The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode Title: Trump Loses Control as his Own Team Tries to set Trap for Him
Original Air Date: September 15, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Overview
This episode dives into the increasing tension surrounding Donald Trump’s stance on Russia and Ukraine. The Meiselas brothers analyze how Trump’s own political and military allies—within Congress and his inner circle—are actively trying to corner him into supporting stronger actions against Russia, such as sanctions and designating Russia as a terrorist state. The brothers explore the dissonance between Trump’s rhetoric and the coordinated efforts in Congress, the military, and international allies to hold Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine. The episode is rich with direct quotes, analysis of global conferences, and a breakdown of strategic “traps” being set for Trump by his own team.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
I. The Trap: Trump's Team Works Against Him
[00:29 - 02:54]
- Trump’s team—including top Republicans and his Ukraine envoy—are maneuvering to force stronger support for Ukraine, even if it means boxing Trump into a corner.
- Examples include proposed legislation for tougher sanctions against Russia and efforts to have Russia labeled a terrorist state.
- Tension is noted between Trump’s pro-Russia stance and portions of his own party trying to demonstrate support for Ukraine.
Notable Analysis:
“Donald Trump’s own team has to set a trap for him because they realize how dangerous he is… They are setting traps for Donald Trump to try to do everything in their power, even if it’s inadvertently or mistakenly by Donald Trump just to support Ukraine.” (Political Commentator/Narrator, 00:29)
II. Trump’s Contradictory Rhetoric on Ukraine and Russia
[00:29 - 02:54]
- Trump recently posted on social media blaming Biden and Zelensky for the war:
- “It’s Biden and Zelensky’s war. If NATO does as I say, the war will end quickly.”
- Trump criticizes Europe for buying Russian oil, though Hungary and Slovakia (led by Trump’s allies) are the main buyers.
- Trump is called out for hypocrisy, simultaneously criticizing European purchases while praising Viktor Orban (Hungary) for buying Russian oil.
- Viktor Orban pleads with Trump to stop Ukraine from bombing Russian oil depots—Trump sides with Orban.
Sharp Critique:
“Why would you be upset if Ukraine is hitting the Russian oil depots, Donald, if you claim to be upset that Europe’s getting oil from those depots? That doesn’t really make any sense. But it’s all pretextual as ways for you to try to wiggle out of actually supporting Ukraine and issuing sanctions.” (Political Commentator/Narrator, 02:54)
III. Behind the Scenes: Military Leaders Confront Trump
[02:54 - 05:35]
- Envoy to Ukraine, Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Dan Kane, confronted Trump in the Oval Office.
- They unequivocally told Trump that Russia is not winning the war, “They’ve lost like a million lives.”
- Even Trump’s closest military allies push back on his perceptions and try to ground him in reality.
Memorable Moment:
“Mr. President, don’t just listen to me. Your Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Dan Kane, is outside. Bring him in. Ask him that question. He’s your principal military advisor.”
“…And Dan said the same thing. They went, nope, not winning. So Putin could say he’s winning all he wants. I know what he wants to do… But it’s a slog for him.” (Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, 04:40)
IV. Congressional Republicans Try to Corner Trump
[05:35 - 11:20]
- House Speaker Maga Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune voice their support for sanctions, carefully couching statements to not anger Trump.
- Both stress needing White House (Trump) support to pass effective sanctions but keep hedging, avoiding direct confrontation.
- Lindsey Graham introduces legislation to label Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, making a point to cast Trump as a potential hero if he supports it.
Key Quotes:
“I do believe that desperate times call for desperate measures. And I think appropriate sanctions on Russia are far overdue… I’m anxious to do it personally.”
(Maga Mike Johnson, 07:29)
“We have been working with the White House on that legislation and we want to make sure… it’s something that they are comfortable with… gives them the tools that they need.”
(Sen. John Thune, 09:26)
“We want to put in motion a process that would lead quickly to Russia being a state sponsor of terrorism… If Russia doesn’t want to be a state sponsor… return the children.”
(Senator Lindsey Graham, 10:14)
V. The Yalta European Security Conference and Global Perspective
[13:15 - 15:46]
- The Yalta European Security Conference in Kyiv provides a platform for U.S., Ukrainian, and Finnish leaders to share frank assessments.
- Lt. Gen. Kellogg reiterates: “Russia is in fact losing this war.” Losses estimated at over a million dead or wounded—on par with World War II.
- Highlights Ukrainian resilience: Kellogg describes citizens sheltering during attacks and singing the national anthem in subways.
- President Zelensky: Ukraine’s targeted attacks on Russian oil infrastructure are the real sanctions, severely crimping Russia’s war funding.
Notable Moment:
“If you consider advancing moving by meters, not miles, well then okay, that’s successful. But… they have lost over a million dead or wounded. These numbers are World War II level numbers…”
(Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, 13:39)
“They weren’t huddled down, eating or drinking. You know what they were doing? They were singing their national anthem. You cannot replicate that. That’s not gonna happen to Ukraine.”
(Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, 14:56)
“The most effective sanctions, the ones that work the fastest, are the fires at Russia’s oil refineries…”
(President Zelensky paraphrased, 15:46)
VI. International Leaders Weigh In: Putin’s Failures and Russian Losses
[18:48 - 20:56]
- President Stube of Finland outlines Putin’s strategic failures:
- Ukraine’s takeover didn’t happen in days—“Here we are four years into the war.”
- The West is more unified than ever; NATO has expanded.
- Russia’s casualties and costs are immense, calling into question how much more the Russian public will tolerate.
- Stube breaks down what real security guarantees for Ukraine would look like: strong Ukrainian forces, European support, and the U.S. acting as backstop.
Key Quotes:
“[Putin] failed in all of his strategic goals, including the fact that Ukraine became very European and not Russian at all.”
(President Stube of Finland, 18:48)
“The situation on the ground is not as bad as people want to make it for Ukraine… In the past 1,000 days, [Russia] have advanced 1 percentage point of Ukrainian territory at a cost of roughly 7,000 dead or wounded per week.”
(President Stube of Finland, 20:20)
“Responsibility, the Ukrainian army. Europe supports. The US provides a backstop. And that in and of itself… is a strong enough deterrent…”
(President Stube of Finland, 20:56)
VII. Closing Analysis: The Strategy is to Box Trump In
[21:29 - 21:48]
- The brothers conclude that across the GOP and military, the true strategy is an orchestrated effort to leave Trump with no excuses not to support sanctions against Russia.
- Legislators, generals, and international partners are aligning in a way that will either force Trump to act or expose his real allegiances.
Top Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Donald Trump’s own team has to set a trap for him because they realize how dangerous he is.” (Political Commentator/Narrator, 00:29)
- “Russia is in fact losing this war. Now, they may make movements and see. So, well, they’re advancing in the Donbass region… But if you consider advancing moving by meters, not miles… But the numbers they have lost, when you’re talking dead and wounded, well over a million.” (Lt. Gen. Kellogg, 13:39)
- “If you look at this thing from the perspective of Putin and the Kremlin, you have to ask yourself, how did I do? …Here we are four years into the war… [The West is] more united before… He has failed in all of his strategic goals.” (President Stube of Finland, 18:48)
- “They weren’t huddled down, eating or drinking. …They were singing their national anthem. You cannot replicate that. That’s not gonna happen to Ukraine.” (Lt. Gen. Kellogg, 14:56)
- “We want to put in motion right now a process that would lead quickly to Russia being a state sponsor of terrorism…” (Senator Lindsey Graham, 10:14)
Important Timestamps
- 00:29: Introduction of how Trump’s own team is setting policy traps for him
- 02:54: Breakdown of Trump’s contradictory rhetoric on Russia and Ukraine
- 04:40: Keith Kellogg describes confronting Trump in the Oval Office
- 07:29: Maga Mike Johnson supports sanctions in cautious terms
- 09:26: John Thune discusses working with Trump on Russia sanctions
- 10:14: Lindsey Graham rolls out “state sponsor of terrorism” bill
- 13:39: Kellogg on Russia’s huge losses and Ukraine’s resilience
- 14:56: Remarkable account of Ukrainians singing in subways during attacks
- 15:46: Zelensky’s remarks on Ukraine’s long-range strikes as effective sanctions
- 18:48: President Stube of Finland’s summary of Putin’s failed war objectives
- 20:20: President Stube on the unsustainable Russian casualty rate
- 20:56: Stube on real security guarantees for Ukraine
Tone & Overall Feel
The episode mixes incisive, at times sardonic analysis with careful attribution, weaving direct quotes with the hosts’ candid takes. The brothers’ banter is direct but rooted in deep concern for democracy and global security. The tone balances informative skepticism with moments of heartfelt admiration for Ukraine’s resilience.