Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci
Anthony Scaramucci
Born	January 6, 1964 (age 62); Port Washington, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Attorney, financier, media personality
Years active	1989–present
Known for	White House Communications Director (July 21 – July 31, 2017)

Anthony Scaramucci (born January 6, 1964) is an American attorney, financier, and media personality who held the position of White House communications director for a brief period from July 21 to July 31, 2017.

From 1989 until 1996, Scaramucci was employed at Goldman Sachs, where he worked in investment banking, equities, and private wealth management. After departing Goldman Sachs, he launched Oscar Capital Management and later founded the investment firm SkyBridge Capital in 2005.

Scaramucci was named White House Communications Director on July 21, 2017. His tenure was marked by a controversial interview in which he delivered outspoken criticism of several members of the Trump administration. Just ten days later, President Donald Trump dismissed him following advice from the new White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly. Subsequently, Scaramucci has expressed criticism of Trump and endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris during both the 2020 United States presidential election and the 2024 United States presidential election.

Early life

Born on January 6, 1964, into an Italian-American household in Port Washington, New York, Scaramucci is the son of Marie DeFeo Scaramucci and Alexander Scaramucci, who worked as a crane operator. His grandfather on his father's side emigrated from Gualdo Tadino, located in Umbria. Coming from a middle-class background, he was the first member of his family to pursue higher education. He has an older brother and a sister.

In 1982, Scaramucci graduated from Paul D. Schreiber Senior High School in Port Washington, where he held the role of student council president. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Tufts University and earned a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. Among his classmates were future president Barack Obama, deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, and Supreme Court justice Neil Gorsuch. Although trained as an attorney, Scaramucci did not practice law professionally and transitioned directly into finance after completing his studies. He acknowledges Harvard Law School as instrumental in launching his career.

Career in investment banking

Scaramucci began his professional journey at Goldman Sachs in 1989 within the Investment Banking division. After experiencing termination and subsequent rehiring within his first year, he transferred to the Equities department. By 1993, he had advanced to vice president in Private Wealth Management.

Oscar Capital Management

In 1996, Scaramucci partnered with Andrew Boszhardt to establish Oscar Capital Management. Oscar Capital was acquired by Neuberger Berman in 2001. Following Neuberger Berman's purchase by Lehman Brothers in 2003, Scaramucci took on the role of managing director within Lehman Brothers' Investment Management division.

SkyBridge Capital

Anthony Scaramucci established SkyBridge Capital in 2005, a firm specializing in global alternative investments. He serves as the chairman of the SkyBridge Alternatives Conference, commonly known as "SALT," which debuted in 2009. SALT organizes premier events not only in Las Vegas but also across international cities such as Singapore, Tokyo, and Abu Dhabi.

In recognition of his entrepreneurial success, Scaramucci received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Financial Services in New York in 2011. Later, in 2016, he was ranked number 85 on Worth magazine's "Power 100" list, highlighting influential leaders within global finance.

In May 2014, SkyBridge acquired the licensing rights to Wall Street Week, the financial television series originally hosted by Louis Rukeyser, with Scaramucci taking on hosting duties. The broadcast rights transitioned to Fox Broadcasting Company in 2016.

On January 17, 2017, a majority ownership stake in SkyBridge was sold to RON Transatlantic EG and HNA Capital (U.S.), a Chinese conglomerate associated with the Chinese Communist Party. Following this transaction, Scaramucci resigned from his managerial role and severed ties with both SkyBridge and the SALT conference.

After the deal with HNA failed to receive clearance from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, Scaramucci rejoined SkyBridge in April 2018.

From its peak assets of $9 billion in 2015, SkyBridge's portfolio shrank to approximately $2 billion. Between early 2020 and March 2023, investors experienced losses near 30%. In response, the firm imposed limits on investor redemptions and undertook staff reductions.

Before 2016

Scaramucci was involved in the presidential campaigns of both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. During the 2008 election cycle, he worked as a fundraiser for Obama's campaign. Nevertheless, by September 2010, Scaramucci publicly urged Obama to cease his aggressive approach toward Wall Street, likening it to "whacking a piñata."

He has voiced his endorsement of stringent gun control measures and marriage equality via social media platforms. Additionally, Scaramucci held the position of national finance co-chair for Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.

In 2015, appearing on Fox Business Network, he criticized Donald Trump, labeling him a "hack politician" whose rhetoric was "anti-American and very, very divisive," advising him to "stop all this crazy rhetoric." He opposed Trump's proposed border wall and took issue with Trump's sweeping denunciations of Islam.

Before the 2016 presidential election, Scaramucci initially supported Hillary Clinton's chances but distanced himself from her by 2015. During the Republican primaries that year, he endorsed Scott Walker and subsequently Jeb Bush. After both candidates exited the race, Scaramucci joined Trump's Finance Committee in May 2016. Following Trump's victory in November 2016, Scaramucci was appointed to the Presidential Transition Team Executive Committee.

Appointment to Lead Office of Public Liaison

On January 12, 2017, Scaramucci was appointed Assistant to the President and director of the White House Office of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs. On January 23, he told New York magazine that many individuals in Washington prioritize titles over financial resources, stating that the city is filled with people who attempt to caricature and dehumanize others to silence dissent.

Representing the Trump transition team at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 16–17, 2017, Scaramucci sought to reassure global attendees about the new administration. Following remarks by General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping, he cautioned against protectionist policies and advocated for free trade principles.

According to a report by Fox Business on January 31, 2017, delays in Scaramucci's formal appointment reflected internal disputes within the Trump White House as staff members competed for influence. Politico noted that Trump's chief of staff Reince Priebus opposed Scaramucci's hiring due to his financial interests in SkyBridge Capital. Though rumors circulated about Priebus obstructing the process, he denied such claims. The postponement was mainly linked to Scaramucci's ongoing negotiations regarding SkyBridge's sale.

On March 6, 2017, Ideagen founder and former CEO George Sifakis was named director of the Office of Public Liaison instead of Scaramucci. The following day, Politico reported that Priebus was still contemplating offering Scaramucci a different role within the administration.

On June 26, 2017, three CNN investigative reporters resigned after the network retracted a story alleging Scaramucci’s involvement with a $10 billion Russian investment fund. CNN issued an apology to Scaramucci, acknowledging that the online article failed to meet editorial standards. While Scaramucci denied the allegations, CNN did not label the story as false but stated it lacked sufficient substantiation for publication.

Export–Import Bank of the United States

On June 19, 2017, Scaramucci was named senior vice president and chief strategy officer at the U.S. Export–Import Bank. Additionally, he was considered for a diplomatic position as ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

White House Communications Director

President Trump appointed Scaramucci as White House Communications Director on July 21, 2017. Unlike his predecessor Sean Spicer, Scaramucci reported directly to the President rather than the White House Chief of Staff. Spicer resigned on the same day, reportedly due to strong opposition to Scaramucci’s hiring. White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus also expressed disapproval of the appointment.

On July 26, journalist Ryan Lizza disclosed that Scaramucci had reached out to him to identify sources leaking information about a White House meeting and revealed internal conflicts involving Priebus and advisor Steve Bannon. Following this, Scaramucci requested investigations by the FBI and Department of Justice into Priebus for allegedly leaking his financial disclosure; however, he later deleted the related tweet. The leaked details originated from the Export-Import Bank.

Priebus stepped down as chief of staff on July 28, with retired general John F. Kelly announced as his replacement. By July 31, Kelly recommended removing Scaramucci due to concerns over discipline and credibility. President Trump dismissed Scaramucci after only eleven days in office, marking one of the shortest tenures for a communications director, tied with Jack Koehler during Reagan’s presidency. Reports indicate Kelly personally informed Scaramucci that his departure was necessary to facilitate a fresh start under the new chief of staff.

Post-White House activities

In July 2019, Scaramucci initially forecasted that Trump would secure victories in over 40 states in the 2020 election but soon reversed his stance. He condemned Trump’s attacks on women of color as “racist and unacceptable.” By August 2019, citing Trump’s behavior following the El Paso and Dayton shootings, Scaramucci withdrew his support for Trump’s reelection campaign. He criticized Trump’s visit to El Paso as a “catastrophe,” highlighting Trump's focus on attacking Democrats and boasting about rally attendance while showing insensitivity toward victims. Although he remained a registered Republican, Scaramucci declared he could no longer endorse Trump because “he’s lost his mind.” In response, Trump issued several critical tweets targeting Scaramucci.

In June 2020, Scaramucci collaborated with Republican strategists including Matt Borges to establish Right Side PAC, a super PAC dedicated to preventing Trump’s reelection and supporting Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Serving as an adviser, he was among multiple former Trump officials who endorsed Biden. He continued to express support for Biden—and later Kamala Harris—in the 2024 election cycle.

Books

Scaramucci has authored seven books:

Goodbye Gordon Gekko: How to Find Your Fortune Without Losing Your Soul (2010)
The Little Book of Hedge Funds: What You Need to Know About Hedge Funds but the Managers Won't Tell You (2012)
Hopping Over the Rabbit Hole: How Entrepreneurs Turn Failure Into Success (2016)
Trump, the Blue-Collar President (2018)
The Sweet Life with Bitcoin: How I Stopped Worrying about Cryptocurrency and You Should Too! (2021)
From Wall Street to the White House and Back: The Scaramucci Guide to Unbreakable Resilience (2024)
Co-author of Web3: Blockchain, the New Economy, and the Self-Sovereign Internet (2024)
Co-author of The Little Book of Bitcoin: What You Need to Know That Wall Street Has Already Figured Out (2025)

Appearances in media

In 2010, Scaramucci invested $100,000 to have SkyBridge's logo featured in the movie Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, which included two brief on-screen appearances.

He became a contributor to Fox Business Network in 2014 and took on the role of host for the financial program Wall Street Week in March 2016.

Scaramucci and his spouse appeared together on the talk show Dr. Phil on March 6, 2018, where they discussed how their relationship endured through his short stint at the White House.

On January 13, 2019, it was announced that Scaramucci would participate in the second American season of the reality series Celebrity Big Brother, but it was later revealed that he was a Fake HouseGuest.

He appeared on the podcast Mislaibeled on January 30, 2023, where he criticized the Trump administration and addressed inaccuracies about himself found on Wikipedia.

Beginning April 26, 2024, Scaramucci co-hosted the U.S. version of The Rest Is Politics alongside Katty Kay. Although initially planned to run through the 2024 United States presidential election, the program continued beyond the election due to favorable audience response.

Business ventures

Together with restaurateur Eytan Sugarman and financier Nelson Braff, Scaramucci established the Hunt & Fish Club, a steakhouse and seafood dining venue located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, which opened its doors in 2015.

On October 2, 2017, Scaramucci introduced an online media platform named the Scaramucci Post. At its inception, he admitted uncertainty about its direction by stating, "we have no idea what the Scaramucci Post is and neither do you." Later that month, the platform attracted controversy over a Twitter poll regarding Holocaust death tolls posted by business partner Lance Laifer without Scaramucci's consent. Upon discovering this, Scaramucci expressed strong disapproval and issued a formal apology while pledging $25,000 to the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Despite this response, the Post later defended the poll as an effort to raise awareness about diminishing public knowledge of the Holocaust and accused detractors of "laziness and mob-mentality."

Tufts controversy

In June 2016, Scaramucci joined the Board of Advisors for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, his alma mater. By November 2017, a petition signed by 240 Tufts students, faculty members, and alumni demanded his removal. Fletcher graduate student Camilo Caballero authored critical op-eds targeting Scaramucci published in The Tufts Daily. On November 21, Scaramucci’s legal representatives issued a cease-and-desist letter alleging defamation, requesting retractions and threatening legal action if not addressed within five business days. The Daily maintained publication of the editorials and made the letter public on November 27. That same evening, the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate formally called for his dismissal from the Board. Subsequently, on November 28, 2017, Scaramucci stepped down from his advisory position.

Board memberships

Scaramucci serves as a trustee for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation and holds membership in the Council on Foreign Relations. From 2007 until 2012, he was part of the New York City Financial Services Advisory Committee.

Honorary citizenship

In February 2021, Scaramucci received the honorary citizenship title from Gualdo Tadino, the Italian town linked to his paternal ancestry. On March 15, 2021, the mayor along with the municipal council unanimously conferred this honor, acknowledging his professional accomplishments, political endeavors, and his family's significant contributions to the town's history.

Personal life

Scaramucci's initial marriage to Lisa Miranda concluded with a divorce finalized in 2014 after 23 years together. He wed Deidre Ball, who previously worked in investor relations at SkyBridge Capital, on July 11, 2014. The couple has two children; although Ball filed for divorce in July 2017 during her pregnancy with their second child, they later reconciled. In September 2018, they co-created the podcast Mooch and the Mrs. on Radio.com, where they explore their contrasting political perspectives while maintaining their relationship.

Television

Year	Title	Role	Air date	Status	Notes
2023	Special Forces: World's Toughest Test	Himself (contestant)	January 4, 2023	Season 1, Episode 1 – "Test of Character and Weakness"	Departed during episode 6
2024	Killer Whales	Himself (judge)	March 12, 2024	Five episodes

External links