History

56 years ago this month, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was gunned down in a kitchen pantry of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. My ongoing investigative series on the RFK assassination continues on Episode 38 of "Strange Bedfellows" with tonight's guest, historian Mel Ayton (author of "Sirhan Sirhan: The Forgotten Terrorist") -- who will tell us what motivated Kennedy's killer. Researchers have spent the past 56 years bogged down in ballistics and bullet trajectories, all the while overlooking the most important aspect of the crime: motive. We are all guilty of focusing too much on the HOW, and not enough on the WHY. So, why did he do it? Sirhan told us why. Many times. Minutes after shooting Sen. Kennedy, Sirhan told arresting officers: "I can explain! I did it for my country! I love my country." After being convicted of Kennedy's murder, Sirhan told his jailer: “It’s not very many people my age who is considered a martyr by his people. Just think, I’ll go down in history as a martyr and will always be remembered, at least by my countrymen.” He told us, over and over again, why he killed Kennedy. He did it for his country; for Palestine. Sirhan envisioned himself as a revolutionary, committing a revolutionary act. And it's true that he did put the Palestinian liberation movement on the front pages of newspapers for the very first time. Assassinating RFK brought attention to the plight of Palestinians -- and that's exactly what Sirhan intended to do. In addition, Sirhan's anti-Zionism was the primary motivating emotion that drove him to target high-profile political leaders for assassination. More than a year before he shot RFK, Sirhan was already naming the pro-Israel politicians he wanted to kill in his notebook, starting at the top: President Lyndon Baines Johnson. (See this thread for more details.) https://twitter.com/RealLoriSpencer/status/1799558104834560147 Sirhan also wanted to murder U.N. Ambassador Arthur Goldberg. (More info on Sirhan';s notebook entries about killing Goldberg below) https://twitter.com/RealLoriSpencer/status/1799561907415711884 Even after he was locked up awaiting trial for killing RFK, Sirhan was wishing death upon Vice President Hubert Humphrey. (See this thread for more) https://twitter.com/RealLoriSpencer/status/1800377657546379541 After his arrest, Sirhan was asked if he felt any shame. "Hell no!" He said. Clearly, Sirhan had no remorse for what he did. He was quite proud of himself. While behind bars, Sirhan constantly asked for newspapers from the Arab world, eager to read what was being written about his "heroic act" by those who -- unlike Americans -- fully understood his motives. Indeed, Sirhan was hailed a hero in Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and back home in Palestine. Even the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin Al-Husseini instructed his fellow Arabs to give Sirhan all possible aid after his arrest. The Grand Mufti's call was answered by Arab lawyers who came to assist Sirhan, and Arab Americans who held fundraisers for his legal defense fund and provided financial support for the Sirhan family. In 1968, Sirhan's motives were lost on most Americans, who rationalized the assassination of Robert Kennedy as the senseless act of a madman. We, as a nation, did not yet understand the complexities or history of the Middle East conflict. This was before the era of Palestinian skyjackings, hostage-takings, the Munich Olympics massacre, terrorist attacks, and 9/11. In 2003, The Los Angeles Times wrote that Sirhan "fired the first shot in the War on Terror." Indeed, he did. Sirhan's name will be recorded in the history books as the first Palestinian terrorist to strike at the heart of America, on American soil. Tonight on Episode 38 of "Strange Bedfellows" British author and historian Mel Ayton will give us a sneak preview of his upcoming biography of Sirhan Bishara Sirhan (his second book about Sirhan). Ayton's previous book "The Forgotten Terrorist: Sirhan Sirhan and the Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy" is recommended reading for anyone seeking to understand Sirhan's Arab nationalism, his antisemitism, his past in Palestine, his deep-rooted hatred of Israel, and his motives for the crime. The 2019 edition features a Foreword by Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz. Mel Ayton says that Kennedy's son RFK Jr. (currently running for president as an Independent) is wrong about a conspiracy in his father's murder, and tonight he will explain why. Sirhan is as guilty as sin, Ayton argues -- and he makes a very compelling case. Don't miss this interview tonight at 9 PM Eastern on "Strange Bedfellows!" Buy Mel Ayton's book "The Forgotten Terrorist" about Sirhan here: https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Terrorist-Sirhan-Assassination-Kennedy/dp/1597970808 If you enjoyed this interview, please help support the show with a donation at: http://StrangeBedfellowsPodcast.com Many thanks to the Maverick News Channel for hosting this program. http://MaverickNews.ca

As part of my ongoing investigative series "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy?" marking the 55th anniversary of Sirhan's murder trial, I recently spoke to #JFK/#RFK assassination historian James DiEugenio about the evidence in the case, which Jim believes points to a #conspiracy. I disagree with my friend Jim on this case, arguing that the jury reached the correct verdict in April 1969 when they unanimously decided that Sirhan Sirhan was guilty of first degree murder for the killing of Senator Robert F. #Kennedy and the attempted murder of five other innocent bystanders at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968. Sirhan's lead defense attorney Grant Cooper said in his final argument at the trial that he felt #Sirhan should spend the rest of his days in the penitentiary, asserting that "American public opinion will see to it that the assassin is never released." Sirhan's lawyer said the only circumstances in which he could foresee Sirhan's release would be if the United States were to "trade" him for some American in captivity in an Arab state. In this friendly debate between two longtime historians of the case with differing views, Jim DiEugenio brings the case for Sirhan's defense. I argue for the prosecution. We also discussed how the first degree murder verdict was in a bizarre way a victory for Sirhan. The former racetrack exercise boy has denied all along that he was seriously ill mentally and told psychiatrists he wanted to be a hero in the eyes of the Arab world, a martyr for #Palestine. The official motive for Sirhan's killing of RFK was "anti-#Zionism." Sirhan was angered by Kennedy's support for #Israel, and his Senate vote to send military aid to the country. Jim DiEugenio is editor in chief at KennedysAndKing.com, author of numerous books on the assassinations of the 1960s,and wrote the screenplay for Oliver Stone's "JFK Revisited" documentary series. Catch the premiere tonight at 9 PM Eastern. Support my independent journalism with a donation or monthly membership at http://StrangeBedfellowsPodcast.com I've endorsed #RFKJr for president in 2024. Join me! http://Kennedy24.com/LoriSpencer

24 Independent Presidential candidate Robert F. #Kennedy Jr. has been strangely silent the past few weeks about the #antisemitic, pro-#Hamas protests happening on college campuses. Although #RFKJr has been asked about it in recent interviews, and answers briefly in a lawyerly manner about the difference between demonstrations on public vs. private property, he has otherwise completely avoided talking about the issue. While every other candidate in the presidential race issued statements on this national crisis immediately, Kennedy waited nearly three weeks before speaking up. Kennedy finally posted a tweet about the campus unrest Saturday outlining what he would do as president to ensure fairness to all students on campus, but said nothing about what he would do to stop the lawlessness and violence we are witnessing on campuses across America. https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1786943517710786626 Kennedy has proclaimed himself to be strongly pro-Israel, and supports #Israel's war against Hamas. At the same time, he says he is "very pro-Palestinian," and supports the two-state solution that would establish #Palestine as an independent sovereign nation. Is Kennedy doing the same "both sides" dance as President #Biden, afraid of losing progressive Democrats and Gen Z voters? Are his campaign advisers telling Bobby to tone down his pro-Israel rhetoric in order to appease the woke mob? At a time when #antisemitism escalating to frightening levels, #Jews are being assaulted in the streets, and some protesters are issuing calls to "kill all the Zionists," it feels like open season on Jews. The exclusion of Jewish "#Zionists" from campuses, establishment of "Zionist-free zones," Jewish students not being allowed to attend class, acts of harassment, intimidation and violence, hate speech and symbols of Jew hatred on campus property are all flagrant violations of the 1964 Civil Rights Act -- which is not being enforced by campus administrators, state governments, or the federal government. On this edition of Maverick News we ask why President #Biden isn't doing what President John F. #Kennedy did: send in the National Guard to protect the rights of ALL students, stop the violence, enforce the law of the land, and restore order on campus. The Kennedy legacy is civil rights. It is time for #RFK to pick up the mantle of #JFK and his father, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, on this divisive issue that is tearing our nation apart, and undoing 60 years of racial progress started by his ancestors. His uncle Jack's campaign slogans during the 1960 were "a time for greatness," and "leadership for the 60s." Can his nephew meet that high standard now? Because this is a time for greatness, not timidity. We need moral clarity and leadership for the 20s, right now. Now is the time for Kennedy to shine; to lead; to do something bold. I'll tell you what that is tonight on Maverick News. Join us at 9 PM Eastern.

The trial of Sirhan Sirhan for the murder of Robert F. #Kennedy concluded 55 years ago this week after four months of courtroom drama. The jury found Sirhan guilty of first degree murder for the assassination of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and attempted murder of five other innocent bystanders wounded by his barrage of bullets at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The seven men and five women, who deliberated 16 hours and 42 minutes before reaching their verdict, found the young Palestinian was mentally capable of mature premeditation before shooting down the senator on June 5, 1968. As the verdict was announced Sirhan, who had been nervously chewing at his fingers, stared straight ahead and showed no emotion. After a one-day recess, the same jurors heard arguments as to whether Sirhan's fate should be life in prison or a sentence to the gas chamber at San Quentin. The penalty phase lasted only a few days in contrast to the 15-week trial. The prosecution did not seek the death penalty but told the jurors either sentence would be just. The jury's ultimate unanimous verdict was death in the gas chamber for Sirhan. (The sentence was commuted to life in prison a few years later when California abolished the death penalty.) As part of my ongoing investigative series "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy?" marking the 55th anniversary of Sirhan's trial, I recently spoke to #JFK/#RFK assassination historian James DiEugenio about the evidence in the case, which Jim believes points to a #conspiracy. In this highlight from our interview, we dive into the autopsy and ballistics evidence presented at trial. In Sirhan's defense, DiEugenio argues that it was impossible for Sirhan's bullets to have hit and killed Senator Kennedy. Jim DiEugenio is editor in chief at KennedysAndKing.com, author of numerous books on the assassinations of the 1960s,and wrote the screenplay for Oliver Stone's "JFK Revisited" documentary series. Don't miss this important discussion! Premiers tonight at 9 PM Eastern. Support my independent journalism with a donation or monthly membership at http://StrangeBedfellowsPodcast.com I've endorsed #RFKJr for president in 2024. Join me! http://Kennedy24.com/LoriSpencer

As the Führer hid in his bunker and prepared for his suicide, he penned his last political will and testament. Adolf Hitler's last written words were a plea to the world to continue to “resist mercilessly the poisoner of all nations, international Jewry,” a plea most thoroughly and systematically heeded by the Islamic Jihadists and one of their primary movements,Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-ʾIslāmiyyah, the Islamic Resistance Movement known as #Hamas. To fully grasp the ideology that drives Hamas and the Palestinian liberation movement today, one must first understand the history that gave rise to it -- and specifically, Nazi collaborator Haj Amin al-Husseini, the tie that binds #Hitler to Hamas. Haj Amin al-Husseini came to power through a British act of appeasement after he had been tried in absentia and found guilty of inciting riots in #Palestine in 1920; the riots arose in response to the first proposal for a two-state solution outlined by the Faisal-Weizmann Agreement of January 1919. Attempting to calm the Arab population, British mandate governor Herbert Samuel appointed him Mufti of Jerusalem on 8 May 1921. Among the newly appointed Mufti’s first actions was a declaration of #jihad against the British and the #Jews. In March 1933 he paid his first official visit to the new Nazi German General Consul Heinrich Wolff in Jerusalem. Once again wanted by the British for inciting the Arab Revolt of 1936 – 1939, al-Husseini fled Palestine for #Iraq. After inciting an overthrow of the Iraqi government and murderous pogroms that resulted in the slaughter of hundreds of Jews, the Mufti found safe harbor in Berlin, where he was handsomely rewarded by the #Nazis with money, a lavish lifestyle, and armed guards. He was employed by Nazi Germany making propaganda radio broadcasts for the Arab world. I've written several lengthy threads about the Grand Mufti on X (formerly Twitter), diving deep into the complex history of Nazi/Arab collaboration, such as this one: https://twitter.com/RealLoriSpencer/status/1712385314902147152?s=20 As early as January 1941 al-Husseini was recruiting Bosnian Muslims to serve in the Waffen SS and in SS killing units. The largest of the Mufti’s Muslim killing units was the infamous 13thHandschar Division of 21,065 men. As a result of his murderous actions in service to the Nazis, al-Husseini was charged with war crimes -- yet, he managed to evade prosecution at #Nuremberg and flee, aided by British intelligence. In June 1946 he turned up in Cairo, where, as noted above, the Muslim Brotherhood gave him a hero’s welcome. That same year the Mufti took in his second cousin Yasser #Arafat as his protégé; he brought in a former Nazi commando officer to teach Arafat “the fine points of guerilla warfare.” Some scholars argue that “al-Husseini was himself most likely the true founder of the al-Fatah,… Arafat’s terror cell… the nucleus of the #PLO.” This thread relies on OSS and CIA documents declassified 50 years after #WWII under the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act of 1998, tracing the Grand Mufti's activities after the war -- which included terrorist bombings, the assassination of a King, and the funding of terror groups. https://twitter.com/RealLoriSpencer/status/1731187027343753634?s=20 Hamas emerged immediately after the outbreak of the Palestinians’ First Intifada against Israel as a militant Palestinian wing of the Muslim Brotherhood on 9 December 1987. The Movement was founded by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and his comrades Dr. Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi and Mahmoud al-Zahar. Yassin grew up in awe of Haj Amin al-Husseini. He joined the Muslim Brotherhood in 1957 and in 1973 established the Islamic Congress in #Gaza to expand the influence of the Brotherhood; in 1978 he was among the founders of the Islamic University of #Gaza in #Palestine. Yassin and his cohorts embraced the Nazis’ fundamental view that the #Jews are “the dirtiest and meanest of all races, defiling the most sanctified and honored spot on earth,” making “no distinctions between Jews, Zionists, and Israelis.” As in all ideologies driven by Jew hatred, from Hitler to Hamas, where the Jew is the enemy, #Judaism is the enemy. Nazi ideology is alive and well today in parts of the Arab world, and especially in Gaza, where Hamas rules (for now). In this highlight from Episode 28 of "Strange Bedfellows" (with history blogger Na'omi Allen in South Africa), we give a brief history lesson of the Strangest Bedfellows of all time: the #Nazis and the Arabs. I'll discuss with Na'omi the lasting influence of the Grand Mufti in radical Islamist movements like Hamas. We'll even show you the most popular chain of clothing stores in Gaza City today: "Hitler 1" and "Hitler 2"-- where fashionable young Palestinian #fascists buy "Hitler Chic" apparel. Join us for this important discussion at 9 P.M. Eastern tonight. Thanks for watching! Support my independent journalism with a one-time donation or monthly patronage at http://StrangeBedfellowsPodcast.com

In Episodes 1 and 2 of the "Hidden #History Revealed" podcast, I unraveled the story of how U.S. military intelligence (and later, the CIA) recruited, armed, funded, trained, and protected former German and Ukrainian #Nazis during the #ColdWar. These truths were kept secret from the American people for more than half a century. Although a few stories had leaked out over the years, historians were unable to conclusively confirm how extensive the Nazi connection was until Congress passed the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act in 1998, which allowed declassification and release of the files. In Episode 3, I'll tell you about the efforts of one man -- a Department of Justice whistleblower -- whose 20 year crusade to expose the facts helped make that law possible and brought the truth to light at last. His name is John Loftus. As a former prosecutor with the U.S. Justice Department's Nazi-hunting unit, he had unprecedented access to top-secret #CIA and #NATO archive in the 1970s and 80s. Now a retired attorney, Loftushas written several books about his discoveries in those underground vaults where the government buries its secrets. His classic works include "The Belarus Secret," "The Witness Tree," "The Secret War Against The #Jews" and "America's Nazi Secret." Prepare yourself for a new episode full of shocking revelations! Premiers tonight at 9 Eastern.

As part of our ongoing investigative series marking the 55th anniversary of Sirhan Sirhan's 1969 trial for the murder of Senator Robert F. #Kennedy, I've recently conducted a re-review of all available materials and evidence in the case. In Part 1 of the "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy" series, I presented original documents, trial testimony, Sirhan's own words in press interviews and in court for the prosecution, and arguments from conspiracy researcher Lisa Pease (author of the book "A Lie Too Big To Fail") for the defense, as well as #RFKJr, who also advocates for Sirhan's parole. In Part 2 I explained why Sirhan is considered a hero in #Palestine to this day for killing #RFK over the Senator's support for #Israel. As Sirhan himself told reporters: "If I had been tried in an Arab country, no Arab court ever would have convicted me." Sirhan's act of political violence inspired many later acts of #terrorism, aircraft hijackings, bombings, kidnappings, hostage-taking, and murders. His release from prison was demanded on numerous occasions by Palestinian terrorists over the past 50 years. Part 3 contains our 2.5 hour in-depth interview with #JFK/RFK historian and expert James DiEugenio, author of "The Assassinations" (with Lisa Pease) and screenwriter for Oliver Stone's "JFK Revisited" documentary film series. DeEugenio makes a compelling case for conspiracy, and argues that Sirhan could not have fired the shots that killed Kennedy. This week on Maverick News, my co-host Rick Walker asked me why I have recently changed my mind after 25 years of believing Sirhan was innocent to now being convinced of his guilt. Over the course of researching this case for more than 35 years I've revised my views more than once, based upon where the facts and evidence lead. I'll explain my own conclusions in Part 4 tonight at 9 PM Eastern. Don't miss this one! Support my independent journalism with a donation or monthly membership at http://StrangeBedfellowsPodcast.com I've endorsed #RFKJr for president in 2024. Join me! http://Kennedy24.com/LoriSpencer

Just after midnight on June 5, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated on the campaign trail in Los Angeles, minutes after winning the California presidential primary. The shooter apprehended at the scene was 24 year-old Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian immigrant, who was heard to exclaim: "I can explain! I did it for my country!" Sirhan confessed to the crime and said he was angry at Sen. #Kennedy over his support for #Israel. The date Sirhan selected for kill #RFK was the one-year anniversary of the 1967 Six-Day War. In 1989, Sirhan told British journalistDavid Frost: "My only connection with Robert Kennedy was his sole support of Israel and his deliberate attempt to send those 50 fighter jets to Israel to obviously do harm to the Palestinians." Some scholars believe that the assassination was the first major incident of political violence in theUnited Statesstemming from theIsraeli–Palestinian conflict. Sirhan Bishara Sirhan is still regarded as a hero of the Palestinian Liberation Movement, who have demanded his release several times during a number of hijackings and kidnappings over the past five-and-a-half decades - including a 1972 incident when the Popular Front for the Liberation of #Palestine hijacked a Lufthansa flight with #RFK's son Joseph Kennedy onboard. That incredible story is told in this thread: https://twitter.com/RealLoriSpencer/status/1754096340697489719?s=20 Sirhan Sirhan turned 80 years old this month -- and is still hoping for parole. He has been denied 17 times, most recently in 2023. If his efforts succeed, Sirhan will be immediately deported back to Palestine or Jordan because he is not an American citizen. 55 years ago, the murder trial of Sirhan Sirhan was ongoing in a Los Angeles courtroom. The trial began in January, 1969 and continued for four months. The jury convicted him of first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to commit murder -- one count for each of the five other innocent bystanders Sirhan shot. At the time of Sirhan's conviction, most Americans believed without question that Sirhan acted alone; after all, he was seen by 77 witnesses firing a gun at #RFK in the Ambassador Hotel pantry, he confessed to the crime, and was convicted by a jury. It wasn't until 6 years later that questions of a possible conspiracy began to arise. In 1974, Kennedy campaign labor organizer Paul Schrade, along with former U.S. Congressman Allard Lowenstein, CBS News, and former Los Angeles prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi filed a personal injury civil lawsuit against Sirhan and 50 other "John Does" with the ultimate goal of compelling the Los Angeles Police Department and Sirhan to provide new or withheld evidence in the original trial. From that point forward, a thousand RFK assassination conspiracy theories were born, and over the past half-century the voices who call for a reopening the case grow louder. The "Free Sirhan" movement includes none other than 2024 Independent presidential candidate #RFKJr, who wants answers in his father's murder. Kennedy visited Sirhan in prison and wrote letters to the California Parole Board recommending his release. The Kennedy family is split on the issue of Sirhan's release. RFK Jr. is joined by only one of his other siblings in calling for Sirhan's parole; all of their siblings and mother Ethel want Sirhan to die in prison. Tonight on "Strange Bedfellows" we are pleased to welcome back Kennedy assassination historian James DiEugenio, who has written numerous books and articles on the #JFK and RFK assassinations over the past three decades. His latest book is "The JFK Assassination Chokeholds That Prove There Was A #Conspiracy." Jim also wrote the screenplay and accompanying book for Oliver Stone's epic new documentary series "JFK Revisited: Through The Looking Glass" and is the editor-in-chief of KennedysAndKing.com -- an invaluable resource for information on the murders of President John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King. We will take a deep dive into the evidence presented at Sirhan's trial 55 years ago for both the prosecution and the defense, as well as new information that has come forward in the years since. Jim DiEugenio will explain why he believes Sirhan's gun could not have killed RFK, and present a compelling case for conspiracy. A fascinating conversation is always guaranteed on "Strange Bedfellows." Join us live tonight from 9-11 P.M. Eastern on all of our Maverick News Network channels. Support my independent journalism with a donation or monthly membership at http://StrangeBedfellowsPodcast.com I've endorsed #RFKJr for president in 2024. Join me! http://Kennedy24.com/LoriSpencer

Feb. 26 marked 30 years since Bill Hicks passed away. Bill was a friend of mine back in the 80s/90s, and I hosted a live X Space Monday night in his honor. Thought it might be fun to sit around the virtual campfire, tell some jokes, share some memories, and celebrate Bill’s life. We played some clips of his best comedy bits, talked about all the amazing things Hicks accomplished in his short 32 years, and wonder what else he might have created had he lived 30 more. Of course we couldn't refrain from some speculation about what Bill Hicks would think of our world today. His observations three decades ago are still remarkably relevant, and nearly all of the problems our country faced then still haven't been solved. (In fact, they've gotten worse!) In Part 2, we hear Bill talking about the #JFK assassination, government conspiracies and cover-ups, lying politicians, gays in the military, and many more problems that we, as a society, still grapple with 30 years later. The anti-intellectualism Bill talked about in 1989’s “Sane Man” comedy special was just a joke then….or was it? 35 years later, we aren’t laughing anymore. Did Bill have a crystal ball or what? Did he have a time machine; or was he an alien who was visiting our planet only for 32 years, before the spaceship picked him up and took him home? We talked about all that and more. If you missed this three-hour comedy special live, catch Part 2 tonight at 8 PM Eastern. Join us for a night of love, laughter, and truth! UPDATE: YouTube CENSORED and removed Part 1! Watch it UNCENSORED on Rumble here: https://rumble.com/v4fyk3x-remembering-bill-hicks-30-years-later-a-night-of-love-laughter-and-truth.html