President John F. Kennedy was shot dead 61 years ago as he traveled in the back of a car through the streets of Dallas, Texas. From the moment the news broke, people began forming their own theories about what happened. The shock of the event and the tragic loss of a sitting president immediately sparked widespread speculation, and many questions lingered about the true circumstances surrounding his assassination.
So why did JFK’s assassination give rise to dozens of conspiracy theories that have persisted for decades? Theories questioning the official narrative about the lone gunman have flourished, with many claiming that there were multiple people involved in the killing or that higher powers were at play in orchestrating the event. This proliferation of conspiracy theories raises the question: Why are Americans so quick to believe their government is covering something up? Some suggest that the lack of trust in the authorities, coupled with a sense of powerlessness, has fueled the belief that there is always something more to the story than what is being told to the public.
Moreover, despite the multiple instances in which conspiracy theories have turned dangerous, there are still prominent figures in politics today, including Kennedy’s own nephew, who have been accused of using such theories for political gain. This raises the concern that, even after all these years, conspiracy theories continue to shape political discourse and influence public perception. The JFK assassination remains a pivotal moment in history, and its legacy in the world of conspiracy theories continues to evolve with time.
Disclaimer:This podcast is taken from The guardian.