Trump Panics and Kicks Out Press as Iran Retaliates

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Panics and Kicks Out Press as Iran Retaliates
Date: April 18, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Main Theme:
The MeidasTouch brothers break down the escalating crisis between the Trump administration and Iran, focusing on Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump's controversial handling of the situation (including kicking out journalists from the Oval Office), media propaganda, and the bizarre political theater around Joe Rogan's Oval Office appearance.

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on a dramatic escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions. The brothers detail Iran's complete closure of the critical Strait of Hormuz in direct retaliation to what Iran sees as bad-faith negotiation by Donald Trump, his administration’s harsh rhetoric, and ongoing blockades. The episode critiques Trump's misleading public statements and his attempts to distract the public—most notably by ejecting the press from the Oval Office during a tense exchange and staging an event with Joe Rogan.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News: Iran Shuts Down Strait of Hormuz

• [01:29–04:17]
  • Iran announces the full closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping lane, after accusing Trump of escalating and misrepresenting negotiations.
  • Ships attempting to leave the strait turn back after being fired at by Iranian forces.
  • Iran declares it will not meet with U.S. officials before Wednesday’s ceasefire deadline and threatens a return to war if the U.S. refuses to negotiate within their 10-point framework.

2. Trump’s Bizarre Press Conference with Joe Rogan

• [04:17–05:08]

  • Trump has Joe Rogan in the Oval Office and claims to be signing an executive order inspired by Rogan.
  • The event is characterized as a distraction from the Iran situation.
  • Trump abruptly kicks out the press when they question his statements on Iran’s intentions and the status of the Strait of Hormuz.

  Notable Quote:

  • (Trump, as heard on exit): “Thank you very much.” — [04:17]

3. Ibogaine Treatment and Political Pageantry

• [05:08–06:24]

  • An advocate briefly explains sending information to Trump about ibogaine’s potential for opioid addiction treatment, leading to Trump’s quick, impulsive support via text.
  • The Meidas brothers argue this reflects the unserious nature of Trump’s engagement with real policy issues during a global crisis.

  Notable Quote:

  • Ibogaine Advocate: “The text message came back, ‘Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do.’ Was literally that quick.” — [05:41]

4. Media Manipulation and Realities on the Ground

• [06:24–11:20]

  • Detailing real-time marine radio chatter as ships plead with Iranian forces to allow safe passage, only to be denied.
  • Highlights Iran’s message: The Strait is “under new management. Passage fees apply... ceasefire broken... no passage, not even a sliver.”
  • The brothers accuse American media of parroting Trump's talking points and ignoring on-the-ground facts, calling out the New York Post and Fox News.

  Notable Insight:

  • “You always have to pay attention to what is actually happening, not what Donald Trump says is happening, because Trump lies about everything. Too often, the media serves as Trump’s daily stenographer.” — [09:10], paraphrased from editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski.

5. Iran’s Direct Threats and Mockery of Trump

• [11:20–15:26]

  • Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister publicly mocks Trump’s contradictory statements, calls out U.S. pressure tactics, and vows to defend Iran if war resumes.
  • Iran releases a satirical Lego-style animation ridiculing Trump’s negotiation tactics and public statements.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Deputy FM: “President Trump said that if there is no agreement on Wednesday, there will be a return to military action. Then let President Trump talk. He talks too much. He said contradictory things within the same statement. This cannot be prevailed. I don’t know what exactly he meant. The American people must decide about him.” — [11:37]
  • Lego Trump (Iranian parody video): “Even I have the biggest military on earth… the straight is all yours. Beat it because I’ve already talked to Iran and the straight will be open shortly. Thanks everyone. We are the best. Everybody knows this.” — [14:30]
  • Lego Iranian Official: “You are fired. You are familiar with this sentence?” — [15:13]

6. Closing Thoughts: Propaganda & Reality

• [15:26–15:59]
  • The brothers highlight propaganda headlines in U.S. media, specifically the New York Post claiming “Iran Surrenders, Trump Says Peace Deal,” calling it “the height of propaganda."
  • They stress the importance of independent, fact-based analysis especially in moments of global crisis.
  • Call to action: Stay informed, and support pro-democracy media.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Trump ejects press from Oval Office over Iran questions:
  • “Thank you very much.” — Trump, [04:17]
• Ibogaine advocate on Trump’s impulsive reply:
  • “The text message came back, ‘Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do.’ Was literally that quick.” — [05:41]
• Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister on Trump:
  • “He talks too much. He said contradictory things within the same statement. This cannot be prevailed... The American people must decide about him.” — [11:37]
• Mocked in Iran’s Lego video:
  • “You are fired. You are familiar with this sentence?” — [15:13]
• Meidas brothers on media complicity:
  • “Too often, the media serves as Trump’s daily stenographer, passing along his propaganda verbatim.” — [09:10]

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Important Timestamps

• [01:29] — Breaking news: Iran closes Hormuz Strait, attacks on ships
• [04:17] — Trump abruptly ends press conference, ejects reporters
• [05:08] — Introduction of policy distraction with Ibogaine executive order
• [06:24] — Play-by-play of ship incident, Iran’s direct communications to the world
• [11:20] — Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister’s direct challenge to U.S.
• [14:25] — Airing Iran’s ‘Lego’ parody video mocking Trump
• [15:26] — Meidas brothers call out propaganda headlines

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Tone and Style

Throughout, the tone is urgent, skeptical, and critical—combining the irreverent, comedic banter of the Meiselas brothers with a deep concern for democracy, fact-based reporting, and transparent government. They aren’t shy about calling out propaganda or highlighting the absurdity of current events.

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Summary Takeaways

• The U.S.-Iran situation is at a boiling point; Trump's handling is deeply controversial and seen as misleading by foreign and domestic observers.
• The Trump administration counters criticism by staging distractions and limiting press scrutiny.
• Media complicity and propaganda are major concerns—independent verification and skepticism are essential.
• Iran’s resolve and mockery signal no easy diplomatic win for the U.S.; significant risk of escalation remains.

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For those tracking U.S. foreign policy, media literacy, and democratic accountability, this episode is a must-listen snapshot of a pivotal global news moment, delivered with sharp analysis and signature MeidasTouch flair.

Transcript

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[News Anchor]

Donald Trump just kicked out the press from the Oval Office during a bizarre press conference he held on Saturday with Joe Rogan in the Oval Office. And this came at the same time that the press was asking him questions about Iran. You see, earlier on Saturday morning, Iran announced that it was once again fully closing the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said that the Trump regime's bad faith negotiation tactics, the continued misrepresentations by Donald Trump of Iran's negotiation positions, the continued blockade over the Persian Gulf, and the continued escalation and threats by Donald Trump made negotiations untenable. And Iran said while it was previously permitting some ships to cross through the Strait of Hormuz, provided it was coordinated with Iran, they are shutting that down. And so some of the ships that we saw leaving the Strait of Hormuz using the ship tracker satellite, they suddenly turned back and we also learned that Iran was actually shooting at some of those ships that at first were refusing to listen to Iran's orders to head back. Iran ultimately got all of the ships that were leaving to go back to where they started. And the Strait of Hormuz is once again fully closed Also, Iran's leadership is saying it has no current intentions to meet up with the United States before the ceasefire deadline expires on Wednesday. And Iran says it is fully prepared to go back to war with the United States if that's what Donald Trump wants to do by not agreeing to negotiate within Iran's 10 point negotiating framework that Donald Trump previously agreed to. I want to share with you the moment first where Donald Trump kicked out members of the press from the Oval Office as they were asking him questions about Iran. They were asking him questions about his claim that Iran was agreeing to all of these things and that the American military was going to join forces with the Iranian military to go and get the nuclear material and bring it back to the United States, and that Iran was no longer going to fund proxy groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis and the Shiite militias in Iraq, which Iran said 100% false. Or Donald Trump's representations that the Strait of Hormuz would be fully open without the control of Iran, which Iran denied. So the press wanted to ask him those types of questions right after they regurgitated and spewed like stenographers what he was feeding to them on Friday. And then Donald Trump just said, out, get out. Let me show you the moment that went down. Let's play it.

[Donald Trump]

Thank you very much.

[News Anchor]

Thank you, guys.

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[News Anchor]

And just so you can see what this bizarre press conference was all about, on Saturday, you had Joe Rogan in the Oval Office. And I think this entire move, by having Joe Rogan there on Saturday, he was saying he was signing some executive order inspired by Joe Rogan. I think it was all part of a broader distraction plan from what's happening in Iran and the escalation of that is taking place. But here's what he said about Rogan, so you can see for yourself how bizarre this is. He talks about going on Rogan's podcast, and Kamala Harris didn't go on Rogan's podcast. Watch this clip right here. Let's play it.

[Advocate for Ibogaine Treatment]

I want to tell everybody how this happened. I sent President Trump some information. We have a gigantic opiate problem in this country. Obviously, in 2024, more than 80,000 people died of overdoses. It's a horrible number. And there's more than 5 million people that are addicted to opiates right now in this country. With one dose of ibogaine, more than 80% of people are free of that addiction. With two doses, it's more than 90%. I sent him that information. The text message came back Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let's do. Was literally that quick? These drugs are illegal not because they're harmful. They're illegal because of the 1970 Controlled Substances act that was passed by the Richard Nixon administration. They did it to target the civil rights movement and the anti war movement. It's not because these drugs harm people. And for 56 years we've lived under those terrible conditions. We're free of that now. We're free of that now, thanks to all these people that you see next to me and thanks to President Trump.

[News Anchor]

Let's talk about what was going down this morning, what Donald Trump wants to distract us from, which we will not be distracted from. So commercial vessels began reporting multiple attacks in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this morning as Iran attempted to close the strait once again. At least one ship, we believe that was an Indian flagship, was hit by potentially unknown projectiles. When Iran was shooting at it. When it refused to turn around at first and we were able to hear the radio traffic, they were saying, save by navy, saved by navy. You gave us permission. And Iran said, no, turn back right now. We are shutting this down right now. And then all of the ships returned. Iran confirmed that the straight of Hormuz was fully closed. The main spokesperson for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced transit through the strait reverted to its previous state of strict military control, citing repeated U.S. violations and piracy under the guise of a blockade. Goes on to say one of the top Iranian leaders says, uh, we warned you, Donald. We warned you, United States, but you ignored it. Now enjoy the straight of hover moves, returning to its status quo. Then Iran put out on its Fars News agency the following message. A spokesperson for Iran's Revolutionary Guard says, the Islamic Republic of Iran, following previous agreements, has consented with good intentions in the negotiations conducted to allow a limited number of oil tankers and commercial ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in a managed manner. But unfortunately, the Americans, with their repeated breaches of trust that are part of their track record, continue to engage in piracy and maritime theft under the so called title of blockade. For this reason, control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state. And this strategic straight is under the strict management and control of the armed forces. It announces that until the United States puts an end to the complete freedom of movement for vessels from Iranian origin to destinations and from destinations to Iranian origin, the status of the strait of her moves will remain under strict control. And in its previous state, right there, as our editor in chief, Ron Philip Koski, writes, you always have to pay attention to what is actually happening, not what Donald Trump says is happening, because Trump lies about everything. Too often, the media serves as Trump's daily stenographer, passing along his propaganda verbatim. Phil Stewart over at Reuters writes. Reuters is reporting that Iran is broadcasting this VHF message. Attention all ships. Attention all ships. Regarding the failure of the US Government to fulfill its commitments in the negotiation, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely closed. Again, no vessel of any type or nationality is allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Then Iranian social media accounts posted this Dear world, the Strait of Hormuz is under new management. Passage fees apply, security and environmental upkeep, blockade, cease fire, broken hostility, no passage, not even a sliver. Thank you for your understanding. Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Then the Trump White House posted a photo this morning of Donald Trump saying Let him cook is what the White House posted, to which the Iranian social media account said, the most cooked president ever. The Iranian social media accounts also posted so there are reports of some people making $760 million by betting on falling oil prices just minutes before recent announcements regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Sound familiar? Laugh face emoji. Other than his consistent pattern of losing political gambles, the only other reliable constant about Trump is his corruptness. That's what's coming out out of Iran's social media. Iran is also saying we have not agreed to any other round of talks with the United States, citing the US Pressure tactics, which include Trump's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and what it calls unreasonable demands. We're also hearing right now from one of Iran's top leaders. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Kotzebida says Donald Trump talks too much. He needs to think before he speaks. He says all of these contradictory things. But if Donald Trump really means that he wants to go back to war with us, that he's not going to pursue a ceasefire in good faith, that he's not going to negotiate within the 10 point framework, then we are prepared to defend Iran. Here is what Iran's Foreign minister, deputy foreign minister has to say.

[Iranian Official]

Let's play this clip trying to sabotage the path of the diplomatic efforts through this diplomatic circus that they are adopting. They thought that the force and the pressure and the escalation is part of the solution. No, these cannot be for the benefit of anyone. Diplomacy must prevail. One by one, please. One by one. President Trump said that if there is no agreement on Wednesday, there will be a return to the military action. Then let's President Trump talk. He talks too much. He said contradictory things within the same statement. This cannot be prevailed. I don't know what exactly he meant. The American people must decide about him. If his statements are lined and if they are going with international law, then we will continue our defense. With all heroism, with all nationalism and patriotism. We will defend Iran, the oldest civilization on the planet. We will fight till the last Iranian soldier. War cannot lead to any positive solution. The Americans must understand and must learn the lesson. The era of colonialism must come to an end. They cannot dictate the orders on the other nations.

[News Anchor]

As we explained on the Midas Dutch network, Iran has not agreed to a next round of talks with the US Citing these pressure tactics, Tehran says negotiations will only continue if these demands, the unreasonable maximalist demands by the Trump regime, stop. Adding that it has sent the same message through its Pakistani intermediary. That's the feared Marshal Aseem, you near reminder. Trump said yesterday he expected a deal within a day or two. As our editor in chief, Ron Philip Koski also explains, the worst possible tactic you can use when negotiating a deal with a regime like Iran is to dunk on them in public during negotiations. Any knowledgeable seasoned diplomat knows this. But we have Mr. Art of the deal who needs to feed his cult and the markets a steady diet of bs. We also are learning that Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei says the country's navy is ready to inflict new bitter defeats on its enemy. So folks, things are escalating right now. Also you have Iran releasing this new Lego video. Just show you a short clip of it mocking Donald Trump having fake negotiations with Iran and I mean just humiliating the United States. Here, play this clip.

[Donald Trump]

Going to talk to the Ayatollah now to resolve the Strait of Hormuz issue.

[News Anchor]

What's the price of oil?

[Donald Trump]

Dad, please be patient a little longer. Can you open the Strait of Hormuz? Who are you? Even I have the biggest military on earth. Whatever you say, Mr. Trump, the straight is all yours. Beat it because I've already talked to Iran and the straight will be open shortly. Thanks everyone. We are the best. Everybody knows this.

[Iranian Official]

You are fired. You are familiar with this sentence? Thank you for your attention to this matter. The central headquarters of Guatemalambia.

[News Anchor]

But you know when you have propaganda media out there like the New York Post and state regime media like Fox, this is what the front page of the New York Post is today. Setting them straight. Iran surrenders Hormuz and Trump says peace deal. Close the height of propaganda right there. It's ridiculous. We'll keep you posted every step of the way. Hit subscribe let's get to 7 million subscribers. Thanks for watching new Midas Merch Drop. Check out the latest Pro Democracy sticker packs, T shirts, hats, sweatshirts and more [e-mail] touch.com

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