Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has responded to his family's excoriating statement after suspending his presidential campaign and endorsing former President Donald Trump for re-election this November.
The statement was shared by Kerry Kennedy and signed by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Chris Kennedy and Rory Kennedy on Friday.
Kennedy addressed his family's statement during a Sunday interview with Fox News.
“My family is at the center of the Democratic Party,” Kennedy said during an interview on Sunday. “I have five members of my family that are working for the Biden administration. President Biden has a bust of my father behind him at the Oval Office. He’s been a family friend for many, many years.”
Kennedy said he understood his family was "troubled" by his endorsement of Trump, adding he still loved them despite their deep disagreement with the presidential candidate.
“We were raised in a milieu where we were encouraged to debate each other and debate ferociously and passionately about things, but just still love each other,” he said. “They’re free to take their positions on these issues. There are many, many members of my family who are working in my campaign, who are supporting me. I have a very big family. There’s a few of them that are troubled, but you know, I think we all need to be able to disagree with each other and still love each other.” RFK Jr. responds to attacks that the Kennedy family has made against him for endorsing Trump.
He says his family should be free to express whatever political stances they have but they should "be able to disagree with each other and still love each other." pic.twitter.com/BrpO96oSCN
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) August 25, 2024
"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," Kerry Kennedy wrote on behalf of the family. "We believe in Harris and Walz. Our brother Bobby's decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear." 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
"It is a sad ending to a sad story," the Kennedy family added.
Former Massachussetts congressman Joe Kennedy III also threw support behind the Kennedy family statement.
On Friday, after endorsing Trump, Kennedy said his wife Cheryl Hines felt "uncomfortable" with his decision, though praised her for her support.
"I am so grateful to my amazing wife Cheryl for her unconditional love, as I made a political decision with which she is very uncomfortable," Kennedy wrote. I am so grateful to my amazing wife Cheryl for her unconditional love, as I made a political decision with which she is very uncomfortable. I wish this also for the country — love and unity even in the face of disagreement. We will need that in coming times. https://t.co/sar4Jka46K
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) August 23, 2024
"I wish this also for the country — love and unity even in the face of disagreement. We will need that in coming times," he added.
After Kennedy's announcement, Hines released a statement on X thanking members of his campaign. The decision has been made to suspend my husband's, Robert Kennedy Jr.'s, presidency and I'd like to extend a sincere, deeply heartfelt thank you to every person who has worked so tirelessly and lovingly on his campaign. They have accomplished feats that were said to be…
— Cheryl Hines (@CherylHines) August 23, 2024
