Who Killed JFK? – Episode: Strange Bedfellows

Host: Rob Reiner
Co-Host: Soledad O’Brien
Release Date: December 20, 2023
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In the commemorative episode "Strange Bedfellows," hosts Rob Reiner and Soledad O’Brien delve deep into the enduring mystery of President John F. Kennedy's assassination. As they explore the intricate web of motives and connections, they uncover how various powerful factions within the United States may have collaborated to orchestrate one of America's most perplexing historical events.

Key Players and Their Motives

1. Cuban Exiles

   • Background: Following the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis, many Cuban exiles harbored deep resentment towards President Kennedy for what they perceived as his failure to support their efforts to overthrow Fidel Castro.
   • Motive: Desire to reclaim their homeland and frustration over Kennedy’s pivot towards diplomacy and peace with the Soviet Union.
   • Notable Quote:
     • Ricardo Morales Jr. (08:00): "My dad thought JFK screwed us at the Bay of Pigs and then he screwed us after the Cuban Missile Crisis."

2. La Cosa Nostra (The Mafia)

   • Background: Under the leadership of figures like Carlos Marcello, the Mafia had significant control over organized crime in cities like New Orleans and Las Vegas. Robert Kennedy's crackdown on organized crime threatened their lucrative operations.
   • Motive: Financial loss and retaliatory anger towards Attorney General Robert Kennedy for his relentless pursuit of Mafia figures.
   • Notable Quote:
     • Jefferson Morley (10:18): "Marcello had a deep and abiding hatred of Robert Kennedy by that time. And that was shared by the other organized crime leaders."

3. CIA and Military Hardliners

   • Background: Elements within the CIA and the military were disillusioned with Kennedy’s foreign policies, particularly his approach to the Cold War and perceived softness on communism.
   • Motive: Belief that Kennedy was undermining national security and that his removal was necessary to maintain a strong anti-communist stance.
   • Notable Quote:
     • David Talbot (12:48): "I think he [Kennedy] had alienated not only much of his own government, but the national security establishment... They thought he was a weak leader, an appeaser, and he had to be removed."

The Connection Between the CIA and the Mafia

Rob Reiner uncovers the historical alliance between the CIA and the Mafia, originating from World War II when the CIA sought to maintain order in Italy by collaborating with organized crime syndicates. This alliance continued into the 1960s, aligning both entities against common enemies like Fidel Castro.

• Notable Figure: James Jesus Angleton
  • A poet spy who orchestrated the CIA-Mafia collaboration, ensuring that these clandestine operations remained covert.
  • Quote: Jefferson Morley (11:34): "The relationship between the CIA and the American mafia had begun in World War II... They made an agreement with the Mafia that they could continue to run their casinos in exchange for assistance with the US occupation."

The Role of Bill Harvey

Bill Harvey, head of the CIA's executive action program known as ZR Rifle, emerges as a pivotal figure. Described as an "assassination specialist," Harvey orchestrated covert operations and maintained deep-seated animosity towards the Kennedys.

• Background: Harvey's insubordination during the Cuban Missile Crisis led to his ousting and relocation to Rome, further fueling his vendetta.
• Connection with Johnny Roselli: Harvey cultivated a close relationship with Mafia leader Johnny Roselli, leveraging his connections to facilitate assassination plots.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jefferson Morley (18:07): "For most of that time, Harvey was a raging alcoholic. He was a bitter, bitter critic of President Kennedy and his brother Bill Harvey was, in the words of his colleagues, a very dangerous man."

Maurice Bishop and David Atlee Phillips

A critical revelation involves Maurice Bishop, later identified as David Atlee Phillips, a CIA operative deeply entrenched in anti-Castro operations.

• Background: Phillips, under the alias Maurice Bishop, orchestrated deception operations and was instrumental in supporting exile groups like Alpha 66.
• Role in Assassination Plot: Phillips' covert activities provided the necessary resources and coordination between the CIA, Mafia, and Cuban exiles to execute the assassination plan.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jefferson Morley (28:16): "I want to unequivocally state that Maurice Bishop was David Attlee Phillips."

Events Leading to the Assassination

• Alpha 66 and Operation 40:

  • Alpha 66: Led by Antonio Vessiana, this group comprised Cuban exiles determined to assassinate Fidel Castro. Their operations, however, also intertwined with broader assassination agendas against Kennedy.
  • Operation 40: A CIA-run team of operatives ready to carry out any mission, including assassination, as per covert directives.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Ricardo Morales Jr. (23:11): "Op 40 is a special team of operatives, basically assassins."

• Assassination Logistics:

  • Sketched Alias: Maurice Bishop, actually David Atlee Phillips, was the key coordinator, ensuring all factions worked seamlessly towards the assassination.
  • Meeting with Oswald: Witnesses recount seeing Lee Harvey Oswald associate with CIA operatives, indicating his potential involvement as an insider.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Ricardo Morales Jr. (32:24): "I was there as a cleaning team just in case something went wrong."

Involvement of Lee Harvey Oswald and Other Key Figures

Oswald’s interactions with Maurice Bishop (Phillips) and the presence of multiple CIA operatives and Mafia figures in Dallas on November 22, 1963, suggest a coordinated effort to ensure Kennedy's assassination.

• Key Individuals in Dallas:
  • Earl Cabell: Mayor of Dallas and a CIA asset responsible for planning the motorcade route that Oswald had access to.
  • Jack Cannon, Charles Nicoletti, Herminio Diaz Garcia, and John Swetra: All connected to either the CIA or organized crime, present in Dallas on the day of the assassination.
• Notable Quote:
  • Rob Reiner (33:53): "Mayor Cabell was responsible for establishing the route the motorcade would take. And that route would pass right in front of the building where Oswald worked."

Conclusion

The "Strange Bedfellows" episode meticulously pieces together the convoluted relationships between the CIA, Mafia, and Cuban exiles, illustrating how their combined motives and actions could have culminated in the assassination of President Kennedy. By uncovering hidden alliances and secret operatives, Rob Reiner and Soledad O’Brien shed new light on the JFK assassination, emphasizing its profound impact on American history and the lingering questions that continue to surround it.

Notable Closing Quote:

• Rob Reiner (37:23): "There can only be one explanation for all of them to have been there that day. They had to make sure that the President got killed."

Final Thoughts

"Strange Bedfellows" not only revisits historical events with fresh evidence but also challenges listeners to reconsider established narratives. As Reiner and O’Brien unravel the layers of this complex conspiracy, they highlight the enduring significance of the JFK assassination in shaping America's political and social landscape.

Listen to the full episode on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.