A secret history: Inside shadow intelligence, the MJ-12 documents | Reality Check

In this episode of "Reality Check," Ross Coulthart sits down with Geoff Cruickshank, a former Australian intelligence official, and Jed Davis, lawyer and independent researcher, to discuss the infamous Majestic 12 documents. Together, they break down how the MJ-12 documents first surfaced, analyze newly uncovered CIA and FOIA records and examine whether the evidence points to authentic government secrecy or an elaborate disinformation campaign. They discuss the role of intelligence agencies, the connection between UFO sightings and nuclear weapons and the challenges of authenticating these documents. Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/check and enter code 'check.' Exclusions apply. BollAndBranch.com/check Use code 'check' #MJ12 #Majestic12 #mystery CREDITS Host: Ross Coulthart Executive Producer: Andy Gipson Editorial Producer: Meagan Ourada Segment Producer: Christine Jenkinson Associate Producer: Will Tomasi Editor: Anthony Diasio On "Reality Check," NewsNation Special Correspondent Ross Coulthart takes a fact-based approach to tackle everything from unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) to mysteries often missing from the headlines. More Reality Check: https://www.newsnationnow.com/podcasts-newsnation/reality-check-with-ross-coulthart/ Email your questions to [email protected] NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans. More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/ Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp Find us on your screen: https://www.joinnn.com/ CHAPTERS :00 Intro 6:55 Meet the guests 8:08 Are the documents authentic? 11:31 Connection between operation paper clip and UAP programs 17:35 Creation of MJ-12 21:32 Declassified documents and links to covert programs 24:50 Are the MJ-12 documents a hoax? 27:09 Motives behind disinformation campaigns 29:18 What happened after Roswell? 32:52 Historical context 35:54 President Truman involvement 38:28 The “White Hot Report” 41:00 General Twining’s “flying disc” memo 44:23 Possible counterintelligence operations 47:30 The Cutler-Twining memo 55:51 MJ-12 “first annual report” document 57:40 The Goudsmit letter 1:02:08 Goudsmit in Nazi Germany 1:06:11 Jed on the authenticity of MJ-12 documents 1:08:58 Geoff on implications of the documents authenticity 1:11:12 Efforts to keep MJ-12 documents buried 1:15:00 Final thoughts