The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Panics as Iran Destroys US Air Fleet!!!
Date: March 29, 2026
Episode Overview
In this intense breaking news episode, the Meiselas brothers dive into the escalating conflict between the US and Iran following a devastating Iranian attack on US military assets in the Middle East. Ben, Brett, and Jordy analyze the implications of these attacks, the failures and missteps of the Trump administration, and the wider geopolitical ramifications, punctuating their coverage with their trademark wit and urgency. The central themes include military vulnerability, the impact of drone warfare, shifting alliances, economic shocks, and the mounting political fallout.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Iranian Drone and Missile Assault on US Military Bases
- Destruction at Prince Sultan Air Base (Saudi Arabia):
- Iranian drone swarm and ballistic missile attacks resulted in injuries to 12 US soldiers (2 severe), and at least $1 billion in equipment loss.
- Losses include E3G Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft and several KC135 strato tankers.
- Critical US satellite reconnaissance and military functions are now disabled.
- ([01:40]-[05:30])
- Quote:
"The E3G Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft ... along with those KC135s were completely destroyed by the Iranian ballistic missile strike." – Ben ([03:50])
- Attribution of Iranian targeting success to information shared by Russia.
2. Russian Involvement and Western Political Complicity
- US-Russia Cooperation & Congressional Actions:
- Criticism that ongoing attacks are enabled by Russian intelligence sharing with Iran.
- Congress inviting Russian Duma members to the Capitol for talks on economic cooperation is highlighted as inexplicable in the midst of hostilities.
- Quote:
"Donald Trump is a Putin bootlicker." – Ben ([04:55])
- European Allies Sound Warnings:
- European countries voice concern that the US administration is enabling Russia and Iran, which is backfiring disastrously.
3. Escalating Regional Conflict & Humanitarian Impact
- Widespread Targeting of US & Allied Assets:
- Attacks span Iraq, Syria, Bahrain, UAE, and Kuwait.
- Iran works with local militias, some authorized by the Iraqi government.
- Regions affected include critical infrastructure (e.g., aluminum facilities in Bahrain, natural gas plants in Qatar).
- Brent crude oil price spikes over $114/barrel, talk of $200 oil if escalation continues.
- ([05:30]-[09:00])
- Drone Interceptions and the Role of the Houthis:
- Houthi forces in the Red Sea threaten to disrupt commercial shipping again, jeopardizing global commerce.
- Israel’s strained military capacity and supply shortages noted.
- Quote:
"If the Houthis shut that down, I think you're very quickly going to have $200 per barrel oil." – Ben ([09:40])
4. Mockery and Messaging from Iran
- Iranian Parliament Mocks Trump:
- MB Golubov, Iran’s parliament head, mocks Trump’s strategic failures and the supposed shift in US objectives.
- Quote:
"They're playing 60 chess again." – Ben referencing Golubov's sarcastic comment ([11:00])
5. Pentagon's Military Response and Preparations
- Troop Mobilization and Contingency Planning:
- USS Tripoli and Marine Expeditionary Units deployed to CENTCOM region.
- 82nd Airborne Division deployed.
- Pentagon preparing for possible week/months-long operations, including limited ground invasions or special operations targeting key Iranian infrastructure.
- US Marines notified to prepare for full-scale mobilization.
- ([12:00]-[15:30])
- Quote:
"It's the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the Commander in Chief maximum optionality. It does not mean the President has made the decision." – White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt ([14:50])
6. Iranian Threats Against American Universities
- Retaliatory Targeting:
- After US/Israel strikes on the Iran University of Science and Technology, IRGC threatens American universities in West Asia.
- All US-linked educational institutions in the region are now declared legitimate targets.
- ([15:30]-[16:50])
- Quote:
"All universities of the occupying regime and American universities in West Asia are considered legitimate targets until two universities are struck in retaliation..." – IRGC statement ([16:30])
7. The Human Cost and Civilian Suffering
- Iran’s Reported Casualties:
- Over 3,400 killed including 1,551 civilians and 236 children (per Iranian sources).
- Heartbreaking examples provided, including a two-year-old girl injured in a bombing.
- Reference to US/Israeli targeting of residential areas and hospitals, justified as targeting military infrastructure.
- ([16:50]-[17:40])
8. Trump’s Spin and Media Response
- Trump’s Denials & Supporters:
- Trump amplifies claims from loyalists stating he isn’t “losing his nerve” on Iran.
- Ben slams the administration’s inability to adapt to modern warfare and the global consequences of their missteps.
- ([17:40]-[18:50])
- Quote:
"Were we not watching what was happening in Ukraine? Was Donald Trump such a Putin bootlicker that he cannot actually see how warfare had changed?" – Ben ([18:23])
Notable Quotes & Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Moment | |-----------|---------|--------------| | 03:50 | Ben | "The E3G Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft ... along with those KC135s were completely destroyed by the Iranian ballistic missile strike." | | 04:55 | Ben | "Donald Trump is a Putin bootlicker." | | 09:40 | Ben | "If the Houthis shut that down, I think you're very quickly going to have $200 per barrel oil." | | 11:00 | Ben | "They're playing 60 chess again." (referring to Iranian mockery) | | 14:50 | Caroline Levitt | "It's the job of the Pentagon to make preparations ... It does not mean the President has made the decision." | | 16:30 | IRGC | "All universities of the occupying regime and American universities in West Asia are considered legitimate targets until two universities are struck in retaliation..." | | 18:23 | Ben | "Were we not watching what was happening in Ukraine? Was Donald Trump such a Putin bootlicker that he cannot actually see how warfare had changed?" |
Analysis & Concluding Observations
- Failure to Adapt: The hosts repeatedly stress the US’s lack of preparedness against modern drone warfare, highlighting both the strategic and humanitarian costs.
- Dangerous Escalation: With a potential ground campaign looming, and as Trump is accused of escalating recklessly and enabling America’s adversaries, the brothers warn of global economic shock and destabilization.
- Cynicism and Absurdity: They underscore the dysfunction within the Trump administration through scathing commentary, suggesting crucial decisions are being made by unqualified individuals.
- Interconnected Conflict: The podcast connects the Middle East upheavals with Russia’s ambitions in Ukraine, warning that these are not isolated wars but part of a new, entangled global instability—one allegedly fueled by US policy failures.
- Emphasis on Human Suffering: Civilian cost is repeatedly spotlighted—with direct anecdotes and references to children and destroyed neighborhoods.
Important Segments & Timestamps
- [01:40] – Opening coverage of Iranian attack on US consulate and base in Erbil, Iraq
- [03:50] – Reporting destruction of US aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia
- [06:50] – Analysis on Russia-Iran cooperation and critique of MAGA GOP and Trump
- [09:00] – Impact on regional infrastructure and implications for oil and global markets
- [11:00] – Iranian leadership mocking Trump, changing war goals, and escalation
- [12:30] – Overview of US military mobilization and Pentagon planning
- [15:30] – Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps threatens American universities in West Asia
- [16:50] – Iranian civilian casualty numbers and humanitarian impact
- [18:23] – Ben’s condemnation of Trump’s foreign policy and strategic failures
Final Thoughts
This episode delivers a scathing, urgent assessment of the spiraling crisis in the Middle East, holding the Trump administration to account for both immediate military blunders and the broader, systemic risks posed to US security and the global order. With their signature blend of sharp critique and dark humor, the Meiselas brothers demand attention to both the strategic and human stakes of the conflict, warning that current decision-makers are not up to the historic challenge they face.