Podcast Summary: The Why Files: Operation Podcast
Episode 599: Project Pegasus | The CIA's Child Time Soldiers
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 599 of The Why Files: Operation Podcast, titled "Project Pegasus | The CIA's Child Time Soldiers," the hosts delve deep into one of the most controversial and intriguing conspiracy theories surrounding government experimentation with time travel and the use of child test subjects. This episode meticulously explores the claims of Andrew Basiago, alleged participant of a secret CIA project, while critically examining the plausibility and evidence supporting these extraordinary assertions.
The Genesis of Project Pegasus
Andrew Basiago's Time-Travel Experience
The episode begins with a dramatic recounting of Andrew Basiago's purported first mission in 1968. At just six years old, Basiago allegedly stepped through a "shimmering curtain of light," transporting him to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he observed President Abraham Lincoln's iconic speech on November 19, 1863. According to Basiago, this mission was part of Project Pegasus, a clandestine CIA program utilizing advanced technology derived from Nikola Tesla’s stolen inventions.
Quote:
Co-Host: "Found. The word you're looking for is stolen." [02:23]
Tesla's Stolen Inventions
The narrative highlights the mysterious circumstances surrounding Nikola Tesla's death in 1943, where 80 boxes of his research were confiscated by government agents. Notably, 20 boxes went missing, which Basiago claims were the foundation for numerous black projects, including weather modification, directed energy weapons, and mind control technologies. The episode suggests that these stolen Tesla files enabled the creation of the teleportation device central to Project Pegasus.
Quote:
Narrator: "The FBI still has classified Tesla documents they won't release. We've covered this in our Tesla episode, which is linked below." [02:29]
The Space Race and DARPA's Involvement
Sputnik and American Desperation
The episode transitions to the late 1950s, detailing how the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957 shattered American confidence in their technological supremacy. In response, President Eisenhower established the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), later renamed DARPA, with the mission to ensure the United States never again falls behind in technological advancements.
Quote:
Narrator: "President Eisenhower demanded answers. Within weeks he created ARPA, the Advanced Research Projects Agency." [03:57]
DARPA's Desperation and the Tesla Breakthrough
Despite DARPA's substantial funding and resources, the United States continued to lag in the space race. In 1968, DARPA scientists revisited the stolen Tesla files, uncovering designs they believed could provide the crucial edge needed. This led to the development of a rudimentary teleportation device, which initially produced questionable results during testing.
Quote:
Historical Figure: "We had better get on our toes. We must see to it that whatever advantages they have are temporary." [04:11]
The Teleportation Experiments and Child Test Subjects
Initial Tests and Failures
Dr. Harold Agnew and Dr. Sterling Colgate led the experimental teleportation tests, which yielded disastrous results. Out of 15 volunteer adult test subjects, only three survived, with all survivors suffering severe psychological trauma. The data indicated that younger minds were more adaptable to temporal displacement without psychological collapse.
Quote:
Narrator: "The younger the subject, the better the outcome. Adult consciousness was the problem. Too rigid, it's too fixed." [38:08]
Raymond Basiago's Son Joins the Program
Facing a lack of viable adult volunteers, DARPA turned to children, selecting those with high intelligence and psychological resilience. Raymond Basiago, employed by DARPA's main contractor, volunteered his six-year-old son, Andrew, for the program despite Dr. Agnew's reservations about the ethical implications.
Quote:
Narrator: "Ray had a six-year-old son. Smart kid. Resilient, adaptable. Ray volunteered him for the program." [21:10]
Andrew Basiago's Missions and Anomalies
Gettysburg Encounter
Basiago's missions reportedly involved observing historical events, starting with Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. During his fourth mission, Andrew encountered a younger version of himself, leading to a temporal paradox that suggested the existence of multiple timelines or a multiverse.
Quote:
Narrator: "He saw something... another boy. Same uniform, same oversized shoes, same face. He was looking at himself." [22:04]
Revelations and Public Exposure
In 1971, Basiago appeared on Art Bell's Midnight in the Desert radio show, where he claimed to have faced dire consequences for his participation in Project Pegasus. The broadcast included a startling moment where Art Bell, during the live interview, unexpectedly alluded to working for ITT in Nutley, New Jersey—an obscure detail that seemed to validate parts of Basiago's narrative.
Quote:
Historical Figure (Art Bell): "I indeed work for ITT in Nutley, New Jersey. So. Oh my God. I just. Okay, that's a bomb..." [33:36]
Historical Evidence: The Gettysburg Photograph
Discovery of Andrew's Photo
The episode references a real historical find: in 1952, archivist Josephine Cobb discovered a previously unnoticed photograph at Gettysburg. The image purportedly shows President Lincoln addressing the crowd, with a lone boy in a Union Bugle Boy uniform standing out incongruously. Basiago identifies this boy as himself, suggesting photographic evidence of his time-traveling missions.
Quote:
Narrator: "But Josephine Cobb noticed something else in the photograph... is six-year-old Andrew Basiago." [37:19]
Critical Analysis and Skepticism
Evaluating the Plausibility
The Why Files takes a critical stance on Basiago's claims, pointing out numerous inconsistencies and scientific improbabilities. The hosts highlight the lack of verifiable evidence, the evolving nature of Basiago's narrative, and the extraordinary nature of the claims which defy current understanding of physics and technology.
Quote:
Co-Host: "But the science doesn't work. Tesla's radiant energy was about wireless power transmission, not teleportation." [38:10]
Patterns in Secret Space Program Claims
The podcast draws parallels between Basiago's story and other secret space program narratives, noting common elements such as:
- Participation in multiple clandestine programs.
- Encounters with extraterrestrial life.
- Use of children as test subjects.
- Evolution of the story to include elaborate details over time.
Quote:
Narrator: "Like almost everyone who claims they were part of a secret space program, Basiago's story follows a pattern." [41:22]
Questioning Motivations and Evidence
Further skepticism is expressed regarding the motivations behind such stories, suggesting that financial incentives and personal fame may drive individuals to fabricate or embellish their accounts. The lack of corroborating evidence and reliance on anecdotal testimonies are also critiqued.
Quote:
Co-Host: "And these storytellers share something else. They turn their stories into income." [42:35]
Conclusion: Separating Fact from Fiction
While The Why Files: Operation Podcast presents an engaging narrative surrounding Project Pegasus and Andrew Basiago's claims, it ultimately urges listeners to approach such extraordinary stories with a healthy dose of skepticism. The episode underscores the importance of evidence-based analysis and cautions against accepting unverified claims, especially those involving highly improbable technologies and secret government projects.
Final Thoughts:
The hosts conclude by reflecting on the human fascination with time travel and the desire for second chances, emphasizing that true progress lies in focusing on the present rather than chasing elusive conspiracies.
Quote:
Narrator: "Your second chance starts the second you stop looking backward and start looking forward. The time machine you're looking for, you're living it." [44:18]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Co-Host: "Found. The word you're looking for is stolen." [02:23]
- Narrator: "The FBI still has classified Tesla documents they won't release. We've covered this in our Tesla episode, which is linked below." [02:29]
- Historical Figure: "How the hell could he know that?" [34:08]
- Co-Host: "But the science doesn't work. Tesla's radiant energy was about wireless power transmission, not teleportation." [38:10]
- Narrator: "Like almost everyone who claims they were part of a secret space program, Basiago's story follows a pattern." [41:22]
- Narrator: "Your second chance starts the second you stop looking backward and start looking forward." [44:18]
Final Remarks
Episode 599 of The Why Files: Operation Podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of one of the more outlandish conspiracy theories in modern lore. By intertwining storytelling with critical analysis, the hosts provide listeners with both the allure of hidden histories and the importance of scrutinizing such extraordinary claims. Whether you’re a skeptic or someone fascinated by the mysteries of Project Pegasus, this episode serves as a thought-provoking examination of the thin line between myth and reality.