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

In The Longest Con, Joe Conason delivers a sardonic and incisive critique of how conservatism transformed into a lucrative racketeering enterprise, culminating in the rise of Donald Trump as its emblematic figurehead. Conason chronicles the evolution of conservative politics into a realm dominated by con artists and grifters who exploit anger, resentment, and fear for personal gain.

Beginning with the "professional anti-communists" of yesteryears, who employed divisive tactics even disdained by J. Edgar Hoover, Conason traces the lineage of deception through the Tea Party movement's populist grifters and the prosperity gospel's religious charlatans. These figures, he argues, provided the ideological backdrop that enabled Trump's ascent to power—a path already paved by a motley crew of swindlers who prioritized profit over principles.

Through an unsparing and at times comedic narrative, Conason reveals how the conservative movement's primary objective shifted from defending freedom and upholding constitutional values to enriching a cadre of pretenders and blowhards. The book exposes the mechanisms of a highly profitable game where exploiting gullibility and inciting outrage translate into substantial financial rewards.

The Longest Con serves as a cautionary tale about the moral decay within American conservatism, illustrating how opportunistic individuals and groups have manipulated genuine grievances to advance personal agendas. Conason's examination is both critical and illuminating, shedding light on the enduring allure of deception and the enduring threat it poses to the nation's democratic institutions.

In sum, The Longest Con challenges readers to confront the consequences of unchecked deception in politics, urging a reevaluation of how public trust is earned and maintained in an era dominated by disinformation and self-serving agendas. 📚❤️