Howard Hughes

Bryant said Hughes tried to cancel the Desert Inn tennis tournament because Arthur Ashe would compete, and Ashe went on to win.

“he tried to cancel it because he found out that Arthur Ashe, an African-American, was going to be competing”

Stuff You Should Know: Howard Hughes in Las Vegas (May 28, 2026) · Listen from 37:57

Bryant said Maheu worked for Hughes for years without ever meeting him face to face.

“this is fairly shocking, but apparently never met him in person”

Stuff You Should Know: Howard Hughes in Las Vegas (May 28, 2026) · Listen from 22:47

Bryant said Hughes went to Las Vegas for tax-shelter reasons after selling his TWA stock, not out of interest in casinos.

“he heard about it being a great tax shelter. And he had sold a ton of stock, I guess all of his stock in TWA that year”

Stuff You Should Know: Howard Hughes in Las Vegas (May 28, 2026) · Listen from 10:24

Clark said that despite sympathy for his mental illness, Hughes held terrible views and was abusive, citing his first wife's divorce after he locked her in the house.

“his first wife divorced him because he locked her in the house for three weeks. Like he was an abusive person even”

Stuff You Should Know: Howard Hughes in Las Vegas (May 28, 2026) · Listen from 37:29

Clark argued that Hughes's extreme wealth and lack of anyone refusing him exacerbated his predisposition to mental illness.

“he was gobsmackingly rich, did not have to worry about anyone saying no to him for any reason, was beloved by the public”

Stuff You Should Know: Howard Hughes in Las Vegas (May 28, 2026) · Listen from 8:01