Michael Edison Hayden

Caitlin and Trent chat with Jared Holt, a researcher specializing in online extremism, and Michael Edison Hayden, an investigative reporter focusing on the radical right. They dive into Andy Ngo's controversial journey from a grad student to a right-wing media figure, notorious for demonizing Muslim immigrants. Topics include the misleading origins of his career, the infamous milkshaking incident, and how Ngo's online activities have endangered protestors through doxxing. The guests also critique the conservative media ecosystem surrounding him and the implications for anti-fascist organizing.

Michael Edison Hayden, a Senior Investigative Reporter with the SPLC known for his work on extreme movements and cryptocurrency, dives deep into the troubling connections between digital currencies and far-right extremism. They discuss the ramifications of recent Supreme Court rulings on voting rights and the implications for democracy. Hayden also uncovers how hate groups exploit cryptocurrency for fundraising, while addressing the ongoing investigations into the January 6th insurrection and the political landscape shaped by these events.