RFK Jr. wants to give $5 billion that was promised to thousands of farmers through litigation who were discriminated against by the USDA.

The New York Post published an article titled “RFK Jr. says he would give black farmers $5B in reparations — despite ruling that it’s unconstitutional,” which is misleading. Their own citation leads you to an article of theirs that says, “Judge William Griesbach issued a temporary restraining order Thursday halting the program while the case is decided.” This was not a final ruling.

This program was never intended to give money to farmers solely based on their skin color. It was to give money to farmers who were actually discriminated against for years that resulted in a loss of their farm land.

Context

In the podcast, John Boyd detailed the systemic discrimination black farmers faced from the USDA. Historically, black farmers were denied loans and support that white farmers received, leading to widespread foreclosure and loss of black-owned farmland.

Boyd emphasized that this discrimination was not just historical but continued well into recent decades.

The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) outlines this history of discrimination in detail. In 1920, 14% of farms were black-owned, but today, only 1.7% are. Additionally, black-owned farms disproportionately receive less government funding, obtaining only 0.6% of the total funds given to farms.

Boyd mentioned that in 1997, two lawsuits were filed against the USDA for this discriminatory treatment. These lawsuits resulted in settlements that promised injunctive relief and debt relief for black farmers. However, despite these promises, the black farmers did not receive the promised land and debt relief.

John Boyd, an African American farmer and founder of the National Black Farmers Association, sums up the situation on RFk Jr.’s podcast:

“You know, here we have a debt relief measure that passed. It passed under the American Rescue Plan for $5 billion.

And then after it passed, USDA kind of dragged its feet on implementing the $5 billion, you know, getting it out to the 16,000 eligible farmers.

So USDA already know who the farmers are, already know what the amounts are supposed to be provided debt relief and they dragged their feet to do it.

They drag their feet and then we wind up white farm that started suing us in federal court around the country and Texas and then Florida and all around and how to organize our monies to defend ourselves in those courts.

And finally, after we won one or two motions in federal court, the administration repealed it by another act of Congress and the IRA bill spending bill.

So they took it all away while I was in court fighting. And here we sit in front of you.

We didn’t get the debt relief and it’s going on for decades, you know, and what I want to explain to people, I don’t want people to look at this and say these farmers want them, they give them something.

That’s not the case.

We were promised U.S. debt relief back from the 90s. We didn’t get it in two settlements. I turned to Congress in 2016.

It stripped the language, wound up getting it in 2021. And then Congress, this administration, this president repealed it by an act of Congress and they haven’t spoken the words debt relief to black and other farmers of color since they repealed it.”

Legislative Efforts and Broken Promises

Boyd also discussed the Claims Remedy Act, sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy, which provided $1.25 billion for black farmers. Despite this legislation, black farmers have continued to struggle due to unfulfilled promises from the USDA and the federal government.

In 2021, under the American Rescue Plan, $5 billion was allocated for debt relief for black and other farmers of color. Boyd put out a statement when the act was passed, saying, “The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 will help address the ongoing effects of discrimination by reducing the risk of foreclosure and increasing access to credit.”

However, the USDA delayed the implementation of this debt relief, and subsequent lawsuits by white farmers led to further complications. Eventually, the relief was repealed by Congress under President Biden’s administration, leaving black farmers without the promised support.

Misunderstood Term: Reparations

The term “reparations” is often overused and watered down. This is not the reparations that is used in the modern way. This is not giving money to people just because of skin color.

In this context, the $5 billion is not about providing new entitlements but about fulfilling court-ordered payments for past discrimination cases that were never fully resolved.

Many payouts were not fulfilled because the statute of limitations lapsed by the time these farmers saw their day in court. Boyd is seeking reparations specifically for the actual discrimination he and other minority farmers experienced with the USDA.

John Boyd shared a firsthand account of the discrimination he experienced:

“Farmers need operating loans every year to plant and harvest on time. So I’m no different.

I’m trying to get a farm operating loan and, and one particular year I was in the office and I was trying to get $5,000.

I was down. I went from, I started at 20 and by the time I left the session, I said, ‘Look, can I just get $5,000 farm operating?’ And he says no.

And here comes Farmer Earl, a white farmer.

He walks into the office, he greets him as Earl and his whole voice and demeanor changed when Earl came in. ‘Hey Earl.’ And like they were friends, he passes Farmer Earl a check for $157,000.”

Boyd further described another instance of discrimination:

“I had a poultry contract where USDA were taking the payments out of my check and was supposed to be giving me credit on my loans.

No one knows what happened to the money.

I got no credit on my loans and I wound up in farm foreclosure. And when they investigated him and asked him what happened to Mr. Boyd’s monies that Purdue Farms were sending every week, he said, ‘Well, I accidentally applied them to another poultry farmer’s assignment account.'”

RFK Jr.’s Position

RFK Jr. expressed his commitment to addressing these injustices if elected president. He emphasized that the $5 billion is not a new entitlement:

“I’m going to get rid of those people in USDA and get that money.

That 5 billion is not money that is an entitlement, it’s money that was a loan that black farmers were entitled to way back then and was stolen from them through discrimination. 

You know, you, you can testify that it was personally stolen from you and that’s what the court found. 

If you were white you got it, but if you were black, you wouldn’t get it.”

Conclusion

The New York Post’s headline mischaracterizes RFK Jr.’s stance. He did not propose unconstitutional reparations; rather, he highlighted the need to fulfill past promises of debt relief to black farmers who suffered from actual discrimination. This distinction is crucial for understanding his position and the broader context of the historical injustices faced by black farmers in the United States.

For more information, you can listen to the full podcast episode where RFK Jr. and John Boyd discuss these issues in detail.

The Origin of the Brain Worm Story

On May 8th, 2024, The New York Times published an article about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that caused quite a stir. The article referenced a deposition RFK Jr. gave during his divorce proceedings in 2012, where he discussed experiencing brain fog that some doctors initially believed was cancer. The New York Times stated, “The doctor believed that the abnormality seen on his scans ‘was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died,’ Mr. Kennedy said in the deposition.”

The Story Goes Viral

Unsurprisingly, this sensational story quickly went viral, sparking both concern and humor. Amid questions about a potential presidential debate, RFK Jr. responded on social media platform X, saying, “I offer to eat 5 more brain worms and still beat President Trump and President Biden in a debate.” He followed up with a comment, “I feel confident of the result even with a six-worm handicap.”

1 in 4 People Have Parasites

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 25% of the world’s population has an infection related to an intestinal parasite. In tropical and subtropical areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation, that number is as high as 50%. 

The Reality: Neurocysticercosis

On May 14th, RFK Jr. appeared on Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast, where he provided clarity on the situation. He revealed that he had been diagnosed with Neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection caused by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. This condition occurs when the larvae of the tapeworm enter the brain, leading to various neurological symptoms, including brain fog.

What is Neurocysticercosis?

Neurocysticercosis is a common parasitic infection in regions with poor sanitation and where pork is a dietary staple. It is particularly prevalent in India and in the hog industry. The infection occurs when individuals ingest eggs of the tapeworm, which then travel to the brain and form cysts. Symptoms can range from headaches and seizures to confusion and brain fog.

RFK Jr. explained on the podcast that he had traveled to India numerous times for his work and had been involved in lawsuits against corporate hog farms for many years. He believes that his brain fog was likely due to mercury poisoning rather than the brain worm itself.

Assurance of Recovery

Today, RFK Jr. assures the public that he has fully recovered from the brain fog he experienced at the time. He emphasizes that his neurological health is intact and that he remains fit to serve in any capacity, including as President.

Conclusion

The story of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. having a brain worm is rooted in a real medical condition, but it has been sensationalized and misunderstood. RFK Jr. suffered from Neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection common in certain regions and industries. He has since recovered and remains confident in his abilities. This incident highlights the importance of understanding the context and facts behind sensational headlines.

Reality: According to the polls, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. does not fit the definition of a spoiler. The polls point to one obvious spoiler in the 2024 presidential election, and that is President Biden.

Definition of a Spoiler

A spoiler candidate is traditionally defined as one who cannot win the election under any circumstances and only serves to pull votes away from a candidate who otherwise could have won. Many believe that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) is a spoiler candidate whose presence in the race would primarily serve to get President Trump re-elected. However, current polls show a different story.

Polling Data Analysis

Contrary to popular belief, polls indicate that RFK Jr. pulls more votes from President Trump supporters than from President Biden supporters. Additionally, the data shows that whether or not RFK Jr. is in the race, President Biden loses to President Trump. By definition, this makes President Biden the spoiler, not RFK Jr.

Let’s examine three major polls to clarify this:

Harvard-Harris Poll

• Head-to-Head: President Trump 53%, President Biden 47%
• With RFK Jr.: President Trump 45%, President Biden 40%, RFK Jr. 14%

NY Times/Siena Poll:

• Head-to-Head: President Trump 49%, President Biden 43%
• With Third Party Candidates: President Trump 42%, President Biden 36%

Kennedy/Shanahan Campaign’s Zogby Poll:

• Respondents: Over 26,000, significantly more than typical polls (1,000-2,500 respondents)
• Results: President Biden does not win against President Trump alone, against RFK Jr. alone, or against both of them. However, RFK Jr. beats President Trump one-on-one and President Biden one-on-one.

RealClearPolitics Analysis

These results clearly show that RFK Jr. is not merely a spoiler. He holds substantial support that could redefine the race entirely.

RealClearPolitics provides a comprehensive hub of all major polls and averages them together. At the time of this article, the averaged polls indicate that President Trump wins in key swing states and across all polls combined. This further supports the argument that President Biden, not RFK Jr., fits the definition of a spoiler, as he appears to be the candidate less likely to secure a victory in the general election.

First-Time Voters and Unique Support Base

Many of RFK Jr.’s supporters are first-time voters or individuals who would otherwise not vote if he were not on the ballot. CNN just released a poll that asked disenfranchised voters who they would vote for. RFK Jr. received 37%, Trump 30%, and Biden 12%. CNN also discused how RFK Jr. pulls more votes from Trump than Biden.

This further proves that his candidacy does not detract from President Biden’s potential voter base, but rather brings new voters into the political process who would not participate in an election between only President Biden and President Trump. This also shows that RFK Jr. pulls more votes from President Trump.

The Reality of the Situation

The 2024 election is unprecedented in many ways. Both President Biden and President Trump are the oldest presidents in history, adding uncertainty to the race. Just as football fans say, “Any given Sunday,” this November could be “Any given November.” Both candidates could face unforeseen circumstances, such as legal issues or health problems, that might impact their viability.

The largest presidential poll to date indicates that RFK Jr. would win in a head-to-head race against either President Biden or President Trump. This makes him a true major candidate, not a spoiler.

RFK Jr.’s presence in the race challenges the traditional dynamics and offers voters an alternative that polls show is not just viable but potentially victorious. By the true definition of a spoiler, President Biden fits the role more accurately than RFK Jr.

Conclusion

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is far from being a mere spoiler candidate. Polls consistently demonstrate his ability to pull significant support, especially from President Trump voters, and his potential to win in direct contests against both President Trump and President Biden. Additionally, his candidacy mobilizes first-time voters and those who would not otherwise vote, further proving his impact on the 2024 election. As the political landscape continues to evolve, RFK Jr.’s candidacy represents a legitimate third option that could change the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.

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.