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On Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance shared his assessment of Republicans’ midterm performance, arguing that the war in Iran was primarily responsible for the party’s significant losses across the United States. Vance’s post headlined broader discussions about the GOP’s electoral performance and raised questions about how the vice president might position himself for a 2028 presidential run.

Suspension of the Rules.

In a special, in-person, post-election edition of Suspension of the Rules, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele try to get a handle on the magnitude of Tuesday’s Democratic victory and discuss wh...

On Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance shared his assessment of Republicans’ midterm performance, arguing that the war in Iran was primarily responsible for the party’s significant losses across the United States. Vance’s post headlined broader discussions about the GOP’s electoral performance and raised questions about how the vice president might position himself for a 2028 presidential run.

Suspension of the Rules.

In a special, in-person, post-election edition of Suspension of the Rules, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele try to get a handle on the magnitude of Tuesday’s Democratic victory and discuss wh...

On today's jam packed episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele go over the large margins in the election results. The episode explores how growing frustration with rising costs, government corruption, and divisive politics contributed to a major Democratic election victory. It examines the changing expectations of voters and argues that Democrats must focus on affordability, accountability, and practical results rather than simply opposing Trump. Then U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss joins the show for a quick chat. Last, but not least a very good grievance section.

Midterms mailbag.

...

On Tuesday, Democrats flipped the House and Senate, winning majorities in both chambers by significant margins. As of 10:30 AM ET, Decision Desk HQ has called 54 Senate seats for Democrats to Republicans’ 44, with Alaska and Mississippi still too close to call. In the House, Democrats will hold at least 241 seats to Republicans’ 149, having flipped 32 seats so far.

Midterms mailbag.

This Friday, we’ll be answering your questions about the 2026 midterms in a reader mailbag edition. You can submit a question for consideration here!

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Today is Election Day. Control of 35 Senate seats, 36 governorships, and all 435 House seats will be decided in this year’s midterms, in addition to a slew of state ballot initiatives and legislative seats. Republicans currently hold the U.S. House and Senate, but Democrats seek to flip one or both chambers to check President Donald Trump for the final two years of his term.

Live election coverage sponsored by Incogni

Join Isaac, Ari, and Kmele along with special guests on Nov 3 starting at 7:00 PM ET. Follow here to get an update wh...

On Sunday, former Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) endorsed Republican candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race. Stevens issued her endorsement after she appeared at a church service alongside Rogers and days after a public feud with Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed; she had previously supported El-Sayed at the conclusion of the party’s primary in August.

Tomorrow is Election Day!

Tomorrow, we’ll publish a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about the House and Senate races, key ballot initiatives, what to expect as results come in, and mo...

Your participation has tangible and intangible effects.

Hey everyone — Election Day is on Tuesday. If you haven’t yet voted, you should make plans to. Ahead of every midterm and presidential election, I republish a piece I wrote in 2022 making the case to Tangle readers about why they should participate. Every other year, I update the piece a little bit based on responses I got the previous year or to reflect current events. This year, I’m excited to be publishing this piece again. I hope you enjoy and share it with your family and friends (this F...

On Tuesday, Israel held its first elections since Hamas’s October 7 attacks in 2023. With approximately 96% of ballots counted, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has won more seats than any other party in Israel’s Knesset but will fall short of the 61 seats needed for a majority. The results set the stage for what is expected to be weeks of negotiations over a new governing coalition and Netanyahu’s future.

Election night coverage.

This Tuesday, Tangle’s hosting an evening of midterm elections coverage, sponsored in part by the folks at Incogni...

In today's jam packed election themed episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele explore controversial campaign tactics, political rhetoric, antisemitism in political advertising, and upcoming ballot initiatives in Florida and California. They examine how political opportunism and divisive messaging affect public trust and democratic debate and much more. Its a good one!

The hidden cost of the data-center boom.

In recent Tangle editions, we’ve covered artificial intelligence, AI hacks, data centers, data center moratoriums — if it’s related to the AI boom (or bubble), we’ve been on it. In o...

Is the "blue tsunami" talk legit?

Hey — I'm Isaac Saul, the founder and executive editor of Tangle. This is my new semi-regular newsletter A Grain of Saul, where I dive into some topics we don't get to in our main newsletter.

One of two things is currently happening:

YouGov recently ran a poll on the Senate race in Texas. Among the respondents, 52% said they had voted for Donald Trump in 2024. 40% said they had voted fo...

In a Senate race that could determine the majority in the upper chamber, Democrat Troy Jackson holds a narrow polling lead over Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in Maine. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to win a Senate majority, and Collins is the only incumbent Republican senator running for reelection this year in a state that Kamala Harris (D) won in 2024. The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and Sabato’s Crystal Ball all rate the race a toss-up, but Jackson holds a 1.2-point lead over Collins in the most recent RealClearPolitics polling average. As of Wednesday mo...

On Monday, October 19, President Donald Trump announced the Harvest Fuel Relief Program (HFR), an $8 billion program to support farmers during a spike in diesel costs. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will disburse the funds as one-time payments based on a formula that projects farmers’ needed aid, with the first payments potentially going out by the end of the year.

Get your brand in front of Tangle readers.

Do you own a business or work for a brand you think Tangle readers would love? We work with businesses of all sizes to connect th...

On Thursday, the Justice Department suedAlaska and its Division of Elections director, seeking to preemptively block certification of the state’s Senate election if it is impacted by “voter confusion.” The closely contested race features two candidates named Dan Sullivan; Dan S. Sullivan is the incumbent Republican senator, and Daniel J. Sullivan is a challenger with no party affiliation. The lawsuit alleges that Daniel J. Sullivan entered the race “with the intention of misleading supporters of Senator Sullivan.” Attorneys for Democratic candidate Mary Peltola have asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit.

Corruption, continued.

On F...

I spent five months tracking every Trump corruption story. Here’s what I found.

Several hours ago, I had to abandon my contacts for glasses. My eyes are still dry and burning. My left leg is asleep. My fingers are cramping. My phone is dead. I’m out of coffee and desperate for a bourbon or perhaps a cigarette (I don’t smoke).

I have a Google document filled with 10,000 words, more than a hundred individual stories, scores of links to dig deeper into — I’m wondering how I’m going to get my editors t...

On Tuesday, Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s (R) campaign released an advertisement featuring his opponent Amy Acton’s (D) mother, Donna Arthur, accusing her daughter of lying about her childhood and urging Ohioans to vote against her. The ad has generated backlash after Acton’s campaign and news outlets highlighted that Acton’s stepfather, whom Arthur remained married to until his death, was charged with sexually assaulting Acton when she was 12.

Suspension of the Rules.

On this week’s episode, Isaac reveals his big board of Senate midterm predictions to Kmele and Ari, w...

In today's episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele discuss a controversial Ohio campaign ad, the prospect of a Democratic midterm wave, riots in France, and the challenges of separating political narratives from facts. Last but not least, our grievances. Its a good one!

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They’re trying to scare you.

As the midterms near, campaigns are...

This is the debut edition of “A Grain of Saul,” a fresh newsletter from me, Isaac Saul, within the Tangle ecosystem. It’ll come out every week or two, and I’ll use it to explore controversial ideas, hot debates, trending stories, and some political-adjacent issues that don’t make it into Tangle. We’re giving these first few editions away for free, then it’ll be going behind a paywall as a perk for paying members only.

Enjoy!

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On Wednesday, October 14, Ukrainian officials reported that its access to the services it uses to coordinate drone missions was hampered, signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy toward the country amid its war with Russia. The disruption came on the heels of a deal to buy Russian diesel, an executive order lifting sanctions passed by Congress in September, and comments from President Donald Trump accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of not wanting to end the war.

The debut.

Yesterday, Executive Editor Isaac Saul announced A Grain of Saul, a new iteration...

For the past month, protests and riots have broken out across France, with violence and disorder significantly escalating over the weekend. In mid-September, high school students began demonstrating against a perceived lack of resources in schools; parents, college students, teachers and trade unions later joined the effort, and it has since broadened into nationwide unrest over cost-of-living concerns. French officials say that far-left groups are primarily responsible for the escalation into rioting and looting, while some French politicians and U.S. political leaders suggest the protests underscore deeper issues linked to immigration.

They’re tr...

With approximately two weeks until the midterm elections, state Rep. James Talarico (D) and state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) are in a tightly contested race that could determine control of the Senate. Recent financial disclosures show that Elon Musk has given nearly $160 million to support Paxton, while Talarico announced his campaign raised $64 million in Q3 2026. Early voting in Texas begins on Monday.

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You can re...

The midterms could bring some surprises.Every election cycle, some pundits, voters, and activists inevitably end up musing about whether this is the moment a third party could wrest some control back from the duopoly.

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Suspension of the Rules.

Following a few heavier episodes, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele have a bit of fun this week. Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation prompts Ari to quiz the guys on othe...

On Friday, President Donald Trump announced an agreement to lift sanctions on Russian oil exports in return for Russia releasing roughly 800,000 tons of diesel by the end of November and millions more by an unspecified date. The president said the deal will bring down diesel prices impacted by supply disruptions linked to the Iran war but did not say it is tied to a larger ceasefire deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and some U.S. lawmakers criticized the agreement as a gift to Russia and urged Trump to reverse course.

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On today's episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele discuss alleged corruption in the Trump administration, misinformation surrounding Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, and the investigation into Representative Ilhan Omar. They also critique Trump’s ambassador appointments and explore political polarization and the spread of conspiracy theories. Last but not least, a great grievance section. Its a good one!

Our latest YouTube video.

A year after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., Assistant Producer Aidan Gorman visits the capital to ask: Have these troops ma...

On Monday, federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) searched Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) Washington, D.C. residence as part of an immigration investigation. The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security have shared minimal information about the cause and outcome of the search, but the probe is reportedly related to paperwork Omar’s father filled out when applying for legal status for their family in the United States. The congresswoman denied any wrongdoing and accused the Trump administration of targeting her for political reasons.

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On Thursday, the Defense Department announced that it intends to livestream the execution of the former Army major who carried out the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting. The convicted shooter is scheduled to be executed by an Army firing squad on December 3, which would be the first U.S. military execution since 1961 and the first known execution by firing squad since 1945. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have pushed back on the plan to livestream the event, and President Donald Trump said he is still considering the proposal.

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The streamer is an increasingly incendiary political figure.

It’s hard to say how much your average American knows (or cares) about Hasan Piker.

To political reporters like me, Piker looms large. He has a massive audience of young people who follow his livestreams on the platform Twitch. During the videos, he reacts to the news in real time and gives running commentary while responding to people who join his chat room; it’s like a digital hangout with a friend — you might do your dishes while listening, occasionally chime in with a questi...

On Monday, the new Supreme Court term began with oral arguments in a case over whether cities can sue energy companies for contributing to climate change. The arguments center on two major issues: whether federal law should block local governments from suing energy companies under state law, and whether the U.S. Supreme Court has jurisdiction to rule on the matter. Justice Samuel Alito, who is not involved with the companies named in the case but owns stocks in the energy industry, recused himself from the case.

The latest Suspension of the Rules.

On today's episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele share their election hot takes that are happening in the next few of weeks. We talk about some friends of the show that have been making some questionable statements that maybe need to be reeled in a bit. Then a discussion about a very curious Abdul El-Sayed focus group. Last, but not least, a short and sweet grievance section. A good one!

Our latest YouTube video.

A year after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C...

On September 28, New York prosecutors said they had reopened an investigation into an alleged sexual assault and gang rape by seven Cornell University students in October 2024. The woman who filed the suit, anonymously identified as Jane Doe, alleges that she was coerced into taking ketamine, encouraged to take alcohol and cannabis, and forced into sexual actions she did not consent to. Last week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) appointed state Attorney General Letitia James (D) as special prosecutor in the case. Separately, Cornell tapped former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent investigation into...

On Wednesday, the copilot of a FlyDubai commercial flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv allegedly attacked the plane’s captain and attempted to crash the aircraft in what Israeli officials have deemed an attempted terrorist attack. The captain, Smit Machchhar of India, was stabbed multiple times and seriously wounded but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew and passengers to detain the copilot. Two pilots on board as passengers then took control of the aircraft and landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The attacker has been identified as an Omani national and is currently in custody in th...

On Wednesday, Tennessee failed to execute Christa Pike after administering two doses of a lethal drug. Pike had been sentenced to death for her role in the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer, and she is now hospitalized in critical condition. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) canceled the state’s final scheduled execution of 2026 and accepted the resignation of Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada.

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Is it a cris...

What an aging population and fewer young people could mean.

A wide-ranging conversation.

In this week’s Suspension of the Rules episode, we start by having some fun with Jack Smith’s congressional testimony. Then, we discuss the government-funded Trump commercials before turning to a much more serious subject: the Cornell sexual assault case. It was a heavy but important segment, and we wrapped up with some gratitude (instead of our usual grievances) to lighten the mood. You can listen here or watch here.

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On Monday, the Senate voted 77–22 to pass the Protect College Sports Act with support from 50 Republicans, 26 Democrats, and one independent. The bill would create a national regulatory framework for collegiate athletics and give the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) antitrust protection, allowing it to establish standards for student-athlete compensation, eligibility, transferring, and other activities. The House is expected to take up the bill after the November midterms.

A wide-ranging conversation.

In this week’s Suspension of the Rules episode, we start by having some fun with Jack Smith’s congressional testimony. Then, we dis...

On todays episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele get into the Jack Smith testimony, a few embarrassing moments for a certain Republican Senator, the Trump ads that were paid with tax dollars and then they get into the details of the Cornell sexual assault case. Last but not least an uplifting grievance section to wrap up a bit of a heavy episode.

We're launching something new.

In this week’s edition of Press Pass, I wrote about going back to my roots (more writing, more brevity, more personality). As...

Last Tuesday, September 22, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said it had canceled healthcare enrollments for roughly 760,000 people under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) due to alleged fraud or improper documentation. In a press briefing announcing the cancelations, Vice President JD Vance and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz said that Covid-era subsidies and relaxed verification under President Joe Biden led to rampant abuse of the federally regulated ACA marketplace. The vice president’s White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud estimates the enforcement action will save $2.2 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies.

Weapons in space?

In September, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced that the United States has “on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.” The comments sparked a rash of questions: What kind of weapons? What adversaries are we competing against? Could we soon see those weapons deployed?

Shortly after the announcement, Senior Editor Will Kaback spoke with Clayton Swope, the deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, or CSIS. Swope’s career includes an extended stint at the CIA, time spent advising lawmakers on nation...

Tuesday marks 35 days until federal elections will be held for all 435 U.S. House seats and 35 of the 100 U.S. Senate seats. Additionally, 36 states will elect governors and 46 states will vote on a total of 6,139 state legislators. Currently, most election models heavily favor Democrats to take back the House and give the party a slight edge to flip the Senate.

We're launching something new.

In today’s edition of Press Pass, I wrote about going back to my roots (more writing, more brevity, more personality). As part of that goal, I’m thri...

When I started Tangle seven years ago, it was just me and the blinking cursor on a blank Google document.

As I look back on the newsletter editions I wrote during the early years of Tangle, a few things stand out: 1) The writing is more raw and less polished. 2) The newsletters are shorter and more digestible (some just a six- or seven-minute read). 3) My personality shines through in unvarnished ways that feel different from how it does now.

There are downsides to each of these. Raw, less polished writing is also writing begging for...

Last week, world leaders gathered in New York City for the 81st United Nations (UN) General Assembly, with conflicts in Iran and Ukraine taking center stage. In a speech before world leaders, President Donald Trump said he is weighing whether to seek a deal to end the war with Iran or “annihilate” the country, while also touting a security agreement reached with Greenland and Denmark. Later in the week, President Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit, during which the leaders discussed trade disputes and AI development.

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In June of 2021, I published a newsletter headlined “Is Joe Biden okay?”

The president, I wrote, didn’t “seem quite right.” I preemptively shot down critics who thought it was taboo to say what was obvious: Biden was in decline, that decline seemed to be accelerating, and imagining nearly four more years with him governing was worrisome. He was a totally different man than he had been at the end of his vice presidency just five years prior, and it was infuriating that so many people were pretending otherwise.

I published the piece before tha...