The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Trump Throws Out Press from Secret Meeting with Oil Executives
Date: January 10, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Overview
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers break down a chaotic White House meeting where former President Donald Trump held a contentious discussion with major oil executives about post-invasion Venezuelan oil interests. The brothers focus on Trump’s abrupt expulsion of the press, his bizarre banter, and the political ramifications of the secretive negotiations. Throughout, the brothers maintain their signature irreverent, democracy-defending tone, highlighting Trump's often surreal behavior and offering pointed analysis of the broader consequences.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Expulsion of the Press and Secretive Dealings (00:00–01:14)
- Trump abruptly asked the press to leave during a high-stakes meeting with oil executives, framing the subsequent discussion as a secret negotiation about dividing up Venezuela’s oil after a U.S. invasion.
- Quote [01:14, Donald Trump]:
"So if you don't mind, I'll ask the press to leave and we will see what kind of a deal we're going to make with these geniuses. And I think you're going to come out very good. Thank you all very much. Thank you. Thank you."
2. The "Golden Ballroom" Shakedown (01:25–02:15)
- Trump uses the meeting to point out the future location of a lavish "Golden Ballroom" he plans to build, hinting that oil executives should fund it if they want access to Venezuela’s resources.
- He referred to oil executives by their company names rather than their real names (e.g., "Mr. Chevron," "Mr. Exxon").
3. Awkwardness and Lack of Preparation (02:15–03:43)
- Trump’s lack of familiarity with the executives is obvious as he relies on corporate titles; he also reads out loud private notes passed to him by Senator Marco Rubio.
- Memorable Moment [03:25, Donald Trump]:
"It's been written. All right, thank you. You'll make it back one way or the other. You're all going to do very well, I think. Really very well. Marco just gave me a note. Go back to Chevron, they want to discuss something. Go ahead. I'm going back to Chevron. Thank you, Marco."
4. Venezuela Policy and Nobel Peace Prize Bragging (03:49–06:39)
- Trump’s position on Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Karina Machado hinges comically on whether she gives him her Nobel Peace Prize, demonstrating a transactional and uninformed approach to foreign policy.
- He launches into a self-congratulatory rant about Nobel Peace Prizes, casting aspersions on Barack Obama while extolling himself.
- Quote [05:13, Donald Trump]:
"I can't think of anybody in history that should get the Nobel Prize more than me. And I don't want to be bragging, but nobody else settled wars..."
5. Oil Executives’ Reality Check (07:55–08:48)
- The Exxon CEO succinctly delivers a reality check, stating Venezuela’s oil sector is currently “uninvestable” due to instability, legal barriers, and risk—contradicting Trump’s grandiose promises.
- Quote [07:57, Exxon CEO]:
"If we look at the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela today, it's uninvestable. And so significant changes have to be made to those commercial frameworks, the legal system... durable investment protections..."
6. Contradictory Statements on Venezuelan Oil (11:47–12:41)
- Trump refers to Venezuelan oil as both “great oil” and “garbage” within the span of a few years—demonstrating inconsistency and opportunism regarding U.S. interests.
- Edited Clip [12:13, Donald Trump]:
- 2023: "Their oil is garbage."
- 2026: "Very good oil, great oil. It's fantastic for certain things..."
7. Posting Sensitive Data Prematurely (13:17–13:43)
- Trump is questioned for illegally posting job data early on Truth Social, brushing off the accusation as innocuous.
- Quote [13:32, Donald Trump]:
"They gave me some numbers. I, I put, when people give me things, I post them. But the numbers, the numbers are amazing."
8. Foreign Policy Cluelessness and Bizarre Rants (09:34–10:59, 13:49–14:45)
- Trump muses on "invading Greenland," claiming strategic necessity due to Russia and China.
- Is confused by a question about Iran from an Italian reporter, then boldly asserts that European leaders are weak without him.
- Quote [09:48, Donald Trump]:
"We're going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not...If we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland and we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor."
9. Paranoia about Stolen Assets and Electoral Lies (15:09–17:07)
- Claims Venezuela "stole our assets like we were babies," justifying intervention with conspiratorial logic.
- Asserts, falsely, that he won Minnesota three times and that U.S. elections are corrupt.
- Quote [16:06, Donald Trump]:
"I won Minnesota three times in my opinion...It's a corrupt voting system with an incompetent governor, a very incompetent governor."
10. Embracing Far-Right Narratives and Deflection (17:34–18:56)
- When asked whether he supports Vice President J.D. Vance’s claim that Renee Nicole Good—a woman killed by Trump-aligned paramilitary—was a “domestic terrorist,” Trump dismissively agrees.
- Quote [17:52, Donald Trump]:
"She's an agitator, probably a paid agitator, but in my opinion, she was an agitator, a very high level agitator."
11. Comedy and Notable Moments (10:59–11:47)
- Trump introduces his “Happy Trump” lapel pin, declaring,
Quote [11:24, Donald Trump]:
"That's called a Happy Trump. And considering the fact that I'm never happy, I'm never satisfied, I will never be satisfied until we make America great again. But we're getting pretty close."
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Press Ejection: “If you don't mind, I’ll ask the press to leave...” [01:14, Trump]
- On the Golden Ballroom: “This is where the Golden Ballroom is going to be…” [01:25, Host paraphrasing Trump]
- Nobel Peace Prize Boasting: “Nobody else settled wars. Obama got the Nobel Prize. He had no idea why…” [05:13, Trump]
- Oil Quality Contradictions:
- “Their oil is garbage.” [12:13, Trump (2023)]
- “Very good oil, great oil…it’s fantastic for certain things like asphalt roads.” [12:22, Trump (2026)]
- Greenland Threat: “We’re going to be doing something with Greenland either the nice way or the more difficult way.” [09:48, Trump]
- Election Falsehoods: “I won Minnesota three times in my opinion. It’s a corrupt voting system…” [16:06, Trump]
Important Timestamps
- 00:00–01:14: Press thrown out of Trump-oil executive meeting
- 02:41: Trump addresses oil execs by company, not name
- 03:25: Rubio's notes read aloud by Trump
- 05:13: Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize rant
- 07:57–08:48: Exxon CEO explains the tough reality in Venezuela
- 09:48: Trump's threatening remarks about Greenland
- 11:24: “Happy Trump” pin explained
- 12:13–12:22: Trump’s flip-flop on Venezuelan oil
- 13:32: Posting job data early
- 14:21: Trump’s befuddlement over a question from Italy
- 16:06–17:07: Election misinformation about Minnesota
Tone & Style
The episode is marked by quick-witted banter, sarcasm, and incredulity at Trump’s brazenness. The brothers alternate between mockery and serious concern, always circling back to their central message: exposing anti-democratic behavior, government corruption, and holding leaders to account, all while channeling the energy and humor their audience expects.
Conclusion
This episode delivers an incisive and at times surreal look at Trump’s ongoing blend of self-aggrandizement, foreign policy chaos, and transactional politics, all set against a backdrop of comedy and brotherly banter. The brothers leverage a mixture of direct quotes, audio clips, and spirited commentary to expose the absurdity and danger of Trump’s secretive dealings with oil barons, unchecked ambitions, and conspiracy-laden rhetoric—offering listeners both a warning and a call to stay engaged.