Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the fascinating history of "follow the money," a catchphrase that has become the ultimate mantra for uncovering political corruption and examining shady money transfers.

Popularized by the classic 1976 docudrama All the President's Men, the phrase is famously attributed by screenwriter William Goldman to the Watergate informant Deep Throat. But did Deep Throat actually say it? We reveal why this legendary piece of investigative journalism lore never actually appeared in Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's original non-fiction book or any official documentation of the Watergate scandal. Instead, we trace the true origins of the phrase back to Henry E. Peterson during the 1974 Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, as well as its appearance in the 1975 book Crime in Britain Today.

We also explore how "follow the money" has evolved in modern political finance and campaign finance debates. From the Trump campaign weaponizing the phrase in 2016 against Hillary Clinton and the Clinton Foundation, to Carl Bernstein urging reporters in 2017 to investigate President Donald Trump's own financial conflicts of interest, the phrase remains deeply relevant. (Trump was later ordered to pay a $2 million settlement for misusing his own foundation).

Tune in to discover why tracing secret campaign cash remains the ultimate key to exposing hidden motives in Washington!