The Rest Is Politics – Episode 493: "Trump Insults NATO Troops"

Date: January 23, 2026
Hosts: Alastair Campbell & (Guest) Anthony Scaramucci

Overview

In this impassioned and timely episode, Alastair Campbell and Anthony Scaramucci deliver a comprehensive, hard-hitting analysis of Donald Trump's recent disparaging comments about NATO troops and the broader implications for transatlantic alliances, global security, and Western politics. Drawing from their insider experiences at Davos and their own political backgrounds, Campbell and Scaramucci dissect Trump's rhetoric, the psychology driving his actions, and the worrying normalization of such discourse on both sides of the Atlantic.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Comments on NATO and Allied Sacrifice

[01:37–04:11]

• Campbell opens with outrage over Trump diminishing NATO’s role and sacrifices, particularly remarking, “They stayed a little back, a little off the front lines, but we've been very good to Europe...”.

• Facts are presented: Article 5 has only been invoked once—by the U.S. after 9/11—and numerous non-U.S. NATO troops died in Afghanistan.

  • UK lost 457 soldiers (second only to the U.S.), Denmark lost 43 (proportionally similar to U.S. losses), and many other countries suffered casualties.

• Campbell underscores active outrage from both current and former UK military and calls for NATO leaders to demand a Trump apology.

  Alastair Campbell [03:35]: “For him to think it, let alone say it in such a dismissive, casual way is disgusting ... a real anger from ex and current military, including a friend who's in the Special Forces... they are disgusted too.”

2. Scaramucci’s Response & American Perspective

[04:11–05:27]

• Scaramucci apologizes “on behalf of normal Americans,” emphasizing how the alliance has benefited both sides of the Atlantic for 80 years.

• Notes that most Americans value NATO and international partnerships, distancing the average American’s views from Trump’s.

• Scaramucci draws on personal experience supporting U.S. and allied troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

  Anthony Scaramucci [04:44]: “This is not the sentiment of normal Americans who love our alliance... and want this eight decade fostering of peace, prosperity and trust to continue.”

3. The Psychology Behind Trump’s Behavior

[05:30–08:38]

• Scaramucci diagnoses Trump's need to humiliate others as stemming from deep insecurity and inadequacy.

• Highlights the sycophantic atmosphere around Trump, evidenced up-close at Davos.

• Predicts growing fatigue among business and political leaders, implying Trump’s behavior may soon become politically untenable.

  Anthony Scaramucci [05:30]: “This is the act of a man who is violently inadequate ... because of some type of repression issues... needs to humiliate people.”

4. Trump’s Mental and Physical Fitness

[06:55–08:38]

• Campbell queries whether Trump is fit for office; Scaramucci floats the 25th Amendment as more realistic than impeachment, citing visible decline in Trump’s acuity and hints of physical frailty.

• Criticizes those who dismiss or excuse Trump's apparent decline.

  Anthony Scaramucci [07:18]: “He doesn't look well. The bruises all over his hands, the unsteady gait... This is not a well guy physically. This is not a well guy mentally.”

5. The UK, Political Condemnation, and National Identity

[08:38–18:50]

• Campbell shares the moving story of British soldier William Aldridge, killed in Afghanistan, to show the human cost Trump's comments undermine.

• He calls for strong public condemnation from UK leadership, expressing disappointment with "measured" government responses that stop short of confrontation.

• Discusses right-wing media silence and Farage's lack of response. Presses the case for PM Keir Starmer to demand a Trump apology, publicly if necessary.

  Alastair Campbell [13:47]: “Tony Blair... he was alongside George Bush. George Bush should say something... How can he just sit there when this guy comes out and says this about people who... died because George Bush asked them to serve?”

• Scaramucci recommends pragmatism given US–UK trade interests but ultimately predicts Trump’s downfall, referencing business and political splits.

  Anthony Scaramucci [15:10]: “... you're dealing with a maniac. And we don't need a big fight over tariffs right now... I would say bite your tongue for political purposes...”

6. Broader Threats to Western Democracy & NATO’s Future

[18:50–24:48]

• The discussion pivots to the future of NATO, with both expressing fears about sustainability if Trump persists or is re-elected.

• They suggest he is effectively working for Russia’s interests and undermining Western unity.

• Campbell speculates openly about whether Canadian/EU security arrangements could shift, and Scaramucci pushes European leaders to be tougher, not softer, in confronting Trump's bullying.

  Alastair Campbell [22:17]: “NATO is unsustainable on that basis...”

  Anthony Scaramucci [23:11]: “...the President of the United States draping the American flag over the provinces of Canada and putting it out on social media, okay? So there's a general absurdity that's going on.”

7. Final Reflections: The Need to Stop Normalizing Trump

[24:48–28:28]

• Campbell and Scaramucci lament the “normalization” of Trump’s behavior by business and media elites, especially at Davos.

• Campbell notes, “I for one, will not allow it to become normalized.”

• Scaramucci notes Trump’s falling poll numbers and expresses hope for political change, though Campbell remains wary given past underestimations of Trump’s resilience.

  Alastair Campbell [28:01]: “This is one of those days where I felt sick in the stomach all day. Who this guy is, how he operates, what he says is disgusting. And I for one, will not allow it to become normalized.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alastair Campbell [03:35]: “For him to think it, let alone say it in such a dismissive, casual way is disgusting...”
• Anthony Scaramucci [05:30]: “This is the act of a man who is violently inadequate... needs to humiliate people.”
• Scaramucci [07:18]: “He doesn't look well. This is not a well guy physically. This is not a well guy mentally.”
• Campbell [13:47]: “[George Bush]... How can he just sit there when this guy comes out and says this about people who ... died because George Bush asked them to serve?”
• Scaramucci [19:55]: “He's never getting an apology, Alastair. This guy doesn't apologize for anything. He's never. He got taught by Roy Cohen, his mentor. Double and Triple Down. You never apologize for anything.”
• Campbell [28:01]: “This is one of those days where I felt sick in the stomach all day... I for one, will not allow it to become normalized.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:37]: Campbell introduces Trump’s NATO comments and provides context/military losses.
• [04:11]: Scaramucci apologizes on behalf of Americans, affirms U.S.–NATO values.
• [05:30]: Scaramucci dissects Trump’s psychology and insecurity.
• [06:55]: Mental and physical fitness of Trump—discussion of 25th Amendment.
• [08:38]: Impact on soldiers' families and need for government condemnation.
• [13:47]: Campbell calls for former Western leaders to speak out; reads Downing St. response.
• [15:10]: The difficulty of balancing principle and pragmatism in UK–US relations.
• [18:50]: Debate over public condemnation, normalization of extreme rhetoric.
• [22:17]: Fears for NATO's future, Trump’s alignment with Putin.
• [24:48]: Scaramucci’s advice: confront bullies like Trump, don't appease.
• [28:01]: Campbell’s closing remarks—refusal to normalize Trump’s actions.

Tone & Style

The episode balances righteous indignation, dark humor, and policy analysis. Campbell’s tone is deeply personal and principled, especially in regard to national dignity and military loss. Scaramucci alternates between apologetic and analytical, drawing on personal insights from the Trump administration to paint a portrait of dysfunction and impending political reckoning.

Summary

This episode offers one of the sharpest, most emotionally charged analyses of the Trump-NATO controversy, blending personal stories, political history, and present-day geopolitical stakes. Both hosts—one British, one American—ultimately agree: Western democracies must resist normalizing the politics of humiliation and disregard for alliance, however politically inconvenient that challenge may be.