John Hinckley Jr. Shares New Message to Jodie Foster, 45 Years After Trying to Assassinate Ronald Reagan to Impress Her: ‘I Wish Her Well’

John Hinckley Jr., the individual who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981, has conveyed a new message directed at actress Jodie Foster. This statement was made during a recent appearance on the "Mark Joseph Show," as reported by Entertainment Weekly (EW). Hinckley stated, "I just wish Jodie Foster well, you know." The assassination attempt occurred outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Hinckley's motive, as widely documented, was to gain Foster's attention and admiration. He was reportedly obsessed with her, particularly after seeing her performance in the 1976 film "Taxi Driver," where she portrayed a young prostitute named Iris. Hinckley had even written letters to Foster prior to the shooting, demonstrating the depth of his fixation. The attack resulted in injuries to President Reagan, who was shot in the lung but recovered and continued his presidency, serving until 1989. Also injured were Reagan's press secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy, and police officer Thomas Delahanty. James Brady sustained a permanent disability from his injury and became a prominent advocate for gun control. His advocacy was instrumental in the passage of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, commonly known as the Brady Bill, which was signed into law in 1993 and mandated federal background checks for firearm purchases. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity of the assassination attempt and was committed to St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C. for psychiatric treatment. He remained institutionalized for decades. On July 27, 2022, Hinckley was released from court-ordered institutionalization and restrictions after a federal judge determined he was no longer a danger to himself or others. Since his release, Hinckley has pursued a career as a musician, releasing songs and music videos online, often sharing them on platforms like YouTube. He has also engaged with the public through social media platforms, maintaining a presence that draws attention to his past and his current activities. This latest message to Jodie Foster marks another public acknowledgment of his past actions and his continued fixation on the actress, despite the passage of over four decades since the event and his subsequent release from psychiatric confinement. The "Mark Joseph Show" appearance and the subsequent report by EW highlight Hinckley's ongoing public presence and his attempts to communicate with figures from his past, underscoring the enduring impact of his infamous act.