Inside the JFK Conspiracy: How Brad Meltzer Unearthed a Forgotten Assassination Plot

A Note from James:

Probably no president has fascinated this country and our history as much as John F. Kennedy, JFK. Everyone who lived through it remembers where they were when JFK was assassinated. He's considered the golden boy of American politics. But I didn't know this amazing conspiracy that was happening right before JFK took office.

Best-selling thriller writer Brad Meltzer, one of my favorite writers, breaks it all down. He just wrote a book called The JFK Conspiracy. I highly recommend it. And we talk about it right here on the show.

Episode Description:

Brad Meltzer returns to the show to reveal one of the craziest untold stories about JFK: the first assassination attempt before he even took office. In his new book, The JFK Conspiracy, Brad dives into the little-known plot by Richard Pavlik, a disgruntled former postal worker with a car rigged to explode.

What saved JFK’s life that day? Why does this story remain a footnote in history? Brad shares riveting details, the forgotten man who thwarted the plot, and how this story illuminates America’s deeper fears. We also explore the legacy of JFK and Jackie Kennedy, from heroism to scandal, and how their "Camelot" has shaped the presidency ever since.

What You’ll Learn:

The true story of JFK’s first assassination attempt in 1960.
How Brad Meltzer uncovered one of the most bizarre historical footnotes about JFK.
The untold role of Richard Pavlik in plotting to kill JFK and what stopped him.
Why Jackie Kennedy coined the term "Camelot" and shaped JFK’s legacy.
Parallels between the 1960 election and today’s polarized political climate.

Timestamped Chapters:

[01:30] Introduction to Brad Meltzer and His New Book
[02:24] The Untold Story of JFK's First Assassination Attempt
[05:03] Richard Pavlik: The Man Who Almost Killed JFK
[06:08] JFK's Heroic World War II Story
[09:29] The Complex Legacy of JFK
[10:17] The Influence of Joe Kennedy
[13:20] Rise of the KKK and Targeting JFK
[20:01] The Role of Religion in JFK's Campaign
[25:10] Conspiracy Theories and Historical Context
[30:47] The Camelot Legacy
[36:01] JFK's Assassination and Aftermath
[39:54] Upcoming Projects and Reflections

Additional Resources:

The JFK Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer
Clint Hill's Memoir, Mrs. Kennedy and Me
The Life Magazine Camelot Interview
Watch the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon Debates