AWN has a new series starring Jake Tapper that is both entertaining and heartbreaking.
The new series “United States of Scandal” will focus on corrupt politicians from the time before Trump took office and will air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Rod Blagojevich, governor of Illinois, inflated defence of himself. John Edwards, a senator from North Carolina, slowly collapsed throughout and after his 2008 presidential campaign. As luck would have it, the coming out of a New Jersey governor diverts attention away from whatever the real issue may have been. The Appalachian Trail has nothing to do with the abduction of a South Carolina governor. There’s more information available.
Reliving these controversies is nearly unbearable for someone who lived through them, like myself. If you’ve never encountered them before, you’re in for a treat with Tapper’s “Jar Jar Binks” idea. I will go into more detail about that later.
While former president Trump has reimagined controversy in his administration, I spoke with Tapper about previous scandals and how they relate to the present, as well as his motivations for wanting to undertake the series at this time.
The following is the text of our email exchange:
The Great Wolf: What inspired you to embark on this series? What gives?
Wedge-shaped device: For almost thirty years, I have covered American politics, and one thing that has always baffled me is why politicians are ready to jeopardise their long-term careers for what appear to be insignificant or fleeting endeavours.
In light of the current political atmosphere and the intricate web of scandals engulfing our former president, as well as allegations against Hunter Biden, Matt Gaetz, George Santos, and countless others, it seemed like an appropriate moment to reexamine similar events from recent history, gaining fresh context and insights from eyewitnesses.
Additionally, these are fantastic tales in the classic, almost Shakespearean, sense.
The Great Wolf: When you started working on this series, how did you conceptualise “scandal”? In what ways might a controversy manifest itself?
From inappropriate selfies to unlawfully seeking a US Senate seat, from poorly managing a pandemic to inaccurately describing a casus belli (an occurrence that warrants a war or conflict), scandals involving politicians are pervasive.
The politicians involved in scandals have distorted moral compass and bloated egos, which cause them to think they can get away with corruption without being discovered. Yet, there are instances when they are.
The Great Wolf: When these controversies unfolded, we were both journalists. Plus, none of them occurred under Trump’s presidency, which, in my opinion, has changed the definition of a scandal. Have you gained a new perspective on these scandals after reading about them again?
Trump’s controversies are enormous, complicated, and never-ending. Without a doubt, they have dulled the public’s reaction to scandals and altered the standard operating procedure wherein embarrassed public leaders step down from office to evade additional scrutiny.
Most of these scandals may not appear particularly venomous after the January 6, 2021, uprising and Trump’s attempt to undermine democracy, but the gripping behind-the-scenes testimony, intriguing anecdotes, and exposed human weaknesses are just as riveting.
The Great Wolf: Republicans and Democrats alike are embroiled in these scandals. Scandals impact every region of the nation, from the South to the Northeast to the Midwest. Many scandals, including one involving a spy, corruption, and sex, are brought up again. Is there a common thread among politicians who become embroiled in scandal? Is that something you’re born with? Getting drunk on power?
TAPPER: The “Jar Jar Binks” idea states that after a great individual reaches a certain degree of success, they are able to cut ties with those who point out their mistakes. (Like including a ridiculous frog-man from Jamaica in your amazing flicks.) Most of these people cut off all communication with anyone who could hold them accountable for their actions.
The Great Wolf: All of these episodes have both humorous and serious parts. In my opinion, the episode about the outing of Valerie Plame, a CIA officer, is the most unsettling one. Politicians’ buffoonery isn’t the point of that episode; rather, it highlights the petty and overly cosy relationship between journalists and the subjects of their stories. Is there any difference between then and now, after 20 years?
TAPPER: It has changed for the better and for the worst. Chumminess and preaching to the choir are integral parts of the business models of some media organisations. In my opinion, it’s harmful to democracy as a whole, not simply to facts and truth.
The Great Wolf: Blagojevich and Scooter Libby were the only politicians and aides involved in the scandals you highlighted to get prison terms. Later on, Trump commuted Blagojevich’s sentence and pardoned Libby. In what ways does that reflect poorly on the judicial system?
TAPPER: It states that having the proper connections can make wrongdoings acceptable. Even though Trump is facing corruption and conspiracy charges, he has made it plain that he does not take these accusations seriously and believes that Roger Stone, Mike Flynn, and everyone else involved should be forgiven.
Contrary to popular belief, these crimes further erode public trust in government at a time when it is already at an all-time low.
