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Shannon Maldonado
My name is Shannon Maldonado. I'm the founder of Yaoi, a gift shop from the lens of artists and handmade objects. I chose Shopify because when I was testing other platforms it was definitely one of the most user friendly. It was important to me to think about where we would be in the future. All of the tools for reading your sales, like planning inventory, they're just right there on your dashboard. For anyone starting a small business, the biggest thing I can tell you is it doesn't have to be perfect. Shopify can help you build upon it. So start your free trial on shopify.com
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Political Commentator
Donald Trump is panicking before he set to give an address to the nation tonight, which by the way, no one should be carrying live. So Donald Trump is expected to give this speech tonight and claim that China accessed US voter data during the 2020 election, that the CIA knew about it and covered it up. And Trump is either going to say directly or imply that there are numerous Democratic leaders who should have their elections invalidated, like in Georgia. So Donald Trump is apparently going to be giving a speech on that tonight, but at the same time he is posting photos of himself and Xi Jinping, who he is accusing of being involved in this plot. Of course, Donald Trump ranting and raving like a scared lunatic as we approach the midterms as he will try to invalidate and steal the midterms to cement his authoritarian power. But he he keeps on posting photos of himself and Xi Jinping over and over and over again last night. He keeps on posting more photos of him now. Donald Trump's entire world is falling apart. The world is falling apart right now. Pakistan, who I guess was serving as the mediator between the United States and Iran They've basically pulled out of mediation. They're saying, well, we may try to still help and we encourage the parties to get back to the table. But Pakistan, Iran has a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia. And Saudi Arabia recently, recently struck the Houthis air force base in Yemen. So you have the Houthis, who are Iran aligned, have then targeted Saudi Arabia. We have the leader of the Houthis earlier today saying, if there's more Saudi involvement, which there appears there will be, the Houthis intend to strike deeper into Saudi Arabia, into Riyadh. There's a full scale global war taking place right now as a result of Donald Trump's weakness and inability to negotiate and desire to just be a warmonger. And so Pakistan feels that it's being now dragged into this war on the side of Saudi Arabia against Iran, where it can no longer be a neutral mediator. Look, two days ago at the Midas Touch network, we've also been saying, pay attention to what's happening. Iran is going to work with the Houthis to shut down the Bob El Mandab Strait in the Red Sea. If Donald Trump continues to threaten that he will blow up all the Iranian infrastructure, the power grids, the bridges, as Donald Trump has continued to say he's going to do. There were lots of people who were like, midas Touch, that sounds hyperbolic. Iran's not gonna do that. Where are your sources? And my sources were like, it's happening in front of our faces. Look what they're saying in Iran. Look what Trump's saying. Look at the troop movements. Also study what's happening in Yemen between the Houthis as well as the Al Shabaab in Somalia, which is on the other side of the Red Sea. So you can attack the Red Sea from both sides. I said, isn't it pretty obvious what's happening here? I don't think I need like some exclusive secret source within the CIA to tell I'm observing what's happening. And, and sure enough, that's been a lot of the reporting today from Reuters and the Telegraph. They're now kind of confirming our reporting. That's what the Telegraph says. Citing sources in Yemen reports that the Houthis are preparing plans to close the Bab El Mandab Strait in coordination with Iran if Tehran decides to escalate by Donald Trump escalating and attacking infrastructure in Iran. According to the report, the Houthis are expanding their ties, as I said they were going to, with Somalia's Al Shabaab, including the alleged transfer of Iranian drone technology with the goal of exerting influence over both sides of the Red Sea and the Bab El Mandab Strait. The Telegraph says the move would mirror how Iran has been able to choke the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the US Trump Netanyahu invasion there. Reuters also confirming that Iran is declaring the Strait of Hormuz is an inviable red line, warning that any US Strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges that Donald Trump is threatening will trigger retaliatory strikes against critical infrastructure in the region. That Iran will strike all of the critical infrastructure and these surrounding Arab nations where there are United States bases. And also the Bob El Mandab Strait will be next as well. Now Iran is making good on its promises. They are climbing the escalatory ladder as Trump climbs the escalatory ladder. And in response to Trump climbing the escalatory ladder, for example, Donald Trump ordered CENTCOM to strike a unladen ship that was by Carg island and claimed that it was trying to violate the blockade. Well, if you actually just take a look at a map here and you see where the US Blockade is, this red line kind of outside of the Gulf of Oman area. And if you look where Kharg island is right over there, the fact that the US Struck a empty Iranian tanker tells you what the US Is trying to do is prevent Iran from loading up not just exiting the Strait of Hormuz, but even loading up its crude onto ships to make room for more crude to be taken out. And so as they escalate there, what did Iran do? Look at the targets that Iran hit. You know, it was fascinating because I saw a, this came out over the wire. Iranian drone crashes into oil tanker in Iraq's Basra terminal. No damages or fire. 4 Iraqi oil and security sources said, okay, so an Iranian drone hit the oil tanker but no damage was caused. Seemed like a lie to me. And then what do we find out? Today, Iraq has suspended all crude oil loading at its terminals following a drone strike which had previously claimed there was no damage done, which has nominally been attributed to the Iranian backed non state actors striking a tanker at the Basra oil terminal. You take a look right here at the Strait of Hormuz today. Basically entirely empty at this point. A few ships going through the Iran route, not Iranian ships. A few ships though, going through the Iranian route. No ships going through the Oman route. It's come to a complete standstill. Now. Iran is releasing satellite footage which it claims will are locations that it's been targeting in surrounding Arab nations. For example, when we covered yesterday that an Iranian Shahid 136 drone made impact at the Erbil Airport in Iraqi Kurdistan. And this facility houses a U.S. base. Well, here's the day after satellite footage which appears to be confirmation that those drones over or be a last night hit the Patriot battery at the airport. Iran released photos saying it shot down this MQ Reaper drone. Here are satellite images showing Iranian drones striking the roof of the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dukem in Oman. It was a reported targeted assassination attempt, although we don't know the results of who was being targeted and what. In other words, there's a lot of like, are you hearing about this anywhere on American media at all? Like that, that this is what's happening? Look, let's be clear. The US Is striking Iran very hard. Also, the United States is leaning on countries like the UAE to use their drones to strike Iran hard. Like this is footage right here that appears to be the UAE Yabhon drone right here. And you can hear that the Iranian army is trying to intercept this drone. But this drone does not appear to be American. This drone does appear to be of UAE origin. Here, I'll play this for you. Let's play it.
Shannon Maldonado
Now.
Political Commentator
As I noted at the outset of the video, the leader of Yemen's Houthis, Abdul Malik Al Houthi had said, look, Saudi Arabia attacked the Sana airport the other day. So we're going to attack Saudi Arabia. They escalate, we're going to have a full fledged war. We're not going to just sit back and do nothing here while that's taking place at this time. Meanwhile, Israel continues to strike. We'll play the B roll here. Israel continues to strike deep in Lebanon. Here's a residential area in the Nabate Al Faqwa area in southern Lebanon. This is a day after the conclusion of the latest round of direct talks in Rome. And the middle of a so called ceasefire. Netanyahu blasting this area in southern Lebanon, a residential area. I'll show you B roll right here. This is what's going on in the West Bank. Palestinian families are watching as Netanyahu's forces are tearing down homes there in the West Bank. And that's just happening, you know, right now. And what Donald Trump wants us all to focus on tonight is he's going to try to overturn the results of the 2020 election. He's going to try to claim apparently that Democratic senators aren't duly elected because of Xi Jinping in China. While Donald Trump is posting love photos of himself and Xi Jinping. Here is what Democratic Senator Ossoff said. And lots of people believe that he is one of the people being targeted by Donald Trump. And obviously, I think Trump is also terrified that Ossoff appears to be assuming he wins and there's a Democrat who wins the governor's race in Georgia. Ossoff appears to be having a lot of momentum for a presidential race. Here, play this clip. What do you say to your Republican colleagues who may agree with the president on this?
Reporter
I don't know of Republican colleagues who agree with the president on this. Privately, most elected Republicans in this building think the president has lost it and is dooming them to dismal losses this fall. Thank you all so much for your time. Pleasure.
Political Commentator
Collins agrees with them.
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Reporter
Let's see how Mike Collins handles this. Now, Mike Collins launched his general election campaign doubling down on 2020 election denialism. Now he not only has to defend doubling health insurance premiums for more than a million Georgians, he has to defend these conspiracy theories about the 2020 election that Georgia voters have rejected time and time again. Thank you all so much. Thank you.
Kalshi Advertiser
Thank you.
Political Commentator
Now contrast that to what his likely opponent or one of his likely opponents, J.D. vance would be. Now, J.D. vance says that Joe Biden eating ice cream during Biden's term makes J.D. vance think about sexual intercourse. And that was very suggestive, the way former President Biden, erotic, if you will, to J.D. vance, would eat his ice cream. Here, play this clip. Thing I couldn't get over Biden is, is just bad staff work, man. The way that he ate ice cream, I mean, it's like, you know, we could bring some of this stuff up, but it's like they would get him eating ice cream in the most ridiculous suggestive way imaginable. And then the rest of this morning, you've had Donald Trump's psycho advisors like Stephen Miller and others saying, you know, left wing terrorism, communism, this is the biggest threat that we're facing. Again, this is what authoritarian regimes do. Here, play this clip. Left wing terrorism always ends in bloodshed, misery and suffering. It only can travel in one direction. There's no point at which the left wing terrorist is satisfied with his gains and ceases progressing inevitably. Left to run its course, it always becomes a gulag. There you have it, everybody. Let me know what you think. I know we covered a lot there. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 7 million subscribers. And thanks for watching, everybody. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Oh oh, oh oh. WTF America? WTF America? Isn't this whole video make you say wtf? It's the book I just wrote with my brothers. It comes out October pre order it now. Wherever you click the QR code, I never know which way to point. But WTF America? The way out of this hell and back to democracy. Don't you always wake up and go wtf? Wtf? Pre order it. Please spend a lot of time and it's dedicated to you, the Midas mighty. Thanks everybody. Breaking news right now. My brothers and I wrote a book. It's called WTF America? And well, doesn't that just say it all? It comes out officially this October on, but you can preorder your copy today. Just scan the QR code or click the link in the description below.
Episode: Trump Panics Before Disaster Speech Tonight
Date: July 16, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Main Theme:
This episode dives into Donald Trump’s panicked state ahead of a scheduled national address, the broader implications of his latest conspiracy claims regarding the 2020 election, and the escalating crisis in the Middle East, all through the Meiselas brothers’ sharp, irreverent lens. The episode highlights how Trump’s rhetoric is influencing both domestic politics and international instability, mixes in coverage of key political figures and their reactions, and features the brothers’ signature blend of news, comedy, and passionate pro-democracy advocacy.
The Meiselas brothers analyze Trump’s anticipated speech claiming foreign interference in U.S. elections, discuss the dangerous realities in the Middle East exacerbated by U.S. policy, and examine responses by Democratic and Republican politicians. Throughout, they maintain a tone of incredulity, seriousness, and humor consistent with the MeidasTouch brand.
[01:15] The host explains that Trump is about to give a major address, aiming to claim “China accessed US voter data during the 2020 election,” alleging a CIA cover-up, and implying elections of Democratic leaders—like in Georgia—should be invalidated.
Despite these accusations, Trump paradoxically continues to post old, friendly photos of himself with Xi Jinping, the very leader he’s accusing.
The brothers frame these moves as “ranting and raving like a scared lunatic” as Trump tries to stoke fear ahead of the midterms and further his own authoritarian ambitions.
[02:40] Deep dive into the growing conflict involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, the Houthis, and the broader region, exacerbated by U.S. actions under Trump. Pakistan has withdrawn from mediation. Iran is strengthening ties with the Houthis and Somali group Al Shabaab to control the Bab El Mandab Strait, threatening critical shipping lanes.
The hosts reference their own prior warnings about regional escalation, corroborated by outlets like Reuters and The Telegraph.
[06:40] Explanation of US and Iranian military moves, including a US strike on a supposedly empty Iranian tanker (blocking crude exports) and the subsequent Iranian drone attack on Iraq’s Basra oil terminal. While initial reports claimed no damage, oil loading was indeed suspended afterwards.
Iran releases satellite imagery purportedly showing successful strikes on U.S. or Western targets in the region.
The hosts point out that as all this international chaos unfolds, Trump is choosing to focus public attention on his conspiracy claims, targeting Democratic Senator Ossoff (GA) in particular.
[12:01] Clip from Ossoff: When asked about GOP support for Trump’s claims, Ossoff replies:
The hosts note Republican Mike Collins doubling down on 2020 election denialism and the difficult position this puts him in with Georgia voters.
[12:45] The brothers lampoon J.D. Vance’s bizarre comments linking Biden eating ice cream to “suggestive” or “erotic” imagery:
Stephen Miller, Trump advisor, is played making hyperbolic claims about “left wing terrorism,” which the hosts frame as textbook authoritarian scare tactics:
This episode weaves breaking coverage of global crises and domestic political theater through the lens of Trump’s ongoing disinformation campaign. The Meiselas brothers connect the dots between authoritarian rhetoric at home, catastrophic foreign policy consequences abroad, and the vital importance of staying informed and engaged. The episode closes on their characteristic high-energy note, with biting humor and a call to action for democracy-minded listeners.