Episode 6: Under Pressure
From Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra by Rachel Maddow, MS NOW
July 22, 2024 · 53 min · Season 2 · Episode 6
About this episode
The episode discusses Sen. Joseph McCarthy's blackmail campaign against Sen. Lester Hunt amid rising tensions and abuses of power.
As Sen. Joseph McCarthy's activities -- and his troubling connections to those on the ultra right -- are exposed in the press, Democratic Sen. Lester Hunt launches a final effort to take McCarthy on and rein in his abuses. In response, McCarthy and his allies launch a coordinated blackmail campaign against Hunt, using his own family, that will ultimately end in tragedy. This episode contains descriptions that reference self-harm. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
People in this episode
Host: Rachel Maddow
Topics covered
- McCarthyism
- political pressure
- blackmail
- tragedy
- self-harm
- history
Keywords
- McCarthy
- Hunt
- blackmail
- politics
- self-harm
- history
- tragedy
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, SpeakingOfSuicide.com
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