RFK Jr. says he loves his family despite siblings' accusations of 'betrayal'
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently emphasized the love he has for his family despite their public denunciation of his political views.
After Kennedy suspended his campaign last week and removed his name from the ballot in 10 battleground states to endorse former President Donald Trump, five of Kennedy's siblings issued a statement accusing him of betraying their father's legacy.
"We want an America filled with hope and bound together by a shared vision of a brighter future, a future defined by individual freedom, economic promise and national pride," said the statement that was signed by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Chris Kennedy and Rory Kennedy.
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"We believe in Harris and Walz," the statement continued. "Our brother Bobby's decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear. It is a sad ending to a sad story."
I am sharing a personal statement that my family and I have made in response to my brother’s announcement. pic.twitter.com/j7vTTabNYZ
— Kerry Kennedy (@KerryKennedyRFK) August 23, 2024
Kennedy took flak from other members of the Kennedy clan who piled on to the criticism.
Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, D-Mass., who is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nephew, retweeted the statement, writing simply: "Well said."
Jack Schlossberg, who is the only grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, also ripped into his cousin, saying he has "never been less surprised in my life" by his decision to back Trump.
"Been saying it for over a year — [RFK Jr.] is for sale, works for Trump," the 31-year-old Schlossberg tweeted. "Bedfellows and loving it. Kamala Harris is for the people — the easiest decision of all time just got easier."
Kerry Kennedy, who was married for 15 years to former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, also appeared Sunday on "Inside with Jen Psaki" to further blast her brother, accusing him of trying to tarnish their father's memory.
"So I’m outraged and disgusted by my brother’s gaudy and obscene embrace of Donald Trump," she said. "And I completely get out and separate and dissociate myself from Robert Kennedy Jr. in this flagrant and inexplicable effort to desecrate and trample and set fire to my father’s memory,” Kerry Kennedy said.
.@KerryKennedyRFK on RFK Jr.’s Trump endorsement: “I completely disavow and separate and dissociate myself from Robert Kennedy Jr. and his flagrant and inexplicable effort to desecrate and trample and set fire to my father’s memory.” pic.twitter.com/6ar5J30CaB
— Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) August 25, 2024
Speaking on Sunday to Fox News anchor Shannon Bream, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged that his family members are troubled by his decisions, but said he still loves them.
"My family is — I understand that they're troubled by my decisions," he said. "I love my family. I feel like we were raised in a milieu where we were encouraged to debate each other and debate ferociously and passionately about things and still love each other."
"They're free to take their positions on these issues," he added. "There are many, many members of my family working at my campaign and who are supporting me."
"I think we all need to be able to disagree with each other and still love each other," he added.
Kennedy also noted that five of his family members work in the Biden administration.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responds to his family's criticism after endorsing President Trump.
— Vigilant News (@VigilantNews) August 26, 2024
“I love my family… we were encouraged to debate each other, and debate ferociously and passionately about things and still love each other.”
Classy.
Despite the backlash, Kennedy… pic.twitter.com/bN1bcqn0PR
On Friday, Kennedy also revealed that his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, was "very uncomfortable" with his decision to suspend his campaign and endorse Trump, but that their love for each other is unconditional.
"I am so grateful to my amazing wife Cheryl for her unconditional love, as I made a political decision with which she is very uncomfortable. I wish this also for the country — love and unity even in the face of disagreement. We will need that in coming times," Kennedy tweeted.
During his speech Friday announcing the suspension of his campaign, Kennedy tore into the Democratic Party for becoming what he described as "the party of war, censorship, corruption, big pharma, big tech, big AG, and big money."
Kennedy emphasized that the most important political issue to him is solving the epidemic of chronic disease in the United States, which he noted is unprecedented in history.
"Ultimately, the only thing that will save our country and our children is if we choose to love our kids more than we hate each other," he said.
Jon Brown is a reporter for The Christian Post. Send news tips to jon.brown@christianpost.com
