Trump Throws Out Press from Secret Meeting with Oil Executives

10 Jan 2026 · 23 min · 11 chapters

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MeidasTouch Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title

Trump Throws Out Press from Secret Meeting with Oil Executives Episode Description In this episode, Ben Meiselas discusses Donald Trump's recent secretive meeting with oil executives at the White House, where they allegedly strategized on dividing up Venezuela's oil resources. The discussion reveals Trump's controversial statements and actions, showcasing his demeanor and approach in dealing with both the press and corporate executives.

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Key Discussions and Highlights

Secret Meeting with Oil Executives

  • Press Excluded: Trump instructed the press to leave the meeting, claiming he needed to speak privately about Venezuela's oil.
  • Carving Up Venezuela: The meeting's primary focus was on how to exploit Venezuela's oil resources post-invasion.
  • Trump's Comments:
  • Mentioned his plans for a "Golden Ballroom" at the White House, implying a quid pro quo for the oil executives regarding their financial contributions.
  • Lacked knowledge of executive names, referring to them by their company brands (e.g., "Mr. Chevron," "Mr. Exxon").

Trump's Approach to Diplomacy

  • Nobel Peace Prize Remarks: Trump suggested that if Maria Karina Machado gave him her Nobel Peace Prize, he might support her leadership in Venezuela, reflecting his misunderstanding of the political climate.
  • Support for Dictatorship: Trump appeared to support figures like Delcy Rodriguez, who is closely associated with Maduro's authoritarian regime.

Corporate Concerns

  • ExxonMobil's Stance: The Exxon CEO expressed that Venezuela is currently "uninvestable" unless major legal and political changes occur, highlighting the impracticalities of investing in a country with such instability.

Contradictory Statements

  • Oil Quality Inconsistency: Trump praised Venezuela's oil as "great" but later called it "garbage," demonstrating a lack of consistent policy understanding.

Immigration and Law Enforcement Comments

  • Remarks on Domestic Terrorism: Trump agreed with J.D. Vance's labeling of a woman killed by ICE as a domestic terrorist, showcasing his alignment with controversial political narratives.

Miscellaneous Anecdotes

  • Unexpected Questions: Trump showed surprise when asked about Iran by an Italian reporter, indicating his disengagement from global diplomatic issues.
  • Claims of Minnesota Wins: Trump falsely claimed to have won Minnesota multiple times, emphasizing his contentious relationship with election results.

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Key Takeaways

  • Tone and Demeanor: Trump's flippant attitude towards critical issues like foreign policy and democracy raises concerns about his leadership approach.
  • Corporate Influence on Politics: The mixing of corporate interests with national policy, particularly in resource-rich countries like Venezuela, reflects ongoing issues of governance and ethics.
  • Miscommunication and Misunderstanding: Trump's remarks often reflect a disconnect between reality and his perception, particularly regarding international affairs and domestic governance.

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Conclusion This episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast provides a critical look at Donald Trump's recent dealings with oil executives and raises important questions about his foreign policy, corporate influence in politics, and the implications of his statements on democracy and governance. The brothers' humorous yet incisive commentary makes this a significant episode for those interested in current political dynamics.

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

Chapters

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Trump's Disastrous Secret Meeting

0:45 to 2:20

Discussion on Trump's secret meeting with oil executives about Venezuela.

“piece of Venezuela, which is being carved up.”

Press Excluded from Meeting

2:20 to 5:00

Details about Trump excluding the press and comments made during the meeting.

“he didn't write it down or didn't even try to learn their names.”

Trump's Comments on Venezuela's Oil

5:00 to 7:46

Trump's contrasting opinions on Venezuelan oil quality and investment.

“I have a question for you on Minneapolis, but on Venezuela and your meeting with Machado next week, if she gives you her Nobel Peace Prize, will that change your view about her running that country?”

Trump's Misinterpretation of Nobel Prize

7:46 to 10:20

Trump's comments on deserving the Nobel Peace Prize and his views on conflict resolution.

“Nobel Peace Prizes to then say, like, what are you doing here?”

Venezuela's Investment Climate

10:20 to 12:20

Discussion on the Exxon CEO's analysis of Venezuela's investment landscape.

“And by the way, I'm a fan of Denmark, too.”

Trump's Greenland Comments

12:20 to 14:00

Trump's remarks regarding Greenland and potential U.S. actions.

“And to refine it, you need special plants.”

European Leaders Divided on Ukraine

14:00 to 14:22

Discussion on the differing views of European leaders regarding Ukraine.

“The European leaders are pretty divided on Ukraine.”

Trump's Claims on Venezuela's Oil

14:22 to 15:40

Analysis of Trump's statements about Venezuela and its impact on the U.S.

“Well, if you can answer about Europe and what you think the Europeans should do on Ukraine and then a message.”

Trump's Election Claims and Minnesota

15:40 to 16:52

Trump's unfounded claims about winning Minnesota and election integrity.

“So we're really, if you look at it, we're taking back what was taken from us.”

Response to J.D. Vance's Comments

16:52 to 18:24

Trump's reaction to J.D. Vance's controversial statement regarding a murder case.

“It's a corrupt voting system with an incompetent governor, a very incompetent governor.”
Show all 11 chapters

Critique of Protesters

18:24 to 18:56

Trump's critique of a protester's behavior during an event.

“heard it and i had it now i will say this the news sort of turned her down turned her off because you're trying to watch.”
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Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

0:00Donald Trump just threw out the press during a disastrous meeting that he was holding in the White House with oil execs where they were discussing how they would carve up Venezuela after Donald Trump's invasion. Donald Trump told members of the press that he needed to then speak with the oil execs in secret so they can discuss how they were going to take the oil from Venezuela. Now, during this disastrous meeting, Donald Trump also looked at the oil execs and said, you see this area? This is where the Golden Ballroom is going to be built, referring to his unlawful ballroom after tearing down the East Wing.

0:40And he seemed to be insinuating that they better chip in for his golden ballroom if they want a piece of Venezuela, which is being carved up. So let me show you what went down. You see Donald Trump here kind of staring at where the golden ballroom is going to be as he was shaking down the oil execs. But here's where Donald Trump tells the press, if you don't mind, I will ask the press to leave now because I'm going to speak with these oil execs about what we can do to carve up Venezuela. Listen to it yourself. Play this clip. So if you don't mind, I'll let us to press to leave and we will see what kind of a deal we're going to make with these geniuses.

1:21And I think you're going to come out very good. Thank you all very much. Thank you. Thank you. Then before that, Donald Trump looked out the window where he was standing in the White House and he's like, you see this area? He was speaking to the oil execs. This is where the golden ballroom is going to be. And now it's what, like 89 ,000 square feet. And they're talking about now building a second story to the West Wing to deal with the asymmetrical problems caused by the massive East Wing Golden Ballroom. But here's what Trump says to the oil execs. Let's play it. Well, I got to look at this myself.

2:04Wow. What a view. This is the door to the bar.

2:14Now, because Donald Trump does not know the names of the oil execs who he was meeting with, he didn't write it down or didn't even try to learn their names. He would refer to the oil executives by the companies that they led. So he would refer to the Chevron exec as Mr. Chevron. He would refer to the Exxon exec as Mr. Exxon or Mr. Shell for the Shell exec. Watch this here, play this clip. And if we didn't do what we did, China or Russia would have been in Venezuela. I think I can, where's Mr. Chevron? So let me ask you, they would have been there if we didn't do this. Do you agree with that? And then also before Donald Trump kicked out the press, before he threw them out of the room to do the secret meeting, Marco Rubio would pass notes to Donald Trump and they were supposed to be private notes.

3:06But Donald Trump would then read the notes out loud like this note where Rubio writes, go back to Chevron. They want to discuss something. And Donald Trump's like, OK, go back to Chevron. You want to discuss something with me? Here, watch this clip. Let's play it. It's already been written off. All right. Thank you. You'll make it back one way or the other. You're all going to do very well. I think really very well. Marco just gave me a note. Go back to Chevron. They want to discuss something. Go ahead. I'm going back to Chevron. Thank you, Marco. Is there a question, Mr. President? Yes. Go ahead, Marco.

3:46What was what are you saying here? Mark. So then Donald Trump was asked by CNN that if Maria Karina Machado, the pro opposition leader, gave you her Nobel Peace Prize, would you allow her to become the leader of Venezuela? And Donald Trump's like, we'll see. No one deserves the Nobel Peace Prize more than me. And it's great that she wants to give me her Nobel Peace Prize. So if she does that, maybe she'll have a role. What are you talking about? You've also just anointed Delce Rodriguez, or you're supporting Delce Rodriguez, who was Maduro's VP. She's an authoritarian. She used to work in Venezuelans intelligence services, backed by the KGB, backed by Russia.

4:34She also is there with this guy named Diodados Cabello, the enforcer for Maduro. So Donald Trump's just supporting an extension of the Maduro regime right now. But here Donald Trump says, well, if Machado gives him a Nobel Peace Prize, then maybe he'll give her some role. Like you think Machado is going to work with Delcy Rodriguez? guess. Like, do you even understand what's going on in Venezuela right now? He doesn't. Here, play this clip. Thank you so much. I have a question for you on Minneapolis, but on Venezuela and your meeting with Machado next week, if she gives you her Nobel Peace Prize, will that change your view about her running that country?

5:13Well, I have to speak to her. I mean, I'm going to have to speak to her. She might be involved in some aspect of it. I will have to speak to her. I think it's very nice that she wants to come in and that's what i understand the reason is because norway uh is very embarrassed by what took place i mean they're getting decimated look whether people like trump or don't like trump i settled eight wars big ones some going on for 36 years 32 years 31 years 28 years 25 years some just getting ready to start like india and pakistan where already eight jets were shot out of the air and i got it done in rapid order without nuclear weapons uh i can't think of anybody in history that should get the nobel prize more than me and i don't want to be bragging but nobody else settled wars obama got the nobel prize he had no idea why he still has no idea he walks around he says i got the nobel prize why did he get a nobel prize he got it almost immediately upon attaining office and he didn't do anything and he was a bad president so uh I mean, you should get the Nobel Prize for every war you stopped.

6:22These were major wars. These were wars that nobody thought could be stopped. President Putin called me and he said about two of the wars that he's been trying to stop them for 10 years. He wasn't able to do it. He couldn't believe it. So in theory, you should get the Nobel Prize for every war you stopped. Every one of them was major. But by the way, you can transfer the Nobel Peace Prize in the will of Nobel. It says the prize is non-transferable as he predicted that these types of situations would happen where authoritarians would want to be traded the Nobel Peace Prize to themselves. So he said it's non-transferable in any event.

6:59Then the Exxon CEO or who Donald Trump refers to as Mr. Exxon actually gave some facts here about Venezuela. And Mr. Exxon said, if you look at the commercial constructs of Venezuela, it is, quote, uninvestable right now under the current circumstances. Unless, of course, the United States subsidizes the oil companies to the tune of like 50 to 100 billion dollars or the United States puts boots on the ground to protect the facilities and the capital expenditures that the oil companies would need to invest in. The Exxon guy is telling the truth. Like, how do you expect us to invest in Venezuela when it's such an unstable place right now, led by an authoritarian regime that you support and you're trading favors about giving you Nobel Peace Prizes to then say, like, what are you doing here?

7:55Play this clip. With respect to Venezuela in particular, we have a very long history in Venezuela. In fact, we first got into Venezuela back in the 1940s. We've had our assets seized there twice. And so you can imagine to reenter a third time would require some pretty significant changes from what we've historically seen here and what is currently the state. If we look at the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela, today it's uninvestable. And so significant changes have to be made to those commercial frameworks, the legal system. There has to be durable investment protections and there has to be a change to the hydrocarbon laws in the country.

8:39We're confident that with this administration and President Trump working hand in hand with the Venezuelan government, that those changes can be put in place. Then Donald Trump, with zero sense of irony, says that, you know, the problem is Venezuela's really been taken advantage of. while Donald Trump and the oil executives do a secret meeting about taking advantage of Venezuela. Play this clip. Few other things could ever be, you know. There's so much, there's so much. Venezuela's been really taken advantage of by a lot of people because they drill very little. I mean, as much as you hear they have, they drill very, very little, very small percentage.

9:20But now that'll change and it'll change very rapidly because these are the biggest people and it'll change very rapidly. so. Then within minutes of Donald Trump saying that nobody deserves a Nobel Peace Prize more than him, he then threatens to invade Greenland. Play this clip. Put it on. Thank you. Thank you. And the policy question. How much money are you thinking of giving people in Greenland to get them on board with a possible U.S. I'm not talking about money for Greenland And yet I might talk about that. But right now we are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not, because if we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland.

10:02And we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor.

10:10OK, I would I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way. But if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way.

10:20And I'm a man. And by the way, I'm a fan of Denmark, too. I have to tell you. And I'm and, you know, they've been very nice to me. I'm a big fan. But, you know, the fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesn't mean that they own the land. I'm sure we had lots of boats go there also. But we need that because if you take a look outside of Greenland right now, there are Russian destroyers. There are Chinese destroyers and bigger. There are Russian submarines all over the place. we're not going to have Russia or China occupy Greenland. And that's what they're going to do if we don't.

10:54So we're going to be doing something with Greenland, either the nice way or the more difficult way. Then Donald Trump is asked about the pin that he's wearing. And Donald Trump says that he's wearing a happy Trump pin. He goes, this is the happy Trump pin. He says, I'm very rarely happy, but they gave me a happy Trump pin. Here, play this clip. Middle it'll be democracy. Peter. I do have a policy question, President Trump, but I'm having a hard time seeing here. I see the American flag lapel pin. What is the other lapel pin? Somebody gave me this. You know what that is? That's called a happy Trump.

11:29And considering the fact that I'm never happy, I'm never satisfied. I will never be satisfied until we make America great again. But we're getting pretty close. I'll tell you what. This is called a happy Trump. Somebody gave it to me. I put it on. Thank you. Thank you. And then during this meeting with the oil execs in front of the press before Trump threw the press out, Donald Trump says, you know, Venezuela oil is very, very good. Great oil. Okay. But then in 20, which it's not though, by the way. And then in 2023, Donald Trump says their oil is garbage in Venezuela. Garbage oil. Watch Trump in 2023 versus 2026.

12:10We spliced it for you here. Play this clip. But now we're buying oil from Venezuela. So we're making a dictator very rich. Can you believe this? Nobody can believe it. You know where the oil, you know, their oil is garbage. It's horrible. The worst you can get, tar. It's like tar. And to refine it, you need special plants. And his whaling oil, which is a heavy oil, very good oil, great oil. It's fantastic for certain things like asphalt roads. Best there is in the world for asphalt roads and other things. Next, Donald Trump is asked why he posted the job data early, unlawfully early. Trump posted the jobs report and kind of misrepresented it, but he posted the data last night at 8.20 p.m.

12:57when it was not allowed to be posted until this morning. So he's getting the numbers. Is he manipulating the numbers? and then he released it the night of and moved the markets before you're allowed to release it. He says, but if people give me things, I just post it. Here, play this clip.

13:17Arshaf, can you respond to the manufacturing number? Let's give CNN a chance. You know, they've been fighting so hard to get back into the mainstream. Mr. President, you posted some numbers actually on Truth Social last night. People saying you posted the job data early when you're not supposed to obviously share it till the next morning. Did you do that on purpose? No, no, I don't know if they posted them. I said, post them whenever you get a chance. I don't know. They gave me some numbers. I put when people give me things, I post them. But the numbers, the numbers are amazing. Then Donald Trump was shocked that a reporter from Italy asked him a question about Iran.

13:49Let's play it. Gentlemen with glasses. All right. Thank you, Mr. President. With those very big glasses, actually. Yeah, Ferrari, actually. Mr. President, I have two questions. What do you want the European Union to do in Ukraine? The European leaders are pretty divided on Ukraine. And then if you can reiterate this trade message that you have to the Iranian leader, to Khomeini, the message that you have. You're talking about Iran? Iran, yeah. What do I want Iran to do? I'm sorry? Where are you from? Italy. Oh, nice place. Yeah. Okay. The first question is on Europe. So what are you asking about Iran for?

14:25Well, if you can answer about Europe and what you think the Europeans should do on Ukraine and then a message. Well, look, Europe has been doing so much for Ukraine, but it hasn't been enough. And obviously that I would say that President Putin is not afraid of Europe. He's afraid of the United States of America is led by me. Then Donald Trump says that the that Venezuela stole America's assets like we were babies. People steal from babies? Or are you saying, who are the babies here? What are you even talking about? But that's why Donald Trump's like, one of the reasons we invaded is because they treated us like babies.

15:03They stole from us like babies. Are you stealing from babies, Donald? Like, what does it even mean? Play this clip. But they stole our assets like we were babies. And the United States said absolutely nothing about it. So now we're doing everything about it. Now we're doing 500 percent about it. but it's a long time after the act took place. So they stole from us, and it was taken by socialists and communists at the time, and Venezuela was going bad, really bad. And as much oil as they have, they're producing almost nothing, almost nothing, which is just a system. So we're really, if you look at it, we're taking back what was taken from us.

15:47They took our oil industry. We built that entire oil industry. It started a long time ago, but they took it and they were very ungracious to this country. Then Donald Trump claims that he won Minnesota three times, which he did not. So he spreads lies about the elections. Play this clip. It's a very corrupt state. I feel that I won Minnesota. I think I won it all three times. Nobody's won it since Richard Nixon won it many, many years ago. I won it all three times, in my opinion. and it's a corrupt state, a corrupt voting state. And the Republicans ought to get smart and demand on voter ID. They ought to demand maybe same day voting and all of the other things that you have to have to save election.

16:35But I won Minnesota three times and I didn't get credit for it. I did so well in that state. Every time the people were, they were crying every time after. That's a crooked state. California is a crooked state. Many crooked states. We have a very, very dishonest voting system. The last time I won 24, the one that just took place, I won because it was too big to rig. You couldn't rig it. It was too big. But I won the state of Minnesota. It's a corrupt voting system with an incompetent governor, a very incompetent governor. Trump is then asked why or if he agrees with J.D. Vance referring to Renee Nicole Good, who was murdered in cold blood by Donald Trump's SS, by Trump's paramilitary, by Trump's Gestapo.

17:21J.D. Vance said that Renee Nicole Good is a domestic terrorist and part of a left-wing terrorist network. So the reporters asked Donald Trump, do you agree with that? And Trump's like, whatever Vance says, I'm sure I agree with. Play this clip. On Minnesota, the vice president yesterday suggested that Rene Good, who was killed by this ICE officer, was part of a broad left wing network. What has your team told you about this broad left wing network? Who is in charge of it? Who's part of it? What's it called? Well, I haven't seen the vice president's statement, but he's generally very accurate. I hate to say.

17:57Look, I watched that yesterday and there are a lot of a lot of different forms to it. but there was a woman screaming shame shame shame shame she was a agitator probably a paid agitator but in my opinion she was an agitator a very high level agitator so professional she wouldn't stop screaming i said this isn't a normal situation this is a professional troublemaker because you heard it and i had it now i will say this the news sort of turned her down turned her off because you're trying to watch. She was so loud and so crazy and just not normal. When somebody sees something like that, they don't go screaming and screaming and the same words.

18:43So I guess you could say professional, but I didn't think she did a very good job. You have agitators and we will always be protecting ICE and we're always going to be protecting our border patrol and our law enforcement. Yeah. And then randomly Tucker Carlson is here. Play this clip.

19:03Well, there you have it, folks. Hit subscribe, help us get to 6 million, and thanks for watching.

19:28The absolute crazy. Just perfect. Nice.

From the publisher

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reacts to Donald Trump's disastrous meeting with oil company executives in the White House as they carve up Venezuela.

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