Podcast Summary: Tangle - "Trump Sours on Putin, Pivots on Ukraine"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Tangle
- Host/Author: Isaac Saul
- Description: Independent, non-partisan politics news featuring diverse political viewpoints, insightful discussions, and interviews with key political figures.
- Episode: Trump Sours on Putin, Pivots on Ukraine
- Release Date: July 15, 2025
Introduction
Isaac Saul opens the episode by highlighting the focus on recent developments in the Ukraine conflict, specifically examining President Donald Trump's changing stance towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and the tangible actions being taken that could influence the war's trajectory.
Today's Quick Hits (02:25)
Will Kbach provides a rundown of key news items:
- Inflation Rates: Consumer prices in June rose by 2.7% year-over-year, up from May's 2.4% increase.
- Supreme Court Decision: An unsigned Supreme Court order halted a lower court's block on the Trump administration's layoffs at the Education Department, with dissenting liberal justices voicing opposition.
- Federal Reserve Scrutiny: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has requested an investigation into a $2.5 billion headquarters renovation project, amidst Trump's allegations of potential illegality.
- Andrew Cuomo's Political Move: Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is running as an independent candidate in the New York City mayoral race after losing the Democratic primary.
- Arizona Wildfires: Firefighters are battling two wildfires near the Grand Canyon, collectively burning approximately 55,000 acres.
Main Segment: Trump's Shift on Putin and Ukraine (01:30 - 07:09)
Isaac Saul delves into the core topic:
- Russian Drone Attack: On July 12, Russia executed its largest drone assault on Ukraine since the war's inception, deploying over 700 drones and a dozen missiles.
- Trump's New Stance: Following this attack, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Putin during a Cabinet meeting, marking a notable deterioration in their relationship.
Key Developments (04:16): Will outlines President Trump's recent measures aimed at pressuring Russia:
- Tariffs and Sanctions: Trump announced a potential 100% tariff on Russian goods if a peace deal isn't reached within 50 days. Additionally, secondary sanctions may be imposed on nations purchasing Russian oil, including China, India, Brazil, and Turkey.
- NATO Arms Plan: Trump proposed that NATO countries purchase U.S. weapons and subsequently transfer them to Ukraine. This initiative aligns with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's endorsement, emphasizing ongoing and future support for Ukraine.
- Patriot Missiles Transfer: Trump is set to authorize the transfer of Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by the European Union. This deal aims to provide Ukraine with a comprehensive arsenal, including short-range missiles and medium-range air-to-air missiles.
Trump's Commentary on Putin:
- Quote (05:50): "Putin really surprised a lot of people... he talks nice and then bombs everybody in the evening."
- This indicates Trump's growing frustration and skepticism towards Putin's commitment to peace talks.
Escalating Russian Offensive:
- Russia continues its aggressive campaign, with recent large-scale attacks causing significant casualties and attempting to breach Ukraine's defensive lines.
Perspectives from the Right (08:56)
- Support for Trump's Pivot: Many conservatives view Trump's new approach as a necessary shift from previous strategies that heavily relied on Ukraine alone.
- Wall Street Journal Editorial Board: They commend Trump's realism, noting that his actions may better position the U.S. to secure a ceasefire compared to his earlier stance.
- Tariff Strategy Critique: While supporting the new tariffs, some express concerns that a 50-day deadline may not exert sufficient pressure on Putin.
- Daniel R. Dipetris' Analysis: He critiques the U.S.'s historical foreign policy of primacy, arguing that it leads to overextension and resource mismanagement, potentially compromising long-term military readiness.
Perspectives from the Left (14:00)
- Genuine Frustration with Putin: Many on the left believe Trump's visible dissatisfaction stems from Putin's unyielding stance.
- Aaron Blake (CNN): Suggests Trump's shift may be influenced by Putin undermining his personal narrative and deal-making capabilities.
- Nicholas Grossman (MSNBC): Argues Trump's frustration isn't primarily about the war's destructiveness but rather about Putin deviating from Trump's expectations of shaping the conflict.
- Grossman's Insight: Trump initially misjudged Putin's intentions, believing he sought peace and underestimated his aggressive ambitions.
Perspectives from Writers Abroad (21:00)
- Timothy Ash (Kiev Post): Posits that Trump's pivot might pressure Putin, yet questions the likelihood of significant sanctions due to Russia's integral role in global oil markets.
- Svetlana Moranets (The Spectator): Highlights that Trump's delayed realization about Putin's true intentions has cost Ukraine dearly but views the current pivot as a potential turning point for sustained support.
Isaac Saul's Take (17:01 - 19:45)
Isaac reflects on the implications of Trump's delayed recognition of Putin's true nature:
- Time Lost: Criticizes the initial six months of Trump's administration for misunderstanding Putin, resulting in prolonged conflict and unnecessary loss of lives.
- Trump's Relations with Putin: Highlights the failed peace talks and Trump's prior missteps in supporting Ukraine.
- Strategic Implications: While Trump's recent actions are positive for Ukraine, the delayed response has already had significant adverse effects.
- Base Reaction: Notes internal Republican divisions that could impact the sustainability of Trump's current approach.
- Conclusion: While hopeful about the new direction, Isaac underscores the substantial challenges ahead to achieve a lasting peace.
Notable Quote from Trump (18:52):
"Puputin didn't fool me."
Isaac counters this by arguing that Putin has indeed managed to manipulate Trump more effectively than other presidents, maintaining a facade of amicability while pursuing aggressive actions against Ukraine.
Questions Answered: Presidential Assassination Attempt (26:01)
Isaac addresses a listener's query about the lack of detailed public information regarding the assassination attempt on Donald Trump:
- Shooter's Profile: A 20-year-old with right-wing views, described as an isolated loner seeking fame rather than driven by defined political ideology.
- Investigation Status: The shooter was killed during the attempt, preventing a full public understanding of his motives. The FBI continues its investigation, with many details remaining classified.
Under the Radar: Secret Service Failures (29:09)
Will discusses a bipartisan Senate commission report highlighting significant errors by the Secret Service prior to the assassination attempt:
- Communication Lapses: Failure to relay critical information about potential threats to local tactical teams and countersnipers.
- Impact: These missteps contributed to the inability to prevent the attack, underscoring the need for improved security protocols.
Statistics and Numbers (Under Today's Stories)
- Ukraine Invasion Duration: 1,237 days since Russia's full-scale invasion.
- U.S.-Russia Trade (2024): $3.5 billion out of a total of $5.4 trillion U.S. goods trade.
- Public Opinion on Sanctions (June 2025 YouGov Poll):
- Increase Sanctions on Russia: 44% support, 19% maintain current sanctions.
- Sanctioning Russian Oil Buyers: 49% support, 20% oppose.
- Military Aid to Ukraine: 26% support increasing, 23% maintaining, 19% stopping all aid.
Have a Nice Day Story: Earth's Oldest Rocks (32:20)
Jonathan O'Neill's research into the Novoagidic Greenstone Belt revealed the Earth's oldest known rocks, dating back 4.16 billion years. This discovery provides invaluable insights into the planet's early history.
Closing Remarks
Isaac wraps up by reiterating the challenges ahead in resolving the Ukraine conflict and the crucial role of continued support for Ukraine. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing past mistakes to forge a path towards lasting peace.
Credits (32:20):
- Executive Editor & Founder: Isaac Sowell
- Executive Producer: John Lowell
- Editor & Engineer: Dewey Thomas
- Editorial Staff: Ari Weitzman (Managing Editor), Will Kbach (Senior Editor), Hunter Caspersen, Audrey Moorhead Bailey, Saul Lindsey Knuth, Kendall White (Associate Editors)
- Music: Produced by Diet75
- Website: retangle.com
Notable Quotes:
-
Isaac Saul on Trump's Misjudgment of Putin (17:01):
"How much time did we waste? How many lives, Ukrainian and Russian were lost to satisfy the fantasy that Vladimir Putin was someone that he wasn't?"
-
Donald Trump on Peace Talks with Putin (19:45):
"I speak to him a lot about getting this thing done and I always hang up, say, well, that was a nice phone call. And then missiles launched into Kiev or some other city. And I said, strange."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the episode's key discussions, diverse perspectives, and in-depth analysis, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the evolving geopolitical dynamics between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine, as well as the internal political repercussions within the United States.