The Longest Con: How Grifters, Swindlers, and Frauds Hijacked American Conservatism BY Joe Conason

The Longest Con, authored by Joe Conason, is a sardonic chronicle that delves into the transformation of conservatism from a political ideology into a racketeering enterprise. This gripping narrative explores how the American right devolved into a breeding ground for con artists, culminating in the election of Donald Trump—a figure emblematic of the moral decay within the movement.

Conason exposes a spectrum of characters who paved the way for Trump's rise to power. Beginning with "professional anti-communists" and their divisive tactics, through to the populist grifters of the Tea Party movement, and the religious charlatans of the "prosperity gospel," the book reveals a consistent pattern: exploiting anger, demonizing opponents, promising vengeance, and profiting from the gullibility of their followers.

The narrative is both unsparing and often comic, shedding light on the figures and movements that have hijacked conservative politics for personal gain. It critiques the descent of conservatism into a vehicle not for defending freedom or upholding constitutional principles, but for enriching a cadre of unscrupulous individuals who manipulate the system to their advantage.

The Longest Con serves as a sharp critique of how moral integrity and genuine political discourse have been subverted by opportunists within the conservative movement. It challenges readers to confront the consequences of allowing manipulative tactics to dominate political discourse, highlighting the dangers posed to the nation's democratic institutions and values.

Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Conason's narrative paints a vivid portrait of a political landscape where greed and deception have eclipsed genuine conservatism, posing significant challenges to the future of American democracy.