CNN Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper goes behind the headlines to investigate some of the most outrageous and iconic political controversies of the modern era in the new CNN Original Series United States of Scandal with Jake Tapper.
Across six lively episodes, United States of Scandal examines what drives someone to break the rules and what happens when they are caught. Weaving together a rich tapestry of archival footage and illuminating conversations with some of the most famous and infamous figures in US politics, Tapper invites viewers into the stranger-than-fiction stories of sensational American political scandals. Featuring his signature wit and Emmy® Award-winning reporting, Tapper decodes the truth from spin in these legendary tales of ego, corruption, and collapse.
Episode 1: ABSCAM
Jake examines the blurred lines between entrapment and justice in the pursuit of political accountability through the FBI’s sting operation, ABSCAM, a controversial moment in American history, which exposed a network of corrupt politicians.
Episode 2: Enron
In 2001, Enron, a Wall Street darling, collapsed in one of the biggest corporate frauds in American history when the charismatic visionary at the center of the scandal was revealed to be a fraud. Jake Tapper questions how far blind faith can go before it leads to disaster.
Episode 3: Anita Hill
Jake sits down with law professor, Anita Hill, and reexamines the explosive Supreme Court nomination of Clarence Thomas, her former boss whom she accused of sexual harassment. This moment captured the nation’s attention, while revealing deep flaws in our institutions.
Episode 4: Lance Armstrong
Jake dives deep into the sports world to unpack a story that shocked the public — Lance Armstrong — behind the golden boy image (and jersey) was a web of lies that ultimately led Jake’s investigation to explore the celebrated athlete’s downfall, and why the public trusted him for almost a decade despite mounting evidence of doping.
Episode 5: Anna Delvey
Jake sits down with unapologetic con-artist turned celebrity, Anna Delvey, in an effort to figure out her motivation for scamming New York City’s elite. He explores why America is so captivated by her, and what that says about us.
Episode 6: Jake Abramoff
Jake explores the murkiest sectors of the DC “swamp” as he unpacks the underhanded dealings of uber-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, whose lack of scruples leads to one of the greatest lobbying scandals in American history.
