One of the most enduring conspiracy theories in American history is that former President Lyndon B. Johnson was involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The theory has been around since the assassination in 1963, and it has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and movies. Despite a lack of concrete evidence, the theory persists to this day.
The Official Story
The official story of the Kennedy assassination is that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in shooting the president from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository in Dallas. However, many people have never been satisfied with this explanation, and they believe that there must have been a conspiracy involving other people.
The Motive
One of the main reasons that people suspect Johnson is that he had a motive to have Kennedy killed. Johnson was vice president at the time of the assassination, and he became president after Kennedy's death. Many people believe that Johnson was unhappy being vice president, and that he wanted to be president at any cost.
The Evidence
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, there are a number of things that have led people to suspect that Johnson was involved in the assassination. For example, there are rumors that Johnson had a close relationship with organized crime figures, and that he may have used them to help orchestrate the assassination. There are also rumors that Johnson was involved in a number of other shady dealings, and that he was willing to do whatever it took to get what he wanted.
The Warren Commission Report
The Warren Commission was set up by President Johnson to investigate the assassination of Kennedy. The commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy, and that there was no evidence of a conspiracy. However, many people have criticized the Warren Commission report, saying that it was a cover-up, and that it ignored evidence that pointed to a conspiracy.
Theories About the Assassination
There are a number of theories about the Kennedy assassination, and many of them involve Lyndon Johnson in some way. Some people believe that Johnson was directly involved in planning the assassination, while others believe that he simply knew about it beforehand and did nothing to stop it. Still others believe that Johnson was involved in a cover-up after the fact.
The Oliver Stone Movie
In 1991, director Oliver Stone released a movie called JFK, which explored many of the conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy assassination. The movie suggested that Johnson may have been involved in a conspiracy to kill Kennedy, and it caused a great deal of controversy when it was released.
The Legacy of the Conspiracy Theories
The conspiracy theories about the Kennedy assassination continue to be a topic of fascination for many people. They have spawned countless books, documentaries, and movies, and they have become a part of American popular culture. However, they have also had a negative impact on the legacy of John F. Kennedy, who is often remembered more for the manner of his death than for his achievements as president.
Conclusion
While there is no concrete evidence to suggest that Lyndon Johnson was involved in the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the theory persists to this day. It is a reminder of the power of conspiracy theories to capture the public imagination, and of the enduring fascination with one of the darkest moments in American history.