The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Loses It in Disaster Meeting with Turkey Prez
Date: September 25, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)
Episode Overview
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect Donald Trump’s chaotic press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The discussion focuses on Trump’s public alignment with authoritarian leaders, bizarre claims about U.S. and global politics, trade policy admissions, and escalating rhetoric against political opponents. The brothers use their trademark mix of sharp political commentary and sibling banter to break down the consequential—and at times surreal—moments from the meeting, highlighting how Trump’s behavior reflects on American leadership and democracy.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Trump’s Public Embrace of Authoritarianism
- Trump openly identifies with Erdoğan
- Trump’s repeated references to Erdoğan’s expertise on “rigged elections” and his praise for strongman tactics make the brothers question U.S. leadership optics.
- Quote:
"Yeah, elections are rigged. And nobody knows more about rigged elections than Erdoğan."
— Donald Trump (00:55)
- Erdoğan’s Body Language and Reaction
- The hosts point out Erdoğan's visible discomfort and skepticism while Trump tries to cozy up.
- Notable moment:
"Just looking at Donald Trump like, he's so pathetic... It's making us look so damn weak."
— Political Commentator (01:08)
2. Trump’s Claims about International Mediation and Wars
- Mediation in Ukraine War:
- Trump asserts that both Putin and Zelensky respect Erdoğan and that neutrality is the key.
- He falsely claims to have “resolved seven wars.”
- Quote:
"He knows Putin like I know Putin. I settled as, you know, seven wars. And it's probably more than that, if you really want to know the real facts."
— Donald Trump (02:40)
- Disconnection from Reality:
- The hosts mock Trump’s bravado and lack of substance in diplomatic matters.
- Quote:
"His words are different than his conduct. But here's what he says about Putin..."
— Political Commentator (13:31)
3. Trade, Tariffs, and Economic Misunderstandings
- Tariffs as a Ponzi Scheme
- Trump admits to using tariffs that hurt U.S. farmers and “solves” the problem by using the tariff money (paid by Americans) to bail them out.
- Quote:
"We're doing well because of tariffs. ...We're going to take some of that tariff money that we made, we're going to give it to our farmers..."
— Donald Trump (04:32) - The hosts call this “the definition of a Ponzi scheme.”
- Bizarre Tariff Claims
- Trump says he “found $31 billion on a tariff shelf.”
- Quote:
"They said, we don't know where it came from. I said, check the tariff shelf."
— Donald Trump (12:52)
4. Escalating Political Rhetoric & Civil Discord
- Blaming the “Radical Left” for Violence
- Trump responds to questioning about a shooting at an ICE facility by blaming Democrats, dismissing the shooter’s lack of political motive.
- He warns “the right is a lot tougher than the left,” hinting at possible violence.
- Quote:
"The radical left is causing this problem. ...I'll give you a little clue. The right is a lot tougher than the left. But the right's not doing this... It'll be a point where other people won't take it anymore."
— Donald Trump (06:09) - Hosts remark on the barely veiled threat:
"Basically talking about civil war. I mean, if you read between the lines of what he's saying..."
— Political Commentator (05:00)
5. Targeting Political Opponents
- Push to Indict James Comey
- Trump attempts to install loyalists to prosecute his former FBI director, denying involvement but making clear his desires.
- Quote:
"I think I'd be allowed to get involved if it wants, but I don't really choose to do so. I can only say that Comey's a bad person. ...I have no idea what's going to happen."
— Donald Trump (08:44)
6. Immigration and Government Shutdown
- Bizarre Shutdown Strategy
- Trump refuses to meet with Democrats about the shutdown, instead blaming them for wanting to "give money away to illegals," and using anti-immigrant rhetoric.
- Quote:
"This is all caused by the Democrats. ...They want to give money away to illegals illegally."
— Donald Trump (16:44) - The hosts highlight the real motive: stalling on congressional matters, especially the Epstein files.
7. Foreign Policy Misstatements
- Syria and Erdoğan
- Trump bizarrely credits Erdoğan with regime change in Syria, further complicating international relations.
- Quote:
"I think President Erdoğan is the one responsible for Syria...He's been trying to do it for 2000 years...He did it."
— Donald Trump (18:38)
8. Weakness Revealed: Erdoğan Calls Out Trump
- Erdoğan Publicly Mocks Trump’s Grandstanding
- Erdoğan throws shade at Trump’s promises to end the Russia-Ukraine and Gaza wars, pointing out their continued violence.
- Quote:
"He said, I will finish the Russia Ukraine war...Did it end? It still goes on. ...There are prices to pay."
— President Erdoğan (10:29)
9. Security Concerns and Double Standards
- Russian Jets Near Alaska
- Trump downplays Russian warplanes' incursion, despite previous hysteria by the GOP over “weather balloons.”
- Quote:
"Now with Russian jets over Alaskan airspace...the regime says that's absolutely normal. No, it's not the way..."
— Political Commentator (20:00)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Erdoğan on Trump’s Peace Promises:
"He said I will finish the war in Gaza. That means once we start analyzing the issue, there are prices to pay."
— President Erdoğan (10:41) -
On Tariff Money:
"Check the tariff shelf."
— Donald Trump (12:52) -
On Political Violence:
"The right is a lot tougher than the left... It will be a point where other people won't take it anymore."
— Donald Trump (06:09) -
On U.S. Farmers:
"We're going to take some of that tariff money... we made, we're going to give it to our farmers..."
— Donald Trump (04:32) -
On “Settling” Wars:
"I settled... seven wars. And it's probably more than that."
— Donald Trump (02:40; 19:44)
Key Timestamps
- 00:55 — Trump identifies with Erdoğan on “rigged elections”
- 01:30 — Trump praises Erdoğan as a “tough man”
- 02:40, 19:44 — Claims to have resolved “seven wars”
- 04:32, 12:52 — Tariff money and bailout rhetoric
- 06:09 — Escalating rhetoric about political violence
- 08:44 — Attempts to link Comey to criminality
- 10:29 — Erdoğan mocks Trump’s foreign policy promises
- 12:52 — $31 billion "tariff shelf" story
- 13:31 — Trump’s mixed signals on Putin and Russia
- 16:44 — Immigration and shutdown blame
- 18:38 — Bizarre Syria comments
- 20:00 — Russian jets near Alaska
Episode Takeaways
- The brothers spotlight Trump’s alarming tendency to idolize authoritarian leaders, and his willingness to undermine U.S. institutions for personal and political gain.
- Trump’s tendency toward grandiose, factually challenged statements is dissected, particularly his claims about “settling wars” and handling trade policies.
- The hosts express deep concern about Trump stoking division and alluding to civil conflict, especially in public forums alongside foreign leaders.
- Erdoğan’s public rebuke—contrasting Trump’s rhetoric with ongoing wars—highlights the disconnect between Trump’s bravado and global realities.
- The episode underscores the importance of transparency, democratic principles, and leadership accountable to facts, not authoritarian envy.