Ellen Schrecker, a renowned historian and McCarthyism expert, dives into the gripping saga of Senator Joseph McCarthy's rise and fall. She discusses the intense Senate hearing of June 9, 1954, where five crucial words dismantled McCarthy's power. The conversation reveals how anti-communist hysteria fueled McCarthy's ascent amidst Cold War fears, and scrutinizes the dual life of Roy Cohn, McCarthy's notorious associate. Schrecker highlights the dramatic shift in public sentiment that ultimately led to the senator's downfall, reshaping American political history.
