Buzz
While conspiracy theorists are often ridiculed for their wild ideas, there are moments when their claims are validated, proving that even the most unbelievable theories can sometimes be true. Here are ten American conspiracies that have moved from speculation to proven fact, no matter how incredible they may seem.
10. Prohibition Alcohol
Theory: The FBI Laced Alcohol with Poison During Prohibition
Conspiracy theorists often claim that the government, particularly the U.S. government, is secretly poisoning the population through methods like chemtrails or water fluoridation. While these ideas are often dismissed as absurd, history shows that during Prohibition, the FBI did indeed poison alcohol supplies to deter people from drinking.
Prohibition in the U.S. lasted from 1920 to 1933 and was widely ignored by the public, who understood that moderate drinking was harmless. The Temperance Movement, led by activists like Carrie Nation, pushed for complete abstinence from alcohol. Nation, a formidable figure, famously raided bars with a hatchet to destroy alcohol supplies, yet she never faced retaliation from those she targeted.
To enforce Prohibition, the FBI resorted to extreme measures, including contaminating alcohol with dangerous substances like methanol, formaldehyde, ammonia, arsenic, and kerosene. They also denatured ethanol by mixing it with rubbing alcohol, which contains propene, a byproduct of natural gas and oil. While rubbing alcohol is useful for cleaning wounds, it is toxic when ingested. The FBI even added acetone, a common paint thinner, to alcohol supplies.
As a result, many people died from what appeared to be alcohol poisoning, which only strengthened the Temperance Movement's argument that alcohol was inherently evil.
9. Gulf of Tonkin
Theory: The Gulf of Tonkin Incident Was Only Partially True
The Gulf of Tonkin incident is often highlighted in history books as the catalyst for the U.S. entering the Vietnam War. The official justification was to defend South Vietnam's democracy against communist aggression from the North. The tipping point came on August 2 and 4, 1964, when U.S. naval ships reportedly faced attacks from Vietnamese forces in the waters near Vietnam and Hainan, China, leading to casualties among Vietnamese sailors.
Public outrage in the U.S. demanded swift action, and Congress granted President Lyndon Johnson the authority to defend Southeast Asian nations from communist threats. This marked the beginning of the war.
However, it was later revealed that the alleged attack on August 4 never occurred. While the first incident on August 2 involved a real engagement where the USS Maddox repelled three Vietnamese torpedo boats, the second incident was fabricated. The Vietnamese were focused on recovering their damaged ships, and no attack took place. Despite this, Johnson claimed both the USS Maddox and the USS Turner Joy had been attacked, even though the Turner Joy was never involved in any hostilities.
Following the pattern of #3, the CIA was once believed to have intentionally disseminated false information to the public to garner support for a war against Communism. Numerous senators and congressmen advocated for military invasions of North Vietnam, China, and even Russia if they retaliated, regardless of the potential for nuclear conflict.
Today, it is understood that the misinformation originated from the National Security Agency, not for political motives, but to conceal errors made during the second incident. Their radar mistakenly identified approaching enemy ships, which were actually optical illusions caused by light distortions.
8. Fascist Overthrow of the US Government
Theory: The Fascist Conspiracy to Topple the U.S. Government
In 1933, Franklin Roosevelt decided it was advantageous for the U.S. economy to move away from the gold standard and rely solely on American currency. This approach had already succeeded in Great Britain, reducing product costs and increasing purchasing power. However, many conservative business leaders argued that the gold standard was crucial for economic stability, as gold retains value better than paper currency.
A year later, Major General Smedley Butler revealed to a Senate subcommittee that Gerald MacGuire and William Doyle, representing the American Legion, had approached him. They proposed a military coup to remove Roosevelt and establish a Fascist government, with Butler as the head of General Affairs. Their primary motivation was financial gain, as they and their associates had significant business interests at stake.
Although Butler sympathized with Communist ideals and criticized Roosevelt's economic policies, he refused to participate in the coup, believing it was impossible to overthrow the U.S. government. He argued that such an attempt would require a full-scale military assault on every major city, particularly Washington, D.C. Butler exposed the plot, but the subcommittee's response was mixed. They acknowledged a potential conspiracy to install a Fascist regime but concluded it never progressed beyond initial planning. Many of the individuals Butler implicated, including retired generals and wealthy bankers, were cleared of involvement.
7. False Witness
Theory: The CIA Orchestrated Nayirah al-Sabah's False Testimony
In 1990, Nayirah al-Sabah, a Kuwaiti woman, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, claiming she had seen Iraqi soldiers storm Kuwaiti hospitals, remove newborns from incubators, and leave them to die on the cold floor. Her testimony was arranged by Tom Lantos, who openly supported U.S. military action against Iraq for its invasion of Kuwait.
Nayirah's account became a cornerstone of public support for U.S. military intervention in Iraq. The CIA funded and promoted her testimony, collaborating with Hill & Knowlton, a global PR firm, to ensure her story reached a wide audience.
In 1992, John MacArthur of the New York Times revealed that Nayirah was the daughter of Kuwait's Ambassador to the U.S. and that her story was entirely fabricated. The CIA had manipulated her testimony to justify the war, which was ultimately driven by oil interests. While Iraq did invade Kuwait, the horrific incubator story was false. Nurses and doctors who were allegedly present had already fled and denied the events. The CIA had paid Nayirah to lie and even funded acting lessons to make her appear credible.
6. Mockingbird
Theory: Operation Mockingbird
Operation Mockingbird was launched in the same year Frank Wisner established the Office of Special Projects. In 1951, the OSP, later renamed the Office of Policy Coordination, merged with the CIA and became its covert paramilitary arm. Its primary mission was to manipulate national media to foster fear and hatred of Soviet Communism. Funded by the Marshall Plan, the CIA bribed journalists and editors who discovered their hidden agenda. This operation directly contributed to Senator Joseph McCarthy's rise to prominence.
The operation expanded globally, influencing international media and politics. Mockingbird played a significant role in the coup against Guatemalan Colonel Jacobo Guzman, whom the CIA labeled a communist. The operation also provided $300,000 for the 1954 animated adaptation of *Animal Farm*. Walt Disney declined to produce the film, despite his anti-Communist stance, as the story's bleak ending did not align with his vision.
Mockingbird was also behind the 1953 Iranian coup and the Bay of Pigs Invasion. David Bruce, appointed by Dwight Eisenhower to investigate the CIA's covert propaganda, concluded that Mockingbird influenced over 50% of international politics in the latter half of the 20th century.
5. Asbestos
Theory: Asbestos Producers Insisted It Was Completely Safe
Asbestos, a naturally occurring silicate mineral, has been widely used for soundproofing and fireproofing. Its resistance to heat made it a popular material for protective gear in the 20th century, especially for firefighters, race car drivers, and other high-risk professions. However, exposure to asbestos fibers can cause malignant mesothelioma, a deadly cancer. Notably, Steve McQueen, a motorcyclist, stuntman, and actor, succumbed to this disease.
Asbestos has been utilized for approximately 4,500 years, extracted from fibrous deposits within rock ore. Throughout the 20th century, manufacturers faced scrutiny from doctors, insurers, and safety organizations regarding its health risks. By the early 1900s, it was widely recognized in medical and academic communities that asbestos posed severe health hazards. Even ancient Greek texts noted lung diseases among asbestos miners.
Despite the known dangers, asbestos manufacturers prioritized profits and used their influence to conceal the risks of asbestosis, mesothelioma, and pulmonary fibrosis. Companies like Johns-Manville Corp., Amatex, Carey-Canada, Celotex, Unarco, National Gypsum, and Eagle-Pilcher actively discredited independent medical experts who tried to expose the truth. In-house doctors warned executives about asbestos-related health issues but advised against informing workers, fearing financial losses if employees became aware of their conditions.
Johns-Manville was famously dubbed 'the greatest corporate mass-murderer in history.' Lawsuits, which began as early as 1929, finally caught up with these companies in the 1990s. None admitted wrongdoing, but 25 filed for bankruptcy. Some were acquired by other firms, and asbestos remains legal in the U.S., with some companies still denying its health risks. However, it is banned in Europe.
4. Civil Rights Activists
Theory: The FBI Aimed to Undermine Civil Rights Activists
The FBI's COINTELPRO, or Counter Intelligence Programs, targeted activists from various organizations between 1956 and 1971. During this turbulent period, Martin Luther King emerged as the leading voice for civil rights in America. The FBI equated his movement with groups like the Black Panthers, the American Indian Movement, the NAACP, and the Congress for Racial Equality, labeling them all as 'black hate groups.' COINTELPRO allocated 85% of its resources to undermining these groups, while the remaining 15% focused on 'white hate groups' such as the KKK.
There is speculation, though unlikely, that the FBI may have influenced James Earl Ray to assassinate Martin Luther King or carried out the act themselves and framed Ray. In 1998, King's family concluded that Ray had no involvement in the assassination.
The FBI classified all these domestic political organizations as threats to national security. If Jesus had lived in 20th-century America, the FBI might have accused him of sedition. COINTELPRO broadly targeted left-leaning individuals, viewing liberals as dangers to society. These individuals were often defamed, threatened with legal action, imprisoned, or subjected to illegal surveillance.
One of the FBI's most egregious acts occurred on December 4, 1969, when Chicago Police raided the home of Fred Hampton, a Black Panther leader. The police used lethal force against Hampton and Mark Clark. Clark was shot first, while Hampton, drugged with barbiturates by FBI informant William O’Neal, was unable to wake during the attack. Hampton was killed in his sleep, unarmed and defenseless.
3. Heart Attack Gun
Theory: The CIA’s Heart Attack Gun
This weapon is real. Developed by the CIA in the late 1960s to early 1970s using taxpayer funds, it remained secret until 1975 when Senator Frank Church revealed it during a subcommittee hearing on the CIA’s illegal operations. The gun was designed to be undetectable, firing a tiny ice bullet coated with a trace amount of shellfish toxin. The toxin triggers a heart attack in anyone, regardless of their health. The ice bullet melts upon impact, leaving no evidence. While autopsies might detect the toxin, they are rarely performed for heart attack victims. The entry wound resembles a mosquito bite, making it nearly impossible to trace.
There is no definitive proof of who, if anyone, the CIA has killed with this weapon, but its use is highly probable. Conspiracy theorists suggest Andrew Breitbart, a conservative media figure who criticized President Barack Obama, may have been a target. Breitbart had vowed to release evidence questioning Obama’s legitimacy before his sudden death on March 1, 2012. He collapsed in Los Angeles and died of a heart attack at 43, despite being in relatively good health. The coroner cited cardiomegaly as the cause, though Breitbart was not significantly overweight.
Another potential victim is Mark Pittman, a financial journalist who predicted the 2007 economic recession caused by subprime mortgages. Pittman sued the Federal Reserve for mishandling taxpayer funds during the bailouts. His case remains under appeal. Pittman died on November 25, 2009, in Yonkers, New York, under similar circumstances to Breitbart—collapsing from a heart attack at 52. While these cases are speculative, the heart attack gun’s existence is undeniable, and its intended purpose is clear. Conspiracy theorists were correct about this one.
2. Domestic Terrorism
Theory: The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Planned to Terrorize American Citizens
The Joint Chiefs, comprising the top generals and admirals of the U.S. military branches, proposed a plan in 1962 to justify war against Fidel Castro's Communist Cuba. Led by Lyman Lemnitzer, the group included George Decker (Army), David Shoup (Marines), Georg Anderson, Jr. (Navy), Curtis LeMay (Air Force), and Edwin Roland (Coast Guard). Their goal was to counter the perceived threat of Communism in the Western Hemisphere, aligning with the Monroe Doctrine.
This plan, dubbed Operation Northwoods, involved extreme measures to manipulate public opinion. The Joint Chiefs proposed bombing crowded areas in cities like Miami, New York, and Washington, D.C., framing U.S. citizens for the attacks. They also planned to shoot unarmed civilians in public, attack ships with napalm, sink vessels carrying Cuban refugees, and hijack planes. These actions were intended to create a pretext for war, showcasing a shocking level of disregard for civilian lives.
Every member of the Joint Chiefs approved the plan, which was then forwarded to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and President John F. Kennedy. McNamara later denied seeing the proposal, stating he would have rejected it. Kennedy, however, received it and immediately summoned the Joint Chiefs, threatening them with court-martial and imprisonment using strong language. While the President cannot directly enforce such actions, he could order Congress and military branches to do so, which they likely would have in this case. Kennedy chose not to proceed, fearing global disrespect for the U.S. military. Instead, he removed Lyman Lemnitzer as Chairman, reassigning him as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe—a move that was hardly a demotion.
Some theorists suggest the military may have been involved in Kennedy’s assassination due to his harsh criticism of the Joint Chiefs. However, this remains unproven.
1. Scientology
Theory: Scientologists Conspired to Institutionalize Paulette Cooper
This notorious chapter in Scientology’s history, known as 'Operations Daniel, Dynamite, and Freakout,' involved relentless harassment of Paulette Cooper, an American author who criticized the Church. Scientologists, known for their sensitivity to criticism, often respond with both legal and illegal measures to silence detractors.
In 1971, Cooper published an article in a British newspaper, which the Church successfully sued, winning $8,000. She later expanded the article into a book, *The Scandal of Scientology*. Over the next six years, the Church orchestrated a covert campaign to discredit, intimidate, and even plot her assassination, aiming to silence her exposure of Scientology’s controversial beliefs, such as the story of Xenu. Their ultimate goal was to drive Cooper to insanity or have her institutionalized. The Church even held meetings to plan her murder without getting caught.
In 1972, a Scientologist broke into Cooper’s office, stole her stationery, and forged bomb threats to frame her. Although Cooper was indicted, the case was dropped due to lack of evidence. 'Freakout' was a three-part plan to ruin Cooper’s reputation, involving an actress impersonating her to make threatening calls to Arab Consuls, sending bomb threats on her stationery, and having a Scientologist pose as Cooper in a laundromat, threatening to kill President Ford and Henry Kissinger.
While 'Freakout' was never executed, 'Daniel' and 'Dynamite' were carried out. The extent of the Church’s efforts to protect its image was exposed in 1977 during an FBI investigation. Mary Sue Hubbard, L. Ron Hubbard’s third wife, and other Church leaders were imprisoned for up to four years. Despite this, the Church continued to sue Cooper over 20 times through the 1970s and 1980s. Cooper fought back tirelessly, and the conflict only ended in 1985 when the Church settled with her out of court.
