Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has issued an apology following the release of a video that captured a private phone conversation between him and former Republican President Donald Trump.
The video, which was initially posted online, has sparked controversy due to the content of the discussion, which included Trump's discredited claims about childhood vaccines.
According to Boston.com, the video depicts Kennedy listening to Trump as the former president expounds on his unfounded beliefs about vaccines. This topic has been instrumental in helping Kennedy garner a dedicated following among those who reject the scientific consensus that vaccines' benefits significantly outweigh the risk of rare complications. Trump also seems to be encouraging Kennedy to endorse his campaign. "I would love you to do so," Trump is heard saying. "And I think itll be so good for you and so big for you. And were going to win."
The leaked portion of the conversation, which starts with Trump already discussing vaccines, reveals little of Kennedy's responses. Kennedy later took to the X platform to express his regret over the incident. "When President Trump called me I was taping with an in-house videographer," Kennedy wrote. "I should have ordered the videographer to stop recording immediately. I am mortified that this was posted. I apologize to the president."
The video was initially posted by Kennedy's son, Robert F. Kennedy III, who stated it was recorded a day after an assassination attempt on Trump at a Pennsylvania rally and a day before the Republican National Convention. Although the video was removed shortly after, copies continue to circulate on social media.
Kennedy's campaign spokesperson, Stefanie Spear, confirmed that he would not be withdrawing from the presidential race. His campaign has been focused on the challenging task of securing a spot on the ballot in all 50 states without the backing of a political party, a feat that demands significant time and resources.
The impact of Kennedy's campaign on the White House prospects of both Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden has raised concerns among their allies. Third-party candidates typically secure only a small percentage of the vote, but Democrats have previously blamed Green Party candidates for swaying the 2000 and 2016 elections in favor of Republicans.
Kennedy has leveraged nontraditional platforms like podcasts and YouTube to attract younger voters and those skeptical of institutions, demographics that Trump hopes to win over. Democrats fear that Kennedy might attract anti-Trump voters who might otherwise support Biden, thereby aiding the former president's victory.
During his conversation with Kennedy, Trump also discussed the assassination attempt against him and a subsequent phone call he received from Biden, which he described as "very nice." He likened the sensation of the bullet grazing his ear to that of "the worlds largest mosquito."
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