Trump Panic as France Soldier is Killed in War

Summary

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The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Panic as France Soldier is Killed in War

Date: March 13, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

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Episode Overview

In this episode, the MeidasTouch brothers give a sobering, rapid-fire breakdown of the deteriorating situation in the Middle East following recent war escalation under the Trump administration. With the death of a French soldier in Iraq, missing U.S. servicemembers, and new Iranian attacks across the region, the hosts dissect the consequences of what they describe as Trump’s reckless foreign policy. The discussion is laced with their signature banter but strikes a serious tone, focusing on the human cost, political fallout, and public misinformation.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. French Soldier Killed in Action: The Human Toll

• [02:25] News breaks that a French soldier, Chief Warrant Officer Arnold Friand of the 7th Battalion, has died from injuries sustained in a drone attack at the Joint Peshmerga-French base in Makhmur, Iraq.
  • “French President Emmanuel Macron made the solemn announcement moments ago…” — Ben
• Outrage and grief expressed for both French and U.S. service members, emphasizing how allied lives are being lost as a direct result of Trump’s escalation in Iran.

2. Six U.S. Troops Missing After Aircraft Incident

• [03:00] The brothers report an incident involving a missing KC-135 Stratotanker and express skepticism over the Trump administration’s lack of transparency:
  • “The Trump regime is not providing any clarity. Just so you see how this is all going down…” — Ben
• Offers context on the risks: KC-135s lack ejection systems, making survivability slim if downed.

3. Escalating Strikes & Broader Regional Chaos

• [04:35] Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) strikes the U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, verifying the seriousness and escalation.
  • “Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said its navy launched two waves of missile and drone strikes… targeting the headquarters of the U.S. 5th Fleet…” — Ben
• Multiple ships sunk or damaged in the Gulf region; U.S. and Israeli forces are retaliating with “massive attacks” on Iranian targets, including Tehran.
• The hosts highlight local perspectives, including the devastation in Lebanon from Israeli bombings.

4. U.S. Military Casualties—Unreported & Underplayed

• [07:45] CBS reports at least 19 more U.S. wounded airlifted from Saudi Arabia to Germany, bringing total known casualties even higher.
  • Contrast between official reporting and Trump administration reluctance to acknowledge the costs.

5. Propaganda & Political Spin by Trump Administration

• [08:15] Pentagon spokespeople celebrate supposed “victory,” while American and allied families await news of missing or killed loved ones.
  • “What the American people probably want is truthful updates about where our service members are versus this just juvenile propaganda at this point.” — Ben
• Trump is condemned for using a “dignified transfer” photo (service members’ remains returning) for campaign fundraising, promising donors “national security briefings.”
  • “He’s fundraising off this—telling his donors, lying to them that they’ll get secret security briefings.” — Ben

6. Economic Fallout: Oil Markets & Sanctions

• [09:20] The U.S. expands relief on Russian oil sanctions to stabilize volatile markets, including dropping sanctions on Indian purchases.
  • “Pretty despicable stuff right there. And that’s not lowering the cost of oil; it’s just showing panic.” — Ben

7. White House, Cabinet and First Lady Responses

• [12:30] Treasury Secretary Scott Besant publicly claims full confidence in handling the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, dismissing the gravity of the situation.
  • “He said there’s never any price, no matter what it is. He will never tell Donald Trump no.” — Ben
• [12:23] Melania Trump speaks at the White House about her “visionary” leadership and film project, a speech perceived by the hosts as tone-deaf amidst crisis.
  • [QUOTED SECTION] — Melania Trump:

  “As a visionary, I know success is not born overnight, but rather takes shape after long and sometimes challenging process, often alone at the top....” (12:23)

• Iranian statements threaten new attacks, and Gulf Arab governments are said to be “deeply frustrated” with Trump’s impulsive regional war-making.

8. Regional Backlash and Shift in Middle East Alliances

• Gulf Arab nations reportedly exploring new security pacts with Iran due to Trump’s destabilizing policies.
  • “Frustration with Trump privately runs deep across the region…” — Ben, relaying Reuters reporting

9. Final Notes: The Human Cost and Condemnations

• Hosts close with condolences for missing service members, the French, and families affected by U.S. bombings in Iran.
  • “…all the families also who lost their little children by the U.S. bombing of the Iranian elementary school, our hearts are with you also. That’s a crime against humanity right there.” — Ben ([14:37])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [05:20] Ben:
  “What there's like 12, 13, 14 boats that have already been hit. I mean, it's been a pretty significant number of ships.”
• [08:45] Ben (on Pentagon propaganda):
  “You're posting that while we have six service members missing from a plane crash...what the American people probably want is truthful updates about where our service members are versus this just juvenile propaganda at this point.”
• [10:50] Ben (on Secretary Besant):
  “The guy lies about everything...”
• [11:42] Ben (on Trump’s fundraising off dignified transfer):
  “He’s not even giving the American people briefings. But Melania Trump was there in the White House today calling herself a visionary.”
• [12:23] Melania Trump:
  “As a visionary, I know success is not born overnight, but rather takes shape after long and sometimes challenging process, often alone at the top...”
• [13:50] Ben:
  “…frustration with Trump privately runs deep across the region.”
• [14:37] Ben (on civilian deaths):
  “…with all the families also who lost their little children by the U.S. bombing of the Iranian elementary school, our hearts are with you also. That’s a crime against humanity right there.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• French soldier killed, U.S. troops missing: [02:25] – [04:00]
• Missile/drone strikes and Strait of Hormuz: [04:35] – [09:00]
• Trump administration spin & fundraising scandals: [08:15] – [12:00]
• Melania Trump "visionary" speech: [12:23] – [13:28]
• Regional reactions and Middle East alliances: [13:28] – [14:37]
• Closing: Condolences and calls for accountability: [14:37]

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Summary Takeaways

• The episode captures a moment of growing panic and criticism over U.S. actions in the escalating Iran war, with direct costs for both Americans and allies.
• The brothers combine outrage, reporting, and dark humor to highlight failings in transparency, accountability, and empathy from the Trump administration.
• The overall tone is grim but urgent, with special focus on the human consequences of political decisions and the ongoing misinformation being circulated by those in power.

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This summary is intended to provide a comprehensive, listener-friendly account of the episode’s core content and themes, as delivered by the Meiselas brothers.

Transcript

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[e-mail] 149Donald Trump and his regime are now spiraling as we have learned that a French soldier has been killed in action as a result of Donald Trump's unlawful war in Iran. As we reported earlier, an Iranian drone attack wounded six French soldiers at the Joint Peshmerga French base in Makhmur in northern Iraq in the Erbil region. And now we know that one of those soldiers has been killed. French President Emmanuel Macron made the solemn announcement moments ago that Chief Warrant Officer Arnold frion of the 7th Battalion died for France during an attack in the Erbil region of Iraq. Now this is happening as we're learning that there may be as many as six American crew who are missing from the KC135 Strato tanker, those big refueling jets. There was an incident that occurred over western Iraq. We don't really have any information of what went down. The Trump regime claims that it did not involve friendly fire or hostile fire, although people with sympathies to the Iranian regime claim that they had something to do with it. The United States regime, the Trump regime claims that it's now doing a search and rescue mission for these six service members. But if you know the Shadow tanker, it doesn't have parachutes or ejection methods. And if those planes crash, you know it is a fueling plane. And so there's very difficult for there to be survivors. But we pray and we hope that there is, but there may be something serious there to focus on. And the Trump regime is not providing any clarity. Just so you see how this is all going down in France and how they're viewing the Trump regime. This is on French media earlier today. Let's play this clip. Now. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is also saying that it struck the 5th Fleet US headquarters in Bahrain, which appears to be accurate because we see it burning. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said its navy launched two waves of missile and drone strikes earlier today targeting the headquarters of the U.S. 5th Fleet at the Minas Salman port in Manama, Bahrain. And the IRGC claims the attack hit anti drone systems, drone storage depots, support equipment, fuel tanks and areas where US Personnel were gathered using kamikaze drones along with cruise and ballistic missiles there. And a new report from CNN this evening is talking about how the Pentagon and National Security Council significantly underestimated Iran's willingness to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to US Military strikes while planning the ongoing widespread strike operation against Iran. Multiple sources told cnn, top officials within the Trump regime claim that they never thought the Strait of Hormuz would be closed because they thought it would hurt Iran more than it would hurt the US So that Iran would never do it. But actually Iran's been able to move its oil out of the strait. Same thing with China, out of the Strait of Hormuz. But all these other ships that have been trying to cross, when Donald Trump said go, we got your back cross, be brave, be patriotic, they've been shot. And what there's like 12, 13, 14 boats that have already been hit. I mean it's been a pretty significant number of ships. And just in the past few days it's been like five or six ships that have been hit. And that's not even counting what went down off the coast of Iraq where that US fuel tanker was hit during a ship to ship transfer. While that's going on though, I mean, the United States and Israel are hitting Tehran pretty hard. Multiple reports right now over of powerful explosions in Tehran and elsewhere across Iran. Wave of massive attacks by the US and Israel. Here's how it's being reported in the area. Whatever the F it was that shook Tehran, Karaj, Aslam, Shariar and surroundings, people describe the blast as M7, M8 like earthquakes with powerful destruction in the radius. Media also points out in Beirut there's nowhere safe from Israeli bombings there. That's in Lebanon. In an on the ground dispatch from Lebanon, displaced residents. Residents there describe the toll of Israel's relentless attacks as the Israeli military escalates its assault on the capital and advances in the south. I mean Israel has been basically blowing up everything in Lebanon right now and especially the suburban areas in the south, just demolishing all of those buildings right now with all this taking place. We also learned via CBS there was another US military medevac flight today. It flew from Saudi Arabia to the US base in Germany with about 19 more injured service members. We know there was already 150 that was announced the other day. It's just interesting that this is getting reported by CBS and not by the Trump regime. But the Trump regime is putting out this propaganda. Sean Parnell, who's one of the Pentagon spokespeople, says we are dominating on every front and executing on our core mission, annihilate the Iranian navy, destroy Iran's missile capabilities, perman permanently deny the regime and nuclear weapon Operation Epic Fury winning. And then it's a photo of a plane executing our objectives with ruthless precision. Like you're posting that while we have six service members missing from a plane crash involving the KC 135 Strato tankers. You think That's, I think what the American people probably want is truthful updates about where our service members are versus this just juvenile propaganda at this point. Some other notes, Jennifer Jacobs, she's been doing a good job reporting. Give her some credit. The US Is expanding relief of Russian oil sanctions to soothe oil markets, allowing more countries now to purchase Russian crude already in transit. We removed the sanctions from India. Now we are allowing more nations to buy from Russia. Pretty despicable stuff right there. And that's not lowering the cost of oil. It just shown panic in the market and it's causing oil to rise, by the way. But Treasury Secretary Scott Besant says this was all part of the plan. Trust the plan. He knew this was going to happen. He said the Strait of Hermos everybody knew would be closed. Listen to what he said. Here, play this clip.

[C]

You starting to think if this does keep persisting as it is, that the Navy has to go into the Strait of Hormuz to help ships get through, which would have a big effect. Look, that was always in our planning, that there's the chance that U.S. navy or perhaps an international coalition will be escorting oil tankers through. There are in fact tankers coming through now, Iranian tankers, I believe some Chinese flag tankers have come through. So we know that they have not mined the straits. And was that what you were just discussing in the Situation Room? We were discussing a plethora of things. And is it your belief that the volume of ships going through the Strait of Hormuz will be improving immediately from now? My belief that as soon as it is militarily possible, the US Navy and perhaps with an international coalition will be escorting vessels through.

[B]

The guy lies about everything. Also in that same interview, Besson said absolutely not. When asked by Sky News on Thursday whether there was any price at all that could cause him to confront Trump and say the Iran war was no longer affordable. He said there is never any price, no matter what it is. He will never tell Donald Trump no. But here's what Donald Trump's doing. Offering national security briefings to small dollar donors using a photo from his recent excursion to Dover, the Dignified Transfer. He's using the dignified transfer photo wearing the white cap which he sells. And he says very few spots remaining. Claim your spot. These final spots are reserved for my strongest supporters. You are one of them. This is no ordinary membership. And he says he'll give you secret security briefings. And the photo used is the dignified transfer photo of him as our dead soldiers lost their lives in this war. Returned and he's wearing the hat. And now he's fundraising off of this, telling his donors, lying to them that they'll get secret security briefings. He's not even giving the American people briefings. But Melania Trump was there in the White House today and she called herself a visionary. She's a visionary. As a visionary, here's what she said.

[D]

Play this clip As a visionary, I know success is not born overnight, but rather takes shape after long and sometimes challenging process, often alone at the top. I follow my passion, listen to my instinct, and always maintain a laser focus. In solitude, my creative mind dances, filling my imagination with originality. Attention to detail, demanding schedules and multitasking are everyday realities when building towards success. The principle resonates across all my roles as a mother, humanitarian, philanthropist and entrepreneur, as well as with my new film where I shaped its creative direction, served as a producer, managed post production and activated the marketing campaign.

[B]

A new statement out from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard saying American soldiers must leave the region quickly or we will bury them wherever they are, in hotels and in shelters. Sources Sources close to Gulf Arab government circles say frustration Frustration with Trump privately runs deep across the region. Many believe he dragged the Gulf into war shaped heavily by Israel, without sharing a plan and acting hastily and without fully weighing the political and economic fallout for allies. Anna Jacobs Kalaf from Reuters writes, and we know that these Arab nations are now considering doing a security arrangement with Iran. And while all of this is going on, Donald Trump making social media posts like this. Where is the Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Too late. Powell today he should be dropping interest rates immediately, not waiting for the next meeting. Donald Trump so pathetic. Hit subscribe let's get to 7 million subscribers. Our thoughts and prayers and anything we could possibly do are with those missing service members and with the injured and wounded service members and with those of France as well. And everybody there. And with everybody there and with all the families also who lost their little children by the U S bombing of the Iranian elementary school, our hearts are with you also. That's a crime against humanity right there. Thanks for watching. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our [e-mail] you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski, add three episodes of our podcast, and more exclusive content Only [e-mail]. That's the sound of a big deal at Wayfair. That sound happens a lot. Dream sofa for half the price. Big deal. New dining table you've been eyeing for months big deal. Finally picking up those last few pieces and finishing that bedroom. Now that's a really big deal. Whatever your home needs, Wayfair has the selection, the savings and over millions of five star reviews to back it up. Shop Wayfair.com today before someone else snags your big deal.

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