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
164. Iran’s Leader Dead: What’s Trump’s Next Move?
Mar 02, 2026Summary Preview
Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci analyze the escalating U.S. military strikes against Iran, examining the Trump administration's strategy, constitutional concerns, and political implications. They discuss the deaths of three American service members, Iran's response, and the administration's potential model of regime management borrowed from Venezuela. The hosts also preview a crucial Texas Democratic Senate primary that could signal the party's direction for upcoming elections.
- Military Operation Against Iran and Constitutional Concerns
- Trump's Venezuela Model for Iran
163. TRUMP STRIKES IRAN - ARE WE AT WAR?
Feb 28, 2026Summary Preview
An emergency analysis of the coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran, examining the legal implications, political motivations, and potential consequences of military action. Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay debate whether this represents illegal military adventurism, discuss Trump's domestic political vulnerabilities including the Epstein files, and analyze how this could reshape America's role in the international order while questioning the likelihood of successful regime change.
- Breaking News and Initial Response
- The Epstein Connection and Political Timing
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Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci discuss two major stories dominating Washington: missing pages from the DOJ's Epstein files relating to allegations against Donald Trump involving a minor, and Trump's lengthy State of the Union address. The hosts explore why the Republican establishment continues to protect Trump, examine the legal implications of withholding documents under the Transparency Act, and analyze Trump's pattern of controlling narratives through volume and aggression—a tactic learned from Roy Cohn.
- Missing Epstein Files and Serious Allegations Against Trump
- Legal Framework: Transparency Act vs. Privileged Information
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This podcast episode explores Donald Trump's formative years and early influences, examining how his family dynamics, particularly his relationship with his father Fred Trump and the tragic story of his alcoholic brother Fred Jr., shaped his worldview. The discussion reveals a complex portrait of Trump's upbringing in Queens, his time at military school, and the development of his 'killer instinct' mentality that would later define his business career and presidency.
- Introduction to the Trump Origin Story Series
- Fred Trump: The Father's Influence and Complex Legacy
161. Trump’s Plan to Defy the Supreme Court
Feb 23, 2026Summary Preview
Anthony and Katty analyze the fallout from the Supreme Court's ruling against Trump's tariffs, his petulant response using alternative legal mechanisms, and the escalating violence in Mexico following the killing of a major cartel leader. They explore how Trump's approval ratings have plummeted to historic lows, discuss the constitutional crisis brewing over executive power, and examine the political implications heading into midterm elections.
- Supreme Court Tariff Ruling and Trump's Reaction
- Constitutional Crisis and Supreme Court Legitimacy
160. TRUMP’S TARIFFS RULED ILLEGAL
Feb 20, 2026Summary Preview
The Supreme Court delivered a historic 6-3 decision invalidating Trump's Liberation Day tariffs, ruling that the president unconstitutionally used emergency powers to impose taxes without congressional approval. This landmark ruling invalidates approximately $175 billion in tariffs, with refunds potentially available to those who paid them. The decision represents a major constitutional check on executive overreach and signals what hosts Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay call the beginning of the end of the Trump era, though they acknowledge the president still has three years remaining in office.
- Supreme Court's Historic Tariff Ruling
- Constitutional Separation of Powers Affirmed
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Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci discuss the unprecedented arrest of Prince Andrew in the UK over Epstein-related allegations, contrasting British accountability with the lack of consequences for powerful Americans implicated in the scandal. They then examine the Trump White House's efforts to reassure nervous Republican members of Congress ahead of midterm elections, while acknowledging the president's inability to stay on message about issues voters actually care about.
- Breaking News: Prince Andrew's Arrest and Historical Context
- Transatlantic Divide: UK vs US Accountability
158. Who’s Really Running Trump’s Foreign Policy?
Feb 16, 2026Summary Preview
In this episode, Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci discuss Secretary of State Marco Rubio's speech at the Munich Security Conference, the early stages of the 2028 Democratic primary race playing out in Germany, and the state of the US economy under Trump. They analyze Rubio's attempt to balance traditional Republican foreign policy with MAGA demands, Democratic hopefuls positioning themselves on the world stage, and concerning economic indicators including Trump's cratering approval ratings and the impacts of his tariff policies.
- Rubio's Munich Speech and Trump's Disapproval
- Rubio's Narrow Path to 2028
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Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay discuss the explosive Epstein files revelations, focusing on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's proven lies about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, including bringing his children to Epstein's island in 2012. They also examine the deteriorating ICE detention conditions, including the case of an Irish citizen held for nearly five months despite having valid work permits, and explore why Congressional Republicans are beginning to distance themselves from Trump on the Epstein scandal.
- Howard Lutnick's Epstein Lies Exposed
- Political Fallout and Lutnick's Four-Way Damage
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Katty Kay hosts this episode with David McCloskey, former CIA analyst and co-host of The Rest is Classified, filling in for Anthony Scaramucci. The discussion covers two major topics: the controversy surrounding Bad Bunny's Spanish-language Super Bowl halftime performance and the backlash from MAGA figures, and the complex financial dealings between the Trump family and foreign entities, raising questions about conflicts of interest and national security implications.
- Bad Bunny's Historic Super Bowl Halftime Show
- MAGA Backlash and Manufactured Outrage
155. The Real Story Behind Trump’s ICE “Retreat”
Feb 05, 2026Summary Preview
Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci analyze the cascading crises facing powerful institutions and leaders, from Jeff Bezos's mismanagement of The Washington Post to Trump's immigration overreach and election doubt-sowing tactics. They explore how leadership failures—driven by disconnection from constituents and gerrymandering—are creating political backlash, while also examining the explosive Epstein files investigation and potential Russian intelligence connections.
- The Collapse of The Washington Post
- Trump's Warnings and Bezos's Political Turn
154. Epstein Files: Is Trump Really Cleared?
Feb 03, 2026Summary Preview
This episode explores the release of millions of Epstein files, examining what they reveal about powerful figures and the protection of elites over victims. The hosts also analyze a surprising Democratic victory in Texas and discuss concerns about election integrity as Trump revives 2020 election claims while facing declining approval ratings.
- The Epstein Files: What We Learned from the Document Dump
- Elite Impunity and Institutional Failure
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Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre discusses the recent tensions with the Trump administration over Greenland, NATO relations, and the future of Ukraine. Speaking from Davos, he addresses Trump's controversial claims about Norway's control of the Nobel Peace Prize, the threat to impose tariffs on NATO allies, and Europe's coordinated response. The conversation reveals the delicate balance between maintaining transatlantic unity while defending European sovereignty and principles against unconventional American demands.
- The Nobel Peace Prize Controversy
- The Greenland Crisis and NATO Tensions
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This episode focuses entirely on the fatal shooting of Alex Preti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. Cattie and Anthony analyze the conflicting accounts from the administration, the growing backlash from Republicans and MAGA supporters, the response from gun rights advocates, and what this means for Trump's immigration enforcement strategy. They examine Stephen Miller's influence, discuss the economic implications of the administration's actions, and critique the Democratic response to this crisis.
- The Shooting of Alex Preti and Initial Administration Response
- The Culture War Strategy Behind Minnesota Operations
151. The Greenland Crisis, NATO’s Future, and ‘Reality TV’ Diplomacy with Senator Chris Coons
Jan 24, 2026Summary Preview
Senator Chris Coons joins the podcast from Davos to discuss his recent congressional delegation to Copenhagen addressing the Greenland crisis. He reveals the deep concern among Danes and Greenlanders about potential U.S. aggression, criticizes Trump's military adventurism as a distraction from domestic issues, and calls for Republicans to show courage in standing up to the president. Coons also addresses the Democratic Party's messaging challenges and the long-term damage to U.S. credibility with allies.
- The Greenland Crisis: Fear and Alarm Among Allies
- Republican Silence and the Need for Courage
150. Trump Insults NATO Troops
Jan 23, 2026Summary Preview
Alastair Campbell and Anthony Scaramucci deliver an impassioned live joint episode from Davos, responding to Donald Trump's offensive remarks about NATO allies and their military contributions in Afghanistan. The discussion centers on Trump's dismissive comments about allied troops 'staying back from the front lines,' which both hosts condemn as historically inaccurate and morally reprehensible. They explore Trump's pattern of behavior, his need to humiliate others, and debate whether political leaders should prioritize economic relationships or moral stands when confronting Trump's attacks on the transatlantic alliance.
- Trump's Offensive NATO Comments
- America's Apology and Trump's Psychology
149. Did Trump Blink on Greenland? | Live From Davos
Jan 21, 2026Summary Preview
Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay provide a live analysis from Davos following Donald Trump's speech to the World Economic Forum. They discuss Trump's subdued approach to Greenland, his threats to global leaders including Mark Carney, and the strategic reality TV tactics he employs. The hosts analyze the implications of his foreign policy approach, European reactions, and the risks of his chaotic diplomatic style creating unintended consequences for America's global standing.
- Trump's Subdued Davos Speech Strategy
- The Greenland Gambit and European Response
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Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay discuss President Trump's threat to impose 25% tariffs on European countries over Greenland, exploring the implications for NATO and transatlantic relations. They analyze Joe Rogan's emerging skepticism about Trump's ICE tactics and what it means for the administration's support. The episode includes an exclusive interview with Congresswoman Madeleine Dean fresh from Copenhagen, where she met with Danish and Greenlandic officials about Trump's territorial ambitions.
- Trump's Greenland Gambit and European Tariff Threats
- Trump's Bizarre Letter to European Ambassadors
147. Trump's Crash Out: Losing America's Workers?
Jan 15, 2026Summary Preview
This episode features Anthony Scaramucci interviewing Stuart Stevens, veteran Republican strategist and Lincoln Project co-founder, discussing Trump's increasingly erratic behavior, the transformation of the Republican Party, and the future of conservative politics. Stevens argues the traditional Republican Party is effectively dead, replaced by a personality cult around Trump. They analyze Trump's recent controversies including flipping off Ford factory workers, threatening Greenland, proposing credit card interest rate caps, and the implications for the 2026 midterms and beyond.
- Trump's Erratic Behavior and Mental Decline
- The Ford Factory Incident and Working-Class Symbolism
146. Trump vs Iran: Will He Strike?
Jan 12, 2026Summary Preview
Anthony Scaramucci and Rick Wilson discuss Trump's foreign policy doctrine in Latin America, the Iranian protests, and domestic ICE operations. They examine the 'Don Roe doctrine' targeting Venezuela, Cuba, and other Latin American nations, debate the implications of regime change, and analyze the growing authoritarianism in immigration enforcement following a controversial ICE shooting in Minneapolis.
- The Don Roe Doctrine and Trump's Latin America Strategy
- Historical Failures of U.S. Regime Change Operations