John Hinckley Jr., the man found not guilty by reason of insanity for the 1981 attempted assassination of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, has made a startling new claim. He now believes he is personally responsible for actress Jodie Foster's attraction to women.
A Bizarre Theory from a Notorious Figure
In a recent interview with TMZ, Hinckley revealed what he calls a personal theory. He suggests that Foster became gay as a direct result of the trauma linked to his failed assassination attempt and the intense, unwanted public fascination he directed toward her at the time.
Hinckley pointed out that Foster, who was known to date men in the early 1980s, only publicly identified as gay years later. The actress came out during the 2013 Golden Globes ceremony. This timing, in his distorted view, supports his claim.
He stated this is the first time he has publicly shared this theory, doing so while promoting his new memoir titled John Hinckley Jr.: Who I Really Am.
The Origins of a Dangerous Obsession
The story of Hinckley's fixation on Jodie Foster is well-documented. He recounted becoming obsessed with her after watching her performance in the 1976 film Taxi Driver.
When Foster was a student at Yale University, Hinckley managed to obtain her dorm contact information. He then began calling her and leaving notes and poems. He admitted he never formally asked her out because she never showed any interest in him.
Hinckley told TMZ that during that period of his life, he was severely depressed and delusional. He became convinced that he could "impress" Foster by attempting to kill the president. He drew direct parallels to Taxi Driver, envisioning himself as the film's protagonist, Travis Bickle, who plots a political assassination in a misguided attempt to win a woman's affection.
The Day That Shocked a Nation
In March 1981, Hinckley put his deadly plan into action. He traveled by bus from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., selling two of his guns to pay for the trip. He went to the Hilton Hotel armed with a .22 caliber revolver as President Reagan delivered a speech.
When Reagan exited the hotel, Hinckley fired six shots in rapid succession. The shooting wounded four people:
- President Ronald Reagan
- Police officer Thomas Delahanty
- Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy
- White House Press Secretary James Brady
Hinckley said he initially expected to be killed by Secret Service agents on the spot. Instead, he was subdued by bystanders until law enforcement intervened.
Life After the Verdict and a Non-Existent Apology
Following a highly publicised trial, Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity. He was subsequently committed to a psychiatric institution, where he spent more than three decades. Hinckley maintains that the insanity verdict was correct.
He also revealed details about his ongoing mental health treatment, stating he has been on antidepressants for many years. He is currently voluntarily taking Zoloft and Risperdal to manage anxiety.
When contacted for comment on Hinckley's new claims, representatives for Jodie Foster declined to respond. The actress has largely maintained a dignified silence regarding Hinckley for decades, focusing on her acclaimed career instead.
