In a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation, investigative journalist Michael Edison Hayden shares his harrowing account of delving into the world of American extremism. Hayden's book, "Strange People on the Hill," chronicles the impact of a far-right group's relocation to a small town in rural West Virginia, exposing the complex web of politics, ideology, and community dynamics that often surround extremist movements. As Hayden discusses the project with PBS NewsHour's Amna Nawaz, he reveals the profound personal costs of his work, including its toll on his mental health and relationships. Hayden's insights offer a timely and unsettling look at the state of American politics, raising crucial questions about the consequences of extremist ideologies and the challenges of reporting on them.
Journalist Michael Edison Hayden spent years tracking extremism in America. His book, "Strange People on the Hill," is about what happened when a far-right group moved its headquarters to a small town in rural West Virginia. We're revisiting our conversation with Hayden, who spoke with Amna Nawaz about the story and what it can teach us about politics in the U.S. right now. Hayden also shared the personal toll this work has taken on his own mental health and relationships.
