About this episode
What secrets did Howard Hughes take to his grave, and how did his stolen documents expose the hidden connections between wealth, power, and government? Michael Drosnin , author of "Citizen Hughes," reveals the extraordinary story behind nearly 10,000 stolen Howard Hughes documents that exposed the billionaire's secret dealings with presidents, politicians, and intelligence agencies. Drosnin discusses how Hughes operated as a power broker between corporate America and the highest levels of government, using his vast wealth to influence elections, policies, and covert operations. The conversation explores the mysterious circumstances surrounding the theft of Hughes' personal papers and the subsequent cover-up that reached into the highest echelons of power. Drosnin examines Hughes' transformation from aviation pioneer and Hollywood mogul into a reclusive puppet master whose paranoid genius shaped American politics for decades. Through Hughes' own handwritten memos and secret communications, this investigation reveals how concentrated wealth and government power intersect in ways that fundamentally challenge our understanding of democratic institutions and corporate influence in America.