Five family members of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Friday condemned their sibling for supporting Donald Trump, claiming he was dishonoring the Kennedy legacy.
In a joint statement released Friday following RFK’s suspension of his campaign and endorsement of Donald Trump’s re-election bid, the Kennedys wrote they supported Kamala Harris and were appalled by their brother’s decision.
“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,” read a statement posted to X by RFK sister Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, adding, “We believe in Harris and Walz.”
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
“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,” the remarks signed by five Kennedys stated.
The effort to distance themselves from RFK was received poorly on social media, with some claiming that five siblings teaming up against one over political differences spoke volumes about them.
Betraying your own brother speaks to your character, not his.
— The Redheaded libertarian (@TRHLofficial) August 23, 2024
Y’all are all spineless cowards
Your brother is Patriot for putting his country first
— Hodgetwins (@hodgetwins) August 23, 2024
Throwing your brother under the bus is an indictment of your own character. His courage to defy you reveals what a remarkable man he is.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) August 23, 2024
Your bother is asking what he can do for the country.
You are focused on what the country can do for you.
So yes, your dad would absolutely be proud of his son.
— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) August 23, 2024
Imagine throwing your own brother under the bus.
— Catturd
(@catturd2) August 23, 2024
What a vile statement from you and your family. On the other hand, your brother's speech was inspirational.
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) August 23, 2024
Disagreeing with his political views is one thing – attacking him publicly and wanting no association makes you a horrible person.
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) August 23, 2024
You know who publicly castigates family because of disagreement over politics?
The scum of the earth.
Congrats.
— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) August 23, 2024
Kennedy on Friday declared he would forge a “unity” party with the Trump campaign in efforts to prevent the Democrats from winning in November, labeling them “the party of war, censorship, corruption, big pharma, big tech, big ag, and big money,” while also saying it would “maximize my chances to save America’s children and restore national health.”
“The most unifying theme for all Americans is that we all love our children,” RFK stated.
RFK did not publicly address his family’s statement as of writing.
The controversy comes as RFK is rumored to be a special guest of Trump’s at a Friday rally in Glendale, Arizona.