Trump gets PUBLIC WARNING from his OWN TOP GENERALS

What this episode is about

United States Air Force General Alexis Gregory Grinkerich has issued a serious warning to Donald Trump, cautioning that his actions are inadvertently empowering adversaries like Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea while undermining NATO alliances. Speaking in Sweden, Grinkerich emphasized the importance of strong partnerships with European allies and highlighted the collaborative mindset that nations like Sweden adopt, contrasting it with Trump's more individualistic "America First" approach.

Key takeaways

• When Trump's rhetoric weakens NATO, new alliances in Russia and China get stronger, proving collaboration beats isolation.
• Grinch may not name names, but his critiques of Trump's 'me first' approach to alliances are unmistakably clever.
• Sweden’s defense mentality is a blueprint for NATO—it's 'made with' synergy, not just 'made in' isolationism.
• The irony: Trump's America-first stance risks uniting adversaries like Russia, Iran, and North Korea under a common cause.
• While Trump talks tough, essential NATO partnerships may crumble, demonstrating that real strength lies in unity, not bluster.

Who speaks in this episode?

• Alexis Gregory Grinkerich (Guest) · 6 min speaking
• Keith Kellogg (Guest) · 5 min speaking
• Mark Rut (Guest) · 3 min speaking
• Unknown Host (Host) · 6 min speaking

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 3:00: Sweden, Donald Trump, Alexis Gregory Grinkerich, Russia
2. 3:00 – 6:00: Sweden, Michael Clawson, Russia, Arctic
3. 6:00 – 9:00: Arctic, Russia, Baltic Sea
4. 9:00 – 12:00: Cash App, Sweden, Russia, Arctic
5. 12:00 – 15:00: Russia, North Korea, Donald Trump, Keith Kellogg
6. 15:00 – 18:00: Arctic, Mark Rut, European Union, KGB
7. 18:00 – 19:13: Arctic, Donald Trump

Notable quotes from "Trump gets PUBLIC WARNING from his OWN TOP GENERALS"

• From his own top generals. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe, United States Air Force General Alexis Gregory Grinkerich, who goes by the call sign Grinch, was in Sweden…

  about Alexis Gregory Grinkerich · at 0:02

• Capabilities in place to do the things we need to do. It's also individual unit level readiness. Michael's focused on that here in Sweden. All of the chiefs of defense are and…

  about Michael Clawson · at 4:51

• In the Arctic and the high north, we see a similar trend. Russian and Chinese vessels are conducting more and more joint patrols. Chinese ice breakers and research vessels are in Arctic waters, and their research is not for peaceful.

  about Russia · at 6:38

• Domain awareness, and to increase our own activities and exercises in the high north. In short, military cooperation in this region has never been stronger.

  about Arctic · at 8:41

• I've been using Cash App for a while now and it's become my go-to for pretty much everything. Splitting dinner, paying for coffee, even grabbing lastminute concert tickets. And if Cash.

  about Cash App · at 10:45

• For full disclosures. Now, that's not the only top general who's giving Donald Trump these warnings. In addition, Keith Kellogg, Lieutenant General in the United States Army.…

  about Keith Kellogg · at 12:26

• Say that he knows how to use media. and I made a comment I took some criticism for at the time that I said he was an embattled and courageous leader.

  about Zalinski · at 14:44

• Succeed at all. And then finally, you had a meeting that took place recently with Mark Rut, the secretary general of NATO. You see Mark Rut here talking about the Arctic strategy.

  about Mark Rut · at 15:51

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Alexis Gregory Grinkerich — Person · Referenced expert / primary quoted authority · 1 mention · first at 0:08
  Identified as Supreme Allied Commander Europe and a U.S. Air Force general; delivers warnings interpreted as directed at Trump and outlines NATO priorities and Arctic threat environment.
• Keith Kellogg — Person · Referenced expert / secondary quoted authority · 1 mention · first at 12:32
  Former U.S. Army lieutenant general presented as echoing warnings about adversarial alignment; described as having served in major wars and as Trump's former envoy to Russia/Ukraine.
• Mark Rut — Person · Referenced expert / NATO leader · 2 mentions · first at 15:57
  Identified as NATO Secretary General; comments on Arctic strategy and collective defense amid questions about Trump's Greenland rhetoric.
• Michael Clawson — Person · Referenced military figure · 2 mentions · first at 4:12
  Mentioned by Grinkerich as accompanying him to observe Swedish troops and as focusing on unit-level readiness in Sweden, indicating operational collaboration.
• Zalinski — Person · Referenced leader (praised) · 1 mention · first at 14:32
  Praised by Kellogg as a courageous, media-savvy, stubborn leader; used to contrast with Putin and to frame Ukraine leadership positively.
• Donald Trump — Person · 9 mentions · first at 0:00
  Donald Trump just got a dire warning from his own top generals. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe, United States Air Force General Alexis Gregory Grinkerich, who goes by the call sign.

Companies & orgs

• KGB — Company · Referenced organization (historical) · 1 mention · first at 15:30
  Invoked by Kellogg to characterize Putin's mindset and goals (submission over peace), supporting the claim that Putin does not want peace with Ukraine.
  No, I don't. I think I mean I think Putin as a former KGB officer and I don't think they ever outlive their roots. I think he's got a goal in mind and what we want in the West is not necessarily.
• European Union — Company · Referenced institution · 1 mention · first at 16:42
  Raised in a question about EU treaty obligations to assist Denmark if attacked, in the context of Trump's Greenland statements and overlap between EU and NATO membership.
  Action on Greenland and I'm just going to read it. Commissioner Cubilius from European Commission has said that EU members are obliged to come to Denmark's assistance under EU…
• 82nd Airborne Division — Company · Referenced military unit · 1 mention · first at 12:42
  Mentioned to establish Kellogg's credentials and senior command experience.
  United States Army. people don't know this about Keith Kellogg. he's 81 years old now, but he commanded the 82nd Airborne Division. He was special operations. He also was a…

Places & events

• Russia — Place · Core topic / adversary state (as discussed) · 8 mentions · first at 0:22
  Depicted as central to the Ukraine war and Arctic militarization; described as aligning with China, Iran, and North Korea, and as the only Arctic nation outside NATO.
• Sweden — Place · Core topic / key ally location · 10 mentions · first at 0:13
  Presented as a 'model ally' and NATO's newest ally, praised for defense industrial base, troop quality, and contributions to NATO missions and Ukraine support.
  Grinkerich was in Sweden where he praised Sweden and other European allies who Donald Trump is attacking. He said, for example, what he likes about Sweden as an ideal ally of the United States is.
• Arctic — Place · Core topic / strategic region · 10 mentions · first at 5:40
  Discussed as a frontline for strategic competition, with new shipping routes/resources, increased joint Russian-Chinese activity, and NATO command realignments to defend the region.
• North Korea — Place · Referenced adversary state (as discussed) · 4 mentions · first at 0:22
  Mentioned as part of a four-actor alignment with Russia/China/Iran and as having combat troops in Russia near Ukraine, supporting the argument that adversaries are coordinating more closely.
  Iran continues to supply technology and weapons, and North Korean combat troops remain in Russia on Ukraine's border.
• Baltic Sea — Place · Referenced strategic location · 1 mention · first at 7:23
  Mentioned as an area where a 'shadow fleet' threatens underwater infrastructure, motivating NATO protective activities like 'Baltic Sentry.'
  Increasing hybrid threat. airspace violations, GPS and GNSS interference, and the shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea threatening underwater infrastructure.
• Vietnam War — Event · Referenced historical event · 1 mention · first at 12:51
  Cited as part of Kellogg's military service history to bolster credibility.
  The 82nd Airborne Division. He was special operations. He also was a leader of command in Europe. He was in the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War. He's received numerous awards…
• Persian Gulf War — Event · Referenced historical event · 1 mention · first at 12:54
  Cited as part of Kellogg's service record to support his authority on security matters.
  Special operations. He also was a leader of command in Europe. He was in the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War. He's received numerous awards from the Army Distinguished…

Sponsors

• Cash App — Company · Sponsor / advertised product · 5 mentions · first at 10:45
  Mid-episode ad read promoting Cash App Green status program, overdraft coverage, and signup incentive; unrelated to NATO content but present in transcript.

Full transcript with timestamps

0:00 Donald Trump just got a dire warning from his own top generals. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe, United States Air Force General Alexis Gregory Grinkerich, who goes by the call sign Grinch, was in Sweden, where he issued a stern and very strong warning to Donald Trump saying that you are strengthening Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea, and you are weakening the NATO alliance. Grinkerich was in Sweden where he praised Sweden and other European allies who Donald Trump is attacking. He said, for example, what he likes about Sweden as an ideal ally of the United States is how he refers to Sweden is that you say things are made with Sweden, not made in Sweden. And that's how partners should be treating each other. Now, of course, with Donald Trump always being me, me me, America this, America that, and not talking about the NATO alliance and attacking the NATO alliance, this top general was clearly referring here to

1:07 Donald Trump, and he didn't want to mention Donald Trump by name. So, I want you to watch what takes place here in Sweden as Granowit, as one of the top commanders in NATO, discusses the importance of this relationship with Sweden and NATO in general. Here, play this clip.

1:24 As governments remove barriers to work with defense firms, you're doing that here in Sweden. And we can learn from you. As you build transatlantic partnerships or panuropean partnerships or global partnerships with other like-minded nations, we can learn from you. And as you create opportunities for co-production and co-development, we can learn from Sweden. Sweden's industrial base is already doing these things and demonstrating that it can deliver. Yesterday, I heard the phrase made with Sweden uh in stark contrast to the other phrase that you might have chosen, a more protectionist phrase of made in Sweden.

2:06 This is fantastic. All allies would benefit from adopting this mentality as a rising tide lifts all boats. So in conclusion, everything I'm seeing from Sweden, the collaboration, the modernization efforts, the defense investments, uh the health of your defense industry, frankly, I think someone gave you all a checklist for being a model ally and you just went down and started checking it off. Uh so it's a real privilege to be here today with you today with a model ally who's doing so much for the alliance and I truly look forward to your questions. And next, Grankerich, this top NATO general, this top air force general, call sign Grinch. Here's what he says about Greenland. Play this clip.

2:54 The US national strategy along with the recent statements from President Trump has changed anything when it comes to NATO priorities.

3:03 Well, um I I won't comment on the political dimensions of recent rhetoric. It's not my place to do that as a military officer. Uh but I will just observe uh the readout from the North Atlantic Council where all of our permanent representatives from the 32 nations get together to discuss thorny issues. Uh that those dialogues uh continue in Brussels. Uh they've been healthy dialogues from what I've heard. Uh and uh and I think that's the most important thing. Members of the alliance who've worked together for so many years uh are talking together and working through these thorny issues.

3:34 You had this role for about 6 months now. Has your priorities in Nway changed? Is it only six months?

3:41 Oh, I I'm sorry you feel that way. No, no, it's a it's actually been truly a fantastic uh six months. Uh one of the uh one of the best jobs that uh that exists on the planet uh in my view, and I've I've truly enjoyed it. Um the uh uh my priorities have been uh pretty pretty uh pretty consistent. Uh I've got several of them. Uh one of is of course I I I'm focused on taking care of our people, your people uh that you contribute to the alliance and to our missions. They are the bread and butter uh of what we do every single day. And uh Michael Clawson and I actually got an opportunity to go see some of the Swedish troops uh yesterday uh Swedish Marines who uh I mean some of the most impressive young women and men that I've seen in uniform uh throughout my 30 uh almost 33 years of service. So you all are to be incredibly proud of what those young people are doing for your country and for the alliance. Uh so we need to

4:32 take care of them. We need to focus on them. Get them the equipment and the capabilities that they need. My second focus is warf fighting readiness. Uh and uh you know the alliance is ready uh to fight tonight. Uh but we need to continue to hone our readiness and be more and more ready every single day. That's headquarters readiness, making sure we have the processes and capabilities in place to do the things we need to do. It's also individual unit level readiness. Uh Michael's focused on that here in Sweden. All of the chiefs of of defense are uh and I am uh as well. And it's by being ready that we continue to maintain that deterrence that I speak.

5:07 And here's how he discusses Russia, North Korea, Iran, China getting much stronger together because of Trump's weakness. Now, he doesn't mention Trump specifically, but he talks about how in the past American foreign policy would be to divide and conquer these countries, but now they're being brought closer together. They're cooperating with each other. And then Granowitz explains, "This is why we need cooperation in the Arctic. It's why we need to work with our allies like Canada, like Sweden, like Denmark, like Greenland.

5:50 This is a clear reference to Donald Trump's attacks on our allies. Watch as the top NATO commander, who's the supreme allied commander, Europe, watch what he says. And clearly the message here is being sent to Donald Trump and the rest of the world. Here, play this clip.

6:12 China continues to fund Putin's war machine. Iran continues to supply technology and weapons, and North Korean combat troops remain in Russia on Ukraine's border. And of course, there's a confluence between Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, and their dark fleet of oil tankers that is helping to fund the war. In the Arctic and the high north, we see a similar trend. Russian and Chinese vessels are conducting more and more joint patrols. Chinese ice breakers and research vessels are in Arctic waters, and their research is not for peaceful purposes.

6:55 It's to gain a military advantage. Russia, meanwhile, continues testing advanced capabilities in the Barren Sea. As new shipping routes emerge and new resources are discovered, the Arctic only grows in strategic importance. And all of this comes in the midst of an increasing hybrid threat. airspace violations, GPS and GNSS interference, and the shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea threatening underwater infrastructure. In short, the Arctic and Northern Europe by extension has become a front line for strategic competition within NATO. Allied command operations, the command that Sakur oversees has taken steps to strengthen our deterrent posture, much of which is oriented in that northern region here.

7:50 Just over a year ago, we established Baltic Sentry, an activity to protect that critical underwater infrastructure. And this past fall, we developed Eastern Sentry to increase our agility and further integrate our air and missile defenses on the eastern flank. More recently, in just the past month, we've realigned the boundaries of our joint commands. And now, Joint Force Command Norfolk brings together NATO's activities in the Arctic under one command, allowing us to better defend all allies in Europe, in the Arctic, and the strategic approaches to North America.

8:31 Allies are also working together closely on Arctic issues. At a recent Arctic Chief of Defense conference, we agreed to increase our understanding of activity in the Arctic, to enhance our domain awareness, and to increase our own activities and exercises in the high north. In short, military cooperation in this region has never been stronger. Moving forward, we intend to expand our intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, to improve our infrastructure and logistics for military mobility, and to strengthen our presence with Arctic capable forces, many of those forces here in Sweden.

9:10 With seven of eight Arctic nations inside the alliance, the other one being Russia, we will and we can get this right. Now, what's Sweden's role? As our newest ally, Sweden is instrumental. Two years in and you have already demonstrated exceptional commitment. You're the framework nation for our forward land forces in Finland. You're filling staff roles throughout my command, especially in critical positions at Joint Force Command in Norfolk and our training and assistance command for Ukraine. You've contributed capabilities for operations and our vigilance activities across the entire European continent. You're a model for societal resilience and Sweden is among the top supporters of Ukraine through the prioritized Ukraine requirements list, the Pearl, and a number of other venues. In short, Sweden is setting an example for all of us, and I truly appreciate your leadership. Now, as you're aware, transforming for the

10:11 future and strengthening deterrence takes resources, a lot of resources. But while the defense investment plague pledge at the Hague Summit in 2025 was historic, money alone is not a deterrent. We need the equipment, the weapons, and ammunitions to start showing up in our allied military inventories. And this is where Sweden really stands apart. You have an incredibly strong industrial base and there are steps that we can use across the alliance to learn from your experience.

10:45 You know, I've been using Cash App for a while now and it's become my go-to for pretty much everything. Splitting dinner, paying for coffee, even grabbing lastminute concert tickets. And if Cash App ever let me pick the perfect discount for my Cash App card, I'd want one for probably my favorite local restaurant because that's where like half my money goes anyway. Also, regular debit cards are boring. If I could draw anything on my Cash App card using their personalization feature, I'd probably sketch like a big cartoon microphone.

11:11 Simple, but seems fitting for a podcaster, I guess. Cash App just released a new status program for the way people actually spend called Cash App Green. It unlocks new ways for you to pay, get rewarded, and easily grow or manage your money on your terms. Now, when you spend at least $500 a month with the Cash App card or Cash App Pay, you earn Green Status, which unlocks benefits like up to $200 of free overdraft coverage, higher borrow limits, and custom personalized cashback offers every Friday at places you love to shop. Turn everyday spending into status with Cash App Green. Download Cash App today or visit cash.app/new to learn more about this and other great features launching now. For a limited time, new Cash App customers can earn $10 if they use the code cash app 10 in their profile at signup and send $5 to a friend within 14 days. Terms apply. Cash App is a financial services platform,

12:09 not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partners. Prepaid debit cards issued by Sudden Bank member FDIC. Cash App Green overdraft coverage, borrow cashback offers, and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/le app/legal/mpodcast for full disclosures. Now, that's not the only top general who's giving Donald Trump these warnings. In addition, Keith Kellogg, Lieutenant General in the United States Army. I mean, people don't know this about Keith Kellogg. I mean, he's 81 years old now, but he commanded the 82nd Airborne Division. He was special operations. He also was a leader of command in Europe. He was in the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War. He's received numerous awards from the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit Defense Superior Service Medal. He was Trump's envoy to Russia and Ukraine. Putin did not want Kellogg to be there because Kellogg

13:15 wanted to hold Putin accountable. So Putin told Trump, "Get rid of Kellogg." Then Kellogg just became the envoy to Ukraine and not Russia. And then he basically got pushed out of the Trump regime which we always knew that Kellogg was not going to make it that long in this Trump regime. So here Kellogg similarly echoes what you heard from Grinkowitch warning Donald Trump. You've got these malevolent actors out there, North Korea, China, what's left of Iran and Russia who are joining forces. Watch what Kellogg says here. Play this clip.

13:50 But it's clearly with Russia. Uh there are there are some benevolent benevolent actors out there. You have North Korea, you have China, you have what's left of Iran that's falling apart and you have Russia. Now it's and in the past uh we didn't allow those four to come together. We kept them kind of separated and now they're come together. Now the point is to kind of not break them apart but move some separation that you don't have to worry about them anymore and and you get to a point where you've separated North Korea, you've separated China, you separated uh Iran from Russia and you keep them isolated.

14:32 And then Kellogg praises Zalinski. I want you to watch this for yourself. Play this clip.

14:38 But he's stubborn. He's has his opinion. He's unafraid to say that he knows how to use media. Uh, and I I made a comment I took some criticism for at the time that I said he was an embattled and courageous leader. And I said people within the administration, we in the United States have not seen a leader like him since Abraham Lincoln. And then Kellogg makes it very clear as well that Putin does not want peace with Ukraine. Putin is a KGB officer who wants total submission. That's what he is after here. Let's play this clip.

15:19 Putin wants Ukraine to succeed. Do you think that Putin wants Ukraine to succeed?

15:25 No, I don't. I think I mean I think um Putin as a former KGB officer and I don't think they ever outlive their roots. I think he's got a goal in mind and what we want in the West is not necessarily what he wants and I think he is he uh I don't think Putin wants Ukraine to succeed at all. And then finally, you had a meeting uh that took place recently with Mark Rut, the secretary general of NATO. You see Mark Rut here um talking about the Arctic uh strategy. And I want you to uh take a look here how he describes things. Uh take a look at Mark Rut at this uh press conference moments ago. Play this clip. What is your comment approximation on latest uh statements from Donald Trump who said that if necessary he will take military action on Greenland and I'm just going to read it. Commissioner Cubilius from European Commission has said that EU members are obliged to come to Denmark's assistance under EU treaty if for is if

16:40 faced with military aggression and as we know 23 countries of EU are also members of NATO. uh including yes well on that question and it is a little bit I think uh repeating my previous reaction but thank you very much for that for that important question and I think what is um at core uh here um and and to the core of this question is that um we all make that same analysis and there is no debate or discussion about that the analysis is sound and is there that uh when it comes to the high north, the Arctic region, I was myself visiting Iceland only I think six or eight weeks ago and we also extensively discussed this and I was in in Norway and other visiting all our allies discussing with the US and with Canada. I was with Prime Minister Carney last week in Paris discussing the importance of the Arctic. So collectively as an alliance and particularly of course the seven countries who are bordering on the on

17:43 the region we do make uh this analysis that uh the collective defense is crucial. We all see that uh through changes in weather patterns that uh sea lanes are opening up um and we have to make sure that we do everything to protect uh that region. It is a vital part of NATO territory and that is exactly why where in the past NATO was not so much involved when it came to the Arctic that since 2025 on the request by these seven high north allies who are bordering on the Arctic that NATO has become more involved. Uh this has led to a few as I said very successful discussions within the NATO NATO alliance with our ambassadors in Brussels and and our ministers. uh we discussed this importance and and currently we are working on the next steps uh to make sure that indeed we collectively protect what is at stake here.

18:38 So you see everybody there seems to be warning Donald Trump you're making a big mistake. High alert. What the hell are you doing? You see it for yourself there. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million subscribers. And thanks for watching. Love this video. Support independent media and unlock exclusive content. Add free videos and custom emojis by becoming a paid member of our YouTube channel today. You can also gift memberships to others. Let's keep growing together.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Trump gets PUBLIC WARNING from his OWN TOP GENERALS"?

Alexis Gregory Grinkerich (Guest), Keith Kellogg (Guest), Mark Rut (Guest), Unknown Host (Host).

What is "Trump gets PUBLIC WARNING from his OWN TOP GENERALS" about?

United States Air Force General Alexis Gregory Grinkerich has issued a serious warning to Donald Trump, cautioning that his actions are inadvertently empowering adversaries like Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea while undermining NATO alliances. Speaking in Sweden, Grinkerich emphasized the importance of strong partnerships with European allies and highlighted the collaborative mindset that…

What is mentioned in this MeidasTouch episode?

17 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Russia, Alexis Gregory Grinkerich, Sweden, Arctic, Keith Kellogg, North Korea. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Trump gets PUBLIC WARNING from his OWN TOP GENERALS"?

The episode runs 19 min; the transcript is about 2,989 words in 29 timestamped sections.

More from MeidasTouch

• All analyzed episodes
• Books mentioned on MeidasTouch
• People mentioned on MeidasTouch
• Sponsors mentioned on MeidasTouch
• Topics mentioned on MeidasTouch