Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Is Anthony Scaramucci's tirade part of his communications strategy?
White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci’s profane rant against his colleagues has stunned everyone. We look at his feud with Reince Priebus, and whether this kind of chaos and distraction is what the White House wants. Also, is Scaramucci the ultimate Italian-American stereotype?
By Madeleine Brand • • 48m ListenPhoto: White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci speaks during an on air interview at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 26, 2017. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
In this episode
5 storiesIs the GOP effort to replace Obamacare really over?
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell conceded defeat last night after the so-called “skinny bill” to repeal Obamacare failed. It was a last ditch effort to keep the GOP’s promise to repeal the health law alive. The Republican Party’s leadership has been quiet so far on what comes next for health care and the rest of the Republican agenda.
Read the story10 minWhat the 'Mooch' means for the White House communications team
Anthony Scaramucci called New Yorker writer Ryan Lizza. During the call, Scaramucci threatened to fire his White House communications staff if Lizza didn’t reveal who leaked that he had dinner with Donald Trump and Sean Hannity. Scaramucci’s f-bomb studded rant against his colleagues stunned everyone.
Read the story8 minIs Anthony Scaramucci playing an Italian-American stereotype?
“As you know from the Italian expression: ‘the fish stinks from the head down…’ Well, I can tell you two fish that don’t stink, and that’s me and the president.” White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci said that to CNN yesterday. We find out what Italian Americans make of him.
Read the story5 minMaking a movie where you're not wanted
“Menashe” is a new movie about life inside New York’s hasidic community. The director talks about shooting a movie on location where you’re not wanted, with actors who’ve never been in a movie or seen a movie before. Menashe Lustig and Ruben Niborski in "Menashe." (Photo by Federica Valabrega, courtesy of A24)
Read the story12 minIs 'Atomic Blonde' too violent or just violent enough?
Our film critics review “Atomic Blonde,” starring Charlize Theron as an undercover M16 agent who looks into the death of her fellow agent during the Cold War era; “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,” the follow-up to Al Gore’s 2006 Oscar-winning climate change documentary; and “The Emoji Movie,” in which Gene has multiple facial expressions,…
Read the story12 min
