For decades, Americans have sought the truth about what really happened on November 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Now, former President Donald Trump has reignited the debate by declassifying thousands of documents related to JFK’s death—yet many feel the biggest questions remain unanswered.
On March 18, Trump’s administration released 80,000 classified files connected to the assassination of the 35th president. The move was in compliance with the 1992 Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act, which had originally set a 2017 deadline for the full disclosure of government-held records on the event.
Speaking at the Kennedy Center on March 17, Trump, 78, teased the release, telling the audience, “We have a tremendous amount of paper. You got a lot of reading. I don’t believe we’re going to redact anything. They’ve been waiting for this for decades. And I said during the campaign I’d release them, and I’m a man of my word… so tomorrow you have the JFK files.”
This wasn’t the first time Trump had declassified assassination-related records. During his presidency, he made thousands of files available in 2018, though some portions remained classified due to national security concerns. His successor, Joe Biden, followed a similar path, unveiling an additional 13,000 records in 2022.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard praised the release, declaring, “President Trump is ushering in a new era of maximum transparency… Per his direction, previously redacted JFK Assassination Files are being released to the public with no redactions.” She concluded with the administration’s mantra: “Promises made, promises kept.”
Files Still Missing
While the release was met with great anticipation, not everyone was satisfied. Many of those who eagerly pored over the documents were left disappointed—some critical files remain locked away.
Despite Trump’s claims of full transparency, the newly available documents largely reaffirmed what the Warren Commission concluded in 1964: that 24-year-old ex-Marine Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, firing three shots from the Texas School Book Depository in Dealey Plaza, Dallas.
According to the official report, the first bullet missed. The second—often referred to as the “magic bullet”—struck Kennedy in the back, exited through his throat, and then hit Texas Governor John Connally, shattering his wrist and lodging in his thigh. The third shot, fired within 8.6 seconds of the first, was the fatal blow that struck Kennedy’s head.
Oswald was arrested the same day, accused of killing a Dallas police officer while fleeing the scene. However, before he could stand trial, he was shot and killed by nightclub owner Jack Ruby on live television, sparking decades of speculation.
The Hunt for a Conspiracy
The Kennedy assassination has long been more than just a historical event—it’s a generational mystery. For many Americans, the idea that Oswald acted alone has never been convincing.
Over the years, conspiracy theories have flourished. Some claim Kennedy was assassinated by the mafia, others believe Cuban exiles or the Soviet KGB were involved. One of the more bizarre theories suggests that the CIA orchestrated the killing to prevent Kennedy from exposing the truth about UFOs.
Trump’s document dump was expected to provide answers—or at least offer new clues. Instead, the files contained only minor new details, failing to deliver the smoking gun many had hoped for.
Online Reactions
For conspiracy theorists, the lack of earth-shattering revelations only deepened their suspicions. Many took to social media to share their frustration, with some making bold accusations.
“The CIA assassinated the sitting President JFK, and they were never held accountable for it!” one user tweeted.
Another insisted, “The CIA killed JFK.”
A third user revived the alien conspiracy, suggesting, “It appears the reason why the JFK files weren’t released for all these years was that they reveal US government awareness of UAPs/UFOs.”
Others were simply disillusioned by the fact that key information is still being withheld.
“Turns out the only thing uncovered in the JFK Files is what we already knew from the Warren Commission,” one person noted.
Another wrote, “I was told repeatedly these were going to be unredacted…”
A third user bluntly stated, “You got played… again? How many more times?”
Meanwhile, some pointed out that the release was nearly identical to the files President Biden made available in 2023.
“Trump released the same JFK files that Biden released in 2023 lol. Fell for it again award,” a user joked, posting side-by-side images of the two releases.
Another tweeted, “Biden released these unredacted. Biden 1, Trump 0.”
Someone else added, “Literally the same files released by Biden.”
The JFK Assassination: America’s Enduring Mystery
More than six decades later, the assassination of John F. Kennedy remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in American history. While Trump’s mass declassification brought some new documents to light, it ultimately failed to answer the questions that have persisted since 1963.
For now, the hunt for the full truth continues.
What do you think of the newly released files? Do they confirm the official story or raise even more doubts? Let us know in the comments and share this story with your friends!