6 out of 105 Kennedys Publicly Endorsed Joe Biden
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent environmental attorney and activist, has faced criticism from various members of his family, leading to the misconception that his entire family does not support him. Despite this perception, it is crucial to understand that only 6 out of approximately 105 close Kennedy family members have publicly endorsed Joe Biden. They have not endorsed Kamala Harris. This has led to misinformation suggesting the entire family is against RFK Jr.
When family members do speak about RFK Jr.’s candidacy, they often refer specifically to his independent ticket. For example, Kerry Kennedy stated, “We cannot have Trump in for four more years.” Similarly, in an interview with CNN, when asked whether she sees her brother’s campaign as a danger because it siphons votes away from Joe Biden or because of his policies, Rory Kennedy responded, “It’s really about siphoning votes from Biden.” This underscores that their concerns are not primarily about RFK Jr.’s policies but rather the fear that he might act as a spoiler candidate.
Timeline of Events
July 21, 2023: Jack Schlossberg’s Instagram Reel
On July 21, 2023, Jack Schlossberg made an Instagram reel from a car, where he criticized RFK Jr.’s candidacy by saying, “I have no idea why anyone thinks he should be president.” He also gave controversial talking points about President Biden’s success, including statements like “he ended our longest war, he ended the COVID pandemic, and he ended Donald Trump.” We encourage readers to visit his social media pages to form their own opinion on his credibility. Jack Schlossberg’s Instagram and Jack Schlossberg’s X profile.
October 9, 2023: RFK Jr. Announces Independent Run
On October 9, 2023, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that he would be running for president as an independent candidate. This decision marked a significant shift from his previous alignment with the Democratic Party and sparked immediate reactions from his family. Remember, the Kennedy family has been a part of the Democratic Party for generations, long before even JFK. RFK Jr.’s separation from the party was a shock, not only to his family, but to all.
Family Reaction:
Four family members took to social media to express their concerns, stating, “The decision of our brother Bobby to run as a third party candidate against Joe Biden is dangerous to our country.” It is noteworthy that they made no public comments about his presidential run until he decided to run as an independent. Anthony Shriver, RFK Jr.’s cousin replied to this post saying, “I was so proud to be standing next to my cousin Bobby today. His energy and values are everything our family believes in.”
March 17, 2024: St. Patrick’s Day Event
On St. Patrick’s Day, Joe Biden and several Kennedy family members took to social media to post an image of a large portion of the Kennedy family with President Biden. Many people took this photo as an endorsement when no such endorsement was given at the time. The photo did not even show half of the Kennedy family.
The Hatch Act
If there had been an endorsement given on St. Patrick’s Day, Joe Kennedy III may have been in violation of the Hatch Act. This act restricts federal employees from engaging in certain political activities to maintain a nonpartisan federal workforce. As a Special Envoy, Joe Kennedy III must adhere to these restrictions to avoid conflicts of interest.
April 19, 2024: Official Endorsement for Joe Biden
On April 19, 2024, an official endorsement for Joe Biden was made by five Kennedy family members. This endorsement brought the total number of endorsements to 6 out of 105 family members. Many news sources report that 12-15 family members endorsed Joe Biden that day, but no official record is available online. The only clear proof of an endorsement is from this video that was posted to social media after the event.
Family Members Endorsing Joe Biden
Despite the visible presence of some Kennedy family members in support of Joe Biden, these are the family members who are on record officially endorsing Joe Biden. These endorsements have often been interpreted as a broader family consensus, which is not the case.
- Joe Kennedy III: Works as the U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs.
- Kerry Kennedy: Runs Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and has publicly endorsed Biden.
- Rory Kennedy: An acclaimed filmmaker who has worked on projects funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Kathleen Kennedy Townsend: Works for the Department of Labor as a representative for retirement and pension issues, which ties her to the Biden administration.
- Chris Kennedy: Owns a commercial real estate firm and has endorsed Biden.
RFK Jr.’s Response to the Endorsements
In this interview, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responded to his family members’ endorsement of Joe Biden. He emphasized that his family has learned to debate each other while still maintaining love and respect. He acknowledged that five family members work for the Biden administration and mentioned the Kennedy family’s historical ties to the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Conclusion
The claim that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s whole family does not support him is a misconception. While some family members have publicly endorsed Joe Biden, it is important to recognize the diverse views within any family. These family members have not endorsed Kamala Harris.
RFK Jr. has received significant support from other family members who are actively involved in his campaign such as Amaryllis Kennedy who runs his campaign. Public disagreements do not equate to a lack of familial love and support, and it’s essential to consider the full spectrum of family and political dynamics. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and ultimately, their own vote. It is uncommon for families to agree on everything and the Kennedy family is being held to a standard no other family is.
