The Kennedy clan has returned to the public stage as the 2024 Presidential Election approaches; Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent candidacy has stirred them to action. With President Joe Biden seeking re-election, the specter of the Kennedy brand potentially tipping the scales in favor of the opposition looms large, both within the Democratic Party and the extensive Kennedy family tree. As a result, Biden hosted the family at the White House. The family has been extremely vocal in denouncing RFK’s campaign, particularly in regards to his stance on COVID and the war in Ukraine.
The recent assembly of Kennedys at the White House for St. Patrick’s Day wasn’t just a celebration of heritage; it was a strategic show of support for Biden, underscoring the family’s broad disapproval of RFK Jr.’s presidential ambitions. Captured in a photograph that quickly became symbolic, the gathering included generations of Kennedys, conspicuously absent was RFK Jr. himself. This image, celebrated by Democratic National Committee spokesperson Matt Corridoni and shared across social media by family members, served as a tacit endorsement of Biden over one of their own.
Behind this public display lies a deeper concern among the Kennedys about the implications of RFK Jr.’s candidacy. Not only does it threaten to divert crucial votes in a tight election, but it also risks tarnishing a legacy built on decades of public service and political engagement. Kerry Kennedy, RFK Jr.’s sister and a vocal critic of his campaign, has been at the forefront, organizing the family’s political countermeasures. The family’s efforts vary, from campaign trail appearances to media engagements aimed at bolstering Biden and diminishing RFK Jr.’s impact.
In the past various members of the Kennedy family have denounced RFK for his conspiracy theories and his penchant for the spread of disinformation. They have gone as far as saying that his candidacy “is dangerous for this country.”
RFK Jr., for his part, maintains that he enjoys the support of many within his sprawling family, though he admits to disagreements on key issues such as COVID-19 policies and the war in Ukraine. His pivot away from the Democratic Party to an independent run marks a significant departure from the Kennedy political lineage, eliciting mixed emotions and highlighting deep-seated divisions.
As the election draws nearer, the Kennedy family’s internal dynamics and public actions touch on the interplay between quasi-religious political dynamics; the Kennedy family enjoys political prominence primarily through the reality of their past, a modern divine right, ensuring RFK does not abuse this name recognition is paramount to the family at large. With the legacy of one of America’s most iconic political families at stake, the Kennedys’ maneuvering within the 2024 Presidential Election offers a unique lens through which to view the enduring influence of their clan on American politics.
