Max Kennedy, brother of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has publicly expressed his profound disappointment following his sibling’s decision to suspend his 2024 presidential campaign and endorse Donald Trump. In an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times, Max Kennedy urged the public to disregard Robert’s endorsement of Trump, calling it a stark departure from the values their father, former U.S. Senator and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, championed.
Max Kennedy criticized Trump as the embodiment of the “arrogant, entitled bully” that his father opposed before his assassination in 1968. He suggested that Robert F. Kennedy would have likely supported Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he described as a figure aligned with values of decency, dignity, equality, and justice—principles central to their father’s legacy.
“I’m heartbroken over my brother Bobby’s endorsement of Donald Trump,” Max Kennedy wrote. “Robert F. Kennedy’s life was dedicated to promoting the safety, security, and happiness of the American people.” He expressed disbelief at his brother’s shift in allegiance, which contrasts sharply with their father’s principles.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his departure from the presidential race on Thursday and appeared with Trump at a rally in Arizona, officially endorsing the former president. Kennedy revealed plans to withdraw his name from ballots in swing states to bolster Trump’s chances in the 2024 election but will remain on ballots in states unlikely to impact the presidential outcome.
Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump has provoked significant backlash within the Kennedy family. His campaign had previously been marred by controversies, including allegations of sexual assault by a former staffer and numerous conspiracy theories about vaccines, COVID-19, and other issues.
Max Kennedy, a lawyer and the ninth child of Robert F. and Ethel Kennedy, expressed astonishment at his brother’s endorsement, noting that Robert had initially sought a position in Harris’s administration in exchange for his endorsement. After receiving no response from the Harris camp, Robert Kennedy Jr. reportedly extended the same offer to Trump, which was accepted.
Max Kennedy’s comments highlight the deep familial and ideological rifts caused by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial political decisions and endorsements.