The Empire Never Ended 47: Father Coughlin and the Hour of Power
Aug 30, 2021
Dive into the bizarre saga of Father Charles Coughlin, a charismatic yet controversial priest whose fascist radio broadcasts captivated America in the 1930s. Discover his troubling ties with extremist groups and the notorious Christian Front, along with shocking insights into his anti-Semitic rhetoric. Unravel the toxic political alliance between Coughlin and Joe Kennedy, and explore the financial grift behind his church projects. This tale uncovers the lingering impact of a figure largely forgotten in today's discourse.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Origin Of Religious Right Radio
- Father Charles Coughlin created the template for the modern right‑wing religious media personality.
- At his 1930s peak a third of Americans tuned into his weekly radio broadcasts, shaping mass political influence.
Megachurch That Funded A Radio Empire
- Coughlin built an expensive Little Flower church with 600 theater seats despite serving ~25 families.
- He installed a radio antenna and turned his pulpit into a national broadcasting platform to fundraise and expand influence.
From New Dealer To Demagogue
- Coughlin shifted from New Deal supporter to vehement critic after feeling abandoned by FDR.
- He weaponized anti‑banker and coded antisemitic rhetoric to mobilize a mass audience against Roosevelt.
