Podcast Summary: Tangle – PREVIEW - The Sunday Podcast Host: Isaac Saul
Guest: Ari "White Smoke" Weitzman
Release Date: May 11, 2025

Introduction

In this preview episode of "The Sunday Podcast" from Tangle, host Isaac Saul teams up with Managing Editor Ari "White Smoke" Weitzman to delve into pressing political topics, including the significance of the newly elected American Pope, addressing reader criticisms of their coverage on former President Donald Trump's administration, and a brief nod to President Joe Biden. The conversation promises an insightful exploration of current political landscapes through diverse perspectives.

1. Celebrating the New American Pope

Isaac Saul opens the discussion with excitement about the election of the first American Pope, highlighting its monumental significance within the Catholic Church and globally.

Isaac Saul [04:46]: "The first American Pope. This is huge for us."

Ari Weitzman elaborates on the demographic shifts within the Catholic Church, noting that the future leadership will likely reflect the growing Catholic populations in Latin America and Africa.

Ari Weitzman [03:22]: "The future of the Catholic Church is going to be more and more Latin American, African. So we are a little behind the curve with representation for North American popes."

The hosts discuss the cultural phenomenon surrounding the Pope’s election, emphasizing how it has captured public interest in ways previous papacies did not, possibly due to the pervasive influence of the Internet era.

Isaac Saul [04:00]: "This has been like an unbelievable cultural phenomenon... It just feels like this has really captivated the world in a way that maybe the last one didn't."

They touch upon the Pope’s engagement with modern platforms like Twitter, which has sparked varied reactions across the political spectrum, showcasing how personalities interpret his actions through their ideological lenses.

Isaac Saul [09:43]: "The idea that the Pope has a Twitter history... people are looking for hints about how his ideology fits into American politics."

2. Addressing Reader Criticism on Trump's Presidency Coverage

Transitioning from the Pope, Isaac Saul introduces the second major topic: reader criticism regarding Tangle’s previous coverage of Donald Trump’s presidency, specifically the use of a "promise meter" to evaluate the administration's fulfillment of campaign pledges.

Isaac Saul [15:53]: "We got a lot of criticism last week at the end of last week for our review of Trump's presidency that I felt like was worth diving into and talking about."

Ari Weitzman presents the critics' perspective, arguing that the "promise meter" approach may inadequately capture the gravity of Trump's actions perceived as threats to democracy and constitutional integrity.

Ari Weitzman [16:25]: "For many of us, these are not footnotes. They represent existential threats to the American experiment."

Isaac Saul defends the methodology, asserting that evaluating a presidency based on campaign promises provides an objective and consistent framework. He emphasizes that this approach avoids bias and allows for a fair assessment regardless of personal opinions on the administration's policies.

Isaac Saul [19:52]: "It's the degree to which you think a presidency was successful is typically based on what your definition of success looks like. So like Trump ran on something, he had a campaign and he promised a bunch of stuff... that's just a totally fair, reasonable thing."

3. In-Depth Responses to Criticisms

The conversation deepens as Isaac Saul shares a poignant reader comment from Andy Francisco, who criticizes Tangle for not adequately addressing what he perceives as existential threats posed by Trump's presidency. Andy feels that the coverage downplays significant issues like judicial overreach, attacks on free speech, corruption allegations, and the undermining of democratic norms.

Isaac Saul [17:04]: "For many of us, these are not footnotes. They represent existential threats to the American experiment."

Ari Weitzman responds by acknowledging the validity of these concerns but explains that Tangle aims to balance individual issues with broader trends, advocating for readers to draw their own conclusions based on the presented facts.

Ari Weitzman [26:11]: "There's an amount where we want to say this bothers us, and then there's an amount where we want to kind of let the reader do the thinking for themselves."

Isaac further clarifies that their analysis highlights not only the unfulfilled promises but also introduces uncertainty and corruption associated with Trump's actions, painting a critically comprehensive portrait.

Isaac Saul [31:17]: "This is a really critical piece. And I get that. I say, you know, I'm feeling discouraged, whatever. I don't think that's merely what I said. I think that's ultimately what I said."

Despite the criticisms, Issac maintains that their coverage remains balanced and continues to uphold the integrity of their evaluative methods.

Isaac Saul [32:41]: "I'm not trying to be defensive... we are sleepwalking into becoming a country I no longer recognize."

4. Concluding Thoughts

The episode wraps up with Isaac affirming the importance of maintaining an objective framework while acknowledging the complexities of political coverage. Ari reiterates the need for balanced reporting that allows readers to engage critically with the issues presented.

Ari Weitzman [28:48]: "How'd I do? ... We are sleepwalking into becoming a country Andy no longer recognizes."

The hosts emphasize their commitment to presenting multifaceted political analyses, encouraging listeners to engage thoughtfully with the content and form their own informed opinions.

Notable Quotes

• Isaac Saul [04:46]: "The first American Pope. This is huge for us."
• Ari Weitzman [03:22]: "The future of the Catholic Church is going to be more and more Latin American, African."
• Isaac Saul [09:43]: "People are looking for hints about how his ideology fits into American politics."
• Isaac Saul [19:52]: "That's a totally fair, reasonable thing."
• Isaac Saul [31:17]: "This is a really critical piece."
• Ari Weitzman [28:48]: "How'd I do?"

Conclusion

In this insightful preview episode, Isaac Saul and Ari Weitzman navigate complex political discussions with clarity and depth. From celebrating a historic moment in the Catholic Church to critically evaluating their journalistic methods in covering Trump's presidency, the hosts demonstrate Tangle's commitment to diverse and independent political discourse. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the content thoughtfully, reflecting on the multifaceted nature of political leadership and media coverage.