S8 Ep1119: William Randolph Hearst and the "Soak the Rich" Tensions Guest: David Pietrusza Book Title: Roosevelt Sweeps Nation: FDR's 1936 L

The John Batchelor Show · Jul 12, 2026 · 9m

William Randolph Hearst and the "Soak the Rich" Tensions Guest: David Pietrusza Book Title: Roosevelt Sweeps Nation: FDR's 1936 Landslide and the Triumph of the Liberal Ideal One of the most formidable figures Roosevelt had to manage was media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, who controlled a vast empire of 28 newspapers and eight radio stations. Hearst's political allegiances were notoriously fickle; he had supported Roosevelt in 1932 only after caving to pressure to avoid a candidate he liked even less. However, as the New Deal moved leftward, Hearst became increasingly hostile. His power…