JFK, UFOs, and the Majestic 12: Unraveling the Cold War’s Deepest Secrets

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy has remained one of the most scrutinized and debated events in American history. However, in a fascinating episode of “Reality Check” with Ross Coulthart, a fresh perspective emerges, suggesting that JFK’s involvement with UFOs and the covert Majestic 12 (MJ12) files could have played a role in his untimely demise.

This theory isn’t merely speculative but grounded in a complex web of Cold War events, intelligence operations, and declassified documents that tie JFK’s curiosity about UFOs to the clandestine activities of the CIA and other intelligence agencies.

The Cold War Context and Operation Palladium

At the height of the Cold War, espionage and covert operations between the United States and the Soviet Union reached their zenith. One such operation, known as Operation Palladium, involved injecting false UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) signals into Soviet radar systems, causing confusion and potentially escalating tensions. David Lamar Christ, a CIA scientist likened to James Bond’s “Q,” was deeply involved in this operation. However, when Christ was captured and tortured by Cuban and Russian interrogators, he revealed secrets that compromised the operation, leading to further complications.

During a critical 1961 meeting in Vienna between JFK and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, the latter allegedly confronted the U.S. president about the spoofing activities by American forces. This exchange reportedly left Kennedy puzzled, prompting him to seek more information from the CIA.

The Majestic 12 Documents and JFK’s Involvement

The Majestic 12 (MJ12) files are a series of controversial documents that first surfaced in 1984, purporting to reveal a secret group overseeing the U.S. government’s investigation into UFOs, including the Roswell incident. While many have dismissed these documents as disinformation, former Australian intelligence officer Geoff Cruickshank suggests there may be some truth to them.

VIDEO: JFK, UFOs and the Majestic 12 files | Reality Check with Ross Coulthart

One of the MJ12 documents allegedly shows JFK sending a directive to CIA Director Allen Dulles on June 28, 1961, asking for information about MJ12 and psychological warfare efforts. What’s intriguing is that Dulles’ event calendar, declassified only in 2022, confirms that he met with JFK twice on that very day—a detail that was unknown until recently, lending some credibility to the authenticity of the MJ12 files.

Cruickshank further argues that JFK’s insistence on transparency regarding UFOs and his desire for greater openness between the U.S. and the Soviet Union may have made him a target within the intelligence community. This, he believes, could explain why JFK was assassinated.

The Connection Between JFK, UFOs, and His Assassination

JFK’s interest in UFOs wasn’t merely academic. In November 1963, just days before his assassination, he issued National Security Action Memorandum 271, directing NASA to cooperate with the Soviets on space matters. This has led some, including Cruickshank, to speculate that JFK’s push for collaboration on UFO research could have been seen as a threat by those within the U.S. government who wanted to maintain control over this sensitive information.

Cruickshank highlights that the CIA, under Dulles, was running secretive operations without JFK’s knowledge, and this lack of transparency may have exacerbated tensions between the president and the intelligence community. Moreover, documents like the “important memo,” which surfaced after the Cuban Missile Crisis, suggest that JFK may have been briefed on MJ12 and other UFO-related matters, further fueling suspicions that his assassination was connected to his interest in these topics.

The Cuban Missile Crisis and UFOs

One of the most critical moments in Cold War history, the Cuban Missile Crisis, also plays a role in this narrative. During this period, there were multiple reports of UFOs appearing near U.S. military installations, including one during a test of an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) off the coast of California. These sightings, coupled with the heightened tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, made the situation even more precarious.

The presence of these unexplained phenomena, which both superpowers were aware of but not fully understood, added another layer of complexity to an already dangerous situation. Cruickshank suggests that this could have further motivated JFK’s desire for openness and cooperation with the Soviets, a stance that may have ultimately led to his downfall.

Conclusion: A Controversial Theory with Lingering Questions

While the connections between JFK, UFOs, and the Majestic 12 files are still shrouded in mystery, the theories presented by Geoff Cruickshank on “Reality Check” offer a compelling alternative perspective on JFK’s assassination. Whether or not these claims can be fully substantiated, they raise important questions about the extent of the U.S. government’s knowledge of UFOs, the secrecy surrounding these topics, and the potential consequences for those who sought to uncover the truth.

As more documents are declassified and researchers continue to delve into the historical record, the enigmatic relationship between JFK, UFOs, and the Majestic 12 files may eventually come into sharper focus, offering new insights into one of the most pivotal moments in American history.