The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump has Catastrophic Sunday as World Cancels Deals!!!
Date: February 22, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers react to a tumultuous weekend for Donald Trump, focusing on the global and domestic political fallout from Trump’s new 15% tariffs—unilaterally imposed under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act after the Supreme Court struck down his prior tariffs. The hosts discuss real-time international pushback, the Trump administration’s legal maneuvering, and the broader chaos enveloping Trump’s regime, mixing sharp political analysis, notable media clips, and their signature caustic humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s New 15% Global Tariffs and International Fallout

(02:01–06:26)

• Trump’s Announcement: Trump, after the Supreme Court struck down his global tariffs, reimposes 15% tariffs citing a new (likely unlawful) legal rationale.
• Immediate Global Response:
  • EU: The European Parliament is moving to freeze the ratification of its trade agreement with the U.S.
  • India: Postpones its Washington trade visit.
  • France: Summons U.S. ambassador Charles Kushner (noting his criminal past and Trump’s controversial 2020 pardon) for interference in French politics.
  • Greenland: Outrage grows over Trump’s bizarre “aid” claims and alleged attempts to breach Greenlandic sovereignty.
• Submarine Incident: An undisclosed U.S. nuclear submarine appears off Greenland’s coast during a royal visit, further stoking distrust and speculation about U.S. intentions.

2. Administration Officials Struggle to Defend the Tariffs

(06:26–09:38)

• Jameson Greer (U.S. Trade Representative) on ABC: Insists tariffs reflect Trump’s “continuity” and are merely using a different legal tool, downplaying their unpopularity and economic impact.
  • Quote:
    “The policy hasn’t changed, the legal tool… that might change, but the policy hasn’t changed… There’s a 15% tariff now. It’s roughly equivalent to the types of tariffs that we had in place under IPA.”
    — Jameson Greer, [06:52]
• Scott Besant (Treasury Secretary) on CNN with Dana Bash: Dodges questions about refunding $134B collected in tariffs, sidesteps responsibility, and deflects to ongoing court processes.
  • Quote:
    “That’s not the big question… We have other tariff authorities… I’m not going to get out ahead of the court. We will follow the court’s direction, but that could be weeks or months away.”
    — Scott Besant, [08:21–09:28]

3. The “John Barron” Call and Trump’s Evasion

(09:38–11:12)

• Viral C-SPAN Call: An individual using the pseudonym “John Barron” (an infamous Trump alias) calls in to rant against the Supreme Court’s decision, echoing Trump’s rhetoric and mannerisms—a satirical but pointed reminder of Trump’s history of using sock-puppet identities.
  • Quote:
    “This is the worst decision you ever have in your life, practically, Jack. And Jack's going to agree with me… Hakeem Jeffries, who, he's a dope. And you have Chuck Schumer, who can't cook a cheeseburger.”
    — “John Barron,” [10:40]

4. Charles Kushner’s Criminal History and Diplomatic Role

(11:17–12:18)

• Ben details Charles Kushner’s past: convicted of tax evasion and witness tampering (notably blackmailing a family member with a hired prostitute), pardoned by Trump, then appointed ambassador to France, drawing international ire.

5. Propaganda, Media Coverage, and the “Fake” Trade Deals

(12:19–14:00)

• Propaganda Claims: Trump regime officials argue “no countries have withdrawn” from trade deals, which the MeidasTouch hosts debunk, noting that many of these agreements haven’t been ratified and some foreign leaders are actively halting engagements.
• Media Blind Spots: Discussion of selective coverage in mainstream media, highlighting the importance of critical news consumption and noting the role of independent sources for factual reporting.

6. Iran Crisis and Failed Trump Narratives

(16:30–18:36)

• Steve Witkoff on Iran: Witkoff questions why Iran hasn’t “capitulated” to overwhelming U.S. naval power, revealing the administration’s frustration and disconnect from reality.
  • Quote:
    “It's curious… why they haven't, I don't want to use the word capitulated, but why they haven't capitulated. Why under this sort of pressure, with the amount of naval power… they haven't come to us and said, we profess we don’t want a weapon.”
    — Steve Witkoff, [16:34]
• Trump’s Claims vs. Reality: Ben ridicules Trump’s prior assertions of having “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear sites and “saving” Iranian protesters, calling out the regime’s persistent dishonesty and the tragic human cost of its lies.

7. ICE, Government Shutdown, and the Immigration Narrative

(18:36–21:14)

• J.D. Vance’s Justification: Claims ICE’s main goal under Trump is apprehending sex offenders, which the hosts swiftly refute with statistics (only 1.4% of ICE arrests are sex offenders) and historical context (prior administrations arrested more).
  • Quote:
    “Sex offenders account for a grand total of 1.4% of people arrested by ICE in the last year. By the way, Obama and Biden… arrested far more sex offenders using ICE… than what ICE and Border Patrol are being used as now, as a terroristic force and ICE.”
    — Ben, [19:35]
• Partial Government Shutdown: Trump and MAGA Republicans’ refusal to accept basic Democratic oversight requests (body cams, judicial warrants, no polling-place presence) leads to a shutdown, with threatened suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry quickly walked back after public outcry.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Legal Dodges:
  “So your plan is… after the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs… now to impose new tariffs… by now invoking another law… The Supreme Court said, no way. Now, under this Trade Act of 1974, which really deals with currency manipulation and it does not deal with anything that's relating to, you know, any conduct that's out there right now.” (Ben, [05:15])

• On International Chaos:
  “The people in Greenland are also terrified because… they think this could be used as a Trojan horse for an invasion… a nuclear submarine just surfaced off the coast of Greenland. …And that nuclear submarine was there the same time the king of Denmark… was visiting Greenland.” (Ben, [02:58])

• On ICE and Immigration Policy:
  “ICE and Border Patrol need to be abolished. …They are broken, they are terroristic, they are SS, they are paramilitary. They need to be abolished. Period. Full stop.” (Ben, [19:35])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump’s new tariffs & world reaction: 02:01–06:26
• Trump officials defend tariffs on TV: 06:26–09:38
• The “John Barron” C-SPAN call: 09:38–11:12
• Charles Kushner controversy: 11:17–12:18
• Fake trade deals & propaganda: 12:19–14:00
• Steve Witkoff on Iran: 16:30–18:36
• J.D. Vance/ICE/government shutdown: 18:36–21:14

Tone & Style

Throughout the episode, the MeidasTouch brothers blend incisive legal and political commentary with biting satire and relentless criticism of Trump and his administration—typical of their pro-democracy, activist tone. Listeners are encouraged to stay engaged, question official narratives, and remain vigilant in the face of propaganda and authoritarian overreach.

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive, often scathing look at the Trump regime’s latest economic and international blunders, illustrating the interconnectedness of domestic chaos and foreign disarray. The MeidasTouch team meticulously dissects administration talking points, exposes the legal and ethical failings of major players, and reaffirms their mission to inform and mobilize supporters of democracy.