Breaking History: Why We Can't Escape JFK Conspiracy Theories
Episode Release Date: February 19, 2025
Host: The Free Press
Podcast Title: Breaking History
Episode Title: Why We Can't Escape JFK Conspiracy Theories
Introduction: The Enduring Enigma of JFK's Assassination
In the episode "Why We Can't Escape JFK Conspiracy Theories," hosts Michael Moynihan and Eli Lake delve deep into the labyrinthine theories surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. They explore how Oliver Stone's seminal film "JFK" not only revitalized public interest in the event but also cemented conspiracy theories into the American cultural psyche.
Oliver Stone's "JFK": A Catalyst for Conspiracy
Michael Moynihan begins by praising Oliver Stone's "JFK" as a politically resonant masterpiece that profoundly impacted American perceptions of Kennedy's assassination. He highlights how Stone's film presented a three-hour video essay positing that the U.S. government, including high-ranking officials like Lyndon B. Johnson and J. Edgar Hoover, orchestrated Kennedy's murder. Moynihan remarks:
"More than any other document, this film codified the murder of JFK as a conspiracy in the minds of the American people. In many ways, it changed the course of history."
[02:30]
Eli Lake echoes this sentiment, noting Stone's portrayal of government deception:
"We're through the looking glass here, people. White is black and black is white."
[01:08]
The Evolution of Conspiracy Theories Post-Assassination
The hosts trace the genesis of JFK conspiracy theories, emphasizing their early emergence within a month of the assassination. Moynihan asserts:
"If there's a conspiracy theory that everyone in America believes or a vast majority of people believe, it's this one."
[06:00]
They discuss various theories, including the Mafia's involvement, the CIA and Pentagon's role, and potential Soviet and Cuban plots. Eli Lake humorously references the absurdity some theories have reached:
"We're through the looking glass here, people... It's a fiendish plot to eliminate the meal of dinner."
[07:14]
Government Involvement and the Warren Commission
Moynihan and Lake scrutinize the official investigations, particularly the Warren Commission's shortcomings. Moynihan points out the mistrust cultivated by government actions:
"The investigations failed not because they reached the wrong conclusion, but because of the way they went about it."
[10:21]
Eli Lake highlights President Lyndon B. Johnson's skepticism of the official narrative, revealing internal doubts:
"I can't honestly say that I've ever been completely relieved of the fact that there might have been international connections."
[26:49]
The hosts underscore how top officials, including James Jesus Angleton of the CIA, harbored suspicions of a broader conspiracy, further eroding public trust.
Oliver Stone's Influence and Jim Garrison's Trial
The episode delves into Jim Garrison's controversial trial, which Oliver Stone used as the foundation for his film. Moynihan discusses Garrison's allegations against Clay Shaw and the subsequent jury acquittal:
"Garrison remained a gadfly on this issue for years, eventually advising Oliver Stone on the film that revived his reputation."
[38:00]
Lake emphasizes the dramatic nature of the trial and its role in popularizing conspiracy theories:
"Nothing is real."
[34:35]
Donald Trump's Promise to Release Secret Files
A significant portion of the discussion centers around Donald Trump's pledge to declassify remaining JFK assassination files. Moynihan relates how Stone's film indirectly pressured the government to release more information:
"Trump complied with that law up to a point. But in October 2024, Trump went on Joe Rogan and explained that he would in fact be opening the remaining JFK files in his second presidency."
[40:36]
Eli Lake outlines the potential impact of these releases, questioning whether they will finally provide clarity or simply add more layers to the conspiracy:
"These sit reps... would give us some clue. Well, did the CIA find out that one guy killed the President for no reason and another guy came along and killed him for no reason?"
[42:52]
Moynihan remains skeptical, suggesting that even with new documents, satisfaction may remain elusive:
"Even if the released files contained a photograph of LBJ pulling the trigger from the grassy knoll, it would still be rejected by some because the JFK assassination theories are just too complicated and also too addictive to just give up on them."
[45:53]
The Deep State and Modern Conspiracy Theories
The hosts explore the transition of conspiracy theories from external entities like the Mafia and foreign governments to internal actors within the U.S. government, often referred to as the "deep state." Eli Lake introduces contemporary efforts to investigate these theories:
"I have been entrusted by Speaker Mike Johnson and Chairman James Comer to lead the House Oversight Task Force on Declassification of Federal Secrets... investigating the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and Dr. Martin Luther King."
[46:33]
Moynihan critiques this movement, pondering whether further revelations will validate existing theories or undermine them:
"Once one is through the looking glass, well, then anything is possible. Oswald himself was a spokesman for the Fair Play for Cuba Committee... for JFK's death has become a Rorschach test where everyone sees their own worst enemy."
[47:10]
The Unending Quest for Truth
As the episode draws to a close, Moynihan reflects on the persistent allure of JFK conspiracy theories despite decades of investigations and revelations. He muses:
"It's been six decades since Jack Kennedy was killed, and today trust in government is even lower than it was back when we decided that perhaps the deep state really murdered our handsome president."
[46:33]
Eli Lake underscores the generational impact, highlighting how curiosity about the assassination persists:
"I'm already telling my 8-year-old son to keep himself physically fit so that one glorious September morning in the year 2038 he can walk into the National Archives and find out what the CIA and the FBI knew."
[40:36]
The hosts conclude by acknowledging that while new information may emerge, the complexity and entrenched nature of conspiracy theories ensure that JFK's assassination remains a subject of enduring debate and fascination.
Conclusion: The Lingering Mystery
The episode effectively captures the multifaceted nature of JFK conspiracy theories, illustrating how historical events, cultural productions like films, and political maneuvers intertwine to sustain public intrigue and skepticism. By integrating notable quotes with timestamps, Moynihan and Lake provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of why the assassination continues to captivate and divide American society.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
-
Eli Lake: "We're through the looking glass here, people. White is black and black is white."
[01:08] -
Michael Moynihan: "More than any other document, this film codified the murder of JFK as a conspiracy in the minds of the American people. In many ways, it changed the course of history."
[02:30] -
Eli Lake: "We just heard from Woody Allen's Albie Singer in the autobiographical Annie Hall Speaking."
[10:47] -
Eli Lake: "I'm already telling my 8-year-old son to keep himself physically fit so that one glorious September morning in the year 2038 he can walk into the National Archives and find out what the CIA and the FBI knew."
[40:36] -
Michael Moynihan: "Even if the released files contained a photograph of LBJ pulling the trigger from the grassy knoll, it would still be rejected by some because the JFK assassination theories are just too complicated and also too addictive to just give up on them."
[45:53]
Final Thoughts
"Why We Can't Escape JFK Conspiracy Theories" offers a thorough exploration of one of America's most enduring mysteries. Through engaging dialogue and insightful analysis, Moynihan and Lake reveal how historical narratives are shaped, challenged, and perpetuated, ensuring that the quest for truth—or alternative truths—remains as vibrant as ever.