Former White House communications director and SkyBridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci urged Republican senators on October 10 to check President Donald Trump, as the party prepares to defend its Senate majority in the midterm elections. His comments followed Trump’s announcement that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, bringing energy policy and divisions within the Republican Party into focus.
Scaramucci challenges Republican senators on X
“Trump hates every one of you,” Scaramucci wrote on X. He accused Trump of repeatedly provoking and mocking Republican lawmakers because he believes they will not stop him, and asked when Senate Republicans would finally do so. Scaramucci cited no specific bill, vote or single incident to support his remarks; his comments about Trump’s attitude were his own assessment.
About an hour earlier, Scaramucci had reposted coverage of the Russian diesel arrangement, writing: “He betrayed us.” Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, with additional deliveries to follow. The arrangement touches on Russian energy exports, sanctions policy and domestic fuel prices, issues that could draw differing responses from both Republicans and Democrats.
From Trump ally to outspoken critic
Scaramucci met Trump in 1995 and later joined his 2016 presidential campaign. He became White House communications director in 2017 but was fired by Trump after just 11 days. The two split in 2019, and Scaramucci backed Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election.
His criticism of Trump has not been universal. In recent years, Scaramucci has praised Trump’s efforts to promote cryptocurrency while criticizing his tariffs and foreign policy. His history with Trump has drawn attention to his comments on divisions within the Republican Party among political and financial-market observers.
Earlier calls for Republicans to break ranks
This is not the first time Scaramucci has urged congressional Republicans to distance themselves from Trump. In February, he called on them to “break ranks” and said Trump was “very unpopular.”
In March, in a post that did not name Trump directly, he challenged Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senator Mitch McConnell, asking: “Where is your backbone?” He referred to the removal process established by the U.S. Constitution and said the country’s founders had left an “exit door.”
Republicans prepare to defend Senate majority
Scaramucci’s latest remarks come as Republicans prepare for the midterm elections and seek to retain control of the Senate. Democrats would need to flip four seats to regain the majority, making Republican lawmakers’ response to Trump’s policies and calls for party unity potentially consequential in closely contested states.
Trump has continued to weigh in on domestic political issues. At a rally in Ohio, he defended a data-center project, an area of development that has drawn criticism from some people in both parties. He also publicly invited Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman to join the Republican Party.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance plans to hold a rally on Tuesday in Tyler, Texas. It will be his second campaign visit to the state in less than two weeks. As the midterms approach, the Russian diesel deal, fuel costs, data-center construction and party affiliation are all part of the political debate over whether Republicans can keep their Senate majority.