The Rest Is Politics: US
TRIP US uncovers secrets from inside the White House inner circles as well as taking a wider look at the intricacies of United States society and how they shape the world's most important economy. The podcast is hosted by Anthony Scaramucci (The Mooch), former White House Director of Communications and Wall Street financier, and Katty Kay, US special correspondent for BBC who has been covering US politics for almost 30 years. Stay informed with in-depth discussions on key political events, policy changes, and the forces shaping America’s future on the global stage. New episodes released every Friday, or join our club for bonus content. Just head to https://therestispoliticsus.com to sign up today..
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Recent Episodes
137. Who Owns the News? Trump's War on the Media
Dec 11, 2025Summary Preview
In this episode, Anthony and Katty dissect Donald Trump's contradictory messaging on the economy during his Pennsylvania speech, his attacks on journalists, and the political implications of a major media merger involving Warner Brothers Discovery, Paramount, and Netflix. The discussion reveals Trump's disconnect from economic realities facing Americans and his strategic use of inflammatory rhetoric to control both the media and Republican lawmakers.
- Trump's Reality-Defying Pennsylvania Speech
- The Economic Reality Americans Actually Face
136. How Trump’s Defense Doctrine Slams Europe
Dec 08, 2025Processing failed
135. Has the Military Turned on Trump?
Dec 04, 2025Summary Preview
Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay analyze a surprising Republican congressional election result in Tennessee that has GOP members nervous about 2026 midterms, then dive into the volatile world of cryptocurrency and how Trump family self-dealing is undermining the industry's regulatory progress and market stability.
- Military Pushback Against Hegseth and Kelly Tribunal
- White House Chaos and Declining Morale
Summary Preview
This episode examines two major controversies: whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth potentially committed war crimes by ordering a 'double tap' strike on a drug boat off Venezuela that killed survivors, and the ramifications of a National Guard shooting by an Afghan refugee that has intensified Trump's immigration crackdown. The hosts also discuss Venezuela regime change plans, Trump's Epstein connections, and the human cost of aggressive deportation policies.
- Pete Hegseth and the Venezuelan Drug Boat Strike
- Trump's Venezuela Strategy and Colonial Ambitions
Summary Preview
In this special Thanksgiving Q&A episode, Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci answer questions from listeners on both political and personal topics. They discuss Trump's potential successors, advice for America's allies, what has impressed them about Trump's second term, how to build confidence and find passion, getting started with cryptocurrency, their journeys into their careers, book recommendations, and tips for analyzing politics. The hosts share personal stories and offer practical advice while maintaining their signature blend of insight and humor.
- Trump's Natural Successor and the Future of MAGA
- Advice for America's Allies in the Trump Era
Introducing: The Rest Is Science
Nov 26, 2025Summary Preview
Michael Stevens and Hannah Fry explore the fundamental nature of water in this episode of The Rest is Science, challenging everyday assumptions about this familiar substance. They begin with the provocative claim that water is actually lava, explain why ice qualifies as a mineral, and reveal surprising statistics about water distribution on Earth. The discussion then traces the origins of Earth's water back to before the formation of our sun, examining how comets delivered ancient water during the heavy bombardment period. Throughout the episode, they weave in fascinating tangents about refrigeration technology and the properties of heavy water.
- Water as Lava: Redefining a Familiar Substance
- The Scarcity of Drinkable Water
132. The Mistakes That Led to Trump
Nov 25, 2025Summary Preview
This episode provides a deep historical analysis of global trade policy from post-WWII through today, examining how decisions made at Bretton Woods, Nixon's China opening, and China's WTO entry led directly to working-class decline and the rise of populism. Anthony and Katty trace the evolution from the balanced Bretton Woods system that protected workers through the 1990s hyper-globalization that hollowed out manufacturing communities, ultimately fueling support for figures like Donald Trump and Brexit.
- The Bretton Woods System and Post-War Trade Architecture
- Nixon's 1971 Decision and the End of Bretton Woods
131. Epstein: The Race To Release The Files
Nov 20, 2025Summary Preview
Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay discuss Donald Trump's declining political power in the wake of the Epstein files release, analyzing how the unanimous Senate vote to force disclosure represents the first major GOP break from the president. They explore Trump's controversial dealings with Saudi Crown Prince MBS, the proposed Ukraine peace deal lacking European input, and signs that Trump has entered 'lame duck' status just eight months into his presidency.
- The Epstein Files Vote and Trump's Reversal
- Trump's Declining Political Power
130. The Truth About Trump's Epstein U-Turn
Nov 17, 2025Summary Preview
In this episode, Anthony Scaramucci sits down with journalist Stephen Sacker to dissect Trump's dramatic U-turn on the Epstein files, the fracturing of the MAGA coalition, and the political mortality facing the president as he enters the lame-duck phase of his presidency. They explore why Trump initially blocked the file release, what's driving Republican defections, and whether the former president has lost his political instincts on affordability issues that matter most to Americans.
- Trump's Epstein Files U-Turn
- Trump's Diminished Political Instincts
129. The Epstein Emails: Can Trump Survive This?
Nov 14, 2025Summary Preview
Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay analyze the recently released Jeffrey Epstein emails that reference Donald Trump, discussing the political implications, strategic missteps by the White House, and the likelihood of further document releases. They debate whether Trump can survive the scandal and what strategic moves he should make, while maintaining focus on the victims and the broader implications for transparency.
- Breaking News: Epstein Email Release and Trump's Response
- Analysis of Key Emails and White House Strategy
128. Trump vs Congress: Who Really Won the Shutdown?
Nov 11, 2025Summary Preview
Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci discuss the government shutdown resolution, predicting Democrats will vote to reopen the government despite not securing healthcare subsidy extensions. They analyze who won politically, examine congressional stock trading bans, and dive deep into a major split within MAGA between Tucker Carlson/Nick Fuentes and Ben Shapiro over platforming white supremacist views and anti-Semitism.
- Government Shutdown Resolution and Political Winners
- Epstein Files and Government Reopening
Summary Preview
Following major Democratic victories in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia elections, Anthony and Katty analyze what these results mean for Trump's political power and the future of the Democratic Party. The discussion centers on Zoran Mamdani's landslide mayoral win in New York, the rejection of MAGA politics, and whether progressive policies can work nationwide. They debate Trump's likely response, the generational economic divide driving young voters, and what strategy Democrats should adopt heading into the midterms.
- Democrats' Overwhelming Election Night Victory
- Trump's Messaging Challenge and Weakening Control