Trump Panics as Blockade Starts and Instantly Backfires

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Panics as Blockade Starts and Instantly Backfires

Host: MeidasTouch Network (Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas)
Date: April 13, 2026

---

Main Theme

This episode centers on Donald Trump’s announcement of a US naval blockade against Iran in the Persian Gulf following failed negotiations in Pakistan. The Meiselas brothers analyze how the blockade has backfired almost instantly, escalating global tensions, provoking sharp rebukes from international powers, and stirring chaos in both the energy markets and diplomatic negotiations. The brothers blend fact-checking with signature satirical banter while highlighting the implications for US diplomacy, global stability, and Trump’s crumbling domestic support.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Blockade Announcement and Immediate Fallout

• [01:07] Ben details Trump’s social media announcement of a blockade on Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf.
• The brothers highlight the impracticality of the move, noting the challenge of enforcing such a blockade in a complex region where tankers often make multiple port stops.

“Donald Trump made a post announcing the blockade. He then got immediate responses from Iran which says if you do that, get ready, we will close the straight in the Red Sea as well and nobody gets to come into the Persian Gulf…”
—Ben Meiselas [02:03]

• International Response:
  • Iran issues threats to retaliate by threatening all ports in the Gulf, not just Iranian ones.
  • China, European powers, and other countries sharply rebuke Trump.
  • China’s Ministry of Defense overtly rejects the blockade, asserting their right to free passage.

2. Trump’s Dubious Claims and Bravado

• Trump asserts US forces have “obliterated” 158 Iranian ships, yet bizarrely says Iran’s “fast attack ships” are “not much of a threat.”
• The hosts ridicule the inconsistency and danger of these statements.

“Does that make any sense to you at all? You don’t consider their fast ships, which have missiles on them, a threat?”
—Ben Meiselas [02:49]

• Trump threatens to “eliminate” any ship approaching the blockade, comparing the action to “kill or” operations supposedly used on drug dealers—an apparent reference to other controversial actions at sea.

3. Negotiation Tactics and Comparison to Past Trump Behavior

• The brothers dissect Trump’s “negotiation through threats” approach, equating it to intimidation and contrasting it with sound diplomacy.
• Trump changed negotiating frameworks abruptly, reneging on previous agreements and making increasingly extreme demands (such as full Iranian control over the Strait, dismantling missile programs, and uranium surrender).

“If you want to go to war... talk like a tyrant, like an authoritarian, like a war criminal. But in terms of negotiations, this is just not going to work.”
—Ben Meiselas [06:20]

• Historical parallel: The hosts compare Trump’s current denial and blame-shifting to his handling of COVID-19, where he promised quick solutions but failed to act.

4. Trump’s Personal Conduct Amidst Crisis

• While negotiations stall, Trump is seen engaging in bizarre public activities:
  • Attending a UFC fight, obsessing over fighters’ appearances.
  • Social media posting sprees (e.g., photos of himself as Jesus, attacking the Pope, Trump Tower on the moon).

“Trump was at UFC... telling fighters how handsome they were… over the weekend, he was at his golf course in Doral… Is that your husband over there?... the commander in chief of the United States is doing [this] during a war.”
—Ben Meiselas [10:58]

“He started around 10 pm with a Jesus photo of himself where Trump said that he was Jesus... posted like demons and GI Joe characters in the back...”
—Ben Meiselas [12:31]

• The hosts express alarm at the disconnect between Trump’s public behavior and the seriousness of the crisis.

5. International Power Moves and Reactions

Iran:

• Iran rejects the legality of the US blockade, labels it piracy, and threatens reciprocal action against all ports in the Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
• Iranian military and political leaders, such as parliament leader MB Golubov, publicly mock Trump (using mathematical formulas to illustrate the futility of a “double blockade”).

“Security in the ports of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman will either be for everyone or for no one.”
—Iranian military spokesperson (quoted by Ben) [09:25]

China:

• China declares its right to access the Strait, openly defying US threats and citing their trade agreements with Iran.

“‘We are committed for peace and stability in the world... We have trade and energy agreements with Iran. We will respect and honor them and expect others to not meddle in our affairs. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz and it is open to us.’”
—Ben Meiselas quoting Admiral Dong Jun of China [13:58]

Israel:

• Netanyahu uses the alliance with Trump as leverage, claims the “ceasefire could end very, very quickly,” and claims the US is reporting to him directly (via JD Vance).

“Why is the United States reporting to another country like it’s the boss of the United States?”
—Ben Meiselas [15:08]

Germany:

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz warns of long-term consequences for the German economy and household strain due to instability in Iran, and criticizes Trump’s unprepared negotiating team.

6. Domestic Fallout: Trump’s Approval Among Young Voters

• The episode highlights Trump’s collapsing net approval among voters under 30, particularly young women, since the fall of 2025.

“Trump is absolutely tanking… women from… 23… to 29 years old… from negative 40 to negative 47%.”
—Ben Meiselas [15:59]

7. Escalating Religious and Political Rhetoric

Trump’s Attacks on Pope and Religion:

• Trump posts images as Jesus and attacks the Pope, which prompts Iran’s president to defend the Pope and denounce Trump’s behavior as an insult to all faiths.

“I condemn the insult to your excellency and declare the desecration of Jesus... the prophet of peace and brotherhood is unacceptable to any free person.”
—Iranian President to Pope Leo XIV, quoted by Ben [16:30]

Pope Leo XIV’s Response:

• The Pope dismisses Trump’s attacks, emphasizing compassion, empathy, and non-engagement in political disputes.

8. Where Things Stand and Next Steps

• The Persian Gulf is effectively closed to all but a handful of Iran-allied ships.
• China, Iran, and others reject the legitimacy or practicality of the Trump blockade.
• US is on a collision course with adversaries and (uneasily) with allies.
• The global oil market and political alliances hang in the balance.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You realize to do a blockade, it’s more than a social media post. You gotta come closer, come closer, Donald, is what the Iranians are saying right now.”
  —Ben Meiselas [04:01]

• “Maybe in your C List movie that’s how you think negotiations happen, but at a high level, that’s not how negotiations happen at all.”
  —Ben Meiselas [14:36]

• “Soon you’ll be nostalgic for $4 to $5 a gallon.”
  —MB Golubov, Iran’s parliament leader [14:59]

• “We were preparing ourselves for a prolonged period of significant strain on the German economy and therefore also on private households.”
  —German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (via Ben) [15:23]

---

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------| | Blockade Announcement & Initial Fallout | 01:07-04:10| | International Reaction (Iran, China, Europe) | 04:10-10:00| | Trump’s Negotiation & Parallel to COVID | 06:00-08:20| | Trump’s Personal Conduct During Crisis | 10:45-13:45| | Social Media Mockery & Religious Escalation | 16:00-17:00| | Domestic Approval/Young Voters | 15:55-16:20| | Summary & Outlook | 16:45-17:30|

---

Tone and Style

• The Meiselas brothers maintain a blend of sharp analysis and irreverent humor.
• Fact-checking is persistent, with direct quotes, sarcastic commentary, and open ridicule of Trump’s inconsistencies.
• The episode maintains an urgent, energetic pace, keeping the focus tight on breaking news and ramifications.

---

For listeners seeking an in-depth update on the Trump administration’s latest maneuvers in the Middle East—and the rapid, global blowback—this episode is an energetic, critical breakdown with both serious analysis and signature MeidasTouch banter.

Transcript

[A]

Most people overpay for car insurance, not because they're careless, but because switching feels like too much hassle. That's why there's Jerry, your proactive insurance assistant. Jerry compares rates side by side from over 50 top insurers and helps you switch with ease. Jerry even tracks market rates and alerts you when it's best to shop. No spam calls, no hidden fees. Drivers who save with Jeri could save over $1,300 a year. Switch with confidence. Download the Jerry app or visit Jerry AI Libsyn today. That's J E R R Y A I Libsyn.

[B]

Look at him eating whatever he wants, never gaining a pound. Well, I'm stuck with the boring special and can't lose an ounce. How's your lunch man? Amazing. Yours? So good. Oh, I'm so happy for you. Cool, buddy.

[C]

Weight loss isn't fair, but Mochi Health is the affordable GLP1 source that can fix your frustration with food.

[B]

So same next week? No, definitely.

[C]

And your friends. Learn more at. Join Mochi.com Mochi members have access to licensed physicians and nutritionists. Results may vary.

[B]

Donald Trump is panicking as his so called blockade against Iran following his failed negotiations in Pakistan. It is backfiring in Donald Trump's face. Moments ago, Donald Trump made a social media post confirming that he has started a blockade of the Persian Gulf. So Donald Trump's plan to open the Strait of Hormuz is to further close the Strait of Hormuz to all countries by the United States blocking the Persian Gulf. Now Centcom says that the blockade only applies to Iranian ports, but if anybody understands the way maritime law works or understands the Persian Gulf, it's very hard to decipher which port the tankers are technically leaving from based on the fact that they often make multiple stops. In any event, Donald Trump made a post announcing the blockade. He then got immediate responses from Iran which says if you do that, get ready, we will close the straight in the Red Sea as well and nobody gets to come into the Persian Gulf if that's what you really want to do. So good luck with those oil prices, Donald. Also, Donald Trump is being sharply rebuked right now by China, by by Europe and by countries across the world as well. Here's what Donald Trump posted. We'll show you how it backfired instantly as things now appear to be escalating again. Donald Trump posted. Iran's Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small Number of what they call fast attack ships because we did not consider them much of a threat. Pause there. Does that make any sense to you at all? You don't consider their fast ships, which have missiles on them, a threat? One of the main ways Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz is with those fast ships. So I just want to always fact check what Donald Trump is saying because it makes zero sense. In any event, he goes warning, if any of these ships come anywhere close to our blockade, they will be immediately eliminated using the same system of kill or that we use against the drug dealers on boats at sea. Pause. You mean the fishing ships where you've engaged in war crimes, by the way, Donald, what are you gonna do if a Chinese flagship or a Indian flagship enters into the Strait of Hormuz in order to get oil from Russia? You're gonna blow up the Indian ship, you're gonna blow up the Chinese ship, you're gonna blow up the Russian ship. The last time you claimed you were doing a blockade regarding Cuba, that Russian ship just went right into Cuba and you did absolutely nothing about it. By the way, the Iranian social media accounts are mocking Donald Trump right now. They're like, you realize to do a blockade, it's more than a social media post. You gotta come closer, come closer, Donald, is what the Iranians are saying right now. Donald Trump just said it's quick and brutal how he's going to kill the Iranians. He said, P.S. 98.2% of drugs coming into the US by ocean or sea have stopped. Thank you for your attention to this matter, djt. Now, if this is supposed to be an effective strategy for negotiation, it just is not going to work. This is just not how human beings negotiate with human beings. Now, if you want to go to war, if you're going to make good on your threats, and you want to put America in perpetual war with countries, I guess this is how you can talk like a tyrant, like an authoritarian, like a war criminal. But in terms of negotiations, one of the reasons it fails is Donald Trump goes in there and acts like a negotiation is a way to kill people. In fact, in Pakistan, Donald Trump had his sycophants make social media posts and write op EDS in American media, threatening to kill the Iranian negotiators. Also, Donald Trump changed the negotiating framework that he agreed to from Iran's ten point plan, which Trump announced that he was in agreement with, to Donald Trump saying, well, you have to agree that you can control the Strait of Hormuz. You have to get rid of your missiles, you have to get rid of all of your uranium when Donald Trump previously previously agreed to the contrary. So at least according to American media, Wall Street Journal and others, citing a number of senior U.S. officials. But senior U.S. officials lie about everything. The U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is now in effect and we're seeing and hearing Iran's response right away. Iran threatens Gulf ports as US Imposes naval blockade Iran's military spokesperson said that no port in the Gulf will be safe if Iran ports were threatened after US Military made this announcement that the blockade is in effect. Security in the ports of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman will either be for everyone or for no one is what the spokesperson for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard military saying. The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran considers defending the country's legal rights a natural and lawful duty. Accordingly, exercising Iran's sovereignty and its territorial borders is the natural right of the Iranian people, is what Iran, its military leaders say in response to Trump's blockade. Based on this, ensuring security in Iran's territorial waters will continue decisively by its armed forces. As repeatedly stated, vessels affiliated with enemies are not permitted and will not be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Other vessels may continue to transit provided they comply with the regulations set by Iran's armed forces. Given the continued threats against Iran's people and national security, even after the war ends, Iran will decisively implement a permanent mechanism to control the Strait of Hormuz. The restrictions imposed by the United States on maritime movement in international waters are illegal and amount to piracy. Iran's armed forces state clearly and firmly security in the ports of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman will either be for everyone or for no one. If the security of Iran's ports in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman is threatened, no port in those waters will remain safe. In other words, you shut down our port, we will attack the neighboring ports. And doesn't this in other countries now, doesn't this also continue to seem just like Covid, where after Donald Trump promised he would bend the curve before Easter and he did not do that while the death toll was going up during COVID back in 2020, then Donald Trump basically ignored it and acted like everything is going great? Well, that's kind of what's happening now. I guess the plan is to say you're doing a blockade. Whether or not you're going to enforce it is left to be seen, and then you don't actually solve the problem, which is the Strait of Hormuz is now controlled by Iran. The tankers affiliated with the United States and allies of the United States are not able to get through the price of oil surges, inflation surges, and Americans suffer. And Donald Trump goes out and plays golf and behaves very weirdly. I mean, when all of this was going on, the failed negotiations because Trump and Vance and Witkoff and Kushner changed the negotiating framework. Remember, Donald Trump was at UFC and he was telling the fighters how handsome they were and how it. You're so handsome. You're so. Look how muscular you are. You're so good looking. Remember, Donald Trump was doing that and then over the weekend, he was at his golf course in Doral. Here's a video of like. Like a lady going up to him and he's like, you want a picture? You want a picture? Is that your husband over there? I mean, this is what the commander and chief of the United States is doing during a war where sensitive discussions are taking place. Here, play this clip. She's in great shape. Look at her. You want to pinch it. And by the way, he was also deranged in a very deranged matter. But what else is new? Posting all throughout the evening, post after post after post, Harry Sisson did a list of what Donald Trump was posting. Like last night. He started around 10pm with an A Jesus photo of himself where Trump said that he was Jesus and then posted like demons and like GI Joe characters in the back of him being Jesus. He posted Trump Tower on the moon, random news clips, attacks on Biden, random articles about ballrooms. I mean, it just post after post after post. Meanwhile, his buddy Netanyahu says Israel is at the height of its power because we have alignment with the most powerful nation in the world, and together we have the capability to confront even the gravest threats, is what Netanyahu also says. The ceasefire could end very, very quickly. Meanwhile, in China, one of their top foreign policy spokespeople said the following. China is saying this. We are committed for peace and stability in the world. China's Minister of Defense, Admiral Dong Jun, says, we are monitoring the situation in the Middle East. Our ships are moving in and out of the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. We have trade and energy agreements with Iran. We will respect and honor them and expect others to not meddle in our affairs. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz and it is open to us. In other words, you can't block us. We are going, good luck trying to block our ships. So by Donald Trump saying that he's going to block the ships through the blockade. I just want you to think about what he's actually saying while he's out there golfing and doing whatever weird thing that is with the, with whatever you saw there. You have China saying, okay, we don't acknowledge your blockade. You wanna shoot our ships, shoot our ships. And that's what's gonna happen when Trump doesn't do it. And if Trump does do it, it's World War Three. What are we doing here? And if there are opportunities to negotiate resolutions, you don't do it by saying, we've sunk 158 of your ships. We're gonna kill you, you bastards. Maybe in your C List movie that's how you think negotiations happen, but at a high level, that's not how negotiations happen at all. And you have, I mean, look, you have MB Golubov, Iran's parliament leader. He's making posts like this with mathematical formulas to basically mock Donald Trump's lack of intelligence, to show how a double blockade doubles the impact of the problem that you claim to be trying to solve. But Donald Trump probably doesn't understand this mathematical formula, but Golubov is a PhD and engineer, amongst other things that he does. He goes enjoy the current pump figures with the so called blockade. Soon you'll be nostalgic for $4 to $5 a gallon. Oh, one more thing about Netanyahu. During the speech that he gave today to the people of Israel, he talked about how during the mediation, J.D. vance reported to me, in other words, Netanyahu. J.D. vance would report to Netanyahu in detail, as this administration does every day, about the developments of the negotiation. In this case, the explosion in the negotiations. The explosion came from the American side which could not tolerate Iran's blatant violation of the agreement to enter the negotiations. The agreement to enter the negotiations was Iran's ten point plan. Donald Trump posted that don't gaslight us and lie to us. What was really happening there. And also whether it's Israel, whether it's any country. Why is the United States reporting to another country like it's the boss of the United States? Why wouldn't the United States be working with all of its allies in order to try to address this serious issue versus reporting to Netanyahu? I mean, and by the way, Netanyahu saying it publicly, Trump reports to me. I just read to you the direct quote, Germans Chancellor Friedrich Merz says we will continue to feel the consequences of the war in Iran for a long time, even after it's over. We were preparing ourselves for a prolonged period of significant strain on the German economy and therefore also on private households. The German Chancellor goes on to say, I was not surprised by the decision to break off the talks in Islam is about from the beginning. I did not have the impression that they were really well prepared. Yeah, Trump sent JD, Vance, Witkoff and Kushner. No one who understands nuclear energy, no one who even understands the language that is being used in the negotiation, and they think that they're just gonna resolve this, what, by continuing to threaten Iran over and over and over again? Well, that just ain't working. And folks, the American people are livid at Donald Trump and his regime, especially young people. Things have gone from bad to worse for Donald Trump with young voters. As Zachary Denini points out, Donald Trump's net approval since the fall of 2025 is as follows. Men 18 to 2018, men 18 to 22, they are negative 8. So from negative 19 to negative 27, women. From negative 40 to negative 54, men 29, 23 to 29, negative 24 to negative 33, women from who are 23 years old to 29 years old. And went from negative 40 to negative 47%. Trump is absolutely tanky. By the way, you want to see Iran's response to Donald Trump making social media posts of himself as Jesus and Donald Trump making other social media posts attacking the Pope. Here's what Iran's President Posseskian Excellency, Pope Leo xiv, on behalf of the great nation of Iran, I condemn the insult to your excellency and declare the desecration of Jesus. Peace be upon him, the prophet of peace and brotherhood is unacceptable to any free person. I wish glory for you from Allah. So while Donald Trump is mocking the pope, attacking Pope Leo the 14th, saying that he's like a liberal leftist, and then Donald Trump's making social media posts of himself as Jesus. You have the Iranian president saying, we stand with Pope Leo the 14th. You know, no one should be, you know, mocking religions like that. And as you know, Donald Trump continues to mock Islam. And Donald Trump's like, praise be Allah. Praise be Allah. Praise be Allah. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV was asked about Donald Trump's social media post attacking him. And Pope Leo the 14th said, I'm not intimidated by Donald Trump. I don't get involved in political matters. It's not my job to be involved in, you know, foreign affairs here, and I'm going to continue to spread the word. He says, you know, of the Bible, whether you're religious or not. He says, I'm going to spread the word of compassion, you know, and I'm gonna spread the word of empathy and I'm going to help people who are suffering. And it doesn't bother me that he attacks me. I don't really care at all. You know, it was a very strong words from Pope Leo XIV in the plain moments ago. Go back and watch the video I did on Pope Leo xiv. And so here's where we're at. Here's where we're at. You have the Trump regime blockading or saying they're blockading the Strait of Hormuz or the all of the Persian Gulf only from oil leaving from Iranian ports. You have China saying we have trade deals with Iran. So we're not acknowledging that we're going to send our ships through. The Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed to anyone other than a small group of ships that are allied with Iran and Donald Trump sending the United States into a situation where it is, you know, it is a standoff now with not just China, but with other allies, with, but with Aetna, with just China, but also with NATO, with anybody, right, who wants to send their ships into this area. So we'll keep you posted every step of the way here on the Midas Touch Network. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 7 million subscribers. Thanks for watching. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our [e-mail] you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski ad free episodes of our podcast and more exclusive content only [e-mail]

[C]

what would you do if your online store converted 36% more shoppers? You could take 36% more vacation.

[B]

Another pina colada?

[C]

Yes, please. Open a new retail location with 36% more square feet.

[A]

Fantastic.

[C]

Hire 36% more help.

[B]

You're hired and you're hired.

[C]

Shopify has the world's best converting checkout up to 36% better than other e commerce platforms. What you do with those extra sales is up to you. Switch to Shopify [e-mail] setup and get a $1 trial. Shopify.com setup.