Podcast Summary: “Trump Has Catastrophic Sunday as Meeting Blows Up Early”

The MeidasTouch Podcast | December 28, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Main Theme

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers deliver a sharp and comedic breakdown of a series of explosive political events surrounding Donald Trump’s recent public statements and actions. With their signature brotherly banter and unwavering pro-democracy stance, the hosts dissect Trump’s controversial handling of U.S. foreign diplomacy—particularly with Russia and Ukraine—his use of social media, and the propagation of misinformation in the press. They also spotlight under-discussed domestic issues and offer analysis on policy, government officials, and the media landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s “Catastrophic” Morning and the Zelensky Meeting

Overview: Trump announced he spoke to Vladimir Putin before meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, indicating favoritism and possible undue influence from Putin ([00:28]).
Discussion:
- Trump’s statement: “I just had a good and very productive telephone call with President Putin of Russia prior to my meeting at 1pm today with President Zelensky of Ukraine…” (Trump’s social post, paraphrased by the host) ([00:32]).
- Zelensky was not greeted by any U.S. official upon arrival—“not a single US Official was there to greet Zelensky upon his arrival” ([01:03]).
- Dramatic contrast drawn with “the red carpet treatment” Trump provided previously to Putin in Alaska, including an instance where U.S. soldiers “got down on their knees for Vladimir Putin and rolled out that red carpet” ([01:31]).
- Insight: The hosts see Trump as blatantly disrespecting Ukraine and favoring Russia, endangering U.S. interests and alliances.

2. Trump’s Social Media Outbursts and Disinformation

Examples Discussed:
- Iran Nuclear Deal Accusations: Trump falsely accused Obama of funding Iran’s nuclear program, despite his own failed attempts at arms deals ([03:14]).
- Racist, Divisive Posts: Trump reposted a message claiming Democrats “wanted to replace you with uneducated Mexicans who would be easier to enslave” ([04:06]).
  - Host reaction: “Donald Trump saying that Democrats wanted to replace you. And I guess he's referring to white people…” ([04:16]).
- Propaganda Images: Trump posted imagery of Manhattan under nuclear attack to incite fear ([04:25]).
Insight: The brothers stress Trump’s unchecked dissemination of “lies about everything” and the lack of critical media coverage, calling this a major threat ([06:12]).

3. Media Coverage and Ground News

Host Recommendation: Ben Meiselas highlights the Ground News app for media bias and factuality tracking ([06:47]).
- Noting the dangers when “center media... just regurgitate Donald Trump's talking points” ([06:51]).
Insight: The brothers urge listeners to use resources that expose media bias and promote informed citizenship.

4. Domestic Policy: Small Business and Economy Claims

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler’s Claim:
- She touts “small business optimism is really spiking under President Trump after four very difficult years under under Joe Biden,” and claims small business owners are “excited to pay their taxes. Thanks to President Trump” ([10:43]-[11:24]).
- Host’s Reaction: The brothers push back, doubting that current economic realities match this optimism ([11:26]).
HUD and the 50-Year Mortgage:
- HUD (Scott Turner) is vague about the feasibility: “I think more research needs to be done on a 50 year mortgage…” ([12:10]).
- Insight: The hosts suggest these policies are either out of touch or lack substantive backing.

5. Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Trump’s Allegiances

Congressman Mike Turner’s Comments:
- Claims Trump is “on the side of peace and he’s trying to balance these two forces,” but admits “a war of aggression is started by Russia” ([12:52]-[13:38]).
Host’s Critique: The brothers find Turner’s defense of Trump insufficient and misleading ([13:19]).
Insight: They reaffirm that Trump aligns more with Russian interests, using peace-brokering as a veneer.

6. Senator Bernie Sanders on Data Centers

Segment Highlight:
- Sanders argues for a “moratorium on data centers,” citing environmental impact and rising electric bills ([14:37]).
- Quote: “Frankly, I think you gotta slow this process down. It’s not good enough for the oligarchs to tell us it’s coming. You adapt…” ([14:47]).
Insight: The hosts applaud Sanders for elevating overlooked issues that have profound local and national impact.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“I think Donald Trump is trying to set up Zelensky yet again with Vladimir Putin…he’s holding this important meeting in a dining room. Just want you to think about the message that that sends and the level of disrespect”
—Ben Meiselas ([00:41])
“Not a single US Official was there to greet Zelensky upon his arrival. Once again, Trump is showing his true colors.”
—Ben Meiselas ([01:03])
“Trump said we bombed Nigeria to protect the Christians. Trump said…when you go with Trump says, guess what? He lies about everything.”
—Ben Meiselas ([06:55])
"It's not good enough for the oligarchs to tell us it's coming. You adapt. What are they talking about? They're gonna guarantee healthcare to all people. What are they gonna do when people have no jobs? What are they gonna do? Make housing free. So I think we need to take a deep breath and...probably a moratorium on Data Centers."
—Sen. Bernie Sanders ([14:47])
Brotherly Banter & Sarcasm:
- “Another peace, war, peace, war, peace, war. This is your fault right now and you have no clue what you’re talking about.” ([05:46])
- Regarding Ground News: “It’s a game changer because as active, responsible citizens, we must get our news from reliable sources.” ([07:29])

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:28 — Trump’s morning statement about speaking with Putin before Zelensky
01:03 — Lack of official U.S. welcome for Zelensky
01:31 — Contrasted treatment of Putin and Zelensky
03:14 — Trump’s posts on Iran and Democrats
04:06 — Trump’s divisive social media rhetoric
10:43 — SBA Chief touts “small business boom” under Trump
12:10 — HUD Chief’s remarks on the 50-year mortgage
12:52 — Rep. Mike Turner on Trump “balancing” Ukraine/Russia
14:37 — Bernie Sanders calls for a moratorium on data centers

Closing Takeaways

The Meiselas brothers continue their pointed critique of Trump and his administration, exposing perceived corruption, misinformation, and the undermining of democratic norms.
They champion fact-based reporting and responsible news consumption, offering actionable recommendations for listeners to stay informed.
The episode concludes with acknowledgment of under-discussed policy topics, focusing on their real-life impacts.

For listeners seeking sharp, progressive, evidence-driven criticism of the Trump era—mixed with humor and urgent calls to civic action—this episode gives a fast-paced, trenchant update on the state of U.S. politics and media.

Transcript

A (0:00)

Shopify helps you sell at every stage of your business. Like that. Let's put it online and see what happens.

B (0:05)

Stage and the site is live that.

A (0:08)

We opened a store and need a fast checkout. Stage thanks. You're all set that count it up and ship it around the globe.

B (0:14)

Stage this one's going to Thailand and.

A (0:17)

That wait, did we just hit a million orders? Stage Whatever your Stage Businesses that grow grow with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 a month.

B (0:27)

Trial@Shopify.Com Listen Donald Trump is having a catastrophic morning. He is revealing his true cards. Right before he was set to meet with President Zelinsky of Ukraine on Sunday, Donald Trump said, you know who I spoke to first? I spoke to Putin. Essentially, Donald Trump saying he got his orders from Vladimir Putin. Here's what Donald Trump posted this morning. He writes, I just had a good and very productive telephone call with President Putin of Russia prior to my meeting at 1pm today with President Zelensky of Ukraine. The meeting will take place in the main dining room of Mar? A Lago. Press is invited. Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT I think Donald Trump is trying to set up Zelensky yet again with Vladimir Putin. He's holding this important meeting in a dining room. Just want you to think about the message that that sends and the level of disrespect in the Mar? A Lago dining room. Also talking about disrespect. When President Zelensky arrived in Florida today, here's what went down. He was greeted by no one from the United States. He was greeted by their own ambassador from Ukraine. Nobody showed up. And as Julia Davis, who does a great job covering this, says, not a single US Official was there to greet Zelinsky upon his arrival. Once again, Trump is showing his true colors. Contrast Zelinsky's arrival with the red carpet treatment that Vladimir Putin was given in Alaska, where Donald Trump literally rolled out a red carpet and made American soldiers get down on their knees for for Vladimir Putin and roll out that red carpet. I mean, I'm not just saying that in a hyperbolic sense. Remember the photo of our soldiers on their knees in front of Putin. It's one of the most disgraceful images imaginable that as Sergey Lavrov, Putin's right hand, was wearing the USSR shirt as well to kind of rub it in in the United States that they basically control. Don't Donald Trump. Ilya Pomarenko from the Kiev Independent writes, let me guess. Donald Putin again whispered sugary compliments about how he's the greatest world leader in history, that a full Russian victory is just five minutes away and that you'll make a lot of money, Donald and business projects if you just agree to Russia's terms. And Donald Trump melted and now he's once again going to start throwing maps around and and swearing at Zelensky at Bar a Lago. This meeting is set up to be an utter disaster. Joni Askola writes the founder and secret leader of maga. And it is a photo right there of Vladimir Putin. The account War translated writes the Russian military bloggers are fuming though this morning as the proof that Putin's regime is showing them that Kupayansk is under the control of Russia, which it isn't. Ukraine won the battle at Kupiansk with its drones is a video of three soldiers from Russia fleeing the city from its northern edge while Russian. It's ridiculous. And the Russian military bloggers know that they're being fed utter lies. But that's what authoritarians like Putin do. That's what authoritarians like Donald Trump do. A quick reminder, make sure you hit subscribe to our YouTube channel. We we are on our way here to 6 million subscribers thanks to your incredible support. So please hit subscribe if you can. Also this morning, while Donald Trump saying he spoke with Putin before the Zelinsky meeting, Donald Trump also posted the following. One of Obama's most treasonous policies was to fund Iran's nuclear program. This is false and ultimately Donald Trump was trying to do a deal with Iran that was weaker than former President Obama's Iran nuclear deal. But go ahead. So Donald Trump then writes democrats were going to take our way. Or he reposts this is from the president of the United States account. Democrats were going to take away our fossil fuels so millions would freeze and starve to death. Democrats wanted to replace you with uneducated Mexicans who would be easier to enslave. People who vote for Democrats are dumb and suicidal. Like I know this post won't get any coverage from corporate news, but Donald Trump saying that Democrats wanted to replace you. And I guess he's referring to white people, he says with uneducated Mexicans who would be easier to enslave. And then there is an image of, I believe it's of Manhattan under a nuclear attack. This is the post that the president of the United States is making and he makes posts like this every single day. Or Donald Trump posts the following he starts more attacks on Obama. Democrats are harping on POTUS's war on drugs while staying silent under Obama. And then he goes on to say, he said, we did double tap strikes all the time. In fact, we usually had a second predator in the sky waiting for intelligence to clear. So they're saying that under Obama, America did double tap strikes all the time. So first off, that's not true. Second, you're saying that you're admitting that you're doing double tap strikes right here, that you are out there engaging in these heinous and despicable war crimes off the coast of Venezuela. And also you don't see a difference between the war that was taking place like an actual war and you just killing people in fishing boats off the coast of Venezuela? I don't, I don't. You know, let's be very clear. If war crimes are being committed, I don't care who the fricking President is. Um, but this is what Donald Trump, this is what Donald Trump is posting this morning. Also, Donald Trump is announcing peace between Thailand and Cambodia. If you're like deja vu, didn't he say that? Yeah, he said that. Before Donald Trump goes, I'm pleased to announce that the breakout fighting between Thailand and Cambodia will stop momentarily and they will go back to living in peace as per our recently agreed to original treaty. I want to congratulate both leaders on their brilliance and coming to this rapid and very fair conclusion. It was fast and decisive, as all of these situations should be. Fast and decisive. What are you talking about? War broke out under you, Donald. War is continuing under you. And this seems like you mention this every single week. Another peace, war, peace, war, peace, war. This is your fault right now and you have no clue what you're talking about. By the way, take a look at how ground news is showing this article. So Trump congratulates Thailand, Cambodia, leaders on ceasefire. So if you wanted to see, is the left wing media covering this? Is center media covering this? And is right wing media covering it? I think this gives away the whole game right here. So the quote unquote, center media, they're covering this and right wing media is covering this. Why? Because right wing media is giving Trump the propaganda and the center. And this is one of the big problems. They just regurgitate Donald Trump's talking points. And that has devastating consequences when they do that because they just say, Trump said, Trump said. Trump said we bombed Nigeria to protect the Christians. Trump said. Trump said that he's done eight peace deals. Trump said, when you go with Trump says, guess what? He lies about everything. And by the way, that's why I'm often asked where I get my news from and one of my top news sources, my go to news source is Ground News, which I just showed you there. It's a subscriber funded app and news site and every day they pull in thousands of articles from around the world and organize them by story and then show you what the right is reporting, what the center is reporting, what the left is reporting. It's a game changer because as active, responsible citizens, we must get our news from reliable sources. In Trump's America, being informed about facts and media bias is the most important thing you can do. But that's why we love Ground News. For every article, they also tell you, did a media conglomerate put this news out or was it independent media? And they also list the degree of factuality, which is interesting as there are a lot of news sources from media conglomerates that have mixed or low factuality. Independent media seems to have a higher factuality, but you get all of that with your Ground News Vantage subscription. I especially like their Blind Spot feed, which highlights stories that are disproportionately covered by one side of the political spectrum, like the story I just shared with you. So join us by going to ground news slash MTN and get 40% off the ground News Vantage plan that I use every morning. They are subscriber funded and by subscribing, you're not only getting a tool we all need today, you're also supporting our work here on this YouTube channel. Go to GR O u n D News MTN and we pin the link to purchase your subscription below. One more time, go to GR O U n D News MTN and we pin the link to purchase your subscription below. So go and check that out right now. Now, additional things are going on this morning that I'd like to share with you, so let's just go through some of that as well. You had Donald Trump's Small Business association head saying that the small Kelly Leffler, she's a billionaire and she runs the Small Business Administration and she says that all these small businesses are so happy right now, they're thriving and they can't wait to pay their taxes. First off, if you're speaking to a small business owner right now, they're not happy about this economy right now, how the tariffs have impacted them. But according to the Trump regime and their billionaires, the small business owners are thrilled. Here, play this clip right here.