Last Podcast on the Left
Episode 621: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln Part I - All The World's a Stage
Release Date: May 30, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 621, "The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln Part I - All The World's a Stage," The Last Podcast on the Left delves into the intricate and tumultuous events leading up to the assassination of one of America's most revered presidents. Hosted by Henry Zebrowski, Marcus Parks, and Ed Larson, this episode marks the beginning of a three-part series exploring the dark underbelly of history surrounding Lincoln's death.
Setting the Stage for Assassination
The hosts kick off the episode by emphasizing the gravity and well-documented nature of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Marcus Parks states, "There is zero ambiguity in this story. Like we know everything that happened. Like this is so well documented" (03:59). This assertion sets the tone for a detailed and factual exploration, contrasting with popular conspiracy theories that Booth was part of a broader, clandestine network.
John Wilkes Booth: A Complex Figure
Family Background and Early Life
John Wilkes Booth hails from a prominent acting family. His father, Junius Brutus Booth, was a celebrated actor known for his compelling performances, earning praise from literary figures like Walt Whitman. Marcus Parks likens Junius Booth to "the Daniel Day Lewis of his time," highlighting the father's significant influence on John's theatrical aspirations (07:02).
However, Junius's tumultuous personal life cast a long shadow over the Booth children. Junius's affair and subsequent abandonment of his first family introduced scandal into the family narrative, instilling in John Wilkes Booth a deep-seated inferiority complex. Henry Zebrowski reflects, "John Wilkes Booth was the ultimate faker in history. He was a full stolen valor, like... very similar to another actor I keep" (11:34), underscoring Booth's internal struggles and desire for validation.
Rise to Fame and Southern Affinity
Despite personal challenges, Booth carved out his niche as a leading actor, particularly in the South. Marcus Parks draws a parallel to modern acting dynasties, comparing the Booths to the Sheen family, and notes, "But the point here with Booth acting credentials is that most people were not at all inclined to believe that a mere actor could have pulled off a... to kill Lincoln" (07:58). Booth's popularity in Southern states like Richmond, Virginia, reinforced his pro-slavery stance, aligning his public persona with the prevailing sentiments of his audience.
Personality and Ideological Motivations
Booth's engagement with the Know Nothing Party—a secretive, xenophobic group deeply opposed to immigration and abolition—further radicalized his beliefs. Marcus Parks explains, "The Know Nothing Party were nationalist, populist and staunchly against immigration. But also like today's Republicans, what informed the Know Nothings beliefs more than anything were conspiracy theories" (62:05). This affiliation amplified Booth's anti-abolitionist sentiments, positioning him firmly against Abraham Lincoln, whom he viewed as the embodiment of abolitionist aggression.
The Christiana Riot and Its Impact
A pivotal moment in Booth's ideological formation was the Christiana Riot of 1851. The incident involved the attempted capture of four escaped slaves by Edward Gorsuch, the father of one of Booth's childhood friends. When Gorsuch's party arrived in Christiana, a fortified community led by William Parker fiercely resisted, resulting in Gorsuch's death. Marcus Parks outlines, "This quick become a microcosm of the rapidly growing divide in America over slavery" (43:09), emphasizing how the riot deepened Booth's hatred for abolitionists and solidified his support for the Southern cause.
Quoting Henry Zebrowski, the hosts highlight Booth's manipulation of historical events to justify his extremist actions: "John Wilkes Booth wanted to have that same passion for supporting the institution of slavery" (73:09). This mindset propelled him toward his ultimate goal of assassinating Lincoln.
Booth's Acting Career and Social Dynamics
While the Civil War raged, Booth continued to build his acting career, performing in both Northern and Southern cities. Despite the growing conflict, he remained a beloved figure in the South, often celebrated for his performances in plays like Romeo and Juliet. Henry Zebrowski humorously notes Booth's theatrical dedication: "Nothing makes me happier than ripping the breastplate off of Gerald Ford and playing with his fucking automatic guts" (04:39), blending dark humor with historical facts.
Booth's fame extended beyond the theater, as Marcus Parks compares him to modern action stars, stating, "The closest modern comparison to the Booths would be the Sheen family" (07:51). This analogy underscores Booth's larger-than-life persona and the national attention he garnered.
Political Climate and Lincoln's Presidency
Lincoln's election in 1860 was a catalyst for the South's secession and the eventual outbreak of the Civil War. Marcus Parks describes Lincoln's role as a unifying figure for abolitionists, which Booth perceived as a direct threat to the Southern way of life: "John Wilkes Booth wrote during his tour of the south that Northern abolitionists were the true traitors to the nation, whose treason must be stamped to death" (48:45).
Lincoln's commitment to preserving the Union and ending slavery was met with vehement opposition from individuals like Booth, who saw his actions as the final straw that led to his eventual assassination.
Conclusion: The Path to Assassination
As the Civil War progressed and the South's position weakened, Booth's frustration and obsession with Lincoln intensified. Despite his prominent acting career, Booth chose to focus his efforts on plots against the President rather than participating in the war directly. Henry Zebrowski summarizes Booth's cowardice and ultimate decision to assassin Lincoln: "But YOU know what's telling here? This is very telling for me... He's the best at killing Abraham Lincoln" (82:36).
The episode concludes with a promise to continue exploring Booth's conspiracy theories and the ensuing manhunt in the subsequent parts of the series, leaving listeners eager for the next installment.
Key Quotes
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Marcus Parks (03:59): "There is zero ambiguity in this story. Like we know everything that happened. Like this is so well documented."
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Marcus Parks (07:02): "John Wilkes Booth was in modern parlance a Nepo baby, because Booth's father, Junius Booth, was one of the most celebrated and well respected actors of his time."
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Henry Zebrowski (11:34): "John Wilkes Booth was the ultimate faker in history. He was a full stolen valor..."
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Marcus Parks (62:05): "The Know Nothing Party were nationalist, populist and staunchly against immigration. But also like today's Republicans, what informed the Know Nothings beliefs more than anything were conspiracy theories."
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Henry Zebrowski (43:09): "Buildings a community. This is a good movie. Isn't one of these things that being a awesome movie to be a part of?"
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Marcus Parks (48:45): "John Wilkes Booth saw Gorsuch as the clear victim here. And in later Writings Booth would state that abolition was nothing more than, quote, 'the unwarranted constant agitation of the slavery question.'"
Takeaways
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John Wilkes Booth's Motivations: Rooted deeply in his family's legacy and personal insecurities, Booth's pro-slavery stance and hatred for Lincoln were shaped by formative events like the Christiana Riot and his involvement with the Know Nothing Party.
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The Intersection of Fame and Extremism: Booth's prominence in the acting world provided him with a platform that he ultimately used to further his extremist agenda, illustrating how fame can be manipulated to influence significant historical events.
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The Pre-War Political Climate: The episode underscores the intense polarization of American society over slavery, setting the stage for the Civil War and Booth's drastic actions against Lincoln.
What’s Next?
In the upcoming episodes of this three-part series, The Last Podcast on the Left will continue to unravel the intricate web of Booth's conspiracy theories, the manhunt following Lincoln's assassination, and the broader implications of this pivotal moment in American history. Stay tuned for a deeper dive into the dark motivations and the chaotic aftermath that reshaped the nation.
Note: This summary intentionally omits non-content sections such as advertisements, off-topic banter, and humorous interruptions to maintain focus on the episode's substantive discussion.