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

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.2 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 5 October 2025

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

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. --- This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet.
0:04.2	I'm producer Mia Sorrenti.
0:06.7	Today's episode is part one of our recent live event with Anthony Scaramucci on Trump and the threat to American democracy.
0:14.7	Anthony Scaramucci, former White House communications director turned outspoken Trump critic,
0:20.1	came to Intelligence Squared in September
0:22.0	for a straight talking conversation on the fallout from Trump's second presidency.
0:26.8	From his brief but explosive tenure inside the Trump White House in 2017 to his career on
0:32.5	Wall Street and success as a co-host of the Rest His Politics US podcast. Scaramucci has never been one to hold back.
0:39.7	He joined Emily Maitlis to explore the biggest questions facing America and the world today.
0:45.6	If you'd like to listen to this episode in full and ad-free,
0:48.8	why not consider becoming an Intelligence Squared member at
0:51.7	intelligentsquare.com forward slash membership or tap the IQ2
0:55.4	extra button on Apple. Now, let's join our host, Emily Maitliss, with more.
1:05.1	That was the warmest, loveliest welcome. Thank you all very much indeed. I'm not going to
1:13.4	introduce this man because he's why you're here. You know who he is. You came to see him.
1:19.8	All right, just one line for those of you who have been dragged here by their wives.
1:24.8	Antiscaramucci, founder of Skybridge Capital investment firm, broadcaster,
1:30.5	podcaster for 11 days, Donald Trump's Director of Communications at the White House,
1:36.5	which is where I met him. Do you remember how we first met?
1:40.1	I remember very vividly, yeah.
1:42.0	And you did hold my hand.
1:44.1	I held your hand?
	...

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