The Tyrant Billionaire-Chapter 596 Dealing With A Thug-Like Politician

However, not everyone had the resources or backing of Hardy and the "Big Seven" financial groups. Many companies suffered massive losses due to the strikes. Some powerful individuals supported McCarthy, who began a campaign of denunciations. With help from opportunists and even the FBI, McCarthyism spread like wildfire.

Hollywood, as a cultural hub, became an inevitable target. Investigation committees began scouring for evidence of Communist sympathies among actors and directors.

Oppose McCarthy, and you risked being labeled an enemy collaborator, leading to further scrutiny, or even trial. McCarthy positioned himself as the paragon of political correctness.

The broader context of the Korean War and the Cold War provided fertile ground for McCarthy’s tactics to flourish. Hardy, knowing McCarthy’s history, was aware that this frenzy would last about four years before fading into obscurity.

Initially, Hardy had no intention of engaging with McCarthy—it wasn’t his concern. However, Reagan’s final note in the telegram enraged him:

"The investigation committee has issued a notice to the Actors Guild, demanding cooperation in an upcoming investigation of all actors. The list includes Hedy Lamarr, Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe.

Additionally, there are reports that the committee intends to scrutinize the content of films produced by all major studios and programs broadcast by television stations. Any content suspected of Communist leanings must be taken down, and those responsible will be dealt with. This includes Hardy’s HD Film and ABC Television."

Hardy’s expression darkened.

He turned to his secretary. "Send a telegram to Henry. Tell him to assemble the team—I’m heading back to the U.S. immediately. There’s work to be done."

...

Henry orderd "Notify the crew; we leave in half an hour."

When Henry received Hardy’s telegram, though it was brief, he could sense something significant from its tone.

"The boss doesn’t sound pleased. Seems someone’s upset him, huh," Henry muttered with a grin.

As for who the opponent might be, Henry didn’t particularly care.

He only listened to Hardy.

With over a thousand men under his command, Henry had plenty of capable operatives at his disposal. Unless it involved orchestrating a coup—which was pointless in America—most challenges could be handled easily.

After all, in a country like America, money controlled everything. A coup would be redundant when wealth could already dictate the rules.

Hardy’s plane returned to Los Angeles, where Henry and his team were waiting for him at the airport. Instead of heading home, Hardy went directly to HD Security headquarters.

"Before I arrived, I asked you to investigate Senator McCarthy. What have you found?" Hardy asked Henry.

Henry handed over a stack of documents.

"McCarthy was born in Wisconsin, of Irish descent. In 1939, he ran for judge in the Seventh District Circuit Court of Wisconsin and won, becoming a district judge. He served in World War II, returned in 1946, and was elected as a Wisconsin state senator in November of that year.

"This McCarthy is far from a saint. He’s known for heavy drinking, gambling, and womanizing. Last year, he lost a significant amount of money trading futures. His reputation isn’t great, but he’s an excellent orator and unashamed when it comes to lying or twisting the truth.

"Many senators consider him a rogue, a political thug."

"This year hasn’t been good for him. He’s lost all his money, and his political position is shaky. In February, he delivered a speech in Congress claiming he had a list of 205 individuals suspected of collusion. This caused a huge stir at the time.

"McCarthy’s tactic worked well. Anyone who criticized him or attacked his character was accused of collusion. Eventually, other senators stopped provoking him, and no one dared to challenge him anymore.

"He discovered that this strategy was a powerful weapon. By leveraging political correctness, he placed himself on a moral high ground. Anyone who tried to confront him was quickly countered with accusations of collusion."

"To expand his power, he applied to establish an investigative committee to probe into all cases of alleged collusion, with support from the FBI."

Henry glanced at the documents before continuing: "Currently, McCarthy’s investigative team is targeting organizations and individuals, including labor unions, publishing houses, universities, those who have worked in the Soviet Union or China, Russian and Chinese Americans. Hollywood is one of the hardest-hit areas because they believe Hollywood represents the cultural vanguard of America."

"Recently, McCarthy specifically mentioned in a speech that he wants to scrutinize the major television networks and radio stations, including ABC."

"He’s also pushing for thorough investigations into Hollywood directors and actors, such as Charlie Chaplin. He’s accused Chaplin’s works likeModern Times,The Great Dictator, andMonsieur Verdouxof criticizing capitalism with dangerous ideological tendencies.

"Under the influence of McCarthy’s agenda, sociology professors at universities are now required to denounce the Soviet Union and Marxism. The Cincinnati Reds baseball team was forced to change its name. Even actors are being asked to sign loyalty oaths."

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Hardy understood clearly.

This McCarthy was orchestrating a political campaign.

Using ideological conflict as a pretext, he was turning himself into an untouchable figure to secure political benefits. This man was, indeed, a political scoundrel.

Hardy also knew that McCarthy was merely a pawn for others, albeit the most enthusiastic one.

As early as 1947, the U.S. had established the "House Un-American Activities Committee" to target communists and their sympathizers.

This led to the "Hollywood Ten" incident, where a group of screenwriters and directors were arrested, tried, and imprisoned.

Hardy hadn’t initially planned to get involved in such political matters, as they touched on systemic issues. But now that McCarthy’s actions were expanding uncontrollably and threatening Hardy’s interests, he had no choice but to act.

In business, anyone who harms your interests becomes a mortal enemy. That’s an unshakable rule.

With a grim expression, Hardy told Henry: "Deploy our best team to investigate McCarthy. I want everything on him—past misdeeds, ongoing shady activities, financial dealings, political transactions—every dark secret he doesn’t want exposed.

"Also, investigate every senator, corporation, and union he’s attacked. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and we can use these people later."

"Boss, why not just eliminate him directly?" Henry asked.

Hardy sneered coldly. "For a politician like him, complete disgrace is the only way to destroy his influence. Even if we have to take him out eventually, it should only happen after his reputation is thoroughly ruined. By then, people will cheer his downfall and not question why it happened."

Henry admired Hardy’s thorough approach.

After assigning Henry to investigate McCarthy, Hardy stayed in Los Angeles for only one day before heading to Washington to meet President Johnson.

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