How John F. Kennedy fell for the lost cause and the grandmother who wouldn’t let him get away with it. By Jordan Virtue. From The Atlantic's December 2023 issue.

Want to share unlimited access to The Atlantic with your loved ones? Give a gift today at theatlantic.com/podgift. For a limited time, select new subscriptions will come with the bold Atlantic tote bag as a free holiday bonus.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices