Hinckley Breaks Silence: Message to Foster 45 Years After Reagan
John Hinckley Jr. Speaks Out: 45 Years After Shooting President Reagan, He Wishes Jodie Foster Well
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Who Is John Hinckley Jr.?
John Hinckley Jr. is a man who made history for a very sad reason. In 1981, when he was 25 years old, he shot and wounded President Ronald Reagan outside a hotel in Washington, D.C.
Why did he do it? He wasn’t trying to make a political statement. He was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster after seeing her in the movie Taxi Driver. In his mind, he thought shooting the president would impress her and make her notice him.
What Happened That Day?
On March 30, 1981, just two months after Reagan became president, Hinckley fired shots outside the Washington Hilton Hotel.
Four people were hurt:
- President Reagan – Broken rib, punctured lung, internal bleeding (he survived)
- James Brady (White House Press Secretary) – Shot in the head, permanent brain damage and paralysis, died in 2014 (ruled a homicide)
- Two other men – Also wounded in the shooting
The Court Case: "Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity"
Important Point: This legal term means the person did the action, but their mind was so sick (mental illness) that they couldn’t understand it was wrong.
- Hinckley’s lawyers argued he was severely mentally ill at the time
- The jury agreed: Not guilty by reason of insanity
- Instead of prison, he was sent to a psychiatric hospital for treatment
His Long Road to Freedom
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1981 | Shooting happens |
| 1982 | Found not guilty by reason of insanity, sent to psychiatric hospital |
| 2016 | Released from hospital after doctors said he was no longer dangerous |
| 2022 | All court restrictions lifted, living freely in Virginia |
| 2025 | Gives new interview at age 71 |
What He Said in His New Interview
Hinckley appeared on the "Mark Joseph Show" (full episode airs Wednesday). Here’s what he shared:
About Jodie Foster Now
"I just wish Jodie Foster well. I don’t really see her movies, but I wish her well, and I know she’s doing quite well. And that’s all I can say: I just, I wish Jodie well, and I hope she has a good life."
About His Delusional Thinking Back Then
"I wanted to have like this union with Jodie Foster and live the rest of my life with her and all these things that, of course, were delusional, but I was believing those things at that time."
What He Thought Would Happen
"I had this notion that she was going to join me wherever I was. You know, I didn’t know if I was going to be in jail or hospital or what, but after things settled down, I had this notion that she was going to join me wherever I was."
A Chilling Admission
"She definitely could have been a target. It’s just fate went the other way… But, yeah, she could have been a target. But, as fate turned out, it was Reagan instead of her."
His 2022 Apology
In a CBS interview three years ago, Hinckley said:
"I shot four people, and I’m sorry to the Reagan family, the Brady family, the other families of the victims. I’m sorry to Jodie Foster for bringing her into this."
Understanding the "Why": Mental Illness & Delusions
Important Point: A delusion is a strong belief in something that isn’t true, even when shown proof. It’s a symptom of serious mental illness — not a choice.
Hinckley’s brain was telling him things that weren’t real:
- He believed Jodie Foster loved him (she didn’t know him)
- He believed violence would bring them together
- He couldn’t see reality clearly
This doesn’t excuse what he did — people were badly hurt, and one man died years later from his injuries. But it helps explain how his mind worked at that time.
Jodie Foster’s Side
- She was just 18 when Taxi Driver came out
- She had no connection to Hinckley
- The attention was terrifying and unwanted
- She went on to win two Oscars and have an amazing career
- She has never spoken publicly about Hinckley in detail
Summary
- John Hinckley Jr. shot President Reagan in 1981 to impress Jodie Foster
- He was mentally ill and living in a delusional world
- Four people were shot — one died decades later from his injuries
- Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and hospitalized
- After 35 years in treatment, he was released (2016) and fully freed (2022)
- Now 71, he says he wishes Foster well and admits his thinking was delusional
- He has apologized to all victims and their families
- His full interview airs Wednesday on the Mark Joseph Show
FAQ
1. Is John Hinckley Jr. still dangerous?
Doctors and courts decided he is no longer a danger to himself or others. He was released in 2016 after years of evaluation, and all restrictions were removed in 2022.
2. Did Jodie Foster ever respond to him?
No. She has never spoken to him, never met him, and has declined to comment publicly on him for decades. She was a teenager when this happened and had nothing to do with his actions.
3. What does "not guilty by reason of insanity" really mean?
It means: "Yes, you did this act, but your mental illness was so severe you couldn’t understand it was wrong." The person goes to a hospital for treatment, not prison. They stay until doctors say they’re safe.
4. How is President Reagan connected to the recent Trump assassination attempt mention?
The article notes Hinckley shot Reagan outside the Washington Hilton — the same hotel where a recent alleged assassination attempt on former President Trump reportedly occurred. Hinckley called this coincidence "spooky."
5. Why is he doing interviews now?
It’s not fully clear. He has expressed remorse in recent years. Some think he wants to share his side of the story; others worry it re-traumatizes victims. The full interview airs Wednesday.
Article based on Fox News reporting by Brie Stimson, Los Angeles-based entertainment and breaking news writer for Fox News Digital.