Podcast Summary: Tangle – Episode "Trump blasts Putin for escalation in Ukraine"

Host: Isaac Saul
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Description: Tangle offers independent, non-partisan political news, featuring diverse perspectives from across the political spectrum and insightful interviews with key figures in the political landscape.

Introduction

Isaac Saul opens the episode by highlighting the main topic: President Donald Trump's recent criticisms of Russian President Vladimir Putin amidst escalating conflicts in Ukraine. He also promotes the podcast's latest YouTube video on the fluoride debate, encouraging listeners to engage with additional content for a comprehensive understanding of current issues.

Key Moments:

• [00:00 - 01:35]: Introduction and promotion of sponsored content and upcoming YouTube video on fluoride in drinking water.

Main Story: Trump's Criticism of Putin Amid Ukraine Escalation

The central discussion revolves around President Trump's outspoken criticism of Putin following Russia's significant drone and missile attacks on Ukraine. The attacks mark the largest since the full-scale invasion began in 2020, causing substantial civilian casualties and complicating peace negotiations.

Notable Quotes:

• Isaac Saul [05:09]: "He says the Russian leader has gone, in his words, absolutely crazy."
• Trump on Truth Social [05:19]: "He's gone absolutely crazy. He is needlessly killing a lot of people and I'm not just talking about soldiers."

Key Points:

• Russian Aggression: Over 350 explosive drones and nine cruise missiles launched, targeting civilian areas and causing significant loss of life.
• Trump's Position: Initially praised Putin but has recently shifted to strong condemnation, criticizing both Putin's actions and Ukrainian President Zelensky's approach.
• Putin's Response: Characterized the attacks as emotionally driven reactions to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory.
• Zelensky's Statement: Described the attacks as terrorist strikes, calling for new sanctions against Russia and criticizing global silence.

Perspectives from the Political Spectrum

Right-Leaning Perspectives

Fred Fleitz (New York Post):

• [10:06]: Argues that Trump's efforts are aimed at resolving a complex foreign policy crisis initiated by President Biden.
• Quote: "Biden emboldened Putin to invade Ukraine by ignoring the Russian leader's fear of Ukraine moving closer to the west and joining NATO."

Rich Lowry (New York Post):

• [11:08]: Criticizes Trump's approach as ineffective, suggesting that Trump lacks a coherent strategy to pressure Putin adequately.
• Quote: "Putin has never been subjected to the same US pressure campaign as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy."

Analysis:

• The right perspective acknowledges the complexity inherited from previous administrations but criticizes Trump's inability to effectively utilize his relationship with Putin to broker peace.

Left-Leaning Perspectives

David E. Sanger (New York Times):

• [12:25]: Critiques Trump for condemning Putin without implementing substantial measures to penalize Russia.
• Quote: "Mr. Trump's rare criticism of President Vladimir Putin... but he has been unwilling to make Mr. Putin pay even a modest price."

Hal Brands (Bloomberg):

• [14:00]: Suggests that Trump's misdiagnosis of the conflict as stemming from Ukrainian intransigence rather than Putin's aggression hampers effective policy.
• Quote: "Trump can't shift to a more aggressive strategy because that requires making Ukraine's war, which he protests endlessly, his own."

Analysis:

• The left perspective emphasizes Trump's failure to couple criticism with actionable policies, thereby allowing Putin's aggression to continue unabated.

International Writers' Perspectives

Andreas Umlund (Kyiv Independent):

• [16:30]: Believes that the war will only end through a military defeat of Russia, critiquing diplomatic efforts as insufficient.
• Quote: "Russian imperialism will not be neutralized by negotiations, compromises, or concessions."

Peter Dickinson (Atlantic Council):

• [17:45]: Acknowledges Trump's initiative but deems his approach ineffective, advocating for stronger measures against Putin.
• Quote: "The time has now come to stop seeking compromises with the Kremlin and start speaking to Putin in the language of strength."

Analysis:

• International perspectives largely support the view that military pressure, rather than diplomatic negotiations, is necessary to curtail Russia's expansionist ambitions.

Isaac Saul's Take

[19:14 - 25:14]: Isaac reflects on the historical context of the Trump-Zelensky meeting, highlighting its failure to produce tangible results in stopping Putin's aggression. He underscores the persistent threat Putin poses, rooted in the belief of historical entitlement over Ukraine. Saul critiques both Trump's and Biden's strategies as ineffective in resolving the conflict, noting the escalation despite promises to de-escalate.

Key Points:

• Oval Office Blow-Up: Saul revisits the contentious Trump-Zelensky meeting, where Zelensky passionately rebuked Trump for previous administrations' inaction.
• Trump's Inconsistencies: Despite initial promises to end the war swiftly, Trump's actions have not altered the course of the conflict.
• Putin's Persistence: Emphasizes that Putin remains committed to territorial expansion, necessitating a sustained and robust response from the international community.
• Hope for Change: Contemplates whether Trump's recent realization of Putin's true intentions will lead to a meaningful shift in policy, potentially revitalizing international efforts to support Ukraine.

Notable Quotes:

• Isaac Saul: "What matters now is whether Trump's realization will last or impact his approach in any meaningful way."

Listener's Questions Answered

Question from Rob in Appleton, Wisconsin: Rob inquires about the comparison between deportations under President Obama and current practices.

Isaac's Response: Isaac clarifies that while a similar percentage of deported individuals did not receive hearings under Obama, President Trump's administration is introducing more aggressive measures. Under Trump, individuals are being removed to foreign prisons without trials, effectively denying due process.

Notable Quotes:

• Isaac Saul: "They were sent to a foreign prison. All right, that is it for your questions answered."

Under the Radar Story

Credit Score Impact Amid Economic Strain:

• First three months of 2025 saw over 2.2 million Americans' credit scores drop by more than 100 points due to missed student loan payments.
• Rejection rates for various loans have increased, correlating with the end of Biden's repayment pause and Trump administration's intensified collection efforts.
• Dominik Myrtin, CEO of American Pride Bank: "There is a very high cost to having a low credit score in America. Your cost of living goes up."

Numbers Section

• Occupation: 20% of Ukraine is occupied by Russia as of May 2025.
• Territorial Gains: Russia gained 4,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in 2024.
• Civilian Casualties: 45,000 since February 2022, including 13,134 deaths, with a 23% increase from March to April.
• Military Impact: Projected decrease of 1.22 to 3.58 million Russian military-aged males by 2035.
• Artillery Production: Russia produces 250,000 new artillery shells monthly in 2024; EU and the US produce 83,000 and 30,000 respectively.
• Public Opinion (March 2025 Pew Research): 67% of Democrats and 23% of Republicans believe the US has a responsibility to help Ukraine defend itself.

Have a Nice Day Story

Upending Parkinson's – Rock Climbing Therapy: Parkinson's disease affects coordination and speech, with no current cure. Upending Parkinson's employs rock climbing as an unconventional therapy to help patients maintain fine motor skills and boost confidence.

Key Points:

• Founder John Lesn: A former doctor with Parkinson's, he initiated rock climbing therapy to combat the debilitating effects of the disease.
• Impact: Participants experience improved motor skills and a sense of accomplishment, countering the feelings of helplessness associated with Parkinson's.

Closing Remarks

Isaac wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to support the podcast through memberships and engage with additional content on their YouTube channel. He also acknowledges the editorial team and contributors who make the podcast possible.

Notable Quotes:

• Isaac Saul: "Peace."

Conclusion

This episode of Tangle delves deep into the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, critiquing President Trump's handling of the situation from multiple political perspectives. The discussions highlight the challenges in achieving a lasting peace and the varied opinions on the effectiveness of current strategies. Additionally, the episode touches on broader societal issues such as economic strains affecting credit scores and innovative approaches to managing Parkinson's disease, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of pressing contemporary topics.