On this day in 1972, John Lennon made his second appearance on The Dick Cavett Show

Lennon had appeared on the show in September of the previous year alongside Yoko Ono, in an explosive interview that shed light on his marriage and the disbanding of the Beatles. Yoko also spoke on meeting the Beatle and being blamed for the bands breakup. 

Lennon’s next appearance on the show would be just as turbulent. He and Yoko defend one of their more controversial song titles, before launching into the topic of Lennon’s impending deportation. The pair state they believe they are being targeted due to their peace campaign and activism. Lennon goes on to claim that he and Yoko are even being surveilled by the FBI. This is met with disbelief from the audience and is brushed past by Cavett.

Though many at the time thought Lennon to be paranoid or delusional, the statement was later proven correct after a lengthy Freedom of Information lawsuit undertaken by journalist Jon Wiener in 1983 forced the government to release their files in 1997. The files show some interest in Lennon’s peace activities and activist friends but the investigation is ultimately closed later in 1972 and Lennon is allowed to stay, receiving his US citizenship in 1976.