Kennedy Jr. Sorry for Super Bowl Ad Echoing JFK’s Campaign

Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. found himself embroiled in controversy after a super PAC backing his campaign aired an advertisement during the Super Bowl that replicated visuals from a classic campaign ad used by his uncle, former President John F. Kennedy. The advert, which is still pinned to Kennedy Jr.’s X account, closely mimics the iconic imagery and jingle from his uncle’s 1960 presidential campaign but replaces John F. Kennedy’s photos with those of the independent candidate.

However, the move sparked immediate criticism from within the Kennedy family. Bobby Shriver, Kennedy Jr.’s cousin and son of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, strongly condemned the ad for appropriating their uncle’s and his mother’s images, expressing that his mother would be appalled by Kennedy Jr.’s views, particularly on healthcare. Mark Kennedy Shriver, another brother of Bobby, echoed the sentiment, stating his agreement with Bobby’s stance.

In response to the backlash, Kennedy Jr. took to Twitter to express his regret, stating that he was sorry if the advertisement caused any pain within his family. He also emphasized that the ad was created and aired by the American Values Super PAC without any involvement or approval from his campaign, citing FEC rules that prohibit Super PACs from consulting with him or his staff. Despite his apology, the pinned tweet on his account still features the controversial video, accompanied by the message “It’s time for an Independent President to heal the divide in our country.”

Kennedy Jr.’s decision to use his uncle’s campaign slogan, “A man who’s old enough to know…and young enough to do,” in the advertisement raised eyebrows, particularly given the significant age difference between him and his uncle. At 70 years old, Kennedy Jr. is significantly older than his uncle was when he was elected president, with John F. Kennedy assuming office at the age of 43, making him the second youngest president in history after Theodore Roosevelt.

Kennedy Jr.’s political journey has been marked by a departure from the Democratic Party, with him initially seeking a Democratic nomination before announcing his plans to run as an independent third-party candidate in October. This move signaled a break from the longstanding ties between the Kennedy political dynasty and the Democratic Party. As the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, Kennedy Jr. carries a significant political legacy.

However, Kennedy Jr.’s recent rise in the political arena has been overshadowed by his promotion of controversial conspiracy theories, particularly regarding vaccines and the Covid-19 pandemic, which have garnered support from the far-right. Additionally, he has propagated unfounded conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of his uncle, alleging CIA involvement.

The controversy surrounding the Super Bowl ad underscores the complexities of navigating political legacies and family ties in the modern political landscape. Despite his efforts to distance himself from the ad and apologize to his family, Robert Kennedy Jr. faces an uphill battle in reconciling his family’s storied political legacy with his own controversial beliefs and actions as he continues his independent presidential campaign.