Plot Synopsis

Across each one-hour episodesof UNITED STATES OF SCANDAL, Jake Tapper investigates some of the most outrageous and iconic political controversies of the modern era, while examining what drives someone to break the rules and what happens when they are caught. Combining archival footage and first-person 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. Tapper interviews notable political figures including Rod Blagojevich, Rielle Hunter, Jim McGreevey, Valerie Plame and more individuals at the center of these cultural moments, revealing the personal stories behind the most unbelievable rises and Shakespearean downfalls in American politics. Season 1 episodes include:

"Rod Blagojevich" (Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 9pm): Jake sits down with the still-defiant former Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, to try to decode truth from spin in this legendary tale of one of the most corrupt politicians from America's most corrupt state.

"Mark Sanford" (Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 10pm): In a uniquely personal episode, Jake unpacks the "Appalachian Trail" scandal of his friend and former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford and explores the difference between the politician and the man underneath.

"John Edwards" (Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 9pm): Jake has a candid conversation with Rielle Hunter, the "other woman" in the scandal around former Senator and Vice Presidential Candidate John Edwards. What began as a tabloid rumor about a campaign affair and a lovechild snowballed to primetime news and a federal trial.

"Eliot Spitzer" (Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 9pm): In 2008, the Sheriff of Wall Street, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, imploded spectacularly when he was revealed to be the infamous Client 9 during a sex worker sting operation. Jake charts the rise and fall of a potential president with Spitzer's former mentor and closest friend.

"Jim McGreevey" (Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 9pm): Jake sits down with Jim McGreevey, the former golden boy of New Jersey politics who became a national icon when he came out as gay and resigned the Governorship in the same speech. But was there more to his story?

"Valerie Plame" (Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 9pm): Jake sits down with Valerie Plame, a former covert CIA spy, outed by her own government, after her husband blew the whistle on the Bush administration's faulty rationale for the war in Iraq.
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The six-episodes second season of UNITED STATES OF SCANDAL debuted on Sunday, March 9, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT on CNN. In Season 2, Jake Tapper sits down with perpetrators of America's most bewildering and sordid controversies, along with the brave whistleblowers who challenged the corrupting forces of greed and power. This season, Tapper sits down with Anita Hill to reexamine the explosive Supreme Court nomination of Clarence Thomas, her former boss whom she accused of sexual harassment. He investigates the underhanded dealings of Jack Abramoff, speaking with onetime Ohio congressman Bob Ney who served time in federal prison for his dealings with the corrupt lobbyist. And he revisits one of the most outrageous FBI sting operations in history, speaking with former South Dakota Senator Larry Pressler about how he successfully avoided being snared by ABSCAM, the FBI's elaborate undercover ruse to offer politicians cash bribes in hidden camera meetings. Outside of The Hill, Tapper goes toe to toe with unapologetic celebrity con-artist Anna Delvey, and uncovers the dark story of Lance Armstrong's downfall with his former teammate-turned-rival and whistleblower Floyd Landis. He speaks with Sherron Watkins, the woman who was featured as a TIME Person of the Year for sounding the alarm on one of the biggest corporate frauds in American history: Enron. Season 2 episodes include:

"ABSCAM" (Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 9pm): Jake Tapper examines the FBI's sting operation ABSCAM, which blurred lines between entrapment and justice in the pursuit of political accountability; this controversial moment in American history exposed a network of corrupt politicians.

"Enron" (Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 9pm): In 2001, Enron, a Wall Street darling, collapsed in one of the biggest corporate scandals in American history when its visionary was exposed as a fraud; Jake questions how far blind faith can go before disaster strikes.

"Anita Hill" (Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 9pm): Jake meets with law professor Anita Hill to revisit the explosive Supreme Court nomination of Clarence Thomas, her former boss, whom she accused of sexual harassment; the case gripped the nation and exposed deep flaws.

"Lance Armstrong" (Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 9pm): The downfall of Lance Armstrong reveals how his golden boy image masked a web of lies; Jake explores why the public trusted him for nearly a decade despite mounting evidence of doping.

"Anna Delvey" (Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 9pm): Jake sits down with unapologetic con-artist turned celebrity, Anna Delvey, in an effort to understand her motivation for scamming New York City's elite; he examines why America is so captivated by her and what that says about us.

"Jack Abramoff" (Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 9pm): Jake uncovers the murkiest corners of the DC "swamp" through the shady dealings of uber-lobbyist Jack Abramoff; his ruthless tactics fueled one of the biggest lobbying scandals in American history.