FETZER, James H.

James Henry Fetzer is a retired University of Minnesota Duluth philosophy professor who became a prominent conspiracy theorist and author. He earned a Ph.D. in the history and philosophy of science from Indiana University and served as a Marine Corps artillery officer before his academic career. He specialized in artificial intelligence, computer science, and cognitive science.

Fetzer founded Scholars for 9/11 Truth in 2005, promoting theories that the September 11 attacks were an inside job involving controlled demolitions. He has written extensively questioning the official accounts of various historical events, including the JFK assassination, Paul Wellstone's plane crash, and the Boston Marathon bombing.

His most controversial work involved Sandy Hook conspiracy theories, claiming the 2012 elementary school shooting was a "false flag" operation with crisis actors. These claims led to harassment of victims' families and resulted in defamation lawsuits. In 2019, a Wisconsin court ordered Fetzer to pay $450,000 to the father of a Sandy Hook victim.

Fetzer has authored numerous books and hosts "The Real Deal" radio show, continuing to promote alternative theories about major news events. His academic background lends credibility among some conspiracy theory audiences, though his claims are generally rejected by mainstream scholars and have caused documented harm to grieving families.