Podcast Summary: Tangle

Episode: President Trump Criticizes the UN, Reverses Course on Ukraine
Host: Isaac Saul
Date: September 25, 2025

Overview

In this episode of Tangle, host Isaac Saul unpacks President Donald Trump’s sharp critique of the United Nations during his address to the General Assembly, his evolving (and surprising) position on the Ukraine war, and responses from across the political spectrum and abroad. The episode also explores the perceived effectiveness of the UN, the contradictions in Trump’s global outlook, and the domestic and international reactions to his comments on Ukraine and multilateral institutions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s UN Speech

[06:02-09:00]

• Tone and Content: Trump took a combative approach, strongly criticizing both the UN as an institution and specific member states (notably over immigration and climate policy).
• Major Claims:
  • Touted a "golden age of America” under his administration.
  • Asserted his own successes in global conflicts and condemned the UN for “hindering peace.”
  • Criticized European immigration policies (“European countries were going to hell”) and denounced renewable energy efforts as “suicidal” and "the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world."
  • Urged more aggressive action against Russia, including tariffs and halting energy purchases from Russia.
  • Delivered the line: “Empty words don’t solve war. The only thing that solves war and wars is action.” [05:21-06:02]
• Notable Moment: Trump's comments on Europe and energy drew particular ire and attention.

2. Trump's Sudden Shift on Ukraine

[06:02-09:00]

• Meeting with Zelensky: After his speech, Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelensky.
• Reversal: Posted on Truth Social that Ukraine, with European and NATO support, “can fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form,” referring to pre-2022 borders.
• Ukrainian Response: Zelensky expressed surprise but saw this as a positive signal:
  • "The fact that Putin was lying to President Trump so many times also made a difference between us."
• Russian Response: Kremlin spokesperson dismissed Trump’s remarks, calling them a ploy to increase US energy exports.

3. Reactions from Across the Political Spectrum

A. The Left

[10:16-13:53]

• Critical of Trump’s Speech:
  • Zezhan Aleem (MSNBC) called it “mortifying for America," highlighting a focus on self-promotion and a lack of substance.
    • “Given that the backdrop of Trump’s speech is an all out assault on democracy in his own country, his lecturing world leaders…was shocking in its audacity.” — Zezhan Aleem, MSNBC [10:48]
  • Stephen Collinson (CNN) noted Trump’s “write about everything rant offers no answers to a world on the brink," and lamented the absence of constructive reassurances to America’s allies.
  • Both writers suggested Trump's attacks on the UN undermine the credibility of an institution charged with global peacekeeping.

B. The Right

[13:53-16:38]

• Supportive of UN Critique:
  • Strafe (Red State) interpreted the speech as aimed at populist movements in Europe, rallying them against elites:
    • "The goal was to put Trump and his successor at the helm of an international movement to make Western civilization great again." — Strafe, Red State [14:33]
  • John R. Bolton (Washington Post) argued it’s time for the US to seek deep reform, not just grandstand:
    • “Drive by speeches, even those of Trumpian duration, just come and go like all the other hot air that has coursed through the UN headquarters for decades.” — Bolton, Washington Post [16:22]

C. Writers Abroad

[16:38-18:45]

• Skeptical of Trump’s Impact:
  • Le Monde editorial board traced the UN’s ineffectiveness in part to US behavior, noting Trump's speech increased confusion:
    • “Trump gave the embarrassing impression of being a passenger who rails ... after having made its rudder unusable and slashed its sails.” — Le Monde [17:43]
  • Sam Olson (The Spectator) argued Trump’s message framed sovereignty as the only safeguard—but was “internally consistent” with his conditional approach to alliances.
    • “Multilateral institutions ... were painted as part of the problem for the president. They are complicit in disorder, not guarantors of it.” — Sam Olson, The Spectator [18:35]

4. Isaac Saul’s Analysis (“My Take”)

[18:45-25:06]

• Personal Context: Saul draws on his past experience reporting from the UN, describing summits as “glorified summer camps for world leaders” — often feeling “protracted and meaningless.”
• On UN Effectiveness: Agrees with Trump that the UN’s efficacy and importance feel overstated, especially as many authoritarian regimes use it as a propaganda tool.
• On Trump’s Speech:
  • Acknowledges Trump’s valid criticisms and moments of positive, peace-focused rhetoric (noting especially Trump’s call for an end to biological weapons and trade-driven peace).
  • Quotes Trump:

    "Everyone says that I should get the Nobel Peace Prize for each of these achievements, but for me, the real prize will be the sons and daughters who live to grow up with their mothers and fathers because millions of people are no longer being killed and endless and unglorious wars. What I care about is not winning prizes, it's saving lives." — Donald Trump [19:41]

  • Points out contradictions: Trump’s pivot from calling for peace to threats of military action ("We will blow you out of existence" to Venezuela).
  • Criticizes the spread of outright falsehoods (London and Sharia law, "destroying" solar and wind, "Europe going to hell").
• On the Ukraine Reversal:
  • Sees Trump’s newfound pro-Ukraine stance as an “incredible pivot,” attributing it to Trump’s tendency to be persuaded by the last argument he hears.
    • “It took him eight months, but Trump is now touting an even more pro-Ukraine position than Biden did…This view is, to put it mildly, a bit fanciful.” [23:06]
  • Argues that this mercurialness undermines policy consistency and makes alliance management difficult.
  • Final assessment: The new approach may increase pressure on Russia or lead toward direct NATO conflict; either way, it’s a major shift.

5. Listener Q&A: Why is PEPFAR Special?

[26:32-29:25]

• Discusses why the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was spared deep budget cuts:
  • Record of effectiveness (25 million lives saved; 5.5 million babies protected from HIV).
  • Largest single US disease-investment program.
  • Broad bipartisan support, partly because it was founded by President George W. Bush.
  • Serves US foreign policy as soft power.

6. Other Noteworthy Moments

• Trump & Israel Policy: Trump reportedly assured Arab and Muslim leaders he would not allow Israeli annexation of the West Bank, to safeguard the Abraham Accords. [29:25]
• UNGA “By the Numbers”:
  • Trump’s speech length: 56 minutes.
  • Mentions: Climate (7x), Immigration (6x), Energy (22x), Tariffs (10x), Russia (10x). [31:03]
• Historical "Have a Nice Day" Story: Artifacts recovered from the wreck of Titanic’s sister ship Britannic.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Empty words don’t solve war. The only thing that solves war and wars is action.” — Donald Trump [05:21]
• “Given that the backdrop of Trump’s speech is an all out assault on democracy in his own country, his lecturing world leaders…was shocking in its audacity.” — Zezhan Aleem, MSNBC [10:48]
• “The goal was to put Trump and his successor at the helm of an international movement to make Western civilization great again.” — Strafe, Red State [14:33]
• “Trump gave the embarrassing impression of being a passenger who rails and grumbles … after having made its rudder unusable and slashed its sails.” — Le Monde [17:43]
• “Everyone says that I should get the Nobel Peace Prize ... but for me, the real prize will be the sons and daughters who live ... because millions ... are no longer being killed in unglorious wars. What I care about is not winning prizes, it's saving lives.” — Donald Trump [19:41]
• “It took him eight months, but Trump is now touting an even more pro-Ukraine position than Biden did…This view is, to put it mildly, a bit fanciful.” — Isaac Saul [23:06]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Intro & Podcast Updates: [02:07-03:53]
• Quick Hits (News): [03:53-05:21]
• Overview of Trump’s UN Speech & Ukraine Policy: [06:02-09:00]
• Analysis: Responses from the Left, Right, Abroad: [10:16-18:45]
• Isaac Saul’s Take: [18:45-25:06]
• Listener Q&A (PEPFAR): [26:32-29:25]
• Under the Radar & By the Numbers: [29:25-32:19]

Summary

This packed episode reflects Tangle’s mission to give thoughtful, non-partisan analysis. Trump’s UN speech is dissected for both its rhetoric and the strategic shift it reveals regarding Ukraine. Responses from left, right, and international observers demonstrate deep divisions not just about Trump, but about the UN’s very future and the US role in global governance. Isaac Saul’s commentary blends skepticism about the UN’s impact with cautious acknowledgment of Trump’s ability to centre himself on the world stage—often in unpredictable ways.

For more detailed breakdowns and ongoing analysis, visit readtangle.com.