Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. apologized to members of his family late Sunday after a Super PAC backing his campaign aired an ad during the Super Bowl using slightly altered visuals from a classic advertisement used by his uncle and former President John F. Kennedy.
“The ad was created and aired by the American Values Super PAC without any involvement or approval from my campaign. FEC rules prohibit Super PACs from consulting with me or my staff,” Kennedy added.
Despite this, the pinned tweet on his account continues to display the video with the text “It’s time for an Independent President to heal the divide in our country.”
Robert Shrum, a Democrat and the director of the University of Southern California’s Center for the Political Future, labeled the new ad as “straight out plagiarism.”
“This RFK Jr. Super Bowl ad is a straight out plagiarism of JFK ad from 1960,” Shrum remarked on X. “What a fraud – and to quote [former Sen.] Lloyd Bentsen with a slight amendment, ‘Bobby, you’re no John Kennedy.’ Instead, you are a Trump ally.”
Even RFK Jr.’s cousin, Bobby Shriver, expressed disapproval of the advertisement.
“My cousin’s Super Bowl ad used our uncle’s faces – and my Mother’s,” Shriver, son of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, commented on X. “She would be appalled by his deadly health care views. Respect for science, vaccines, & health care equity were in her DNA. She strongly supported my health care work at @ONECampaign & @RED which he opposes.”
RFK Jr. has previously faced criticism from family members due to his stances, particularly his anti-vaccine advocacy.
In October, his four siblings released a statement denouncing his candidacy, deeming his pursuit “deeply saddening” and “perilous for our country,” as reported by NBC News.
Currently, Kennedy’s name appears on the ballot in just one state — Utah.
“The panicked DC power brokers are working overtime to keep Kennedy off the ballot because they know he can and will end their culture of greed and corruption. They offer us soaring inflation, forever wars, and chronic disease,” stated American Values co-founder Tony Lyons in a message sent to CBS News.
On Friday, the Democratic National Committee lodged a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Kennedy’s campaign and his super PAC, alleging collusion between the two entities to secure Kennedy’s presence on the ballot.