The Daily Beast Podcast This Is What Greedy Trump's Really Up To With Oil
24 snips
Jan 12, 2026 
Anthony Scaramucci, the former White House Communications Director and a keen political commentator, joins Joanna Coles for an insightful discussion on Trump's maneuvers regarding Venezuela. He delves into the motivations behind the chaos, citing oil and self-enrichment as core drivers. Scaramucci also critiques Trump's penchant for cruelty and spectacle, examines the unsettling rise of ICE violence, and discusses why Republican allies like Marco Rubio and J.D. Vance have been sidelined. He paints a picture of a focused and transactional Trump, raising alarms about the implications for American democracy.
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Oil And Self-Enrichment Motivate Venezuela Move
- Anthony Scaramucci argues the Venezuela operation is driven more by oil and self-enrichment than democracy.
- He says Trump sees control of Venezuelan reserves as a geopolitical and financial prize.
A Devoted Core Unmoved By Policy Swings
- Scaramucci notes Trump retains a core 25% base that will support him regardless of actions.
- He links that loyalty to culture-war identity politics and Trump's spectacle.
Aging, Not Dementia, In Trump's Presentation
- Scaramucci says Trump shows signs of aging but remains mentally sharp and narcissistic.
- He emphasizes Trump's detachment and objectifying treatment of people, not dementia.
