Podcast Summary: MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump In Terror as Ultimatum is Instantly Rejected
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Date: September 14, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is a rapid-fire, sharply satirical breakdown of Donald Trump’s latest statements and actions both domestically and on the world stage. The Meiselas brothers dissect Trump’s foreign policy posturing, recent right-wing narratives, escalating attacks on democracy, and the curious saga of his supposed ultimatums and claims. Mixing news analysis, deep dives into current events, and the show’s trademark brotherly banter and humor, the episode explores the ongoing threats to democratic institutions in America and the wider global backlash to Trump’s rhetoric and style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Claims About Ukraine and World Affairs (01:33 – 05:30)

Ben highlights recent strikes on Russian oil refineries, noting Ukrainian President Zelensky’s strategic response rather than passivity.
The brothers directly read and analyze Trump’s recent social media post blaming Biden and Zelensky for the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Ben skewers Trump’s repeated boasts about supposedly ending wars—India/Pakistan, Congo, “bringing peace everywhere”—exposing Trump’s ignorance and fabrications.
- "Do you even know where Congo is, Donald? He doesn’t know where Congo is." – Ben (02:48)
Emphasis that world leaders and foreign governments are increasingly pushing back against Trump’s bluster as empty, rather than being cowed by it.

2. U.S. Military Actions and Sovereignty Issues (05:31 – 07:55)

Analysis of a recent U.S. Navy boarding of a Venezuelan tuna fishing vessel, with Ben drawing parallels to past controversial American interventions under Trump’s direction.
- “Last time…we struck with our airplanes, we, the United States, killed 11 Venezuelans. Then Trump claimed they were drug dealers…” – Ben (05:55)
The hosts question the logic and humanity behind such actions, especially when justified after the fact with inconsistent stories about drugs or supposed threats.

3. Domestic Authoritarianism & The Trump-Centric Cult of Personality (07:56 – 10:20)

In-depth critique of proposed efforts by hard-right officials (e.g., Marco Rubio) to suppress dissent and free speech, such as threats to cancel visas or purge the military based on criticism of right-wing figures like Charlie Kirk.
The brothers mock the absurdity and chilling threat posed by an approach that brands all criticism as an attack on the regime.
- "If you’ve said anything negative about Charlie Kirk in your past or currently, they’re getting rid of you right now. That’s a Pete Hegseth directive. For real? For real." – Ben (08:55)
Satirical allusions to “concentration camps” as a stand-in for how punitive and extreme the current rhetoric around dissent has gotten.

4. The Ongoing Decline of American Reputation and Economy (10:21 – 12:30)

Analysis of tourism slumps, economic slowdowns in cities like Las Vegas (paralleling Trump’s infamous bankruptcy in Atlantic City), and the negative consequences of American leadership style on global perception.
- “Donald Trump’s encore—pun intended—after destroying Atlantic City in the 90s and 2000s, let’s destroy Vegas in 2025. But no tax on tips, everybody!” – Ben (11:00)
Exposes Trump’s reliance on hollow promises (“no tax on tips”) that distract from substantive issues.

5. Trump’s False Claims on Crime, Economic Data, and Superhero Complex (12:31 – 13:40)

Review of Trump’s latest boasts about reducing crime in U.S. cities (Memphis, Chicago, LA) as a one-man savior, with Ben lampooning the self-aggrandizement:
- “Only I can save them. Like a little baby—we have, like, no offense to babies, like a petulant little man baby fascist in there.” – Ben (13:11)
The brothers illustrate how Trump’s narratives of sole heroism defy basic math and reality—such as claiming a $17 trillion influx amidst multitrillion-dollar deficits.

6. Far-Right International Movements and Global Resistance (13:41 – 14:05)

Commentary on the spread of right-wing populist rallies in the UK (with Elon Musk in attendance) and broader resistance by democratic actors in countries like India, Brazil, Japan, and South Korea.
Examples given of foreign leaders (e.g., Brazilian President Lula) pushing back against Trump’s attempts at strongarm diplomacy.
- “President Lula says, f you, get the hell out. I’m sovereign…I do what I want to do.” – Ben (14:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

"He bankrupts multiple companies, he’s found liable for sexual abuse... And you’re like, that’s the guy for me. That’s who I want to be my leader. The sexual abuser, defamer, bankrupter. Pick him."
— Ben (11:40)
“He’s a weak, pathetic loser… You just have to know that about him as a leader of another nation. He huffs. And don’t get me wrong, the United States has power…but he’s weakened that power so much.”
— Ben (14:03)
“Can we be normal, America, please? Can we be normal?”
— Ben (08:12)
“You lie about everything. You claim you solved the Indian Pakistani war… and Modi didn’t even want to take the phone calls.”
— Ben (03:31)
“Tourism is at record lows right now… it’s why Vegas is in a recession, and may be heading into a depression.”
— Ben (10:59)

Key Timestamps

01:33: Breakdown of Trump’s claim about the Ukraine War and Zelensky’s ongoing resistance
05:31: Discussion of U.S. Navy actions off Venezuela and international incidents under Trump
07:56: Analysis of new right-wing policies targeting dissent (visas/military purges)
10:21: Decline in tourism and economic fallout in American cities
12:31: Satirical critique of Trump’s crime and economic claims
13:41: Global backlash and resistance to American and MAGA-style far right populism

Tone & Takeaways

With their hallmark mix of righteous outrage, sharp skepticism, and irreverent sibling humor, the Meiselas brothers deliver a message for Americans and global audiences alike: resist authoritarian spin, support democratic norms, and keep pushing for sanity in the face of ever-more-bizarre attacks on truth and accountability. The episode is a call to vigilance and solidarity—peppered with comic relief and unfiltered, plainspoken honesty.

Transcript

A (0:01)

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, Monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Visit progressive.com to see if you could.

B (0:17)

Save Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates.

A (0:21)

Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations, from unsolved mysteries to unexplained phenomena, from comedy gold to relationship fails. Amazon Music's got the most ad free top podcasts included with prime because the only thing that should interrupt your listening is, well, nothing. Download the Amazon Music app today.

B (0:52)

High interest debt is one of the toughest opponents you'll face unless you power up with a Sofi personal loan. A Sofi personal loan could repackage your bad debt into one low fixed rate monthly payment. It's even got super speed since you could get the funds as soon as the same day you sign. Visit sofi.compower to learn more. That's S-O-F I.com P-O-W-E R loans originated by Sofi bank and a member FDIC terms and conditions up Reply NMLS 696891.

A (1:33)

That'S what strength looks like. Zelensky saw Donald Trump say, oh, this is Zelensky's and Biden's war. And Zelinsky's like, yeah, I'm gonna strike more Russian oil refineries. And so what we saw were strikes like that last night we St. Petersburg's huge Krishi oil refinery getting absolutely crushed. Different refinery than the first one. But here's a photo of a massive pillar of flame rising over Russia's Kurishi oil refinery outside of St. Petersburg. Just so you know that I'm not like misquoting or taking liberties with what Donald Trump posted yesterday, here was his post referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. To Donald Trump goes this is not Trump's war. It would never have started if I were president. It is Biden's and Zelensky's war. I'm only here to stop it and save thousands of Russian and Ukrainian lives. Then he goes on to say, if NATO does as I say, the war will end quickly. You said it was going to end in 24 hours after the election. You lie about everything. You claim you solved the Indian Pakistani war you had nothing to do with stopping and Modi didn't even want to take the phone calls of JD Van saying, you better do peace because Pakistan's going to really attack you really badly. Modi's like, I'm not going to deal with that right now, I'm not going to take your phone call. JD we're kind of in a war. Let us deal with this. Like, let us nation, sovereign nations actually deal with this. Oh, and then Donald Trump said he brought peace to Congo. Really? Because like dozens of people are dying every day in ISIS attacks in Congo. Do you even know where Congo is, Donald? He doesn't know where Congo is. There's. I'm not gonna play it now. There are other videos where he clearly says he didn't even know that Congo was a country. But Donald Trump, total and utter weakness. Not just in posts like that. What did he do yesterday? So yesterday the United States Navy attacked and boarded a tuna fishing vessel off the coast of Venezuela. Venezuela's foreign ministry said, this boat is for tuna. There was no drugs on. It was a tuna fishing boat and the Navy, like raided this boat. There were nine people like, I suppose it's better to do this than what they did last time. Now I suppose it is better, but it still is invading another nation's sovereignty. The last time they struck with the, with our airplanes, we, the United States killed 11 Venezuelans. Then Trump claimed they were drug dealers with cocaine that at first Rubio said was going to Trinidad, and then Trump said, Nope, on that 24 foot boat, maybe 1624ft was no bigger than 30ft. I think it's like probably closer to 24ft. They were gonna bring that cocaine to the United States. Well, why couldn't you stop them like you did here? If that was the case number two, if it's trend day Aragua like you said it is, how do you know they weren't trafficking innocent humans who you just killed as well? Like, don't you want to check on the boat? You're just gonna kill everybody. What if they were? What if they were trafficking innocent people? So you're gonna kill, you're gonna kill the victims of trafficking. Okay. And then even if it was drugs, the. Your judge, jury and executioner. That's what, that's what you do. Now here was footage from aboard the tuna fishing vessel that the Navy air. The Navy tuna fishing vessels. We've got National Guard going through the Washington Mall and checking out the Smithsonian museums. Toughness, Donald. Oh, and put your, that big stupid face of yours all over the government buildings. That looks really tough to the rest of the world, Donald. Sir, they said, sir. No one's ever looked so tough. Sir. You're so pathetic. You are so pathetic. Anyway, here, play this clip of the tuna boat being boarded. Play this clip Also, Charlie Kirk's killer was mocking Donald Trump in discord chats. Before he was caught, all of his friends were like, hey, that photo looks like it's you. Is that you? And then Tyler Robinson was like, nah, it's my doppelganger. They're trying to frame me. And. Oh, they're. They're saying it's a bunch of trans stuff. Yeah, it's not me, but I probably have to get rid of the exact replica rifle that I have. Like, they were making a mockery about how bad the FBI was. So yesterday I. I'm gonna do a whole other video this morning on it. But yesterday the FBI was like, he had a transgender roommate. So therefore. And then. And then state regime, media, Fox's digital editor then wrote this. The New York Post wrote it. Then others were like, could transgender be a motive? Was he dating a transgender woman? And then that inspired him to do this. Y' all are. The governor of Utah said, I was hoping and I was praying that it wouldn't be one of ours. And I found out that he was one of ours. He was a white boy. He was 22 year old white kid. He was one of ours. That's one of ours. There's so much deranged. Could we be normal, America, please. Could we be normal? Oh, and now Marco Rubio's trying to seize the power of terminating the visas of American citizens who speak in ways that the regime doesn't like. So if you're an American citizen, your visas could potentially be canceled. Oh, if you are in the military right now, there's a purge in the military underway right now. If you've said anything negative about Charlie Kirk in your past or currently, they're getting rid of you right now. That's a Pete Hegseth directive. For real? For real. They're going after people for free speech. If you've ever said anything negative about Charlie Kirk. Also, in terms of foreigners visiting, if you've ever said anything negative about Charlie Kirk, you could wind up in a. What are they. What's that in that TikTok? Welcome to the. I forget the line. This is a 50 pound vacation, okay? I'm the worst. My brothers are gonna mock me for not remembering it was. Anyway, it's like when the vacation goes, you'll end up in a concentration camp in the United States. If you said anything wrong about Charlie Kirk. That's what happens in the United States of America today. That's why tourism is at record lows right now. It's why Vegas is in a recession. And may be heading into a depression. Donald Trump's encore pun intended. After destroying Atlantic city in the 90s and 2000s, let's destroy Vegas in 2025. But no tax on tips, everybody. You're not getting paid, but no tax on those. No tips that you're getting. Yay, he tricked you again. I mean, you don't, you don't want to see what he did in Atlantic City. You don't realize the guy's bankrupted every, every, like almost most of the companies he's touched. I mean, the guy is a lifelong con artist, a fraud. He bankrupts multiple companies, he's found liable for sexual abuse. A jury found him liable for sexual abuse, then liable again for defaming his sexual abuse victim. And you're like, that's the guy for me. That's who I want to be my leader. The sexual abuser, defamer, bankrupter. Pick him. So ridiculous. This is what you get. Donald Trump then writes, the only reason crime is somewhat down in Memphis is because the FBI and others in the federal government at my direction, I've been working there for five months, folks. FBI has never worked in Memphis before, according to Donald Trump. Just happening right now on the absolutely terrible crime numbers. Likewise in Chicago and Los Angeles. Oh, he saves Los Angeles again. He stopped the wildfires, he stopped the riots, and now he stopped all crime. Superman. That happens after we make official announcement we're coming. And when we do that, as we did in now very safe Washington, the no crime miracle begins. Only I can save them. He goes, thank you for your attention. This matter, President djt. Only I can save them. Like a little baby we have, like, no offense to babies, like a petulant little man, baby fascist in there. Only I can save him. Like a character of a bad guy character growing like, what, what is this? And meanwhile though you have him, is this how you're making us safe in Chicago? You're basically shooting people with non lethal rounds who peacefully protest. Here, play this clip. Now we see people like this, this right wing push, not just here in the United States. You know, in the UK they had that far right wing extremist Unite the Kingdom rally. And Elon Musk was giving speeches there with all these hateful people there. Um, you know, again, just spreading the same types of maga filth we have here over there. I'm not gonna highlight what they're. I don't wanna show those people. I do wanna show what women in the UK against the far right, reclaiming their country back from racists and Fascists. Here, play this clip. Then finally, let me show you this. As Carl Quintanilla says, India, Brazil, Japan, South Korea. In just the past few weeks, clearly a low moment in US India. Relationships sour as new tariffs kick in. India hates the United States. Brazil keeps telling Trump to get lost. Latin America's largest nation is shaping up as a test case to how to defy Donald Trump. President Lula say, f you get the hell out. I'm sovereign. I'm do what I want to do. Get the hell out of here. You stand up to Donald Trump. He backs down. He's a weak, pathetic loser. He's always backed down his whole life. He huffs and he puffs. You just stand up to him and say, get the hell out of here. You know, look, Michael Cohen on the network. A host on the network when Trump sued him, Cohen's like, all right, great. Let's have your deposition, big guy. Sit down for a deposition. Trump ran away. He's a scared, pathetic loser in life. And you just have to know that about him as a leader of another nation. He huffs it. And don't get me wrong, the United States has power based on its historical presence. So it's not like he's incapable of inflicting pain through the historical power of the US but he's weakened that power so much, stand up to the guy in South Korea and Japan. Fury as US Fuels backlash over trade deals over and over again. With, we see this inflation surging, the deficit hitting serious highs. Deficit last month was like $345 billion. But Donald Trump said he brought in $17 trillion. How is there a deficit if he's brought in trillions of dollars this fiscal year? The total deficit's gonna be $2 trillion. Deficit in this fiscal year. But Donald Trump said he brought in 17 trillion. Wouldn't that make a 15 trillion surplus? Oh, wait, he's a liar. He lies about everything. Yeah, he lies about everything. I could go on and on. You get the point. But, folks, hang in there. Resist. Stay in this fight with Midas. Touch. We're in this together. Check out Midasplus.com that's our substack. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Help us get to 6 million. We appreciate you want to stay plugged in. Become a subscriber to our substack@midasplus.com you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski, ad free episodes of our podcast, and more exclusive content only available@midasplus.com.