The release of more than 63,000 pages of documents on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy has reignited interest in conspiracy theories and raised privacy concerns.
In a significant disclosure, more than 63,000 pages of documents pertaining to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy have been released to the public, following an executive order from former President Donald Trump. This extensive collection includes over 2,200 files, posted on the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration website, that aim to shed light on events surrounding the 1963 assassination but have unintentionally introduced controversies of their own.
The release was announced during Trump’s visit to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. Trump stated, “We have a tremendous amount of paper. You’ve got a lot of reading,” as he discussed the declassification process. The files, which are part of a more extensive archive containing over six million items related to Kennedy’s assassination, have sparked renewed interest in the various conspiracy theories that have surrounded this infamous event for over half a century.
Among the assertions gaining traction from these newly released files is the idea of a ‘deep state’, a term popularised by some political figures, including Trump himself. Journalist Glenn Greenwald highlighted a 15-page memo from Arthur Schlesinger, a key adviser to Kennedy, who warned that the CIA had become “a state within a state” and called for its disbandment. Greenwald, speaking to the Daily Mail, noted the memo reflects concerns about potential issues created by CIA operations, supporting the discourse surrounding the existence of a ‘deep state’.
The assassination of President Kennedy, which took place on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, has long been a fertile ground for conspiracy theorists. Following the incident, Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested as the alleged assassin, but the Warren Commission later concluded that Oswald acted alone. Nevertheless, countless conspiracy theories, including claims of CIA involvement, have persisted over the decades.
Amidst the discourse on the released files, the online world witnessed reactions from various public figures. Actor Russell Brand shared his excitement about the newly declassified documents, tweeting that “1,123 newly declassified documents have OFFICIALLY been released… This is insanity!” However, he controversially posted a manipulated image that claimed the BBC actress Penelope Keith had assassinated JFK, leading to online criticism of Brand’s misinformation.
Further controversy arose from the contents of the files, as more than 200 individuals’ social security numbers were made public, leading to concerns over privacy and security breaches. Joseph diGenova, a former attorney for Trump, expressed outrage over this lapse, noting the risks of identity theft and potential threats to his safety. He stated, “It’s absolutely outrageous. It’s sloppy, unprofessional,” highlighting the negligence of failing to redact sensitive information.
Ultimately, the release of the JFK files was anticipated to either confirm or debunk numerous conspiracy theories; however, experts suggested that no groundbreaking revelations were expected. Instead, the documents largely reiterated the historical context of U.S. intelligence operations regarding JFK’s assassination, which once again has reignited debates about governmental transparency and the implications of classified information in the public domain.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-jfk-assassination-files-released-2025/ – This article supports the claim that the Trump administration released a significant number of JFK assassination files, totaling around 80,000 pages, following an executive order from President Trump. It also mentions that the release includes unredacted versions of previously redacted documents.
- https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-orders-declassification-of-jfk-rfk-and-mlk-assassination-files/ – This White House fact sheet corroborates President Trump’s executive order to declassify and release JFK assassination files, along with those of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing transparency and the public’s right to know.
- https://www.justice.gov/archives/sco/file/1373816/dl?inline= – Although not directly related to JFK files, this document illustrates the process of declassification and release of sensitive government documents, which is relevant to the context of releasing JFK files.
- https://abcnews.go.com/US/after-trump-announcement-dojs-national-security-division-pulls/story?id=119909075 – This article details the scramble within the Justice Department’s National Security Division to meet President Trump’s deadline for releasing JFK assassination files, highlighting the urgency and effort involved in the declassification process.
- https://www.mass.gov/guide-to-evidence/article-xi-miscellaneous – While not directly related to JFK files, this document discusses legal and procedural aspects of handling sensitive information, which can be relevant to the broader context of document declassification and privacy concerns.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This source is mentioned as the original article discussing the release of JFK files and the controversies surrounding them, including privacy concerns and renewed interest in conspiracy theories.
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14518915/JFK-assassination-files-conspiracy-theory-pushed-Trump-TRUE-journalist-says.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative discusses the release of JFK assassination files, which was an event initiated by Donald Trump. While the release itself is not recent, the ongoing discussion and reactions to the files are. However, the core information about the files’ release is not new, as it occurred during Trump’s presidency.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quote from Trump about having ‘a tremendous amount of paper’ does not have a specific earliest known reference online, but it aligns with his style of speaking. The quote from Joseph diGenova criticizing the release of sensitive information could not be verified as the first use, but it reflects his known stance on such issues.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, which is a well-known publication but can vary in reliability depending on the topic. The inclusion of reactions from public figures like Russell Brand adds to the narrative’s diversity but does not necessarily enhance its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the JFK assassination files and the reactions to their release are plausible, given the historical context and ongoing public interest in conspiracy theories surrounding the event. The controversy over privacy breaches and the ‘deep state’ discourse are also consistent with public discourse.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative discusses a significant historical event with ongoing public interest, but its freshness is somewhat diminished by the fact that the core event (the release of JFK files) occurred during Trump’s presidency. The quotes and reactions from public figures add context but do not significantly enhance the narrative’s novelty. The source is generally reliable but can vary in credibility. Overall, the narrative is plausible but lacks groundbreaking new information.
