-(4)-1731951738-q80.webp){kind=small}
On March 23, 2025, President Donald Trump sparked controversy by suggesting that Lee Harvey Oswald, the man convicted of assassinating President John F. Kennedy in 1963, did not act alone, contradicting previous U.S. government investigations that have concluded otherwise.
The remarks came during an interview with Clay Travis, host of the radio show Outkick, when Travis asked whether Trump believed Oswald had acted alone in the assassination of Kennedy.
Trump's response was both firm and provocative, stating, "I think so, and I’ve always felt that way. Of course, someone was helping him," although he did not provide any concrete evidence to support his claim.
Trump’s comment reignites long-standing conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of Kennedy, who was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 46. Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested for the crime and was shot and killed by nightclub owner Jack Ruby two days after Kennedy’s assassination while being transferred from the city jail.
Despite Oswald’s arrest and the subsequent conclusion by U.S. authorities that Oswald acted alone, conspiracy theories have persisted for decades, questioning whether others were involved in the assassination.
The federal government, including the U.S. Department of Justice and agencies like the CIA and FBI, has consistently maintained that Oswald acted alone in the assassination.
However, many Americans continue to believe in various conspiracy theories, some suggesting a "dark conspiracy" behind Kennedy’s death. These theories gained significant traction in the years following the assassination, fueled by numerous investigations, books, and documentaries suggesting multiple perpetrators or other sinister forces at play.
Trump’s recent remarks came after the release of thousands of previously classified documents related to the assassination, marking the final batch of records the U.S. government had been ordered to make public. The Trump administration had initially kept a large portion of these files sealed, citing national security concerns.
However, on March 18, 2025, the government published the final batch, which included documents detailing covert operations carried out by the CIA, and some revealing the identities of former agents.
While these documents have long been the subject of speculation and debate, Trump downplayed their significance, telling Travis, "There’s nothing special in those files.
I don’t think there’s anything world-shattering in there," and suggested that individuals should form their own conclusions about the identity of Kennedy’s killer.
This remark is consistent with Trump’s broader tendency to question established narratives and to provide his own interpretations of events. It also highlights the president’s willingness to entertain alternative views that challenge the findings of long-standing investigations.
Trump’s comments on Oswald and the Kennedy assassination were not entirely surprising given his history of embracing and amplifying conspiracy theories. His statement that Oswald had support in carrying out the assassination resonates with a segment of the American public who have long been skeptical of the official account.
The release of these final documents marks the culmination of a long process that started in 1992 when U.S. lawmakers passed a law requiring the release of all government documents related to Kennedy’s assassination.
The law mandated that the documents be made public by October 2017, with certain exceptions for national defense or intelligence concerns. Both Trump and his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, exercised their authority to extend the deadline for releasing some documents, citing the need to protect intelligence sources and methods.
The majority of the final documents released in March 2025 were heavily redacted to protect the identities of CIA operatives, sources, and sensitive intelligence-gathering methods used during the investigation into Kennedy’s assassination.
Some of the newly disclosed materials reveal covert CIA activities and even the social security numbers of former CIA agents, a disclosure that has provoked anger and concern among those named in the documents. The revelation of these identities and classified activities is likely to fuel further conspiracy theories and debates about the true nature of the events surrounding Kennedy’s assassination.
Despite the careful redactions and the caution exercised by the government in releasing the final batch of documents, the information made public only adds to the intrigue surrounding the 1963 assassination.
While many scholars, historians, and investigators have accepted the official conclusion that Oswald acted alone, there remains a large contingent of the public who continue to question the narrative.
The release of these final documents is unlikely to settle the debate, but it does provide a deeper look into the government’s handling of the case and the ongoing efforts to protect national security interests.
The continued interest in the Kennedy assassination reflects the broader American fascination with political scandals and mysteries that have shaped the nation’s history. Over the years, numerous investigations, books, and documentaries have explored the possibility of other individuals or groups being involved in Kennedy’s death, and these theories continue to thrive despite official accounts.
The publication of these documents only serves to renew interest in the assassination and fuel new discussions about who was truly responsible for the death of one of the country’s most beloved leaders.
Trump’s remarks are particularly significant given his standing as a political figure and the influence he continues to wield over a significant portion of the American electorate. His willingness to entertain and endorse conspiracy theories about the Kennedy assassination could encourage further skepticism and mistrust among his supporters regarding the official findings of the U.S. government.
This is particularly relevant in a political climate where trust in government institutions has been steadily eroding, and many Americans are more inclined to accept alternative explanations for significant historical events.
As the debate over Kennedy’s assassination continues to unfold, it is clear that the release of the final documents is unlikely to bring closure to the issue. While the government has taken steps to declassify records related to the assassination, many questions remain unanswered, and the possibility of a larger conspiracy will likely persist in the public imagination.
Trump’s comments on the matter serve as a reminder of how influential political figures can shape public perceptions of history, and how the narrative surrounding significant events can be molded and reinterpreted to serve different political agendas.
In conclusion, Trump’s recent comments regarding the Kennedy assassination reflect his ongoing skepticism of official government narratives and his willingness to entertain alternative theories. His remarks questioning whether Oswald acted alone resonate with a segment of the population that has long harbored doubts about the official account of the assassination.
The release of the final batch of documents related to Kennedy’s death adds to the ongoing debate but is unlikely to settle the question of who was responsible for the tragedy. As the public continues to grapple with the legacy of Kennedy’s assassination, it is clear that the mystery surrounding his death will remain a topic of fascination and speculation for many years to come.
