Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s tremendous PAC, American Values 2024, aired a 30-second advert in regards to the impartial candidate’s presidential marketing campaign throughout Tremendous Bowl LVIII on Sunday.
The advert highlighted pictures of the 70-year-old candidate in a classic look, whereas utilizing slogans, clips and a jingle that leaned into the legacy of his uncle, former President John F. Kennedy.
Tremendous PAC co-founder Tony Lyons confirmed to CBS Information that the Tremendous Bowl advert price $7 million.
”The panicked DC energy brokers are working additional time to maintain Kennedy off the poll as a result of they know he can and can finish their tradition of greed and corruption. They provide us hovering inflation, endlessly wars, and continual illness,” Lyons stated in an announcement despatched to CBS Information.
”I am so sorry if the Tremendous Bowl commercial brought about anybody in my household ache,” Kennedy stated in a social media submit on Sunday night time. ”The advert was created and aired by the American Values Tremendous PAC with none involvement or approval from my marketing campaign. FEC guidelines prohibit Tremendous PACs from consulting with me or my workers. I really like you all. God bless you.”
Nonetheless, Kennedy’s press secretary, Stefanie Spear, stated in a separate assertion to CBS Information that ”we’re pleasantly stunned and grateful to the American Values PAC for operating an advert in the course of the Tremendous Bowl the place greater than 100 million Individuals acquired to see that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is operating as an impartial candidate for President of america.”
As of at this time, Kennedy has solely formally certified for the poll in Utah. In response to the marketing campaign, he met the signature threshold on Jan. 23, however the marketing campaign remains to be engaged on paperwork.
On Friday, the Democratic Nationwide Committee filed an FEC submitting towards Kennedy’s marketing campaign and his tremendous PAC, claiming the 2 are colluding to get Kennedy on the poll.
”It is becoming that the primary nationwide advert selling Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s candidacy was purchased and paid for by Donald Trump’s largest donor this cycle. RFK Jr. is nothing greater than a Trump stalking horse on this race,” DNC spokesperson Alex Floyd stated in an announcement following the advert.
”Like his uncle and his father, Kennedy is a corruption-fighter, and it is no marvel the DNC is making an attempt each outdated trick and inventing new tips to cease him. The general public sees via all of it and will not stand for it,” Lyons stated Sunday.
Political strategist Robert Shrum, a speechwriter and advisor for the late former Sen. Ted Kennedy, stated on social media, ”This RFK Jr. Tremendous Bowl advert is a straight out plagiarism of JFK advert from 1960. What a fraud – and to cite Lloyd Bentsen with a slight modification, ’Bobby, you are no John Kennedy.’ As an alternative you’re a Trump ally.”
A number of of Kennedy’s relations have condemned his impartial bid for the presidency. In October 2023, when he introduced he was going to run as an impartial, 4 of his siblings issued an announcement calling his determination ”harmful to the nation.”
Kennedy’s cousin, Bobby Shriver, wrote on X, ”My cousin’s Tremendous Bowl advert used our uncle’s faces- and my Mom’s. She can be appalled by his lethal well being care views. Respect for science, vaccines, & well being care fairness had been in her DNA. She strongly supported my well being care work at @ONECampaign & @RED which he opposes.”
And Bobby Shriver’s brother, Mark Shriver additionally commented, saying, ”I agree with my brother @bobbyshriver easy as that.”