Investigative journalist and author Matthew Vadum discussed the relationship between President John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe in a pre-taped segment on NewsX World in India on Oct. 24, 2026.
The “In Summary” show examined the affair, which came into public view after Monroe’s famous “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” performance at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962, raised national security concerns. It also covers related issues from Kennedy’s other relationships, FBI surveillance of Monroe (primarily over alleged leftist and Soviet contacts rather than the romance itself), the sanitization of official files, and the fact that the FBI did not investigate her August 5, 1962 death (ruled a probable suicide from a barbiturate overdose) as a homicide.
Vadum said the following:
“Robert Kennedy was also present at the afterparty on the night Marilyn Monroe sang for President Kennedy. You know that famous song, happy birthday, Mr. President.”
“Judith Exner was somebody that President Kennedy was involved with romantically. The problem was she was also involved with an organized crime figure at the same time named Sam Gianana.”
“Then when questions arose about another paramour, Ellen Rometsch and her East German background, she was involved with JFK. Robert Kennedy arranged for her to leave the United States quickly so the controversy would die down.”
“…of conspiracy theories that followed her death. What they do not show is a documented relationship with the Kennedys. Even though it’s pretty clear that there was some kind of a relationship with President Kennedy, at a minimum.”
The other guest was analyst Erik Lehmkuhle. The anchor was Keren Nanyaro.
Watch the video clip here: