Listen To Story Above

After years of anticipation, the Trump administration has finally unveiled most of the classified files connected to John F. Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963. Though some redactions remain – despite Trump’s initial push for complete transparency – the release adheres to legislation from 1992 mandating their disclosure by 2017.

While the files don’t reveal any bombshell conspiracies about second shooters or validate Jim Garrison’s theories, they do contain some noteworthy findings. According to the BBC’s analysis, the documents show that the CIA maintained closer surveillance of Lee Harvey Oswald than previously acknowledged, and Kennedy’s administration harbored more suspicion toward the CIA than was known at the time.

Though these revelations aren’t particularly shocking, they’ll likely fuel JFK conspiracy discussions for years to come. Meanwhile, the release prompted some humorous responses on social media, including from the parody account @KateHydeNY, who shared what she jokingly called the “first documents from the JFK Files.”

“BREAKING: First documents from the JFK Files have been released. All I have to say is… WOW.”

This post referenced a long-running internet meme about the Clintons’ alleged involvement in suspicious deaths, originating with Hillary’s former law partner Vince Foster. The joke has become so prevalent that fact-checkers regularly debunk variations of it, like false claims about tweets from Shinzo Abe and Ruth Bader Ginsburg supposedly having “information that could lead to Hillary Clinton’s arrest.”

The meme’s endurance stems from two factors: the Clintons’ reputation for aggressive political maneuvering, and the media’s sensitivity to Clinton-related criticism. This was memorably demonstrated when Norm Macdonald’s 2000 appearance on “The View” caused visible discomfort among hosts Barbara Walters and Joy Behar after he suggested Bill Clinton’s involvement in murder.

The incident highlights a perceived double standard in political discourse – where calling Republicans “fascists” seems acceptable, but questioning the Clintons remains taboo, making such jokes particularly effective at generating reactions.