Episode 8: Mystery Man

About this episode

The episode explores the efforts to elevate Joseph McCarthy and the dramatic conclusion of the manhunt for Francis Yockey, highlighting their roles in the ultra-right movement in America.

With the backing of an eccentric billionaire and powerful voices on the American far-right, a high-stakes effort to make Sen. Joseph McCarthy president surfaces at the Republican convention, as the years-long manhunt for American fascist Francis Yockey finally reaches its strange and dramatic end. Francis Yockey and Joe McCarthy become martyr figures for an ascendant and aggressive ultra-right intent on reshaping American life and politics for decades to come. This story/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

Hosts: Rachel Maddow, MS NOW

Topics covered

• American fascism
• Joseph McCarthy
• Francis Yockey
• far-right politics
• Republican convention
• self-harm
• political history

Keywords

• McCarthyism
• fascism
• American history
• political extremism
• Republican Party
• billionaire influence
• self-harm crisis

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, SpeakingOfSuicide.com

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