John Hinckley Jr. Claims He Influenced Jodie Foster's Sexual Orientation

John Hinckley Jr., the individual who tried to assassinate former U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1981, has expressed his belief that he is accountable for actress Jodie Foster's sexual orientation.

In a discussion with TMZ, Hinckley shared his personal theory that Foster's identification as gay stemmed from the trauma associated with his assassination attempt and the intense public attention he directed towards her at that time. He pointed out that Foster, who dated men in the early 1980s, only recognized her sexuality years later, coming out during the Golden Globe Awards in 2013.

Hinckley mentioned that this is the first occasion he has openly shared this theory while he promotes his memoir titled 'John Hinckley Jr.: Who I Really Am.' He recounted his fixation on Foster, which began after he saw her perform in the film 'Taxi Driver' in 1976. During her time at Yale University, he managed to acquire her dormitory contact details, called her, and left her notes and poems, although he never asked her out due to his perception that she was not interested.

In his conversation with TMZ, Hinckley reflected on his mental state during that period, describing himself as depressed, delusional, and convinced that he could impress Foster by attempting to kill the president. He likened his situation to that of Travis Bickle, the protagonist from 'Taxi Driver,' who pursues political assassination in a misguided effort to gain love.

In March 1981, Hinckley traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., selling two firearms to fund his journey. Armed with a .22 caliber revolver, he approached the Hilton Hotel while Reagan delivered a speech. As Reagan exited, Hinckley fired six shots, injuring the president, police officer Thomas Delahanty, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and White House Press Secretary James Brady.

Hinckley anticipated that he would be killed by Secret Service agents but was instead subdued by bystanders until law enforcement arrived. He was later found not guilty by reason of insanity and spent over three decades in a psychiatric institution. Hinckley continues to assert that this verdict was just.

Additionally, he has disclosed that he has been on antidepressants for numerous years and is currently voluntarily taking Zoloft and Risperdal to manage his anxiety. Representatives for Foster chose not to comment when approached for a response.