Open Book with Anthony Scaramucci The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Washington - Brody Mullins
Oct 22, 2025
Brody Mullins, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and author of The Wolves of K Street, joins to delve into the murky world of lobbying in Washington. He reveals how disclosed lobbying figures are misleading and shares insights on the growing power of lobbyists since the 1970s. Mullins offers vivid character sketches of key Washington players and discusses the impact of the Abramoff scandal. He also explores the current political backlash against big companies and the evolving antitrust debates intended to restore competition.
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Lobbyists Run The Hidden Show
- Corporate lobbyists are the hidden drivers behind many policy outcomes in Washington, shaping laws more than headlines reveal.
- Brody Mullins shows that understanding lobbyists is key to understanding how Washington actually works.
The Lobbying Disclosure Illusion
- The disclosed lobbying spend (~$1 billion) drastically understates the true scale because many influencers avoid registering as lobbyists.
- The 20% rule for lobby registration creates a loophole that conceals much of Washington's influence industry.
Lobbying As High-Return Investment
- Lobbying is constitutionally protected and legal, but disclosure rules are weak and enforcement limited.
- Companies measure lobbying as high-ROI spending, sometimes getting far greater financial returns than their advocacy costs.
