 "John Kennedy's nephew Robert F Kennedy Jr. is running independently in the US Presidential elections 2024. Source: Reuters File")
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running independently for the United States President post that his uncle, John F. Kennedy, once held. Most recently, Kennedy Jr.’s campaign said that he would announce his Vice-presidential running mate for the contest on March 26 in Oakland, California.
Who is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and what is his agenda for the Presidential race? Here’s a look.
An illustrious family background
Kennedy Jr. is a part of one of the US’ most well-known political families. His father, Robert Kennedy, was the attorney general for John Kennedy during his Presidency. His mother, Ethel Kennedy, is a human rights and social justice advocate.
However, many of his famous relatives are unhappy with his views and his run for the Presidency. Four of his siblings recently released a statement saying, “Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment.”
A long-time conspiracy theorist
Kennedy Jr., a lawyer and environmental activist, is a long-time anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist. The 69-year-old has claimed that wifi is a cause of cancer and “leaky brain”. He has also said that AIDS might not be caused by HIV. Kennedy Jr. has made several other scientifically unsubstantiated comments.
On different occasions, he has blamed antidepressants for school shootings and said that chemicals in tap water can make children transgender.
Views on Covid-19
Kennedy Jr. has often voiced anti-vaccine rhetoric, lending his voice to claims that they cause autism and are toxic– assertions that have been repeatedly debunked by researchers. His claims on Covid-19 ethnically targeting Caucasian and Black people, while sparing the Chinese and Ashkenazi Jews created a big controversy in July 2023.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsNotably, YouTube and Instagram had banned him for spreading misinformation about vaccines and the pandemic.
Democrat or Republican?
Kennedy Jr. began his presidential campaign as a primary challenger to incumbent President Joe Biden. However, he later decided to run as an independent.
Although Kennedy Jr. has long identified as a Democrat, many analysts believe that he would eat into Republican candidate Donald Trump’s vote share rather than Biden’s.
Kennedy Jr.’s supporters
His supporters largely comprise people who are distrustful of the government, mainstream media, and big corporations. His views have also resonated with those alienated from the political system.
Independent candidates, who rarely make ballot, have traditionally a hard time leaving a significant imprint on the Presidential race. However, Kennedy Jr. is distinct from them. He not only carries a famous last name, but also a robust existing network of supporters.