The Sunday — August 3

This is the Tangle Sunday Edition, a brief roundup of our independent politics coverage plus some extra features for your Sunday morning reading. 

What the right is doodling.

What the left is doodling.

Monday, July 28.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza. On Sunday, July 27, the Israeli military temporarily paused operations in three parts of Gaza to allow aid groups into the enclave amid rising concerns over a hunger crisis. Separately, Israel airdropped humanitarian aid into Gaza for the first time since the start of its war with Hamas, one of several measures that government officials said were aimed at combatting “false claim[s] of deliberate starvation” in Gaza. Aid trucks departed to Gaza from Egypt and Jordan on news of the policy change, and the first trucks have arrived from Egypt. 147 people in Gaza have died of starvation since the start of the war, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.

Our take: “The exaggerated claims of starvation that have persisted since the war began have now become reality. Regardless of the justifications, this starvation has been directly caused by Israel’s blockade. I am heartbroken to see a country that I love reduced to such acts of inhumanity.”

Reader Survey:

Tuesday, July 29.

The EU trade deal. On Sunday, July 27, President Donald Trump announced that the United States and the European Union (EU) had reached a trade deal following a meeting between Trump and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The U.S. and the EU agreed to a 15% tariff on most European goods imported to the U.S., as well as a commitment from EU members to buy $750 billion worth of U.S. energy and increase investments in the U.S. by $600 billion, including through the purchase of military equipment. The deal comes just days before the August 1 deadline Trump set for countries to negotiate a trade deal with the U.S. or face increased tariffs. 

Our take: “Under Trump’s worldview, this deal is an enormous win. It also comes with costs, in our relationship with Europe and likely higher consumer prices here. I’m waiting to see more specifics and follow through from both sides.”

Reader Survey:

Wednesday, July 30.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. versus food additives. In the past two months, several major U.S. food companies have voluntarily committed to removing artificial food dyes from their products, following a plan from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work with the industry to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes. In June, Heinz and General Mills committed to removing synthetic dyes from all their products by the end of 2027, while Nestlé committed to their removal by the end of 2026. Then, in July, the International Dairy Foods Association announced that dozens of brands will remove artificial dyes from ice cream products by the end of 2028. 

Our take: “The evidence about the health effects of artificial dyes is mixed, but it seems like there is little downside to regulating them. Kennedy is probably overstating the effects of synthetic dyes and undervaluing other causes of chronic health issues. I wish that HHS still had the funding and staffing to provide better scientific backing for these policies.”

Reader Survey:

Thursday, July 31.

Emil Bove’s confirmation. On Tuesday, July 29, the Senate voted 50–49 to confirm Emil Bove to a lifetime judgeship on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined all Democrats in opposing Bove’s nomination; Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) did not vote. The confirmation follows a protracted fight over Bove’s nomination, which included whistleblower reports that Bove acted unethically and abused his power in previous roles.

Our take: “I find the allegations against Bove more convincing than the denials. Not only are the whistleblower reports credible, but former DOJ workers and judges strongly opposed his nomination. That Republicans would rubber-stamp Trump’s former lawyer despite this reflects extremely poorly on their integrity.”

Reader Survey:

Friday, August 1.

Back in 2023, alarming stories circulated that the Great Salt Lake was on the verge of drying up, and that its disappearance would lead to the release of greenhouse gases and toxic dust into the atmosphere. But over the intervening years, the story seemed to fade away. In Friday’s special edition, Senior Editor Will Kaback interviews officials and scientists to ask and answer the question: Whatever happened to the Great Salt Lake’s disappearance? You can read the piece here.

---

What just happened.

Here are a few stories that have broken since our last newsletter on Thursday.

• On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing new tariffs on 69 U.S. trading partners, including Canada, Brazil, India, and Taiwan. The duties will take effect next Thursday. (The tariffs) 
• On Thursday, President Trump sent letters to 17 pharmaceutical manufacturers calling on them to reduce drug prices by committing to a "most favored nation" policy. (The letters)
• On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that nonfarm payrolls growth totaled 73,000 in July, below economists’ expectations. Additionally, the totals for May and June were revised lower, with a combined reduction of 258,000 from previously announced levels. (The report) Separately, President Trump fired the BLS labor statistics chief, Erika McEntarfer, claiming that she had manipulated the jobs numbers to help Democrats. (The firing)
• On Friday, a gunman shot and killed four people in a bar in Anaconda, Montana. A manhunt is underway for the suspect, a 45-year-old military veteran who lived next door to the bar. (The shooting)
• On Friday, President Trump announced that he had repositioned two nuclear submarines following “highly provocative statements” from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. (The exchange)
• On Saturday, the Office of Special Counsel launched an investigation into former special counsel and Trump prosecutor Jack Smith. (The investigation)