Is The Term “Conspiracy Theorist” A Creation Of The Cia?

The term “conspiracy theorist” was invented by the CIA in 1967 to discredit those who questioned the official version of John F. Kennedy’s assassination and doubted that his killer, Lee Harvey Oswald, had acted. Conspiracy theorists have long linked the CIA to Kennedy’s assassination and the investigation into his death. However, the Warren Commission, established by then-President Lyndon B. Johnson, was not a pejorative term in itself.

The term “conspiracy theory” and “conspiracy theorist” were created by the Central Intelligence Agency following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as a way of discrediting. Evidence shows the claim is false, and the phrase “conspiracy theorist” is now often used pejoratively. When people use it to shut down conversation, they inadvertently play into the hands of the CIA.

Conspiration theories have a long history, but the actual term “conspiracy theory” emerged much more recently. It was only a few decades ago. The simplest and most natural definition of the term “conspiracy theory” leads us to the conclusion that we are all conspiracy theorists.

Conspiration theories have legitimized violence, impaired public health, and undermined democratic governance. Containing their harms begins with understanding the origins of these theories. Research on conspiracy theories has proliferated since 2016, in part due to the US election of President Trump, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing debate about conspiracy theories.