Scaramucci Hosts Author Ian Reifowitz on Trump's Stereotype-Driven Political Success

Anthony Scaramucci, through his popular "Open Book" podcast on YouTube, recently featured author and SUNY Distinguished Professor Ian Reifowitz to delve into the political strategies that have made Donald Trump a formidable figure. The discussion centered on Reifowitz's new book, "Riling Up the Base: Examining Trump’s Use of Stereotypes through an Interdisciplinary Lens," co-authored with Anastacia Kurylo. The episode, uploaded on October 23, 2025, explores how stereotypes, rather than policy, have been central to Trump's electoral victories and sustained support.

Reifowitz and Kurylo's 2025 book posits that Trump's consistent reliance on stereotypes, particularly concerning immigration, race, ethnicity, and gender, has been a crucial strategy since his 2015 campaign announcement. During the interview, Reifowitz highlighted how Trump's rhetoric, such as describing Mexican immigrants as "rapists and murderers and drug dealers," resonated powerfully with his base. He also noted Trump's use of stereotypes around urban crime and gender, contrasting it with the more traditional political discourse.

The authors argue that this approach effectively "riled up the base," particularly during Republican primaries, allowing Trump to differentiate himself from other candidates. Reifowitz explained that Trump's supporters often perceive him as a "truth teller" who "speaks the truth in a sort of capital T way" by saying things others are afraid to articulate, even if factual inaccuracies are present. This perception, he suggested, allows his base to overlook conventional lies.

Scaramucci and Reifowitz also discussed the Democratic Party's communication challenges, with Reifowitz describing Democrats as "cautious," "confused," and "divided" in their response to Trump's populist appeal. He suggested that the Democratic focus on marginalized groups, while morally sound, sometimes alienates a broader electorate and makes them vulnerable to Trump's cultural "traps." The conversation underscored the profound impact of communication style and the strategic use of identity politics in contemporary American elections.