3538 - How the Red Scare Forged Trumpism; Organizing Against ICE w/ Clay Risen, Chris Newman

Dec 4, 2025

Clay Risen, a New York Times reporter and author of 'Red Scare: Blacklists, McCarthyism and the Making of Modern America,' delves into how the Red Scare influenced today's Trumpism and the anti-progressive tactics of the past. He discusses the intertwining of racism and anti-Semitism with anti-communist purges. Meanwhile, Chris Newman, Legal Director for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, highlights the urgent need for organizing against ICE tactics targeting day laborers, while sharing effective grassroots strategies and legal defenses.

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INSIGHT

Red Scare Weaponized Security Fears

The Red Scare used narrow national-security fears to justify sweeping cultural and political rollbacks.
Clay Risen argues those tactics marginalized labor, civil-rights, and progressive gains under a security pretext.

INSIGHT

Bigotry Masqueraded As Counterintelligence

Anti-communism quickly morphed into anti-Semitic and anti-Black attacks despite no inherent ethnic basis.
Risen highlights that the Red Scare became a pretext for bigoted campaigns against multiple communities.

INSIGHT

Hollywood Elites Benefited From The Blacklist

Studio executives exploited anti-communist politics to push out activist voices and reshape Hollywood stories.
Risen shows elites welcomed the blacklist to silence unionist and representative storytelling.

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It's Emmajority Report Thursday on the Majority Report

On today's program:

The New York Times reports growing frustration among GOP members with Speaker Mike Johnson as anxiety over the midterms intensifies.

The Wall Street journal covers the fallout between Pete Hegseth and Admiral Alvin Hosley over the Admiral's concerns about the legality of the Caribbean boat strikes.

On Morning Joe, Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) of the Armed Services Committee says lawmakers are increasingly concerned about the boat strikes.

Clay Risen, editor at the New York Times and author of Red Scare: Blacklists, McCarthyism and the Making of Modern America, joins Emma to discuss his book.

Chris Newman, legal director for the National Day Laborers Organizing Network, joins Emma to talk about the threat day laborers are facing from ICE. If you're able to support the Immigrant Defense Fund, you can donate here.

In the Fun Half:

Brandon Sutton and Matt Binder join the show.

The right has turned Charlie Kirk into a currency.

Josh Shapiro is offended by Kamala Harris' version of the story of her VP selection process.

Joe Rogan thinks that Jesus Christ will return as artificial intelligence.

Hakeem Jeffries responds to Trump pardoning of Rep. Henry Cuellar.

Co-founder of Kalshi says the long-term is to financialize everything and create a tradeable asset out of any difference of opinion.

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