Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Gives Unhinged Interview After Venezuela Invasion
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Date: January 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the Meiselas brothers' reaction to Donald Trump's highly controversial and erratic Fox News interview following the U.S. invasion of Venezuela. The brothers break down Trump's explanations, boasting, and threats, while also sharing perspectives from U.S. politicians and the international community. The tone is urgent, incredulous, and laced with the signature MeidasTouch blend of sharp analysis and brotherly banter.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Trump Interview: U.S. Invasion of Venezuela

• Initial Recap (01:28)
  The hosts outline breaking details: Trump justifying the invasion as a move to "take their oil." Natasha Bertrand reports Maduro and his wife were captured by Delta Force, put aboard the USS Iwo Jima, and headed to New York under indictment.
• Trump’s Oil Comments (02:58)
  Trump boasts about America's role:

  "We're going to be very strongly involved in [Venezuela's oil industry]... We have the greatest oil companies in the world... We were prepared to do a second wave... It was so lethal, so powerful we didn't have to."
  (Donald Trump, 02:58-03:36)

China and Global Fallout

• Response to Chinese Envoys (03:54)
  Trump dismisses China’s presence during the raid:

  "There's not going to be a problem. And they're going to get oil. We're going to allow people to have oil... Nobody can stop us."
  (Donald Trump, 04:02-04:45)

• Comparison to Russia
  Trump contrasts U.S. military might to the "primitive" war in Russia.

Trump’s Spectator Mentality and Justification

• "Like Watching a TV Show" (05:11)
  Trump sensationalizes the raid:

  "I watched it literally like I was watching a television show. If you would have seen the speed, the violence... it was an amazing thing."
  (Donald Trump, 05:15-05:54)

• American Casualties and Timing
  Claims no U.S. deaths, minor injuries, possible helicopter hit (06:09).

• Constitutional Concerns & Criticism of Democrats (07:10)
  Trump insists criticism is partisan:

  "The Democrats... should say, 'great job.' They shouldn't say, oh, gee, maybe it's not constitutional. Same old stuff we've been hearing for years."
  (Donald Trump, 07:10-07:35)

Official & Political Reactions

• J.D. Vance Statement (07:35)
  Emphasizes oil recovery, anti-drug trafficking, credits special operators, echoes "Putin-esque" rhetoric.
• Sen. Mark Warner Response (07:35)
  Warner decries lack of congressional consultation and warns of international law consequences:

  "If the United States asserts the right to use military force to invade and capture foreign leaders... what stops Vladimir Putin from asserting similar justification... Once this line is crossed, the rule that restrains global chaos begins to collapse."

• On Delta Force Enthusiasm (09:56)
  Trump:

  "You almost couldn't hold them back. It was like they wanted to go so badly."
  (Donald Trump, 09:56-10:25)

Venezuelan Aftermath and Internal Power Struggles

• Regime Changes? (10:25–11:51)
  Despite Maduro’s capture, top enforcers and state governors declare continued control. Local panic seen in Caracas as food lines form.
• Trump Threatens Mexico (11:51)

  "The cartels are running Mexico... Something’s going to have to be done with Mexico."
  (Donald Trump, 11:51-12:44)

Trump’s Erratic Logic and Election Grievances

• On Venezuelan Leadership and U.S. Elections (12:44–14:04)
  Trump conflates Maduro's election with the 2020 U.S. election, calls both "a disgrace."

  "The election of Maduro was a disgrace, just like my election was a disgrace. 2020 was a disgrace."
  (Donald Trump, 13:27)

• Humor and Deflection (14:19–14:35)
  Trump jokes about calling in to Fox:

  "Are you talking about calling you people or the chef? Not sure which is worse, if you want to know the truth."

Congress Criticism & “Mental Asylum” Rant

• Attacking Rep. McGovern (14:39-15:58)
  Trump:

  "These are weak, stupid people... If I didn't get elected, our country would not even have a country right now."
  (Donald Trump, 14:58-16:01)

• On Immigration & "Mental Asylums" (16:20)
  Trump confuses asylum seekers with patients from mental institutions:

  "They emptied out all of their mental institutions into our country... What he did there and every other thing is unforgivable."

Operation Details and Bragging

• Planning the Raid (17:48)
  Trump brags about waiting for “perfect weather” before executing the operation.
• Bragging About Iran Attack (18:24)
  References a prior strike on Iran’s nuclear program.
• Thrill of Watching Live (18:55–19:13)

  "I was able to watch it in real time and I watched every aspect."

• Breaking Through Security
  Praises the military:

  "They broke into places that were not really able to be broke into... steel doors... taken out in a matter of seconds."

Legal Fallout and International Condemnation

• Indictments Unsealed (19:27)
  U.S. indicts Maduro, his wife, and other regime figures for narco-terrorism and weapons possession. D’Isdado Cabello, the "regime enforcer," is notably named but not apprehended.
• International Criticism
  French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemns the raid for violating international law.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "We're going to be very strongly involved in [Venezuela’s oil industry]... We were prepared to do a second wave..." – Donald Trump, 02:58
• "There's not going to be a problem. They're going to get oil... Nobody can stop us." – Donald Trump, 04:02
• "I watched it literally like I was watching a television show... speed, the violence... an amazing thing." – Donald Trump, 05:15
• "They should say, 'great job.' They shouldn't say, oh, gee, maybe it's not constitutional." – Donald Trump, 07:10
• "[Delta Force] wanted to go so badly... most people would have said, I'll take a pass." – Donald Trump, 09:56
• "The cartels are running Mexico... Something's going to have to be done with Mexico." – Donald Trump, 11:51
• "The election of Maduro was a disgrace, just like my election was a disgrace. 2020 was a disgrace." – Donald Trump, 13:27
• "They emptied out all of their mental institutions into our country... unforgivable." – Donald Trump, 16:20
• "We were going to do this four days ago, but the weather was not perfect... and we said, go." – Donald Trump, 17:48
• "They broke into places that were not really able to be broke into... steel doors... in a matter of seconds." – Donald Trump, 18:55
• "If the U.S. asserts the right to invade and capture foreign leaders... what prevents China from claiming the same authority over Taiwan’s leadership?" – Sen. Mark Warner, 07:35
• "The military operation that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro contravenes the principles of the non-use of force that underpins international law." – French FM Jean-Noël Barrot, post-19:27

Important Segments and Timestamps

• [01:28] – Introduction to Trump’s Fox News interview on Venezuela
• [02:43] – Trump discusses U.S. involvement in Venezuelan oil
• [04:02] – Trump brushes off China’s role during the raid
• [05:15] – Trump likens raid to a television show
• [06:09] – Trump minimizes casualties and injuries
• [07:10] – Trump attacks Democrats questioning constitutionality
• [09:56] – Trump discusses Delta Force’s enthusiasm
• [11:51] – Trump threatens Mexico over cartel influence
• [13:27] – Trump conflates 2020 U.S. and Venezuelan elections
• [14:58] – Trump fires back at lawmaker criticism
• [16:20] – Trump’s “mental asylum” immigration claims
• [17:48] – Trump describes raid planning and execution
• [18:55] – Trump details military “breaking through” security
• [19:27] – Indictments unsealed, international backlash

Conclusion

This explosive episode captures the MeidasTouch brothers’ disbelief and critique as Trump appears to treat the invasion of Venezuela as both personal spectacle and campaign fodder. Trump’s rhetoric veers from braggadocio about oil and military might to outlandish threats and historical revisionism. The brothers spotlight the deep constitutional and moral concerns raised by members of Congress and world leaders, highlighting what they see as alarming behavior from a former president operating without regard for legal or humanitarian consequences.