Episode 13 - The Kennedys: Old Money, New Power

The Kennedy family represents the pinnacle of dynastic ambition: the transformation of a fortune into the ultimate prize, the American presidency. This episode uncovers the story of the dynasty’s patriarch, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., a ruthless businessman who amassed a fortune and then dedicated it to a singular goal: placing his sons in the White House. We investigate the controversial origins of his wealth, from rumored bootlegging during Prohibition to shrewd stock market manipulation and Hollywood studio ownership.

Joe Kennedy was a master of power, serving as the first head of the SEC and as Ambassador to Great Britain, all while meticulously planning his children's political careers. We expose his cold, calculated approach to building a dynasty, where each child was a pawn in his grand strategy. He poured millions into his son John F. Kennedy’s campaigns, effectively purchasing the political infrastructure needed to win a Senate seat and, eventually, the presidency. This was the ultimate merger of money and politics, executed with a brutal efficiency that shocked the political establishment.

The story of the Kennedys is a lesson in how "new money" can be laundered through politics to create an image of noble public service and an "American Camelot." We explore the immense drive, the hidden scandals, and the immense tragedy of a family that pursued power more relentlessly than any other. They achieved the American dream by rewriting its rules.