about the impact of China-Iran collaboration, calling the trip “exciting.”

• Social Media Antics:

  • Trump posts a series of boastful, bizarre AI-generated memes and even maps labeling Venezuela as the 51st U.S. state.
  • Direct quote: “I don’t care about the financial condition of the American people. Not up, not one bit.” [12:44]

7. The Broader Geopolitical Shift ([13:44])

• Iranian Perspective Shared:

  • Iran’s ambassador to China touts the strength of China-Iran relations, explicitly dismissing the idea that the U.S. can undermine their partnership.
  • Reaffirms alignment on a new Middle East security order led by China (and Russia), with America weakened or excluded.

• Podcast Analysis:

  • The hosts speculate China is easily manipulating Trump by appealing to his ego and providing hollow “wins,” cementing a new world order that leaves the U.S. behind.
  • They mock the obvious, performative nature of the trip and predict further U.S. marginalization.

“It’s so easy to play Donald Trump like a fiddle... Hey, you want to be a hero? New security architecture in the Middle East, America out, China in. Agree to our plan... We'll help you manipulate your stock market, Donald, a little bit... Obvious, it's already been written.”
— Political Commentator, [15:15]

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Most Memorable Quotes

• On China’s silent snub:

  “China is saying we don't care if you come with a team of 50 American CEOs... We are not going to be deterred.”
  — Political Commentator, [05:28]

• On Trump’s Xi fandom:

  “He runs 1.4 billion people with a pretty iron fist. He loves his country, I can tell you.”
  — Donald Trump, [10:55]

• On exclusion from security talks:

  “The U.S. not part of that post war architecture. China leading the way with Iran.”
  — Political Commentator, [04:36]

• On Trump’s priorities:

  “I only wish we had the ballroom finished. The ballroom is right on budget and ahead of schedule, but I wish we had it finished.”
  — Donald Trump, [11:30]

• On broader outcomes:

  “Isn’t it obvious? It’s already been written. Just watch.”
  — Political Commentator, [15:26]

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Important Timestamps

• [02:20] – Breakdown of China’s state media and public snub of Trump
• [03:49] – Iran’s favorable treatment in China, implications for U.S.
• [06:35] – China’s official position on Taiwan, arms sales
• [07:05], [07:23] – Opposition to U.S. sanctions and threats of retaliation
• [08:28] – China on Jimmy Lai and Hong Kong as “internal affairs”
• [08:43] – Overview of Trump’s CEO-heavy delegation and stock market repercussions
• [10:55] – Trump lavishes praise on Xi Jinping
• [12:18] – Trump responds to Iran conflict questions, underscores chummy Xi relationship
• [13:44] – Iran’s ambassador confirms China-Iran strategic partnership
• [15:15] – Hosts analyze China’s strategy and predict U.S. marginalization in new world order

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Tone and Style

• Language: Accessible yet politically sharp; direct, sometimes mocking of Trump’s theatrics
• Tone: Unapologetically pro-democracy, skeptical of Trump, and critical of U.S. diplomatic strategy
• Banter: Sibling humor woven throughout, providing entertainment alongside political insight

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This episode is a must for anyone keen to understand the optics, strategies, and subtext of major-league diplomatic gamesmanship—and how ego and symbolism matter on the world stage.

Transcript

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[Political Commentator]

China has been ruined before Donald Trump even stepped foot in China. You see Xi Jinping in China. They are Downplaying Donald Trump's visit. They are treating the visit of a United States president like they don't even care. The front page of China's main newspaper China Daily talks about the Chinese Tajikistan relationship. Sino Tajik ties enter new face. That's the main story. Xi Jinping meeting with the leader of Tajikistan, not Donald Trump. Although Donald Trump's visit does get a sidebar on the front page of China Daily. And they put it on the sidebar on purpose of the front page. But you may be saying, well, what about the Chinese websites? What about Jinhua? What about cctv? Well, I'm glad you asked. The CCTV and Jinhua websites at the moment, they don't mention Donald Trump's visit at all. They don't mention the United States at all. And as this one account says, those who are familiar with China know very well what this means. Those who aren't will learn soon. In other words, Xi Jinping and China are teaching Donald Trump a lesson in who has the power. And one of the ways China projects power is in what it doesn't say. And while it gave others a hero's welcome, they are not giving that to Donald Trump. Well, who did they give a hero's welcome to recently? I'm glad you asked. Foreign Minister Iraq Chi of Iran greeted like a hero in China. That was plastered on the front page of China's main newspapers and websites. And then you had photos like this coming out of this state visit. Iranian Foreign Minister Aragchi meeting with his counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing last week. And Aragchi explained how he held constructive talks in Beijing which Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Both sides reaffirmed Iran's right to safeguard national sovereignty and national dignity. The Iranian side appreciates the four point proposal put forward by the Chinese side on upholding and promoting regional peace and stability. The Iranian side trusts the Chinese side and expects the Chinese side to continue playing a positive role in promoting peace and stopping war and supports the establishment of a new post war regional architecture that that can coordinate development and security. Let me translate that code for you. The US not part of that post war architecture. China leading the way with Iran. Also, Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, said the following last week, the war of the United States and Israel against Iran is illegitimate. Establishing a complete ceasefire and is an essential matter. So we heard from China's Foreign Minister spokesperson in advance of Donald Trump's trip there and China is setting the tone. China is saying, here's what we will be talking about. Here's what we won't be talking about and China saying we don't care if you come with a team of 50American CEOs, China is going to continue its path. That's in the interest of China. And you bringing all of these CEOs, you trying to turn this into a circus. We are not going to be deterred, folks. I think this trip is going to be an absolute disaster. I think it's shaping up to be that as Donald Trump wants to make it into this grand spectacle and China, they're more interested in showing their meeting with Tajikistan than Donald Trump. That should tell you a lot. So here's what China's foreign minister spokesperson had to say. If Donald Trump intends to bring up the issue of Taiwan, play this clip.

[Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson]

During President Trump's visit to China, the two heads of state will have an in depth exchange of views on major issues concerning China, US Relations as well as world peace and development. China's position of opposing US Arms sales to the Taiwan region of China is consistent and clear.

[Political Commentator]

Now China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson also said, here's how we feel about the US Implementing sanctions on a unilateral basis. We don't support him and we will retaliate. Play this clip.

[Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson]

China firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council and will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises.

[Political Commentator]

More on China talking about United States unlawful sanctions. Let's play this clip.

[Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson]

We oppose illegal unilateral sanctions lacking international legal basis or UN Security Council authorization and we will take firm measures to protect our enterprises and citizens in Iran. The priority is preventing renewed hostilities rather than maliciously linking the situation to China to smear us.

[Political Commentator]

And then to the extent Donald Trump wants to bring up anything about Jimmy Lai, China says we have nothing to talk about. We have nothing to talk about. We believe Jimmy Lai is a anti China individual who is appropriately imprisoned by Hong Kong authorities for spreading anti China sentiment and is aligned with Taiwan and is aligned with trying to harm China. We're not talking about that now. I'm just letting you know what China is saying. So they're drawing their lines, their red lines of what they're talking about and what they're not talking about. Let's play this clip.

[Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson]

Jimmy Lai is a primary mastermind and participant in anti China and Hong Kong destabilizing activities. Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs. The Chinese central government firmly supports Hong Kong's judicial authorities in performing their duties in accordance with the law on the

[Political Commentator]

other hand, while China is talking about TAJIKISTAN over the U.S. meaning, here's the list of individuals that Donald Trump says that he is bringing on this trip. And we've seen a lot of them enter Air Force One. Here's the Elon Musk, Jensen over at Nvidia, Tim Cook, Larry Fink at BlackRock, Stephen Schwarzman at Blackstone, Kelly Ortberg, Boeing, the CEO of Cargill, the CEO of Citigroup, of General Electric, of Goldman Sachs, of Micron, of Qualcomm. Trump says there are many other CEOs joining him on the trip who have not yet been disclosed. And Xi Jinping's like, yeah, we don't, you're not going to dazzle us with your CEOs. I mean, we're going to, we're going to treat this like any other state visit. And we know our lane. You stay in your lane. Although this trip apparently is manipulating the market for Donald Trump on the end for the United States on the news that Nvidia CEO is going. Nvidia surges to its highest level on record as Trump confirms that Jensen Wang Wang over at Nvidia is on board the Air Force One heading to China. And now Nvidia is worth $5.4 trillion. Also aboard Air Force One, you have Marco Rubio wearing the Nike Tech Venezuela Air Force One outfit on Air Force One. That's the same outfit that Maduro wore when he was captured. I guess this is how the US Is showing that they're tough. You have Eric Trump and Lara Trump on the trip, by the way. They didn't know the right door to enter on Marine One, and they were told to go around. They watched as they kind of go into the wrong door. You had Donald Trump struggling up the stairs, as I showed at the beginning of this video, as he was getting an Air Force One to head there. And if you think about it, you know, Donald Trump revealed all of his cards before he even got there, how much he loves Xi Jinping. Like at that weird presser two days ago, Donald Trump says Xi Jinping is an amazing man. He's like a king. He's like a king of 1.4 billion people. Here, play this clip.

[Donald Trump]

I find him to be an amazing, an amazing man. And when I say that, the press always says, oh, that's terrible. That he called it. He runs 1.4 billion people with a pretty iron fist. He's, he loves his country, I can tell you that. President Xi, I look forward to being there. And if he felt anything, we wouldn't be doing it.

[Political Commentator]

And then Donald Trump says, I just wish that if Xi Jinping came to the United States, we had our ballroom ready for him. The golden ballroom that we're building. I wish that was ready for him. Here, play this clip.

[Donald Trump]

I only wish we had the ballroom finished. The ballroom is right on budget and ahead of time schedule, but I wish we had a finish. You also may want to do one other thing. You may want to go see the reflecting pool, because that's under construction and for the first time since 1922, it's going to work properly.

[Political Commentator]

You're on the gas stat in Congress. And then Trump was asked, well, what's your message to Xi Jinping on the Iran war, given that we know Iran and China are allies and, and the US Is at war with Iran and China and Iran are helping each other. So what's your message? Knowing all of that, Donald, Here, play this clip.

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What is your message to President Xi as it relates to the Iran war?

[Donald Trump]

Well, I think, number one, we're going to have a long talk about it. I think he's been relatively good, to be honest with you. You look at the blockade, no problems. They get a lot of their oil from that area. We've had no problem. And he's been a friend of mine. He's been somebody that we get along with. And I think you're going to see that good things are going to happen. This is going to be a very exciting trip. A lot of good things are going to happen.

[Political Commentator]

Then, of course, Donald Trump, while in Air Force One, posting a bunch of deranged messages like AI memes of himself pointing at you and says, I want you to. I want you. I saw someone say, I want you to be poor, right? Donald Trump said yesterday, I don't care about the finances. Like his direct quote, I don't care about the financial condition of the American people. Not up, not one bit, he said. Donald Trump also posting 51st state maps and now saying that Venezuela is going to be the 51st state. And that's how Donald Trump is behaving. You have, you have Iran's ambassador to China posting the following message. The ties was what he wrote yesterday as Donald Trump was on Air Force One. The ties between Iran and China as two countries and two ancient civilizations with deep cultures and strong relations which seek security, peace and shared development in the region are stronger than that for America to be able to change Beijing's position toward Tehran by pressuring China. The Islamic Republic of Iran has announced its readiness to support the Chinese president's four point plan aimed at establishing lasting security and shared development in the Persian Gulf region, an issue that was also emphasized during the meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries. Any potential agreement must necessarily be accompanied by guarantees from the great powers and raised in the United Nations Security Council as well. China and Russia are two major influential powers, and given the position that China holds for Iran and other countries in the Persian Gulf region, Beijing can serve as the guarantor for the agreement. So in other words, new security architecture in the Middle East China in US Out Iran major regional player China's sphere of influence and security umbrella goes into the Middle East. America influence goes away. Iran is good with that and so expect that to happen when we observe what's going on. China Xi Jinping As Donald Trump arrives, they're setting it up where we don't care if you're here and then what they'll probably do because it's so easy to play Donald Trump like a fiddle. Hey, you want to be a hero? New security architecture in the Middle East America out, China in Agree to our plan China recognize China's claims to Taiwan, we keep rare earths and then we'll help you manipulate your stock market, Donald, a little bit. You want us to help you with the CEOs manipulate the stock market? We'll help you with that. We'll say you got a big win there, Donald. We'll say you did it, man. Don't you think that's what's going to happen? Isn't it obvious it's already been written, huh? Just watch, Hit, subscribe. Let's get to 7 million. Thanks for watching. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our [e-mail] you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski, ad free episodes of our podcast, and more exclusive content Only [e-mail].

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