Screenwriter James DiEugenio discusses the JFK assassination and the mystery of Kennedy's missing brain. The podcast explores surveillance capabilities, deception and cover-up, tension between MLK and J. Edgar Hoover, the relationship between the Kennedys and Harry Belafonte, intimidation tactics and wiretaps on MLK, the CIA's potential consideration to assassinate Malcolm X, and the pursuit of truth in the face of opposition.
The mysterious disappearance of John F. Kennedy's brain and the missing Harper fragment contribute to the enduring unsolved mystery surrounding his assassination.
FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover initiated wiretaps and surveillance operations against Martin Luther King Jr. in an attempt to undermine his civil rights activism and falsely associate him with communism.
The complex relationship between President John F. Kennedy, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. provides valuable insights into the political landscape and challenges of the civil rights movement during the 1960s.
Deep dives
The Mysterious Disappearance of Kennedy's Brain
The podcast episode explores the intriguing story of President Kennedy's brain and its mysterious disappearance. The original autopsy report recorded the brain weighing 1500 grams, which was unusual as the average weight of a human brain is 1350 grams. Numerous visual and eyewitness evidence contradicts this weight, including the explosion of the brain seen in the Zapruder film and the accounts of witnesses at Parkland Hospital and Bethesda Naval Center. The supplementary autopsy report, with a handwritten date of 12/6, stated that no dissection was done to preserve the specimen. Furthermore, the documentary evidence shows contradictory information about the brain's displacement and its mysterious presence at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP). This enduring unsolved mystery serves as a central key in the broader investigation into Kennedy's assassination.
Hoover's Campaign Against Martin Luther King Jr.
The podcast delves into FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover's relentless campaign against Martin Luther King Jr. Hoover sought to undermine King's civil rights activism by initiating wiretaps and surveillance operations, aiming to expose any alleged communist connections. The FBI intercepted private communications between King and his advisor, Stanley Levison, erroneously associating them with communism. Despite Hoover's attempts to blackmail and discredit King, the Kennedy brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, supported King and advised him to sever ties with Levison. Hoover intensified his efforts to tarnish King's reputation, leading to the infamous threatening letter exposing the FBI's surveillance of King's private life. This campaign against King exposes the extent of Hoover's power and the struggles faced by civil rights leaders during the turbulent 1960s.
The Complex Relationship Between JFK, RFK, and Martin Luther King Jr.
The podcast highlights the complex relationship between President John F. Kennedy (JFK), Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), and Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Initially, JFK and RFK supported MLK's civil rights activism and saw him as an important ally, taking steps to address systemic racial inequality. However, tensions arose when MLK faced allegations of associating with communist influences. RFK authorized wiretapping of MLK's communications, hoping to gather evidence to clear his name but found no incriminating information. Despite this, JFK and RFK continued their support for MLK and his pursuit of civil rights. However, the relationship between the Kennedys and MLK became strained as MLK criticized the Kennedy administration for not doing enough, especially in addressing poverty and inequality. The complex dynamics between these influential figures provide valuable insights into the political landscape and challenges of the civil rights movement during the 1960s.
Missing Brain and Skull Fragment
The podcast episode discusses the mysterious disappearance of John F. Kennedy's brain during the autopsy and the missing Harper fragment, a piece of skull that was ejected from Kennedy's head. The brain, which was sent to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), was later claimed to be missing or destroyed. The Harper fragment, found in Dealey Plaza by a student named Billy Harper, was identified as a piece of bone from the rear of the skull. However, it did not reach Washington until after the autopsy, and when it finally arrived, it was taken by the FBI and subsequently disappeared. These missing pieces of evidence contribute to the ongoing mystery surrounding Kennedy's assassination.
Hoover vs. King
This podcast episode explores the contentious relationship between FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), led by King, criticized the FBI's failure to protect civil rights workers, leading to Hoover's animosity towards King. The FBI began an investigation into King, tapping his phone and attempting to smear him as a communist sympathizer. The Kennedys, particularly Bobby Kennedy, maintained a close relationship with King and supported civil rights efforts. However, Hoover's tactics of surveillance and character assassination were aimed at discrediting King and the broader civil rights movement. The episode highlights the complex dynamics between the Kennedy administration, the FBI, and the civil rights movement during this tumultuous period in American history.
