"Boom goes the dynamite."

Not exactly what you expect to hear in a serious discussion about JFK, but that’s how Brad Meltzer, author of The JFK Conspiracy, described one of the most chilling assassination plots you’ve probably never heard of.

A plan that nearly ended JFK’s life before he ever set foot in the Oval Office.

First, a disgruntled ex-postal worker named Richard Pavlik rigged his car with dynamite.

He parked outside Kennedy’s Palm Beach home and waited for the perfect moment to strike.

It’s the kind of story you’d dismiss as impossible…

Until you get hit with the evidence.

The Plot You Were Never Taught in History Class

Here’s how it went down: It was 1960, weeks after JFK was elected. Pavlik had been watching him, studying his routine.

Every Sunday at 9:50 a.m., JFK left for church.

Pavlik planned to hit the gas, detonate the car, and end it all.

One morning, he was going to do it. He saw JFK come out of his house, had a perfect shot, and almost went through with it…

But something stopped him.

(What stopped him? Brad reveals it on the podcast. Link below.)

The craziest part: this entire plot was almost erased from history—overshadowed by a tragic airline collision that captured America’s attention instead.

If Meltzer hadn’t written The JFK Conspiracy, we’d still be in the dark.

But The JFK Conspiracy isn’t just about Pavlik:

The JFK We Think We Know

One of the things I’ve always admired about Meltzer is how he pulls the threads of history to reveal the messy human being behind the myth.

JFK wasn’t just the cool, collected war hero from PT-109 who inspired millions.

He was also a guy who got a little too reckless. Brad described JFK’s mindset at the time: “World War II didn’t kill me. This guy’s not going to do it.”

JFK’s extramarital affairs were not just indiscretions; they were risky behaviors that could have compromised national security.

His alleged liaisons with figures tied to foreign powers or organized crime heightened concerns about potential blackmail or intelligence leaks.

But that’s the thing about history—it’s not made by demigods.

It’s made by people with flaws, egos, and blind spots.

JFK’s self-assuredness might’ve been part of what made him a great leader. But it also made him dismiss the danger Pavlik posed.

According to Meltzer, JFK may not have even told Jackie about the attempt on his life. It just wasn’t a big deal to him.

But it was to Pavlik.

This guy hated JFK—not just because of his policies, but because of what he represented: wealth, privilege, and a Catholic in the White House.

(Pavlik's anti-Catholic views reflected relatively common mid-20th century Protestant fears that a Catholic president might prioritize loyalty to the Pope over the Constitution.)

Pavlik’s obsession turned him into what Secret Service agents call a “hunter.” These aren’t the people who send letters or make noise.

They’re quiet, methodical, and deadly.

That’s why this story hits differently. It’s not just a wild conspiracy theory—it’s a blueprint for how dangerous rhetoric and obsession can spiral into real violence.

Here’s another thing I learned from Brad:

Jackie’s Genius: Turning Tragedy into Camelot

After Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas, Jackie went into damage control.

She knew the world was watching.

She also knew that JFK’s legacy could either become a cautionary tale or a legend. Late one night, she gave an interview to Life Magazine and dropped the word “Camelot” into the conversation.

JFK loved the Broadway musical. She made it sound like he saw himself as King Arthur—a tragic hero who brought hope and progress to a fractured land.

It was pure genius.

Jackie wrote his legacy before anyone else could. She turned his flaws into footnotes and his charisma into myth. Camelot became the story of JFK’s presidency.

And that’s what great storytelling does: it shapes how we remember.

Why This Story Matters Now

Meltzer made a point that stuck with me: 1960 wasn’t just a year of hope. It was a year of fear.

The country was bitterly divided.

Protestants didn’t trust a Catholic president. The Ku Klux Klan had expanded their hostility to include immigrants like JFK’s Irish Catholic family. Conspiracy theories and racial tensions were tearing at the seams of society.

Sound familiar?

That’s why this story is so important. It’s not just about JFK. It’s about us. It’s about what happens when we let fear and hate fester.

It’s about how fragile everything really is.

And it’s a reminder that sometimes, the heroes in history aren’t the ones we remember.

They’re the people in the background—the unnamed observer who noticed something off about Pavlik and decided to act. The bereaved wife who shaped her husband's legacy to inspire others.

That’s the kind of courage we need now more than ever.

So, if you want the full story—the twists, the heartbreak, the jaw-dropping “you can’t make this up” moments—go listen to the podcast.

(You’ll also learn what stopped Pavlik from killing JFK that day… when he had the chance.)

Brad Meltzer doesn’t just tell history. He brings it back to life. 

Don’t miss the full conversation. Listen now.