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Politics Weekly America
Revisited: Did the assassination of JFK kickstart the conspiracy theory movement?
Dec 13, 2024
Prof. Kathryn Olmsted, a history professor at UC Davis and author of 'Real Enemies,' dives into how JFK's assassination sparked a whirlwind of conspiracy theories. She discusses the immediate public reactions and the growing skepticism towards government narratives. Olmsted highlights the evolution of these theories, tracing their roots from targeting marginalized groups to scrutinizing government entities. The conversation uncovers how this tragic event reshaped American political culture, leading to lasting impacts on trust and inquiry in democracy.
25:27
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Quick takeaways
- Clint Hill's firsthand account of JFK's assassination highlights the immediate chaos and confusion that fueled speculation about government accountability.
- Prof. Kathryn Olmsted illustrates how the rise of conspiracy theories in American politics shifted from targeting minorities to challenging governmental integrity after JFK's death.
Deep dives
Clint Hill's Perspective on JFK's Assassination
Clint Hill, a former Secret Service agent, provides a first-hand account of the tragic events surrounding President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963. He recalls the moment he heard gunfire and witnessed the president collapsing, prompting him to leap out of his vehicle to assist. Hill's urgent actions led him to help Jackie Kennedy back into the car while signaling the gravity of the situation to fellow agents. His retrospective reflection emphasizes the burden he feels to clarify the facts of that day, particularly as conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination continue to proliferate.
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