The Rest Is Politics: US
The Rest Is Politics: US

197. Vance Vs Hegseth: Who Takes the Fall for Trump’s Iran Deal?

June 18, 2026 • 44m

Summary

⏱️ 9 min read

Overview

Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay dissect the Trump administration's controversial Iran deal signed at Versailles, which they characterize as a diplomatic disaster worse than Obama's original agreement. They examine how this deal, requiring significant political and financial concessions to Tehran, positions J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio for potential 2028 presidential runs. The second half analyzes Vance's new book 'Communion' and his strategic media tour aimed at rebranding himself as a softer, more empathetic figure while maintaining MAGA credentials.

The Versailles Iran Deal: A Historic Mistake

The hosts tear apart Trump's Iran agreement signed at Versailles, arguing it represents a surrender worse than Obama's decade-old deal. Anthony channels his former White House communications director role to mock the absurdity of the ceremony, while Katty compares Trump's pattern of announcing quick fixes to problems and failing spectacularly—from the algae-filled reflecting pool to this disastrous foreign policy blunder. They examine how the U.S. is offering $300 billion in reconstruction aid after spending $80 billion on the war, effectively financing Iran's hardline IRGC.

  • Trump signed a deal at Versailles that offers significant political and financial concessions to Iran, worse than Obama's original agreement
  • The U.S. spent $80 billion on the Iran war and is now offering $300 billion for reconstruction, effectively strengthening Iran's position
  • Trump's pattern: announce intent to solve big problems, ignore historical challenges, grab quick solutions, fail spectacularly, and taxpayers pay the bill
  • The reflecting pool debacle serves as a metaphor for Trump's governance—opened with fanfare six days ago, now full of algae
  • Fox News and Wall Street Journal, typically supportive outlets, are criticizing the deal as horrific
" what the hell is going on what is going on we know there was a lot of gold which the president likes "
" Lincoln had a team of rivals. Trump has a hall of mirrors, which is appropriate for Versailles "
" We're running out of oil, Katty K. And four weeks from now, if I don't have any oil, we're going to have an international crisis and an economic nightmare. And I am going to be Herbert Hoover "
" the Iranian playbook dissected over 47 years: We're going to negotiate, relieve pressure on ourselves, try to get some sanction relief, preserve our regime, refinance the IRGC, and always wait out the American electoral clock because we don't have an electoral clock, but they do "

Jamie Dimon's Versailles Appearance and Republican Complicity

Anthony expresses shock that JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon attended the Versailles signing ceremony and photographed Trump's signature, despite the bank being sued by Trump. The discussion reveals how business leaders and Republican officials like Marco Rubio stood by silently during this diplomatic disaster, with Rubio looking like he was in a hostage video. They analyze the broader pattern of Republicans who opposed Trump's policies now standing complicitly by his side.

  • Jamie Dimon photographed Trump signing the deal despite JPMorgan being sued by Trump
  • Marco Rubio stood behind Trump looking miserable and has gone radio silent on the deal, hoping to avoid blame
  • Howard Lutnick's theatrical facial expressions and gesticulations revealed the absurdity of the moment
  • Republicans hope this becomes J.D. Vance's failure, positioning themselves for 2028
" I love Jamie. I think he's one of the smartest people in finance. But he's being sued by Donald Trump and the bank is being sued by Donald Trump. And yet he got his camera out and took a picture of Trump signing the deal. Explain that to me "

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