The MeidasTouch Podcast: Zelenskyy Kills Trump’s Plan and Strikes Back
Episode Summary: December 1, 2025
Main Theme
This episode dives into explosive new developments in US-Ukraine relations, focusing on President Zelenskyy's bold diplomatic response to secret Trump-aligned negotiations with Russian proxies aimed at forcing a pro-Russian “peace plan” on Ukraine. The Meiselas brothers analyze how Zelenskyy sabotaged and exposed Trump’s backchannel efforts, the fallout among American political figures involved, and the wider implications for US democracy and global alliances.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Zelenskyy’s “Checkmate” Response to Trump’s Back Channel (01:47)
- Zelenskyy sends his top Ukrainian delegation to Miami for face-to-face talks with Trump confidant Howard Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Marco Rubio, confronting them at the very location where a pro-Russian surrender plan for Ukraine was hatched.
- The hosts mock the defeated demeanor of Trump’s envoys during the Miami meeting, highlighting their discomfort and lack of confidence.
“Witkoff looks like a guy who got exposed in front of the whole world. I love this for him. I bet he looks great in orange.” – Political Commentator (03:18)
2. The Miami Meeting Breakdown (04:16)
- The Ukrainian diplomatic approach: demand not just any peace, but a settlement ensuring sovereignty, independence, and long-term prosperity for Ukraine.
- Strong contrast drawn between Ukrainian poise and the sheepishness of Trump’s envoys.
“This is not just about ending a war. This is about ending a war in a way that creates a mechanism and a way forward that will allow them to be independent and sovereign, never have another war again…” – Diplomat/Official (04:23)
3. Intelligence Exposés and Leverage over Witkoff (05:27)
- Reference to European or Ukrainian intelligence wiretapping Witkoff’s calls with Russian proxies; speculation about further incriminating evidence that might surface.
- Implicit warning to Trump’s team: “They have it all.”
"There’s a lot more where those tapes come from... What else do they have on me? What other phone calls? What other emails, what other messages? They have it all, Witkoff. They have it all.” – Political Commentator (05:27)
4. Zelenskyy’s Defiant Public Messaging (06:16)
- Reading of Zelenskyy’s post-meeting statements, underscoring Ukraine’s refusal to make mistakes or lose unity, and vowing continued resistance.
“If we lose our unity, we risk losing everything. Ourselves, Ukraine and our future. We must stand together. We must hold our ground. There is no other choice. There will never be another Ukraine. We defend Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine.” – Quoting Zelenskyy (07:08)
5. The Wall Street Journal Exposé: “Make Money, Not War” (07:30)
- Summary of WSJ article uncovering the Trump team’s Russian-brokered strategy: rare earth and energy deals dangled as incentives to sell out NATO and Ukraine.
- Discussion on Putin’s tactics offering massive business opportunities to get the US on Moscow’s side.
6. Diplomatic Moves: Ukraine-NATO Coordination (08:30)
- Zelenskyy contacts NATO Secretary General Mark Rut, stresses intensified coordination between US, Ukraine, and Europe to counter Moscow’s schemes.
“It is our joint measures and shared positions that will be extremely effective.” – Zelenskyy, paraphrased by the host (09:17)
7. Fractures Among Trump Allies in Miami (11:46)
- Revelations that Rubio was kept out of the loop on the initial “28-point Russian plan,” fueling tensions among Trump team negotiators.
- Rubio alters his public messaging, now championing a future of Ukrainian sovereignty and prosperity.
“Our goal here is to end the war. But it’s more than just to end the war. We also want to help Ukraine be safe forever… and equally importantly… enter an age of true prosperity.” – Marco Rubio, as Diplomat/Official (12:41)
8. Republican Congressional Pushback (13:57)
- Clips from House Republicans Don Bacon and Mike Turner sharply rejecting Trump-aligned appeasement and calling for robust support for Ukraine.
- Bacon calls for “moral clarity” against Putin and long-range weapons for Ukraine.
“He wants to control another third of Ukraine. He would like to make Ukraine a vassal state... Therefore we should be focused on giving high-end weapons... We need a little more Ronald Reagan here.” – Rep. Don Bacon (15:01)
- Turner bluntly rejects the “America First but pro-Russia” stance.
“You can't be America first and pro-Russia because Russia is a self-declared adversary of the United States…” – Rep. Mike Turner (16:15)
9. Host Commentary: The Ongoing Human Toll and Russian Atrocities (17:06)
- Reminders that Russia’s daily attacks on civilians are not a “both sides issue.”
- Showcases videos from Kyiv to humanize the stakes and urge unwavering support for Ukraine.
“We need to stand behind Ukraine and recognize that Russia is the bad guy. This should be very simple.” – Political Commentator (17:06)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Witkoff looks like a guy who got exposed in front of the whole world. I love this for him.” (03:18)
- “They have it all, Witkoff. They have it all.” (05:27)
- “If we lose our unity, we risk losing everything. Ourselves, Ukraine and our future... We defend Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine.” (07:08)
- “You can't be America first and pro-Russia because Russia is a self-declared adversary of the United States.” – Rep. Turner (16:15)
Important Segments & Timestamps
- 01:47 Zelenskyy’s Miami move exposed – Ukrainian delegation confronts Trump envoys
- 04:16 Diplomatic breakdown: Ukrainian priorities laid out in Miami meeting
- 05:27 Intelligence pressure on Trump’s intermediaries
- 06:16–07:08 Zelenskyy’s defiant response and rallying message to Ukraine
- 07:30 WSJ exposé on Trump-Russia “Make Money, Not War” plan
- 08:30–09:17 Ukraine-NATO consultation and Western coordination
- 11:46–12:41 Rubio shifts stance after falling out with Witkoff and Kushner
- 13:57–16:15 Congressional Republicans split with Trump on Ukraine support
- 17:06 Daily Russian atrocities in Ukraine emphasized
Conclusion
This episode exposes a high-stakes geopolitical drama: Zelenskyy’s shrewd diplomatic strike disables Trump’s secret dealmaking with Russia. The episode spotlights fractures among American negotiators, rare bipartisan pushback against selling out Ukraine, and hammers home the urgency of supporting democracy abroad. The MeidasTouch Podcast’s trademark blend of humorous jabs and sharp political insight adds energy to a sobering, consequential episode for American and global democracy.