Donald Trump has indicated he will allow the release of thousands of classified files about the assassination of John F Kennedy.

The 1963 shooting of the US president in Dallas has been a rich source of conspiracy theories ever since gunman Lee Harvey Oswald fired three shots from the Texas School Book Depository at Mr Kennedy's motorcade.

There have been thousands of books, TV shows and films about the killing of the 35th president - with opinion polls showing a majority of Americans do not believe the official conclusion that Oswald acted alone.

Long-secret files on the assassination are scheduled to be released by the US National Archives next week, but Mr Trump has the final say on whether they are made public.

Image: Reports suggest the CIA is lobbying Mr Trump to block the release of some files

Ahead of the deadline, the President revealed he would be allowing the documents to see the light of day, "subject to the receipt of further information".


Politico earlier reported that Mr Trump would almost certainly block the release of some of the files, which include documents from the FBI and CIA.

White House spokesman Lindsay Walters told the US politics website that the administration was working "to ensure that the maximum amount of data can be released to the public".

Image: President Kennedy and the first lady arriving in Dallas less than an hour before his assassination

Mr Trump can block the disclosure on the grounds that it would harm intelligence, law enforcement, military operations or foreign relations - and there are reports the CIA is lobbying to block some of the documents.

The documents include more than 3,000 that have never been made public, and more than 30,000 that have been previously released with redactions.

Image: JFK is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia

Kennedy assassination experts quoted in the Washington Post say they do not think the final batch of papers contains any bombshell revelations.

But they add that the documents may reveal more about Oswald's trip to Mexico City in September 1963, during which he met with Cuban and Soviet spies.

Despite theories claiming organised crime, Cuba or elements of the US government itself was involved, conspiracy theorists have not produced conclusive proof Oswald had co-conspirators.