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
Summary Preview
In this special live stream election night coverage, hosts analyze the results of a historic midterm election that delivered a stunning rebuke to President Trump and the Republican Party. Democrats swept to victory, flipping eight Senate seats and securing majorities in both chambers of Congress. The hosts discuss the implications for Trump's presidency, the future of the Republican Party, potential Democratic leadership, and what this seismic shift means for American politics, markets, and foreign policy. Notable wins include Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and James Tallarico in Texas, representing a new generation of Democratic leadership.
- Democrats Deliver Historic Rebuke to Trump
- Silicon Valley's Reckoning and Corporate Sycophancy
238. Polls Open - Is America Done with Trump?
Nov 03, 2026Summary Preview
On the eve of critical US midterm elections, hosts Katty and Anthony analyze the final hours of campaigning and preview their live election night coverage. They discuss Trump's unusual election day announcement ending US aid to Israel, his bizarre closing message about the reflecting pool drainage system, and signs that the MAGA movement may be losing momentum. With Democrats expected to take the House amid economic concerns, they explore dirty tricks in voting, candidate quality issues, and the future of the Republican Party beyond Trump.
- Trump's Surprise Israel Aid Announcement
- The Reflecting Pool Speech and Trump's Exhaustion
237. Election Eve: Trump Seizes on Michigan
Nov 02, 2026Summary Preview
In this pre-election special episode recorded in London, hosts Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay analyze the final day before the 2026 midterm elections, focusing on Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens' shocking endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers over Democratic nominee Abdel El-Sayed, and Tucker Carlson's alarming claims about potential nuclear strikes on Iran. The hosts dissect the political implications of these developments while fielding questions about Trump's closing message and predictions for Tuesday's results.
- Haley Stevens' Shocking Party Defection
- Tucker Carlson's Nuclear Warning
236. The Truth Behind Trump’s Rally U-Turn
Oct 30, 2026Summary Preview
In this Halloween special of Restless Politics US, hosts Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci provide a comprehensive analysis of the 2024 Senate midterm races just days before Election Day. They dissect Trump's chaotic campaign schedule changes, examine corruption as a defining voter issue, and make race-by-race predictions across key battleground states. The hosts explore the unprecedented early voting turnout, discuss whether MAGA can survive potential Republican losses, and debate the future of the Republican Party while fielding audience questions about everything from ICE presence at polls to potential military action against Iran.
- Trump's Rally Chaos and Campaign Struggles
- Senate Race Predictions and Battleground Analysis
235. Was Trump Right - Have the Dems Rigged Alaska?
Oct 30, 2026Summary Preview
In this episode, Anthony and Katty analyze the Alaska Senate race controversy involving 'Decoy Dan' Sullivan, discuss the likelihood of Democratic victories in key midterm races, and explore various political dynamics including Pete Hegseth's future, the Epstein files, and polling accuracy. They debate whether Alaska Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign recruiting a second candidate named Dan Sullivan will impact her chances against incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.
- Alaska Senate Race and the 'Decoy Dan' Controversy
- Alaska's Political Landscape and Peltola's Chances
234. Trump’s Texas Panic: The Last Minute Scramble
Oct 28, 2026Summary Preview
With one week until the midterm elections, hosts Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci analyze the unexpectedly competitive Texas Senate race where Democrat James Tallarico holds a narrow lead over Republican Ken Paxton. They examine the massive financial investment in the race, particularly Elon Musk's $180 million contribution, Trump's rally appearances, and the broader implications for American democracy. The discussion explores whether anti-Trump sentiment and economic concerns can overcome Republican structural advantages in red states.
- The Texas Senate Race Heats Up
- Elon Musk's Unprecedented Political Spending
233. Trump Just Tried to Rig Alaska’s Election
Oct 26, 2026Summary Preview
Anthony Scaramucci and Catty Kay analyze Trump's unprecedented legal strategy to challenge the 2026 midterm elections before they've even occurred, focusing on Alaska's Senate race as a test case. They discuss Obama's return to the campaign trail and his effectiveness in rallying voters, while examining the broader implications of the Justice Department's coordinated efforts to intervene in elections across 30 states. The episode explores how Trump is laying groundwork for post-election challenges and what this means for American democracy.
- Trump's Preemptive Attack on Alaska's Senate Election
- The National Pattern: DOJ Lawsuits Across 30 States
232. This Attack Ad Just Set a New Low for America
Oct 22, 2026Summary Preview
This episode focuses on two closely contested Ohio races - the gubernatorial and Senate elections - both of which have been marked by controversial campaign tactics and significant Republican challenges. Vivek Ramaswamy's gubernatorial campaign has drawn widespread condemnation for an attack ad featuring his opponent Amy Acton's estranged mother, while the Senate race between incumbent John Husted and former Senator Sherrod Brown remains tight despite Trump's bizarre fixation on Husted's physique. Both races could signal a Democratic resurgence in a state that has trended heavily Republican in recent years.
- Vivek Ramaswamy's Controversial Attack Ad
- JD Vance's Defense and Trump's Reaction
231. The Problem That Could Cost El-Sayed the Senate
Oct 19, 2026Summary Preview
Michigan's explosive Senate race has captured the nation as progressive firebrand Abdul El-Sayed takes on establishment Republican Mike Rogers in a crucial midterm contest that could determine control of the Senate. El-Sayed, who would be America's first Muslim senator, brings exceptional communication skills and populist appeal, but faces challenges from Islamophobia, questions about his personality, and the need to unite diverse constituencies in a purple state hit hard by Trump's tariffs.
- Abdul El-Sayed: A Generational Communicator
- The Arrogance Problem
Summary Preview
This episode examines multiple crises facing the Trump administration, including Kimberly Guilfoyle's forced resignation as Ambassador to Greece amid corruption allegations, the disastrous debut of new press secretary Katie Zachariah, and Trump's desperate trip to Alaska to shore up support in a surprisingly competitive Senate race. The hosts analyze how widespread perceptions of corruption are damaging Republican electoral prospects just weeks before the midterms.
- Kimberly Guilfoyle's Corruption Scandal and Resignation
- Security and Geopolitical Implications of Administration Corruption
229. How Kansas Could Blow Up MAGA
Oct 12, 2026Summary Preview
Anthony and Katty examine the shocking competitiveness of Kansas's Senate race, where Democratic pastor Adam Hamilton is challenging incumbent Republican Roger Marshall in a state that hasn't elected a Democratic senator since 1932. They analyze how Trump's policies—from tariffs to ICE raids to Russian diesel imports—are alienating Kansas voters, and explore Trump's controversial "energy ceasefire" announcement that appears to favor Putin over Ukraine, raising questions about potential financial entanglements.
- Kansas Senate Race Goes from Safe to Toss-Up
- The Perfect Democratic Candidate for a Red State
Summary Preview
This episode covers three main stories: NYC Mayor Mamdani's controversial October 7th statement that drew criticism from both sides, a corruption scandal involving Trump campaign advisors working for a pro-Russian government in the Balkans, and Democratic congressional candidate Chris Gallant's response to leaked fetish modeling photos. The hosts discuss American political polarization, the impossibility of nuanced positions, and changing cultural attitudes toward political scandals.
- Mayor Mamdani's October 7th Controversy
- Strategic Advice for Mamdani's Political Future
Summary Preview
This episode examines Donald Trump's increasingly problematic midterm campaign tour as he visits red states with declining rally attendance and off-message performances. The hosts analyze devastating polling showing Democratic gains in Republican strongholds, Trump's declining approval ratings, and growing GOP concerns about his campaign effectiveness. The discussion extends to the rise of right-wing movements across Latin America, particularly Brazil's election of Flavio Bolsonaro, and questions about Trump's influence in the region.
- Trump's Campaign Tour Struggles and GOP Concerns
- The Tom Cotton Phone Number Incident
226. The Secret Message in Hegseth’s Unhinged Speech
Oct 01, 2026Summary Preview
Pete Hegseth delivered an inflammatory speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico using offensive language and announcing a purge of military generals, while simultaneously focusing on religion and culture wars amid a struggling Iran conflict. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans attempted to build a case against Special Counsel Jack Smith in a hearing marked by incompetence, fake evidence, and conspiracy theories, exemplifying the post-truth political environment where shamelessness has become a feature rather than a bug.
- Hegseth's Offensive Speech and Military Purge
- Hegseth's Competence Crisis and Congressional Relations
225. Has Donald Trump Become a Communist?
Sep 28, 2026Summary Preview
This episode examines what Anthony and Katty call Donald Trump's 'communist' tendencies, focusing on government-funded propaganda ads, increased state control over private companies, and the controversial ICE enforcement surge. The hosts argue that Trump's actions increasingly mirror authoritarian state tactics, from using taxpayer money for self-promoting political ads to taking equity stakes in private companies. They also detail how ICE arrests have reached record levels while being kept out of headlines, creating fear in communities nationwide and potentially damaging Republican prospects in the upcoming midterm elections.
- Trump's State-Funded Propaganda Campaign
- The Xi Jinping Summit and Weapons Offer
224. Trump Is Caving to Xi: Will Maga Turn on Him?
Sep 24, 2026Summary Preview
In this episode, Anthony and Katty analyze concerning polls showing Trump's approval ratings plummeting ahead of the midterm elections, with Democrats now leading on key issues like immigration, inflation, and gas prices. They discuss Republicans beginning to distance themselves from Trump, the failed press ban distraction, and President Xi's state visit where China appears to hold all the cards in negotiations. The hosts examine whether a Democratic 'blue wave' could deliver historic congressional gains.
- Trump's Collapsing Poll Numbers and Republican Panic
- The Hispanic Voter Defection
Summary Preview
Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay examine how the George W. Bush administration's decision to fight wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while simultaneously cutting taxes, followed by the 2008 financial crisis and Wall Street bailout, created catastrophic debt that fell on working-class Americans. They trace how fiscal discipline established under George H.W. Bush and maintained by Bill Clinton was abandoned, leading to decades of deficit spending that eroded the financial buffer protecting ordinary citizens and fueled the anger Donald Trump would later harness.
- The Legacy of Fiscal Discipline: From Bush Sr. to Clinton
- 9/11 and the Shock That Changed Everything
Summary Preview
Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay discuss Trump's mounting political troubles and his attempts at distraction through vanity building projects, including the controversial Kennedy Center demolition plans and a proposed Arc de Triomphe-style monument in Washington. The episode also covers Trump's chaotic Middle East policy, particularly his flip-flopping on military strikes against Yemen's Houthis after pressure from Saudi Arabia's MBS, and the implications for decades of US foreign policy in the region.
- Trump's Distraction Strategy: Kennedy Center and Vanity Projects
- Press Blackout and Trump's Ego Crisis
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221. Trump Just Gave Putin Exactly What He Wanted
Sep 14, 2026Summary Preview
Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay analyze Trump's pressure on Ukraine to stop targeting Russian refineries while remaining silent on Putin's attacks, warning this emboldens Russian aggression toward NATO. They discuss alarming developments in AI safety, with industry leaders like Dario Amadei calling for urgent regulation while Trump and congressional Republicans refuse to act, prioritizing profits and China competition over existential risks.
- Trump Pressures Ukraine While Staying Silent on Putin
- Jared Kushner's Conference Call and Russian Talking Points