The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Panics in War and Calls to End NATO
Release Date: April 1, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the escalating political and military turmoil surrounding Donald Trump’s war in Iran, his overt hostility toward NATO, and the global repercussions of his actions. The Meiselas brothers dissect Trump’s recent statements, analyze the catastrophic fallout in the Middle East, examine global leaders’ responses, and highlight political maneuvers and polls back home. As always, the discussion is underscored by their trademark banter and unwavering defense of democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s War in Iran and Disinformation Campaign

• Trump is “panicking all morning long as his disastrous war in Iran continues to escalate” (01:45).
• He gives interviews to the Telegraph and Reuters, threatening US withdrawal from NATO and disparaging UK and NATO as “useless” and a “paper tiger.”
• Trump claims, without evidence, that Iran is begging for a ceasefire, which Iran’s Foreign Ministry promptly denies.

Notable Quote:

“Donald Trump will be addressing the nation tonight. Who knows what the heck he’s going to say.”
— Ben Meiselas (03:21)

• Iran now controls the Strait of Hormuz and continues to strike US interests and allies.
• Iran’s demands for ending the war include “security guarantees, reparations, keeping their ballistic missiles, and removal of US bases from the Middle East” (04:30).
• Despite Trump’s claims of Iran’s defeat, Iran’s leadership remains intact and actively rejects US negotiation frameworks.

2. NATO in Trump’s Crosshairs

• Trump blames NATO for the chaos and accuses it of not supporting his unilateral invasion.
• He promotes Putin’s view of NATO’s weakness:

“Vladimir Putin knows that NATO is a paper tiger. And so I agree with Putin.”
— Ben, quoting Trump (07:12)

• Trump claims he may use his address to the nation to argue for US withdrawal from NATO, despite US law (bipartisan, spearheaded by Marco Rubio and Senator Kaine) now requiring a two-thirds Senate vote for withdrawal.

Notable Quote:

“Trump delusionally believes that he is allied with Putin while Putin helps Iran destroy the United States.”
— Ben Meiselas (17:08)

3. Global Reactions & Diplomatic Fallout

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Australia’s Anthony Albanese address their nations to brace them for supply shocks and clarify their refusal to be pulled into Trump’s war.

[15:49] Keir Starmer:

“There’s been a good deal of pressure on me to change my position. In relation to joining the war. And I’m not going to change my position on the war. So whatever the pressure, whatever the noise, I’m the British prime Minister and I have to act in our national interests.”

• Starmer signals a strengthening of UK-EU ties and a shift away from US alignment (16:15–16:37).

• Europe, Canada, Australia, and Ukraine are presented as moving into closer cooperation, leaving the US increasingly isolated.

4. Escalating Regional Instability

• After the US and Israel strike Iran’s South Pars facility, Iran retaliates against American corporate interests and regional infrastructure, including:
  • Iranian strikes on Amazon’s Bahrain data facility.
  • Qatar forced to shut down 20% of its LNG facilities after Iranian retaliation.
  • Successful missile and drone strikes on US bases and facilities in the region.
• The Meiselas brothers emphasize the destabilizing spiral and how Trump's actions have built “more solidarity” among Iranians against the US (11:22).

5. Rising Domestic Disapproval

• Trump’s approval ratings hit historic lows:
  • 35% job approval, 64% disapproval (CNN poll)
  • 31% approval on the economy, 69% disapproval
• Polls reflect deepening public repulsion to both the war and Trump's handling of domestic and foreign affairs.

6. Impending Supreme Court Defeat – Birthright Citizenship

• The episode concludes with a preview of oral arguments over Trump’s executive order targeting birthright citizenship (Trump v. Barbara).
• The Supreme Court, including right-wing justices, appears skeptical of Trump’s order, and the hosts predict a loss for him.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Trump’s WAR messaging:

  “Blasting them to oblivion, back to the Stone Ages… he sounds like the bad guy, like a corny bad guy from some cartoon I watched growing up.”
  — Ben Meiselas (10:42)

• On international consequences:

  “Even if the war were to end right now, the shock to the oil supply, the shock to fertilizer, helium, just lots of stuff in general, the shock to the supply there is going to have this cascading effect.”
  — Ben Meiselas (06:38)

• On UK’s stance:

  “Whatever the pressure, whatever the noise, I’m the British Prime Minister and I have to act in our national interests.”
  — Keir Starmer, as aired (audio clip at 15:49)

Segment Timestamps

• 01:45–11:00 – Trump’s escalation in Iran; reports of Iranian strikes and US disinformation.
• 11:00–14:00 – Trump's claims about NATO and Ukraine; Putin and Trump’s alignment.
• 14:01–17:00 – UK and Australia respond; global supply chain impacts and alliance shifts.
• 17:02–18:30 – US domestic fallout, approval ratings, and ongoing Supreme Court case.
• 15:49 – [Clip] UK PM Keir Starmer on refusing to join Trump’s war.
• 16:15 – [Clip] UK PM Keir Starmer on strengthening UK-EU ties.

Tone & Language

The brothers approach grave topics with passionate, sometimes sarcastic language, directly quoting international figures and Trump’s own words. There’s a sense of urgent warning, laced with their characteristic humor and righteous frustration. Listeners are encouraged to “stay plugged in” and participate in supporting democracy.

This episode spotlights a moment of peak global peril, political confusion, and potential realignment, both on the world stage and in American politics—vividly narrated by the Meiselas brothers with their signature energy and candor.