Episode Summary: The Sunday Podcast — We Were Right About Biden, a Divided DNC, and Trump's Speech with Kmele Foster

Release Date: May 18, 2025
Host: Isaac Saul
Guests: Ari Weitzman (Managing Editor), Camille Foster (Editor at Large)

Overview

In this episode of Tangle's The Sunday Podcast, host Isaac Saul engages in a comprehensive discussion with Ari Weitzman and newly joined Camille Foster. The conversation spans critical political topics, including President Joe Biden's performance and health, internal conflicts within the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and a recent foreign policy speech by former President Donald Trump in the Middle East. The episode also highlights Camille Foster's insights on media criticism and the future direction of the Democratic Party.

Key Discussions

1. Joe Biden's Presidency: Health and Performance

Isaac Saul reflects on Tangle's earlier reporting questioning President Biden's health and public performance. Recent publications, particularly a book by Jay Tapper and Alex Thompson, validate Tangle's initial observations about Biden's visible struggles and the administration's efforts to shield him from criticism.

• Isaac Saul [05:00]: "The things we saw, they were real."
• Camille Foster [12:30]: "I was shocked by some of the off the record, on the record stuff..."

2. Internal DNC Conflict: David Hogg and Malcolm Kenyatta

The podcast delves into the DNC's decision to void the vice chair positions of David Hogg and Malcolm Kenyatta due to procedural irregularities. This move follows Hogg's criticism of the DNC's approach to engaging younger members and his intent to challenge incumbent Democrats.

• Isaac Saul [41:17]: "David Hogg started complaining... DNC is now voiding his vice chairmanship."
• Ari Weitzman [43:46]: "The DNC is weaponizing process to counter Hogg's challenges."

Camille Foster expresses sympathy for Hogg's efforts to revitalize the party and criticizes the DNC's reliance on technicalities to maintain control.

3. Representation and Diversity in Congress

The conversation shifts to gender representation within the U.S. Congress, comparing current statistics to population demographics. The hosts discuss whether intentional representation goals should be pursued and how disparities might indicate systemic biases.

• Isaac Saul [57:08]: "It's 44%. So you're both fairly close."
• Ari Weitzman [61:07]: "It tells us where there may be biases in the system."

4. Donald Trump's Middle East Speech

Isaac Saul reviews Donald Trump's recent foreign policy speech in Saudi Arabia, praising his vision for a self-sufficient Middle East free from Western intervention. However, the hosts critique the inconsistency between Trump's rhetoric and his administration's actions.

• Isaac Saul [69:35]: "He wasn't just talking; he was pushing a beautiful vision."
• Ari Weitzman [74:13]: "Speeches are one thing, inactions are another."

Camille Foster adds that while Trump's message resonates, the administrative challenges and ongoing foreign engagements cast a shadow over his promises.

5. Media Criticism and Future of the Democratic Party

Isaac Saul ties the DNC's internal issues to broader media failures in adequately covering Biden's administration. The discussion highlights the challenges the Democratic Party faces in maintaining relevance and addressing criticisms from younger members like David Hogg.

Notable Insights

• Camille Foster [12:30]: Highlighted the discrepancy between private observations and public defenses of Biden.
• Ari Weitzman [43:46]: Discussed the DNC's tactical use of procedural rules to manage internal dissent.
• Isaac Saul [69:35]: Appreciated Trump's rhetorical skills despite concerns over policy follow-through.

Conclusions

The episode underscores the importance of transparent media reporting and internal party reforms to address emerging conflicts within the Democratic Party. The hosts advocate for a more responsive and representative political landscape, emphasizing the need to balance diversity with genuine policy debates.

Final Thoughts:

Isaac Saul concludes by emphasizing the necessity for honest discourse and structural changes within political institutions to better reflect and serve their constituencies.

This summary provides a structured overview of the podcast episode, capturing the essential discussions and insights shared by the hosts and guest. For more detailed information, listening to the full episode is recommended.