Whistlestop

Kennedy and Communism (Part 1 of 2)

President John F. Kennedy bumbled the Bay of Pigs but pressed on to meet Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

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This episode of Whistlestop travels back to June 3, 1961, as President John F. Kennedy prepared to hobble on stage for his first high-stakes summit with a Soviet leader.

Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America’s presidential carnival.

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Email: whistlestop@slate.com

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research by Brian Rosenwald.