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News Host
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News Host
Donald Trump and the White House are crashing out over major escalation in the war and Iran smoking out Donald Trump's invasion plans, apparently with another Arab nation as well. The head of Iran's parliament, M.B. golubov, who, who just a few days ago Donald Trump said he's a hot option, that I want to lead Iran when we take it over. And this guy's been just repudiating and rebuking Donald Trump at all turns. He just posted the following message moments ago, Golubov writes, Based on some data, Iran's enemies, with the support of one of the regional countries, are preparing to occupy one of the Iranian islands. All enemy movements are under the full surveillance of our armed forces. If they step out of line, all the vital infrastructure of that regional country will without restriction, become the target of relentless attack. We are hypothesizing that that country is Saudi Arabia, that the island is Kharg island, and we are aware of the Marine Expeditionary Forces that have been leaving from Japan on the USS Tripoli that will be ARR near Iran by Friday. And we also have numerous other Marine Expeditionary Units on their way from San Diego and elite paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg heading to the Middle east as well. Golubov also writes the following we are closely monitoring all US Movements in the region, especially troop deployments. What the generals have broke, the soldiers can fix. Instead, they will fall victim to Netanyahu's delusions. Do not test our resolve to defend our land. Meanwhile, other top ranking officials in Iran have been posting come closer, come closer, soldiers. We have been waiting for this and preparing for this moment for two decades. US Soldiers, come on in. We are ready for you. So it does not seem that there's a deal to be had anytime soon. Israel's i24 news has also confirmed recent reporting on the Iranian supreme leader, saying that a Western intelligence top source has told them that Moj Taba Khomeini, who was injured in a strike earlier in the conflict, remains in contact right now with the principal Iranian regime decision makers and remains in the decision making processing loop right there. Another major escalation development recently as well. It's exactly what I've been warning about and you've heard me say it now for the past five days, relentlessly focus on the Red Sea, focus on the Bab El Mandeb Strait. I know we're talking about the Strait of Hormuz, but I Said we're not talking enough about the Red Sea because Iran has yet to activate the Houthis in Yemen to shut down the Red Sea which is the alternative route where some of this crude is being shifted to. Because if you shut down the Bab El Mandib Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, you're going to see oil hit $200 a barrel in no. Now Iranian officials have again threatened to open another front in the conflict. It's now being reported as I predicted this Bob, El Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. The statements made to Tasman News which is like their regime media alluded to the possible entrance of the Houthis into the conflict as Iranian officials increasingly teased the expansion of the quote resistance fronts involvements. At the time of writing the Houthis are the only major arm of the Iranian backed access of resistance. The open source Intelligence Defender account explains that has not gotten involved in the escalating conflict in the Middle East. And as I reported earlier, Iran's preconditions before engaging in any negotiation with the Trump regime includes the following demands. A new order for the Strait of Hormuz that would allow Iran to collect fees from ships that transit the waterway as Egypt does now with the Suez Canal guarantees that the war wouldn't restart and end to is and an end to Israel strikes on the Iran aligned Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Israel says it's going to take about another six months to a year there and they are preparing a broader invasion into Beirut and South Lebanon. Lifting all sanctions on Iran, permitting Iran to keep its missile program with no negotiations to limit it and full reparations for the damages Iran has faced as a result of this war. Now I reported earlier that Donald Trump's basically gone MIA today. I showed you his schedule from earlier this morning. Trump's schedule consists of executive time and meetings closed to the press all day. But Caroline Levitt, Donald Trump's chief propagandist, did hold a press conference moments ago. Before that Melania gave a speech to the world which I'm not going to show you because it was as cringy as can be and is just makes an utter humiliation of our country. But she did arrive with a robot. This is what went down. I'm just going to show you six seconds. Play this clip. Yeah, those six seconds I should say are sick seconds because what the hell are we even watching there? Caroline Levin Levitt, Donald Trump's chief propagandist then held her press conference where she says by all accounts the Iranian regime has been decimated they are looking for an off ramp. They are begging right now for a deal when that's not what's happening at all. But she's a propagandist. She's the Baghdad Bob in the United States. Remember when we would make fun of Baghdad Bob? Well, we have a worse version of that. It's Caroline Levitt. Let's play this clip.
Caroline Levitt
That's why you're beginning to see the regime look for an exit ramp. They recognize they are being crushed. Their ability to attack American and ally forces as well as their ability to defend their own territory is dwindling literally hour by hour.
News Host
She then talks about how Trump has had a unique skill to bring allies together and keep them on board with America's invasion of Iran despite no ally joining. But okay, play this clip.
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Does the president think that all of
Caroline Levitt
the allies will go along with whatever the US Concludes with these Iranians? Are you expecting that Israel and all the other allies will follow whatever agreement is made? Ms. I think the president has shown that he is absolutely the leader of the free world, the head of the most powerful military in the world, and in various examples, so the 12 day war between Iran and Israel, the cease fire between Israel and Gaza, the president has shown a very unique skill at getting our allies to get on board with what's in the best interest of the United States but also the world. In cases of foreign policy like this,
News Host
Ed, then Caroline Levitt is asked, so do you consider what's taken place regime change, where you have the same Islamic Republic regime but more extreme people in leadership roles? And she's like, well, we did get rid of the old people right here. Play this clip.
Caroline Levitt
Go ahead.
Reporter
The president yesterday said that he had achieved regime change in Iran because the regime has changed in terms of I
Caroline Levitt
mean, has it not? Well, the leadership, their entire leadership has been killed and nobody has really seen or legitimately heard from this alleged new leader. So wouldn't you say there's been a change in the regime, there has been
Reporter
a change in leadership? I mean, do you think there's been
Caroline Levitt
a change in the regime leadership, which is what the president said. So thank you for confirming he was right.
News Host
I mean, do you feel next a reporter asks Caroline Levitt, Trump's chief propagandist, should the US Have a role in choosing Iran's next leadership? And it's like, what world are you even living in? Are you watching what's actually happening in the region? What are these questions? What are we even talking about? Iran has, if anything, solidified its control over the Strait of Hormuz. They're emboldened and they've already had the oil sanctions lifted against them. But here, play this clip.
Reporter
Thank you, Caroline. On March 6, the President said in an interview with Reuters that the US should have a role in choosing Iran's next leadership. Now that we're almost four weeks into the operation, is that still the president's assessment of where it should go?
Caroline Levitt
Ms. As I've said repeatedly, I think the president obviously believes the United States wants to have someone in leadership position in the Iranian regime that will be much more favorable, that will be willing to work with the United States that will no longer chant death to America. These would obviously be good common sense things for the United States and for our allies. I think that's what the president meant when he spoke with Reuters that day.
News Host
Then Caroline Levitt says any violence beyond this point will be because Iran refused to understand that they've already been defeated. Kind of stupid thing is that to say. Here, play this clip.
Caroline Levitt
For President Trump Dud is not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again. Their last miscalculation cost them their senior leadership, their navy, their air force and their air defense system. Any violence beyond this point will be because the Iranian regime refused to understand they have already been defeated and refused to come to a deal.
News Host
More from Trump's chief propagandist, a reporter asks, so is there a point to which Donald Trump will actually, you know, go to Congress for authorization for war, which is required by the law? And Levitt's like, no, because it's not a war. This is a special military operation. By the way, the exact language Putin uses to invade Ukraine. Play this clip.
Reporter
Two questions for you. First, if the war in Iran continues past this current round of peace talks and with thousands of troops on their way to the Middle east, is there a point, either a number of ground troops or a number of days at which the president will consider seeking authorization from Congress?
Caroline Levitt
Well, as you know right now that formal authorization from Congress is not necessary because we're currently in major combat operations in Iran. The Department of War and the president, as I said, estimated about a four to six week timeline for the full completion of these military combat operations. We're again on day 25 today and as a courtesy, nevertheless, the administration did notify Congress the Gang of Eight ahead of the launch of the operation 25 days ago. And we've also had our top national security officials go to Capitol Hill to brief lawmakers again out of Congress courtesy and out of respect for them. So at this moment, it's unnecessary. But of course, the President in this administration will always abide by the law.
News Host
A reporter then says that, look, Caroline, you know Iran has rejected the 15 point plan. They're saying it on all Iranian TV. To which Caroline says, We've never even proposed a 15 point plan. The White House never confirmed that. Yes, you did. Yesterday, Donald Trump was the one who said 15 point plan. Here, play this clip.
Reporter
Within the past few hours, Iranian state TV has said that Iran has rejected the US 15 point plan to end the war. What's the White House's response to that? And have these talks hit a dead end?
Caroline Levitt
They have not. Talks continue, they are productive, as the President said on Monday, and they continue to be. However, I saw a 15 point plan that was floated in the media. I would caution reporters in this room from reporting about speculative points or speculative plans from anonymous sources. The White House never confirmed that full plan. There are elements of truth to it, but some of the stories I read were not entirely factual. So I am not going to negotiate on behalf of the President here at the podium. What I will tell you is these talks are ongoing. We're not going to get into the nitty, gritty details that have been exchanged between the United States and Iran at this point.
News Host
Then Caroline Levitt starts talking about young voters and she's like, to all the young voters out there, we're doing this for you. Trump is saving you right now. I don't believe young voters feel that way. Caroline, play this clip.
Caroline Levitt
President Trump is doing this for you. He's doing this for young people so that we are no longer threatened by a rogue terrorist regime in the Middle east that seeks to kill the brave men and women who serve in our country in the Middle east, many of them young people themselves, young men and women who serve this country honorably in uniform and have been threatened, killed and maimed by the rogue Iranian terrorist regime for 47 years. President Trump finally had the courage to step up and do what's right by our national security, our homeland security. As for the temporary short term fluctuation in gas prices, the President has said, once these combat operations are over, this administration is going to continue to unleash American energy dominance. We're continuing to do that every day. And we're going to see prices at the pump go back down, just as we have over the past year because of this president.
News Host
Then Caroline Levitt attacks Joe Kent, who is one of Donald Trump's top counterintelligence officials until Kent resigned last week abruptly because he disagreed with the disastrous war in Iran. And now Caroline says that he has zero credibility. He's a ridiculous individual and he resigned in disgrace.
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News Host
He says MAGA and he was as Trumpy as you get. This is what MAGA does. This is what the cult does. Right? You want to bring transparency to the Epstein files. You're a disgrace. You stand against unlawful wars. You're a disgrace. Play the clip.
Reporter
Thank you. Caroline, I was wondering if you would respond to some of this criticism of the administration from past allies like Joe Kennedy who have said that the President's red line shifted from Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon to Iran cannot pursue nuclear enrichment. What is the administration's response to that criticism?
Caroline Levitt
I think the President and I have both strongly responded to the criticism by Mr. Kent, who unfortunately resigned in disgrace and accused the President of basically being controlled by foreign countries and for manipulation, which is a ridiculous and laughable assertion. So his accusations have zero credibility as far as this White House is concerned.
Reporter
The question of the red line shifting from no nuclear weapon to no nuclear enrichment does. Is there any substance to that argument?
Caroline Levitt
I think the President has been quite clear in what he wants to see from the Iranian regime, which is why he chose to launch Operation Epic Fury in the first place. Reagan.
News Host
A reporter then asks a pretty basic question, Caroline. So who exactly is the US Speaking with in Iran? She's like, oh, I can't tell you that. That's super secret information. Play this clip.
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Who exactly.
Caroline Levitt
Who exactly the US Is negotiating with in Iran and why the US and this administration trust that person? Again, as I said to Gabe's question earlier, we're not going to get into the details of these negotiations and conversations that continue to take place. As of course, you can imagine, they are very sensitive diplomatic discussions. And I would reiterate, I do recall giving all of you the same answer when we were negotiating the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza. Gave you the same answer throughout the 12 day war between Iran and Israel. Gave you the same answer with respect to many of the other global conflicts that this administration has negotiated solutions to. President Trump is going to give his diplomats the freedom that they need to have these sensitive diplomatic discussions without negotiating and litigating them through the news media. Media.
News Host
And then Caroline Levitt is asked, if these negotiations are not successful, then do we do a ground invasion? The negotiations are not successful already. They're not like, why are we pretending that there are successful negotiations? Watch what she says. Play this clip.
Caroline Levitt
Question about the straight up.
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If these negotiations are not successful, is
Caroline Levitt
the only option to open to reopen the strait? Boots on the ground given that all of our allies have essentially said that they are unable or unwilling to help? Look, that's a hypothetical question. It's a, it's a, it's a hypothetical question. It's also a decision that would have to be made by the Commander in Chief, and I'm not going to get ahead of him.
News Host
And then Caroline Levitt finishes off by saying, the only person who you can trust is Donald Trump. Trust in Trump and nobody else here. Play it right.
Caroline Levitt
Can you say what is accurate with
GoFundMe Storyteller
respect to ballistic missiles, the nuclear ambitions in the Strait of Hormuz, which are things that the President has laid out that he wants to see a couple times in the past.
Caroline Levitt
Look, if you've heard it from the President of the United States, obviously it's true as ridiculous.
News Host
Indeed. Let me know what you all think. Hit subscribe let's get to 7 million subscribers. Thanks for watching and have a great one. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our substack@midasplus.com you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski, ad free episodes of our podcast, and more exclusive content Only available@midasplus.com. To realize the future America needs, we understand what's needed from us to face each threat head on. We've earned our place in the fight for our nation's future. We are Marines. We were made for this.
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Date: March 25, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Main Theme:
This episode dives into the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, highlighting the Trump administration’s chaotic foreign policy responses, Iran’s public rebukes and threats, the shifting situation in the Middle East, and the echoes of authoritarian rhetoric emanating from the White House.
Levitt (Trump’s press secretary/“chief propagandist”) delivers a series of obfuscating and combative remarks:
Iran is "decimated":
Claiming Regime Change:
U.S. Role in Iran’s Leadership:
On War Authorization:
15-Point Plan Denial:
Appealing to Young Voters:
Attacking Dissenters:
Refusing to Name Negotiating Partners:
On Future Escalation:
Blind Trust in Trump:
Iran’s Stark Warning:
Parallels to Authoritarianism:
Gaslighting the Press:
Appeal to Youth:
Blanket Rebuttal of Dissent:
Ultimate Loyalty Directive:
| Timestamp | Segment/Theme | |------------|-------------------------------------------| | 02:46 | Iran warns U.S. over invasion plans | | 04:40 | Iran’s taunts to U.S. soldiers | | 05:37 | Red Sea/Bab El Mandeb Strait significance | | 08:54 | Caroline Levitt’s Press Conference begins | | 10:16 | Regime change semantics | | 11:12 | U.S. role in Iranian leadership | | 12:46 | Congressional authorization sidestepped | | 14:02 | Denial over “15-point plan” for Iran | | 15:07 | Appeal to young voters | | 16:55 | Attacking former ally Joe Kent | | 17:43 | Evasion on Iranian negotiating partners | | 18:50 | On potential ground conflict | | 19:28 | “Trust Trump absolutely” assertion |
This episode delivers a sharp, timely breakdown of the spiraling crisis between the U.S. and Iran, focusing on the disconnect between White House rhetoric and unfolding facts on the ground. The Meiselas brothers use humor, historical context, and acute analysis to illustrate the dangers of the Trump administration’s isolation from reality, penchant for authoritarian language, and reckless foreign policy choices. Through direct quotes, press conference highlights, and their signature banter, they warn about the perils facing both democracy and global stability, urging listeners to stay informed and engaged.
If you haven’t heard the episode, this summary gives you all the pivotal points, quotes, and context needed to understand why this moment is so consequential—and why the MeidasTouch team thinks it matters.