The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Whoa! Zelenskyy Catches Trump Sleeping With Surprise Offensive

Date: September 21, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett & Jordy Meiselas
Guest Contributor: Ron Filipkowski

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decisive new military offensive against Russia and the global message it sends, especially toward Donald Trump and the U.S. political establishment. The Meiselas brothers and guest Ron Filipkowski dissect Zelenskyy’s bold rhetoric and contrast it with Trump’s perceived weakness and transactional approach to world affairs. Broader topics include the shifting landscape of alliances, Trump’s dealings with Taiwan and China, the erosion of democratic institutions, and the mounting threat of “media capture” in the U.S., inspired by autocrats like Putin and Orbán.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Zelenskyy’s Surprise Offensive Against Russia

(01:20–06:06)

• Zelenskyy launches a significant counteroffensive in critical regions of eastern Ukraine, especially Donetsk, Pokrovsk, and Dobropillia.
• He directly addresses Ukraine’s international partners, stating Kyiv has advanced expertise in modern warfare and will only collaborate with genuine supporters.
• Zelenskyy issues a thinly veiled challenge to the U.S. and Trump: if you wish to benefit from Ukrainian innovations, show unambiguous support for Ukraine.

Notable Quote:

“Right now it is Ukrainians, Ukrainian companies and the Ukrainian army that have one of the strongest experiences in modern warfare... Ukraine will not engage in arms charity and help those who are indifferent to Ukraine.”
— President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (03:45)

• Zelenskyy emphasizes control over Ukrainian military exports, noting their growing global demand.
• He signs a new law to create the Office of the Military Ombudsman, signaling a commitment to soldier welfare and institutional reform.

Notable Quote:

“We are doing what strengthens the army. We are doing what strengthens the warriors of our army. Thank you to everyone who helps. Thank you to all who work for our Ukraine… Glory to Ukraine.”
— President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (05:54)

2. Trump’s Weak Response and Its Global Reverberations

(06:06–09:06)

• Discussion of recent Russian provocations, such as MiG-31 jets violating Estonian airspace and kamikaze drones in Latvia, highlighting NATO’s being tested for resolve and Trump’s lackluster response.

• Trump, when questioned about the threats, gives a dismissive answer:

  “Well, I'm going to have to look at it. They're going to be briefing me in a short while. So I'll let you know about it tonight or tomorrow. What's your take in general? Well, I don't love it. I don't love it. I don't like when that happens.”
  — Donald Trump (07:08)

• Mike Pence insightfully remarks:

  “It could be big trouble. But I'll let you know later. They're going to brief me in about an hour.”
  — Mike Pence (07:47)

• The hosts and Filipkowski mock Trump's indecision and lack of urgency, contrasting it with the clarity of Zelenskyy’s leadership.

3. Trump, China, and Abandonment of Taiwan

(09:06–13:08)

• Trump allegedly blocks $400 million in military aid to Taiwan, seen as a move to court China for a trade deal—at the expense of U.S. farmers and longstanding strategic partners.
• China halts soybean purchases from U.S. farmers, exacerbating economic woes for American agriculture.
• Trump’s willingness to sacrifice Taiwan’s security and U.S. interests for a potential TikTok licensing deal for his billionaire associates is called “wild stuff,” highlighting the transactional and self-dealing tenor of Trump’s foreign policy.
• King Charles’ attempt to influence Trump on Ukraine by appealing to UK–US tradition was ineffective.

4. Defending Democracy and Media Independence

(13:38–17:55)

• Pence critiques Trump’s approach to state intervention in business, comparing it to practices in Russia and China.

  “Estate ownership of business is very common in China... what’s happening with state ownership business represents a departure from the free market principles that have been at the heart of the Republican Party.”
  — Mike Pence (13:59)

• Pekka Komi’s essay is quoted, describing how Trump is following the autocratic playbooks of Putin and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán to capture the U.S. media and silence dissent.

• The hosts warn about “media capture”—the quiet consolidation of media outlets by loyalists and oligarchs, leading to the erosion of independent journalism and democracy.

Notable Segment (Ron Filipkowski, 14:55):

“Donald Trump is following Viktor Orban of Hungary and Vladimir Putin's playbook to capture America's media and silence dissent... This is how democracies die in the 21st century. Not with overt censorship, but with media capture.”

• The brothers issue a rallying call for independent media, emphasizing the urgent need for resistance and vigilance.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Zelenskyy’s Direct Challenge to the West:

  “Ukraine will not engage in arms charity and help those who are indifferent to Ukraine. We are ready to work with those who would genuinely support us.”
  (03:45)

• Trump’s Indecision Amidst International Crisis:

  “Well, I'm going to have to look at it. They’re going to be briefing me in a short while…”
  (07:08)

• Comparison of Trump to Putin and Orbán:

  “Donald Trump is following Viktor Orban of Hungary and Vladimir Putin’s playbook to capture America’s media and silence dissent.”
  (14:55)

• Pence’s Critique of Trump’s Economic Nationalism:

  “I really do believe that what’s happening with tariffs, what’s happening with state ownership business represents a departure from the free market principles that have been at the heart of the Republican Party.”
  (13:59)

Important Timestamps

• 01:20–06:06 Zelenskyy’s announcement of the Ukrainian offensive; statements on military tech and diplomatic boundaries.
• 07:08 Trump’s non-committal response to Russian airspace violation.
• 09:06–13:08 Analysis of Trump’s China strategy, Taiwan abandonment, and domestic agricultural fallout.
• 13:38 Pence critiques Trump’s move toward state control of business.
• 14:55 Discussion on “media capture” and comparison to Russia, Hungary.

Tone and Style

• The Meiselas brothers maintain their signature blend of sharp political analysis with irreverent, comedic banter.
• The discussion is unapologetically pro-democracy and critical of authoritarian undertones in U.S. politics.
• Zelenskyy’s statements are delivered with urgency and clarity, standing in contrast to Trump’s evasiveness.

Summary

This episode spotlights Ukraine’s battlefield momentum and Zelenskyy’s resolute leadership while exposing the risks posed by Donald Trump’s self-serving and ambivalent stance toward U.S. allies and adversaries alike. The conversation expands to the global implications of autocratic “media capture” and the erosion of democratic institutions, ending with a call for vigilance and support of independent journalism.