"McCarthy’s supporters in the 1950s claimed that his lies were necessary for keeping Republicans in power: the ends justified the means. Neither journalists nor politicians could figure out how to counter McCarthy’s tactics. It was the American people who finally destroyed his career, turning against him when they realized he was hurting decent people and lying to them to gain power."

~ Heather Cox Richardson

#McCarthy #Republicans #lies #disinformation #fascism
/1

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-8-2026

"McCarthy’s supporters in the 1950s claimed that his lies were necessary for keeping Republicans in power: the ends justified the means. Neither journalists nor politicians could figure out how to counter McCarthy’s tactics. It was the American people who finally destroyed his career, turning against him when they realized he was hurting decent people and lying to them to gain power."

~ Heather Cox Richardson

#McCarthy #Republicans #lies #disinformation #fascism
/1

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-8-2026

@randahl

A similar movement happened also in the 1950s during #mccarthyism albeit on a much smaller scale. Creative industries in #europe benefitted as a result. This was especially the case in the #uk . Worth recalling that #roycohn - later a mentor to #trump - was also #mccarthy's right hand man at the time!

#law #immigration