In the explosive finale of The Fame Defense series, we take on the 2008 financial crash — the biggest economic collapse in modern history — and follow the money, the power, and the fallout. While everyday Americans lost their homes, jobs, and life savings, the elite walked away wealthier, protected by bailouts and political cover. No jail time. No shame. Just business as usual.
But the story doesn’t stop there.
Because out of that chaos — out of the anger, betrayal, and collapse of trust in institutions — came a movement. A brand. A strongman who claimed only he could fix it. This episode traces how the crash didn't just wreck the economy — it cracked the foundation of American democracy and helped pave the way for Trumpism.
When justice breaks, power fills the void.
And sometimes, it wears a red hat.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
True Crime Tonight
If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.