Obama Returns to Defend His Iran Deal as Trump Faces Criticism

17 Jun 2026 · 25 min · 11 chapters

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In short

The episode argues that Barack Obama’s Iran deal is better than Donald Trump’s, claiming Trump is panicking and facing political backlash. It also discusses Obama opening his presidential library and uses clips to contrast Obama’s tone with Trump’s alleged “meltdown.”

Guests

No podcast guests are interviewed in the transcript. The episode features commentary from hosts and plays statements from public figures (e.g., Trump, Pence, an Ohio Trump voter, JD Vance, and Israeli commentator John Podoretz).

Key claims

Trump’s Iran deal is “worse,” including alleged concessions like sanctions waivers and an investment fund totaling about $300 billion; Trump previously said money was “off the table.” The episode cites criticism from Pence and Israeli supporters, and contrasts an alleged stronger Feb. 27 Oman-mediated framework with Trump’s current deal.

Notable examples

Obama’s library opening speech; Financial Times headline (“Humiliation”); Georgia GOP primary defeat; Pence’s CNN critique; Oman foreign minister CBS interview about “zero stockpiling” and IAEA verification; Podoretz calling Trump a betrayal.

Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.

Chapters

Tap a time to open that second in VO

Introduction to Today's Topics

1:16 to 2:15

The hosts set the stage for a discussion on Trump and Obama's recent actions related to Iran.

“Fox News is now streaming live on Fox One.”

Trump's Meltdown Over Obama's Iran Deal

2:15 to 4:09

Discussion on Trump's reaction to Obama's better Iran deal, highlighting Trump's insecurity.

“Donald Trump was having a psychotic meltdown all last night over former President Obama doing a better deal with Iran than Donald Trump did.”

Obama's Speech and Its Impact

4:09 to 6:28

A detailed look at Obama's speech emphasizing decency and compassion, contrasting with Trump.

“There are people who aren't trying to get every last nickel and aren't cutting corners when it comes to values and treat people high and low with respect and kindness and handle their business.”

Public Perception of Trump

6:28 to 7:59

Exploration of how Trump's former supporters view him negatively, especially regarding recent news.

“He's seeing headlines like this, and it is driving him even more crazy.”

Criticism from Former Vice President Pence

7:59 to 11:15

Analyzing Pence's criticisms of Trump's Iran deal and the implications for U.S. foreign policy.

“I would have never given him back the money I would have said the money is off the table Let's start negotiating And you know what?”

Omani Foreign Minister's Insights

11:15 to 14:00

Insights from the Omani foreign minister about the potential benefits of a stronger deal with Iran.

“And back then, February 27th, he said, we've reached a deal.”

Understanding Iran's Nuclear Capabilities

14:00 to 16:01

Learn how the Iran deal aims to prevent nuclear bomb creation through verification.

“It really makes the enrichment argument less relevant because now we are talking about zero stockpiling.”

Bipartisan Concerns on Trump and Iran

16:02 to 17:08

Explore the criticism surrounding Trump's potential leadership in Iran's context.

“Vance right now, if Donald Trump became the supreme leader of Iran, the Democrats would be upset about that.”

Israel's Shift in Support for Trump

17:09 to 19:18

Discover the changing views of Israeli supporters regarding Trump’s policies.

“You have this guy, John Poderatz, who runs an Israeli magazine.”

John Podoretz's Criticism of Trump

19:19 to 21:07

Hear Podoretz's arguments on Trump's military strategy and its implications.

“I'm going to give you a shot from Sound on Tape from John Podoretz, who is the chief over at Commentary Magazine, which is very pro-Israel, very neo-conny.”
Show all 11 chapters

Critique of Trump's Iran Agreement

21:08 to 23:09

Analyze the weaknesses in Trump's approach to the Iran agreement compared to Obama's.

“And just to be very clear, I'm actually glad that there is a deal or a memorandum of understanding.”
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Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

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0:30And we're live on Match Day as Doug reaches for a buffalo wing. He's got it. Oh, and he's going for a can of Pepsi, too. What a finish. There's no doubt about it. It just tastes better. Match Days deserve Pepsi.

0:44Ben Meiselas:Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same premium wireless for$15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to do at MintMobile.com slash switch. Upfront payment of$45 for three-month plan, equivalent to$15 per month required. Intro rate first three months only, then full price plan options available. Taxes and fees extra. Default terms at MintMobile.com. Fox News is now streaming live on Fox One.

1:19When news breaks, we don't just report it. We go beyond the headlines to get the full story. Get live coverage, in-depth analysis and perspectives from the voices you trust, all in one place. Whether you're at home or on the go, stay connected to the stories shaping our world.

1:39Ben Meiselas:Stream Fox News on Fox One. Download today.

1:55short? Let me introduce you to fans. And they're here with me on Spotify. Trust me, I know fans. They don't skip, they stay for hours. They don't move on, they manifest. They're not a demographic group, they're fans. Spotify Advertising, you're among fans.

2:15Ben Meiselas:Donald Trump was having a psychotic meltdown all last night over former President Obama doing a better deal with Iran than Donald Trump did. This was Donald Trump's worst nightmare, and Donald Trump is now getting the karma he deserves. There are headlines like this right now from the Financial Times. Humiliation. Trump battles charge. His Iran deal is worse than Obama's. We saw Donald Trump meet with world leader after world leader, yesterday at the G7 and again today, and he's been saying, well, my deal was better than Obama's, right? My deal. And the world leaders were looking at him like, not really, not really.

3:01Ben Meiselas:And then with grace, with dignity, former President Obama gave an incredible speech yesterday for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Library. And he was there speaking at the presidential center's stakeholder reception. And as Donald Trump was out there in France talking about, oh, you know, look how rich the Amir is. You're rich, you're rich, you're rich, you're rich. Remember I showed you all those videos. Former President Obama gave one of the most incredible speeches that once again just reminds people of how awful Trump is and what we actually could be with decency, grace, and compassion.

3:45Ben Meiselas:And this is driving Trump nuts. Watch former President Obama open up the presidential library with grace and dignity and nothing that Donald Trump can do, nothing that these weird Trump UFC fighters out there who are attacking Michelle Obama for whatever, just being heinous that they can do, nothing's going to break the spirit of the Obamas. Watch former President Obama. Let's play it. There are people who aren't trying to get every last nickel and aren't cutting corners when it comes to values and treat people high and low with respect and kindness and handle their business.

4:36Just salt of the earth, bedrock people. and there are people like that all across the south side of Chicago and there are people like that all across this great country of ours and their voices are not heard because we've got a set of institutions that have fallen victim to the siren song of everything's about money and everything's about attention and everything's about fame and everything's about getting over. But meanwhile, there are just a lot of people out here who are just doing the right thing and raising their families and taking care of people.

5:34and so it's fitting that she's with us here today because part of what we want this center to be is a reminder of those people and to make sure this country is true to their spirit

6:02because if we do that, then I think we're going to be okay. And I want our kids

6:12to be reminded of that and our grandkids. And 50 years from now, I want people to remember that's what we should be about.

6:26So, thank you. appreciate you enjoy the celebration bring your family bring your friends mark with pride what you've accomplished thank you everybody god bless you thank you

6:43Ben Meiselas:donald trump was having a complete meltdown last night he continues to make posts about a purported assassination attempt against him involving drones he is terrified alone moon deteriorating before our eyes when we see him in public. He's seeing headlines like this, and it is driving him even more crazy. Humiliation, the Financial Times proclaims. Trump battles charge. His Iran deal is worse than Obama's. And throughout the day yesterday, we heard Donald Trump in every meeting with the Emir of Qatar, with the president of the UAE, with whichever world leader he was with. He was saying, oh, aren't I better than Obama?

7:30Ben Meiselas:Aren't I better than with Obama? Aren't I still better than him? And now we're having all this video footage of Donald Trump's surface of him saying, I would never give Iran any money at all. I would never do that. Obama's deal is so bad. We know right now the Trump deal gives Iran $300 billion in an investment fund. Here's what Donald Trump previously said CNN put together a very strong montage Let's play it I would have never given him back the money I would have said the money is off the table Let's start negotiating And you know what? I would have won that negotiation We can't continue to make deals like that horrible Iran deal Where we give them$150 billion back The Iran deal was so bad We paid$150 billion to sign a horrible agreement.

8:25Ben Meiselas:Now, how do the average voters think about Donald Trump? How do former Trump voters think about Donald Trump? Here's what a former Ohio Trump voter had to say. Play this clip. If you could talk to President Trump directly right now, what would you tell him? Should you want me to really say it on air? I say, you know, I don't mean to be disrespectful to any any leader, but he's disrespectful to us. and he doesn't care. And last night, the news kept on getting worse for Donald Trump. You see, Trump endorsed candidates losing and Democrats now are leading big in certain critical polls. You take a look, for example, in Georgia, where Rick Jackson won the Republican nomination for Georgia governor, defeating the Trump endorsed Burt Jones.

9:16Ben Meiselas:The voters in Georgia rejecting Donald Trump's pick for governor. Keisha Lance Bottoms is the Democratic candidate for governor. You've seen her on the Midas Touch Network before. She now leads Jackson 53 % to 38%. As of right now, if the election were held, it could be a wipeout where the Democratic candidate would take Georgia also. Senator Ossoff significantly ahead of the Republicans there. Donald Trump under fire from his former vice president. Former vice president Pence took to CNN to attack Donald Trump. Here's what former vice president Pence had to say. Let's play this clip right here.

10:04So, I mean, pretty bluntly, it sounds like you think from what we know so far, this is a mistake by the Trump administration? Well, it's much bigger than a mistake. I mean, when the president took that historic step to strike those nuclear facilities last year, this is the first time in 47 years that an American president had taken the fight directly to the mullahs in Tehran. And America was safer as a result. And the fact that he tried diplomacy for the following year to begin to make progress, and then finally recognized that we just got to take the fight to them, launched Operation Epic Fury.

10:44Our military responded brilliantly. But in this moment, the posture that we're getting from the Iranians, but my concern is what appears to be leaking out, these immediate concessions, particularly sanctions, waivers right out of the gate, that would essentially be a lifeline to the Iranian regime. I think as ill-advised, we ought to keep the pressure on, keep the blockade on, and if need be, let our armed forces get back to work.

11:15Ben Meiselas:And Donald Trump also being haunted by the footage of Oman's foreign minister from February 27th, right before Donald Trump and Netanyahu who did their unlawful and catastrophic invasion, the Omani foreign minister went on CBS, faced the nation on an emergency basis. And back then, February 27th, he said, we've reached a deal. And the deal that he discussed on February 27th is far stronger than the deal that Donald Trump has now agreed to. There was no giving hundreds of billions of dollars to Iran. There was no Iran controlling the Strait of Hormuz. There was no removing all sanctions from Iran.

12:05Ben Meiselas:There was no having those sanctions removed against Iran first. But any benefits to the U.S. take time to flow in terms of the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran can close at any time. Listen to what the Omani foreign minister said on February 27th. A few hours later, after this interview, Donald Trump and Netanyahu would invade, forever changing the landscape of the Middle East, forever weakening the United States abroad. Here's what the Omani foreign minister had to say. Play this clip. When you say the heart of the deal, Iran has said this has to be nuclear only. What have you actually agreed upon?

12:47Can you give us any sense of why there should be more time? Because if the ultimate objective is to ensure forever that Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, I think we have cracked that problem through these negotiations by agreeing a very important breakthrough that has never been achieved any time before. and I think if we can capture that and build on it, I think a deal is within our reach. What has Iran agreed to, to you, that they have never done before? Can you give us any sense? The single most important achievement, I believe, is the agreement that Iran will never ever have a nuclear material that will create a bomb.

13:53This is, I think, a big achievement. This is something that is not in the old deal that was negotiated during President Obama's time. This is something completely new. It really makes the enrichment argument less relevant because now we are talking about zero stockpiling. And that is very, very important because if you cannot stockpile material that is enriched, then there is no way you can actually create a bomb, whether you are rich or don't are rich. And I think this is really something that has been missed a lot by the media. And I want to clarify that from the standpoint of a mediator. So explain that.

14:43So the enriched material, the things that could be used as nuclear fuel for a bomb, you're saying Iran would not keep on their own soil? They would give it up. They would give it up? They will not be able to actually accumulate that material that will enable them to create a bomb. There's no accumulation. So there will be zero accumulation, zero stockpiling, and full verification. That is also equally important achievement, I think. A full and comprehensive verification by the IAEA, which is the agency in charge of this file. The UN nuclear watchdog. So you're saying all enriched material would be shipped someplace else, not Russia, but...

15:30No, no. The current stockpiles that still exist. The things that are still in Iran right now. I think that there is agreement now that this will be downblended to the lowest level possible. Okay. To a neutral level, a natural level, which means and converted into fuel. And that fuel will be irreversible. That would be significant if Iran agreed to that. It is very significant. And I think we have agreement on that, in my view. In your view. Yes.

16:02Ben Meiselas:But according to J.D. Vance right now, if Donald Trump became the supreme leader of Iran, the Democrats would be upset about that. J.D., what are you talking about? Why would we want the president of the United States to become the supreme leader of Iran? I don't even understand. Okay, okay, J.D., sure. Sure, J.D. Here's what J.D. Vance said. Let's play this clip. I'm from the Republican side of this as well. It is a bipartisan concern. Well, I think, look, some of the criticism comes from the fact that if Donald Trump were elected the supreme leader of Iran, the Democrats would still say that the United States had lost this.

16:38There is a fundamental refusal to acknowledge how much has changed in the Middle East over the last few months. And again, that assumes that nothing else happens. But if this deal actually comes to fruition, meaning if the Iranians actually comply with it, We have transformed the Middle East in a way that is amazingly beneficial for both the American people, but also the people of the Gulf. Correct.

16:59Ben Meiselas:Now, also, it should be noted that Donald Trump's closest Israeli supporters, they're all turning on Donald Trump now. Trump's support in Israel was plus 23, plus 24. It's now negative 23, negative 24. You have this guy, John Poderatz, who runs an Israeli magazine. He had an absolute meltdown yesterday on a podcast. And I'll show you what happened as he said, Trump betrayed us. Trump betrayed us. Trump threw us under. Watch what they're saying there about Donald Trump here playing this clip. Trump is now saying Bibi is indiscriminately murdering Lebanese, but the Iranians are nice, and they only want to help their country?

17:50The people who just tried to shoot down and kill two of our pilots last week. Yeah, and of course, who tried to assassinate him. Yeah. Tried to assassinate John Bolton. What's going on? So I'm telling you what's going on. What's going on is he, something happened and he decided that he went the wrong way and he is ratcheting himself in the other direction. And it's almost as though when he was without restraint in the rhetoric that he was using, the militaristic rhetoric he was using, I only want unconditional surrender. I'm going to bomb your civilization. Once he turns tail, suddenly Iran's nice, Gutter is brave, another thing that he said today, and you will always be my friend, and you are so brave and so wonderful in these talks.

18:52And Israel is the bad guy. So, which is where he's going. Like this, this, this is the opening, this weekend he went from, BB is, you know, what the F are you doing? And you're without judgment. And now it's you're blowing up apartment buildings in Beirut. And the Iranians are really nice.

19:15Ben Meiselas:And then J.D. Vance went on Megyn Kelly, and she played another clip of John Podoretz and had J.D. Vance react to it. You can see for yourself. Here, let's play this clip. I'm going to give you a shot from Sound on Tape from John Podoretz, who is the chief over at Commentary Magazine, which is very pro-Israel, very neo-conny. Preview, he's not happy. Here it is. I honestly don't know if it could be worse. America is going to be in a strategically, tactically and militarily worse position than it was under Biden. He made a choice to test America's resolve and he has choked. He has chickened out.

19:56He has bled himself dry. Trump, the crazy lunatic psychotic who doesn't care about lives and will do anything and do anything, could not bear the idea of putting a boot on the ground anywhere in Iran and could not bear the idea of a single American possibly being taken hostage, which I understand. I'm not saying that either of those is a good thing. But if you're going to go to war, you have to put boots on the ground. Everyone in the military has volunteered to put their lives on the lines for their country and that the country itself may have to sacrifice in the form of wildly higher oil prices.

20:34If you think that the American national interest is has to be engaged in this process. And if you go into the process and you lose it and it's a complete war of choice, you have made things worse. The situation is worse.

20:51Ben Meiselas:Thoughts on that? Well, there's a lot to respond to in there, but I actually think John, I appreciate that because John is kind of giving away the game. He's saying he really doesn't care that much about higher oil prices for Americans, doesn't care about high gas prices, And he wants boots on the ground and doesn't seem to care about casualties. Exactly. And wants boots on the ground and casualties in a country of 95 million people, where, again, the president of the United States never said that his goal was to install Reza Pavlavi to become the new leader of Iran. And just to be very clear, I'm actually glad that there is a deal or a memorandum of understanding.

21:30Ben Meiselas:I don't believe the American people should have endured any of this. I think this catastrophic and unlawful war that Donald Trump and Netanyahu rushed into will forever damage and weaken the United States. The American people are absolutely suffering. You know, I think that we need to, I mean, obviously we need to call out the genocide in Palestine. There needs to be a two-state solution. There needs to be a stopping of the genocide and the annihilation in Lebanon. That needs to stop. And so, you know, as I watch this, you know, I hope that that can actually be achieved. When I read this Memorandum of Understanding, though, I see how weak it is and how, you know, even what Donald Trump is out there telling people right now as he's being told that this was weaker than the Obama deal.

22:23Ben Meiselas:What the Trump regime is saying is don't actually worry about what the document says. That doesn't matter. We just gave Iran the document that they wanted so that they feel good. But really, we have a separate secret agreement that nobody knows about. And that's what you need to be paying attention for. That's what the Trump regime is saying. And that's outrageous. What's in the document is in the document. That's what you agree to. And you need to stick to your agreement. I mean, all of Donald Trump's, a lot of Donald Trump's issues is he's a contract breaker. He's never a deal maker. He's a contract destroyer.

22:58Ben Meiselas:And so I fear that this is very flimsy and that, you know, we're going to be back into the other situation soon. But I, like anybody, I hope that there's peace. But it is fascinating to see the Trump regime crumble, Donald Trump panic, and the current state of things. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 7 million subscribers. And thanks for watching.

From the publisher

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump’s midnight meltdown from France as former President Obama haunts him.

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