MeidasTouch Full Podcast - 4/17/26

April 17, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The MeidasTouch Podcast episode recaps multiple developments criticizing the Trump administration, centering on religious tensions with Pope Leo XIV, the faltering Iran ceasefire, congressional hearings on war powers, and international repercussions like a World Cup boycott and Saudi Arabia halting LIV Golf funding.

Pope Leo XIV Clashes with Trump and MAGA over War Rhetoric

Pope Leo XIV, speaking in Cameroon, condemned those who "manipulate religion... for military, economic, or political gain" and "masters of war" who spend billions on destruction while ignoring rebuilding. He described the world as "ravaged by a handful of tyrants," implicitly targeting figures like Trump, Putin, and Netanyahu. This followed Trump's AI-generated images depicting himself as Jesus hugging people, which he defended as showing a doctor aiding the needy before deleting amid backlash. MAGA leaders amplified attacks on the Pope and Catholic Church, leading to death threats against the Pope's brother, a retired Chicago principal. Pete Hegseth invoked Bible verses at the Pentagon to justify strikes on Iran, equating critics to Pharisees, while Mike Johnson lectured on "just war doctrine"—invented by Augustinians, the Pope's order. Franklin Graham defended Trump, calling critics opportunistic. Hosts highlighted hypocrisy: MAGA uses religion for politics but objects when the Pope promotes peace, ex

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What you'll learn

1 (00:45) **Pope Leo XIV Responds to Trump Attacks** - Pope delivers speeches in Cameroon condemning war manipulators and tyrants amid MAGA death threats to his brother.
2 (04:30) **Pete Hegseth Invokes Religion for War** - Hegseth uses Bible story at Pentagon presser to justify strikes, equating critics to Pharisees.
3 (07:30) **MAGA Defenders Exposed as Charlatans** - Franklin Graham, Mike Johnson downplay Trump's AI Jesus posts and Pope critiques.
4 (19:00) **Congress Grills UN Ambassador Waltz on War Crimes** - Senate hearing on UN funding turns to Waltz's past Putin "war criminal" label and Trump threats.
5 (31:00) **Ceasefire Negotiations Stall** - Trump claims success but talks fail; Iran sticks to 10-point framework Trump briefly endorsed.
6 (38:00) **War's Economic Fallout Mounts** - Jet fuel shortages loom in weeks, food shortages soon; Spirit Airlines near collapse.
7 (52:00) **Capitol Hill Dems Slam Illegal War** - Kamlager-Dove, AOC, Stansbury demand war powers vote to end chaos, genocide threats.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

The Trump regime’s attacks against the Catholic Church continue, a boycott of the World Cup intensified, the ballroom is halted yet again by a federal judge, fiery hearings in Congress, updates in the war with Iran, and more. Ben, Brett, and Jordy bring you the latest breaking news.

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