The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Loses It in Disaster Press Brief in Oval Office
Date: August 25, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers break down a chaotic and controversial Oval Office press conference held by former President Donald Trump. The episode blends sharp political commentary and biting humor with fact checks, showcasing Trump’s most outlandish statements, unsubstantiated claims, and escalating rhetoric. The brothers highlight the dangers of normalizing such conduct from a former president, reinforce the need for democratic vigilance, and call out disinformation, all while maintaining their trademark comedic banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Declares Himself "President of Europe"

• Timestamp: [01:11]
  • Hosts play a clip where Trump claims, “President of Europe, which is an honor. I like Europe and I like those people. They're good people. They're great leaders.”
  • The brothers mock the absurdity, noting there is no such position as “President of Europe.”

2. The "Stolen" Gold FIFA Trophy and Trump's Health

• Timestamp: [01:16] to [01:43]
  • Trump showcases a FIFA World Cup trophy in the Oval Office, boasting about its weight and opulence.
  • Hosts allege the trophy was effectively “stolen,” with Ben noting visible discoloration on Trump's hands, suggesting health concerns.
  • Quote: “They know how to get to me, you know, I like the angel better, to be honest with you.” — Donald Trump [01:43]

3. Excuses for Not Resolving the Ukraine War

• Timestamp: [02:23]
  • Trump explains his inability to resolve the Ukraine war by blaming “big personality conflicts.”
  • Fact-checking, hosts call out the trivialization of an international crisis.
  • Quote: “But that turns out to be some big personality conflicts. It's one of those things.” — Donald Trump [02:23]

4. Department of Defense Rebranding and Calls for Aggression

• Timestamp: [02:55]
  • Trump muses about renaming the Department of Defense to the “Department of War” and expresses favor for offense and invasions.
  • Quote: “We want defense, but we want offense, too, if that's okay.” — Donald Trump [02:55]

5. Media Complaints and Claims of Unfair Coverage

• Timestamp: [03:38]
  • Trump claims he does “97% positive things” yet faces “97% negative stories.”
  • Hosts deride this inversion of reality.
  • Quote: “It's impossible to imagine that when you get 97% negative stories, purposely negative stories, even though you've done 97% positive things…” — Donald Trump [03:38]

6. Bizarre Crime Anecdotes in LA

• Timestamp: [04:42]
  • Trump shares secondhand stories about LA residents leaving garage and car doors open to “let criminals take what they want.”
  • The brothers ridicule these exaggerated, likely fabricated tales, questioning Trump’s “imaginary friends.”
  • Notable Moment: “Who are these friends of yours? These your imaginary friends, Donald?” — Host [05:13]

7. Attacks on Abrego Garcia & Pam Bondi’s Outrageous Comments

• Timestamp: [07:18]
  • Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi disregard a gag order by airing accusations against Abrego Garcia, including domestic abuse and human trafficking.
  • The brothers note this is “illegal, frankly,” and endangers due process.
  • Quote: “He beat the hell out of his wife. His wife is afraid to even talk about her. She’s been mauled by this animal.” — Donald Trump [07:18]

8. Conspiracy Theories about South Korea

• Timestamp: [09:16]
  • Trump floats unverified rumors of government raiding churches in South Korea, then admits ignorance: “I don't know if it's true or not.”
  • Hosts condemn the recklessness of repeating conspiracies as the sitting president.
  • Quote: “It may be true, it may be not true, and may be coming to me from some bizarro cult in South Korea that's giving it to me…” — Host [11:39]

9. Authoritarian Statements on Domestic Military Deployments

• Timestamp: [12:11]
  • Trump expresses willingness to deploy National Guard to cities without governors’ consent.
  • Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth supports the idea, claiming the troops “love the mission.”
  • Hosts highlight the undemocratic nature and danger of such rhetoric.

10. Personal Attacks, Insults, and Dictatorship Remarks

• Timestamp: [13:51]
  • Trump calls Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker “a slob” and hints at accepting “dictator” as a compliment.
  • Quote: “A lot of people are saying, maybe we like a dictator. I don't like a dictator. I'm not a dictator. I'm a man with great common sense…” — Donald Trump [13:51]

11. False Claims about Biden and His Pardons

• Timestamp: [14:34]
  • Trump bizarrely asserts Biden “wasn't even alive” during certain pardons, rendering them “worthless.”
  • Hosts mock the illogical reasoning.
  • Quote: “The president didn't want this. The president didn't know he was alive, okay?” — Donald Trump [14:34]

12. Taking Credit for Ending Numerous International Wars

• Timestamp: [16:12]
  • Trump boasts of stopping wars in Africa, and preventing nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan, citing trade pressure.
  • Hosts immediately fact check and ridicule these demonstrably false claims.
  • Quote: “The Congo, as deep into deepest, darkest Africa. I got that war stopped. Nobody else could have done that.” — Donald Trump [16:12]

13. Ritualistic Golden Offerings

• Timestamp: [18:05]
  • The U.S. Marshal Service presents Trump with a gold badge and symbolic handcuff key.
  • Hosts point out the theatrical nature and sarcastically call attention to “offerings” Trump expects.

14. Final Rants and Attacks on CA Governor Newsom

• Timestamp: [20:07]
  • Trump takes further credit for imaginary California successes, such as “saving Los Angeles” and putting out fires post-containment, then berates Governor Newsom.
  • Hosts add factual context, debunking Trump’s claims with statistics on crime and emergencies.

Notable Quotes

• “President of Europe, which is an honor...” — Donald Trump [01:11]
• “We want defense, but we want offense, too, if that's okay.” — Donald Trump [02:55]
• “It's impossible to imagine that when you get 97% negative stories, purposely negative stories, even though you've done 97% positive things…” — Donald Trump [03:38]
• “Who are these friends of yours? These your imaginary friends, Donald?” — Host [05:13]
• “He beat the hell out of his wife... She’s been mauled by this animal.” — Donald Trump [07:18]
• “I don't know if it's true or not. I'll be finding out.” — Donald Trump [09:19]
• “A lot of people are saying, maybe we like a dictator. I don't like a dictator. I'm not a dictator.” — Donald Trump [13:51]
• “The president didn't know he was alive, okay?” — Donald Trump [14:34]
• “The Congo, as deep into deepest, darkest Africa. I got that war stopped. Nobody else could have done that.” — Donald Trump [16:12]

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The brothers’ lively banter and incredulity at Trump’s statements keep the recap both scathing and entertaining.
• The segment mocking imaginary LA crime prevention strategies is particularly comedic ([04:42]-[06:35]).
• The fact-checks and asides by Ben ground the show in reality, countering the outlandish claims.

Key Takeaway Timestamps

• [01:11] Trump calls himself "President of Europe"
• [01:43] FIFA Trophy discussion and health speculation
• [02:23] Excuses on Ukraine war
• [02:55] "Department of War" comments
• [03:38] 97% negative news claim
• [04:42] Wild LA crime stories
• [07:18] Slander of Abrego Garcia
• [09:19] South Korea conspiracy comments
• [12:11] Willingness to send National Guard unilaterally
• [13:51] “Dictator” remarks
• [16:12] Claims of stopping international wars
• [18:05] Ceremony with gold badge
• [20:07] Gavin Newsom attack and California disaster claims

Summary

This episode provides a minute-by-minute breakdown of a Trump press conference described as “disastrous,” highlighting a blend of the former president’s misinformation, personal grievances, fabricated anecdotes, and authoritarian overtones. With direct quotes, pointed fact checks, and energetic banter, the Meiselas brothers expose the dangers of normalizing such behavior, the need for democratic engagement, and the importance of holding leaders to account. The episode is essential listening for those concerned about the state of U.S. democracy and wanting a sharp, fact-based, and often hilarious perspective on the latest political theatrics.