Sen. Joseph McCarthy played the media to his advantage in his political endeavors during the Red Scare of the early 1950s, often dropping bombshell claims with little evidence and riding the buzz, shaping narratives as he went.
Larry Tye joined Boston Public Radio on Wednesday to discuss his biography of McCarthy, "Demagogue: The Life And Long Shadow of Senator Joe McCarthy," and how he draws a throughline to present day, to show the likeness between President Donald Trump and the infamous senator.
Tye is a former Boston Globe reporter, author, and director of the Health Coverage Fellowship, which helps the media do a better job reporting on critical issues of health.
