RFK Jr. Apologizes to Family for Super Bowl Ad

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Facts

  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate for the 2024 US presidential election, has posted an apology on X, formerly Twitter, saying he is 'so sorry' if the ad aired by the American Values Super PAC during the Super Bowl on Sunday 'caused anyone in my family pain.'1
  • Kennedy also wrote that the Super PAC aired the ad 'without any involvement or approval' from his campaign because it would be against Federal Elections Commission rules if he or his staff consulted with the Super PAC.1
  • The ad, which was pinned to the top of his X account page, mimicked a 1960 presidential campaign ad run by his uncle, future Pres. John F. Kennedy, except photos of the younger Kennedy replaced those of the elder.2
  • In the exact same jingle used in 1960, the ad urges voters to choose the candidate 'who's old enough to know...and young enough to do.'2
  • The ad received backlash from members of Kennedy's family, including cousin Bobby Shriver, who posted on X that his mother Eunice Kennedy Shriver — founder of the Special Olympics and whose face appeared in the ad — would be 'appalled' by his cousin's 'deadly health care views.'3
  • Kennedy Jr., who is running as an independent despite his family's longtime ties to the Democratic Party, has long held controversial opinions about vaccinations for COVID and other diseases.4

Sources: 1X.com (a), 2Forbes, 3X.com (b) and 4Associated Press.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Huffington Post. Kennedy's apology is as disingenuous as his candidacy is illegitimate. While the ad was pinned on his X profile, his spokesperson is expressing gratitude to the Super PAC for running it. If his hair-brained political beliefs weren't enough to disgrace his family name, he seems determined to completely tear down his legacy by spoiling Pres. Biden's reelection and helping former Pres. Trump.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by FOX News. Kennedy has no reason to apologize. The ad was run by a Super PAC supporting a candidate who's speaking to an electorate Democrats have let down with their corruption, greed, and conspiracy to keep Kennedy from challenging Biden. If Biden's reelection is derailed, Democrats will have no one to blame but themselves.