Members of the Kennedy Family Denounce RFK Jr.'s Endorsement of Donald Trump Calling It a "Betrayal"

Last week, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed Donald Trump, after suspending his independent campaign for president.

"I've made the heart-wrenching decision to suspend my campaign and to support President Trump," he said. "This decision is agonizing for me because of the difficulties it causes me and my children and my friends."

Kennedy also appeared onstage at a rally in Arizona in support of the former president. At the event, Trump said if reelected, he would establish a commission to release all previously classified files relating to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which he called "a tribute in honor of Bobby." Of course, President Kennedy was RFK Jr.'s uncle; RFK Jr.'s father, Robert F. Kennedy, was also assassinated in 1968 during his own campaign for president.

"This is a tribute, in honor of Bobby. I am announcing tonight that upon my election, I will establish a new independent presidential commission on assassination attempts," Trump said at the rally. "And they will be tasked with releasing all of the remaining documents pertaining to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy."

Five of Kennedy's siblings have since denounced his endorsement of Trump in a statement released on social media, calling it "a betrayal." Read the statement in full below:

"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. We believe in Harris and Walz. Our brother Bob'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." It was signed by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Chris Kennedy, and Rory Kennedy.

Other members of the Kennedy family have also shared their thoughts on RFK Jr.'s endorsement of Trump on social media.

For example, former congressman Joe Kennedy III, who is a grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, retweeted the post from RFK Jr.'s siblings, adding the comment: "Well said."

John F. Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg, who recently spoke at the Democratic National Convention, and has been making social media videos in support of Kamala Harris's presidential run, wrote on Twitter: "Never been less surprised in my life. Been saying it for over a year — RFKjr is for sale, works for Trump. Bedfellows and loving it. Kamala Harris is for the people — the easiest decision of all time just got easier."

This isn't the first time members of the Kennedy family have spoken out in opposition to RFK Jr. and his views.

Just over a year ago in July 2023, Schlossberg called RFK Jr.'s candidacy an "embarrassment."

"I have no idea why anyone thinks he should be president," he said in a video posted to social media. He also accused RFK Jr. of "trading in on Camelot, celebrity, conspiracy theories, and conflict for personal gain and fame."

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