Anthony Scaramucci on Trump and the Threat to American Democracy (Part One)

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Oct 5, 2025

Anthony Scaramucci, former White House Communications Director and founder of SkyBridge Capital, shares his candid insights about Trump and the state of American democracy. He candidly discusses how Trump’s appeal resonates with working-class voters and the chaotic showmanship of his rallies. Scaramucci also identifies critical structural issues undermining democracy, such as gerrymandering and Citizens United, and how Trump's unpredictable actions have impacted economic confidence. His sharp wit and unique perspective make this conversation a must-listen!

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ANECDOTE

Early Encounters With Trump

Anthony Scaramucci first met Donald Trump at events and charity functions before joining his campaign.
He recalls travel, campaign stops and Trump's appetite for fast food as memorable, humanizing details.

ANECDOTE

From Fundraiser To Political Connector

Scaramucci recounts his political evolution from Republican fundraising to donating to Democrats and working across campaigns.
He tells stories of meetings with Giuliani, Obama, Romney and how politics helped build his network.

ANECDOTE

Epiphany In Albuquerque

Scaramucci describes Albuquerque as his epiphany moment on the Trump campaign.
He met working-class voters who lost factory jobs and realised Trump tapped into real economic pain.

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Anthony Scaramucci, former White House Communications Director turned outspoken Trump critic, comes to Intelligence Squared in September for a straight-talking conversation on the fallout from Trump’s second presidency.

From his brief but explosive tenure inside the Trump White House in 2017 to his career on Wall Street and success as co-host of ‘The Rest Is Politics US’ podcast, Scaramucci has never been one to hold back — sometimes at great personal cost. In conversation with Emily Maitlis he explored the biggest questions facing America and the world today.

Is Trump an existential threat to democracy or can the US Constitution withstand his authoritarian impulses? Does his ‘America First’ approach make war more or less likely? Does Vladimir Putin hold leverage over Trump, or is his detachment from Europe’s troubles with Russia a calculated move to prioritise the greater threat from China? And are his opponents once again underestimating him — could the 77 million Americans who re-elected him be right that he will, in the end, make America great again?

Scaramucci, with his trademark wit and unfiltered honesty, offered a rare insider’s perspective on the chaos and consequences of the Trump era.

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