More than 40 years after John Hinckley Jr. shot President Ronald Reagan outside the Washington Hilton, new details suggest the president's trademark charm may have saved his life. In a recent interview with Mark Joseph, producer of the biopic "Reagan," Hinckley admitted he hesitated to take his first shot as Reagan exited the hotel.
According to Hinckley, President Reagan's decision to smile and wave at him as part of a small crowd of onlookers caught the assailant off guard. This moment of hesitation gave Reagan's security detail time to react and allowed Hinckley to take a second shot later, which ultimately wounded Reagan and several others, including Press Secretary James Brady and Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy.
Hinckley, who was released from a mental institution in 2022, detailed how the unexpected gesture from Reagan altered his plan. The assassin had to wait for Reagan to leave the hotel for a second opportunity, during which time the actual shooting occurred.
The incident has drawn renewed attention following a recent attack at the White House Correspondents Dinner, which also took place at the Washington Hilton.
Reagan, a former Hollywood actor, was known for his affable demeanor, a trait that extended beyond his personal interactions. This charm was also evident in his approach to foreign policy, particularly during his dealings with the Soviet Union. During the 1985 Geneva Summit, Reagan spent significant time in one-on-one conversations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, leading to a personal rapport that White House officials observed.
According to the notes, Reagan's ability to balance a strong stance on Soviet policies with a warm, human approach to its leader was a hallmark of his presidency. This approach, characterized by what is described as a "sunny disposition," was seen as a key factor in his political success, from his governorship of California to his handling of international relations and, as now revealed, potentially his survival of the assassination attempt.