January 27, 2025: Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone, known for his iconic film JFK (1991), has praised Donald Trump’s decision to declassify the remaining top-secret files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This executive order signed by Trump also includes the release of records about the assassinations of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Stone, whose film is one of the most well-known on the subject, commended the release of the files, noting that the information should have been made public in 2017 as originally planned. He added that the decision to declassify records concerning all three major assassinations is significant, as it could offer new insights into these pivotal events in American history.
While Stone acknowledged that the declassified files likely won’t contain definitive proof (“a smoking gun”), he believes the documents could provide important pieces that help build a more comprehensive understanding of the events. Stone also highlighted the ongoing efforts by Congressmen Steve Cohen, David Schweikert, and Tim Burchett in urging for full transparency.
Furthermore, Stone suggested that an oversight board, like the JFK Assassination Records Review Board of the 1990s, could be useful to ensure the records are fully and correctly released without redactions. The goal, according to Stone, is to ensure that all documents are disclosed and any related records are thoroughly investigated.
As for the broader impact, the declassification of these files comes after Trump’s earlier attempts to push for greater transparency in the case of the JFK assassination during his first term in office. The newly signed executive order, dated January 24, directs officials to develop plans for the full release of all relevant records within specific timeframes: 15 days for JFK and 45 days for Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.
Stone’s film JFK remains his highest-grossing work to date, earning eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and winning two Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing. Stone has long been an advocate for greater transparency on these historical events, and this move aligns with his ongoing push for more answers regarding the assassinations that have shaped U.S. history.