Jackie Kennedy’s ‘Affair’ With Defense Secretary Exposed in New Book

Jackie Kennedy’s polished public image is being rattled by shocking new claims that she carried on an affair with none other than Defense Secretary Robert McNamara — a secret romance that allegedly unfolded while John F. Kennedy was in the White House.

A new book, Passion on the Potomac, dives into their rumored bond, revealing that Jackie and McNamara’s relationship went far beyond friendly banter. The two were said to exchange flirty notes, handmade Valentine’s cards, and even cheeky collages referencing the night they danced the Twist together at a 1962 White House party. Jackie reportedly stayed up partying until dawn and later teased McNamara about their dance in writing — a gesture that insiders now believe hinted at a deeper attraction.

Friends of the Kennedy family recalled that Jackie openly admitted she found McNamara attractive. Her sister Lee Radziwill claimed she was drawn to him because he was “very quick and very affectionate.” Former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee remembered her joking about his sex appeal, saying most men just didn’t get it.

The allegations grow even bolder: McNamara himself is said to have confided that he once spent the night with Jackie at her family’s Rhode Island home while his wife was out of town. Though he begged publishers at the time not to include the detail in his biography, his words have resurfaced decades later.

Their bond didn’t end with JFK’s assassination. When tragedy struck in Dallas, McNamara rushed to Jackie’s side and stayed with her through the autopsy. He later continued visiting her in New York, where they were spotted dining together often.

Though the rumored romance fizzled as the Vietnam War drove a wedge between them, Jackie sent McNamara a heartfelt letter years later calling him her “shining knight,” a phrase that suggests their connection lingered long after the White House years.