Summary
Overview
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
Recording on Tuesday with Wednesday's reopening expected, Kay and Scaramucci examine the shutdown dynamics through a personal lens—Kay's $900 train ticket purchase revealing public pressure mounting. They debate whether Democrats' capitulation without securing healthcare subsidy extensions constitutes a loss, with Kay arguing Democrats actually won by making healthcare affordability a central issue that even 50% of MAGA Republicans now care about. The discussion reveals both parties lost credibility by shutting down government for 11% of the year.
- Kay bought a $900 train ticket due to fears about Thanksgiving travel disruptions, illustrating public pressure that would force government reopening
- Democrats capitulated without securing healthcare subsidy extensions after 40+ days of shutdown
- 70% of Americans and 50% of MAGA Republicans now concerned about healthcare subsidies ending, according to Stack poll
- Government was shut down for 11% of the year, damaging both parties' credibility
- Eight Democratic senators who voted to reopen are either retiring or not up for reelection until 2028, avoiding progressive backlash
" The American people are not going to tolerate this over Thanksgiving. And there is going to be so much pressure on Democrats to agree to reopen the government. "
" President Trump sees his base as fiscally liberal. And so they want the services. They want the governmental subsidies. "
Epstein Files and Government Reopening
Through a satirical roleplay with Kay playing both Mike Johnson and Kash Patel, Scaramucci explores concerns about Epstein files being released when Arizona Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grialva gets sworn in. The discussion reveals cynicism about likely heavy redactions protecting high-profile individuals, with Scaramucci predicting the release will be "a big nothing" despite Democratic hopes for revelations. They note Trump's history of avoiding consequences for moral lapses that would sink other politicians.
- Arizona Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grialva expected to vote to release Epstein files once sworn in
- Reports of photographs of Trump with underage women mentioned in Pam Bondi confirmation hearings
- Scaramucci predicts heavy redactions will make Epstein file release inconsequential
- Trump gets away with behavior regarding moral probity that previous presidents would not, with voters having "baked that in"
📚 5 more sections below
Sign up to unlock the complete summary with all insights, key points, and quotes
Get this summary + all future The Rest Is Politics: US episodes in your inbox
100% Free • Unsubscribe Anytime
Sign up now and we'll send you the complete summary of this episode, plus get notified when new The Rest Is Politics: US episodes are released—delivered straight to your inbox within minutes.