Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, publicly apologized to his family for a Super Bowl advertisement that prominently featured his connection to his uncle, former President John F. Kennedy.
The ad, created and aired by the American Values Super PAC, sparked criticism from Kennedy’s relatives and raised questions about his campaign’s messaging and strategy.
In a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Kennedy expressed regret over any pain caused to his family by the ad, emphasizing that he had no involvement or approval in its creation or airing.
The Federal Election Commission rules prohibit Super PACs from consulting with candidates or their staff, leading to a disconnect between Kennedy and the content of the ad.
The advertisement, which heavily relied on imagery from John F. Kennedy’s historic 1960 presidential campaign, drew a sharp rebuke from Kennedy’s cousin, Bobby Shriver. Shriver condemned the ad’s use of family members’ faces and criticized Kennedy’s stance on healthcare, particularly his views on vaccines and healthcare equity.
Despite his candidacy, Kennedy faces significant challenges in gaining traction among voters. Polling data from December indicates that he trails behind both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in a hypothetical three-way race.
However, Kennedy appears to draw more support from potential Biden voters than from Trump’s base, highlighting the complexities of his political positioning and appeal.
