John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States of America, was shot dead on November 22, 1963. He was assassinated by former U.S. Marine Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas at 12:30 p.m. Many conspiracy theories arose surrounding his assassination, and even after more than 50 years, people are still talking about it. According to many conspiracy theorists, the John F. Kennedy assassination is considered the greatest of all conspiracy theories, often referred to as the “mother of all conspiracy theories.” A great amount of controversy emerged after the prime suspect, Lee Harvey Oswald, was murdered by Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner. This incident fueled numerous theories suggesting the possible involvement of various officials, including Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro, and even the CIA. Some of these theories are still believed by many people today. Let us now explore the most famous conspiracy theories that will definitely blow your mind, along with the facts behind them.
Conspiracy Theory – Lee Harvey Oswald was not alone:
Fact: No, not true
There were more than 538 reports suggesting that his death involved multiple individuals, and about half of the American population accepted this theory. As Oswald was murdered by nightclub owner Jack Ruby while he was being transferred from the city jail to the county jail, it was suspected that there might be a larger plot behind the assassination. It was also claimed that some unknown individuals may have helped Oswald complete his mission, though they were not connected to any higher authorities. Later, in 1964, FBI investigators and the Warren Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, aiming to debunk this theory.
Conspiracy Theory – The umbrella man was a signalman:
Fact: No, not true
The Umbrella Man was one of the most suspicious figures during the first shot fired. He drew suspicion by carrying an umbrella on a sunny day and standing very close to JFK. When he was asked why he was carrying an umbrella on such a sunny day, he said that he brought it to heckle Kennedy and joked that he should be awarded a Guinness World Record for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Mr. Witt identified himself as the Umbrella Man in 1978, but researchers refused to believe him, citing the instability of his story. When Mr. Witt was investigated in the case, he clearly stated that he was not part of any mob and was definitely not a signalman.
Conspiracy Theory – Fourth shot killed JFK:
Fact: No, not true
President Kennedy was shot dead by three bullets fired from the sixth-floor window by Oswald in the southeast corner of the Texas School Book Depository, according to the conclusion reached by the Warren Commission. However, many conspiracy theorists and members of the public believed there were multiple gunmen, with one shot allegedly coming from the grassy knoll. Numerous allegations suggested that a fourth shot, fired from the grassy knoll, struck the President’s head and caused his death. Many conspiracy theories emerged based on the number of shots and their origins, though the mystery surrounding the fourth shot was later addressed by the “single-bullet theory.” According to this theory, one of the bullets that struck JFK’s back exited through his throat, then hit Governor Connally’s chest, passed through his wrist, and lodged in his left thigh. In 1979, the House Select Committee on Assassinations claimed that shots were fired not only from the Texas School Book Depository but also possibly from the grassy knoll and the Dal-Tex building.
Conspiracy Theory – Lyndon B. Johnson involved in the assassination of kennedy:
Fact: No, he didn’t
Many politicians and members of the public believed that Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) might have been the mastermind behind the assassination, as he and Kennedy were not on good terms. Some claimed that he orchestrated it to secure the position of President. According to John F. Kennedy’s personal secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, JFK had told her that Lyndon would be replaced by Terry Sanford for the upcoming election without much hesitation. Therefore, many believed Lyndon had a motive to kill JFK, making it one of the most persistent conspiracy theories of that time. Madeleine Duncan Brown, a woman who claimed to be LBJ’s mistress, alleged that the night before the assassination, President Richard Nixon, the FBI director, and LBJ attended a party. She also claimed that LBJ whispered to her, “The Kennedys will never embarrass me again.” However, these claims were later found to be fabricated by her. Additionally, Dr. Charles Crenshaw, a third-year surgical trauma resident at the time of the assassination, claimed that LBJ called to check on Oswald’s status after he was shot by Jack Ruby, but this claim was debunked as there was no record of such a call being routed through the White House switchboard, and critics pointed out that LBJ was in his limousine at that time. Although many conspiracy theories emerged from this narrative, they were later dismissed due to a lack of evidence.
Conspiracy Theory – Cuba was the mastermind behind JFK assassination:
Fact: No, they aren’t
People around the world believed that Oswald didn’t act alone and was helped by the Cuban government. He was said to be associated with Cuban revolutionaries. Just a month before JFK was killed, Oswald traveled from Texas to Mexico City and was believed to have made contact with the Cuban and Soviet consulates. Some conspiracy theorists still believe that Fidel Castro ordered Oswald to assassinate Kennedy, as JFK was allegedly trying to have Castro killed. There were also claims from anti-Castro groups, who were angry at Kennedy for failing to provide U.S. military support during the Bay of Pigs invasion. However, after numerous investigations, the Warren Commission concluded that there was no evidence of Cuban involvement in the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
- Theories surrounding JFK’s assassination continue to emerge, with some claiming that figures like Ted Cruz’s father were involved, or even that George Bush and the CIA had a hand in it. The conspiracies stretch on endlessly, with new theories emerging each year. Some of these theories, so intriguing in their complexity, have even been turned into movies, capturing the imagination of audiences and making us question the truth behind JFK’s tragic death. While some of these theories will make you doubt what you know, the debate about the true circumstances of his assassination remains an enduring mystery.
