More than a dozen members of the Kennedy family will give their formal endorsement of President Biden’s re-election Thursday, snubbing their relative and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
With surveys showing the son of the late attorney general and senator from New York pulling votes away from Biden, the Massachusetts-based political dynasty will appear with the president at a campaign event in Philadelphia and praise him as a champion of “all the rights and freedoms” that former President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert stood for.
Those in attendance will include RFK Jr.’s sisters Rory Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend; his brothers Joseph P. Kennedy II, Christopher Kennedy, and Maxwell Kennedy Sr.; nephew Joe Kennedy III; and cousin Edward Kennedy Jr. 4 Joe Biden invited relatives of first Irish-Catholic president John F Kennedy to White House’ St. Patrick Day celebration, but excluded RFK Jr. @KerryKennedyRFK / X
In her remarks, Kerry Kennedy will make a point to attack former President Donald Trump while praising Biden.
“President Biden has been a champion for all the rights and freedoms that my father and uncles stood for,” reads her prepared speech, which was shared with The Post Thursday morning.
“Donald Trump is running to take us backwards, attacking the most basic rights and freedoms that are core to who we are as Americans. He has said he will be a dictator on day one, even saying he wants to try to suspend the Constitution,” she will say.
“I can only imagine how Donald Trumps outrageous lies and behavior would have horrified my father, Robert F. Kennedy, who proudly served as Attorney General of the United States, and honored his pledge to uphold the law and protect the country. Daddy stood for equal justice, human rights, and freedom from want and fear. Just as President Biden does today.” 4 Kerry Kennedy posted photos of her family in White House St Patrick Day
celebration together with Joe Biden. @KerryKennedyRFK / X
Following the event, members of the family will participate in phone banking and door knocking for Biden.
The en masse endorsement had been expected since the Kennedy family visited the White House last month for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
RFK Jr.’s relatives have also campaigned with Biden and condemned RFK Jr., 70, for challenging the incumbent. 4 RFK Jr. is hoping to pull votes away from both Trump and Biden, and has been a staunch critic of both. Getty Images 4 RFK Jr. recently announced he would be choosing Nicole Shanahan as his VP pick. AFP via Getty Images
The Democrat-turned-independent has said he intends to be a “spoiler” for both Trump and Biden and wants to pull votes away from both rivals.
He has also used his Kennedy name and lineage to boost his campaign, speaking about the values of his father and uncle and airing an updated version of his uncle’s 1960 campaign ad during this year’s Super Bowl.
RFK Jr.’s campaign did not respond to an inquiry from The Post.