Over a dozen Kennedy family members backed President Biden for a new term, criticizing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s independent run, which some say will benefit former President Trump.
Kerry Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s younger sister, spoke to a group of Biden supporters in Philadelphia alongside the president and other family members.
In 2024, only Biden and Trump have a chance at winning the presidency, she said, indirectly dismissing her brother’s chances.
She emphasized the importance of reelecting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, noting their alignment with her father's ideals, flanked by a sign that read “We’re on Board.”
Kerry Kennedy highlighted ways Biden's agenda and political career have matched her father's, pointing to his support for union workers, efforts to reduce student loan debt, and focus on democracy.
“President Biden has championed the same rights and freedoms as my father and uncles,” Kerry Kennedy said.
She added that almost every grandchild of Joe and Rose Kennedy endorses Joe Biden, and the entire Kennedy family supports him for president.
Fifteen Kennedy family members, including Kerry Kennedy, Joe Kennedy II, Joe Kennedy III, Ted Kennedy Jr., Beth Kennedy, and Christopher Kennedy, attended the Thursday event.
The president and members of the Kennedy family were expected to join local volunteers for a grassroots organizing event, participating in voter outreach through phone calls and door knocking.
The endorsement on Thursday was not unexpected, as Kerry Kennedy and other family members have distanced themselves from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential bid.
Last month, Biden hosted over 30 Kennedy family members at the White House for St. Patrick’s Day, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. not in attendance. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged the endorsements for his political rival in a post on X earlier Thursday, likening the divide within his family to the political divisions across the country.He expressed that though there are differing opinions within the family, they are unified in their love for each other, and stated his hope for a similar approach to disagreements in the broader political landscape.
He also expressed hope for restoring civility and respect to public discourse in America.
RFK Jr., who is an activist and lawyer, has promoted conspiracy theories about vaccines and exhibited a broader mistrust in the government. His comments about the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack and a Super Bowl ad heavily leaning on the family name have sparked controversy.
He is running an independent campaign for the White House, arguing that Biden is unfit for another term and suggesting that former President Trump “failed” in his first term and would be detrimental for the country.
Democrats are worried that if Kennedy Jr. runs, he could take votes away from Biden and help Trump win. A pro-Trump super PAC has launched a website calling Kennedy Jr. a “radical liberal,” highlighting his views on tax policy, gun laws, and the climate.
A poll by New York Times/Siena College, published on Saturday, showed Trump with 46 percent support and Biden with 45 percent. This is a narrowing of the gap from February, when Trump led by 5 percentage points.
A Decision Desk HQ
average of national polling
in a three-way race between Biden, Trump, and Kennedy Jr. indicates Trump leading Biden by less than 1 percentage point, with Kennedy Jr. polling at about 7 percent. Kerry Kennedy expressed concern on Thursday about how her father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, would have reacted to Donald Trump's lies and behavior. She emphasized that her father stood for equal justice, human rights, and freedom, much like President Biden does today. Over a dozen members of the Kennedy family endorsed President Biden for reelection on Thursday, rejecting the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. They argue that his independent run will help elect former President Trump. Kerry Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s younger sister, spoke to a group of Biden supporters in Philadelphia.
“I can only imagine how Donald Trump’s outrageous lies and behavior would have horrified my father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who proudly served as Attorney General of the United States, and honored his pledge to uphold the law and protect the country,” Kerry Kennedy said Thursday. “Daddy stood for equal justice, human rights, and freedom from want and fear. Just as President Biden does today.”
