

Tangle
Isaac Saul
Independent, non-partisan politics news where you'll hear the best arguments from across the political spectrum on the news of the day. Plus, fascinating interviews with people in the political world. Check out our newsletter: https://www.readtangle.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

31 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 31min
DHS agents kill another Minneapolis protester.
On Saturday, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) shot and killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following an altercation with federal agents. Earlier this month, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and killed Renee Good, 37, in her vehicle in a Minneapolis neighborhood, setting off large-scale protests. The latest shooting led to renewed calls from state officials for President Donald Trump to pull federal immigration enforcement agents out of the state. Ad-free podcasts are here!To listen to this podcast ad-free, and to enjoy our subscriber only premium content, go to ReadTangle.com to sign up!Want to get texts from Tangle?Since October, over 13,000 Tangle readers have joined us on Subtext, our free SMS messaging service that lets us connect directly with readers. Subtext subscribers can weigh in on our coverage through topic polls, receive analysis on developing stories straight from Isaac, and get occasional peeks behind the scenes at Tangle’s operations. You can sign up for Subtext here!(Note: Subtext is currently only available for subscribers based in the U.S. and Canada.)You can read today's podcast here, our “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here.You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Take the survey: What do you think of the latest DHS shooting in Minnesota? Let us know.Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.This podcast was written by: Isaac Saul and audio edited and mixed by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75.Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Lindsey Knuth, Bailey Saul, and Audrey Moorehead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 25min
PREVIEW: The Friday Edition. - Trump’s first year: a nonpartisan scorecard.
A data-driven look at the first year of a presidency using objective benchmarks like economic indicators, promises kept, and public sentiment. Topics include gas and housing trends, market performance, GDP and employment stats, inflation and interest rate moves, consumer sentiment collapse, oil production records, and rising national debt. The team previews their methodology and promise-tracking approach.

14 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 1h 45min
Suspension of the rules. - Isaac, Ari and Kmele answer some big questions regarding the first year of Trump's presidency.
A one-year look back at a controversial presidency that covers chaotic staff moves, aggressive use of executive power, and fears about deportations and civil-rights impacts. They dig into surprise foreign-policy energy, media and narrative control, tariff debates and economic risk. The conversation finishes with reflections on lawfare, institutional intimidation, and a playful airing of grievances.

14 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 32min
What happened at Davos?
The discussion kicks off with President Trump's controversial address at the World Economic Forum. Tensions over Greenland take center stage as Trump boasts about his negotiating framework with NATO's Secretary General. Reactions are mixed, with right-wing voices praising his tough stance and left critiques warning against undermining global order. The relevance of Davos is questioned amid shifting geopolitics. Finally, there’s a light-hearted moment with the discovery of dinosaur fossils in an unexpected place.

Jan 21, 2026 • 31min
Trump unveils his "Great Healthcare Plan."
This podcast dives into President Trump's newly announced healthcare plan, outlining initiatives to lower drug prices and insurance premiums. The show examines the lack of specific legislative details, generating critiques from both the left and mixed reactions from conservatives. Discussions reveal PBM reform as a potential game-changer and explore the challenges of replacing ACA subsidies with direct payments. The hosts reflect on why the rollout feels rushed, suggesting a lack of political commitment from the administration.

16 snips
Jan 20, 2026 • 27min
Trumps escalates his Greenland push.
Donald Trump's aggressive push to acquire Greenland raises eyebrows as he hints at military options and tariff threats against Europe. NATO leaders express worry over the potential for destabilizing relations. The discussion dives into right-wing views that advocate for strategic negotiations, contrasting with left-leaning arguments pushing Europe to respond. Ultimately, the complexities of geopolitics, Trump's motivations, and their implications for international alliances take center stage, prompting a critical analysis of strategy versus spite.

Jan 16, 2026 • 14min
PREVIEW: The Friday Edition. - I'm leaking Tangle's internal communications.
Get an exclusive peek behind the curtain as the team discusses their internal debates before publication. They highlight the importance of civil discourse in rebuilding trust in media. The conversation dives into leaked Slack transcripts revealing the editing process and how they navigate sensitive topics like Jerome Powell's prosecution and trans athletes in sports. You’ll hear how editorial decisions shape the narrative and what’s left on the cutting room floor. It's a fascinating look at the dynamics of a media organization!

20 snips
Jan 16, 2026 • 1h 52min
Suspension of the Rules. - Isaac, Ari and Kmele revisit the ICE shooting in Minneapolis, the Jerome Powell investigation and the intra-party wars on the right.
The hosts delve into the controversial ICE shooting in Minneapolis, exploring video evidence and use-of-force concerns. They debate the federal-response dynamics and critique ICE's hiring practices and training methods. Tensions rise as they analyze the political implications of the Jerome Powell investigation and reflect on Trump’s presidency. In a lighter vein, they share personal stories and grievances, highlighting the emotional toll of current events on their lives.

30 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 29min
Trump's housing affordability proposals.
The podcast dives into Trump's recent actions to tackle rising homeownership costs, including directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds. There's a heated debate between left-leaning critiques advocating for more housing supply and the conservative perspective favoring deregulation. The hosts discuss the potential pitfalls of banning institutional buyers, highlighting that such measures may not significantly affect affordability. Ari proposes taxing second homes to alleviate vacancy rates, sparking dissent from Isaac about its economic implications.

11 snips
Jan 14, 2026 • 30min
SCOTUS weighs ban on trans athletes in women's sports.
Audrey Moorhead, an associate editor known for her insightful commentary, dives deep into the Supreme Court's review of cases regarding transgender athletes in women's sports. She discusses the implications of potential rulings and how they align with Title IX and the 14th Amendment. The conversation touches on the skepticism from justices during oral arguments, the varying reactions from political sides, and the broader impact these decisions could have on trans rights. Moorhead articulates her concerns about biology-based definitions influencing women's sports.


