Independent Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recreated a 1960 John F. Kennedy TV ad for a Super Bowl spot.The $7million (£5.5million) advert is a remake of a famous advertisement used by his uncle and former President John F. Kennedy.
However,apologized to members of his family late Sunday, after a Super PAC backing his campaign aired an advert during the Super Bowl using slightly altered visuals from a classic advertisement used by his uncle and former President John F. Kennedy.
A campaign ad for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was aired during the Super Bowl, released by the American Values 2024 political action committee, which raised eyebrows for more reasons than one.
The long-shot candidate used audio from his uncle’s 1960 presidential campaign ad, even though multiple Kennedy family members have disavowed pretty much everything the independent candidate stands for.
The collective response to the ad appeared to be confusion; as former Washington Post writer Steven Zeitchik put it, “Did anyone else see that RFK Jr. ad or was my stream/mind just hacked?
However,American Values 2024 PAC that supports him.Activist and writer Charlotte Clymer said, “Just a reminder: the Kennedy family is not supporting Robert Kennedy, Jr. To watch this mediocre excuse for a leader co-opt President Kennedy’s iconic campaign ad is predictably craven. This is what RFK, Jr. does. He’s a hall-of-fame charlatan.”
In that vein, Harry Sisson added, “Reminder: RFK Jr. is a right-wing lunatic who believes insane conspiracies about vaccines, government and more. His Super Bowl ad was distasteful and he is NOT a real Kennedy. His own family has disavowed him and encouraged Americans to vote for President Biden.”
“I'm so sorry if the Super Bowl advertisement caused anyone in my family pain," Kennedy said in a social media post on Sunday night. "The ad was created and aired by the American Values Super PAC without any involvement or approval from my campaign. FEC rules prohibit Super PACs from consulting with me or my staff. I love you all. God bless you."
However, Kennedy's press secretary, Stefanie Spear, said in a separate statement to CBS News that "we are pleasantly surprised and grateful to the American Values PAC for running an ad during the Super Bowl where more than 100 million Americans got to see that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is running as an independent candidate for President of the United States."
