In this provocative video, James Perloff presents compelling historical evidence suggesting Thomas Paine — author of the wildly influential Common Sense — was the true writer of the Declaration of Independence, not Thomas Jefferson. Key clues include striking stylistic matches (capitalization habits, use of archaic words like “hath,” fiery anti-monarch language), Paine’s strong anti-slavery writings matching a deleted clause in early drafts, Jefferson’s late and ambiguous claim to authorship decades later, and the heavy involvement of Freemasons like Franklin on the drafting committee. Perloff explores why Paine’s role was likely concealed, the shadowy Masonic and Enlightenment influences behind the Revolution, and darker dimensions of America’s founding often omitted from textbooks.
