In US politics, an “October surprise” is when a major event occurs in (or close to) October – the month before the presidential elections in November – which significantly affects the race and its outcome. In 2012, it was Hurricane Sandy – particularly president Obama’s response to it and the extensive praise he received from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who supported Obama’s opponent Mitt Romney. Sometimes they’re about the Middle East. In 1980, reports emerged just before the election that Iran would not release its hostages from the US embassy in Tehran until after the election, and did so just minutes after Jimmy Carter left office and Ronald Reagan was sworn in.
Founder of Wikileaks Julian Assange has promised an “October surprise” for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for quite some time. A long-time critic of her, in the past, he has leaked intel purporting to show Clinton supported arming jihadists in Syria while secretary of state, as well as other information. But on Tuesday, Assange finally spoke only to say he had no “October surprise” to reveal at the moment, but would be releasing documents pertaining to the election every week until the vote.
So what could his surprise be? Does he have anything at all? Some of the following theories are plausible, others completely unsubstantiated. Take a look at 7 “October surprises” Assange may have had, or will have, for Clinton.
