President Donald Trump shared his perspective on the assassination of John F. Kennedy during an interview on Saturday, following the release of thousands of government files related to the case. While Trump acknowledged that he believes Lee Harvey Oswald was responsible for the 1963 shooting, he also raised questions about whether Oswald had assistance.
Speaking with OutKick founder Clay Travis, Trump was asked if he thought Oswald was the lone gunman. “I do. And I’ve always felt that,” he said before adding, “But of course, was he helped?”
Decades of Conspiracy Theories Persist
Oswald, who was arrested shortly after Kennedy’s assassination, repeatedly denied involvement, famously claiming he was “just a patsy.” Before he could stand trial, he was shot and killed by Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner, while in police custody.
The circumstances of Oswald’s death and the details of the assassination itself have fueled decades of speculation. Theories range from involvement by the Soviet KGB and Cuban intelligence to allegations that the Mafia or even U.S. government agencies played a role.
Newly Released Documents Offer Few Revelations
During his presidency, Trump ordered the release of thousands of classified documents related to the JFK assassination investigation. The latest batch, made public last Tuesday, contained additional details, including assessments of Oswald’s shooting skills.
Despite anticipation surrounding the new files, experts caution that they are unlikely to reveal any groundbreaking information. Trump himself admitted that the documents didn’t provide any shocking new insights.
“I don’t think there’s anything earth-shattering,” he remarked, suggesting that readers draw their own conclusions.
Some of the documents revisit long-discussed topics, including former CIA informant and U.S. Army Captain John Garrett Underhill Jr.’s claim that a small faction within the CIA orchestrated the assassination. Another section highlights reports on Oswald’s visit to the Soviet Union, where observers noted he was not an impressive marksman.
Parallels to Recent Events
The discussion also touched on the shooting attempt against Trump in July, when a gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, attempted to assassinate him at a Pennsylvania rally. Reports indicated that Crooks, like Oswald, was not known for exceptional shooting skills.
With the files now public, debate over the JFK assassination is sure to continue. Whether the new information changes public perception remains uncertain, but Trump has left it up to people to form their own opinions .
