As America continues to anticipate the release of the JFK files, as promised by President Donald Trump, a new revelation has come to light about the life of the assassinated president and the cruel irony that befell him.

President John F. Kennedy took office on Jan. 20, 1960, and was one of the most loved politicians in America at the time. His reading, however, did not last long.  JFK, as he is popularly known, was assassinated just 34 months into his first and only term as president of the United States. 

Being one of the youngest to ever take the White House—at 43 years and seven months—coupled with his popularity, JFK was widely expected to run for a second term. And Win. 

The American people were not alone in that thought. JFK himself was so sure he’d run for office that he made a statement that has stood out as one of the greatest ironies ever. Prior to running for office, Kennedy battled several issues. Some of his bouts with sickness were so severe that a priest had given him his last rites.

JFK’s health was so poor that Daily Mail’s Maureen Callahan wrote that “even if President John F. Kennedy hadn’t been assassinated in 1963 at age 46, the sad truth remains: He was never going to live for very long.”

However, in 1960, during his presidential campaign, Kennedy told his close aide and friend, Kenny O’Donnell, that there was nothing to worry about.

“I’m forty-three years old, and I’m the healthiest candidate for President of the United States… I’m not going to die in office,” Kennedy said.

In a cruel twist of fate, Kennedy was assassinated three years after he uttered those words to his friends and 34 months into his presidency. 

More than 60 years after his assassination, the American people have still not gotten the truth about JFK’s murder. President Trump, who was almost assassinated last July,  has signed an executive order that declassifies any remaining files from the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

President Trump’s order also mandates the FBI to submit a plan to the White House for the full and complete release of these records. The FBI is currently identifying relevant records in response to the executive order and will coordinate with the Department of Justice and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).