RFK Jr. apologizes to family for Super Bowl ad echoing JFK’s famous 1960 commercial, while still pushing it online
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. apologized to his family for the $7 million Super Bowl campaign ad reminiscent of his assassinated uncle, former President John F. Kennedy — while still pushing it on his social media.
“I’m so sorry if the Super Bowl advertisement caused anyone in my family pain,” the independent presidential candidate wrote on X late Sunday after family members condemned the likeness to JFK’s campaign in the 1960s.
“The ad was created and aired by the American Values Super PAC without any involvement or approval from my campaign.
“FEC rules prohibit super PAC’s from consulting with me or my staff,” he wrote. “I love you all. God bless you.”
Still, he pinned the 30-second commercial on his official account on X, meaning followers were hit with that before reaching his apology. He also shared it on Instagram.
“Our momentum is growing. It’s time for an Independent President to heal the divide in our country,” he wrote on X while promoting the video, which had been viewed more than 2.4 million times on the site.
Some of his family had been quick to condemn the ad, which featured the same catchy tune as JFK’s campaign commercial, with the same cartoons and photos of JFK — but many changed to RFK Jr.
“My cousin’s Super Bowl ad used our uncle’s faces — and my mother’s,” wrote Bobby Shriver, a nephew of JFK. “She would be appalled by his deadly health care views.
“Respect for science, vaccines, health care equity were in her DNA.”
Mark Shriver then shared the post, writing: “I agree with my brother, simple as that.”
The presidential candidate later replied directly to Bobby, again saying it was the result of a super PAC and he had no foreknowledge of it.
“I send you and your family my sincerest apologies,” RFK Jr. wrote. “God bless you.”
The ad was funded by the American Values 2024 Super PAC, which was co-founded by Tony Lyons.
“RFK Jr. offers us real change along with freedom, trust and hope,” Lyons said.
“Like his uncle and his father, Kennedy is a corruption fighter, and it’s no wonder the DNC is trying every old trick and inventing new tricks to stop him. The public sees through it all and won’t stand for it.”
RFK Jr. is currently only on the ballot in Utah.
