Trump Panics as Hormuz Plan Rejected

Summary

Podcast Summary: MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Panics as Hormuz Plan Rejected
Date: March 16, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

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Overview

This episode centers on the escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, where former President Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to engage in military action against Iran is unraveling. The hosts dissect global and domestic fallout: international allies refusing to join Trump’s plans, the administration’s contradictory messaging, rises in propaganda from adversaries, and a personal story of U.S. government failures at home. The brothers engage in their signature sharp, comedic banter while highlighting threats to democracy and America’s global standing.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Failing Coalition and International Isolation

[00:33–06:31]

• Trump’s Desperate Messaging:
  Trump’s social media posts project strength—"no panic," "peace through strength"—even as actions betray anxiety:

  "Nothing says I’m not panicking then shouting out loud during a war 'I’m not panicking!'" – Political Commentator [01:28]

• Allied Rejection:

  • UK, Germany, Greece, France, Italy: All rebuff Trump’s request to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, citing lack of consultation and plan.
  • Front Page (Financial Times): Trump threatens NATO’s future if allies don’t assist in Iran—unprecedented diplomatic isolation.
  • UK PM Keir Starmer stresses:

    "Opening the Strait of Hormuz is not some simple task… we need some sort of negotiated green agreement with Iran." [03:40]

  • Bilateral Moves: European allies explore direct negotiations with Iran, no longer viewing the U.S. as a reliable partner.

• Iran’s Confident Response:
  Iran’s Foreign Minister, Iraqi, stresses they do not want a ceasefire, but likewise do:

  "This war must end in a way that ensures our enemies never again think of repeating these attacks." [05:02]

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2. Administration’s Contradictory and Defensive Messaging

[05:13–10:43]

• Caroline Levitt (Trump Spokesperson):

  • Argues other countries should help because "they are benefiting greatly from U.S. military action." [05:30]
  • Attempts to frame the Iran war as a collective defense of Europe and U.S. allies.

• Flip-Flopping on Allies:

  • Trump previously expelled UK ships from the Strait, but now begs for support, undermining credibility.
  • When pressed, Levitt shifts blame, saying:

    "He wished the UK had stepped up sooner… calling them to do more, just as he did with their defense spending in NATO." [07:25]

• Transparency and Propaganda:
  Levitt insists Trump is "encouraging" allies, but the hosts point out:

  "You started this unlawful war, you escalated. Now you're begging for help. You're begging for a bailout." [09:07]

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3. International and Domestic Fallout

[08:59–12:40]

• Global Humiliation:

  • Iranian propaganda now mocks Trump's public appeals for help, portraying him as globally isolated and weak.
  • The hosts underscore the damage to U.S. prestige:

    "They have him on the street basically saying, 'Help me open Hormuz.' They're mocking the United States President..." [08:59]

• State Department and Treasury Messaging:

  • Treasury Secretary Scott Besant downplays crisis:

    "It's two weeks...the media is trying to make it into some crisis that it's not." [11:17]

  • State Department’s Tammy Bruce lauds Trump’s leadership with heavy-handed propaganda:

    "It’s easy to do with President Trump because he’s transparent, he’s clear, and he gets the job done." [12:27]

• Trump’s Shifting Stance on Russia:

  • Trump, in the Times interview, both attacks NATO and minimizes Russian attacks on U.S. soldiers, rationalizing Russia’s actions as retaliation for U.S. support to Ukraine.

• Allies Moving On:

  • India pursues direct negotiations with Iran, reporting progress.
  • Pakistan paradoxically praises Trump for peace, but sides with Iran regarding the current conflict.
  • Dubai airport targeted by Iranian drone, international air travel disrupted.

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4. Human Story: U.S. Fails Its Own

[14:23–16:33]

• Afghan Special Forces Veteran Dies in ICE Custody:
  • Mohammad Nazir Pakta, an Afghan who fought with U.S. forces, dies less than 24 hours after arrest in Texas.
  • Hosts decry the administration’s treatment of allies, particularly amid a "unlawful war":

    "ICE and Border Patrol are still killing people here in the United States...people who fought alongside our military." [15:55]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Nothing says I’m not panicking then shouting out loud during a war 'I’m not panicking!'" – Political Commentator [01:28]
• "Why should other countries that were not consulted about this war now put their troops in harm’s way?" – Interviewer to Caroline Levitt [05:17]
• "We will not be drawn into the wider Iran war...The Strait of Hormuz will not be some sort of NATO mission." – UK PM Keir Starmer (quoted) [04:15]
• "You started this unlawful war, you escalated. Now you’re begging for help. You’re begging for a bailout." – Political Commentator [09:09]
• "It’s easy to do with President Trump because he’s transparent, he’s clear, and he gets the job done." – Tammy Bruce [12:27]

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Key Timestamps

• 00:33 – Analysis of Trump’s posts and panicked messaging
• 02:00 – International rejection of U.S. requests for Hormuz coalition
• 03:40 – UK, Germany, France outright refuse participation; push for negotiation over conflict
• 05:13 – Caroline Levitt on why allies should now help, despite being previously excluded
• 07:08 – Discussion of Trump’s contradicting stance towards the UK
• 08:59 – Iran’s use of U.S. internal disarray for propaganda
• 11:17 – Secretary Scott Besant attempts to downplay crisis, inflation concerns
• 12:18 – Tammy Bruce’s loyalist propaganda at State Department
• 14:23 – Coverage of Afghan veteran’s death in ICE custody

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Tone & Takeaways

The Meiselas brothers maintain their signature tone: deeply critical, fact-driven, and laced with biting humor. They highlight the irony and danger in Trump’s approach to foreign policy—alienating allies, emboldening adversaries, and fostering instability both abroad and at home. The episode crescendos with a somber look at the real-world cost of failed leadership, questioning the moral inversion now gripping American institutions.

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For listeners seeking a sharp, progressive breakdown of current world events—infused with the irreverent, combative style of three media-savvy brothers—this episode is a compelling, sobering listen.

Transcript

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[Political Commentator]

Donald Trump is panicking this morning as all of his former allies who he has insulted and attacked are not coming to his side, do not want to help him in his disastrous war against Iran. He is getting rejected by one country after another as Donald Trump is saying, we need you to go into the Strait of Hormuz with us. Secure the Strait of Hormuz with us. The UK saying, no, we don't even think you have a plan. Germany saying, are you even making a formal request? Hey, we're not going to do that. Country after country is following that lead. We will show you what is going down in just a moment. But here's what Donald Trump's been posting this morning. He's been posting memes and then writing no panic. INS Peace through strength. And it's a photo of a B2 bomber with an American flag on it. And then Donald Trump says, no panickings. Because nothing says I'm not panicking. Then shouting out loud during a war, I'm not panicking. I'm not panicking. You know, all the great generals and admirals in American military history would give these great speeches. This isn't a panic. This isn't a panic. Everyone, everything's okay. Everything's okay. I'm just seeking a bailout from Europe the way I try to seek a bailout from my dad when my casinos were going bankrupt. You know how Donald Trump's dad Fred had to bail him out of his bailed casinos and they still went bankrupt? Yep. History repeats itself. And now we the people are getting screwed by Donald Trump's bankruptcies and idiocracy. Then Donald Trump posts this from a guy named Mark Thiessen. It says, you know, who's not having buyer's remorse or panicking or looking for an F on off ramp. Donald Trump, Every statement he makes is resolute. He spent more than a month planning this operation and is executing it without flinching. I mean, do you think we're all stupid? This entire operation has been botched. You didn't explain what you were doing to anybody and you rushed in to invade Iran because you believe Netanyahu was going to do it first. And this is part of the plan right here, front page Financial Times. Donald Trump warns that NATO faces a very bad future if allies fail to help us in Iran. You know, usually you don't do the disastrous war and then beg for help. You try to, like, build a coalition. The article goes on to say, if there's no response or if it's a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO. Things are looking very bad for the future of NATO. That's what Donald Trump is saying right now. Meanwhile, Greece is saying that Greece has no plan to engage in operations at the Hormuz Strait. The German defense minister is saying Germany will not participate with its military in securing the strait of Hormuz. UK's Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, we will not be drawn into the wider Iran war. Opening the Strait of Hormuz is not some simple task. When the fighting stops, we will need some sort of negotiated green agreement with Iran is what the UK is saying that we need to negotiate with Iran. And we're seeing this over and over again. We're now seeing it with the uk, but we were seeing it with France, we were seeing with Italy talking about bilateral negotiations with Iran because the US is not a reliable partner anymore. And so the only way to get reliable guarantees is through bilateral negotiations. And then Starmer says, the Strait of Hormuz will not be some sort of NATO mission. We want to be very clear about that. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister, Iraqi, is saying, I think the US has already learned a good lesson. He's also saying Iran is not requesting a cease fire. We have not sent any messages that we want a cease fire. And then he went on to say, when we say we don't want a cease fire, it isn't because we seek war. This war must end in a way that ensures our enemies never again think of repeating these attacks. They have now seen what kind of nation they are dealing with, one that will defend itself, itself and will take this fight as far as necessary. Now, back in the White House, Caroline Levitt, Donald Trump's chief propagandist, was asked this morning, you know, Trump is saying that other countries need to step up and guard the Strait of Hormuz and secure it. So, Caroline, why should other countries that were not consulted about this war now put their troops in harm's way? Watch what she says. Here, play this clip.

[Caroline Levitt]

President Trump says that other countries should now step up to safeguard ships. The Straits of Hormuz. Why should other countries that were consulted about this war, that are involved in this war now put their troops in harm's way in the street because these other countries are benefiting greatly from the United States military taking out the threat of Iran. The rogue Iranian regime has long not just posed a threat to the United States of America, but of course, to our Gulf and Arab partners in the region. As you see, I believe Iran has struck more than 300 civilian targets in our Gulf, in the Gulf region. If you think about Europe, their ballistic missile capability that the United States military is currently wiping out was a direct and imminent threat to our European allies as well as our bases in the region, which is why President Trump took this action in the first place. So these countries are absolutely benefiting from ensuring that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon. This is something not just the United States, but the entire Western world has agreed with for many, many years. So I think the President is absolutely right to call on these countries to do more to help the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz so that we can stop this terrorist regime from restricting the free flow of energy. And the fact that they are doing so just underscores why President Trump needed to take this action in the first place.

[Political Commentator]

Then Caroline Levitt is asked, so Donald Trump told the UK just a few days ago, we don't want you in the Strait of Hormuz. We don't want your ships anywhere near this war. Get out of here. We don't want you. So why is Donald Trump now asking them for help after he posted we don't want you? And by the way, Donald Trump insulted all of our NATO allies, the UK and all our NATO allies who fought alongside the United States in Afghanistan and died in these wars with the United States and said they really didn't participate in the front line. So why should anybody help? Caroline, here, play this clip.

[Caroline Levitt]

This action in the first place a few days ago that he doesn't need their ships and now he says he does. The President spoke on that last night. He said that he wished the United the UK had stepped up sooner and quicker. But he continues to speak with our allies in Europe and is calling on them to do more, just as he did when he called on them to step up with respect to their defense spending in NATO. He's calling them to do more here and I think you'll see that come to fruition.

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[Political Commentator]

Meanwhile, the propaganda in Iran is utilizing Donald Trump's weakness. I mean, as an American, this is so embarrassing that Donald Trump is behaving so weak and so pathetic that he's giving Iran the ability to do propaganda like this. They have him on the street basically saying, help me open her moose. Help me open her moose. They're mocking the United States President as being so weak and pathetic, and he looks so obviously weak and pathetic. We all see it. Our former allies see it. The entire world sees it. Trust me, our enemies, Putin sees it. Xi Jinping sees it. That's for sure. More from Caroline Levitt right here. And she's like, yes, I just want to be clear. He's speaking with our allies to encourage them to do more in the Strait of Hormuz. Encourage them to do more. You started this unlawful war, you escalated. Now you're begging for help. You're begging for a bailout. They ain't giving it to you. Here, play this clip.

[Caroline Levitt]

So, yes, the President is speaking with our allies in Europe and also many of our partners in the Gulf and Arab world to encourage them to step up, to do more to open the Strait of Hormuz. And our NATO allies especially need to step up. Look, President Trump has been very frank with our friends in NATO for a very long time. Long time. He got them to increase their defense spending up to 5%. And now he's calling on them to do the right thing because again, the United States of America is leading the way not just to support and protect our American assets and bases in the Middle east, but also to defend Europe and the Middle east and the rest of the world from the rogue Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear bomb. Caroline. Democrats.

[Political Commentator]

Then we heard from Treasury Secretary Scott Besant this morning on the timeline for the war ending. And he's like, oh, we've only been at war for two weeks. Two weeks. This is not some crisis. This, this is good. This is what we wanted here.

[Interviewer]

Play this clip and then finally wrap it up. Got to ask this to wrap it up. Expectation of timeline on this. Because with every passing day, with every passing week now during the third week, markets going up, fertilizers, gas, everything. And the world is really worried about shortages and also the inflationary effect here and abroad.

[Scott Besant]

Yep. Brian, can we just be clear here? It's two weeks. It's two weeks. And you know, I know the media likes to move things along. We see these headlines and that's part of the Iranian strategy. And it's very unfortunate that because of a dislike for President Trump, not you, but a lot of mainstream media are trying to speed this up, trying to make it into some crisis that it's not. And on the other side of this, if you look at longer dated crude, you look at future inflation expectations, they're both very well anchored. And this will end. And I don't know how many weeks it will be, but on the other side of this, the world will be safer and we will be better supplied.

[Interviewer]

So the backwardation of the market, you think is correct. $80 oil in a couple months, I

[Scott Besant]

think probably much lower Treasury.

[Political Commentator]

Then you have Donald Trump's spokesperson at the State Department, Tammy Bruce. And I mean, this level of propaganda would make North Korea jealous. It is making North Korea jealous. Watch this.

[Tammy Bruce]

And I'm certainly not gonna speculate on what that choice will be, cuz I trust him.

[Scott Besant]

It's always a pleasure having you on the show.

[Tammy Bruce]

It's my pleasure.

[Scott Besant]

You're a diplomat these days. A real pleasure.

[Tammy Bruce]

Well, you know, it's easy to do with President Trump because he's transparent, he's clear, and he gets the job done. It's exactly the right man at the right time.

[Interviewer]

Got it.

[Scott Besant]

Always a pleasure. Thanks very much, Tommy.

[Political Commentator]

Thank you again. Soon.

[Scott Besant]

My pleasure.

[Political Commentator]

As Duncan Weldon explains. Pretty staggering that that Times article that Trump gave the, where Trump gave the interview opens up with Donald Trump attacking NATO. If NATO doesn't help us sort out this mess, there will be problems. And then the article ends with Donald Trump defending Russia when with respect to, yeah, Russia might be helping target American soldiers. Yeah, they may be killing Americans and targeting our assets abroad. But really that's fair. That's fair because we started this and look what we're doing in Ukraine. Donald Trump says we're helping Ukraine against Russia. So of course Russia is going to kill American soldiers. I understand what they're doing. By the way, these are like direct quotes from Donald Trump when he was asked about Russia killing Americans. I don't know one way or another. But you could also make the case that we helped Ukraine to an extent. It's hard to say you're targeting us when we are. When we are helping Ukraine. Yeah, Donald Trump is taking the side of Russia right there. A few other points I want to make. Number one, as I mentioned before, we're seeing Iran engage in these bilateral negotiations with other countries as the Financial Times also reports talks with Iran yield results. India says India is engaged in direct negotiations with Iran. So as the United States attacked India, as the United States tried to strengthen its, you know, whatever with Pakistan because Pakistan was investing in Donald Trump, put money in Donald Trump's crypto. By the way, Pakistan put out a statement standing in strong solidarity with Iran today as Donald Trump destroyed America's relationship with India because Pakistan was saying that Donald Trump should get a Nobel Peace Prize. But Pakistan is standing with Iran today. Let me be very clear about that. But India is having these direct negotiations with Iran and they're saying that they're having positive results in those negotiations. So lots of countries are saying, all right, see it us, we're going to do direct negotiations. I mentioned this in the video earlier today, but it bears repeating. You can see what Dubai's airport, the busiest travel hub in the world, looks like. I'm not sure it's going to be the busiest for long, frankly. International passenger traffic was closed after a fuel depot near the Dubai International Airport was hit by a Iranian drone. And then one other point I'll make this morning that deserves attention. I know we focused a lot about the news on the war, of course, Donald Trump's unlawful war. But we also learned this morning a 41 year old former Afghan Special forces soldier, Mohammed Nazir Pakta, y', all, has died in ICE custody less than 24 hours after his arrest. In Texas. Pakta. Yeah, well, who fought alongside US Troops for a decade, as Job Site explains. Was detained Friday morning in Richardson while dropping his children off at school. After complaining of chest pain during processing in Dallas, he was transported to Parkland Hospital Hospital where he died Saturday. He leaves behind a wife and six children, including an 18 month old US citizen. Though he arrived legally in 2021, I cited expired parole and recent nonviolent charges as grounds for his detention. Advocacy groups are now demanding a transparent investigation into that. So ICE and Border Patrol are still killing and still killing people here in the United States on the streets. People who fought alongside our military. And especially now as we're in a unlawful war as well. And we're in war. I mean, it's just, to me, it's just horrible what's happening. We'll keep you posted every step of the way. Hit subscribe let's get to 7 million subscribers. For real. You may think you're subscribed, but you may not actually be subscribed, so just double check. Let's get to 7 million subscribers. Thanks so much for watching everybody.

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