The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Panics as US Ships on Fire in War
Date: March 12, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
In this explosive episode, the MeidasTouch brothers break down the chaos engulfing the Middle East and the global implications as the war escalates in Iran. They examine Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis as President, highlighting a series of devastating military incidents, civilian casualties, and the collapse of American international standing under his leadership. The brothers blend sharp political analysis with their trademark banter while scrutinizing US foreign policy failures, Trump’s inflammatory social media posts, and the real-time reaction from world leaders and adversaries.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Escalating Crisis: US Ships Attacked and the War Expands
- [00:24] The episode opens with news that the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier suffered a serious fire (non-combat related), injuring two sailors, while another US-owned cargo ship was struck by an Iranian unmanned surface vehicle.
- Footage is discussed showing direct attacks on US assets, with Ben describing, “Smoke rising near the US Consulate in Erbil in northern Iraq… the Marshall island flagged cargo ship, which is actually a US Owned ship, was struck by an Iranian unmanned manned surface vehicle off the coast of Basra.”
[00:38] - Oil prices are “surging. The market is tanking right now.” [00:50]
2. Trump’s Controversial Responses
- Trump posts on social media celebrating high oil prices, asserting, “it is a very good thing that oil prices are surging… when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money.”
[01:05] - Trump’s self-congratulatory attitude is criticized by the hosts, noting he claims higher prices were his plan all along.
- On Trump’s justification: “So your plan was to give Americans $8 a gallon gas so you could destroy Iran?” [Commentary paraphrased]
3. Alleged War Crimes and International Fallout
- The US military admits to hitting an elementary school in Iran, killing 150 children and 185 total civilians, following testimony by General Grankowicz before the Senate.
- “General Grankowicz… admitted the United States hit that elementary school. So cut out the cover-ups.” [02:08]
- Trump’s response escalates, with him suggesting the Iran national soccer/football team should not attend the World Cup “for their own life and safety.”
- “So Donald Trump is threatening the life of the Iran national soccer team.” [02:43]
- Criticism intensifies: “You are just forcing the Iranian people to rally around the new ayatollah and allow the regime there to get more control.” [03:20]
4. Mockery and Backlash from International Adversaries
- The Iranian embassy in The Hague posts a message memorializing the children killed in the bombing, and the Chinese embassy mocks Trump’s administration on social media.
- “The United States is getting mocked on social media by China, by Iran. Iran is just mocking Donald Trump and his regime right now.” [03:46]
- Trump is accused of undermining US alliances across the Middle East and Asia (removal of THAAD and Patriots from South Korea, lack of support to Taiwan).
- “He’s taken the THAAD missiles away and he’s taken away the Patriot systems... Not giving the military aid promised to Taiwan.” [04:28]
5. Military and Strategic Commentary
- After an ad break, the devastation from Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs is detailed with video footage.
- “This...suburban area... has been reduced to absolute rubble by the Israeli army.” [09:13]
- US intelligence finds Iran’s leadership is not at risk of collapse after two weeks of intense bombardment and the war cost is estimated over $11 billion in the first week.
- General Grankowicz’s historical perspective:
“Anytime you attack a civilian population, you usually end up finding that it just hardens their resolve. We take this all the way back to the London blitz in World War II. The Brits just had a stiff upper lip and kept on fighting.”
— General Grankowicz, U.S. Allied Supreme Commander, NATO in Europe [10:41]
6. Geopolitical Power Shift & US Weakness
- Hosts argue that Russia and China are boosting Iran, “feasting” on America’s weakened state and leadership vacuum.
- “Russia and China are helping Iran, because this is one of the greatest things for Russia and China, weakening the United States like never before... a reordering of a world order with America as weak.” [11:03]
- Details of meetings in Miami between Russian elites and Trump’s envoys (Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff), focused on lifting Russian oil sanctions.
- “The head of Russia’s direct investment fund, Kirill Dmitriev...talks centered around increased economic cooperation.” [12:40]
- The new Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Munjaba, vows further attacks and thanks regional proxy forces, highlighting the shooting of 14 ships in the Strait of Hormuz. [13:30]
7. International Confusion, Loss of Allies
- US-European relations strain as French President Macron explodes on a G7 video call:
“No one can tell what Donald Trump wants to do or what the hell he’s doing right there... what is all of this for?”
— Paraphrased, Macron on G7 call [13:53] - NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, on Fox, downplays Russian support for Iran, providing official denial but little substance. [14:40]
8. Market Manipulation and Disinformation
- Trump’s Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, is grilled for a false tweet claiming the US Navy was escorting ships in the Strait of Hormuz (Hermes), which disrupted the markets; the post was deleted.
- “That is a miscommunication in our department. I take full ownership...it will not happen again.”
— Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy [16:00]
- “That is a miscommunication in our department. I take full ownership...it will not happen again.”
9. Political and Economic Fallout
- Chris Wright promises:
“We’re going to release 172 million barrels and swap it for more than 200 million barrels...short term pain for long term gain.”
— Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy [16:24] - The episode closes with Ben urging listeners to subscribe as the show nears 7 million subscribers; a sense of urgency pervades the brothers' final thoughts.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- [01:05] (Donald Trump, via post):
“It is a very good thing that oil prices are surging. Very good. That you are going to be paying a lot more money to fill up your car because that means America is getting richer.”
- [02:43] (Political News Commentator):
“So Donald Trump is threatening the life of the Iran national soccer team.”
- [03:20] (Political News Commentator):
“You are just forcing the Iranian people to rally around the new ayatollah and allow the regime there to get more control.”
- [10:41] (General Grankowicz):
“Anytime you attack a civilian population, you usually end up finding that it just hardens their resolve...”
- [13:53] (Paraphrase, Emmanuel Macron):
“No one can tell what Donald Trump wants to do or what the hell he’s doing right there...”
- [14:40] (Matthew Whitaker):
“There’s really, there’s no indication we can talk about publicly that the Russians are participating with the Iranians...”
- [16:00] (Chris Wright):
“That is a miscommunication in our department. I take full ownership...it will not happen again.”
- [16:24] (Chris Wright):
“Short term pain for long term gain.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:24 – Breaking news update on US ships attacked and military fires
- 01:05 – Trump’s reaction, oil prices, and controversial social posts
- 02:08 – Senate testimony: US admits bombing Iranian elementary school
- 03:20 – Analysis on Trump’s approach inflaming anti-US sentiment in Iran
- 03:46 – International mocking: Iran and China’s digital response
- 09:13 – Update on Israeli strikes in Beirut, Lebanon
- 10:41 – General Grankowicz’s perspective on attacking civilians
- 11:03 – Analysis of Russia and China’s strategic gains
- 12:40 – Russian envoys meet with Trump associates for sanctions relief
- 13:53 – Macron’s G7 blow-up: confusion over US strategy
- 14:40 – NATO official on Russian support for Iran
- 16:00 – Secretary of Energy grilled over false market-moving social posts
- 16:24 – Energy Secretary’s defense of oil reserve swaps
Summary Tone & Style
- The discussion is urgent, polemical, and pointed, matching the seriousness of the rapidly evolving war and international crisis.
- The brothers’ banter is dialed back in favor of impassioned, sometimes incredulous analysis — “We have the dumbest, most idiotic, vilest piece of trash in the Oval Office right now destroying the United States.”
- The hosts blend factual recaps with scathing critiques and occasional satirical remarks about Trump’s administration and its global ramifications.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a fiercely critical, engaging, and multifaceted breakdown of one of the most volatile moments in recent US foreign policy history, as seen through the eyes of the MeidasTouch brothers.