U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) drew significant public and political attention on Tuesday after implying that former President John F. Kennedy was assassinated due to his opposition to Israel’s nuclear weapons program.
The remark appeared in a post on social media X/Twitter and came during an online exchange between Greene and conservative commentator Mark Levin. The Georgia congresswoman, known for her outspoken views and alignment with the MAGA wing of the Republican Party, made the comment while defending her criticism of the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
“There was once a great President that the American people loved,” Greene wrote. “He opposed Israel’s nuclear program. And then he was assassinated.”
Although she did not mention Kennedy by name, the reference was widely interpreted as pointing to the 35th U.S. president, who was assassinated in 1963. He remains the only president to have been killed since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.
Exchange With Mark Levin
Greene’s statement was posted in response to Fox News host Mark Levin, a prominent conservative and supporter of Israel, who had criticized her opposition to the Iran strikes. Levin called Greene “stupid” in a post on X and said, “You’re on my radar,” following her suggestion that the U.S. should avoid entanglement in foreign military conflicts, including those involving Israel.
Greene responded by accusing Levin of using threatening rhetoric, stating that she frequently receives death threats. She invoked religious language in her reply, writing, “Let me introduce you to my friend Jesus,” and later added, “I will be watchful now.”
She continued by raising the issue of past U.S. presidents and Israel’s nuclear program.
“I oppose war, including wars Israel wages,” she wrote. “Should I feel that my life is in danger now too? What about President Trump who strongly rebuked Israel this morning for continuing to attack Iran?”
Background on U.S.-Israel Nuclear History
During his presidency, John F. Kennedy expressed concern over Israel’s nuclear ambitions and sought greater transparency about the Dimona nuclear facility. However, there is no official evidence linking Kennedy’s assassination to his foreign policy stance on Israel. The Warren Commission, tasked with investigating his death, concluded that Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, acting alone.
Israel has long maintained a policy of “nuclear ambiguity,” neither confirming nor denying possession of nuclear weapons. Independent assessments estimate that the country holds a small arsenal, but the Israeli government has not publicly disclosed such capabilities.
Response and Historical Context
Greene’s comments have drawn responses from a range of voices. Critics have said that her remarks could lend credence to unfounded theories. Others have pointed to the timing of her remarks amid broader debate about U.S. involvement in the Middle East.
This is not the first time Greene’s comments related to Jewish figures or Israel have generated attention. In 2018, prior to entering Congress, she made a claim linking wildfires in California to “space lasers” allegedly connected to the Rothschild banking family — a statement that was widely criticized.
Greene’s office did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.
Iran Strikes and Internal GOP Debate
The controversy comes days after U.S. military forces struck Iranian nuclear facilities following a series of escalations in the region. The Trump administration stated that the strikes were intended to temporarily disrupt Iran’s nuclear progress.
President Donald Trump, who had called for a ceasefire in the region, publicly criticized Israel’s continued strikes, saying they occurred after he had brokered a halt to hostilities. Later, both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged each other’s efforts in de-escalation.
Greene has characterized the military action as a “bait and switch” and has joined other figures, such as Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson, in voicing opposition to U.S. involvement in further Middle Eastern conflicts.
Broader Implications
The incident highlights continuing divisions within the Republican Party over U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding the Middle East and the role of military intervention. While many Republican leaders support the Iran strikes and continue to express strong backing for Israel, a segment of the party’s populist base is voicing increased skepticism about foreign military engagements.
As of now, Greene has not issued further clarification or walked back her statement about Kennedy. The discussion remains active on social media and in political circles, reflecting broader tensions over U.S. global strategy and domestic political discourse.
