The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Loses It at Disaster Meeting with Australia PM
Date: October 23, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

In this episode, the MeidasTouch brothers dissect a chaotic and widely criticized press conference held by former President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The hosts break down Trump's bizarre and erratic responses to pressing international issues—ranging from Ukraine and tariffs to his shifting foreign policy stances—and discuss the broader implications for American diplomacy and the state of US democracy. The brothers infuse their commentary with their signature blend of humor, sharp critique, and fervent advocacy for democratic values.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Initial Impressions of the Press Conference

• Brett opens the show reacting to Trump’s “sickly” appearance and erratic behavior at the press event, first pointing out a strange tangent about the press's haircuts.
  • Key moment (02:30):

    “He started talking about the haircuts of the members of the press...” — Brett

2. Ukraine and Russian Aggression

• A female reporter challenges Trump about not providing advanced weapons to Ukraine and his reluctance to label Russia a terrorist state, referencing Sen. Lindsey Graham’s proposed bill.
  • Trump’s response (03:38):

    “If you knew anything about what you were talking about, you’d be able. You do. I don’t. I don’t think you do. Really. I don’t think you do. Because it’s a little more complicated than that... if we make a deal, that’s great. If we don't, a lot of people are going to be paying a big price.”

  • Ben and the team express outrage at Trump's condescending and dismissive treatment of the reporter, particularly his “disgusting” tone toward women journalists.

3. Tariffs and US-Australia Trade Relations

• Reporters question Trump about imposing tariffs on Australia despite a large US trade surplus.
  • Trump’s rambling reply (04:57):

    “...the tariffs are very light. The one thing is you buy a lot of airplanes. So that helps... Australia, because of its location... you have to order a lot of airplanes... that gives us a little bit of an advantage.”

  • The hosts emphasize Trump’s inability to address the actual trade policy, instead going off-topic and offering confused justifications.

4. Trump’s Boasts on Settling “Eight Wars”

• Trump makes bizarre claims about resolving multiple international conflicts using tariffs.
  • Quote (06:36):

    “I’ve settled eight wars in eight months. Not bad. I have one more to go. It’s Russia, Ukraine, and I think we’ll get there... Because of tariffs, four or five of them were settled. It’s an amazing thing, the power of tariffs...”

  • The brothers mock this assertion and raise concerns about Trump's detachment from reality, underscoring the danger of such unverified statements.

5. The Middle East Ceasefire

• Trump is questioned about a supposed “ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas, which, according to Brett, is already falling apart with continued violence.
  • Trump’s take (09:00):

    “We have a little situation relatively with Hamas and that will be taken care of very quickly if they don’t straighten it out themselves because they’re in violation of their agreements.”

• Ben clarifies that the ceasefire is ineffective, with high casualties and ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza and elsewhere.

6. Farm Policy and US-Asia Trade

• Trump is confronted about failing US farmers and his trade war with China (especially on soybeans).
  • Trump’s response (12:11):

    “I want them to buy soybeans. They stopped buying our soybeans because they thought that was punishment... I made a great trade deal with China, a $50 billion trade deal... Then when Biden came in... you think Biden ever called him?”

  • The brothers correct the record, noting that China bought more US soybeans under Biden and label Trump’s response as misleading and disconnected from the facts.

7. Delayed Meeting with Australian PM and Personal Grievances

• Reporters press Trump on why it took nine months to meet PM Albanese and whether past criticisms from the Australian Ambassador influenced the delay.
  • Trump's petulant response (13:46):

    “I don’t know anything about him. I mean, if you said bad, then maybe he’ll like to apologize... Did an ambassador say something bad about it? Don’t tell me... I don’t like you either, and it probably never will.”

  • The brothers highlight Trump’s inability to separate personal grudges from diplomatic affairs.

8. Ukraine War: US Interest and Prospects

• Trump claims the Russia-Ukraine war “doesn’t affect us in any way” and doubts Ukraine can win.
  • Trump (14:25 & 15:13):

    “It doesn’t affect us in any way. We don’t pay anything because now they pay us for the weapons that they get.”
    “They [Ukraine] could still win it. I don’t think they will, but they could still win it.”

  • The hosts warn about the dangers of Trump’s isolationist approach and its implications for global security.

9. China, the AUKUS Alliance, & Taiwan

• On the potential for China to invade Taiwan, Trump minimizes the threat and characterizes Taiwan as “the apple of Xi Jinping’s eye.”
  • Trump (16:27):

    “I don’t think we’re going to need [AUKUS]. ...Now, that doesn’t mean it’s not the apple of his eye because probably it is, but I don’t see anything happening.”

  • The hosts critique Trump’s lack of seriousness and knowledge regarding alliance commitments and deterrence.

10. International Reputation and Deteriorating Intelligence Sharing

• Ben mentions new reports of Dutch intelligence scaling back cooperation with the US, citing concerns about the Trump administration’s reliability and potential leakages to adversaries.
  • Raises alarms about how US standing with allies is deteriorating.

11. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt’s Unprofessional Conduct

• A text exchange is shared in which White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt insults a HuffPost reporter with juvenile taunts in response to a serious query.
  • Levitt’s texts (21:00 approx):

    Reporter: “Who suggested Budapest [as a meeting site for Trump and Putin]?”
    Levitt: “Your mom did.”

  • The brothers decry the administration’s “amateur, vile, grotesque” tone and warn of America’s growing reputation as a “laughingstock.”
  • Ben (22:26):

    “These are sick, disgusting, vile, immature human beings. Like these are serious freaking issues of life or death. And you see why America is the laughingstock for the world.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump dismisses reporter on Ukraine (03:38):

  “If you knew anything about what you were talking about... I don’t think you do.”

• Trump on tariffs with Australia (04:57):

  “...you buy a lot of airplanes, so that helps, because you buy a lot of the beautiful Boeings.”

• Trump’s boast on “settling wars” (06:36):

  “I’ve settled eight wars in eight months. Not bad. I have one more to go...because of tariffs, four or five of them were settled.”

• Trump on Middle East (09:00):

  “We have a little situation relatively with Hamas and that will be taken care of very quickly if they don’t straighten it out themselves...”

• Trump on US isolation from Ukraine war (14:25):

  “It doesn’t affect us in any way.”

• White House Press Secretary Levitt to the press (approx 21:05):

  “Your mom did.”

• Ben’s closing condemnation (22:26):

  “These are sick, disgusting, vile, immature human beings. Like these are serious freaking issues of life or death. And you see why America is the laughingstock for the world.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• **Trump critiques press haircuts/**start of presser breakdown: 02:30
• Ukraine question & hostile answer: 03:27-04:08
• Australia tariffs & airplanes detour: 04:44-05:36
• Claims of war resolution via tariffs: 06:29-08:16
• Middle East ceasefire segment: 08:16-09:16
• Trump on soybeans and China: 12:11-12:51
• Delay in meeting with Australian PM: 13:33-14:16
• US disengagement from Ukraine war: 14:25-15:23
• China/Taiwan/AUKUS discussion: 16:02-17:17
• Press Secretary Levitt’s “your mom” exchange: 21:00-22:00
• Ben’s closing condemnation: 22:26

Conclusion

The MeidasTouch Podcast uses Trump’s shambolic press appearance with Australia’s Prime Minister as a lens to examine the perilous direction of American foreign policy and democratic norms under Trump’s leadership. Through pointed critique, humor, and a focus on protecting democracy, the Meiselas brothers reinforce the urgent need for accountability, competence, and respect for American institutions on the world stage.

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