On the Trail of Delusion, Episode 38, with Todd Kwait
- Fred Litwin
- May 27
- 6 min read
It was a real pleasure to talk with Todd Kwait - a true Renaissance man. He has had several careers -- as a lawyer, businessman, record producer, and film maker.
His film, Truth is the Only Client, is terrific -- both in content and in production values. I've watched it several times and I look forward to watching it again soon.
I strongly urge everybody to either buy a copy of Truth is the Only Client, or to stream it.
Here is the AI summary of our discussion:
Quick recap
This interview focused on Todd Kwait's documentary, Truth is the Only Client, which explores the Kennedy assassination and features interviews with surviving Warren Commission staff members. Todd, a lawyer and documentary filmmaker, discussed how he became involved in the project through his connection to Judge Bert Griffin, who had served on the Warren Commission. They examined various conspiracy theories, including the role of anti-Semitism in Jack Ruby's actions and the treatment of witness Ruth Paine by conspiracy theorists. The conversation covered the challenges of making a fair documentary on this sensitive topic, with Todd emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and the decline of rational discourse in modern conspiracy theories. They also discussed other key figures in the assassination narrative, including Mark Lane and Oliver Stone, and the impact of their work on public perception.
Summary
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Kennedy Assassination Documentary Discussion
Todd explained how his interest in the Kennedy assassination began in childhood and was rekindled when he was approached to create a documentary about the Warren Commission. He interviewed surviving members of the commission and ultimately produced the documentary Truth is the Only Client in 2019. Todd noted that while the commission members defended their work, he felt the evidence was insufficient and decided to investigate further, leading to his current work on the subject with Bert Griffin.
JFK Documentary Discussion Meeting
Fred and Todd discussed Todd's documentary about the JFK assassination, which covers the HSCA and Warren Commission findings. Todd explained that the documentary took five years to complete and includes interviews with key figures like Bernard Weissman, G. Robert Blakey, and Ruth Paine, many of whom have since passed away. They discussed Blakey's conclusion that there was a conspiracy involving Oswald as the shooter from the Texas School Book Depository, but also another shooter from the Grassy Knoll area, though this was not the official HSCA conclusion. The conversation concluded with a discussion about how conspiracy theories struggle to explain Lee Harvey Oswald's background and involvement in the assassination.
Ruth Paine CIA Allegations Discussion
Todd and Fred discussed the treatment of Ruth Paine by conspiracy theorists, particularly regarding allegations that she worked for the CIA. They highlighted how these accusations have affected Paine's life, including an incident in Nicaragua where she was targeted and forced to return to the United States. The conversation also touched on a documentary about Paine that another filmmaker made, which they felt presented the allegations in a way that left viewers uncertain about her innocence.
JFK Documentary Premiere Discussion
Fred and Todd discussed Todd's documentary about the JFK assassination, which premiered in Dallas at the Texas Theater with many surviving staff members in attendance. They talked about the venue's significance and the Q&A session that followed. The conversation also touched on conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination, with Todd mentioning that he faced criticism from conspiracy theorists at the premiere and in subsequent reviews. They discussed the growing prevalence of conspiracy theories in modern society and shared insights about Jack Ruby's involvement and changing perspectives on the assassination.
Jack Ruby and Anti-Semitic Context
Todd and Fred discussed the anti-Semitic context in Dallas in November 1963, which affected Jack Ruby's decision to want to leave Dallas and go to Washington. They mentioned Ruby's concerns about a potential "second Holocaust" and his testimony to Chief Justice Earl Warren. The conversation also touched on the involvement of Jewish staff members in the Warren Commission and the personal background of Murray J. Laulicht, who worked on the Jack Ruby investigation.
Kennedy Assassination Conspiracy Theories Discussion
Todd and Fred discussed the conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy, particularly focusing on Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby. Fred shared a personal story about a friend who became antisemitic after being influenced by right-wing politics. They both agreed that the Warren Commission's investigation was thorough and conducted by honorable men, despite being dismissed by conspiracy theorists. Todd highlighted Earl Warren's significant contributions to civil rights and his personal commitment to the Kennedy assassination investigation.
JFK Assassination Investigation Discussion
Todd and Fred discussed the Warren Commission's findings on the JFK assassination, with Todd emphasizing that the young lawyers were not restricted in their investigation and had "Truth is the Only Client" as their guiding principle. They critically examined Mark Lane's work, with Todd describing him as an opportunist who shaped his theory to fit the facts rather than allowing the facts to determine the theory. The conversation also touched on Jim Garrison's investigation and how it was portrayed in Oliver Stone's film, with both agreeing that Garrison's theories were problematic and contributed to misinformation about the assassination.
Vietnam War and Kennedy Film
Todd and Fred discussed the historical context of the Vietnam War under President Kennedy and the role of the military-industrial complex, as well as the controversy surrounding Oliver Stone's film about the Kennedy assassination. They noted that while Stone acknowledged creating his own myth, he defended the factual accuracy of his film in response to critics. The conversation highlighted concerns about government transparency and the impact of misinformation on public trust regarding historical events.
JFK Assassination Conspiracy Debate Discussion
Todd and Fred discussed the ongoing debate around the JFK assassination, with both agreeing that conspiratorial thinking has persisted despite evidence pointing to Lee Harvey Oswald as the lone shooter. Todd shared his experience creating a documentary on the topic and donating hundreds of hours of unedited interviews to the Sixth Floor Museum. They both expressed frustration with conspiracy theorists' willingness to doubt the integrity of respected professionals involved in the investigation, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and evidence evaluation in addressing such historical events.
Previous Episodes of On the Trail of Delusion:
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15
Episode 16
Episode 17
Episode 18
An interview with Phil Tinline about his book, Ghosts of Iron Mountain.
Episode 19
Episode 20
Episode 21
Episode 22
Episode 23
Episode 24
Episode 25
Episode 26
Episode 27
Episode 28
Episode 29
Episode 30
Episode 31
Episode 32
Episode 33
Episode 34
Episode 35
Episode 36
Episode 37
