During Super Bowl LVIII, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s super PAC, American Values 2024, showcased a 30-second ad promoting Kennedy’s independent presidential campaign.
The ad featured nostalgic visuals of the 70-year-old candidate, tapping into the legacy of his uncle, former President John F. Kennedy, through slogans, clips, and a jingle.
However, Kennedy faced criticism from some family members for using family images in the ad. Bobby Shriver, Kennedy’s cousin and the son of Kennedy’s aunt Eunice Kennedy Shriver, expressed dissatisfaction, stating on X, “My cousin’s Super Bowl ad used our uncle’s faces- and my Mother’s.
RFK Jr. (Credits: Newsweek)
She would be appalled by his deadly healthcare views. Respect for science, vaccines, & healthcare equity was in her DNA. She strongly supported my health care work at @ONECampaign & @RED, which he opposes.”
Mark Shriver, Bobby Shriver’s brother, also voiced his agreement, saying, “I agree with my brother @bobbyshriver simple as that.”
Responding to the family’s concerns, Kennedy issued an apology on social media, expressing regret if the Super Bowl advertisement caused pain within his family.
He clarified that the ad was created and aired by the American Values Super PAC without his campaign’s involvement or approval, citing FEC rules prohibiting Super PACs from consulting with him or his staff.
Despite the apology, the ad remained visible on Kennedy’s X page. The Super PAC co-founder, Tony Lyons, confirmed that the Super Bowl ad incurred a cost of $7 million.
In a statement, Lyons accused DC power brokers of attempting to prevent Kennedy from the ballot, emphasizing that Kennedy could disrupt their culture of greed and corruption.
Kennedy, running as an independent candidate, has officially qualified for the ballot in Utah and is working on paperwork for other states. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) filed an FEC complaint against Kennedy’s campaign, alleging collusion with the super PAC to secure his place on the ballot.
The DNC spokesperson, Alex Floyd, characterized Kennedy as a “Trump stalking horse,” prompting a response from Lyons, who defended Kennedy as a corruption fighter and accused the DNC of employing old and new tricks to impede his campaign.
Political strategist Robert Shrum, associated with Kennedy’s late uncle, Sen. Ted Kennedy, criticized the Super Bowl ad, branding it as a blatant plagiarism of JFK’s 1960 ad and calling Kennedy a “Trump ally.”
Kennedy’s independent presidential bid has faced opposition from family members since its announcement in October 2023, with four of his siblings deeming it “dangerous to the country.”
