
Henry Wallace and the World that Wasn't with Benn Steil
- S3E6
- 1:06:31
- February 25th 2025
Donald Trump wasn't the first presidential candidate to be groomed by the KGB to advance Russian interests. That dubious honor belongs to Henry A. Wallace, who ran for president in 1948.
Dave interviews Benn Steil, an economist and historian from the Council on Foreign Relations. They discuss his latest book, 'The World That Wasn't, Henry Wallace and the Fate of the American Century.' The conversation explores Wallace's intriguing political and personal life, his contributions as Agriculture Secretary under FDR, his mystical beliefs, and his controversial political career. The discussion includes the impact of Wallace's policies, his interactions with and influence from historical figures like Nicholas Roerich, and his eventual fall from political grace leading up to the 1944 Democratic Convention. The guest also draws parallels between Wallace's complex legacy and contemporary political narratives, including potential influences on modern American politics.
Links:
https://america2.news/donald-trump-isnt-the-first-presidential-candidate-groomed-by-the-kgb/
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/genuine-case-collusion?ref=america2.news
https://www.cfr.org/expert/benn-steil
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/14/nyregion/nyc-911-calls-riverside-drive.html
Interview begins at 02:47.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
00:20 Henry Wallace: A Counterfactual History
02:27 Henry Wallace's Early Life and Agricultural Innovations
06:39 Wallace's Mystical Pursuits and Political Controversies
12:39 Wallace's Political Ideologies and Economic Views
23:25 Wallace's Vice Presidency and Political Challenges
29:06 Wallace's Diplomatic Missions and Downfall
33:51 Manipulating Visits: The Russian Blueprint
34:30 The DNC's Maneuvering for a New VP
37:47 The 1944 Democratic Convention Chaos
41:02 Wallace's Downfall and Truman's Rise
45:50 Wallace's Post-VP Career and Conflicts
48:43 Wallace's 1948 Presidential Run and Communist Ties
54:40 Parallels Between Wallace and Trump
58:38 The Masonic Dollar Bill Redesign
01:00:49 Conclusion and Future Prospects
Dave Troy Presents
Dave Troy is a technologist, historian, and researcher who has studied disinformation and extremism online since the earliest days of the internet.