The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Meeting with Greenland Goes Off the Rails

Release Date: January 15, 2026

Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode covers the aftermath and global fallout of a disastrous White House meeting between Trump's administration and the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland. The brothers analyze the meeting’s implications for NATO, European security, alarming military escalations in Greenland, and Donald Trump's erratic statements and behavior. Throughout, the hosts combine sharp political analysis with their trademark humor and concern for democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The White House-Greenland Meeting Implodes (01:35)

• The Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers walk out of a White House meeting with top Trump officials (including J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio), angered over the administration’s insistence on "conquering Greenland."

• Denmark's Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, reports:

  "We didn't manage to change the American position. It's clear that the president has this wish of conquering... Greenland. We made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of the kingdom." (03:00)

• Greenland’s government and three-quarters of its population firmly oppose any change in sovereignty.

• Denmark reaffirms Greenland’s NATO status:

  "Greenland is, through the Kingdom of Denmark, a member of NATO and has been that since the very founding of NATO in '49 and is therefore also covered by Article 5." (04:08)

2. Escalating Military Tensions in Greenland (04:20)

• In direct response to U.S. threats, European countries—including Germany, Sweden, and France—rapidly deploy forces and open consulates in Greenland.

• Denmark initiates “Operation Arctic Endurance,” reinforcing military infrastructure and preparing defensive positions.

• Host’s analysis:

  "Europe is on high alert preparing for a United States invasion and Europe is ready to go to war if necessary to protect Denmark and Greenland." (01:35)

3. Trump’s Social Media and Public Statements (05:20)

• The Trump White House posts a meme depicting a false choice for Greenland between the U.S. and Russia/China, despite Greenland’s existing NATO status.

• Trump posts:

  "The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of national security. ... NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. ... Anything less than that is unacceptable."
  — quoting Trump’s post, Host (05:45)

• Host commentary:

  "You owning it like the Predator that you are does not create a safer security environment. It creates a weaker environment and puts the United States at war with Europe." (06:50)

4. Remarks from Greenlandic Officials (07:03)

• Greenland’s foreign minister emphasizes the importance of mutual respect:

  "We have shown where our limits are...it’s all our interest to find the right path. ... I would like to have this...hope for more mutual understanding and trying to find the right balances, equally from all countries." (07:03)

5. Public and Political Response in the U.S. (08:15)

• Latest Reuters Ipsos poll: Only 4% of American Republicans support using military force in Greenland.

• Host highlights the absurdity and public opposition:

  "Overwhelmingly, people do not want a military invasion of Greenland." (08:15)

• While tensions mount, Trump is distracted, holding an Oval Office press conference about milk, even dozing off.

  • Trump:

    "Milk would help your cognitive ability? Absolutely. ... I've taken a lot of [cognitive tests]. I've aced every one of them because I drink milk." (09:26)

6. Trump’s Attitude on Power and Law (10:12)

• Trump claims in The New York Times and at a press event that the only check on his power is "my own morality, my own mind."
  • Trump:

    "Yeah, there's one thing. My own morality, my own mind. It's the only thing that can stop. ... I don't need international law." (10:17)

7. Update on Iran Protests (12:21)

• Trump claims to have received reassurances from Iran’s Ayatollah that protester executions have stopped, despite reports of thousands of dead protesters and an ongoing internet blackout.
  • Trump:

    "We've been told that the killing in Iran is stopping and it's stopped stopping. ... That's just gotten to me some information that the killing has stopped, that the executions have stopped." (12:48)

8. Propaganda and Personality Politics (13:35)

• State media and right-wing commentators fixate on Trump’s supposed "record testosterone" (per Dr. Oz), and claim he’s not a misogynist, listing women in his orbit as proof.

  • Political Commentator:

    "President Trump has the highest testosterone level of any man over 70 that he's ever seen." (13:57)
    "He's the worst misogynist, meaning that he's not a misogynist." (15:02)

9. Gen Z’s Political Lean and Trump’s Approval Collapse (15:45)

• Gen Z’s party identification has swung dramatically toward Democrats (from a 6 to a 20-point margin).

  • Political Analyst:

    "He [Trump] was at plus 10 points on the net approval rating...that is a drop of 42 points to negative 32 points...amongst Generation Z." (16:57)

10. Contrasting Leadership Styles: Macron’s Statement (17:22)

• French President Emmanuel Macron visits Greenland, voicing European solidarity and support for Greenland's sovereignty.

  • Macron:

    "Everybody in France, in the European Union, thinks that Greenland is not to be sold, not to be taken. ... This is why it's very important for French people and all the European people to convey very clearly this message of solidarity...we stand with you now for today and for tomorrow." (17:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Danish FM, 03:00): "It's clear that the president has this wish of conquering... Greenland. We made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of the kingdom."
• Donald Trump (Milk Cognitive Abilities, 09:26): "I've taken a lot of [cognitive tests]. I've aced every one of them because I drink milk."
• Trump on Limits to Power (10:17): "There's one thing. My own morality, my own mind. It's the only thing that can stop. ... I don't need international law."
• French President Macron (17:45): "Greenland is not to be sold, not to be taken...we stand with you now for today and for tomorrow."
• Host (Ben, on escalation, 01:35): "Europe is on high alert preparing for a United States invasion and Europe is ready to go to war if necessary to protect Denmark and Greenland."

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:35 – News of the disastrous White House meeting; Denmark, Greenland, and U.S. confrontation.
• 03:00 – Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen’s reaction and quotes.
• 04:08 – Greenland’s NATO status and implications.
• 04:20 – Deployment of EU/NATO forces to Greenland.
• 05:45 – Trump’s post about the need to "own" Greenland.
• 07:03 – Greenlandic Foreign Minister’s cautious but firm statement.
• 09:26 – Trump’s bizarre milk/cognitive abilities remarks.
• 10:17 – Trump on the only limit to his power.
• 12:48 – Trump’s claim about Iran executions stopping.
• 13:57 – State media on Trump’s "testosterone."
• 15:45 – Gen Z’s political shift and Trump’s collapse in approval rating.
• 17:45 – Macron’s clear stance on Greenland sovereignty.

Tone & Style

• The episode is packed with biting wit, incredulous humor, and the Meiselas brothers’ signature mix of legal, political, and media insight.
• Hosts are deeply critical of Trump’s behavior and policies but stay grounded, presenting international perspectives and serious polling while employing sarcasm, especially toward right-wing media narratives.

Summary

This episode highlights the gravity and absurdity of Trump’s policy toward Greenland, the dramatic international backlash, the escalation toward military confrontation with European NATO allies, and Trump’s erratic public posture, as well as his plummeting reputation among young Americans. The Meiselas brothers critique this administration with informed outrage, sharp humor, and pointed concern for the health of American democracy and the global order.