Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Announces Candidacy For President As An Independent, Relatives Denounce His Decision

On Monday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced he would not pursue the Democratic nomination against President Joe Biden — a goal that was difficult for him to achieve in the first place.

Kennedy, who is famous for spewing conspiracy theories, including against the Covid-19 vaccine, announced that he would run for president as an independent candidate. He made the announcement while addressing his supporters outside the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, saying that he is part of “a populist movement that defies left-right division.”

“The Democrats are frightened that I’m going to spoil the election for President Biden, and the Republicans are frightened that I’m going to spoil it for Trump. The truth is, they’re both right. My intention is to spoil it for both of them,” he said.

Kennedy first announced his candidacy in April and has since been attacking Democratic leadership. He claims that Democratic leaders tried to undermine his challenge to Biden and used the party machinery for this purpose. He also alleged that the party has deviated from its principles.

Kennedy’s denial of scientific orthodoxies and his belief in conspiracy theories ended up embarrassing his own family members as well as several Democrats.

In a statement issued on Monday, four of his siblings not only distanced themselves from his politics but said that his candidacy would be dangerous for the country.

“Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment. We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for our country,” read the statement issued by Rory Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy II and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.