Donald Trump mostly nominated mainstream conservatives to his first cabinet after the 2016 election. Some high-level appointees back then barely knew Trump, but this time around, he’s selected close allies and loyalists. The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor, and Trump’s short-tenured former communications director Anthony Scaramucci join this week’s Swamp Notes to discuss what Trump’s picks say about how his new White House will operate.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Lutnick and Bessent’s battle for Treasury secretary turns bitter as Trump expands field

Donald Trump’s alarming picks for government

The life and tastes of Anthony Scaramucci

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Check out the latest episode of Anthony Scaramucci’s podcast, “The Rest is Politics - US”

Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

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An inverted yield curve is sending jitters across the US economy, Japanese IT conglomerate Fujitsu is in hot water over its involvement in the UK  Post Office scandal, and new details have emerged over how the SEC’s X account was hacked. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

UK Post Office scandal exposes risks of Fujitsu’s hands-off approach

Yield curve adds to mystery over US economy

SEC says bitcoin X breach came after phone number was swapped

The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva, Gavin Kallmann, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.

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Sam Altman returns and OpenAI board members are given the boot; US authorities foil a plot to kill Sikh separatist leader on US soil; plus, the UK’s Autumn Statement increases the tax burden.

Mentioned in this podcast:

US thwarted plot to kill Sikh separatist on American soil

Hunt cuts national insurance but taxes head to postwar high

OpenAI says Sam Altman to return as chief executive under new board

The FT News Briefing is produced by Persis Love, Josh Gabert-Doyon and Edwin Lane. Additional help by Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Manuela Saragosa is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.

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Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal to release hostages, Dutch voters head to the polls today, and Binance chief executive Changpeng Zhao has resigned after pleading guilty to a US criminal charge. Plus, the FT’s George Hammond explains why Sam Altman has so many people rallying behind him after he was ousted from OpenAI.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Israel approves hostage deal with Hamas

Dutch election shapes up as tight race to replace Mark Rutte

Binance chief Changpeng Zhao pleads guilty in US criminal case

OpenAI directors in talks with Sam Altman on rejoining board

The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.