History Extra podcast The forgotten JFK assassination plot
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Feb 10, 2025 Join Brad Meltzer, author of The JFK Conspiracy, and his co-author Josh Mensch as they dive into an obscure assassination attempt on John F. Kennedy shortly after his election. They explore the motivations of the would-be assassin, Richard Pavlik, and the significant political tensions of the time, including anti-Catholic sentiments. The discussion also unveils the charismatic complexity of JFK and his relationship with Jacqueline Kennedy, shedding light on the darker shadows surrounding their public persona and the Camelot narrative.
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JFK Assassination Attempt
- Richard Pavlik, a disgruntled postal worker, plotted to kill JFK in 1960.
- He planned to detonate dynamite near Kennedy's car on the way to church.
1960 Election Tensions
- The 1960 election was highly divisive, fueled by issues like civil rights and anti-Catholic sentiment.
- Kennedy's Catholicism became a focal point due to its association with immigration.
JFK's Charisma
- JFK defied Secret Service protocol by interacting with crowds and giving his clothes to agents.
- This charisma made people feel uniquely important, but it masked personal flaws.
