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Home Page > News > Secret tapes reveal Lyndon B Johnson comforting JFK’s grieving mother after assassination

Secret tapes reveal Lyndon B Johnson comforting JFK’s grieving mother after assassination

Rose Kennedy speaks with LBJ and Lady Bird after son’s assassination

By
KERRY O’SHEA,
IrishCentral Staff Writer
Published Thursday, February 2, 2012, 8:39 AM
Updated Thursday, February 2, 2012, 8:39 AM

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President Kennedy on the telephone in White House, Oval Office
President Kennedy on the telephone in White House, Oval Office
Photo by Abbie Rowe, National Park Service


Tapes which highlight the communications between the Johnsons and Kennedy’s mother, Rose Kennedy, the day President John F Kennedy was assassinated, were made public yesterday.

The tapes reveal the interactions between the White House and Air Force One in the aftermath of JFK’s assassination on November 22, 1963.

The Daily Mail reports that tapes included emotional exchanges between Rose Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson, JFK’s vice president, who was sworn in as President on Air Force One, and his wife, known as Lady Bird. Rose Kennedy was at the Kennedy compound at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts when she received the call just 30 minutes after LBJ’s flight took off from Dallas’ Love Field Airport.

“I wish to God there was something that I could do and I wanted to tell you that we were grieving with you,” Johnson told Rose Kennedy, just after he was sworn in.

'Thanks a mill- thank you very much, thank you very much. I know, I know you loved Jack, and he loved you,' said Rose Kennedy in reply.
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Read More:
Lost John F Kennedy assassination tapes reveal communication with White House

Jackie Kennedy believed LBJ had her husband killed new tape shows

New secret tapes reveal JFK had “unnerving” feeling about day of funeral
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Exchanges between Lady Bird, Johnson’s wife, and Rose Kennedy were also recorded on the tapes, which is run by a switchboard operator at the White House.

“Mrs Kennedy, we feel like we just had-” Lady Bird Johnson said.

“Yes, alright,” Kennedy interjected.

“We are glad that the nation had your son as long as it did,” Mrs Johnson continued.

“Yes, well thank you, Lady Bird. Thank you very much, goodbye!” Mrs Kennedy said quickly.

The tapes were part of a collection found in the belongings of General Chester ‘Ted’ Clifton, Jr after he passed away. Clifton’s family sold the tapes to a historical documents dealer in Pennsylvania, who then provided a copy for the National Archives.

Why Clifton held on to the tapes is still not apparent.

Watch a CBS Report on the newly released tapes below:

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10 Comments

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gobdawpaddy | Feb 03, 2012, 06:49 AM EST
I recall discussing this subject with a Texan friend some years ago. His father's family had been neighbors of LBJ in Texas. He said that his father had always maintained that 'big ears had Kennedy killed'. There is a school of thought that JFK would not have escalated the situation in Vietnam and had issued an order pulling 'advisors' out by the end of January 1964. That order was rescinded by Johnson on either November 26th or 29th 1963 and we all are aware of what transpired.

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IrelandNorth | Feb 03, 2012, 06:02 AM EST
One of the saddest days in American history, surely. Still effects people after all these years. Still remember the drama and trauma of it all, despite being seven years old, knowing that something terrible had happened to someone very important in a very big and powerful place.

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Murph46 | Feb 02, 2012, 05:26 PM EST
Brolaur-sounds an awful lot like our current leader!

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Brolaur | Feb 02, 2012, 04:50 PM EST
One may smile and smile (Talk and talk) and be a Villain!

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Murph46 | Feb 02, 2012, 12:45 PM EST
Why wouldn't LBJ lie about JFK he lied to the nation about bombing Cambodia!

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PhlutiePhan | Feb 02, 2012, 12:04 PM EST
Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we try to deceive. LBJ, what a piece of work!

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SingleDonald | Feb 02, 2012, 12:04 PM EST
The JFK Assassination has been the biggest mystery of my life! I was in 10th Grade when it occurred. I STILL believe there was a conspiracy, though I concede some suspicions have been debunked. I believe Ted Turner proved the "3 Tramps" were not E. Howard Hunt, Frank Sturgis & another guy. In fact, that "other guy" was Harold Doyle, who gave an interview, in 1992. He said that they were hobos, riding the rails, looking for work, when they were arrested about 1 1/2 hour after JFK was killed. They had been to the Dallas Rescue Mission, the night before. This explains their old, but sound clothing. I think 2029 is now the year when all data must be released from the National Archives (formerly 2038). Lets hope more secrets are revealed sooner; 48 years is WAY too long, already!

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Murph46 | Feb 02, 2012, 10:56 AM EST
jamthecat -just reporting the facts.Don't let the facts stand in the way of your understanding!

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jamthecat | Feb 02, 2012, 10:43 AM EST
Once again, a commenter proves his moral bankruptcy.

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Murph46 | Feb 02, 2012, 10:21 AM EST
Of course he was consoling her-who benefited by Kennedy's death? Many believe him responsible.

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