Robert F Kennedy Jr's independent run for presidency has been denounced by his siblings as they describe his campaign as "perilous for our country".
Following their brother’s campaign launch in Philadelphia, his sisters Rory Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend; and brother Joseph P Kennedy II said they were "deeply saddened" in a statement on social media.
Kerry wrote: “The decision of our brother Bobby to run as a third party candidate against Joe Biden is dangerous to our country.
“Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment.
Following their brother’s campaign launch in Philadelphia, his siblings said they were 'deeply saddened' in a statement on social media
REUTERS/Amr Alfiky"Today’s announcement is deeply saddening for us. We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for our country.”
Robert had previously been a part of the race for the Democrat nomination but stepped aside to declare “independence” from America’s two political parties.
The anti-vaccination activist and member of America’s most famous political family could impact the 2024 election, although his own prospects of winning are slim.
The Kennedy family have previously criticised their relative, who is a conspiracy theorist.
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In July, Kerry, chair of the Robert F Kennedy human rights center, denounced Robert F Kennedy Jr’s claim that Covid was generated to target some ethnic groups and spare others, as “deplorable and untruthful”.
The 69-year old pulled out of the Democrat race as he claimed the process was “rigged” and had denied him a chance of coming face-to-face with Joe Biden for a debate.
Kennedy was not one to tow the Democrat line as a candidate for the party, opposing the push to support Ukraine along with his deep scepticism about vaccines.
RFK Jr’s announcement unsettles the Biden and Trump camps in how it remains unclear just how the electorate will be swayed.
Robert F Kennedy Jr dropped his Democratic party bid to become president and instead run as an independent candidate
Alessandro Bremec/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesAhead of his Independent announcement, Far-right influencers close to the presidential contender sent strong signals on social media, with one anti-vaccine doctor, Joseph Mercola, running a poll on whether Kennedy should quit the Democratic party.
In the poll, an overwhelming majority or 82.6 per cent of Dr Mercola’s 1,195 voters supported RFK Jr dumping the Dems and running as an independent.
According to internal polling by Trump’s campaign, Kennedy’s independent bid could draw votes away from the current and former president when voters go to the polls at the next general election.
