John Hinckley Jr., the individual who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, has stated that Reagan had planned to visit him at St. Elizabeths Hospital. The meeting, however, was reportedly blocked by hospital officials, according to Hinckley and the producer of a biopic about the former president.
In an interview on "The Mark Joseph Show" podcast, Hinckley told producer Mark Joseph that he had heard Reagan wished to meet him. "I wish they hadn’t done [blocked it]," Hinckley said, expressing regret that the opportunity for a meeting was denied. He stated that he would have welcomed the chance to ask Reagan for forgiveness and convey the respect he held for the president. "I never disliked Reagan. Even on the day I did what I did. I liked him," Hinckley added, asserting he had "no animus at all towards President Reagan."
Joseph, who is researching Reagan's life for his film "Reagan," said he spoke with the head of St. Elizabeths Hospital. According to Joseph, the hospital administrator advised Reagan, "please don't do that" when the president inquired about seeing Hinckley.
Hinckley, who was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 1982, was released from court oversight in June 2022, four decades after the March 30, 1981, assassination attempt. At the time of the shooting, Hinckley was 25 years old and reportedly acted in an attempt to impress actress Jodi Foster.
The attack wounded President Reagan, his press secretary James Brady, police officer Thomas Delahanty, and Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy. Reagan recovered from his injuries, but Brady used a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. A 1993 gun control bill, known as the Brady Bill, was enacted in response, establishing background checks and a waiting period for handgun purchases.
Reagan, who served two terms from 1981 to 1988, died in 2004 at the age of 93. Hinckley, now 71, was described by Joseph as appearing "rational, logical and very subdued" during their recent interview. Joseph theorized that Reagan's intention to visit Hinckley might have been influenced by Pope John Paul II's visit to Mehmet Ali Agca, who had survived an assassination attempt.
The film "Reagan," which features Dennis Quaid as the former president, is set to be re-released on September 25 with an extended director's cut. The film previously received a high audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though its critical score was significantly lower.