On Thursday, the Justice Department suedAlaska and its Division of Elections director, seeking to preemptively block certification of the state’s Senate election if it is impacted by “voter confusion.” The closely contested race features two candidates named Dan Sullivan; Dan S. Sullivan is the incumbent Republican senator, and Daniel J. Sullivan is a challenger with no party affiliation. The lawsuit alleges that Daniel J. Sullivan entered the race “with the intention of misleading supporters of Senator Sullivan.” Attorneys for Democratic candidate Mary Peltola have asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit.

Corruption, continued.

On Friday, Executive Editor Isaac Saul published part two of his ongoing reporting on apparent corruption in the second Trump administration. This piece examines stories that have surfaced in just the past five months, showing that the self-dealing has only increased since Isaac’s first edition back in May.

The information is the narrative. There is just the reality before us — the simple black-and-white facts of what has been done and what is happening, here, right now. It is remarkable in all the worst ways, brimming with details that, if you care about good governance or honesty or character, might make you angry.

You can read the full piece here.

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Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I spent five months tracking every Trump corruption story. Here’s what I found.

Several hours ago, I had to abandon my contacts for glasses. My eyes are still dry and burning. My left leg is asleep. My fingers are cramping. My phone is dead. I’m out of coffee and desperate for a bourbon or perhaps a cigarette (I don’t smoke).

I have a Google document filled with 10,000 words, more than a hundred individual stories, scores of links to dig deeper into — I’m wondering how I’m going to get my editors to read the whole thing, let alone get millions of Americans to care about it. I’ll have to get it to half that length, and maybe even shorter, before I can put it in front of anybody.

This is where I’ve landed after five more months attempting to document all the grifting, corruption, and self-dealing of the Trump administration.

I published my first piece on this topic on May 1, titled “The everything, everywhere, all at once corruption story.” When I finished that piece and read it back, I was astounded at the end result. Not because it was a particularly riveting piece of writing, but because seeing it all together in one place shifted something inside me, solidifying a perspective about this administration that won’t be easily forgotten. I was gratified to see it had a similar impact on others; it was widely read and cited, generating hundreds of thousands of views, over 1,000 comments, and a mention in The New York Times.

At the time, I was pretty skeptical about the degree to which people would care about the corruption permeating our government right now. Everyone seems so fatigued by the news that they aren’t paying attention, or they’re too comfortable in their partisan corners to break ranks, or they’re simply too overwhelmed to get worked up. Our ability to be concerned or even shocked seems diminished. But it turns out I was wrong: In what looks to me to be a historic piece of polling, Fox News recently found Americans are now putting government corruption as their #1 concern heading into the 2026 midterms, ahead of issues like inflation, immigration, and healthcare...

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Suspension of the Rules.

On this week’s episode, Isaac reveals his big board of Senate midterm predictions to Kmele and Ari, who offer a few disagreements. Then, the three discuss the protests and riots in France. Then, are Ari, Isaac, and Kmele as knowledgeable about Europe as a European is about the United States? All that and more on this week’s episode, which you can listen to here and watch here.

The debut.

This week, Executive Editor Isaac Saul announced A Grain of Saul, a new iteration of an old favorite column where he’ll share fresh perspectives on politics and culture. Today, he publishes his first piece, exploring a frequently discussed — albeit sensitive — question: Are Americans just stupid?

Check it out here.

They’re trying to scare you.

As the midterms near, campaigns are leaning into a familiar tactic: fear. You’ve probably seen or heard all manner of political advertisements warning of catastrophic consequences if an opponent or their party wins power. In the latest video for his new YouTube channel, Isaac breaks down the psychology of these ads and how to tell when politicians are playing on fear-based emotions. Check it out here.

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Jon Lall and Diet 75.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday, Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s (R) campaign released an advertisement featuring his opponent Amy Acton’s (D) mother, Donna Arthur, accusing her daughter of lying about her childhood and urging Ohioans to vote against her. The ad has generated backlash after Acton’s campaign and news outlets highlighted that Acton’s stepfather, whom Arthur remained married to until his death, was charged with sexually assaulting Acton when she was 12.

Suspension of the Rules.

On this week’s episode, Isaac reveals his big board of Senate midterm predictions to Kmele and Ari, who offer a few disagreements. Then, the three discuss the protests and riots in France. Then, are Ari, Isaac, and Kmele as knowledgeable about Europe as a European is about the United States? All that and more on this week’s episode, which you can listen to here and watch here.

The debut.

This week, Executive Editor Isaac Saul announced A Grain of Saul, a new iteration of an old favorite column where he’ll share fresh perspectives on politics and culture. Today, he publishes his first piece, exploring a frequently discussed — albeit sensitive — question: Are Americans just stupid?

Check it out here.

They’re trying to scare you.

As the midterms near, campaigns are leaning into a familiar tactic: fear. You’ve probably seen or heard all manner of political advertisements warning of catastrophic consequences if an opponent or their party wins power. In the latest video for his new YouTube channel, Isaac breaks down the psychology of these ads and how to tell when politicians are playing on fear-based emotions. Check it out here.

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Get 20% off your first year of ad-free episodes, exclusive interviews, and deep dives with Tangle’s podcast membership!

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “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 ad? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Audrey Moorehead and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele discuss a controversial Ohio campaign ad, the prospect of a Democratic midterm wave, riots in France, and the challenges of separating political narratives from facts. Last but not least, our grievances. Its a good one!

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They’re trying to scare you.

As the midterms near, campaigns are leaning into a familiar tactic: fear. You’ve probably seen or heard all manner of political advertisements warning of catastrophic consequences if an opponent or their party wins power. In the latest video for his new YouTube channel, Isaac breaks down the psychology of these ads and how to tell when politicians are playing on fear-based emotions. Check it out here.

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast hosted by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the debut edition of “A Grain of Saul,” a fresh newsletter from me, Isaac Saul, within the Tangle ecosystem. It’ll come out every week or two, and I’ll use it to explore controversial ideas, hot debates, trending stories, and some political-adjacent issues that don’t make it into Tangle. We’re giving these first few editions away for free, then it’ll be going behind a paywall as a perk for paying members only.

Enjoy!

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They’re trying to scare you.

As the midterms near, campaigns are leaning into a familiar tactic: fear. You’ve probably seen or heard all manner of political advertisements warning of catastrophic consequences if an opponent or their party wins power. In the latest video for his new YouTube channel, Isaac breaks down the psychology of these ads and how to tell when politicians are playing on fear-based emotions. Check it out here.

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Wednesday, October 14, Ukrainian officials reported that its access to the services it uses to coordinate drone missions was hampered, signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy toward the country amid its war with Russia. The disruption came on the heels of a deal to buy Russian diesel, an executive order lifting sanctions passed by Congress in September, and comments from President Donald Trump accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of not wanting to end the war.

The debut.

Yesterday, Executive Editor Isaac Saul announced A Grain of Saul, a new iteration of an old favorite column where he’ll share fresh perspectives on politics and culture. Today, he publishes his first piece, exploring a frequently discussed — albeit sensitive — question: Are Americans just stupid?

Check it out here.

They’re trying to scare you.

As the midterms near, campaigns are leaning into a familiar tactic: fear. You’ve probably seen or heard all manner of political advertisements warning of catastrophic consequences if an opponent or their party wins power. In the latest video for his new YouTube channel, Isaac breaks down the psychology of these ads and how to tell when politicians are playing on fear-based emotions. Check it out here.

Ad-free podcasts are here!

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You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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: How will these recent developments impact the war? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Will Kaback and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the past month, protests and riots have broken out across France, with violence and disorder significantly escalating over the weekend. In mid-September, high school students began demonstrating against a perceived lack of resources in schools; parents, college students, teachers and trade unions later joined the effort, and it has since broadened into nationwide unrest over cost-of-living concerns. French officials say that far-left groups are primarily responsible for the escalation into rioting and looting, while some French politicians and U.S. political leaders suggest the protests underscore deeper issues linked to immigration.

They’re trying to scare you.

As the midterms near, campaigns are leaning into a familiar tactic: fear. You’ve probably seen or heard all manner of political advertisements warning of catastrophic consequences if an opponent or their party wins power. In the latest video for his new YouTube channel, Isaac breaks down the psychology of these ads and how to tell when politicians are playing on fear-based emotions. Check it out here.

Ad-free podcasts are here!

Get 20% off your first year of ad-free episodes, exclusive interviews, and deep dives with Tangle’s podcast membership!

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “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’s driving the protests and riots? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Ari Weitzman and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With approximately two weeks until the midterm elections, state Rep. James Talarico (D) and state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) are in a tightly contested race that could determine control of the Senate. Recent financial disclosures show that Elon Musk has given nearly $160 million to support Paxton, while Talarico announced his campaign raised $64 million in Q3 2026. Early voting in Texas begins on Monday.

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You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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: Who do you think will win the election? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The midterms could bring some surprises.Every election cycle, some pundits, voters, and activists inevitably end up musing about whether this is the moment a third party could wrest some control back from the duopoly.

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Suspension of the Rules.

Following a few heavier episodes, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele have a bit of fun this week. Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation prompts Ari to quiz the guys on other U.S. ambassadors, then the three react to a viral video of a candidate in a local Indiana race. Plus, some discussion on James Talarico and Ilhan Omar. Check it out here.

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Jon Lall and Diet 75.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Friday, President Donald Trump announced an agreement to lift sanctions on Russian oil exports in return for Russia releasing roughly 800,000 tons of diesel by the end of November and millions more by an unspecified date. The president said the deal will bring down diesel prices impacted by supply disruptions linked to the Iran war but did not say it is tied to a larger ceasefire deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and some U.S. lawmakers criticized the agreement as a gift to Russia and urged Trump to reverse course.

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Suspension of the Rules.

Following a few heavier episodes, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele have a bit of fun this week. Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation prompts Ari to quiz the guys on other U.S. ambassadors, then the three react to a viral video of a candidate in a local Indiana race. Plus, some discussion on James Talarico and Ilhan Omar. Check it out here.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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: Do you think the deal will affect energy prices? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast Written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele discuss alleged corruption in the Trump administration, misinformation surrounding Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, and the investigation into Representative Ilhan Omar. They also critique Trump’s ambassador appointments and explore political polarization and the spread of conspiracy theories. Last but not least, a great grievance section. Its a good one!

Our latest YouTube video.

A year after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., Assistant Producer Aidan Gorman visits the capital to ask: Have these troops made our capital safer? The answer isn’t straightforward. You can check out our latest YouTube video here.

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Election season is here.

As we gear up for election season, we need your support. Our team is now 13 people strong, and we’re preparing for the biggest few months of the year.

You’re already supporting us as a Tangle member (thank you), but you can still drop a donation, follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our YouTube channel, or simply forward this email to friends and family and tell them to sign up.

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast hosted by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) searched Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) Washington, D.C. residence as part of an immigration investigation. The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security have shared minimal information about the cause and outcome of the search, but the probe is reportedly related to paperwork Omar’s father filled out when applying for legal status for their family in the United States. The congresswoman denied any wrongdoing and accused the Trump administration of targeting her for political reasons.

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Take the survey: What do you think of the claims against Rep. Omar? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Will Kaback and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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On Thursday, the Defense Department announced that it intends to livestream the execution of the former Army major who carried out the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting. The convicted shooter is scheduled to be executed by an Army firing squad on December 3, which would be the first U.S. military execution since 1961 and the first known execution by firing squad since 1945. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have pushed back on the plan to livestream the event, and President Donald Trump said he is still considering the proposal.

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A candid look at Hasan Piker.

Hasan Piker has gained national prominence with his no-holds-barred political commentary and growing influence on the left. On Friday, Executive Editor Isaac Saul explored the streamer’s controversial statements, provocative worldview, and role in the Democratic Party’s future. You can read it here.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “Have a nice day” story ⁠here⁠.

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Take the survey: Should the public be able to view executions? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Audrey Moorehead and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The streamer is an increasingly incendiary political figure.

It’s hard to say how much your average American knows (or cares) about Hasan Piker.

To political reporters like me, Piker looms large. He has a massive audience of young people who follow his livestreams on the platform Twitch. During the videos, he reacts to the news in real time and gives running commentary while responding to people who join his chat room; it’s like a digital hangout with a friend — you might do your dishes while listening, occasionally chime in with a question, and chop it up with an internet-famous political pundit. This style of punditry creates a strong parasocial connection with his audience, and tens of thousands of people watch him every day.

Until recently, I would have said that Piker was still unknown or irrelevant for most Americans, especially older news consumers, despite his niche stardom. Yet over the last couple of years, Piker’s name recognition has skyrocketed. As both the Democratic Party and traditional journalists began reckoning with their inability to reach younger audiences, Piker became one of the most sought-after and recognizable leftists in politics. He campaigned with Abdul El-Sayed during Michigan’s Senate primary, boosted democratic socialist candidates in other primaries, and has sat down for lengthy interviews with The New York Times and Axios. Fox News runs standalone articles about him several times a week — he’s a new boogeyman of the left, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or Zohran Mamdani.

In my own commentary, I’ve sometimes derided Piker or dismissed him and his worldviews offhandedly. Quite a few Tangle readers and listeners have challenged these comments: What’s so wrong with Hasan Piker? Why do you use him as a punching bag for the ascendant left?

It’s a fair question that I’ve never really answered. So, today, I’m going to try to do that in two parts.

The latest Suspension of the Rules.

This week's Suspension of the Rules spans several topics. First, as the midterms draw near, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele get ready with their election hot takes. Then, which former Tangle guests are getting themselves in hot water? And does the left have an anti-semitism problem? All this and more on today’s episode! Listen here or watch it here.

Our latest YouTube video.

A year after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., Assistant Producer Aidan Gorman visits the capital to ask: Have these troops made our capital safer? The answer isn’t straightforward. You can check out our latest YouTube video here.

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Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, the new Supreme Court term began with oral arguments in a case over whether cities can sue energy companies for contributing to climate change. The arguments center on two major issues: whether federal law should block local governments from suing energy companies under state law, and whether the U.S. Supreme Court has jurisdiction to rule on the matter. Justice Samuel Alito, who is not involved with the companies named in the case but owns stocks in the energy industry, recused himself from the case.

The latest Suspension of the Rules.

This week's Suspension of the Rules spans several topics. First, as the midterms draw near, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele get ready with their election hot takes. Then, which former Tangle guests are getting themselves in hot water? And does the left have an anti-semitism problem? All this and more on today’s episode! Listen here or watch it here.

Our latest YouTube video.

A year after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., Assistant Producer Aidan Gorman visits the capital to ask: Have these troops made our capital safer? The answer isn’t straightforward. You can check out our latest YouTube video here.

Ad-free podcasts are here!

Get 20% off your first year of ad-free episodes, exclusive interviews, and deep dives with Tangle’s podcast membership!

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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: Should states be able to sue energy companies for damages related to climate change? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Will Kaback and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele share their election hot takes that are happening in the next few of weeks. We talk about some friends of the show that have been making some questionable statements that maybe need to be reeled in a bit. Then a discussion about a very curious Abdul El-Sayed focus group. Last, but not least, a short and sweet grievance section. A good one!

Our latest YouTube video.

A year after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., Assistant Producer Aidan Gorman visits the capital to ask: Have these troops made our capital safer? The answer isn’t straightforward. You can check out our latest YouTube video here.

Ad-free podcasts are here!

Get 20% off your first year of ad-free episodes, exclusive interviews, and deep dives with Tangle’s podcast membership!

Election season is here.

As we gear up for election season, we need your support. Our team is now 13 people strong, and we’re preparing for the biggest few months of the year.

You’re already supporting us as a Tangle member (thank you), but you can still drop a donation, follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our YouTube channel, or simply forward this email to friends and family and tell them to sign up.

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast hosted by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Jon Lall and Diet 75.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On September 28, New York prosecutors said they had reopened an investigation into an alleged sexual assault and gang rape by seven Cornell University students in October 2024. The woman who filed the suit, anonymously identified as Jane Doe, alleges that she was coerced into taking ketamine, encouraged to take alcohol and cannabis, and forced into sexual actions she did not consent to. Last week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) appointed state Attorney General Letitia James (D) as special prosecutor in the case. Separately, Cornell tapped former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent investigation into the school’s handling of the allegations.

Our latest YouTube video.

A year after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., Assistant Producer Aidan Gorman visits the capital to ask: Have these troops made our capital safer? The answer isn’t straightforward. You can check out our latest YouTube video here.

Ad-free podcasts are here!

Get 20% off your first year of ad-free episodes, exclusive interviews, and deep dives with Tangle’s podcast membership!

Election season is here.

As we gear up for election season, we need your support. Our team is now 13 people strong, and we’re preparing for the biggest few months of the year.

You’re already supporting us as a Tangle member (thank you), but you can still drop a donation, follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our YouTube channel, or simply forward this email to friends and family and tell them to sign up.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “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 issues do you think are contributing to sexual assault on college campuses? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Carina Pacheco and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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On Wednesday, the copilot of a FlyDubai commercial flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv allegedly attacked the plane’s captain and attempted to crash the aircraft in what Israeli officials have deemed an attempted terrorist attack. The captain, Smit Machchhar of India, was stabbed multiple times and seriously wounded but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew and passengers to detain the copilot. Two pilots on board as passengers then took control of the aircraft and landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The attacker has been identified as an Omani national and is currently in custody in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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Election season is here.

As we gear up for election season, we need your support. Our team is now 13 people strong, and we’re preparing for the biggest few months of the year.

You’re already supporting us as a Tangle member (thank you), but you can still drop a donation, follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our YouTube channel, or simply forward this email to friends and family and tell them to sign up.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “Have a nice day” story ⁠here⁠.

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Take the survey: What’s your view on the incident? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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On Wednesday, Tennessee failed to execute Christa Pike after administering two doses of a lethal drug. Pike had been sentenced to death for her role in the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer, and she is now hospitalized in critical condition. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) canceled the state’s final scheduled execution of 2026 and accepted the resignation of Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada.

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Is it a crisis?

In Friday’s piece on the global fertility decline, Editor Audrey Moorehead wrote:

The numbers vary from country to country, but consistent across the data is a simple fact: The fertility rate is in decline, both in the United States and around the world. To calibrate a response… three questions immediately arise: What does it actually mean that fertility is declining? Why is it in decline? And can — or should — we try to reverse it?You can read Audrey’s exploration of these questions — and what’s at stake if the decline continues — here.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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 death penalty? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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What an aging population and fewer young people could mean.

A wide-ranging conversation.

In this week’s Suspension of the Rules episode, we start by having some fun with Jack Smith’s congressional testimony. Then, we discuss the government-funded Trump commercials before turning to a much more serious subject: the Cornell sexual assault case. It was a heavy but important segment, and we wrapped up with some gratitude (instead of our usual grievances) to lighten the mood. You can listen here or watch here.

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Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Audrey Moorehead and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75 and Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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On Monday, the Senate voted 77–22 to pass the Protect College Sports Act with support from 50 Republicans, 26 Democrats, and one independent. The bill would create a national regulatory framework for collegiate athletics and give the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) antitrust protection, allowing it to establish standards for student-athlete compensation, eligibility, transferring, and other activities. The House is expected to take up the bill after the November midterms.

A wide-ranging conversation.

In this week’s Suspension of the Rules episode, we start by having some fun with Jack Smith’s congressional testimony. Then, we discuss the government-funded Trump commercials before turning to a much more serious subject: the Cornell sexual assault case. It was a heavy but important segment, and we wrapped up with some gratitude (instead of our usual grievances) to lighten the mood. You can listen here or watch here.

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Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

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On todays episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele get into the Jack Smith testimony, a few embarrassing moments for a certain Republican Senator, the Trump ads that were paid with tax dollars and then they get into the details of the Cornell sexual assault case. Last but not least an uplifting grievance section to wrap up a bit of a heavy episode.

We're launching something new.

In this week’s edition of Press Pass, I wrote about going back to my roots (more writing, more brevity, more personality). As part of that goal, I’m thrilled to announce that we’re launching a dedicated YouTube channel for some video essays about the current happenings in politics. This will be a place for me to get into some stuff we don’t cover in Tangle, and deliver “My take” essays in video form. The channel launched today with a deep dive on the plans for a border wall in the Big Bend region of West Texas, with some personal stories about my connections to the area and why I think it’s a historically bad policy idea. You can watch it here.

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Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast was hosted by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75 and Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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Last Tuesday, September 22, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said it had canceled healthcare enrollments for roughly 760,000 people under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) due to alleged fraud or improper documentation. In a press briefing announcing the cancelations, Vice President JD Vance and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz said that Covid-era subsidies and relaxed verification under President Joe Biden led to rampant abuse of the federally regulated ACA marketplace. The vice president’s White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud estimates the enforcement action will save $2.2 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies.

Weapons in space?

Earlier this month, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink made waves when he disclosed that the United States military currently has “space control weapons” in Earth’s orbit. Meink’s announcement instantly prompted questions about the nature of these space weapons — not to mention how they might be deployed. To learn more, Senior Editor Will Kaback sat down with aerospace defense expert Clayton Swope. You can listen to the interview here.

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Take the survey: Do you support this action? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Will Kaback and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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In September, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced that the United States has “on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.” The comments sparked a rash of questions: What kind of weapons? What adversaries are we competing against? Could we soon see those weapons deployed?

Shortly after the announcement, Senior Editor Will Kaback spoke with Clayton Swope, the deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, or CSIS. Swope’s career includes an extended stint at the CIA, time spent advising lawmakers on national security and space in Washington, D.C., and a lead role in Amazon’s efforts to establish a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit.

The conversation explores lingering questions about the state of the U.S. space-weapons program, what technology we might now have in orbit, how the space arms race could factor into ongoing geopolitical conflicts, and why the U.S. wants these weapons in the first place.

You can check out more of Swope’s work here: https://www.csis.org/people/clayton-swope

We're launching something new.

In yesterday's edition of Press Pass, I wrote about going back to my roots (more writing, more brevity, more personality). As part of that goal, I’m thrilled to announce that we’re launching a dedicated YouTube channel for some video essays about the current happenings in politics. This will be a place for me to get into some stuff we don’t cover in Tangle, and deliver “My take” essays in video form. The channel launched today with a deep dive on the plans for a border wall in the Big Bend region of West Texas, with some personal stories about my connections to the area and why I think it’s a historically bad policy idea. You can watch it here.

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Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast hosted by: Will Kaback and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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Tuesday marks 35 days until federal elections will be held for all 435 U.S. House seats and 35 of the 100 U.S. Senate seats. Additionally, 36 states will elect governors and 46 states will vote on a total of 6,139 state legislators. Currently, most election models heavily favor Democrats to take back the House and give the party a slight edge to flip the Senate.

We're launching something new.

In today’s edition of Press Pass, I wrote about going back to my roots (more writing, more brevity, more personality). As part of that goal, I’m thrilled to announce that we’re launching a dedicated YouTube channel for some video essays about the current happenings in politics. This will be a place for me to get into some stuff we don’t cover in Tangle, and deliver “My take” essays in video form. The channel launched today with a deep dive on the plans for a border wall in the Big Bend region of West Texas, with some personal stories about my connections to the area and why I think it’s a historically bad policy idea. You can watch it here.

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You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “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’s your midterms prediction? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When I started Tangle seven years ago, it was just me and the blinking cursor on a blank Google document.

As I look back on the newsletter editions I wrote during the early years of Tangle, a few things stand out: 1) The writing is more raw and less polished. 2) The newsletters are shorter and more digestible (some just a six- or seven-minute read). 3) My personality shines through in unvarnished ways that feel different from how it does now.

There are downsides to each of these. Raw, less polished writing is also writing begging for an editor. Mistakes and typos and outright errors went undiscovered. The newsletters were shorter, yes, but also sometimes lacked nuance — and typically didn’t go any deeper than our short-form competitors. I had to do all the research and writing and editing by myself, and it showed. And sure, my personality shined through, but at times it needed to be reined in; what was left was often too much Isaac and not enough viewpoint diversity or professional polish.

I never expected we’d be where we are today: hundreds of thousands of daily readers, tens of thousands of paying members, and recognition from all across the country (and world) for what we’re building. I certainly never expected to have over a dozen full-time employees and an entire staff of writers and editors.

As the Tangle brand has grown, my personal brand has taken a back seat, for good reason. I’ve wanted to introduce the distinct viewpoints from our team: Ari Weitzman, Will Kaback, Audrey Moorehead, Kmele Foster, Carina Pacheco, Russell Nystrom, Isaac Wood, and more. I’ve wanted to bring in outside writers to contribute to our publication. I’ve wanted to let Jon Lall, Aidan Gorman, and Michele Teodori create new content for YouTube — pursuing stories well suited for a visual medium and putting their own spin and perspective on them. We have done all that, and I’m supremely proud of what my colleagues and I have built.

Concurrently, I also take up less space in Tangle’s editorial process and have fewer opportunities to share what’s on my mind. I’m both happy and fulfilled by this development, and glad for a semblance of work-life balance. Yet I’m also eager to share more of my ideas that never make it to print. I have so many opinion essays outlined and just sitting in my drafts folder, so many thoughts I just flush down the toilet of X rather than turn into a YouTube video or fleshed-out piece. I have a lot of ideas I want to stress test with the public, yet somehow fewer and fewer spaces to share them despite running a growing news organization. It’s an odd and paradoxical downside of building a team.

I’ve been thinking about how to recapture some of what made those early editions so popular while also preserving the professional excellence we’ve developed today. We have some stuff in the works that I’m excited to roll out in the coming weeks: I’m planning to launch a separate newsletter under my name to share occasional opinion essays on stories we don’t get to in the typical week of Tangle. We’re also thinking about how to make the daily Tangle newsletters more digestible — reducing the word count a bit and cutting some sections people don’t tend to read. We also hope to keep featuring new voices, both from inside Tangle and out.

But in the immediate term, we have one big offering we’re excited to announce:

We’re launching the Isaac Saul YouTube channel.

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Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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Last week, world leaders gathered in New York City for the 81st United Nations (UN) General Assembly, with conflicts in Iran and Ukraine taking center stage. In a speech before world leaders, President Donald Trump said he is weighing whether to seek a deal to end the war with Iran or “annihilate” the country, while also touting a security agreement reached with Greenland and Denmark. Later in the week, President Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit, during which the leaders discussed trade disputes and AI development.

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Asking the hard question.

On Friday, Executive Editor Isaac Saul asked, “Is President Trump okay?” It was the same question he posed about President Biden in 2021, and Isaac’s essay similarly explored how the president’s words and behavior have changed in recent years, and whether concerns about his fitness for office are valid. You can read the edition and join hundreds of Tangle commenters discussing the piece here.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “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 kind of relationship with China should the U.S. pursue? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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In June of 2021, I published a newsletter headlined “Is Joe Biden okay?”

The president, I wrote, didn’t “seem quite right.” I preemptively shot down critics who thought it was taboo to say what was obvious: Biden was in decline, that decline seemed to be accelerating, and imagining nearly four more years with him governing was worrisome. He was a totally different man than he had been at the end of his vice presidency just five years prior, and it was infuriating that so many people were pretending otherwise.

I published the piece before that opinion was popular among pundits. A full three years passed, almost exactly to the day, before the infamous debate with Trump that squashed Biden’s pursuit of a second term — the debate that made even Democrats start saying what I argued three years earlier: The president didn’t look quite right. In the aftermath of my 2021 piece, droves of Biden supporters canceled their Tangle subscriptions, accused me of ageism, and insisted I was a secret Republican who wanted to help the party by undermining Biden’s presidency.

Today, I feel compelled to deliver a similar message about Biden’s successor: President Donald Trump doesn’t seem quite right.

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Suspension of the Rules.

It’s a Big Apple episode for apple season. On the most recent Suspension of the Rules, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele talk about the ongoing UN assembly in New York. Then, a discussion of a New York Times Magazine article about public schooling and race. Plus, guess who has a complaint about leaves? (hint: Kmele. It’s Kmele.) Check it out here.

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Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75 and Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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In recent years, use of new weight-loss medications has risen in the United States. A 2026 Gallup poll found that a record 11% of U.S. adults are taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss, up from 3% in 2024. Furthermore, high-profile figures like Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) and decorated tennis player Serena Williams have extolled their experiences taking the drug. The rising prevalence of GLP-1 use for weight management has sparked a debate over their potential impact on health and wellness in the U.S.

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Suspension of the Rules.

It’s a Big Apple episode for apple season. On the most recent Suspension of the Rules, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele talk about the ongoing UN assembly in New York. Then, a discussion of a New York Times Magazine article about public schooling and race. Plus, guess who has a complaint about leaves? (hint: Kmele. It’s Kmele.) Check it out here.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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 is your relationship to GLP-1s? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Audrey Moorehead and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele chat about the historic speech given at the UN General Assembly as well as the viral piece that Nikole Hannah-Jones wrote for the New York Times titled "In Fighting For Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own?". They then talk about the controversial statement made by Hassan Piker. Last but not least, a very good grievance.

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Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast was hosted by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75 and Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed a defense agreement with Denmark and the semiautonomous territory of Greenland. The three-party compact was signed in New York City, concurrent with a United Nations General Assembly meeting, and it follows several months of statements from President Trump about the United States increasing its control over the island territory.

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The DSA debate.

On Friday, Ross Barkan authored a guest column making the case for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). The piece has generated over 500 comments and a robust debate over Barkan’s arguments and the DSA’s merit. Check out the piece and join the conversation here.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “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 deal? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Carina Pacheco and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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On Friday, President Donald Trump announced he is barring journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. The president accused the outlets of inaccurately reporting on his administration and suggested that additional news organizations could be banned. On Monday, the outlets sued the government for allegedly violating their First Amendment rights.

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The DSA debate.

On Friday, Ross Barkan authored a guest column making the case for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). The piece has generated over 500 comments and a robust debate over Barkan’s arguments and the DSA’s merit. Check out the piece and join the conversation here.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “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 Trump’s press ban? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the war in Iran nears its seventh month, new developments over the past week have prompted concerns about a widening conflict in the Middle East. On Saturday, the State Department warned Americans in the Middle East to “exercise heightened vigilance” and prepare for potential travel disruptions, and President Donald Trump returned from a weekend trip to Camp David a day early. Separately, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched significant attacks against Saudi Arabia and seized key Red Sea territory. 

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The DSA debate.

On Friday, Ross Barkan authored a guest column making the case for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). The piece has generated over 500 comments and a robust debate over Barkan’s arguments and the DSA’s merit. Check out the piece and join the conversation here.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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: How long do you think the war will last? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Will Kaback and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the core tenets of Tangle’s mission is ideological diversity. As a big-tent news organization, we believe that we can be a space for readers of all political backgrounds to hear arguments from across the political spectrum.

As I look around today’s media landscape, something occurs to me: It’s becoming a hobbyhorse of political commentators to beat up on the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Both moderate Democrats and Republicans attack it constantly, as do independents. And in my own writing, I’ve overtly criticized the DSA. Indeed, it’s hard to find writers unapologetically defending DSA — especially in the mainstream press.

So, in late July, I put out a call on social media for a writer who would pen a piece for Tangle that was different — for a writer who would make the case for the DSA, its platform, and its record. A few hours later, Ross Barkan shot me a direct message.

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“Am I the idiot?”

For this week’s Suspension of the Rules, Kmele defends his position on AI deregulation as Ari channels some reader criticisms to him. Then, Isaac asks, “Am I the idiot?” over one of his recent takes and reacts to Sen. Mitch McConnell’s recent return to the Senate, before Kmele gives a touching tribute to the passing of a literary giant. Check it out here.

Is our food safe?

If you’ve seen a rash of recent headlines about food recalls affecting an array of products, you’ve probably wondered what’s going on with America’s food suppliers. In his latest report, Associate Producer Aidan Gorman explores what’s behind the recalls, whether they’re happening more frequently, and what the cases reveal about food safety in the U.S. Check it out here.

We’re bad at this.

Last week we had a team retreat. Something I realized while there is that we can do a better job making sure people know where to find us. Our core product is a newsletter, but we also have a podcast, YouTube channel, and Instagram page that all do incredible work covering the news with ideological diversity and intellectual honesty. So, here’s a reminder to take two minutes to follow us on your platform of choice:

InstagramPodcastYouTube

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. 

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Ross Barkan and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75 and Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

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On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the repeal of Biden-era emissions regulations for power plants and proposed rolling back all remaining greenhouse gas standards for the power sector. The agency said the move will create an estimated $310 billion in savings and lower energy prices for consumers. On Thursday, environmental advocates sued the EPA for this week’s power plant deregulatory actions.

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“Am I the idiot?”

For this week’s Suspension of the Rules, Kmele defends his position on AI deregulation as Ari channels some reader criticisms to him. Then, Isaac asks, “Am I the idiot?” over one of his recent takes and reacts to Sen. Mitch McConnell’s recent return to the Senate, before Kmele gives a touching tribute to the passing of a literary giant. Check it out here.

Is our food safe?

If you’ve seen a rash of recent headlines about food recalls affecting an array of products, you’ve probably wondered what’s going on with America’s food suppliers. In his latest report, Associate Producer Aidan Gorman explores what’s behind the recalls, whether they’re happening more frequently, and what the cases reveal about food safety in the U.S. Check it out here.

We’re bad at this.

Last week we had a team retreat. Something I realized while there is that we can do a better job making sure people know where to find us. Our core product is a newsletter, but we also have a podcast, YouTube channel, and Instagram page that all do incredible work covering the news with ideological diversity and intellectual honesty. So, here’s a reminder to take two minutes to follow us on your platform of choice:

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You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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 EPA’s latest deregulatory move? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Ari Weitzman and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele chat about whether or no artificial intelligence will kill us all and some reflection on Mitch McConnell's return to congress. They then play a fun little game called "Is Isaac an idiot or not?". Last but not least, a somber but very good grievance.

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Is our food safe?

If you’ve seen a rash of recent headlines about food recalls affecting an array of products, you’ve probably wondered what’s going on with America’s food suppliers. In his latest report, Associate Producer Aidan Gorman explores what’s behind the recalls, whether they’re happening more frequently, and what the cases reveal about food safety in the U.S. Check it out here.

We’re bad at this.

Last week we had a team retreat. Something I realized while there is that we can do a better job making sure people know where to find us. Our core product is a newsletter, but we also have a podcast, YouTube channel, and Instagram page that all do incredible work covering the news with ideological diversity and intellectual honesty. So, here’s a reminder to take two minutes to follow us on your platform of choice:

InstagramPodcastYouTube

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. 

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast was hosted by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75 and Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, the Supreme Court denieda request from the Trump administration to allow the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to carry out parts of President Donald Trump’s executive order placing new regulations on mail-in voting. The president had issued the order in March to address alleged voter fraud, and the Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s block on parts of the executive order in August. The Court’s most recent decision prevents the order from taking effect before the November midterm elections.

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Get 20% off your first year of ad-free episodes, exclusive interviews, and deep dives with Tangle’s podcast membership!

Is our food safe?

If you’ve seen a rash of recent headlines about food recalls affecting an array of products, you’ve probably wondered what’s going on with America’s food suppliers. In his latest report, Associate Producer Aidan Gorman explores what’s behind the recalls, whether they’re happening more frequently, and what the cases reveal about food safety in the U.S. Check it out here.

We’re bad at this.

Last week we had a team retreat. Something I realized while there is that we can do a better job making sure people know where to find us. Our core product is a newsletter, but we also have a podcast, YouTube channel, and Instagram page that all do incredible work covering the news with ideological diversity and intellectual honesty. So, here’s a reminder to take two minutes to follow us on your platform of choice:

InstagramPodcastYouTube

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “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 Court’s decision? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Saturday, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an essay arguing that artificial intelligence (AI) development is advancing at an unsafe pace and should be moderated. Executives at other leading AI companies endorsed Amodei’s post, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman saying “we need to pace the frontier.” In recent months, AI systems have allegedly hacked other companies’ platforms without their immediate knowledge, and former Anthropic employee Jacob Coxon publicly resigned last week, citing the company’s purportedly insufficient AI-safety policies.

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We’re bad at this.

Last week we had a team retreat. Something I realized while there is that we can do a better job making sure people know where to find us. Our core product is a newsletter, but we also have a podcast, YouTube channel, and Instagram page that all do incredible work covering the news with ideological diversity and intellectual honesty. So, here’s a reminder to take two minutes to follow us on your platform of choice:

InstagramPodcastYouTube

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “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’s the best path forward for AI development? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Kmele Foster and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the Republican Party’s inaugural midterm convention on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said that his administration will send $5,000 to every U.S. adult citizen if the GOP retains control of the House and Senate in November’s elections. The president called the “Trump Dividend” a way for Americans to share in the economic strength that would result from Republican governance. 

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9/11 reflections.

On Friday, we published a special reader mailbag reflecting on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and answering questions about what we’ve learned since that day. You can read it here.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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: When could the $5,000 payouts be sent? Let us know. 

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What have we learned since that fateful day?

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What happened to al-Qaeda?

This Friday marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Ahead of the anniversary, The Atlantic’s Graeme Wood published a detailed report on the attack’s impact on the Middle East and the state of al-Qaeda. Senior Editor Will Kaback spoke with Wood about the surprising information we’ve learned about Osama bin Laden’s motivations, why al-Qaeda has faltered, and whether U.S. policy has addressed the threat of future attacks. You can listen to the interview here

Suspension of the Rules.

This week’s edition of Suspension of the Rules is a little different, as Isaac, Ari, and Kmele have an in-person discussion from the Tangle team retreat in Maine. The conversation focused on two very different anniversaries: 25 years since the 9/11 attacks, and seven years since the founding of Tangle. What’s changed in the years since the attacks, and what keeps Isaac coming back to Tangle day after day? Check it out here.

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. 

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul, Ari Weitzman, Will Kaback, Carina Pacheco and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75 and Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Wednesday, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) appeared via video at the Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention, reiterating his opposition to socialism and praising Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA). Fetterman has frequently criticized the Democratic Party’s embrace of democratic socialism and anti-Israel rhetoric, leading to speculation that he could switch parties or become an independent.

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Get 20% off your first year of ad-free episodes, exclusive interviews, and deep dives with Tangle’s podcast membership!

Suspension of the Rules.

This week’s edition of Suspension of the Rules is a little different, as Isaac, Ari, and Kmele have an in-person discussion from the Tangle team retreat in Maine. The conversation focused on two very different anniversaries: 25 years since the 9/11 attacks, and seven years since the founding of Tangle. What’s changed in the years since the attacks, and what keeps Isaac coming back to Tangle day after day? Check it out here.

What happened to al-Qaeda?

This Friday marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Ahead of the anniversary, The Atlantic’s Graeme Wood published a detailed report on the attack’s impact on the Middle East and the state of al-Qaeda. Senior Editor Will Kaback spoke with Wood about the surprising information we’ve learned about Osama bin Laden’s motivations, why al-Qaeda has faltered, and whether U.S. policy has addressed the threat of future attacks. You can listen to the interview here.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “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: Will Fetterman leave the Democratic Party? Let us know. 

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele are in the great state of Maine together to commemorate and reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and their own personal experience from 9/11. The guys then shift gears to a less somber note to celebrate Tangle's 7th anniversary and chat about where Tangle started and where its heading. Its a great episode!

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What happened to al-Qaeda?

This Friday marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Ahead of the anniversary, The Atlantic’s Graeme Wood published a detailed report on the attack’s impact on the Middle East and the state of al-Qaeda. Senior Editor Will Kaback spoke with Wood about the surprising information we’ve learned about Osama bin Laden’s motivations, why al-Qaeda has faltered, and whether U.S. policy has addressed the threat of future attacks. You can listen to the interview here.

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. 

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast is hosted by Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the run-up to the November midterm elections, new reports on key economic indicators have shed light on the state of the U.S. economy. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will meet next week for the third time under Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh to consider changes to the interest rate in light of a strong jobs report and persistent inflation. Meanwhile, the Iran war and a burgeoning trade dispute with Canada have added new variables to the economic picture. 

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What happened to al-Qaeda?

This Friday marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Ahead of the anniversary, The Atlantic’s Graeme Wood published a detailed report on the attack’s impact on the Middle East and the state of al-Qaeda. Senior Editor Will Kaback spoke with Wood about the surprising information we’ve learned about Osama bin Laden’s motivations, why al-Qaeda has faltered, and whether U.S. policy has addressed the threat of future attacks. You can listen to the interview here.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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 Ari’s predictions? Let us know. 

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Ari Weitzman and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been nearly 25 years since the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Virtually all of the leadership of al-Qaeda that planned and orchestrated the attacks have now been killed, but the group remains intact today. But if you talk to national security and terrorism experts, they’ll offer wildly different assessments of how strong — and how much of a threat — it still poses.

  

Graeme Wood is a journalist and staff writer at The Atlantic who covers the Middle East, terrorism, and political Islam. Earlier this month, he published a piece in The Atlantic with a simple, provocative title: What happened to al-Qaeda?

In it, Wood explores competing views of whether the organization was strategically brilliant, catastrophically incompetent, quietly resurgent, or simply no longer the force it once was. In this episode, Senior Editor Will Kaback explores this question with him — and dives into his thoughts on what al-Qaeda’s trajectory reveals about America’s response to terrorism, the unintended consequences of U.S. foreign policy, and the difficulty of knowing when a seemingly diminished threat is genuinely gone.

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Should billionaires exist?

In Friday’s members-only post, Isaac explored the question of whether billionaires should exist — and dove into generalizations about them all being evil. The piece has already garnered over 600 comments, a strong indication that you have your own opinions. You can read it (and join the conversation) here. 

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. 

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast hosted by: Will Kaback and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75 and Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, August 31, The Wall Street Journal reported that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll had resigned amid protracted disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; Driscoll’s last workday was September 2. Several other military leaders have been fired or resigned under Hegseth, who has sought to reduce the size of military leadership. President Donald Trump appointed Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle to serve as acting secretary and did not give a timeline for nominating a replacement.

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Should billionaires exist?

In Friday’s members-only post, Isaac explored the question of whether billionaires should exist — and dove into generalizations about them all being evil. The piece has already garnered over 600 comments, a strong indication that you have your own opinions. You can read it (and join the conversation) here. 

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and today’s “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: How do you feel about the United States’s overall military preparedness? Let us know. 

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

But should they exist?

Let me start by saying that I get it. 

A few years ago, I read a fascinating piece about how professional basketball had lost its cool factor. The current stars of the NBA, like Jayson Tatum and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, just don’t have it. They aren’t charismatic in the same ways Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan or Dr. J were. They aren’t eccentric, or captivating, or culture-defining. “No aura,” as the kids say. 

Spend a few minutes watching Elon Musk work a room or Mark Zuckerberg testify before Congress, and it’s hard not to get a similar feeling. These guys do not exude aura. They don’t present as classy or high-minded or suave, which — frankly — is how we prefer our rich people. They are awkward and make bad jokes and laugh in uncomfortable ways. 

It at least feels like it was different before. The elites we grew up reading about operated in a classy manner, offered timeless wisdom or expressed humility when reflecting on their station in life. Andrew Carnegie was known for reciting poetry from memory, holding dinners where he’d debate Shakespeare and the merits of socialism, and waking his entire household with a bagpiper every morning. He’s credited with saying, “As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.” J.P. Morgan was famous for locking bankers in his library during the panic of 1907 and not letting them leave until they solved the crisis. He once said, “A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason.” Elon Musk wielded a chainsaw while bragging about cuts to USAID, and once entered Twitter HQ during a hostile takeover while carrying a sink. He tweeted: “Entering Twitter HQ — let that sink in! ”

These people are not the same.

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Suspension of the Rules.

Isaac, Ari, and Kmele had a lot to talk about this week. From Kmele “having a moment” on CNN to mail-in voting changes to CBS’s coverage of Abdul El-Sayed — plus a good guy of the week from the Pacific Northwest and a brief check-in on the Iran war — this week’s Suspension of the Rules is jam-packed. Watch it here.

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. 

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In recent months, opposition to data centers has increased across the United States, prompting both Republican and Democratic politicians to oppose the facilities and some states to pause new construction. While some political leaders, including President Donald Trump, remain supportive of data centers, the topic has become a major issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, often linked to concerns about societal disruptions brought on by artificial intelligence (AI). 

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Suspension of the Rules.

Isaac, Ari, and Kmele had a lot to talk about this week. From Kmele “having a moment” on CNN to mail-in voting changes to CBS’s coverage of Abdul El-Sayed — plus a good guy of the week from the Pacific Northwest and a brief check-in on the Iran war — this week’s Suspension of the Rules is jam-packed. Watch it here.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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: Do you think we should keep building data centers? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Ari Weitzman and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Isaac, Ari, and Kmele had a lot to talk about this week. From Kmele “having a moment” on CNN to mail-in voting changes to CBS’s coverage of Abdul El-Sayed — plus a good guy of the week from the Pacific Northwest and a brief check-in on the Iran war — this week’s Suspension of the Rules is jam-packed.

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Get texts from us.

The news cycle is heating up as we head into the midterms, and you can follow along with us every step of the way. On our SMS messaging service, we give readers exclusive opportunities to weigh in on our daily topics, access to behind-the-scenes peeks at our editorial process, and staff analysis of breaking news that doesn’t go to the newsletter.

Share your questions.

Next Friday, September 11, we’ll publish a mailbag edition answering reader questions about the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, as well as broader questions about other timely news topics, under-the-radar issues, and anything else of interest. You can submit a question here for consideration.

You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. 

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast was hosted by Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Jon Lall.

Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, the Supreme Court decided 5–4 to allow President Trump to continue above-ground construction on his White House ballroom project. The unsigned order pauses a federal judge’s halt on above-ground construction, stating the plaintiff likely lacks legal standing. However, the majority did not decide whether Trump has the legal authority to build the ballroom without congressional approval, and litigation will continue in lower courts.

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Get texts from us.

The news cycle is heating up as we head into the midterms, and you can follow along with us every step of the way. On our SMS messaging service, we give readers exclusive opportunities to weigh in on our daily topics, access to behind-the-scenes peeks at our editorial process, and staff analysis of breaking news that doesn’t go to the newsletter.

Share your questions.

Next Friday, September 11, we’ll publish a mailbag edition answering reader questions about the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, as well as broader questions about other timely news topics, under-the-radar issues, and anything else of interest. You can submit a question here for consideration.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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 about the legal and practical implications of this case? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Will Kaback and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Friday, President Donald Trump announced an agreement to make the United States government an investor in the production of Venezuelan oil. Under the reported terms of the deal, the U.S. will take a stake in a private Venezuelan company that will be given the rights to develop 17 oil fields believed to contain 65 billion barrels of oil. President Trump said the deal will help build up U.S. oil reserves, bring down gas prices, and promote investment and production in Venezuela from other U.S. energy companies. Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez said the deal will economically benefit her country and revitalize its energy industry. 

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Share your questions.

Next Friday, September 11, we’ll publish a mailbag edition answering reader questions about the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, as well as broader questions about other timely news topics, under-the-radar issues, and anything else of interest. You can submit a question here for consideration.

You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠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: How do you feel about the practical and moral implications of this deal? Let us know.

Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.

This podcast written by: Isaac Saul and audio engineered and edited 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, Bailey Saul, Audrey Moorehead, and Carina Pacheco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.