The President's Daily Brief – Afternoon Bulletin

Episode Date: August 26, 2025

Host: Mike Baker, Former CIA Operations Officer
Podcast: The President's Daily Brief (The First TV)
Episode Title: 'Very Angry' Trump Lashes Out At Putin After Russian Strikes & Iranian Terror in Australia

Overview

In this episode, Mike Baker delivers concise, critical updates on major international developments. The bulletin focuses on two primary stories:

1. President Trump's mounting anger toward Vladimir Putin amid ongoing Russian strikes on Ukraine, post-Alaska summit.
2. Australia’s unprecedented expulsion of Iranian diplomats and the official designation of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, following anti-Semitic attacks allegedly ordered by Tehran.

Baker's trademark dry wit and direct tone lend urgency and context to each story, blending analysis with key quotes from newsmakers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Growing Frustration with Putin Post-Alaska Summit

[00:36 – 09:11]

• Latest Developments:

  • President Trump publicly vents frustration with President Putin after continued Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities, despite recent diplomatic efforts and a high-profile summit in Alaska.
  • Trump accuses Putin of undermining peace talks by escalating the conflict immediately after cordial conversations.

• Trump’s Comments:

  • At an Oval Office event, Trump remarks on his relationship with Putin:

    "Every conversation I have with him is a good conversation and then unfortunately, a bomb is loaded up into Kyiv or someplace and then I get very angry about it."
    — Donald Trump, [02:05]

  • Trump professes optimism but tempers expectations:

    "I think we’re going to get the war done. But... you never know what’s going to happen in a war. Strange things happen and the fact that Putin went to Alaska, our country, I think was a big statement that he wants to get it done."
    — Donald Trump, [03:00]

• Analysis of Diplomatic Stalemate:

  • Host Mike Baker points out Trump’s candor regarding personal animosity at the top:

    "Trump also shed light on why he thinks progress remains elusive, pointing to what he described as raw personal dislike between Putin and President Zelensky."
    — Mike Baker, [03:27]

  • Trump explains Putin refuses to meet Zelenskyy simply because “they don’t like each other, really.”
  • Baker quips:

    "...we hereby declare President Trump is the winner of today's PDB Statement of the Obvious award."
    — Mike Baker, [03:45]

• Consequences and Strategic Ambiguity:

  • Trump, when pressed, hints at repercussions for Russia:

    “There would be very big consequences, but we’ll see what happens.”
    — Donald Trump, [04:09]

  • Baker observes, "That phrasing is classic Trump. Both threatening and open-ended, keeping options on the table while signaling his irritation." [04:20]

• US Military Assistance to Ukraine:

  • The US will supply Ukraine with over 3,300 Extended Range Attack Munitions (ERAAMS), air-launched and capable of 150–280 mile strikes.
  • Deliveries begin in six weeks, but Pentagon pre-approval is required for strikes, especially inside Russia—similar to restrictions in prior US military aid.
  • Baker comments,

    "That sounds like an effective way to prosecute a war."
    — Mike Baker, [05:30]

    • He notes the boost could blunt Russian missile barrages and strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position.

• Summary & Outlook:

  • Baker summarizes the tension:

    "Trump’s experiment in personal diplomacy with Vladimir Putin is showing strain. He’s publicly very angry about continued strikes... and dangling 'very big consequences' if the Russian leader refuses to budge."
    — Mike Baker, [06:38]

  • He concludes US strategy now combines diplomatic pressure with significant military support to Ukraine.

2. Australia Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Iran Over Anti-Semitic Attacks

[09:41 – 14:35]

• Australian Government’s Actions:

  • Australia severs diplomatic relations with Iran, expels Tehran's ambassador and three other diplomats, and closes its embassy in Tehran.
  • The government designates the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
  • Australians in Iran are warned to leave immediately due to risk of detention.

• Background to Expulsion:

  • The move follows two anti-Semitic arson attacks against Jewish targets last year—firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue and an attack on a kosher food business in Sydney.
  • Investigations concluded the IRGC orchestrated these attacks by paying local criminals via proxies.
  • Baker stresses the gravity, calling it:

    "...the first time since World War II that Australia has expelled an ambassador from any country."
    — Mike Baker, [10:18]

• Government and Community Responses:

  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemns the attacks:

    “These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil. The actions of my government send a clear message... to all Australians that we stand against antisemitism and... to nations like Iran... your aggression will not be tolerated.”
    — PM Albanese, [11:05]

  • Jewish community leaders praise the government's action but fear possible retaliation by Iran.

  • Israeli officials laud Australia’s stand, referencing Iran's longstanding threat to Jews globally.

• Broader Context:

  • Australia has seen a dramatic spike in anti-Semitic incidents—up 316% between October 2023 and September 2024—mirroring global trends following the Israel-Hamas war.
  • Baker notes Australia joins a growing group of Western countries formally condemning Iran’s use of criminal networks for terrorism and intimidation.

• Iran’s Response:

  • Tehran denies involvement, promises reciprocal diplomatic measures, and accuses Australia of bias.
  • Baker wryly notes Iranian “feigned ignorance” and says critics believe “it will take far more than strong words and warnings to contain their ongoing efforts to destabilize Western nations from within.”
    — Mike Baker, [13:58]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Every conversation I have with him is a good conversation and then unfortunately, a bomb is loaded up into Kyiv or someplace and then I get very angry about it.”
  — Donald Trump, [02:05]

• “Because he doesn’t like him. They don’t like each other, really.”
  — Trump, on Putin’s refusal to meet Zelenskyy, [03:40]

• “That phrasing is classic Trump. Both threatening and open-ended, keeping options on the table while signaling his irritation.”
  — Mike Baker, [04:20]

• “...the first time since World War II that Australia has expelled an ambassador from any country.”
  — Mike Baker, [10:18]

• “These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil.”
  — PM Albanese, [11:05]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:36 – Show start, update on US-Russia-Ukraine diplomacy
• 02:05 – Trump quote on frustrations with Putin
• 03:40 – Trump on Putin-Zelenskyy animosity
• 04:09 – Trump hints at “very big consequences”
• 05:10 – Announcement of US munitions to Ukraine
• 06:38 – Baker summarizes the post-summit state
• 09:41 – Australia’s action against Iran
• 10:18 – Significance of ambassador expulsion
• 11:05 – Prime Minister Albanese’s key statement
• 13:58 – Iran’s denial and global context

Episode Takeaways

• US-Russia-Ukraine peace efforts are fraying, with Trump’s signature personal diplomacy put to the test by Putin’s continued aggressions.
• Meanwhile, the US increases lethal aid to Ukraine, balancing hope for a diplomatic breakthrough with preparation for a protracted conflict.
• Australia’s forceful response to Iranian-sponsored anti-Semitic attacks marks a historic diplomatic rupture and highlights concerns over international terror networks operating in Western democracies.
• Baker’s analysis emphasizes a world in which diplomacy is increasingly complicated by strong personalities, covert operations, and the limitations of warnings without action.

For ongoing updates, listeners are encouraged to reach out to Mike Baker at pdb@thefirsttv.com.