Grifter in Chief

About this episode

Alex Wagner discusses historic levels of corruption with ProPublica reporter Robert Faturechi and Pod Save the World host Ben Rhodes.

The levels of corruption Americans are witnessing are both historic and astounding. This week, Alex speaks to ProPublica reporter Robert Faturechi, who broke the story that the Department of Defense gave a $620,000,000 loan to a company affiliated with Donald Trump Jr. Then she’s joined by Pod Save the World host Ben Rhodes to talk about how everything from the UFC cage match on the White House lawn, to Ivanka Trump’s island development in Albania are indicative of the unprecedented grift, and limitless appetite for self enrichment of the Trump family. Be sure to pick up a copy of Ben’s new book, All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History of the United States in 15 Speeches .

People in this episode

Host: Alex Wagner

Guests: Robert Faturechi, Ben Rhodes

Topics covered

• corruption
• politics
• Trump family
• government
• self enrichment

Keywords

• corruption
• Trump
• government loans
• ProPublica
• Ben Rhodes
• UFC
• self enrichment
• Ivanka Trump
• Donald Trump Jr.

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ProPublica, UFC

Books & works: All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History of the United States in 15 Speeches

More episodes of Runaway Country with Alex Wagner

• What Actually Happens in ICE Detention · June 4, 2026 · 1h 13m
• Election Chaos: Texas Republicans vs California Dems · May 28, 2026 · 1h 17m
• The Emperor’s New Slush Fund · May 21, 2026 · 1h 15m
• GOP Gerrymanders Are Burning Down the House · May 14, 2026 · 1h 5m
• Trump’s Perverted Justice · May 7, 2026 · 1h 10m
• The President and The Press · April 30, 2026 · 1h 19m